How the camera works
The camera is an essential tool for capturing precious moments and immortalizing scenes of daily life. But how does it actually work? In this article, we'll delve into the heart of this device and explore the key steps that lead to creating a beautiful image.
The basic components of the ph deviceotographic
The objective, the keye of the focus..
The lens in photography is an essential piece of equipment used to capture images. It is a lens or lens system that attaches to the camera and which allows light to be focused on the sensor or film to form a sharp image. Photographic lenses have different attributesributs that influence how images are captured. The lens can be interchangeable in some cameras, allowing the photographer to choose different lenses according to their needs.
For example, wide-angle lenses have a short focal length (= the distance between the optical center of the lens and the image focus, where the camera sensor is located.) and a large field of view, which makes them makes it ideal for landscape and interior photos.
Different photographic lenses
The diaphragm, meanwhile, controls the amount of light
The diaphragm, made up of several lamellae, is in a way the gateway for light. The aperture in photography is one of the three elements of the exposure triangle, along with shutter speed and ISO sensitivity. It sits inside the camera lens and is made up of a set of slats that open and close to control the amount of light that has reached the sensor.
The diaphragm is also characterized by its maximum opening, called "aperture". The aperture of the diaphragm is represented by an f number expressed with the notation “f/” followed by a number. The smaller the f-number, the larger the aperture of the diaphragm, which means more light can pass through the lens. On the other hand, the higher the f-number, the smaller the aperture, limiting the amount of light that reaches the sensor. The aperture of the diaphragm influences the sharp area of the image, called depth of field. A wide aperture (small f-number) creates a shallow depth of field, with selective focus on the main subject and a blurred background. A small aperture (large f-number) gives a greater depth of field, where more of the image is in focus from foreground to background.
Different diaphragm openings
The image sensor will transform light into digital data
Image sensor location
The image sensor in photography is an essential electronic component present in digital cameras. It performs the function of film used in film cameras by converting incoming light into electrical signals to create a digital image.
There are two types of image sensors used in digital cameras:
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The CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) sensor is generally known for producing high quality images with good color reproduction but tends to consume more power and be more sensitive to electronic noise.
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The CMOS sensor which allows high image succession: rapid burst images for high resolution, videos in HD or even 4k quality. Less sensitive to reading noise, the CMOS sensor is more efficient.
Different image sensor sizes
(Source: How to become a photographer?)
Different sizes of image sensors are used in digital cameras. Sensor size has a significant impact on camera performance and features, including depth of field, light sensitivity, image quality, and physical size of the device. The main sensor sizes found are Micro 4/3, ASP-C and FULL FRAME or 24x36. The latter is one of the largest sensors used in consumer cameras. Full-frame cameras offer excellent image quality, better low-light performance, and shallow depth of field. However, full-frame cameras are generally more purposeful and bulkier.
The camera is a complex device designed to capture light and record images. It consists of a dark room with a hole to let in light. When light falls on the subject, some of that light is reflected off the surface of the subject and then enters the camera lens. Once the light reflected from the subject is captured by the lens, it then passes through several optical elements such as the diaphragm, which controls the amount of light that enters the camera, and the focusing system, which allows adjust the sharpness of the image. The light eventually reaches the image sensor, which transforms the light into electrical signals and thus creates a digital image. In short, light travels a complex path through the camera, passing through the lens, aperture, focus system, and image sensor to create a digital image. It is through this process that we can capture precious moments and immortalize memories.
(Source: How to learn photography?)
Shooting modes of a camera
In photography, there are several shooting modes that allow the photographer to check different aspects of image capture. The two modes that are most often used are manual mode and automatic mode. In auto mode, the camera automatically adjusts all settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, focus, etc. This is the easiest mode to use, ideal for beginners.
Manual mode in photography gives full control over camera settings. One must manually adjust the aperture, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity, focus and other settings to achieve the desired exposure and effect. For more information on exposure settings, do not hesitate to read our article on this subject.(Light on the image: the exposure)
Digital SLR camera
Compact camera
A digital SLR camera is a type of camera that uses a reflex mirror and an optical system to reflect light from the optical viewfinder to the image sensor. SLR cameras have an optical viewfinder that provides a direct view of the scene through the camera lens. This allows for precise, real-time image composition without any lag. They have a capacity to accommodate interchangeable lenses.
Compact cameras are lightweight, portable, easy-to-use cameras designed for amateur photographers or those looking for a simple solution for capturing everyday moments. Compact cameras are generally small and lightweight, making them easy to carry in a pocket or bag. Their compact size makes them convenient for travel, social events, or when you're on the go
Hybrid camera
Mirrorless cameras, are a category of digital cameras that offer many of the features that DSLR cameras would but without the traditional reflex mirror. Mirrorless cameras are generally more compact and lightweight. Their more compact design makes them easy to transport and is ideal for photographers on the move or in situations where discretion is required.
To conclude, the main elements of acamera are the lens, the diaphragm and the image sensor. Mastery of the different components of the camera is essential to highlight the light and obtain quality images. The image sensor can take different forms depending on the camera model chosen and the performance and characteristics of the device.
There are many types of cameras such as compact, reflex or even hybrid with advantages and strengths specific to each. Before taking photos, many adjustments can be made on the device. In this case, manual mode is recommended to adapt the settings according to the desired result. In a future article we will discuss all the operations that can be applied to photographs after taking the photo.
