This short handbook on the basics of photography will guide the reader through the world of photography in simple, easy-to-understand steps and words.
The essential knowledge includes aperture, shutter speed, and light sensitivity (the sensitivity of the image sensor or film in analog photography). It doesn't matter whether you use a camera with the latest digital technology or one that works with film. It also makes no difference whether you are using an SLR or a compact camera.
The following fundamentals are based on the physical laws of light. The same principles also apply in videography - the recording of moving images.
This book has been deliberately kept short. It is therefore more of a concise summary handbook designed not to overwhelm beginners with too many unfamiliar concepts. Nevertheless, the most important technical elements of photography are explained clearly and vividly, making the book both helpful and interesting for the novice learner.
This work is certainly neither complete nor exhaustive, nor is it particularly detailed. The goal of this book is to familiarize the reader with the basic relationships in photography and to show the connection between the technical aspects and their effect on the final image.