Tue 28 Jun 2011

Photography For The Common Man (Or Woman) – Take Better Pictures Starting Now

Posted by wrasku under Learn Photography
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How Can YOU Take Better Pictures?
Take Better Pictures - starting now

Knowledge of composition and lighting are important to help you take better pictures

Since the whole goal of this photography classes website is to educate (mostly newer) photographers, there will be articles and videos posted for some very general and basic subject matter. This article was posted first at EzineArticles.com. If you are just starting out as a photographer (you may not even consider yourself one yet), there are some insightful ideas here to help you along the way so that you can take better pictures. You don’t need the best equipment or the newest camera on the market, but you will need to put in a little time and effort.

Photography For The Common Man (Or Woman) – Take Better Pictures Starting Now

By Wayne Rasku

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_Rasku

People who are not professional photographers have different ideas about their photography gifts and abilities. Many are of the opinion that it’s easy to be a photographer, but, on the other side of the coin, there are those who have taken really bad photos and consider themselves bad photographers.

The real truth is that just about anyone can take better pictures. It’s really easy to press that shutter button. But there are some steps you can take that will make your images better, even if you are an absolute beginner.

Where To Start Becoming A Better Photographer

These are some of the ideas for beginning photographers to keep in mind, whether your goal is to take pictures of you family, landscapes, sports, close-ups, pets, street journalism, or if you plan to become a pro (you have to start somewhere).

First, get to know your camera. It really does not matter if you have one of the least expensive digital point and shoot cameras or an extremely expensive Digital SLR camera, if you are not familiar with the camera’s capabilities and settings, you will be unable to take advantage of that camera’s best qualities. Read the manual. Practice getting shots with your camera. You don’t need “National Geographic” type settings to practice, your living room, backyard, or a local parking lot will do. Just get familiar with that wonderful image recording device.

Second, familiarize yourself with the most basic photography concepts, such as composition and light. Even a little knowledge about composition and lighting will give you a huge advantage when it comes to taking pictures that have interest.

Third, use your camera at every opportunity. Having the best equipment available will not help if it is sitting at home in the closet. Get used to carrying the camera with you at all times. If you have the resources, you can have more than one camera, a small camera that fits into your pocket and a larger “more professional” camera that you take for your special photo ops. Even a cell phone can produce great images these days if you are aware of its capabilities.

Above all, do some soul searching and convince yourself that you can do this thing called photography. You CAN take better pictures, no matter what your past pictures look like.

Here are a few things that you need to avoid in your thinking:

  1. I am not a good photographer, so why try. This one thought will paralyze your future in photography. Change your thinking now. Even if you have not been happy with your pictures, you can get better.
  2. There is too much to learn about cameras and software. Not true. Yes, there is a boatload of software and camera equipment available, but you are not required to either have it all or learn it all in order to become a good photographer.
  3. It take too much time to become a good photographer. Again, this is not true. Of course, you will get better as time goes on and you become more familiar with how to take photos and use your camera, but if you learn a few basics, it will make a world of difference in your picture quality.

You have a desire to be a better photographer? You can do it.

Photography is becoming more popular by the hour. Folks are discovering how exciting it is to learn about photography techniques and equipment. Not only that, they are now aware that they can take better pictures if they have some basic knowledge and the right frame of mind. PhotographyClassesAtlanta is a great place to start building that knowledge base.

http://EzineArticles.com/?Photography-For-The-Common-Man-(Or-Woman)—Take-Better-Pictures-Starting-Now&id=6378914

 

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Tue 28 Jun 2011

Control Photography Results With Aperture Priority

Posted by wrasku under Learn Photography
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Using Aperture Priority To Control Exposure

One way to take control of your photography output is to move the mode dial off “P” or “Auto”. These settings are fine for beginners or if you are just getting used to a new camera, but there comes a time when your confidence has grown, that you will find the need to have more control.

Aperture Priority (Av or A) allows you to change everything you need in order to have the creative exposures you dream of.

What Is Aperture

Aperture refers to the size of the camera’s lens opening when a picture is taken. The aperture determines how much light gets to the camera’s image sensor to “expose” the subject of the picture.

Use Aperture priority to stop action

You can use Aperture Priority (a large aperture) to stop action.

To get a better understanding of aperture, imagine you are in your bedroom and the only light source is a single window. If the window is very small, only a little light can get into the bedroom. If the window is larger, more light can enter the room.

This is the case with the lens opening of your camera. The smaller the aperture, the less light can get to the sensor. The larger the aperture, the more light gets to the sensor.

The key is to make sure just the right amount of light is allowed to enter through the lens opening. If the aperture is too small and not enough light is allowed in, the picture is under-exposed with excessive dark areas. If the aperture is too big and too much light gets in, the picture is over-exposed and washed out.

