Camera Settings Demystified

- SLR = Single Lens Reflex.

- P = Program Mode : the camera will take care of most of the work of exposuring your shot and make sure everything looks properly. Also known as the Andy Walker mode.

- A = Aperture Priority Mode : Think of it like a door. The aperture is how WIDE you open the door.

- S = Shutter Priority Mode : Think of it like a door. The shutter is how LONG you open the door.

- M = Manual Mode : For all your photography professionals.

- CCD = Charge-Coupled Device : This is the sensor which captures the image.

- If the shutter isn't open long enough, the aperture can't open wide enough and your picture will be nothing but black.

- There are physical limits to how wide open or how narrow the aperture can be made.

- Pinhole Photograhpy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinhole_camera.

- Depth of Field: the distance in front of and behind the subject which is in focus.

- The "f-number" refers to the focal ratio of a lens. It's tough to explain quickly. The main thing to remember, is the lower the f-number, the wider open the aperture. For more information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-number.

- ISO is short for ISO:5800, the standard for film's sensitivity to light. At low ISO settings the shutter stays open longer, which can lead to blurriness.

- Lots of great information at http://www.nikonians.org/ even if you don't have a Nikon camera.