Instruction manual

17
2. Exposure and Settings
Airborne Photographers have to know the camera settings and how to set or change
them, so they can ensure the camera is properly set up for the mission and quickly
adjust to on-scene conditions. When you are flying is not the time to learn how to
change a camera setting.
The Videography Information Technology (VIT) Specialist needs to know how to set or
change camera settings in order to better understand what the camera can and
cannot do, and help train Airborne Photographer trainees on camera use.
Digital cameras work by opening their shutter for a brief time to allow light to enter and
interact with a light-sensitive photo-receptor; usually either a Charge Coupled Device
(CCD) or Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. Each pixel
notes the variation in light rays that travel through the lens and passes this information
on to the camera’s microprocessor in the form of varying electrical charges. The
electrical charges are converted into digital bits and stored on the memory card.
In addition to the camera shutter a camera lens can change the diameter of its
aperture, thus letting in more or less light. Thus sensor sensitivity setting (ISO), the
camera’s shutter speed and the size of the lens aperture all affect light sensitivity and
thus image exposure.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Discuss the relationship between ISO, shutter speed and aperture.
Demonstrate how to set ISO, shutter speed and aperture on a camera.
[AP-P-002; VIT-P-002]
2. Discuss the purpose and use of exposure lock (pre-focus).
Demonstrate how to use the exposure lock on a camera. [AP-P-002;
VIT-P-002]
3. Discuss the various exposure modes.
Demonstrate how to select each mode. [AP-P-002; VIT-P-002]
Chapter
2