shutterbugs - beginners/back to basics pp notes

7/30/2019 ShutterBugs - Beginners/Back to Basics PP notes

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Using Your Digital CameraAperture

The aperture is simply the hole that controls the amount of light pas

the lens into the camera - the bigger the hole the more light passes t

It is one of the two components that control the amount of light tha

image sensor in your camera. The other is shutter speed

Measured in f-stops or f/numbers for example f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6,f/8

Moving from one f-stop to the next doubles or halves the size of the

opening in your lens (and the amount of light getting through)


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Using Your Digital Camera

Aperture


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Aperture

Range


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Aperture

What does f/number mean:

f/number = focal length/diameter of aperture


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Aperture

How using

different

apertures effects

the image


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Aperture

Depth of Field


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Aperture Priority (selectAorAv)

semi automatic

you choose the aperture

the camera chooses the appropriate shutter speed

this will then produce the correct exposure

useful in low light situations

when you want to control how much of the image is

in focus


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Aperture Priority

How using different apertures effects the image

Using f/4 produces a shallow depth of field

A great way to isolate your subject by drawing attention to it


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Aperture Priority

How using different

apertures effects the

image

An aperture of f/2.8 (on

the left) produces a

shallow depth of field


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Aperture Priority

How using different

apertures effects the image

f/4 = smalldepth of field

great for portraits


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Aperture Priority

How using different apertures

effects the image

f/1.8 = verysmalldepth of field

The best effect is obtained atthe largest apertures (smallest

numbers) eg f/1.8 but these are

not normally found on zoom

lenses only on prime lenses

(fixed focal length lenses)


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Aperture Priority

How using different



great for portraits


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Aperture Priority

How using different



great for portraits


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Aperture Priority

How using different


Using f/4 produces a small

depth of field

great for flowers

The Small Depth of Field

effect is enhanced when the

camera is quite near to the

subject


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Aperture Priority

How using different


image

f/4 = smalldepth of fieldGreat for insects in the

garden!


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Aperture Priority

How using different


f/4 = small depth of field -

great for product shots


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Aperture Priority

How using different


f/4 = small depth of field

great for product shots!


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Aperture Priority

How using different


image


great for product shots!


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Aperture Priority

How using different



great for oudoor scenics


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Aperture Priority

How using

different apertures

effects the image

f/4 = small depth of

field


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Aperture Priority

How using different




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Aperture Priority

How using different apertures effects the image

Using f/4 produces a shallow depth of field - eg

f/4 f/16


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Aperture Priority

How using different


image


f/16 = large depth of field

f/4 f/16


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Aperture Priority

How using different


image

Using an aperture of f/22

produces a largedepth of

field - ie everything in

focus from the near

foreground to the far

horizon



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Using Your Digital CameraFocussing

Auto Focus - AF Points

Although AF systems work very well

there are still some decisions you

may have to take about which part

of the scene you want the sharpest -

the focus point

The centre most AF point is usuallythe most accurate

However you can change which one

is active or group AF points using the

D pad



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Auto Focus - AF Points

There are two types of autofocus sensors:

+ cross-type sensors (two-dimensionalcontrast detection, higher accuracy)

l vertical line sensors (one-dimensionalcontrast detection, lower accuracy)

Multiple AF points can work together for

improved reliability with a moving subject,

one point may be perfect for still subjects or

portraits



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Auto Focus Modes

AF-S (Nikon) or One Shot AF (Canon) - focussing mode for still subjects - the camera once, and then locks AF for you to recompose and shoot. Use this for still subjects

AF-C (Nikon) or AI Servo AF (Canon) - focussing mode for moving subjects - the camefocusing as the subject moves. Use this for sports and vehicles in motion, like childrenbirds, aircraft etc

AF-A (Nikon) or AI Focus AF (Canon) - focussing mode for still & moving subjects (cadefault setting) - magically selects between the first two modes. This clever mode loosubject: if it's holding still, it locks the focus, if the subject is moving, it tracks it as it mand farther. You probably wont needed to select any other mode - the hybrid mode



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Focussing

Where autofocus doesnt work!A situation where you may wantto switch from Automatic toManual focus:



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Focussing:

Manual Focussing switch on lens barrel deactivates

autofocus (AF/MF)

manual focussing achieved using ring onlens barrel (DSLRs) or D-pad (Bridge/CSC)

useful when camera either cannot focus

itself or when you want to choose whereto focus - eg portraits or macro shots

Manual in Live view(Lv) - on screen - canmagnify shot up to x10 times to aidfocusing (good for macro shots. Focusingcontrol sometimes on the D pad

