The Basics of Digital Photography: Part 3

Ok, I slipped up and forgot to post on Wednesday, my bad. Here's part three of this blog series. This goes into much more detail on terms and functions of the camera. Once you've read this post, you will more than likely be very confused. There's a lot of basic info here that only scratches the surface of getting the proper exposure. If you find this confusing, let me know in a comment or email and I will answer as soon as possible. Enjoy.

III. Getting the Proper Exposure
      A. Exposure Control - White Balance, Aperture,
           Shutter Speed, & ISO
           1. White Balance - uses the scenes whitest point
               for color calibration.
               a. Most cameras have these white balance
                   settings; Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Shade,
                   Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Temperature
                   and Custom.
               b. White and Gray Cards can help in achieving
                   a proper white balance.
            2. Aperture - a collection of plates that control
                how much light reaches the sensor.
                (Landscape & Portrait Mode)
                a. The larger the number the smaller the hole,
                    the greater the depth of field.
                b. The smaller the number the larger the hole,
                    the shallower the depth of field.
                c. Setting the aperture is usually done by
                    adjusting a ring on the lens; however,
                    with today's technologies most
                    adjustments are done in camera.
                d. Settings are defined by the letter f/
                    followed by a number. Ex. f/16
            3. Shutter Speed - controls the length of time
                light hits the camera sensor. (Sports & Night Mode)
                a. Usually measured in seconds, the shutter
                    can be left open for several minutes for
                    night photography.
                b. Fast shutter speed will freeze motion,
                    while a slow speed can show motion.
                c. Technique know as "panning" allows the
                    photographer to keep his subject in focus
                    while the background is left blurry.
                    This should be done with the use of a tripod.
            4. ISO - International Standardization Organization -
                Sensor or Film Speed
                a. Used to measure light sensitivity for the sensor.
                b. ISO is defined by numbers 50, 100, 200, 400 and
                    doubles as it increases, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400.
                c. The lower the number, the less sensitive the
                    sensor is to light.
                d. As with film, when using a faster ISO, care
                    should be taken to avoid digital noise or grain
                    when using film.
                e. Digital noise is the combination of electric
                    fields generated by most of today’s electronics
                    and the information being recorded too fast
                    on the sensor.
        B. How to focus your camera.
            1. Manual or Auto Focus
                a. Auto Focus requires you to press half-way
                    down on the shutter release to see where
                    you’re focusing.
                b. There should be a set of either focusing
                    dots or some type of cross-hair used to
                    focus your subject.
                c. Now your camera should either beep or
                    flash to let you know that you are in focus.
                    Although some cameras will flash to let you
                    know what is not in focus. This is typically
                    on more advanced cameras.
            2. Manual focus will allow to control where you
               focus and give you more creativity with the shot.
       C. Using the On Camera Flash
           1. Only use the flash when absolutely necessary.
               a. Use the flash in low light situations when a
                   tripod is not available.
               b. Use as a fill flash to help light certain areas
                   of your subject.
           2. The On Camera Flash produces harsh and
               unflattering light on your subject, as well as,
               throwing a cast shadow on the nearest surface.
           3. The light from the flash might seem bright; however,
               it loses power the further from the camera it travels.
               a. An on camera flash is only good for about 15 to
                   20 feet. This range is known as the Guide Number.
               b. The further the light travels, the darker your
                   background will be as there is less light to reach it.
           4. The Guide Number, simply put, is the power of the flash.
               This is a very simplified explanation; there is a lot more
               to factor in for the true guide number.
      D. Manual Modes vs. Scene Modes
          1. What are the manual modes?
              a. Full manual allows you the control of every aspect of
                  your camera: white balance, aperture, shutter, ISO,
                  focus, etc.
              b. Aperture Priority is the same as full manual with the
                  exception that the shutter speed is determined for you.
              c. Shutter Priority, again same as manual, with the
                  exception that the aperture is determined for you.
              d. Program Mode, in turn, does not allow you to set
                  aperture or the shutter, although, white balance, ISO
                  and various other functions are yours to control.
          2. What are the scene modes?
              a. These modes take the human element out and the
                  camera determines the exposure settings.
              b. For the most part, the scene modes are rather self
                  explanatory and the descriptions for the scene modes
                  are found in your cameras manual.
          3. How to use scene modes creatively.
              a. This will require a lot of experimentation, think about
                  how the exposure settings are used and what scene
                  mode relates to them the closest.
              b. Also know that what one scene mode is designed for,
                  might actually be good for another situation.

