Homepage Picture Taking Basics Tips & Techniques Links	Camera's Film Aperture Focus Depth of Field Shutter Speed Lens's

Camera's
My own experience has only been with the point-and-shoot cameras and the single-lens-reflex cameras. Below is some information telling you about how these cameras operate. For specific brands explore the Business Links I have listed. Point-and-Shoot If your an amateur this is the type of camera your probably use too. This ist he type of camera that Meijer's, Target and most department stores carry. These are the easiest and lightest types of cameras. Teh biggest problem is that these camer'as offer little to no control of their aperture, focus, or shutter speed. 35 mm Single-Lens-Reflex This is the type of camera taht I will refer to frequently. Many amateur and professional photographers use this type of camera. The controllabiltiy with this camera in terms of its depth of field, aperture, shutter speed, and ability to change its lens's is its real asset. The 35 mm cameras come in either automatic or manual forms. I fyou are willing to spend time learning techniques and how your camera works (which will be worth the time in the end) I recommend a manual style camera.   Medium Format This camera comes in square, panormaic and retangular forms. The size is larger because it produces a larger negative or transparency. this larger negative will give an extremely sharp image. Digital My knowledge on digital photography is limited. However, from my experience I think that the concept will definitely be a common, even mandatory piece of equipment for a photographer. At the current time, I do not think that the quality is that high, especially for personal use (unless you are willing do pay a lot of money and purchase the eqiupment to enhance these photographs). If your foresee yourself selling photographs it is wise to jump in on this market early. For the average consumer expect to have poorer quality than your current 35 mm. Choosing a Digital Camera Other types of camera's are large-format and panoramic.
Getting Started What Camera Should I Buy?

Aperture
This is also called the f-stop and is adjusted by the aperture ring on your cameras lens. Adjusting the aperture will either decrease or increase an opening, which allows light to hit your film. This opening is similar to the iris of the eye. The aperture number correlates to the shutter speed. However, most 35 mm cameras are automatic--when setting the aperture the camera will automatically set the appropriate shutter speed for you. If the 35 mm you have is fully manual it will be imperative that you know exactly how everything operates in relation to each other. Practice: If your unforsure as to how your aperture works try this simple homework assignment. I advise you to use slide film. Place 3 objects in your cameras view. Have the 1st object about 3 feet from your camera, the next 6 feet away and the 3rd 9 feet away. Now, start with your smallest aperture and take a photo. Continue this until you get to your largest aperture. *Make sure you denote your setting for each photograph. When you get your results back you will be able to tell how apertures greatly affect your depth of field. Keep these photo's for your future reference.

Shutter Speed
Practice: To help you understand this concept fully here is a simple exercise. Find an object that is moving, I prefere a fountain. Stat at your fastest shutter speed and work down to your slowest speed taking a photo at each speed. Warning--Use a tripod when you get to 60 or lower or else you will have camera shake!

Film
The higher your film speed the less light that will be needed for your scene to expose. (Silver halides on your film move closer together when hit by light, which creates your objects). You may think that this sounds great because you can then use smaller apertures. Don't think this way. Try to use as low of a film speed that's possible. Speed of 100 and 200 are ideal, and if your brave enough they can even go lower. Higher films speeds are grainer, which for normal prints is not noticeable. If you plan on enlarging your prints, grains will become noticeable. This will inturn decrease your sharpness. Slide film is my absolute favorite film to use, especially for gardens. This type of film tends to have colors that are more vibrant and true to type. Slide film is also tolerant of exposure mistakes, which makes it perfect for mastering your technique. Almost all professional photographers use slide film. Getting actual prints can be expensive. Expect to pay at least $7 for a 4x5" print. The paper that this print comes on does not deteriorate. For obvious reasons, if you plan on giving lectures this film should be used. Black and White films are very fun to play with and try to master, especially in the darkroom. Generally black and white tend to portray truth and works best for high contrast scenes. Ansel Adams is a great landscape photographer that used this. Lately, I like to try and play with 3600 ASO film which is very grainy.
Film Recommendations

Lens's
T he lens is the area where you should try to spend as much money as you can. Focal lengths between 28 to 200 mmm tend to work best for garden photography. Usually the lens that comes with your camera is 50 mm. This represents what your eye would normally see, and does not distort images. Wide-angle lens's tend to enlarge in the center and foreground of the frame and have great depth of field.

Depth of Field
Outsight Photography