Fundamentals

There are two rooms dealing with the fundamentals of photography. In the first, called ‘fundamentals’, you’ll find an explanation of basic concepts such as focal length or what makes us see colors. In the second, called ‘toolbox’, you’ll find several useful calculators related to focal length, formats, circle of confusion and other basic parameters for the photographic practice.

See what’s available by clicking on the corresponding tab:

  • What is resolution in photography

    Resolution in photography refers to the ability to record detail. It concerns the film or digital sensor used, but also the optics and our eyes, as the end point of all images.

  • Refraction, Dispersion and Optical Glass for photographic lenses

    Refraction, Dispersion and Optical Glass for photographic lenses Refraction is a phenomenon of waves changing direction when passing from one medium to another. In a photographic lens that is the case when passing from air to glass and again from glass to air. It occurs also when passing from one type of glass to a different one. They…

  • Focal length and image circle

    A photographic lens’ focal length has no direct relationship to the angle of view, or determining whether it is a wide-angle or telephoto lens. Read this article and understand what focal length, angle of view and image circle really are.

  • What is a photographic lens?

    What is a photographic lens? Any scene you can shoot is made up of objects that emit light (own or reflected) and it is from this light that the lens will form an image to be recorded on film or digital sensor. If it were possible to block almost all light coming from a scene,…

  • Light and colors, physics and perception

    Light and colors, physics and perception Yes, light is a wave, and then … Wave, is a phenomenon in which there is energy transmission without transport of matter. It’s like energy traveling in space. It is easier to understand if we think of an example where there is matter transporting energy. For example, to drop a…

  • Finding the focal length of a lens

    Finding the focal length of a lens This is a calculator that will help you in finding the focal length of a photographic lens. The method is about focusing on one or more objects at different distances. Each time, you write down 3 measurements. Only one measurement could do. But the idea is that “averaging” several instances it…

  • Front raise and horizon line

    Front raise and horizon line For a given lens and given film or sensor format, this simulator shows how much it is possible a front raise and where the horizon line will end up in the final picture. Focusing is assumed to be at, or closer to, infinity, a frequently used condition for a landscape….

  • Lens/subject/format – an online simulator

    Lens/subject/format – an online simulator How it works: You enter the focal length of your lens, film or digital sensor dimensions and the approximate size of your subject. The simulator shows in value and graphically the following corresponding information: The calculation is made in order to fill the frame proportionally. If subject proportions do not correspond to…