aperture

A funny thing happened as photographic technology became better and better: lenses got smarter, but photographers?—not necessarily.

Yes, modern lenses are ultra-sharp and super-contrasty, they focus automatically, and undesirable artifacts like chromatic aberration and barrel distortion have improved. However, autofocus technology has brought three critical changes that serious photographers need to consider carefully when they choose their lenses, because they can be a hindrance to thoughtful photography if not used carefully.

Editor's Note: This is a guest blogpost by Brian Dilg of NYFA. For more educational resources, you can check out lots of their classes.

The aperture of the lens controls the amount of light that passes through on its way to the camera's sensor or film plane. A camera's aperture is also commonly called its f-stop, though 'f-stop' technically refers to the diameter of the opening created by internal adjustable blades, rather than the entire mechanism.

Most professionals (and serious photographers) working digitally, shoot RAW files. They usually do so because of the incredible degree of control and the higher image quality that comes with RAW files. Being able to correct white balance after the fact is one of the many great things about RAW files. The worst thing about RAW files, in my mind, is what I call the ongoing proprietary RAW file wars. In this blog entry, I will talk about what you need to know to stay clear of the RAW format wars.

Ever had your heart broken by a great image that was "almost" sharp? Here are four primary causes of blurry images, and tips on how to avoid them!