| If you have been taking photographs for years or | | | | off automatic mode for the shot you want to take. |
| just now starting there is one quick rule of thumb | | | | For example, say you go to a Nascar race and you |
| that is key to understanding how cameras work. I call | | | | want a picture of your favorite Nascar Driver going |
| it the Ambient Light Rule. There are two standard | | | | over 200 miles per hour. In this case you may want |
| agencies that regulate camera speeds; in the old | | | | to take your film or digital camera off auto and go |
| days film used ASA (American Standards Association) | | | | with shutter preferred and choose a fast stutter |
| now film cameras and digital cameras use ISO | | | | speed probably at least 1/500th of a second. The |
| (International Standards Organization) with both the | | | | faster the better, but this setting does effect how |
| higher the ASA or ISO number the faster the film or | | | | clear the items are in the foreground and |
| computer chip will accept light therefore allowing the | | | | background.Another situation is when you want to |
| camera to manipulate shutter speed and aperture | | | | take a close up and want as clear of shot that is |
| opening.Ambient Light Rule is quickly this, the faster | | | | possible. Here you may want to go with aperture |
| the shutter speed (stop motion) the lower the | | | | preferred. In this case the higher the aperture |
| aperture opening (depth of field). This can be | | | | (means the smaller the light source kind of like |
| changed by using a higher or lower ASA or ISO. This | | | | squinting your eyes to see better) means that you |
| all depends on what kind of picture you want to | | | | will get a sharper photograph. But the higher the |
| take. Automatic cameras make it easy to take | | | | aperture the slower the shutter speed. You either |
| pictures they will adjust the shutter speed and | | | | need more light or you may want to use a |
| aperture without you needing to know the Ambient | | | | tripod.Today with all the advancements in computers |
| Light Rule.However sometimes it is necessary to go | | | | photography has been made quite a bit simpler. |