The Camera: History and Basic Functions

1. The camera obscura effect was created when philosophers found that in a dark room, when they projected light through a tiny hole in the wall, the outside scene was projected upside down on the opposite wall.
2. The process to making the modern camera was helped along by Isaac Newton and Christian Huygens, who perfected the making of glass lenses.
3. The first modern camera, invented by Niepce, were made of three parts: a glass lens, a dark box, and film.
4. The modern camera is similar to Niepce's camera in a way because in both camera's, light passes through the lens, into the camera, and exposes the film.
5. Digital cameras use an electronic sensor, or a CCD, to capture images.
6. Auto mode is very similar to Program mode, however while in Auto mode the camera controls  the flash and exposure, you can change the flash and a few other settings in Program mode.
7. Portrait mode highlights the subject you are taking a picture of by blurring the background. The blurred background achieved by using a low aperture.
8. Sports mode is used to freeze motion. This is achieved by using a fast shutter speed.
9. You should do a half press on the trigger because it allows the camera to respond faster, gives you more control over the focus, and results in better composition.
10. The symbol of a lightning bolt with an arrow at the end crossed out is the sign for disabled flash. One reason to use this setting is if you want to produce a more dramatic mood by using the natural lighting.
11. The symbol of a lightning bolt with an arrow at the end filled by the word "auto" is the sign for auto flash. Auto flash automatically fires when the camera thinks it needs more light.
12. When there is too much light, a photograph becomes washed out.
13. When there is not enough light, a photograph is too dark.
14. In photography, a "stop" is a relative measure of light.
15. The new planet with two suns instead of one is one stop brighter.
16. The new planet with four suns instead of two is two stops brighter.
17. Using a long shutter speed gives you more light.
18. Using a hort shutter speed gives you less light.
19. The aperture controls the amount of light that enters the camera.
20. When adjusting the aperture, you can increase the amount of light by using a smaller f-stop number which means there is a larger opening for light to come through.