Simple, yet superb tips on improving your skills in Photography.
From The Better Photography, July, 2010.
LICENSE TO SHOOT
“Photography License” is not a requirement in India since we have the freedom of art, inclusive in the field of commercial and other kind of photography. To ascend ones photographic interest he/she could be a member of groups, clubs and associations.
ON THE GO PHOTO STORAGE
Hard disk: To download photos from media cards without a PC is to buy a Hard disk. This is supported by a battery with a basic operating system. Few have an access of the images on a small LCD screen. This is a primary device for photographers but a costly solution, else buy high-capacity media cards.
LAWS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
Photography has certain laws like a written permission is required to shoot any government building (post office, railway station). Tripod should not be used while shooting heritage monuments. Flash is restricted in few places due to deterioration of pigments or paints. Can shoot only for non-commercial reasons.
INTENTION QUESTIONED
Due to terror attacks photographers are questioned for security reasons. In such cases explain yourself as a tourist, it’s a hobby and carry a valid photo ID.
FACE DETECTION
Face Detection enables the camera to see a face in a scene, lock focus on it and adjust flash output and exposure to get a clear shake-free photograph. A few auto focus systems sometimes go out of focus on the face and capture something farther away or closer.
What is a fish eye lens?
A fish eye is a type of lens that gives you an ultra wide angle of view,typically 180 !To get this extreme angle of view, the front element of the lens bulges outward giving the lens the appearance of the eyes of a fish. Hence, the name ‘fish eye’.
Sharp images without a Tripod?
If I do not have a tripod, is it possible to shoot sharp & shake free photo by controlling my breath?
To ensure sharp photograph, disciplining your inhalation & exhalation of breath is a necessity. Holding your breath is absolutely necessary when trying to shoot a shake free image without disturbing .Especially sensitive creatures you hope to capture. Practicing pranayams (breathing exercises) will help to achieve this. You will also need to do this while shooting with a handheld camera ie., without the help of a tripod or stand. Regular exercise of the neck and shoulder muscles will help too, making it possible to stay still comfortably for long duration of time.
In what kind of situation I should use a “fast lens”?
A fast lens will allow you to focus more easily in situations that are poorly lit. It helps record a scene with a low-dynamic range using the in – camera algorithm, while RAW format preserves the dynamic range as captured by the camera. Cameras with a large dynamic range will ideally be able to capture shadows & highlights detail @same time.
How to shoot in low light?
It can be quite challenging to shoot clear images in low lighting situations. How do I tackle this problem?
When in a situation where the light is low you can either use flash or slow shutter speeds with a flash. You may encounter brightly lit up objects contrasting to its background with no ambient light registered. Alternatively, you can use ‘slow sync flash’, rear sync or even front sync to illuminate your subject as well as register ambient light. Your camera allows it to adjust the flash intensity before shooting.
What is a photo artist?
I read an article about a photographer who claims to be a’ photo artist’. What does the term mean?
The term photo artist is a broad –based slang, which basically refers to anyone who dabbles in making creative images using past exposure techniques – either in the dark room or on a computer. A photo artist takes the photograph and then works on it to manipulate & enhance it, so that it is pleasing.
Best way to transfer image files?
There is absolutely no difference in image quality when transferring images via a USB cable or card reader. The only problem with downloading directly from a camera is that the batteries get exhausted faster, whereas a card reader would draw power from the CPU
2. Importance of exposure meter?
When using flash either in a studio or outdoors the use of an exposure / light meter is essential irrespective of what kind of camera you use. In its absence you will be spending unnecessary time taking multiple shots in order ti find the right exposure.
3. Incident light metering?
Incident light measure the ambient light falling on subject from the light source. It is used by taking a measurement from close to the subject with the light sensing lumishere facing camera lens. It is not practical to use incident light metering while doing wild life photography.
4. Shooting interiors?
Shooting interiors you will require a wide angle lens or a tilt and shift lens. These lens are normally used with architecture more than interiors. There are also quite expensive. Prime lens have greater sharpness and less distortion. Most practical purpose a good wide zoom lens would suffice and might even be an advantage because you can frame your shot well by experimenting with the zoom.
