Digital Photography Workshop Joel Stuthman

1. Digital Photography WorkshopJoel Stuthman

2. What’s a pixel?Sensor pixels: The pixels on a digital camera sensor collect photons of light. The number of photons collected by each pixel is converted into an electrical charge.Display pixels: Pixels are displayed in rows on the computer screen. Enlarging a photo to 1600% reveals the individual pixels

3. What’s a “Megapixel?” “Megapixel” means a Million pixels. A six megapixel sensor is approximately 3,000 pixels long and 2,000 pixels wide. 3,000 x 2,000 = 6,000,000 pixels.

4. How many megapixels do I need? For e-mail or web use only, you can get by with fewer than 3 megapixels. But for print, you need at least 3 megapixels for un-cropped 8x10 photos. Additional megapixels means more information. You’ll see better fine detail in your photos. Many other factors are involved that also affect image quality.

5. Effective Pixels - Not all of the pixels are used when the camera takes a picture. The number of pixels on which information is recorded is called the “effective pixels.” The Olympus E-1 had 5.6 million total pixels, but only 5.1 million effective pixels. Check to see that the advertised number of pixels is the effective number. Gabriel’s Horn

6. Sensor Size -Digital camera sensors come in many sizes. Different sized sensors often contain the same number of megapixels. Larger sensors provide better image quality for a variety of reasons.

7. Aspect Ratio -Aspect refers to length / width ratio of the sensor. Several aspect ratios are currently being used in digital cameras. 3:2 - The standard aspect ratio used in most digital camera sensors. It’s a carry over from 35mm film. 4:3 - New standard for digital proposed by Olympus and several other companies. 16:9 - Video standard that is starting to appear in point & shoot models.

8. RGB (Red, Green, Blue)Digital cameras record information using the additive red, green, blue system. 100% Red + 100% Green + 100% Blue = White (Total color) 0% Red + 0% Green + 0% Blue = Black (Total absence of color) + + =

9. Digital Vs. Film -“A 35 mm film negative … has about the same potential for enlargement as a digital capture in the 6 - 8 megapixel range.” Bruce Fraser, author of “Real World Photoshop” series. Rococo Revival Table

10. Where do I go for the latest information and reviews of cameras? dpreview.com photo.netresellerratings.com steves-digicams.com robgalbraith.com imaging-resource.com dcresource.com

11. Going to the Store - Go to a store, like Best Buy, where they have the models you’re interested in. See which model is easiest to work with and fits best in your hands. DO NOT let the salesmen make thedecision for you. Volcano Insurance

12. Point & Shoot or DSLR - or HD Camcorder?P&S cameras arelighter, convenient &easier to learn. Lessexpensive too. DSLR’s have largersensors with higherimage quality, interchangeablelenses, more menu options.HD Camcorders area few years off in terms of image quality.

13. Where do I find the best deals onon the internet? Resellerratings.com Beware vendors whose prices aremuch lower than everyone else’s.

14. “It makes me sick to admit that I bought from these crooks. I spent $4,599.99 for a Nikon D2x body, extended warranty, charger etc.. Everything looked fine so I thought all was ok. Not. I sent it in to Nikon for service only for them to take it and tell me it's stolen. Still trying to get my money back. It's a good thing I live a long ways from NJ or I would probably be in jail for something awful. Stay far away.” Resellerratings.com

15. Recommended Online Sellers -B&H Camera Bhphotovideo.com Calumet Photo Calumetphoto.com There are other reputable sellersout there, but research carefully before you buy.

16. Gray Market Equipment - The term ‘gray market’ refers to equipment that was made for markets outside the U.S. It was imported by the camera dealer and sells for less than equipment made for sale here. Catnip Fiend

17. Gray Market Vs. U.S. - The quality is the same, but warranties can differ. U.S. equipment can be serviced in this country. Gray market equipment may have to be sent overseas for repair via the dealer. Always make sure you’re buying U.S. equipment. If a dealer’s prices are much lower than everyone else’s, it may be selling gray market equipmentand passing it offas U.S. 4H Cyber Fair

18. Is there a best time of year to buy a camera? The two big international camera shows are in February/March and September. Many new models are released at these shows and in the preceding month. A good time to buy a camera is in Spring or late Autumn, a few months after the new models become available. This way you’ll be able to compare reviews and hopefully avoid any problems that arise in the early releases. Digital cameras are usually updated every 12-18 months. I always tell people to check the release date. It’s best to buy cameras that have been out for a few months, but not more than a year. That gives the company time to fix problems, and you won’t end up buying a camera that’s about to be replaced.

