Things You'll Need:
- 35mm film camera
- Assorted lenses
-
Step 1
Begin with the diaphragm of a camera. The camera's diaphragm forms the aperture, which is like the pupil of an eye. Just like an eye adjusts to light, so does the camera's aperture.
-
Step 2
Control the size of the aperture by setting the "F-Stop." These "F-Numbers" are in a sequence of ratios such as 1, 1.2, 2, or 2.8. A lower F-Stop allows more light to enter the lens. Each of these increasing F-Stops produces half the light exposure of the previous one. Each higher F-Stop allows half the light of the one before it and twice the exposure of the one following.
-
Step 3
Buy a wide angle lens for a wider field of view. The wide angle lens has a shorter focal length.
-
Step 4
Purchase a zoom lens for multiple focal lengths. A zoom lens gives a photographer a wide range of options for capturing a scene.
-
Step 5
Use a telephoto lens for capturing a distant image. A telephoto lens has a longer focal length with a narrow field of view.
-
Step 6
Match the focal length and exposure time--a critical part of good photography. A longer focal length requires a shorter exposure time. Use the "One Over" method for setting the exposure. If a focal length is 300mm, then an exposure of at least 1/300 second should be used. This is a very general guide and will require adjustment when using a hand-held camera.
-
Step 7
Determine the film. The type of film used will be determined by the conditions as well as the type of lens being used. If a photographer is using a telephoto lens all day, she should use a fast film. If a photographer is shooting with a zoom lens and a tripod, he should use a slower film.
