Welcome Digital Photography 99 ½ Hampton Roads Digital Photography Club Jerry Gammon
Disclaimer • I am not an “expert” photographer. I have a passion for it, and a desire to share the knowledge I have with others, but there is a lot I do not know. • Everything I know, I have learned from others. My main mentors are Bob Lerner, Jim Hansen, Will King, Wayne Berry and many who have presented and commented in this Club. • For a better understanding of HDR, I go to Trey Ratcliff at stuckincustoms.com (forever grateful to Wayne for pushing me to look Trey up on the web). • There are questions you can ask me for which I may not have an answer, but someone in this room will.
Goals for the Tonight’s Session • Help You Learn How to Take Better Digital Pictures. • Give Some Key Dates in Photography History. • Advantages of Digital Over Film Photography • Discuss “Required” and “Optional Gear”. • Stress the Importance of the “Digital Darkroom” for Post Processing Images. • Present a Limited Glossary of Photographic Terms. • What is the Art of Seeing? • The Importance of Light • Emphasize the Importance of Composition. • Encourage you to think about the “Three Steps to Better Photos” with every shot. • Show how the Rule of Thirds gives your photos more interest. • Introduce the Exposure Triangle. • Seven things to take your photography to the next level.
Key Dates in Photography • While some of the concepts of photography – such as use of pin holes – have been used since the early centuries A.D., it was not until 1830 that the term was used. • 1834 is the year that the first permanent means of capturing an image was invented. • First “color” photos made in 1861. • 1880 - George Eastman starts his company…1888, first Kodak camera produced. • First digital camera 1984. • Canon EOS cameras introduced in 1987. • Adobe Photoshop (CS1??) introduced in 1990 • I took my first Digital Photo, circa 2004.
Advantages of Digital Photography • Digital - Less expensive to take pictures • Cameras (most of them) are easier to use. • You get instant gratification – or disappointment. • You can shot it again if not good. • You can have your own digital darkroom with no messy chemicals. You can do things in seconds that took Ansel Adams hours to accomplish. • Easy to share photos with friends, family and websites . • You can take good pictures without a fancy camera and expensive lens. • You can do something that can bring a lot of joy…unlike golf, for instance, where many break things and curse a lot. • You can become as good as you want to become…making it easier to justify buying expensive equipment.
Required Gear A Digital Camera • You can take digital pictures with your camera phone…some have very good image quality and pixel counts. • You can use a small Point & Shoot camera starting at about $150. • Next level is the DSLR, or Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. Canon and Nikon great entry level cameras, starting around $500. • Within the DSLR cameras, there is a wide range in price, build quality and features. The upgrades will add Live View Shooting, full frame (no crop sensors), extra pixels, and the ability to shoot HD videos.
A Bit More Than Required Gear
More Required Gear With a DSLR, You Must Have a Lens If you get a kit, most come with an 18-55mm lens. Some kits have 2 lens. It would be nice to get the basic 18-55 and a medium range zoom lens – up to 300mm. If you buy the “body only” and can only get one lens, get an 18 - 200mm. Sigma makes quality lens for other DSLRs for about 1/3 less than the brand name. A good “walking around” lens. Look for lens with IS – Canon – or VR – Nikon. They will help you take sharper images. What drives up the price in a lens? Generall y, the smaller the f stop, the greater the price ( an f2.8 lens is more than a f5.6 – the Nifty-fifty being a notable exception). Also, IS or VR lens cost more. Generally, the heavier a lens, the more it cost. Two types of lens: Zoom and Prime. A zoom has a focal range 18- 200 mm, for instance. A prime lens is a fixed focal length – it is called a two feet zoom lens – you must to zoom in and out.
Optional – But Handy - Gear A tripod. Get a good one, not less than $150 for legs and ball head – many come as combo. If you buy a $40 one, you will regret it, and have to buy another soon…do not buy a tripod cover or bag – I paid over $100 for one and NEVER used it. A monopod – a “one legged tripod” – not really, but you get the idea. Handy in the woods or for shooting with stability when tripod cannot be used. Also a good walking stick. Extra batteries for your camera…also a car re -charger for your camera battery is nice. Extra memory cards. Most cameras use CF or SD cards. Get as good as you choose to afford…more expensive ones have larger capacity and are faster when shooting and uploading to your computer. Camera bag, strap or backpack style to carry extra lens, batteries, water bottle, and snacks. Aftermarket Neck Strap – more comfort and balance.
You Need a Tripod for this Shot – and any Long Exposure
You Need a Tripod for this Shot – and any Long Exposure
Ghosting – 20 second exposure…subject stays in frame for 10 seconds – You Need A Tripod
More Ghosting You Must Have a Tripod
When Buying any Gear • Look not just for the best price, but also the best value. Authorized dealers do not strip kits and sell stock items as accessories. • Buy from reputable companies – Amazon.com, B&H & Adorama all have great service, competitive prices and exchange policies. • Be aware of “Gray Market” – no USA warranty. • Register your gear with manufacturer if offered. • My view – Less is Best: I would rather have 2 Canon L lens, than 3- 4 standard lenses…quality is always better than quantity.
Armed with a Camera & Lens – You are Ready to Make Photos Fundamentals of Picture Taking Hold the camera properly. You will hold a DSLR differently than a P&S, but with both, the key is firm control. Grip it firmly and tuck your left arm against your torso. When you are not using a tripod, and need one, you can brace yourself against a wall, a tree or sit in a comfortable squat position. You can also use a bean bag, a wall or a chair to sit your camera upon or any sturdy, flat surface for steadiness. . Press half-way on the shutter button to focus and all the way to take the shot.
Why Are My Pictures Blurry? • There are many reasons why your pictures may be blurry – here are a few: • 1. Subject moved just as you snapped. (Not much you can do about this one, except yell.) • 2. Your hands shook or moved just as you snapped. (A tripod would help. A lens with IS or VR is also useful. A faster shutter speed is always helpful – so raise ISO and/or lower f Stop. • 3. You wanted it to be blurry. This is the essence of creative photography. Knowing how to do it intentionally is a sign of growth.
Learn to use your camera in vertical & horizontal mode. The majority of photos you see are shot in the horizontal – landscape orientation – perspective.
Brian Peterson asked “When is the best time to take a vertical – portrait orientation - shot?” Answer: Right after taking a horizontal shot. You can include more foreground in a vertical shot.
Shot in Landscape Mode – to Show More of the Dock Area
Shot in Portrait Mode to Include the Moon
Fundamentals Continued . Breathing Technique – some say hold your breath while pushing the shutter – some say draw and exhale while shooting…I draw & exhale…do what is best for you. . Review the shot in your LCD screen…if not happy, take another. Do not delete in the field…do not delete until the second review on your computer. If you must use a flash, learn how to angle the camera to prevent flash reflections from mirrors and pictures to bounce back into your lens.
After Taking the Shot You must be able to get your pictures from the disk to the computer. You can connect the camera directly to the computer or use a port on your computer or printer to insert the memory card. Generally, you create a folder that you name or let the computer name it – usually by the date. Once on your computer, you are ready to edit or “post process” your images. There are many editing options. Most computer operating systems have a basic processing program that comes with the computer. They allow for cropping, contrast and color adjustment, and other basic editing tools. PICASA, a Google product, is a free downloadable program that does many basic edits plus has many other creative options. ADOBE – is the leader in post processing products. Their Creative Suites, now CS6, is the choice of many professionals. There is also Adobe LightRoom 4 and Elements 11…(called “PS Lite ”).
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