1. Aperture
The most important thing any photographer should understand is aperture, the physical opening in your lens that lets light through to the sensor. The wider the aperture opening, the more light can pass through.
The size of the opening, controlled by a series of fins encroaching from the edge of the lens barrel, is measured in what’s known as f-stops, written f/2.8, f/5.9, with smaller numbers indicating wider apertures.
2. Filters And Lenses
What Does The ø Symbol On My Lens Mean?
Alongside the focal and aperture ranges, another measurement you’ll see on most DSLR lenses is preceded by ø, and describes the diameter of the screw mount on the front of the lens barrel. Check this figure each time you go to buy a filter or hood, as it can’t be guaranteed to be the same across every lens in your collection, even if they’re all designed for the same camera.
3. Lighting
Invest In A Cheap Pair Of Lights
If you’re doing indoor photography, it’s worth investing in a cheap pair of lights. Buy at least one pair, along with tripod stands and reflectors to help direct the light. Go for continuous light rather than flash units, as they’re cheaper, easier to use, and great for beginners, since you don’t need test shots to see how the shadows fall while setting up.
Understand Colour Temperature
The Kelvin scale is used to measure different colours and levels of light. For the best results, look for studio lights with a temperature of around 5,500K to 6,000K, to emulate bright daylight. Lights with a low colour temperature often give your images a colour cast that needs correcting in Photoshop or another image editor.