Aperture is measured in f-stops. These can be a bit confusing because the numbers are exactly opposite of what you might expect. The larger numbers, such as f/22 mean that the aperture is smaller. The smaller numbers, such as f/2.8 mean the aperture is larger.

Using Aperture Priority

When you set your camera on aperture priority, you are controlling only the f-stop of the lens. As you determine the f-stop, the camera will set the correct corresponding shutter speed. So, in truth, you can use Aperture Priority to control the shutter speed as well.

Want to freeze action? Choose a large aperture and the camera will automatically choose a faster shutter speed.

Want a slow shutter speed to blur the motion (as in a waterfall or whitewater creek)? Choose a small aperture and let the camera take care of the shutter speed.

Here are some guidelines for setting aperture according to scene requirements:

  • Shallow depth of field (for blurred backgrounds) – use a large aperture (small f-stop number).
  • Deep depth of field – use a small aperture (large f-stop number).
  • Freezing action – set a large aperture so that you get a fast shutter speed.
  • Blurring action – set a small aperture so that you get a slow shutter speed.

    • This method of keeping you camera on Aperture Priority will give you lots of control while allowing you to get the creative photos you desire. You get consistently great results with the least amount of effort or knowledge.

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Thu 13 Jan 2011

Macro (Close-up) Photography For Beginners

Posted by wrasku under Basic Photography Classes, Digital Photography Classes, Learn Photography
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Basic Camera Modes – Macro Photography

Macro image - bee on zinnia flower

This bee macro shot was taken with a non-macro lens - Sigma 18-250mm (click on the photo to see it full-size)

At Photography Classes Atlanta, the Macro Mode spot on the dial is one of the favorites. Macro photography is also known as Close-Up Photography. This mode is accessed by selecting the little section of the button on your dial that looks like a little flower.

Macro photography has the power to convert.

When you see the intricate details in an image that you had no idea were there, you will be amazed. Your amazement will lead to further photos and experimentation, and Voila! You will be an addict.

When you choose the Macro mode on your camera, your camera will select the proper aperture and shutter speed for that type of picture. The lens will adjust so you can focus at a much closer distance, as well.

If you are using a Digital SLR camera, combining the macro mode with a dedicated macro lens will give the best results. However, if you do not have a macro lens, you can still get great pictures, just because of the power of a digital SLR. The image sensor is larger than those on point and shoot cameras, thus giving more detail to the pixels. While special lenses can be very expensive, there are some that cost a bit less. There is a short list of macro lenses for Canon digital SLR cameras at www.canoneoslenses.org.

Point-and-Shoot Camera Tip
Using the viewfinder

There is one caution you must be aware of when using a compact digital camera with macro images. It is not as common as in the past because of the advance in camera technology, but here it is. If your compact is equipped with an optical viewfinder and a live view LCD screen, be sure to use the LCD to compose your macro photo. The reason for this is that the optical viewfinder on compact cameras does not see the exact image that will be recorded when you press the shutter button. Compact cameras do not see the image through the lens like a digital SLR camera does, so what you see is not what you get, especially when viewing extremely close images. Using the LCD screen solves this problem. The thing is, most newer compact cameras don’t even offer an optical viewfinder anymore, so this issue will be obsolete soon. And if you have purchased a camera recently, you are probably saying, “What is he talking about?” The bottom line is this, if you have an LCD that shows the picture you are about to take, you will get the picture you expect.

Digital SLRs already have this problem covered simply because of the way the image is seen and focused using the “through the lens” technology. However, many newer digital SLRs are also now offering the live view feature in which you see the image on the LCD screen.

Lighting Up Your Macro Photography Images

Sand Dollar - macro photo

Using a light diffuser disc or even an umbrella at the beach can help alleviate harsh shadows of the mid-day sun.

When taking close-ups, you will have different situations with lighting than you do with normal photographs for a couple of reasons. One of those is simply because of how close you are to the subject. The second is due to the small size of the objects that are the subjects of macro photos.

Think about it. When the shadows change by a yard or so in a landscape photograph, you will barely notice it, but if the shadow moves an inch on a flower that you are about to photograph, it changes everything about the composition. Then, too, light changes are more intense as you get closer to the subject. You really need to be aware of what is happening to the light as you get ready to shoot the picture. Waiting a few seconds for a cloud to move one way or the other could make a major difference in the outcome.

Another thing to watch is the quality of the light. Bright sunlight can be your worst enemy because of the harsh shadows it creates up close. On the other hand, while shade or overcast skies make it easier to get a more evenly lit image, the colors are not as intense.