5. Sharp images without a tripod?
To ensure sharp photographs discipline your inhalations and exhalations of your breath is a necessity. Holding your breath absolutely necessary when trying to shoot a shake free image with disturbing the especially sensitive creatures you hope to capture. Practicing breathing exercise will help you to achieve this.
Best time for photography:
The best time to take a picture would be early in the morning or early evening,just before the sun sets.But before shooting a particular scene,we must observe the kight available and examine how it can enhance or ruin our picture.On the other hand there are some places which look more alive at mid day-beaches and lagoons can really look great when shot at around high noon.Places shot during sunset will look almost golden,giving the entire frame a favourable hue.
Types of compression:
Digital images can be saved in formats like JPEG which can compress the image by maping pictures of the same colour or the same shade.If the compression is greater the overall quality of the image will be degraded.Formats like TIFF and RAW are not compressed.
Digital image and noise:
Digital noise is a characteristic of the image sensor and the image processing algorithm.Digital camera sensors are made up of semiconductor devices called photodiodes.They convert the incoming light into electrical signals corresponding to the colour and strength of the light striking them.So the colour values can vary across the diodes.Hence some pixels will show a colur different from their neighbours,and this appears as noise.If the sensor remains charged for a long time,which creates heat,which in turn generates a signal called noise.
Shooting insects very carefully:
While shooting macro images of insects,the challenge is to take a shake free image.If you shoot a lot of macro images,always carry some paper clips in your camera bag.If the branch on which the insect is perched is shaking due to wind,try to pin it down to another firm branch or any support.Alternatively an insulation tape could be used to stick the branch to a support,thus keeping it steady.You can also use a string to tie the branch to your tripod.
How to shoot in low light:
When the light is low we have to use flash or slow shutter speeds.With a flash you may encounter brightly lit up subjects contrasting to its background,with no ambient light registered.Alternatively we can use slow sync flash,or rear sync flash.
Digitising Transparencies
Is there a way of converting transparencies to files that can be easily tranferred to a computer or on to cds?to convert transpareny to files, you will need a good quality scanner you can either scan the transparencies yourself with a flatbed scanner with slide adaptor or a dedicated transparencies yourself with a flatbed scanner with slide-adaptor or a dedicated transparency scanner,or you can take them to a professional scanning service.
A dedicated film scanner will give you superior results as compared to a flatbed,but now a days scanning technologies have improved greatly on advanced flat bed scanners as well if you have a large number of transparencies it may make more sense to buy a scanner than to outsource which can be more expensive.
if you do it on your own you need to have a good eye for detail and knowledge of editing software you may also have to invest in a computer with a good monitor that has also have to invest in a computer with a good monitor that has colour calibration settings.you would also have to get yourself a colour calibration kit.also understand the scanners software that can tend to over correct colour and contrast balance.
ISO Sensitivity
What does the term ‘iso senstivity’mean?how does it affect the apperance or quality of a photography? iso senstive refers to the speed of photographic negative materials.since digitial cameras do not a compact flash memory card easily go through 500,000 read-and-write cycles.
What is a full-frame DSLR?
A full frame dslr is a camera fitted with an image sensor that is the same size as a 35mm negative.this is in contrast to cameras with smaller sensors,typically of a size equivalent to APS-C-sized fill,much smaller than a full 3mm frame.
What is a grey card?
Also known as a neutral test card,a grey card is an uniformly grey on one side.The grey side reflets precisely 18percentage of that white light that stricks it(corresponding to the calibration of a reflected-light meter).The card is uniformly white on the other side and reflets 90 of the light.It is alo used to calibrate light meters and calculate the tonal range of a sensor or film.
DPI and resoultion
When i open my images in photoshop my pictures have a settings of 72dpi.I have read that you need at least 200dpi for photo printing what do i do?while the default setting for some cameras is 300dpi,for others it may be 180dpi or even 72dpi.the dpi seting that photoshop intially shows does not matter.what you need o see is the over all resolution of pixels,you need to divide this by 200dpi to figure out how large a print you can make.In the above example you can print an image up to 18.