U i Y Di it l C


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Using Your Digital CameraFocussing:

Manual Focussing - useful when camera either

cannot focus itself or you choose to use manual - egportraits o macro shots

Fully Manual- switch on lens barrel deactivatesautofocus motor

manual focussing achieved using ring on lens

barrel (SLRs) or D-pad (Bridge/CSC)

Manual + Live view(Lv) - on screen - canmagnify shot up to x10 times to aid focusing(good for macro shots. Focusing controlsometimes on the D pad

U i Y Di it l C


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Using Your Digital CameraCamera Controls: Nikon D5100 on left, Canon 600D on right

NOAUTO TODAY!

U i Y Di it l C


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Using Your Digital CameraCamera Controls: Nikon D5100 on left, Canon 600D on right



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MENUS:

CANON EOS 1100D

NIKON D3100

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/T3/T3A3.HTMhttp://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D3100/D3100A.HTMhttp://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/D3100/D3100A.HTMhttp://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/T3/T3A3.HTM


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Using Your Digital CameraMenus: Nikon D5100 on left, Canon 600D on right



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Using Your Digital CameraScreen display: Nikon D3100 on left, Canon 600D on right



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Using Your Digital CameraMenus - well look at a few:

Image Quality (Canon):Where you select either the file type:

NEF (RAW) + JPEG Fine

NEF (RAW) + JPEG Normal

NEF (RAW) + JPEG Basic

JPEG Fine

JPEG Normal*

JPEG Basic



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White Balance: Adjusts the camera's colour balance

to match a variety of light sources

Long Exp. NR: Disables or enables the automaticNoise Reduction feature

High ISO NR: This option increases the camera'sNoise Reduction efforts in exposures at ISOs higherthan about 800

ISO: Changes the camera's sensitivity setting, from100 to 3200 (should be shortcut button on body)

Focus Area Frame: Specifies the number of AF

Picture Styles: a range of pre-prparameter sets intended to delivin different situations

Image Stabilization - there are twstabilization: one that's includedand one that's inside the lens. Re

type, stabilization helps to eliminphotos caused by camera shake

Menus: there are many, many other menus in your camera. Here are the on

U i Y Di i l C


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Composition

no composition is right orwrong - it is totally subjective

viewers will have very diverse

opinions of the same shot

however there are useful tools

we can use to aid composition& make the image feel more

comfortable within the frame

U i Y Di i l C


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Composition

Thirds rule

Golden Ratio

Diagonals

Leading lines

Creating depth

Framing

U i Y Di it l C


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Composition

the thirds rule

U i Y Di it l C


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Composition

the thirds rule

U i Y Di it l C


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Composition

the thirds rule


U i Y Di it l C


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Composition

the thirds rule the rock is somewhat

uncomfortable right

in the middle

however the cloud

reflection on thediagonal re-balances

the image with

movement




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Using Your Digital CameraComposition

The Golden Ratio

a mathematical formula for producing aesthetically pleasing comp

the reason the rule of thirds works)

Other derivations you may see:

The Golden Triangle, The Golden Rectangle & The Golden Spiral



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The Golden Triangle



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The Golden Triangle



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The Golden Rectangle



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The Golden Rectangle



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Composition

The Golden Spiral



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Composition

The Golden Spiral



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Composition

The Golden Triangle The Golden Rectangle

The Golden Spiral

..they all relate to eachother



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Composition

The Golden Spiral

Found in Valencia!

Iglesia de Santa Catalina



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Composition

Symmetry



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Composition

Symmetry



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Composition

Texture



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Composition

Diagonals



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Composition

Leading Lines



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Composition

Framing



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Composition

Framing



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Composition

Framing



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Composition

Framing



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Us g ou g ta Ca e a

Composition

Low viewpointadds drama



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Composition

Low viewpointadds drama



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Composition

When keepingparallels

parallel

matters!

Composition

often needs

patience &

timing!



