Yesterday was week three of a 10 week digital photography course I have been taking online via a webinar thanks to the guys at Creative Techs. I can not tell you how valuable this class has been. I am learning so much. This week, John Greengo focused entirely on lenses. During the 3 hour lesson, I took 7 pages of notes (front and back of the page). I had writer’s cramp by the time it was over.
So today as part of the Thursday’s Thirteen blog carnival, I wanted to share some of what I learned yesterday about lenses:
- Lenses are comprised of a number of glass elements. Anywhere between 5-21 pieces of glass.
- The angle of view varies based on the size of your cameras digital sensor.
- AI Servo is the best auto focusing mode for my Canon Rebel Ti1 because it allows me to capture subjects that are moving. My focusing will automatically adjust itself when my subject moves.
- A lens will render a sharper image when you use it’s middle apertures.
- It is better to have “Image Stabilization” in the lens itself rather than in the camera body.
- Depth of Field is a term to describe what is in focus or how much of your subject is in focus.
- Depth of Field is controlled by your aperture settings, focal length and shooting distance.
- A wide lens has a great Depth of Field, while a telephoto lens has a narrow Depth of Field.
- A fast lens will have a fast shutter speed, which means you can freeze action.
- If you have a fast lens, you can take pictures in low light situations.
- I will need to get a 57mm telephoto lens for taking portraits.
- Since I love taking landscape photographs, a 11mm wide angle will give me a unique perspective.
- A Pro Prime lens will give me better quality photographs.
There is so much more I could tell you about lenses. What would you like to know about lenses? Ask me a question in the comments and we will test my new found knowledge.