19. Can I Get a Good Digital CameraFor Under $100? Probably not. But there’s a numberof five to six mg. cameras by namebrand manufacturersthat sell for $100-$200. Pyro Boy

20. Required Accessories - Memory Device - Flash Card, SD Card, Memory Stick, etc. ($25 - $100). I recommend at least 1 gb. capacity. You’ll need at least one of these. Optional Accessories - Camera Bag (Starting at $15) Extra Battery ($20 - $75) You’ll only need this if you’re going to take a LOT of pictures at a time.

21. Software - Photoshop CS3 - Industry standard for photographers & graphic artists. I’d recommend Photoshop for anyone working with photos that will be published or for professional print work. Elements 5.0 - A “lite” version of Photoshop that has 90% of the features. Much easier to learn and costs far less. Elements is good for family photos and e-mail. “O.K.”

22. Software - Adobe Lightroom - Brand new, Lightroom is a stripped down version of Photoshop that has just the features that photographers use.Excellent forediting and managing photos, but Lightroomisn’t a replacement for Photoshop - yet.

23. Making Prints - I would not recommend buying a printer unless you’ll be making a LOT of prints. It’s far more cost effective to have them made locally or through an online service. Go(!)

24. Exposure Modes -(P) - Program In Program Mode, the camera selects the aperture & shutter speed. Some cameras have a second Program mode (Pe) that offers several shutter/aperture combinations to choose from.

25. Exposure Modes - (A) - Aperture Priority. In Aperture Priority, you choose the aperture. The camera selects a shutter speed.

26. Aperture - (f-stop) The aperture determines the amount of light that hits the film or sensor. These are the traditional f-stops. Today’s cameras have third stops. Third Stops: (f5.6 - 6.3 - 7.1- 8)

27. Depth of Field - Smaller aperturenumbers (F 2.8) have shallow depth of field. Larger aperture numbers(F 11-16) have broad depth of field.

28. Which Aperture Should I Use? Under normal (well lit) conditionsI use an aperture between 5.6 and 11. Apertures in this range have the best combination of sharpness and depth of field. Wheat Research Harvest, shot at F8

29. Which Aperture Should I Use? In poorly lit conditions (no flash allowed!)In very low light, use the smallest aperture number available.The smaller numbersgather more light, butyou will have a very shallow depth of field.Make sure your shutter speed is fastenough to stop themotion. Orchestra Pit. This was shot with a special lens that has anaperture of 1.8

30. Which aperture setting is sharpest? Sharpness refers to how clearly focused a picture appears to be.An aperture of two full stopsfrom the smallest number isusually the sharpest setting. <-------- Malaysia Night

31. Exposure Modes - (S) - Shutter Priority.In Shutter Priority, you choose the shutter speed and the camera chooses an aperture. “Kid Simple”

32. Shutter -The shutter determines the length of the exposure. These are the traditional settings. Each is called a “full stop.” Most cameras now have third stops which allow more control. 1/3 Stops (125 - 160 - 200 - 250)

33. Shutter Priority (S) - A fast shutter speed can freeze action. 1/1000 of a second will freeze movement for most sports action. Steeple Chase Race

34. Shutter Priority (S) -A slow shutter speed reveals motion. The camera is on a tripod. The shutter was open for 2-3 seconds on this shot. Ferris Wheel

35. Shutter Priority (S) -Panning The camera is on a monopod or tripod and the shutter is set between 1/30 & 1/250 of a second to blur movement. Aperture: 5.6 - 8.Swing the camera, tracking the subject’s motion. Flash freezes the action. Rememberto follow throughafter firing.Panning is easiest when your subject ison wheels. Pole Vaulter

36. How Fast A Shutter Speed Should I Use? For “Normal” action, where people are sitting or walking, you can freeze the action without flash by using a shutter speed of 125th of a second.Make sure you have the subject in focus.If they’re moving, use the ‘continuous’or motion focus setting.

