You may have purchased your first digital camera or may have only used a camera-phone before. But all cameras basically comprise the same or similar components. For informative purposes, the following is a rundown of the basic parts that make up a digital camera.
How the Lens of a Camera Works
What is the Liquid Crystal Display?
The liquid crystal display (or LCD) is a viewing screen on the back of the camera. This enables the photographer to preview the scene about to be shot and the shot just taken. If the light is very bright, the image may not be easy to discern, in such cases, using the viewfinder (a small lens on the back of the camera) will make things easier. The LCD also displays a menu and the settings used. The photographer may delete shots there and then, or store the image ready for upload onto a computer.
Flash Lamp within the Camera
If the camera is set to auto, the camera will activate a flash if the inbuilt light meter deems the light insufficient. The flash is often placed just above the lens. The flash may be switched off if the photographer prefers to use a slow shutter speed. The flash will also come in useful for infilling light within deep shadows on a bright day.
Settings Dial on a Camera
Various symbols can be found on a dial on the top of the camera. You will find ‘fast action setting,’ ‘portrait mode, ‘landscape mode,’ ‘close up,’ ‘night time ‘amongst others. You will also find a mode for taking videos. Some digital cameras enable you to take shots according to a chosen aperture setting or shutter speed. Here you may also find a zoom control, where the lens of the camera may be adjusted to wide angle, zoom or normal.
Navigation within a Digital Camera
This circular ‘eye’ is made from a series of convexed glass components housed in hard plastic or metal. The lens directs the light from the object concerned through the camera and onto the CCD (component that stores the image rather like the camera film.) The lens serves several functions. Primarily, it is a focusing mechanism. Most digital cameras also possess a zoom lens, where the view may be ‘zoomed in’ or ‘panned out.’
Shutter Speed and Shutter Release Button
When pressed, the shutter release activates the shutter – a small door inside the camera that opens and closes rapidly, exposing the CCD to a portion of light. When half-pressed, the shutter release also actives the autofocus mechanism. The sound of the bleep signals the camera is ready to shoot. The shutter itself may open and close in a choice of speeds, usually varying from 2000th of a second (or even less) to 1 second (or as long as the photographer wishes).
Aperture Settings in a Camera
The aperture is a small hole within the camera lens that works like the pupils of the eyes. Poor light will require a wide aperture, as more light is permitted through. A small aperture may be needed in bright light to prevent overexposure. The size of the hole is measured by f numbers (focal ratios). Each increment is twice as large as the last. The size of the aperture affects the depth of field (explained in another article). The casual photographer may not be aware of the aperture, as it remains invisible within the camera and auto mode will set the aperture automatically.
Built-in Light Meter
Inside the camera, the light meter measures the amount of light emitting from the scene concerned. Algorithms within the camera may then calculate the shutter speed and aperture setting required to create the best shot. Choosing a particular setting will affect how the two work together. Shooting under ‘landscape mode,’ for example, will create a slightly different result to shooting under ‘portrait mode’ or ‘macro.’
The photographer may navigate through the camera’s settings via a rocker switch of four buttons. This makes possible the preview of previous shots taken and the settings used, including the flash, the macro mode or override. The camera may also be set to manual, enabling the photographer to set the shutter speed and aperture manually.Camera’s Memory Card
A small card (or chip) can be inserted into the camera where images taken may be stored. Memory cards vary from 1 to 8 GBs (gigabyte), making possible the storage of numerous images. When ready, a USB cable may be rigged up between camera and computer and images copied into the computer’s MyPictures programme. The images may then be deleted from the memory card, ready for new shots. Photos stored on the computer may then be edited, cropped or enhanced by using computer image software.