Assignment, Week #1 -- Aperture

Ok, so this week, we learned about the photo triangle, and how to control the aperture on our camera.  I have a Nikon D5000 Digital SLR that we purchased last spring to take to Kauai with us.  We got some awesome photos -- on automatic.  I can only imagine what we might have gotten had we learned how to use the camera before we left.  That's ok -- just means we have to go again, right?  LOL!

Anyway, here are my photos for this week.  We were to take a series of 9 photos; 3 for each of the three groups of aperture.  As this dealt a lot with depth of field, I decided that my small backyard and my always-in-motion dogs were probably not the best subject choices.  So, my dear hubby and I ventured out to the marina on the Great Salt Lake, near our home.  Here is what I came up with:

Storytelling Aperture:

 ISO 200

1/320

F/22

 ISO 200

1/2500

F/8

ISO 200

1/4000

F/5.6

Singular Theme Aperture:  note -- I included the first picture because I liked it the best, and think it best represented the assignment on singular theme; however, as I was working with birds, the goose moved, then actually had another one join him/her, so I started over.  Not quite as happy with the first of the three images with the geese, as the camera focused on the grass in front of their faces and blurred them just slightly.  It didn't help that there was a slight breeze.

 ISO 200

1/1250

F/5.6

 ISO 200

1/1250

F/5.6

 ISO 200

1/320

F/11

ISO 200

1/80

F/22

A couple of other notes on this set of photos:  the second goose got shy in the third picture, so there is only one goose showing; also, I didn't realize until I looked at the photos on my computer, but the interstate is in the background, making each photo slightly different.  I was SO focused on the birds that I didn't even notice the cars (or the bicyclist).  

The "Who-Cares" Aperture:

 ISO 200

1/200

F/11

 ISO 200

1-1000

F/4.8

ISO 200

1/50

F/22

So, there you have it.  Week one, learning about aperture -- which is, if I understand correctly, is defined as how much light the camera is letting in.  I noticed the biggest difference in light in the first set of photos, but had the most fun taking the singular theme photos.  Please let me know what you think!