1.Removing reflections from spectacles
i often get reflections in the spectacle frames to people in my photos.how can i remove these reflections using
photoshop cs2? reflections will creep in if a person wearing spectacles is facing the camera dirtely.Getting them to angle their
head or face away slightly should do the trick.The reflections can also be removed by using the clone tool in the photoshop,but will require effort and precision.Also,if the reflection is large,or if you can see below the reflection,cloning out of the reflection would be very difficult.It is possible,but this method can be very time consuming and tedious.
Auto-Thyristor
i have a flashgun that has ‘AUTO THYRISTOR’ written on it.can you please explain what this term means?
‘AUTO’means that the flash unit has an automatic light sensor;and ‘THYRISTOR’ means it uses a thyristor control device-an automated circuit swith that allows the flash gun to cut off power to its flash tube when the correct exposure level is reached.light levels are mearsured by small light sensors on the front which record the amount of light reflecting back to the unit from the scene.now a days most flash units contain thyristor or similar devices.
In most shooting sitations,an auto-thyristor enabled flash gun provides accurate results.It allows the photographer to see the flash on automatic instead of measuring distance and calculating flash exposure seetings manually.how ever there are some situations which would fool an auto-thyristor.dedicated flash units now a days rely on the ttl metering and more accurate today.
3.What is a reversal ring?
A reversal ring is an attached that secures a reversed lens on to a camera,so that the front of the lens creates the image on the sensor or film and the back points to the subject .It allows the photographer to take macro shots.you need to buy one that matches your camera with the lens filtered thread.All auto coupling is lost,but most cameras will work in aperture priority or manual mode using stop down metering.
What is a penta prism?
A pentaprism is a five sided reflecting prism used to deviate a beam of light 90degree.the beam reflects inside the prism twice,allowing the transmission of an image through a right angle with out inverting it as an ordinary right angle prism would.it is used in SLRs to view through the lens.
Achieving catchlight
i have been told that catchlight is important in portraiture.but how do i achieve it?
catch light in the eyes of the subject always adds life to the photography.but getting catch light in a backlit portrait can be challenging.there is no simple trich,which was used extensively a few year ago.A piece,of mirror can help you reflect catchlight in the eye of your subject.hold the mirror above the camera so that the light does not fill the face but instead reflect on the pupils of the eyes.if you use a flash at the same time,it will surely add the catchlight,but might also fill light in the shadows.
46. ‘Kinds’ of Pixels
Q: What is the difference between total pixels and effective pixels? What is the actual resolution of a camera?
A: A digital sensor is made up of millions of pixels. While most of these pixels are used to record the final photograph, there are some pixels that line the sensor on the edges of the frame. These extra pixels ensure that the image is recorded properly. So, while they are useful for recording the image, the final image does not comprise of these few pixels.
Hence, there are two separate terms – total resolution and effective resolution. The total resolution of a camera refers to the total number pixels in the sensor. The effective resolution refers to the number of pixels in the image that is recorded. For general purposes, we usually refer to the effective number of pixels as the actual resolution, since that is the resolution of the images that the camera delivers in the final image.
47. Judging the Quality of Light
Q: I find that I end up with poor lighting in my portrait and product shots. Is there a simple way to determine the quality of natural light?
A: Light can be hard or soft and there is a simple trick that will help you determine which one it is. This method works well both indoors and outdoors, and the only equipment it requires is your hands because the differences is primarily visible in the intensity of shadows.
Hold your left hand out, and keep it flat and slightly in front of you. Now hold a finger from your right hand a few inches above your left hand. Take a look at the shadow cast by your finger. A hard shadow is indicative of hard light; a soft shadow means that the lighting is soft. Once you have tried this a few times, you will be able to identify the kind of light correctly. If you look carefully, you will even be able to tell if the light is actually coming from multiple sources.
