Altistusaika

Altistusaika is a Finnish term that translates to exposure time or exposure period. It is most commonly used in the context of photography and printing. In photography, altistusaika refers to the duration for which the camera's shutter is open, allowing light to strike the image sensor or film. This period directly impacts the brightness and motion blur of the resulting image. A longer altistusaika captures more light, leading to a brighter image, but also increases the likelihood of motion blur if either the subject or the camera moves. Conversely, a shorter altistusaika results in a darker image but freezes motion effectively.

In the realm of printing, particularly in traditional photographic printing processes, altistusaika denotes the time during which an enlarger's light source illuminates the photographic paper through the negative. Similar to photography, this duration controls the overall density and tonal range of the printed image. A longer altistusaika will produce a darker print, while a shorter one will yield a lighter print. Photographers and printers meticulously adjust the altistusaika to achieve the desired aesthetic outcome, balancing detail, contrast, and luminosity. The concept is fundamental to understanding and controlling image capture and reproduction.