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Composition

Depth of Field +low viewpoint



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Composition

Depth of Field +low viewpoint



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Composition

Adding depth



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Composition

Leading Lines



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Composition

Lines



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Composition

Camera orientation



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Composition

Lens choice



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Composition

Lens choice

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Jvu&sa=X&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=6brBEO7CzE0LJM:&imgrefurl=http://www.photographyblog.com/articles/how_to_take_great_travel_portrait_photos/2/&docid=E1tvcTQrMQ94DM&imgurl=http://www.photographyblog.com/images/sized/images/uploads/david_noton_travel_portrait_photos-550x367.jpg&w=550&h=367&ei=4BGtUJScN-SR0QX0moGQBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=607&vpy=163&dur=1&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=136&ty=38&sig=109898154405796805479&page=1&tbnh=151&tbnw=244&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0,i:97http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Jvu&sa=X&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=6brBEO7CzE0LJM:&imgrefurl=http://www.photographyblog.com/articles/how_to_take_great_travel_portrait_photos/2/&docid=E1tvcTQrMQ94DM&imgurl=http://www.photographyblog.com/images/sized/images/uploads/david_noton_travel_portrait_photos-550x367.jpg&w=550&h=367&ei=4BGtUJScN-SR0QX0moGQBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=607&vpy=163&dur=1&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=136&ty=38&sig=109898154405796805479&page=1&tbnh=151&tbnw=244&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0,i:97


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Composition

Contrast



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Composition

Contrast



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Composition

Contrast

Snow falling at

night

Shot with flash

which illuminates

snowflakes &

underside of

trees



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Composition

Contrast

Christmas decs at

night

Shot with fairly

long exposure



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Composition

Tight Framing

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Jvu&sa=X&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=666&tbm=isch&tbnid=6brBEO7CzE0LJM:&imgrefurl=http://www.photographyblog.com/articles/how_to_take_great_travel_portrait_photos/2/&docid=E1tvcTQrMQ94DM&imgurl=http://www.photographyblog.com/images/sized/images/uploads/david_noton_travel_portrait_photos-550x367.jpg&w=550&h=367&ei=4BGtUJScN-SR0QX0moGQBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=607&vpy=163&dur=1&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=136&ty=38&sig=109898154405796805479&page=1&tbnh=151&tbnw=244&start=0&ndsp=22&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0,i:97


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Composition

Tight Framing



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Composition

Tight Framing



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Composition

Camera orientation for people shots.

Portrait format - camera turned through 90 degree

However the term portrait is misleading

I have seen plenty of excellent portrait shots from swhich have been shot in landscape format - so exp



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Composition - people

Space



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Space



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Space



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Space



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Drama & depth, using

hands



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Drama, depth &

capturing the moment



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Tight framing



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High angle



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Composition

Perspective

Changing your shooting position - is there a better angle?

Shoot higher

Shoot lower

Take a step to the left Take a step to the right

These can make a real difference & it encourages you to look a

with creative eyes

C iti



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Composition

Before you press the button! Check:

Is there a tree growing out of someones head? Could I move my position left or right to eliminate that rubbish bin?

Could I move my position down to reduce that grass in the foreground

Should I really have that right in the middle of the shot?

Do I need to change the depth of field to provide impact? Do I need to change the shutter speed to avoid blur?

Could I improve the image with just a trickle ofpop up flash? Your digital camera has many options which you are now starting to d

more & youll become familiar with your camera controls & therefore

Delete, delete, delete if you know the pic is rubbish delete it. Itll s

later

Using Your Digital CameraExposure


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Exposure

A photograph's exposure determines

how light or dark an image will appear.

This is determined by just three camerasettings:

ISO the measure of a digital

camera sensors sensitivity to light

Aperture the size of the opening in

the lens when a picture is taken Shutter Speed the amount of time

that the shutter is open

any change in one of the above

elements will impact the others



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What controls exposure?

ISOratings determine the image sensors sensitivity to light, each

rating represents a stop of light, and each incremental ISO num

down) represents a doubling or halving of the sensors sensitivity

The Aperturecontrols the lens diaphragm, which controls the am

traveling through the lens to the film plane. The aperture setting

by the f-number, whereas each f-number represents a stop of l

The Shutter Speedindicates the speed in which the curtain open

and each shutter speed value also represents a stop of light. Th

speed is measured in fractions of a second.



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Using Your Digital CameraWhen these three elements are combined, they represent a given exposure value (EV) for a given

f h h l ll h bl d f h h


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in any one of the three elements will have a measurable and specific impact on how the remainin

react to expose the film frame or image sensor and how the image ultimately looks. For example,

f-stop, you decrease the size of the lens diaphragm thus reducing the amount of light hitting the

also increasing theDOF

(depth of field) in the final image. Reducing the shutter speed affects howin that this can cause the background or subject to become blurry. However, reducing shutter spe

shutter open longer) also increases the amount of light hitting the image sensor, so everything is

the ISO, allows for shooting in lower light situations, but you increase the amount of digital noise

photo. It is impossible to make an independent change in one of the elements and not obtain an o

how the other elements affect the image, and ultimately change the EV.