37. Shutter Terms - Camera Shake. Usually caused by using too low a shutter speed.You need to experiment, especially with a zoom lens, to see how low a shutter speed you can use. With my old 35-80 mm lens, I could handhold down to 1/50th of a second. Other photographers might be able to shoot at much lower shutter speeds with these same lenses. Inverse rule. The slowest shutter speed to use without getting camera shake is generally equal to the focal length of the lens. 100 mm lens = 1/100 shutter speed

38. Holding a Camera - 1. Use two hands, no matter how small the camera is. 2. Bring your elbows in to your sides. 3. Feet should be shoulder width apart. Lean against something if possible. Drop a knee to the ground if you’re crouching. With a long lens you need to support the weight of the lens with one hand.

39. Exposure Modes - (A-Dep) - Automatic Depth of Field AE.Used for obtaining a wide depth of field between subjects close up and far away.The camera activates all its focus points and everything covered by those points will be in focus.

40. Exposure Modes - (M) - Manual. In Manual, you choose both the shutter speed and the aperture. Sunken Gardens

41. Scene Modes - Many cameras have ‘scene modes’ for shooting in particular situations that may be too challenging for beginning photographers. Each scene mode uses a predetermined exposure combination that should provide acceptable results in that situation. Example: The sports setting uses a fast shutter to capture action. Once you learn how to use the camera you’ll be able to get better results than the presets provide.

42. Where to Focus - Auto focus systems work by detecting and locking on to contrasting shapes or tones. Look for areas where there is contrast. When photographing people, focus on the eyes. If necessary, focus on the mouth or ears for profiles. Avoid noses. All auto focus systems have limitations. Work with your camera to learn what it will and won’t focus on. Greg Abate, Jazz in June

43. Focus Modes - Single - Used to photograph still objects. Continuous - Used to track moving subjects. The camera refocuses continuously as long as the shutter is held half way down (focus tracking). Many point and shoot digitals have this function, but can’t keep up very well with moving objects. Manual - Manual focus allows you to focus on any part of the photo. On some digital point & shoot cameras, manual focus is based on the distance from the camera to the subject (very frustrating). Others allow you to focus manually by adjusting the lens barrel by hand (much easier). Assassin Bug. Shot in windy conditions using focus tracking.

44. Photographing Groups -Focus on the eyes of the person closest to the camera so everyone is in focus.There’s two approaches to photographing groups of people whether theyare posing or not. First approach: Position yourselfso that one of the focus points covers the eyes of the person closest to the camera. 4H Cyber Fair

45. Photographing Groups (Continued) -Focus on the eyes of the person closest to the camera so everyone is in focus.There’s two approaches to photographing groups of people whether theyare posing or not. Second approach: Lock the focus on theeyes of the closestperson and quicklyrecompose. 4H Cyber Fair

46. Photographing Groups (Continued) -Many point & shoot digital cameras today use Facial Detection Technology. When you press the shutter halfway down it detects the face, or faces, in the picture frame. The camera adjusts the exposure and flash for good skin tones and ensures that all the faces will be in focus.

47. Shooting Modes - Single frame - You can only take one picture at a time and have to let the shutter up after each picture. Let the shutter halfway if you want to shoot again. Make sure you’re still in focus. Continuous (Burst) -The continuous mode allows you to take a series of shots by holding the shutter down until the buffer is full. You won’t be able to take any more pictures until the buffer is cleared.

48. Auto Focus Assist Lamp - Cameras have a small lamp located next to the lens that emits an intermittent beam to help you focus in low light. That light may be distracting, so see ifthere’s a menu itemthat allows you to turn the lamp off. Some external flashes have a built in auto focus assist light that has much greater range than the built-in lamps on cameras.

49. Light Metering Up to 4 different types of light meters are built into your camera. All work by reading the amount of light reflected off the subject. 1. Matrix (Evaluative) 2. Center Weighted 3. Partial 4. Spot Meter Harold’s Koffee Shop

50. Light Metering -Matrix (Evaluative) - The screen is divided into zones. The meter takes a reading of the light level in each zone and combines them into one overall reading. Matrix metering can be used successfully in most outdoor situations, or indoors in a brightly lit room.Matrix metering works fine at least 90% of the time.