Science helps art

Although digital technology has taken over from traditional film, there are still a lot of similarities. Cameras still look the same. Both film and digital cameras need lenses, and the quality of the final photo is related to the quality of the lens as well as the camera itself. The amount of light that falls on the negative or on the digital sensor is related to the size of the aperture and the length of time that the shutter is open.

Even though techniques have changed dramatically there are many similarities between film and digital. Digital processes often try to mimic those of a darkroom. One such technique is depth of field. A lens focuses light from a subject onto a particular point. If it is the retina of the eye then we see things in focus. If it is the digital sensor then this subject is in focus.

If the lens has a small aperture then there is a greater acceptable range of subjects that are in focus. if the aperture is large then only a small area is in focus. This area is called depth of field and it is a nice technique that emphasises the photographic subject. This is now a simple procedure with computer software. It may help to learn the science of photography and know about things like depth of field.You can get by with a purley artistic background but science helps, not least is the ability to use computer software.

Happy snapping