Using Your Digital CameraExposure - under & over exposure


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p p

Using Your Digital CameraExposure


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Same exposure - different combinations of aperture & shutter speed

Using Your Digital CameraExposure & Metering Modes


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Your camera has a very sophisticated metering system to determine the

correct exposure It will do this automatically

There are usually a few to choose from (Canon example below) :

Evaluative/Matrix Centre-weighted Partial Spot



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Evaluative (Canon) or Matrix (Nikon)

This is the default metering mode on most DSLRs. Itworks by dividing the entire frame into multiple

zones & analizes the areas on an individual basis

for light and dark tones

One of the key factors that affects this type of

metering, is where the camera focus point is set to.After reading information from all individual zones,

the metering system looks at where you focused

within the frame and marks it more important than

all other zones



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Centre Weighted

Effective when you have a bright background orbacklit subject. For example, if you were taking a

photograph of a persons face on a sunny day at the

beach. You wouldn't want the strong background

light, or the white sand, to effect the exposure on

their face. As long as the persons face was correctly

exposed, that's all that matters



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Spot/Partial

Spot Metering only evaluates the light around yourfocus point and ignores everything else - used

when you want to take an exposure reading on a

specific area. It takes the reading from a very small

area in the middle of your composition



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ISO (International Organization for Standardisation)

changes the sensitivity of the image sensor in accordance with light leve

Bright sun = 100 ISO

Low light = 1600 ISO

The higher the ISO value the more noise

See over



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ISO (International Organization for Standardisation)

The higher the ISO the higher the level of noise:

100 ISO 1600 ISO



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Active D-Lighting (Nikon only)

ADR automatically identifies highlight& shadow areas that may otherwise

be lost

You have to activate it in the menu

With high contrast scenes a shot may

lose detail in the highlight or shadowareas - losing detail - using Active D-

Lighting compensates for this



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Exposure Compensation - a way to over-

ride the camera meter to make theimage lighter or darker

Automatic Exposure Bracketing (AEB) -

will automatically give three exposures -

normal, lighter & darker



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AE-L (also the AF-L Button) - Auto Exposure Lock

When pressed the AE Lock button locks-in the autoexposure and white balance so that subsequent photos

have the same exposure and balance

Useful when taking panorama photos so that

consistent exposure is achieved across all images -

otherwise the exposure will change according to what

is in the viewfinder


Photographing Landscapes


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g p g p

Using Your Digital CameraPhotographing Landscapes


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g g

1. Intro

Like taking portraits of friends & family, landscapephotography is likely to be a subject that occurs frequen

in your role as a photographer. The landscapes you phot

may be urban or rural landscapes many of the followin

guidelines will refer to both



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2. Composition

There are many guidelines to aid composition. In my

opinion the most useful are:

Rule of thirds

Leading lines

Rhythm



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2. Composition

Rule of thirds



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2. Composition

Leading lines see diag

lines leading from the corners of the frame leading the eye

into the image



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2. Composition

Rhythm

Receding lamp posts, railings trees or repetition can add de

& interest to a landscape

Utilising these concepts will make your images more striking



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3. Techniques

Those which I have found most useful:

use a polarising filter

creative blur using long exposures

use of shallow depth of fgield

use of a compass

the twylight zone sidestep & elevation

use RAW files to maximise quality

say no



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3. Techniques

Polarising filter

use of a polarising filter useful to darken blue skies & to reduce

reflections on bright sunny days. Generally use filters sparingly



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www.grahamparish.co.uk

3. Techniques

Long exposures

effective with moving water fountains, waterfalls,

seascapes gives a softer feel to the movement of

water rather than the more static results with faster

shutter speeds

star trails requires very long exposures (hours rather thminutes)

consider using a tripod (bulky & sometimes heavy) to ste

the camera for long exposures or possibly a bean bag

(more lightweight & fits in your camera bag)




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g g




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3. Techniques

Depth of field

shallow depth of field using large aperture values (say f2less)

fabulous technique for visually isolating a subject while

throwing everything else out of focus




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Techniques

Use of a compass

a compass allows you to assess when to revisit a

building or landscape to make best use of the sun

Buildings & landscapes are often much improved

when shot at a particular time of day when the suis low & striking across a building

the twilight zone a magical time before sunset that

doesnt last long (20-30mins) but can add interest & warm

to an urban or rural landscape



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Techniques

The Twylight Zone

the twilight zone a magical time before sunset that

doesnt last long (20-30mins) but can add interest & warm

to an urban or rural landscape



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Techniques

Sidestep & elevation

Urban landscapes ca be hugely improved by simply

taking a couple of steps to the left, right or up (ie

steps, bench, wall etc)