That does it for part three. Next week will be the fourth and final post on the basics of digital photography. Thanks for reading.

First Wedding of the Year

Let me just say we started of this year with a bang. On January 16 we had the honor of being a part of Lindsey and Derek's wedding. And what a wedding it was, absolutely gorgeous. The ceremony was held at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The one downtown with the huge gold dome. It kinda reminds me of the European cathedrals with its large open space, columns, altar and the intricate details. Then to top it all off, was the white walls, marble floor and the deep blue ceiling. (No seventies orange walls or carpet.) You could not ask for better photography conditions. I mean you could not mess the photos up unless you tried. Once the guests began to arrive and the weddings party took their places it almost had this ethereal feel to it, and then the lovely bride completed the scene. Yep, I'm laying it think, huh? You would have to be there to understand.

Now once the rings were exchanged, vows given and formal photos taken, we headed over to the Cashew for a lively reception. I will admit it was a little dark in there; however, being the professionals that we are, we took same great photos. And of course, it had a winter theme with clear snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, as well as, snowflakes on the cake. There were toasts, tears, and laughter throughout the night. Oh, they also had a dvd slide show playing with photos of the couple as kids to photos of the couple together. It was good.

Ok, enough of my ramblings, here's a small sample of the event with more being shown on facebook. Go enjoy and as always thanks for reading.

You can also view a slideshow of their wedding HERE.

The Basics of Digital Photography: Part 2

Now, it's time for the second part of this four part blog. This can be some of the trickiest areas when it comes to digital photography: the terminology. So many sleepless nights can be attributed to things like, PPI, TIFF, RAW, ISO and many others. Hopefully, what I'm providing will help guide you more restful nights. Enjoy and thanks for reading.

II. Digital Terminology
    A. The Pixel and it’s function in the digital world.
         1. Pixel is actually two words combined–

             picture and element.
         2. Pixel is the smallest area of the screen.
         3. The word pixel was first published in 1965

             by Frederic C. Billingsley of JPL, to describe

             the picture elements of video images from 
             space probes to the moon and Mars. (Wikipedia)
        4. Megapixels - one million pixels
           0.3 Megapixels = 640×480
           0.5 Megapixels = 800×600
           1.0 Megapixels = 1280×800
           1.3 Megapixels = 1280×1024
           1.7 Megapixels = 1680×1050
           2.3 Megapixels = 1920×1200
           3.1 Megapixels = 2048×1536
           4.1 Megapixels = 2560×1600
           5.2 Megapixels = 2560×2048
           6.6 Megapixels = 3200×2048
           7.7 Megapixels = 3200×2400
           9.2 Megapixels = 3840×2400
           11.3 Megapixels = 4200×2690

     B. Pixels and Printing
         1. How pixels translate into printing a photo.
             3 megapixels = 5x7
             4 megapixels = 8x10
             5 megapixels = 11x14
             6 megapixels = 13x19
             8 megapixels = 16x20
            10 - 12 megapixels = 24x36


