Photography 2

[ManteoChik]

Typically a lens hood is used to help prevent lens flare. Also, most people use their lens hood to help protect the front of the lens. Some people use them, some people don't. I always use mine as I shoot on the beach a lot.

As for the in camera meter - that's when shooting in Manual is important. You could take 5 of the SAME camera out on the SAME day and photograph the SAME shot with the SAME settings....and you're picture would look different with each of them. The in camera meter is not always right so it's important to know how your particular camera handles light. Some cameras underexpose a bit, even when the meter is spot on what the camera says is the correct exposure.

I always suggest to take your camera out and shoot the same scene three times. Set it up and shoot a picture with the camera's meter directly in the center (what the camera tells you is a proper exposure). Then shoot another shot of the same thing, but this time overexpose by a stop. Finally, shoot a third shot underexposing by a stop. Upload your images and see which one looks best. Do this for several different subjects in several different lighting conditions. After you do it enough, you'll start to recognize how your camera handles different lighting situations. You might find that when shooting in shade you need to overexpose by a full or half stop to get the kind of exposure you want.

[taffers]

Thanks Manteo! That is a really good idea- I think I'll do that. Not to turn this into a photography lesson (although I really appreciate your advice!), but when you say over or under expose by a stop, do you change both the shutter speed and aperture to make the meter show it as being over/under exposed or do you just change one or the other? i.e. so say it says the camera says proper exposure is shutter 1/640 and aperture of 1.8. Do I keep it at 1.8 and move shutter up/down or move both up/down? It's just confusing to me because I just tried it (with aperture at 1.8), and the meter stayed center (so supposedly properly exposed) all the way from shutter of 1/640 to 1/40 (when it finally showed it as being underexposed)...how is that possible (btw 1/50, 1/60, 1/80, etc pretty much look the same)?

Feel free to ignore my questions...I'm sure you're busy!

[ManteoChik]

Thanks Manteo! That is a really good idea- I think I'll do that. Not to turn this into a photography lesson (although I really appreciate your advice!), but when you say over or under expose by a stop, do you change both the shutter speed and aperture to make the meter show it as being over/under exposed or do you just change one or the other? i.e. so say it says the camera says proper exposure is shutter 1/640 and aperture of 1.8. Do I keep it at 1.8 and move shutter up/down or move both up/down? It's just confusing to me because I just tried it (with aperture at 1.8), and the meter stayed center (so supposedly properly exposed) all the way from shutter of 1/640 to 1/40 (when it finally showed it as being underexposed)...how is that possible (btw 1/50, 1/60, 1/80, etc pretty much look the same)?

Feel free to ignore my questions...I'm sure you're busy!

Well, I usually adjust my ISO. Unless I'm shooting a large group, I tend to shoot wide open (2.8, depending on the lens). I also know how low I can let my shutter speed go to comfortably hand hold my camera w/out camera shake. Because of that, I set my shutter speed and aperture, and adjust my ISO to compensate for needing more or less light.

Of course that's not always the case - and I feel it's more important to adjust your aperture rather than shutter speed. Often times people go much slower than they should and that can result in blurry pictures from camera shake. On the flip side - shooting wide open, people without a steady hand often miss their focus.

ETA: In the example you gave. If it tells you you're shutter speed is 1/640 and your shooting at f/1.8 - assuming 1.8 is wide open for your lens, you'll either need to lower your shutter speed..or up your ISO.

ETA #2...lol: Feel free to post some pictures with your settings if you want, because it can be easier to see what the problem is when seeing a photo. What ISO are you shooting at? And what type of image are you photographing?

[taffers]

I do tend to get blur because I'll have the shutter too low due to low light.

I'll do your exercise and post the pics.

I'm almost always shooting now with a 35mm 1.8 lens (sometimes with my 50mm 1.8 but it's not autofocus on my camera so even though I like it better than my 35mm since it's sharper, I can't use it as much since I'm usually shooting the dog or the baby, and I don't have time to fiddle with focusing!). Sometimes the ISO is on the "auto" setting, otherwise, I try to have it on 400, but often I up it to 800 and forget to put it lower.

[taffers]

Ok I took a bunch of pictures today and wrote down the settings. I do get why shooting in the shade is better, but it was hard to get it bright enough! All taken with my 50mm 1.8 lens.

A series of these in Program mode with shutter 1/320 and aperture F9 (as you can see they are totally dark, and I just don't understand how my camera could think that was the proper exposure??!!).


These I took in Aperture mode so the shutter was decided for me. I chose aperture 1.8 and shutter was 1/4000 (the lighting is clearly much better but still all look different).






I moved her to direct sunlight, and shot in Program mode again, which set itself at 1/500 and F11 (yucky- is there a way to get a good direct sunlight shot?).

[taffers]

Program mode again 1/200 and F7.1 (same shade as the first picture, but program chose different settings).


Program mode in same shade, but I was farther away- 1/320 and F10 (obviously my "subject" was way too dark).


Program mode with them in the exact same position as above, but I was closer- 1/160 and F6.3.


I shot this in Manual mode, and I chose 1/320 and F2.8 (is this one ok?)

[Mystikal]

I just purchased a Canon Rebel Xs today. I am a total novice when it comes to DSLR's/manual focus/etc. I have only ever used a point and shoot. However, I've always dreamt of being a photographer, and my wonderfully supportive DH believes I can do it. First step is to learn wtf I'm doing and how to use the damn camera! lol.

I plan on going back through the first thread to get as much information as possible, besides the books that have been recommended in this thread alone, can anyone suggest any (free) websites with good information on understanding ISO/f-stops/aperture/etc?