Two Peas in a Bucket, Week 2: ISO and Shutter Speed

Similar to last week, I already knew pretty much what I was doing in week 2 of 12 Weeks to Better Photos (from 2 Peas in a Bucket). I always shoot in manual, so I know how to coordinate shutter speed with aperture. But, even though I know how those things work, it was fun to manipulate the mode to focus (no pun intended!) solely on shutter speed.  Besides, just because I know HOW to do these things doesn't mean I always do them WELL.

Oh, and the ISO reminder was helpful too. I ALWAYS forget whether to use high or low ISO in which kind of lighting. That's one aspect of my camera I tend to leave on auto. :)

So this week's assignment brought me to my bathroom. No, relax, I didn't do anything gross! We needed a sink for this assignment, and my kitchen sink isn't against the window (it's in my island, so I'd have my back to the window, which wouldn't be ideal lighting conditions).

I took an ice cream bowl and flipped it upside down in the sink and turned the water on. With the camera on shutter-priority mode, I took 2 shots - one at 1/80 and one at 1/1000. For "extra credit," we could have done a super slow speed, but I would need a tripod for that and I don't have one.

1/80:

1/1000:

The second part of this assignment encouraged us "students" to combine what we know of aperture and shutter speed and take some pics in manual. I wish I had known about this class a year or two ago!

This is in AV mode (1/4000, f/2.8); nice depth of focus, but pretty dark:

This one is in TV mode (1/80, f14.0); the lighting is much better, but the houses across the street are in more focus than I would prefer:

And here we have Goldilocks's favorite - this one (1/1000, f/3.2), shot in manual, is "just right" - to me, anyway. I'd love to hear feedback or suggestions.

Next week: the color of light.

Two Peas in a Bucket, Week 1: Aperture

Along with a couple of my friends, I started working my way through the self-paced, twelve-lesson tutorial offered by Two Peas in a Bucket.

The first week was aperture, which is something I already work with. The lower your f-stop, the more shallow your depth of focus - meaning, less of your frame will be in focus. I use this idea often in taking shots for my food blog or weekly scavenger hunts.

To accomplish this week's lesson, we were instructed to set our camera on aperture-priority mode. I don't shoot like this, though, because I like having full control of my camera (well, as much control as I know how to manipulate!). But - this was a fun assignment.

Each of the following collages were shot on AV mode, and the layout is the same. The top row, left to right, is f/2.8 and f/8, and the bottom row is f/22 and f/32.

These are some hyacinths (I think?) that are growing behind my house.

I think this random tree in my yard shows the differences from 2.8 to 32 the best. I tried to keep my frames the same, but the wind kept blowing my branch around.

I guess I should have paid more attention to the sun when I took these, since my f/2.8 shot is totally blown out.

I don't really see that much of a difference in these; aside from the f/2.8, I think the rest of them look very similar.

Next week - ISO, shutter speed, and aperture!