48. Are Rechargeable Batteries Really Safe?
Q: I have heard that rechargeable batteries deliver higher voltages, which damages the camera. Therefore, are non – rechargeable batteries safe? Are camera circuits so delicate that they will not able to withstand voltage variations from a 1.5V dry cell?
A: All kinds of rechargeable batteries will give about 1.4 to 1.5V when they are fully charged. But when you take a closer look at what is printed on AA rechargeable batteries, it says “1.2V”. This is the residual voltage when they are flat or discharged. You should be careful if the battery voltage of a single battery is stated to be more than 1.5V. Voltages up to 1.5V will not harm your camera. We recommend batteries from well known brands because they undergo stringent quality control tests. Even if you use rechargeable batteries with 2850mAh, which the highest available current capacity in this class, it will not cause any damage to your camera.
49. Crop Factor
Q: How is a crop factor caused? How does one calculate it? Is it different in different kinds of cameras?
A: Crop factor came into use with the advent of the digital camera. Digital cameras and many DSLR sensors are smaller than the standard 35mm format. The lens for conventional 35mm film produces an image circle inside the camera that covers the 35mm frame perfectly.
But as a digital sensor is smaller than this frame, it will not be able to capture the entire frame, even as the lens forms an image meant to cover the larger-sized 35mm film. Thus, there is a crop factor, because of the reduced field of view and it depends on the camera’s sensor size in ratio to the size of the original 35mm frame.
The Canon APS-C sensor has a crop factor of 1.6x, whereas Nikon has 1.5x magnification. The actual focal length delivered by the lens can be calculated, by multiplying the magnification factor with the focal length. For example, if a 50mm lens is used on a Nikon APS-C sensor, you will get an image that corresponds to a focal length of 75mm (35mm equivalent).
50. Levels and Curves
Q: What is the difference between Levels and Curves? Which of them should I use to edit my photographs?
A: Levels and Curves are extremely useful functions that help you do basic editing like altering exposure and contrast. However, there is a significant difference between both that one needs to understand before manipulating an image.
Levels is the linear representation of all tones in an image, while Curves is a graphical representation. The Level dialog box shows you the histogram of the image, but it only has three control points. On the other hand, the Curve dialog box is a graph that allows you to click on any point and control the way the image looks. Now which of these should you use while editing your photographs?
Technically speaking, since Levels has only three control points, it does not offer you the amount of control that the Curves function does. Yet, you can use both Levels and Curves to enhance your image. Use the Levels function to set the black point (darkest tone) and the white point (brightest tone) in your image. Set these points at the end of your histogram to optimize the exposure and contrast of the overall image.
Now, since you have only one middle grey control point in Levels, you can do the rest of the editing in Curves. Curves allows you to edit a number of control points in the overall graph. This can be used to enhance certain parts of the image as well.
Expert users use both Levels and Curves minimally to avoid damaging the image information. Excessive use can lead problems like posterisation.
HOW TO SHOOT IN LOW LIGHT
The situation in where if light is low you can either use flash or slow shutter speed. With a flash, you may encounter brightly lit up subjects contrasting to its background with no ambient light registered.Alternatively, you can use slow sync flash, rear syncope even front sync to illuminate your subject as well as register ambient light .If your camera allows it, adjust the flash intensity before shooting.
THE GOLDEN RECTANGLE
The golden rectangle is a mathematical way to compose a photograph as well. To get the golden rectangle, draw perpendiculars from all four corners of the frame to its two diagonals. Then join the four points at which the perpendiculars meet the diagonals. You need to identify where these four interest points are in your frame while shooting, and alter the focal length and view point accordingly. You can draw the golden rectangle in photoshop, coreldraw or any other similar software.
USING FLASH INDOORS
Normally when shooting indoors, the light is never enough to give you perfect exposure especially when shooting at lower ISOs.If you have an SLR and an external flash the flash off a wall or the celling.The soft light can even help enhance the shadows by giving good gradient effect.
SHARP IMAGES WITHOUT A TRIPOD?