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Techniques

use RAW files to

maximise quality



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Techniques

Say no

if your image does not inspire you, change it choose a

different viewpoint



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Techniques

HDR (high dynamic range) imaging

HDR is short for High Dynamic Range. It is a post-process

taking either one image or a series of images, combining

adjusting the contrast ratios to do things that are virtually i

with a single aperture and shutter speed.



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Techniques

HDR (high dynamic range) imaging

For a tutorial & some good examples:

http://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr-tutorial/

www.flickr.com/groups/hdr/

http://www.hdrsoft.com/videos/Free software:

http://qtpfsgui.sourceforge.net/



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3. Techniques

Links:

http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-

photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/

http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/field-of-dreams-30-amazing-photographs-to-leave-you-inspired/


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Camera lenses

Zoom lenses have a variable focal length eg:2 types:

Wideangle zoom 18-55mm

Telephoto zoom 55-300

Prime lenses- have a fixed focal length eg:2 types:

macro lens (for close up shots) - no zoom

portrait lens - 50mm or 85mm - no zoom



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Camera Lenses

Zoom lens

Typically comes with the camera

Very versatile & good for everyday use

Variable zoom or focal length - typically 18-70mm, 70- 300mm

However have some disadvantages in thatthey are heavy & they cannot be used atlarge apertures (say f1.8) - generallyrestricted to a max aperture of about f4.5



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Camera Lenses

Zoom lens



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Camera LensesZoom lens

Focal lengths of azoom lens



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Camera Lenses

Prime lens macro lens

used for close up shots

capable of reproduction ratios

greater than 1:1

consider using extension tubes:


Camera Lenses
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=extension+tubes&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=637&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=13z0rg_O4YXMmM:&imgrefurl=http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-kenko-dg-nikon-af-extension-tubes-set-36mm-20mm-12mm-/p1007657&docid=LZ0ZVYA35PhRBM&imgurl=http://www.warehouseexpress.com/webcontent/product_images/large/130/1007657.jpg&w=400&h=400&ei=2WhYT5DUNYaL8gPHqpjYDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=119&vpy=138&dur=470&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=127&ty=103&sig=109898154405796805479&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=142&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=extension+tubes&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=637&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=13z0rg_O4YXMmM:&imgrefurl=http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-kenko-dg-nikon-af-extension-tubes-set-36mm-20mm-12mm-/p1007657&docid=LZ0ZVYA35PhRBM&imgurl=http://www.warehouseexpress.com/webcontent/product_images/large/130/1007657.jpg&w=400&h=400&ei=2WhYT5DUNYaL8gPHqpjYDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=119&vpy=138&dur=521&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=73&ty=98&sig=109898154405796805479&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=142&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=extension+tubes&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=637&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=13z0rg_O4YXMmM:&imgrefurl=http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-kenko-dg-nikon-af-extension-tubes-set-36mm-20mm-12mm-/p1007657&docid=LZ0ZVYA35PhRBM&imgurl=http://www.warehouseexpress.com/webcontent/product_images/large/130/1007657.jpg&w=400&h=400&ei=2WhYT5DUNYaL8gPHqpjYDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=119&vpy=138&dur=470&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=127&ty=103&sig=109898154405796805479&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=142&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0


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Prime lens

portrait lens Lighter than a zoom lens

Typically 85mm

Large maximum apertures eg f1.8

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=extension+tubes&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1280&bih=637&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=13z0rg_O4YXMmM:&imgrefurl=http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-kenko-dg-nikon-af-extension-tubes-set-36mm-20mm-12mm-/p1007657&docid=LZ0ZVYA35PhRBM&imgurl=http://www.warehouseexpress.com/webcontent/product_images/large/130/1007657.jpg&w=400&h=400&ei=2WhYT5DUNYaL8gPHqpjYDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=119&vpy=138&dur=521&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=73&ty=98&sig=109898154405796805479&page=1&tbnh=142&tbnw=142&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0


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Camera Lenses

What is "focal length?"

The "focal length" of a lens is the

distance between the optical centre

of the lens and the place where it

focuses its image ie on the image

sensor

Photographing People - settings



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Camera Settings

Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority?

