To many of you that dibble and dabble in photography, you may have heard of the terms shutter priority and aperture priority. These are standard settings on all SLR cameras. However many folks do not know how to use them or what they really do.

Brentwood real estateYesterday, I took several photos using both settings and each one gave different results and effects. I use an old Nikon D-50 and for these examples I was using a 300mm lens. First of all the lens. Long glass will flatten out your picture. Leaving your subject in focus and leaving your background blurred which is okay.  

The photo of the female yellow sulfur on the sprig of lavender was taken using shutter priority. Here you need a fast shutter speed to capture a fast moving object. I used manual focus, opened the aperture setting on the lens to f8 and set the shutter to 400. These are good settings to start with in bright light. f8 is a middle of the road setting and 400 is a good place to start for late afternoon or early morning light. More intense light will need a smaller aperture setting f22 - f30 and a higher shutter speed 800 - 1000. 

For the blue iris behind the white moon flower bush, I used a tripod and aperture priority. Knowing that a long lens will flatten out the subjects and wanting to darken the background, experience told me to go in this direction. Manually setting the focus between the subjects, and manually closing down the aperture to let in less light, made the shutter speed longer. exposure longer about .5 seconds. You cannot hold the camera still that long so using a good tripod is essential.

Always bracket your shots experimenting with differing exposure times and speeds.

Bottom line, the smaller the aperture, the less light comes into the camera. This lengthens the shutter speed. The larger the aperture, more light will come into the camera. The shutter speed will need to decrease. There are exceptions to this rule, but these are the basics for shooting in moderate to bright lighting conditions.

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com

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15 Comments on Tips for Better Photography - Shutter Priority v/s Aperture Priority...

SEP
06
2009
636,192 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Mike,

Beautiful photos! I can see you have a gift and thanks for sharing your knowledge and tips.

 
8:52am • #1
216,373 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks Michael, these tips came just in time. I'm going out a little later with my camera and I'll keep all this in mind.
8:56am • #2
1,121,597 Points 98 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mike,

Thank goodness for digital cameras today. I do use multiple options when taking shots and the difference in how the picture comes out is amazing.

Rich
9:03am • #3
1,071,873 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I wish I could take better photos....I will just look at yours instead :-)
9:09am • #4
466,655 Points 1 Featured Post

Beautiful for sure...... Thanks for the tips today, I love photography and enjoy taking pictures.  Any ideas for an upgrade in digital camera?   Not too complecated for me, I like a nice sharp picture but needs to be an easy pick up and shoot model.

Let me know please.

Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh homes
9:15am • #5
1,152,005 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Michael,

Thanks for the reminder. Now I remember that my camera went weird yesterday and I have to figure out what I did to screw it up.
11:37am • #6
367,641 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Michael ~ Wonderful photos, so easy on the eye...Great tips too. Thanks
11:38am • #7
786,170 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Michael

Love the digitals for business...wouldn't do it anyother way.  They also have their place in almost all general photography.  Your post though has inspired me to dust off the old Nikon F and F3 and see if I can still develop my own black and whites.
3:09pm • #8
909,312 Points 94 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great primer on taking better photographs Michael.

I used to teach photography and from looking at the great photos you've posted, I knew you had the touch!
6:37pm • #9
569,592 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Michael... you have a great camera.. I have the Samsung 815 Pro. I can't do some of the things I see in your photos.. My next camera will do alot more.... but something else o learn.
11:56pm • #10
SEP
07
2009
547,489 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Michael,

My camera is CyberShot, with 12.1 megapixels but no fancy lens etc. It is so much better than my last one.  I am happy.  I do ENJOY YOUR PICTURES!!!!  THANKS!

     Mary
6:41am • #11
643,040 Points 10 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Mike - It's amazing what you can do with a good camera. I also have a D50, and before that I was taking my pictures with a coolpix pocket camera. One day I decided to take the same pictures with both camera's to see the difference. I haven't used the pocket camera since.

A good camera would be helpful to most realtors.
7:44am • #12
112,053 Points Localism Sponsor

I'm so envious of your talent and camera.  My Sony Cyber-shot 7.2 mega pixels travels in my purse everywhere I go.  It's pretty beat up now...4 years and hundreds of shots of houses, grandchildren, dogs, cats, clouds and whatever else I take a fancy to shoot.  Maybe Santa will come this year bearing a camera box....can you speak to him for me?
11:20am • #13
655,373 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Michael, I don't know why I find this so darn confusing.  I read it and think I have it figured out then go to use it and can't remember. 
9:18pm • #14
SEP
08
2009
972,232 Points 247 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Beautiful photos and a pro took them for sure!
11:52am • #15

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Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector - 615.661.0297

Brentwood, TN

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Address: 217 Jamestown Park Road, Suite 12, Brentwood, TN, 37027

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