The direction of the light also has a huge effect on the results. Make sure you are aware of the where the light is coming from. Many photographers like to shoot with the sun at their back, but using side lighting or back lighting can give really nice results, too. If you choose your position with light direction in mind, you can get some very dramatic effects. The hint here is that you should take control rather than letting the light control you.

Advanced Tip
Focusing

It does not matter whether you are using a compact (point and shoot) camera or an advanced digital SLR with a macro lens, accurate focus is the key to great macro photography. This is because of something know as “depth of field” which, in the case of macro, is very shallow. This simply means that if your focus is off just a hair, the photo will be messed up. Some photographers prefer to use manual focus so they have the control of the exact point in the subject where they want to focus.

You can also deepen the depth of field by using aperture priority (instead of macro mode) and set the aperture to a higher number, such as f/13. In this case, you must be aware that setting your aperture to a high number slows down the shutter speed of your digital camera. This brings another factor into play – camera steadiness. A tripod is really a great accessory to have for your macro photography work.

Macro Photography – Powerful Images

Macro photography is a whole world unto itself. There are plenty of photographers who are really good at it. Look for websites that are devoted to macro photography, or look on www.flickr.com and type close-up or macro into the search box. You will love the results, and when you try to duplicate their shots, you will learn a lot about close-ups, as well as delighting your viewing public.

 

Macro photo - close-up image of swallowtail butterfly macro photo - close-up image of hosta flower stamen Macro photo - close-up photo of tomato
Click on any macro photo to see a larger image. Notice the wonderful detail and nice depth of field rendering the backgrounds blurry.

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Thu 6 Jan 2011

Camera Settings – Camera Modes

Posted by wrasku under Digital Photography Classes, Learn Photography
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It has come to my attention that most camera owners do not venture off of the Auto Mode setting in their camera. I don’t know why this is a surprise to me. People are timid when it comes to trying new things on their cameras.

Why is this true? Come on People. Get your fanny off Auto!

Here is a brief rundown of the settings that are common to most digital cameras, both point and shoot and digital SLR.

mode setting dials

Two different mode dials

Basic Camera Modes – these are the ones that will set your camera up for success. You set it, the camera does the rest. The reason they are called Basic Modes? When you choose one of these modes, you are giving the digital camera “Carte Blanche” to do what it does best. You don’t have any more control over the settings. You can’t choose the ISO, the White Balance, the Picture Quality (you CAN set the picture size). All you get to do after selecting a Basic Mode is to press the shutter button.

Full Automatic Mode: – This is the one most camera owners use, whether they know it or not. Full Automatic is indicated on the Mode dial by a green rectangular outline or the word AUTO, also in green. In this mode, the camera makes all exposure decisions with the exception of image quality (see JPEG vs RAW).

Portrait Mode – This is a Basic Mode that optimizes the digital camera for taking portrait shots. The camera chooses a wide aperture for the best depth of field effect (with a blurry background).

Landscape Mode – Choosing landscape mode tells the camera to select a smaller aperture so that most of the photo from front to back is in focus.

Macro (close-up) Mode – The term Macro generally refers to a photo with greater magnification of a small object where the camera is much closer to the subject than normal.

Sports Mode - Refers to a mode where the camera automatically chooses the fastest shutter speed possible. The ISO may be boosted to accomplish this. It also sets the camera into a “focus lock” where the camera will continue to focus on the subject as you pan with the movement of the action.

Night Photography Mode – A basic mode in which the camera will set a wide aperture and a slow shutter speed to compensate for very little light. In this mode it is highly recommended that you use a tripod or set your camera on a steady surface to avoid blur.

Flash Off Mode – Quite simply a mode in which the camera flash will not fire. Use this mode to assure the maximum natural light. Again, if there is not much light, a tripod is recommended.

Creative Modes – These settings allow the photographer to have some control over the results by dialing in settings of their own choice. When using Creative Modes, the photographer is always in control of the “Quality” setting, the ISO, and the White Balance.

Program Mode – This is the simplest of Creative Modes. It allows the camera to decide on the aperture and shutter speed.

Aperture Priority Mode - The photographer sets the Aperture value and the camera sets the Shutter Speed to the proper setting for the selected Aperture.

Shutter Priority Mode – The photographer sets the Shutter Speed and the camera decides on the proper Aperture for that setting.

Manual Mode – The photographer is in total charge of the Aperture and the Shutter Speed. The mode takes the most knowledge on the part of the photographer.

A-DEP Mode – Automatic Depth-of-Field – This mode is not very widely used, but it is a mode that will choose the widest depth of field for a selected scene. It is good for photos that have large groups of people in rows so that all the rows are in focus. It is also a kind of “landscape mode” on the creative side of the dial.

The video below has a more graphic approach to the Camera’s Basic Modes settings.

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