Manual Focus or Auto Focus?

Wide angle lens or telephoto lens?

Colour or Monochrome?

If colourwhat Picture Style?

JPEG or RAW file?

Using Your Digital CameraPhotographing People - techniques

1 Determine what the shoot is for


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1. Determine what the shoot is for

Before you even think about picking up your camera, the first thing youneed to consider is what is the purpose of shooting the images?

It could be head shots for a colleagues website, a family portrait or just for

a friend. Think carefully about the setting and style of the shoot depending

upon its purpose

2. Location



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2. Location

Decide on the purpose of the shoot - its easier to select a suitable location Think about what might suit the style of the shoot, for example, somewhere scenic with

by a river, lake, hills or in the park?

Maybe you want to place your subject in the midst of a busy city amongst the architectu

crowds?

Theres also the option of using a room indoors. Larger rooms are usually brighter (mos

have more windows) and will give you lots of space to work with

Smaller and dimmer rooms will suit a shot that requires more shadows and a more som

Utilize the structures around you, particularly indoors, doorways, windows, staircases a

make for useful structural support within your image

3 D t i th lit f th li ht



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3. Determine the quality of the light

Avoid working in the middle of the day - youll get very harsh shadows on the face

If you have to then you may then have to use fill-in flash either with the pop up flash on

(if you can control the flash output or an external flash unit

Working slightly earlier or later in the day is better, or alternatively, working

If youre working indoors, youll want as much light to be entering the room as possible

avoid direct sunlight on the face

If you know your location, determine what time of day offers the best window light by fig

way the windows face (north, south, east or west)

4. Getting your positioning right



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One of the main advantages of using a larger working space is the freedom to move aromeet your requirements

Use the available light as best as possible

If youre outside find what you think might be a suitable place for your model to stand an

out where the sun is in the sky

Its essential that you dont make your model look directly towards the sun, as theyll jus

Begin by having them side on to the sun and work from there. A good tip here, is to get

to turn 360 degrees gradually and for you to follow them as they turn. This way, youll be

observe the change in the lighting to find the best positioning.

5. Use the light to your advantage



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5. Use the light to your advantage

There are a few other techniques that you can try to make the most of the light on offer.youre using natural light, carry a reflector. It can be extremely useful for portraits as you

some of the light from the side onto the subjects face

On nice bright days, its also worth trying some backlit shots, with the sun directly behin

subject. Again, the reflector will come in handy here, as you try to achieve a warm glow

shape of your model

Remember as well that you have the option of using shade and shadows within your po

work. A shady spot under a tree may well be just what you need when the direct sunlighbright, although be sure to check that the shade is evenly spread to avoid blotches of da

6. Window shots



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6. Window shots

Employing the sunlight through a window to light a portrait shot is a favorite technique asome really engaging and dramatic portraits. The soft light through the window acts as

highlight for a strong and moody image and works particularly well if you have the light

side of the subjects face, leaving the other in shadow.

The general rule is that the closer to the window you are, the more light youll have to w

stronger the contrast will be between the light and the dark. Also, if the light coming thro

too bright, you always have the option of using curtains or a blind to diffuse some of the

7 Camera settings



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7. Camera settings

Focus on the eyes. When we look at a photo of another person, the first thing we conne

their eyes. Make sure that the eyes are the focal point and use manual focus if you don

your auto focus to get it right!

Its also a good idea to use a large aperture (small f-number) to blur out the background

doesnt attract any attention away from your subject.

8. Communication is key



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y

Its absolutely vital that you interact with your subject Be sure to build up a rapport with them as soon as possible

Dont expect your subject to be able to read your mind. They wont know how you want

pose or where you want them to look unless you communicate it to them

If youre struggling to convey the shapes you want your model to make, give them exam

poses yourself

Use props so that the subject has something to do with their hands

9 The type of light



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9. The type of light

The quality and color of the light will change according to the time of day, season and th

Some days youll have warm and yellow light, where as on others, natural light will poss

This is where using white balance comes into play. You can use the settings to adapt to

in order to achieve the tone of light you desire

Shoot in RAW rather than JPEG you can make more changes during post processing.


