The ‘Sunny 16′ rule

The ’Sunny 16′ rule  is a way of estimating correct daylight exposures without a light meter. It can also help to achieve correct exposure of difficult subjects.

  • The basic rule is, ”On a sunny day set aperture to f/16 and shutter speed to the ISO film speed.” For example:
  • On a sunny day and with ISO 100 film in the camera, one sets the aperture to f/16 and the shutter speed to 1/100 or 1/125 second (on most cameras 1/125 second is the available setting nearest to 1/100 second).
  • On a sunny day with ISO 200 film and aperture at f/16, set shutter speed to 1/200 or 1/250.
  • On a sunny day with ISO 400 film and aperture at f/16, set shutter speed to 1/400 or 1/500.

N.B. As with other light readings, shutter speed can be changed as long as the f-number is altered to compensate.

Whats the difference between a large aperture and a small one?

A large aperture gives the photographer more freedom in the kind of pictures that you can take as your camera will perform better in low-light. This is because the larger lens opening allows more light to pass through to the image sensor than a smaller lens opening.

This also allows you to to take photo’s using faster shutter speeds to freeze action shots, such as sports photography. Note: For every shutter speed increment you go up, you need to open up an f-stop of aperture. e.g. From 1/60 sec. to 1/250 sec. there are 2 increments, so you open up the aperture by 2 f-stops.

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By micah.e

 

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Using a smaller aperture allows you to slow the shutter speed down on the camera without over exposing the photo out due to too much light.  As a smaller aperture allows less light through to the image sensor the shutter speed can be decreased without the washed out effect.

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Aperture and depth of field

  • a large aperture will create a shallow DOF
  • a small aperture will create a greater DOF
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By Kuba Bozanowski

By Kuba Bozanowski

Preview image credit: Aperture petals by Akira Ikari