Yes, common sense should tell what that means practically but then someone like minded as xpatUSA would probably come along and say that with a mirrorless camera the light is always hitting the sensitive area even when the camera is pointing to the ground as you walk around in between shots.
I haven't met any beginner yet that does not understand the purpose of the camera's shutter regardless of the way it is actually implemented on a camera so I have no problem using "........while the shutter was open."
I see a couple of problems with Danno's definition. First, since it doesn't apply to electronic shutters, it excludes the best-selling type of camera in the world right now (you know, the one that makes phone calls). Sensor means it doesn't apply to film (which a lot of us still shoot, remember). And I can't figure out the use of the past tense, though I struggle to come up with a concrete reason why it's wrong. (There is an implication that one can never take pictures in the future.)
Not to poke at Danno, fun as that may be, but your definition strikes me as a way to both narrow and over-complicate the classic definition.
H = E * t seems like the classic E = i * t with different letters, although I did see one reference that made me wonder if the "H" variable is specific to digital photography. Bob?
So far I don't think anyone has done better than the classic E = i * t that I learned in Photo 101, and I suppose if it needs simplification, one can say "How much for how long."
Kudos, the conversation was interesting enough to make me come out of lurk mode.
Well, since we're being pedantic, most modern fuel-injected engines (at least those that run on gasoline) still have throttles. Fiat's MultiAir and BMW's Valvetronic engines use their intake valves for throttle control, so technically don't use a throttle, but I understand they have one as a fail safe (it't just held wide open for normal engine operation). Even some diesels, which traditionally did not have throttles, now do.
It is true that you cannot go WOT in an electric car.
"I haven't met any beginner yet that does not understand the purpose of the camera's shutter regardless of the way it is actually implemented on a camera so I have no problem using '........while the shutter was open.'"
Neither do I with you using it.
On a side note, I don't have a problem with light hitting the sensor all the time, not only during the act of photographic exposure.
For myself I don't mind taking the time for ETTR and for raw photography a lot of what I do find taking the image as one of the enjoyments in a long chain of events that are required in the making of the photograph
Yep, I'm pretty much the same. I like to ETTR as much as possible on every shot, whether hand-holding or using a tripod. How close I get to optimal exposure** depends on time available, the situation I am in and my final goal for the photo.
JimKasson's BlackJack analogy is very good. I don't always need 21. Very oftten 18, 19 or 20 is good enough especially when photographing in good light.
* exposure - amount of light that struck the sensor per unit area while the shutter was open
** optimal exposure - the maximum exposure* within dof and motion blur requirements without clipping important highlights.
*** under exposed - more exposure* could have been added with the DOF and blur constraints still being met without clipping important highlights.