10. Try it for yourself


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Practise - dont be afraid to ask family or friends to help you out. It will give you a great to practice your techniques and it will be easy to communicate with your subject as you

them

Using Your Digital CameraPhotographing People - natural light


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Photographer: RamonaG



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Photographer: York Place Studios



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Photographer: Unknow



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Photographer: Graham Parish


Photographer: Steve Bulley


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Photographer: Brian Jung



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Photographer: Andrew Dutton



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Photographer: Xaxor



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Photographer: Louise Beattie



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Photographer: Unknown

The shutter in your camera

The shutter controls the length of time light is allowed to fall on the image

inside the camera. It is measured in speed from minutes (or even hours) - slh



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right down to a the fast shutter speed of 1/4000th

second - a huge range

*charge coupled device


Shutter Priority setting


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(S or Tv)

is semi automatic:

you choose the shutter speed, the camera choosesthe appropriate aperture

this will then produce the correct exposure


The Shutter Priority setting is useful for:

fast moving subjects - speeds of 1/500th -
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fast moving subjects - speeds of 1/500th -

1/4000th (fast shutter speeds) can freeze

motion

NB slow shutter speeds can cause camera

shake - blurring the image. To eliminate this

keep the camera steady - use a tripod,

beanbag, put the camera on a wall, use alamp-post etc


How using different shutter speeds in the Shutter Priority

setting effects the image:


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setting effects the image:

Using Your Digital CameraSlow shutter speeds can cause unintentional camera blur


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Using Your Digital CameraSlow shutter speeds can cause unintentional camera blur


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Using Your Digital CameraHowever, slow shutter

speeds can be used to

create intentional blur


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for creative effect

Using Your Digital CameraA slow shutter speed

while panning with the

camera causing

intentional subject blur


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intentional subject blur

for creative effect

(about 1/20th sec)

Using Your Digital CameraA slow shutter speed

causing intentional

subject blur for


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j

creative effect (about1/20th sec)

Is there any panning

with the camera?

Using Your Digital CameraShutter Speed

Comparison


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examples showing theeffects of various shutter

speeds on movement

Using Your Digital CameraShutter Speed comparison

examples showing the effects of different shutter speeds


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Using Your Digital CameraSlow Shutter Speed

Example of a slow shutter

speed on water - 2 sec


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p

http://www.exposureguid

e.com/


example of a very slow

shutter speed -2 s or


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longer (on a tripod!) -good for seascapes


th


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Shot at about 1/10 sec


Panning at about


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Panning at about

1/10th sec



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Panning at about1/20th sec



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Panning at about1/4th sec



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Panning - at about1/4th sec



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Panning - at about1/4th sec


Camera static about

13 secs exposure!


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Using Your Digital CameraFast Shutter Speed

panning with the

camera using both


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fast & slow shutter

speeds

Using Your Digital CameraFast or slow shutterspeed?


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Using Your Digital CameraPanning with thecamera - what

shutter speed?


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Using Your Digital CameraPanning with the

camera - what

shutter speed?


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Capturing movement

in water



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Capturing movement



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Capturing movement



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Capturing movement


captures fast


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movement

Using Your Digital CameraB (bulb) setting -

extremely slow shutter

speed

Normally only available in


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Normally only available inmanual mode M

shutter open for minutes!

Guess how many?

Using Your Digital CameraB (bulb) setting -

extremely slow

shutter speed

Normally only


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Normally onlyavailable in manual

mode M

shutter open for

181 minutes!

Using Your Digital CameraB (bulb) setting - found only in M (Manual)

Used for very long exposures eg night sky, fireworks, lightning etc requi

speed in excess of 30 seconds


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speed in excess of 30 seconds Allows the shutter to be open for as long as you choose

Must be on a tripod, wall, beanbag to prevent blur from camera shake e

To release shutter - once to open, once to close

Best to use a remote control or the self timer to open shutter to avoid b

Will use up battery power

Using Your Digital CameraPanning - How to Pan:

Select a shutter speed around 1/20th. The amount of blur in a scene de

fast/slow your shutter is. Slower shutter speeds will create more motio

be more difficult to maintain a sharp subject Faster shutter speeds will


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be more difficult to maintain a sharp subject. Faster shutter speeds willsharp subject easier, but will have less blur

Select AI Servo focus mode on your camera. It will allow you to track th

you take the shot

Select a subject that is moving. Subjects that are moving in a predictabl

riding a bike down a hill) make panning easier. Also, straight paths mak

yet

Using Your Digital CameraPanning - How to Pan:

Stand at right angles to where your subject will pass. For example, if yo

photographing a child on a scooter in the street you should be on the p


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photographing a child on a scooter in the street, you should be on the pwant to photograph the broad side of your subject as they pass you

Let your hips control the movement of the camera

Press the shutter. Wait for your subject to pass by and GENTLY press thstab at it. KEEP FOLLOWING THROUGH

Using Your Digital CameraFlash

Fill-in FlashUsed to illuminate the foreground and to balances the level of light both for

the subject and shadowy areas so that it captures all the details.


