Focal Length
The focal length of a lens is not the lens’ physical dimension and has little to do with its overall size. The focal length of a lens is an optical property of the lens and measures the distance, typically in [...]
ISO
ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization and is used for digital cameras and is a measure of the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor to light. Smaller values represent less sensitivity and larger values represent more sensitive. Doubling or halving [...]
Aperture
In photography, aperture is the hole within a lens that light travels through to reach the image sensor. The larger the hole, the more light passes to the camera sensor. The aperture is typically expressed in “f” numbers, also known [...]
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed measures the amount of time the camera's shutter is open. The longer it is open, the more light can enter. Doubling or halving the shutter speed produces an increase or decrease of 1 stop of exposure. Fast shutter [...]
Exposure
Exposure determines how light or dark an image will appear when captured by your camera. Exposure is controlled by three factors that can be selected on your camera: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. These three factors and are commonly depicted [...]
Camera Basics
Future posts will provide details that will let you understand the factors involved in operating a camera in a mode other than automatic. Exposure and metering will discussed in a future article - that article will explain how to determine [...]
Future Plans
Over the next several months there will be opportunities to improve your ability to produce better bird photographs. To begin the process, a series of posts describing: camera exposure (“exposure triangle”), focal length, camera image sensors, camera types and their [...]
An April Stunner: Crossvine
By Karin Beuerlein Adding a vigorous native vine to your backyard habitat brings all kinds of fun surprises. All of those surprises are pleasant—as long as you don’t plant something that’s enthusiastic bordering on psychotic, or poorly sized for the [...]
Plan for a Goldfinch-Friendly Yard
By Karin Beuerlein If you weren’t able to participate in our fall native plant challenge, I hope you’ll think about adding a native plant or two to your yard now that spring is almost here. If you need a place [...]
Bird Paradise: A Native Plant Challenge Project
by Karin Beuerlein Fellow birders Angela Hoffman and Seth McConchie outdid all of us with their entry into the first KTOS Native Plant Challenge—they scored 217 points with a combination of trees, shrubs, and perennials. I’m here to give you [...]