Download - DSLR Debrief at BlogHer '13
DSLR Debrief
Amanda Green Bottoms@kevinandamanda
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DSLR Debrief
AMANDA GREEN BOTTOMSwww.kevinandamanda.com
@kevinandamanda
INSTRUCTOR
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#1. Find the Best Light
Find the light first, then move your subject into it.
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non-direct window light, from the sidenon-direct window light, from the side
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non-direct window light, from the backnon-direct window light, from the back
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look for interesting highlightslook for interesting highlights
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look for interesting shadowslook for interesting shadows
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outdoor, indirect lightoutdoor, indirect light
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Shoot for the skyShoot for the sky
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outdoor with flashoutdoor with flash
outdoor silhouetteoutdoor silhouette
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foam board reflector to fill in shadowsfoam board reflector to fill in shadows
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indoor, night photo - lighting from an unconventional source
indoor, night photo - lighting from an unconventional source
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Lowel Ego light for night photographyLowel Ego light for night photography
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#2. Use Aperture to Focus on Important Elements
85mm1.8 lens, f/1.8, ss 1/400, iso400
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Aperture is f/5.6 hereAperture is f/5.6 here
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small number = more light = lots of blur/bokeh
small number = more light = lots of blur/bokeh
24-70mm lens, f/2.8, ss 1/400, iso 10024-70mm lens, f/2.8, ss 1/400, iso 100
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Look for interesting things in thebackground to enhance creative bokeh
Look for interesting things in thebackground to enhance creative bokeh
100mm/2.8 lens, f/2.8, ss 1/125, iso 640100mm/2.8 lens, f/2.8, ss 1/125, iso 640
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lights, colors, repetitive objects, backlit treesall create beautiful bokeh
lights, colors, repetitive objects, backlit treesall create beautiful bokeh
85mm/1.8 lens, f/1.8, ss 1/40, iso 16085mm/1.8 lens, f/1.8, ss 1/40, iso 160
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Zoom in for more bokehZoom in for more bokeh
50mm/1.8 lens, f/1.8, ss 1/200, iso 10050mm/1.8 lens, f/1.8, ss 1/200, iso 100
more zoom = more bokehmore zoom = more bokeh
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large number = lets in less light = lots in focuslarge number = lets in less light = lots in focus
24-70mm/2.8 lens, f/16, ss 1/60, iso 10024-70mm/2.8 lens, f/16, ss 1/60, iso 100
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landscapes lend themselves well tohigh aperture numbers
landscapes lend themselves well tohigh aperture numbers
10-22mm lens, f/22, ss 1/80, iso 32010-22mm lens, f/22, ss 1/80, iso 320
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high apertures create beautiful sunburstshigh apertures create beautiful sunburstseven at night (think street lights, sunsets, etc.)even at night (think street lights, sunsets, etc.)
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70-200mm/4.0 L lens, f/5, ss 1/500, iso 100
#3. Use Shutter Speed to Dramatically Freeze or Blur Motion
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Shutter Speed is 125 here.Shutter Speed is 125 here.
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high number = fast shutter speed = freezes action
high number = fast shutter speed = freezes action
24-70mm lens, f/2.8, ss 1/500, iso 40024-70mm lens, f/2.8, ss 1/500, iso 400
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My “Recipe” for Action Photos
1. Put the camera in Shutter Priority (TV or S) mode
2. Set the shutter speed to 1/1000
3. Change the focus mode to AI-SERVO
4. Change the shooting mode to High Speed Continuous
5. Set the focus right in the middle
Google “kevinandamanda how to take tack sharp action photos” for a more in-
depth tutorial
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Extremely slow shutter speeds create a dramaticblurred motion effect, but require a tripod
or a steady surface
Extremely slow shutter speeds create a dramaticblurred motion effect, but require a tripod
or a steady surface
24-70mm lens, f/8, ss 1/4, iso 10024-70mm lens, f/8, ss 1/4, iso 100
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low number = slow shutter speed = blurred motion
low number = slow shutter speed = blurred motion
10-22mm lens, f/29, ss 30, iso 64010-22mm lens, f/29, ss 30, iso 640
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What scenes might benefit from a slow shutter speed?
What scenes might benefit from a slow shutter speed?
10-22mm lens, f/7.1, ss 15, iso 10010-22mm lens, f/7.1, ss 15, iso 100
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My “Recipe” for Slow Shutter Photos
1. Put the camera in Shutter Priority (TV or S) mode
2. Set the ISO to 100 (or as low as it will go)
3. Set the shutter speed anywhere from 1/4 – 30 sec
4. Find a steady surface (tripod, table, chair)
5. Turn on the 2-second self timer. Google “kevinandamanda girls week in
NYC” for a more in-depth tutorial
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#4. Exposure Compensation
Higher than 0 = BrighterLess than 0 = Darker
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Keep an eye on your shutter speed / apertureKeep an eye on your shutter speed / aperture
For hand-holding, a general rule of thumb is to not let the shutter speed get below 50.
For hand-holding, a general rule of thumb is to not let the shutter speed get below 50.
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#5. Know Your ISO• The lower your ISO (100-200), the LESS light your camera
will use.
• PROS: No grain
• CONS: May be too dark for indoors, nighttime
• The higher your ISO (1600-3200), the MORE light your camera will use.
• PROS: Gives you extra light for low-light shooting situations
• CONS: Lots of grain. Use a grain removal filter in Photoshop like Noiseware.
Google “kevinandamanda DSLR quick guide” for a more in-depth tutorial
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24-70mm 2.8 lens, f/8, ss 1/32, iso 12524-70mm 2.8 lens, f/8, ss 1/32, iso 125
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85mm 1.8 lens, f/1.8, ss 1/250, iso 400
#6. Find Your Focus
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The Focus Point tells the camera where to focus.
• Auto Select – Best for one subject with uncluttered background.
• Manual Select Zone – Multiple focus points, but clustered in one zone. Best for one subject.
• Manual Select Single Point - Best option when there are many subjects in the frame, and you only want to focus on one.
Google “kevinandamanda how to take tack sharp action photos” for a more in-
depth tutorial
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#7. Easy Transition to Manual Mode Trick
1. Find a photo with good lighting and press the Info button to find the settings that were used.
2. Switch to manual mode to use these settings.
3. From there you can adjust aperture, shutter speed, or ISO one or two bumps to get perfect lighting.
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#8. Lighten to Emphasize Detail
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“Photoshop is like makeup. It
works best when it looks like you’re not
using any.”
“Photoshop is like makeup. It
works best when it looks like you’re not
using any.”
Shoot With Skill and Edit for ImpactShoot With Skill and Edit for Impact
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#9. Train your eye to recognize proper white balance.
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#10. Prepare Properly for Web
Often what appears online to be tack sharp focus
is actually just a well prepared web image.
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Ten Steps to Sharpen Your DSLR Skills
1. Find the Best Light2. Use Aperture to Focus on Important Elements3. Use Shutter Speed to Dramatically Freeze or Blur Motion4. Understand Exposure Compensation5. Know Your ISO6. Find Your Focus7. Use the Easy Manual Mode Trick8. Lighten to Emphasize Detail 9. Train your eye to recognize proper white balance.10. Prepare Properly for Web
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DSLR Debrief
AMANDA GREEN BOTTOMSwww.kevinandamanda.com
@kevinandamanda
INSTRUCTOR
“BlogHer is a snake
meal of ideas in a
wonton wrapper of love.
Afterwards you need a
2-day nap, then it
nourishes you for a
year.”– @debontherocks