To ensure sharp photographs, disciplining your inhalations and exhalations of breath is a necessary. Holding your breath is absolutely necessary while shooting a shake free image, without disturbing the especially sensitive creaturesyou hope to capture.Practising ‘pranayams’ will help to achieve this. Regular exercise of the neck and shoulder muscles will help too, making it possible to stay still comfortably for long durations of time.
PROGRAM SHIFT
When the program exposure mode, the camera selects the shutter speed and aperture values automatically. But some cameras allow a user to switch between those shutter speed-aperture combinations, once the exposure required for a scene has been evaluavated.This mode is referred as the “PROGRAM SHIFT” mode. A scene can be photographed with an aperture value of f/2.8 and a shutter speed of 1/500sec; and it can be also shot at f/5.6 in 1/125sec.The first combination lends a shallow depth and is best for photographing moving objects, while the latter combination ensures that most of the scene is in focus. You can chose any combination whether it is deciding between fast or slow shutter speed and large or small aperture.
PHOTO ARTIST
Who claims to be a “photo artist” What does the term mean?
The term ‘photo artist’ is a broad-based slang, which basically refers to anyone who dabbles in making creative images using post-exposure techniques—either in the dark room or on a computer. A ‘photo artist’ takes the photograph, and then works on it to manipulate and enhance, so that it is pleasing.
DIGITAL VS FILM
Are images taken with any kind of digital camera more superior in terms of quality as compared to film images?
Images taken with digital cameras are coming to be at par in quality when compared with those taken with a film camera. 35mm film provides a resolution of about 10 to 35 megapixels, depending on the kind of film. Some film also have quite a large range of tonality and exposure latitude, which cannot be effectively replicated by most DSLRs available today.
To compare with two different types of media. The advantage and disadvantage are completely different. The most important offering of the digital camera is the instant gratification of being able to view the image that you shot. It is also allows control over functions like white balance, ISO speed, creative modes like B&W and panorama. These are not possible with conventional cameras without changing rolls of film or using filters or using print papers and tonners. It is easier, faster, cheaper and a lot more environment friendly to use digital technology these days. The ‘look and feel’ of a digital print is just not the same as that of a conventional handmade colour or B&W print. There are a variety of processes in conventional printing that cannot be replicated digitally.
NiHM
What is NiMH?
NiMH stands for Nickel Metal Hydride. It is the hydrogen absorbing compound used in batteries. Usually available in AA and AAA sizes, these batteries often used in flash units and cameras. Unlike the environment unfriendly NiCD batteries contain cadmium, NiMH batteries as cleaner and three times getting more charge than NiCD battery.
KEYSTONING
What is keystoning?
Keystoning refers to the distortion of a projected image when the projected image when the projector is not directed perpendicular to the screen. When keystoning occurs, the image on the screen is not a regular rectangle, but an oblong shape with the sides not perfectly parallel to each other, resulting in a distorted image. Many projectors nowdays have in-built manual and automatic methods of correcting this effect.
B&W contrast
B&W image taken with a digital camera versus B&W print made from a negative?
Print from a B&W negative offers more tonality than a digital image. Digital camera sensors have not managed to match the exposure latitude and dynamic range of excellent B&W film. For creating a digital B&W image, it is preferable to shoot in colour and then convert it B&W using image-editing software. With the software tools, you can manipulate the contrast, levels of sharpness, mimic the grain structure of film, reduce granularity, selectively control shadows and highlights, dodge and burn without stepping into a darkroom and getting chemicals all over. Many B&W photographers still shoot on film despite the convenience that digital photography offers.
Taking up freelance work
• First decide on the kind of photography would you like? According to that build a portfolio of about 25 excellent images. Then go for clients which have same type of photography. Meet them and show your work.
Restoring file size - Is it possible to bring them back to their normal size?
• It depends upon file if you have used some sort of compression utility like Winzip, you just need to uncompress the files to their original size without a loss in image quality. There are two types of compression-lossless and lossy.
• Only a few file formats, like RAW and TIFF, support lossless compression. These can be restored without any loss of quality.
• JPEG files are compressed and lossy to begin with. Similarly, file sizes can also drop if the image resolutions are reduced.
