TIPS on Photography (Digital/Manual)

[nicolodeon]

Hi Fafa Kimps. ISO is simply the speed of the film. There are three ISO films that are currently available to casual photogs (available at your friendly neighborhood photo store: 100, 200 and 400. ISO 100 is a slow film while ISO 400 is the faster film. For added info, you can go here:

Kameraderie: Different ISO film speeds.

Shutter speed means is simply the time in which a shutter would be held open when taking a photography to allow light to reach the film (for digital cameras, the imaging sensor). The slower the shutter speed, the more light would come through the lens when taking a picture. The faster the shutter speed, the less light would go through the lens. Shutter speed is measured in seconds. So if you see a 1/125 shutter speed rating, it means that your shutter would be open for 1/125th of a second. 1/2 shutter speed means that your shutter would be open for half a second, which is already a long time in photography. Fast shutter speeds are usually used to freeze fast action shots, while slower shutter speeds can be used in cases where you have low/poor light or in cases where you want to be a bit artistic - putting some motion blur on your pic. Shutter speeds are used in conjuction with apperture settings.

As for the best ISO and aperture level, there is no best really. Everything depends on the conditions behind your photoshoot.

If you have a DSLR, you can set it to auto all the time for best results. However, I recommend that you be creative a play with the seetings of your cam and take lots pics since you don't have the worry of developing the pictures.

For a good reading material on how to become familar with your DSLR, you might want to check out this book:

Masterting Digital SLR photography

I have this book it it is an excellent read.