9781422287125

PHOTOGRAPHY 10 in focus, use a smaller aperture. A wider aperture is better for close-ups or when you’re only focusing on one object that’s quite close to you. Shutter speed also controls how much light reaches the film. A fast shutter speed indicates the picture is taken really fast, while a slow shut- ter speed means the lens is open for longer to allow in more light. Faster shutter speeds are good when there’s a lot of light around, and when you’re taking pictures of moving objects. Otherwise, your photo might turn out blurry, unless you’re using a tripod to keep the camera steady. (A tripod is a three-legged stand for a camera that holds a camera still during the shot.) Photographers can choose from a wide range of accessories to add to their cameras. They can attach lenses that let them zoom in on tiny subjects. They can buy different sorts of flashes to get the light in their pictures just right. Film photographers also often enjoy developing their photographs themselves. After taking a roll of pictures, they go through the process of developing the film into negatives, and then printing pictures from those negatives. If you’re interested in developing your own pictures, you’ll need access to a darkroom. Because film and photo paper is very light sensitive, they need to be handled in a special room that blocks out light. Developing images from film takes a few hours and several steps. Here is the basic outline for film development: 1. Thread the used-up film onto a reel that allows it to develop into negatives. You’ll first need to open up a full film canister. This must be done in complete darkness. Then cut off the ends of the film and spool it onto a special plastic or metal reel that loops the film around and around without letting any part touch any other part. Load it into a film tank that doesn’t allow any light in. 2. Develop the film. This can be done in the light, since the tank protects your film. You’ll dunk the film tank into a series of chemi- cals that develop the images hidden on the film. First you’ll dunk it in the developer, then the stop bath, the fixer, and water. The