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Flash

Fill-in Flash Used in combination of a slow

shutter speed to illuminate the

foreground again - bounced

from above/behind - no harsh

shadows on girl in centre


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Bounce FlashUsed to soften the flash &

eliminate harsh shadows


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Flash off camera

Again used to soften the flash & eliminate harsh shadows but this

time the flash can look more natural when its not coming from the

camera

Slow shutter speed Use a remote trigger or a wireless link


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Use a remote trigger or a wireless link


Flash off camera

Again used to soften the flash & eliminate harsh shadows but this time the

flash can look more natural when its not coming from the camera

Use a remote trigger or a wireless link


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Flash

First/Second Curtain Flash Sync

First Curtain Sync (default)

used where it is desired that the flash

freeze motion at the beginning of theexposure Front curtain sync is


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exposure. Front curtain sync is

adequate for most flash-photography.

When making long exposures while

also firing a flash, front curtain sync

creates an effect where any motion blur

- from ambient light - appears ahead of

the subject


First/Second Curtain Flash Sync

Second Curtain Sync

Some cameras offer the ability to fire

the flash at just before the secondcurtain closes This is called rear (or
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=first+curtain+flash&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=637&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=obwtcNsM6i287M:&imgrefurl=http://www.photoreview.com.au/guides/pocket-guides/digital-slr/Exposure-Metering&docid=lFN-9nDj7oR1wM&imgurl=http://www.photoreview.com.au/var/photoreview/storage/images/media/images/first-curtain-synch350/23699-1-eng-GB/first-curtain-synch350.jpg&w=350&h=237&ei=G8-0T5jPBsrV8QPI0bTeBg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=120&vpy=301&dur=87&hovh=185&hovw=273&tx=114&ty=74&sig=109898154405796805479&page=1&tbnh=136&tbnw=193&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0,i:83http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=first+curtain+flash&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1280&bih=637&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=obwtcNsM6i287M:&imgrefurl=http://www.photoreview.com.au/guides/pocket-guides/digital-slr/Exposure-Metering&docid=lFN-9nDj7oR1wM&imgurl=http://www.photoreview.com.au/var/photoreview/storage/images/media/images/first-curtain-synch350/23699-1-eng-GB/first-curtain-synch350.jpg&w=350&h=237&ei=G8-0T5jPBsrV8QPI0bTeBg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=120&vpy=301&dur=87&hovh=185&hovw=273&tx=114&ty=74&sig=109898154405796805479&page=1&tbnh=136&tbnw=193&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0,i:83


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curtain closes. This is called rear(or

second) curtain sync, and it is used to

freeze motion at the end of the

exposure. When making long

exposures while firing a flash, rear

curtain sync creates the effect of

motion blur trailing the main subject.


Second Curtain Flash Sync


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Second Curtain Flash Sync


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Using Your Digital CameraWhite Balance

The colour of an object is affected by the lighting conditions under which

eyes and our brain compensate for different types of lightthat's why a

appears white to us whether it's viewed in sunlight, under overcast skies incandescent or fluorescent light But digital cameras need help to emula


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incandescent or fluorescent light. But digital cameras need help to emula

to compensate for different types of lighting and render a white object w

The white balance setting is that help

We can simply set auto white balance and the camera will read the scene

temperature (basically the hue and intensity of a particular light source, m

degrees Kelvin) and choose a setting from its collection of pre-programm

That's a good solution when a scene's lighting is pretty much all of one ty

prominent white or neutral subject in the scene.

Using Your Digital CameraWhite Balance - Presets


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Using Your Digital CameraWhite Balance - Custom

Under mixed lighting conditions you can choose the Custom setting. Wi

selected, hold a white card in front of the lens and press the shutter butt

will read and lock in the colour temperature of the light reflected from thlocked-in reading now becomes the standard for the camera's white bala


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locked in reading now becomes the standard for the camera s white bala


Visible light is measured in colour

temperature and is measured in Kelvin (K).

A light having higher colour temperaturewill have more blue light (or larger Kelvin


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will have more blue light (or larger Kelvin

value) compared to light which has a

smaller Kelvin value. The following table

shows the colour temperature of various

sources of light.



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Using Your Digital CameraWhite Balance - examples


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shutterbugs - beginners/back to basics pp notes

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