- f numbers
- Aperture values are described in f numbers such as f2.8 and f16. Smaller f numbers allow more light and bigger numbers allow less light to pass through your lens onto your film or CCD sensor. F numbers also influence your depth of field.
- FAQ
- Frequently Asked Questions (you had to ask!).
- film speeds
- Fast films such as ISO 400 allow you to take pictures of fast-moving subjects and shoot in low-light conditions. Fast films need less light than medium-speed films of ISO 100 and are often easier to use especially if you are shooting in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings.
- filters
- You can buy a variety of glass filters that screw or clip onto the front of your lens to create special effects and change the overall colour of your prints.
- fixed focus cameras
- Some starter cameras have fixed focus lenses. They don't have any adjustable mechanisms so you don't need to do anything other than frame your picture making them the easiest kind of camera to use. Fixed focus cameras won't focus closer than a set distance so are not suitable for close-up or macro photography.
- flash
- Your flash is agreat tool to use in many situations not just in low light. You can use it indoors to give a burst of instant extra light and outdoors together with natural light to put brighter colours in your prints. Two common problems with flash are red eye and hot spots.
- focal length
- The focal length of your lens is described in millimetres such as 50mm. This tells you how much of a scene you can capture. Wide angles have shorter focal lengths eg 28mm which allow you to fit a lot into your picture. Telephoto lenses have longer focal lengths eg 100mm which allow you to bring distant objects closer to you.
- focus
- When a subject is in focus it appears sharp and well-defined. You always want the most important part of your picture to be in focus. As a camera doesn't know which part of the scene is most important to you you need to focus your lens on that point. Many cameras now use autofocus to help ensure you get sharp pictures.
