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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.

By Slaff

By micah.e

By iam_photography

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.

By Tea, two sugars

By mrschnips

By faceymcface1

Aperture and depth of field

• a large aperture will create a shallow DOF
• a small aperture will create a greater DOF

By { p r a n a v }

By Kuba Bozanowski

By Anniewil

Preview image credit: Aperture petals by Akira Ikari

Related posts:

1. Low Light Photography
2. Outdoor Portrait Photography Explained
3. Twelve Essential Photographic Rules
4. Lens Filters Explained
5. Shutter Speed ‘How To’ Guide