DSLR, Understanding Aperture, ISO, & Shutter Speed

Back in December, I finally dumped a big chunk of my hard earned dollars for a new camera, a DSLR to be exact. Ironically, I used to make a joke of those who carries a big camera around are doing so to compensate their lack of size in the “other equipment”. Well, here I am today, joining the club.














I chose the standard lens package, EF-S15-85mm IS, as I though that zoom range is already more than enough. Just 3 weeks after that, I dumped another $400 for 75-300mm USM lens!

When I bought my Canon EOS 450D, I thought how hard can it be to use a DSLR? It’s still a camera, so the “point & shoot” tactic would still work, right? How sadly wrong I was.














1 month and a hundred books of photography gone by and up till today, I am still trying to grasp the whole function of DSLR. I probably read more books in that month alone, compare to the whole year back when I was in university.

I hope the information I share below is useful for those who find the explanation in the Wikipedia too technical.

Basically there are 3 things to look out in using DSLR.

1. ISO
2. Aperture (usually known as f stop)
3. Shutter speed

I found the explanation on the net is a bit too technical for a newbie of DSLR world like me. However, I found Canon Japan, provides a really easy to understand explanation, pictures, and examples.














1. ISO = film sensitivity
Following Canon’s website, let’s imagine your film as a cup. The higher the ISO, the smaller the cup

2. Aperture = the amount of light
Let’s imagine the light as water. How much water you want to put into your cup?

3. Shutter speed = exposure time
Finally, how long you want to open the water tap, letting the water to flow into your cup.

After that, everything else is logic. To get more lights, say for night photo, we can either increase the aperture opening or lower the shutter speed. In another word, either open the water tab bigger or letting it open longer.

As for ISO, I prefer to keep it down to 400 for daylight shooting and 600 or 800 for night shooting, and adjust the aperture & shutter speed to reach the picture I want. This way, I have lower “noise” that may appear in high ISO pictures.

The last advise is go out there and do the practical training rather then staying inside eating books after books, like I did.

Mutiara Burau Bay Resort - Langkawi

I stayed in this so called resort when I went to Langkawi.














I already discounted their niceee photos from their official website, by 50%. But still it could not compensate what I saw when I arrived in the lobby.














This my friend, not a resort, ok? I know English is not Malaysia’s national language, but branding this shack as a resort is a scheme! Compare it to their pictures from their website.

Now let’s talk about the room.
Again, I did not know that this resort is a cottage based style.














What lies inside these little cottages is even more awesome.


















But the absolute shocker was the bathroom condition














Luckily the direct beach is not disappointing.















And the sunset was one of the best I’ve ever seen














Well, I guess got what I paid for.

Taito Ryokan (Tokyo) Review

No matter what you want to do in Tokyo, I advise you to avoid Tiato Ryokan at all cost and by any means necessary!!

I first know this dreadful lodging place from Lonely Planet guide book (surprisingly). I had no idea what was in the mind of the writer when he or she recommend this place as a traditional lodging. Traditional? Ancient or run down is more fitting word for this place.














I’ll be fair about the location. It’s right in the middle of Asakusa area, and not far from Tawaramachi station. Even though Taito Ryokan website failed to mention that this station (exit 3) has no elevator. Kaminarimon & Sensoji temple is within 5 minutes walk. Oh and there’s a big & flashy love hotel, Boston Club, right in front of Taito Ryokan. So for those who already booked Taito Ryokan, but change your mind right after seeing the ryokan with your own eyes, can right away change and stay in this love hotel instead.


















The front door of Taito Ryokan is never locked even though the “front office” is only open between 10:00 – 20:00. After that, no one is watching over the main door and everybody (including thief) is welcomed.














The room door is not a “door”. It’s made of some kind of thick paper or board, and my there’s no proper lock for the room! Instead they are using tiny pad lock to lock the door.














The room smelled funny, some sort of mixture between old smell and fish. There’s only one bathroom / shower room and the toilets are so smelly. The water heater temperature can only be set at 22 degree at the lowest, which is so out of question for a bloody hot summer!

For 3,000 yen per night, K’s House Tokyo is 100 times better then this!