2. File Kind
Most students in this class use basic point-and-shoot cameras.
These cameras record a digital file with a .jpg extension. This
kind of file is pronounced jpeg. In order to standardize this
beginning class, you will shoot in jpeg. This will be the kind
of file you create when you push the shutter on your camera.
Jpegs are processed or “cooked” in the camera before you even
open them in Photoshop. Be careful setting the parameters of
this processing in camera. You may want to slightly increase
the contrast and color vividness as you set the jpeg parameters
in your camera.
3. File Size
Make sure your file size is set to the largest and finest option
available! See the Examples.
4. The ISO
ISO is a measurement of the sensitivity to
light that a specific film has, or in the case of a
digital camera, it is the measurement of the
imaging sensor's sensitivity. Films or digital
cameras with high ISO capability are better able to
take low-light images and pictures of fast moving
objects.
The letters ‘I-S-O’ are merely an acronym for
the “International Standards Organization”
5. Determining the ISO - Digital
High ISO results in
digital noise.
100 and lower = Slow, low noise, outdoor usage
200 = Medium, limited noise, indoor-outdoor
400 and higher = Fast, high noise, indoor
For This class use the lowest ISO possible. Since the
majority of your shots should be outside, use 100 ISO.
7. Exposure Modes
Automatic Exposure
• Camera has complete control over exposure, point-
and-shoot operation, the majority of manual features
are disabled, you can't alter exposure compensation,
ISO or use RAW mode. You can set flash mode,
macro and image size.
8. Another symbol for
auto exposure mode
Make sure you do not have your camera on this
mode for this class.
9. Exposure Modes
• Program Auto Exposure P
Very similar to AUTO exposure but you have access
to all the normal manual controls: can set the ISO,
exposure compensation, use AE lock, bracketing, etc.
For this class you will use this mode for most of
your work! You will set your ISO to the lowest
number possible and turn off your flash!
10. Exposure Modes
• Shutter Priority Tv
In this mode you select the shutter speed and the
camera will attempt to select the best aperture for a proper
exposure. Shutter speed is displayed on the LCD, press the
left / right arrows to select different shutter speeds. A half-
press of the shutter release causes the camera’s exposure
system to calculate the correct aperture. If the exposure is
outside the camera’s exposure range the aperture will
appear in RED.
You may want to experiment with this mode.
Read your manual to learn how to use this mode.
12. Exposure Modes
• Aperture Priority Av
In this mode you select the aperture and the camera
will attempt to select the best shutter speed for a proper
exposure. Aperture is displayed on the LCD, press the
left / right arrows to select different apertures. A half-press
of the shutter release causes the cameras exposure system
to calculate the shutter speed. If the exposure is outside the
cameras exposure range the shutter speed will appear in
RED.
You may want to experiment with this mode.
Read your manual to learn how to use this mode.
14. Exposure Modes
• Full Manual Exposure M
In this mode you select the aperture and the
shutter speed. Left and right arrows select shutter
speed, up and down arrows select aperture. When
you half-press the shutter release the camera
meters the scene and displays a numeric indication
of how far over or underexposed the image is
(compared to its metering).
17. Special Exposure modes
Wide-focus
In this mode the focal length is
locked to maximum wide angle (you
cannot zoom). No auto focus is
performed, instead the focus is locked
(much like a fixed focus lens camera)
which allows very fast (almost lag free)
shots to be taken. Useful for situations
when you need a fast reaction.
18. Special Exposure modes
Portrait
In this mode apertures are kept as
large as possible (small F number) to
produce a blurred background which helps
define the subject in a portrait shot.
20. Special Exposure modes
Landscape
In this mode the flash is disabled
(although you can enable it) and focus is
locked at infinity. Apertures are kept as
small as possible (large F numbers) to
produce the largest possible depth of field.
Macro focus is also disabled. Designed to
be used for taking landscape shots.
22. Special Exposure modes
Night Scene
Known on some cameras as "Slow
Sync Flash". In this mode slow shutter
speeds are used to capture a dimly lit
background (buildings at night for
example) and the flash fires briefly to
illuminate a foreground subject.
24. Special Exposure modes
Color Effect
This exposure mode allows you to
select between four different color
settings. Each of these settings has a
slightly different effect on color output:
• Vivid - colors are enhanced (saturation
increased)
• Neutral - colors are toned down
(saturation decreased)
• Sepia - image takes on a slightly brown
cast B&W
• B&W - image is shot in black and white
27. Special settings
Flash Mode
Toggles through the flash modes:
Auto Flash, Redeye reduction Auto,
Redeye Reduction Fill-In, Fill-In, Forced
Off. Flash mode is displayed on the top
and rear LCD’s.
Turn off your flash for this class!
28. Special settings
Spot Metering
Enables / Disables spot metering.
When spot metering is enabled the
camera meters only from a small
rectangle in the center of the frame, this
is indicated as a set of brackets [ ] within
the normal AF rectangle. Spot metering
status is displayed on the top and rear
LCD’s.
If you have this feature, make sure you
understand what it does!
29. Special settings
Macro Focus
Switches the camera’s autofocus
system between normal focus range
and macro focus range. Macro mode is
used to take close-up photos of small
objects such as flowers, coins and
insects. If you move the lens too close
to an object without switching to macro
mode, images will be out of focus.
31. Special settings
Multifunction Button
This button scrolls between four
different camera settings:
• Exposure compensation: +/-2 stops in
0.3 stop increments
• White balance: Auto, Sunny, Cloudy,
Incandescent, Fluorescent, Fluorescent
High, Flash, Manual Preset
• Bracketing: 3 frames: 0/+/- (normal-
overexposed-underexposed)
• Flash output compensation: +/-2 stops
in 0.3 stop increments
Most of these features are located in separate menu
options. The ones most important ones for this class
is WB, EV, and Bracketing.
32. White balance
Taken in natural light
(daylight) with “sunny”
White balance selected
Taken in natural light
(daylight) with “cloudy”
White balance selected
35. Focusing
• Auto Focus
• Many cameras allow choices for focusing. Three
common options are multi-point auto focus,
Center AF, and Face Detection AF. An on-screen
focus point crop box, showing a close-up view of
the focus point to confirm correct lock, can be
switched on in either Center or Face Detection
AF.
• Locking the camera in Center AF mode may be
helpful for the beginner.