        2. The mysteries behind resolution 
            from screen to press.
            a. Pixel Per Inch (PPI) & Dots Per Inch(DPI)
                1) They translate the same when it comes 
                    to resolution.
                2) PPI is screen & DPI is press.
                3) So 300 ppi is the same as 300 dpi.
                4) 150 ppi is everyday printing, 200 ppi is 
                    high quality printing and 300 - 600 ppi is
                    professional grade.
            b. Photo printers might say they have a resolution
               of 4800x3600; however, that is actually the dpi
               that runs the length and width of the photo 
               being printed.
      C. The Digital Sensor
           1. The sensor chip is what replaces the film
               negative for recording light.
           2. Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor
               (CMOS) is the technology that allows a photo
               to be recorded digitally and then written to a
               media device such as a memory card.
           3. Depending on the CMOS system being used
               will determine how much of your image will 
               be recorded and how fast that image can be 
               written to the memory card.
               a. This is a huge variable when it comes to
                   photojournalists, event photographers and
                   sport photographers.
               b. The faster the better and the more detail.
       D. Most Common File Formats
           1. JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group 1986
               a. Smallest file size and most common also
                   extremely compressed.
               b. Lossy file type which will lose data at each
                   compression or save.
               c. Good file type to use for minimal or no 
                   post-production work.
           2. TIFF - Tagged Image File Format
               a. A larger file size that has little or
                   no compression.
               b. Lossless file type that will not lose data
                   at each save.
               c. Best file type to use for less
                   post-production work.
           3. RAW image file or DNG - basically it’s
               a digital negative.
               a. This a rather large file with no 
                   compression at all.
               b. Lossless file type that will not lose
                   data at each save.
               c. The closest thing to a film negative.
               d. Captures every detail of the subject.
               e. Post-production work is required for
                   this format.
         E. Memory Cards
             1. Used to store the data from the CMOS.

             2. Various types of memory cards.
                 (i.e. Compact Flash, Memory Sticks, 
                  Secure Digital and xD)
             3. Cameras use a variety of cards depending
                 on manufacturer.
             4. Sizes range form 32MB to 16GB.
             5. The only main difference is that a compact flash
                 card can write faster than the others.

Alrighty then, that will do it for part two. Stay tuned for next weeks blog on getting that proper exposure. Ciao.

The Basics of Digital Photography: Part 1

Before we get into this weeks blog, I need to make a few correction from the previous one. Mainly I'm only going to be posting a weekly blog about photography, not the fore mentioned twice a week. Reason for this is so I have enough stuff to write about. Now with that said, on with the blog.

The Basics of Digital Photography: Part 1

About two years ago, I gave a small presentation about digital photography at the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, and thought I would share the same material with you. Now don't you feel appreciated.

The following information will be presented in four parts and is intended for beginners or hobbyists.

I. The many kinds of cameras—digital & film
   A. The Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera
        1. Main advantage is creative control.
            a. Ability to change lenses and exposure settings.
            b. The camera most professionals use.
        2. Another advantage is a faster and more advanced
            sensor chip.
            a. Great for high-speed photos and crisper detail.
            b. Also has the ablility to clean dust particles for the mirror.
        3. Many levels available on the market today in various
            price ranges.
   B. Fixed Lens SLR camera
        1. Has some of the same features as a true SLR.
            a. Usually has creative modes and full manual modes.
            b. Cannot change lens and therefore reduces flexibility.
        2. Known to other professional photographers as a
            "point-n-shoot on steroids."
   C. The Point-n-Shoot camera
        1. A fully automatic camera with a myriad of specialized
            settings and functions.
            a. Scene Modes: landscape, portrait, night scene, macro, and
                various others depending on manufacturer.
            b. Usually gives control of image size.
            c. Some allow for different file formats:
                JPEG, TIFF, RAW, etc.
            d. There’s also a chance that the ISO and white balance
                can be changed.
        2. There is really not much room for creative photography
            unless you can think outside the scope of your camera.
            a. Lack of choosing aperture and shutter speed does not
               allow for either a greater depth of field or a
               shallow depth of field.
            b. Limited focal length and angle of photo due to the lack of
                lens changing. Although, there are lens attachments that
                can create a wide angle or telephoto feel.
        3. The sensor chip is typically not as fast as a SLR, but with
            current advancements in technologies it is quite robust.

Okay, that should get you started in choosing the right type of camera for you or give you some insights o the camera you already own. If you have any questions, leave comments and I will answer them.  Thanks for reading.