Select negatives to CD – I have about 300 rolls of 35mm negatives. I want to retain a copy of a select frames from each of these rolls on a CD.
• If you desire the best quality, you will need to buy a dedicated 35mm film scanner. For lower resolutions, buy a flatbed scanner with a film adaptor, which is less expensive.
• The other economical and less bothersome option is to get all the 300 rolls scanned at low resolution at a lab and get 8*10 inch index prints made at Rs. 50 per roll. You can scan that select image with high resolution at the cost between Rs 15 – 50 per frame only.
Keeping your camera away from the heat – If it affects the lens or the camera, what measures should be taken?
• Summer temperatures will not harm to your camera unless temperatures are extreme (over 45 degrees Celsius) and the exposure to the sun and heat is prolonged.
• It is essential to take proper care of your camera in all weather conditions. Store the lens and camera separately. Keep the lens in plastic zipper bag, without the front cap, and keep a small amount of self-indicating silica gel wrapped in a small piece of porous cotton cloth along with the lens.
• Store the camera body in same way, but with the body cap on. Keep both plastic bags in dry, well-lit place light inhibits the growth of fungus. If you have high humidity throughout the year, buy a dry cabinet like the Digi Cabi.
Confused about Vignetting - How does it happen & is there any way to correct the problem in my photographs?
• Vignetting refers to gradual darkening of the corners in the photograph. It is caused due to less light reaching the edges of the frame.
• Vignetting may be mechanical or optical. Mechanical Vignetting is due to an element blocking the lens. Optical Vignetting is caused due to less illumination reaching the periphery of the film or sensor.
• Another factor of Vignetting causes due to use of filters. While using the filters, one must ensure that it is screwed and aligned properly, so that Vignetting is minimum or completely avoided.
• Cameras like the Nikon D90 and Olympus E-30 have correct lens Vignettes. You can also remove through the lens distortion filter in Adobe Photoshop.
Some ways to make use of Vignetting creatively.
• Vignetting may conventionally be considered undesirable, but this ‘defect’ can be used creatively too.
• Besides removing Vignetting, the lens distortion filter can also be used for arty effect.
• Many people add Vignettes to enhance the mood in the image.
• Darkened corners also help direct the viewers eye to the center of the frame. It creates a point of focus when the main subject is in the centre.
• It can also be used to save a weak composition, by darkening the clutter at the corners of the frame.
Cleaning my DSLR – CCD sensor – Can I also clean the low-pass filter?
• When dust settles on the CCD sensor of your camera, it affects the quality of the photographs. The dust particles like dark spots and their size of the dust particles.
• Some cameras do have an in-build self-cleaning system built into the system, but there is always a time need to manually clean the sensor.
• The best way for cleaning the sensor is to left the camera to authorised service centre, you can attempt it yourself if the dust particle is minimal. Keep all cleaning tools clean, exercise a lot of precaution and also never use a brush or a compressed air to clean the sensor.
• They can leave residual dust particles, which can damage the sensor surface.
Simple steps to cleaning the camera’s low pass filter:-
• Engage the mirror lock-up function through the menu of the camera. Ensure that the battery is fully charged, during cleaning operation it may does not switch off.
• Do not insert the tip of the blower into the mirror chamber. Always maintain some distance, if the mirror accidentally comes down it will hit the tip and this will leave scratches on the mirror’s surface.
• Always keep the camera facing down when using the blower to blow the dust particles away.
• Once the cleaning is done, switch off the camera. The mirror will return back to its normal position.
Focus well in dark
Ways to achieve focus in the dark:-
• DSLRs comes with an AF assist option, which is a small, incandescent light bulb usually located near the camera’s hand grip.
• Cameras that does not have a dedicated bulb for AF assist, fire the light from the built-in flash that will allow you to focus. Alternatively, you can use the light from an external flash gun to achieve focus.
• If the subject does not fall in the range of the AF assist light and you are still unable to focus, use a torch. Look the focus by depressing the shutter-release button halfway down. Then switch off the torch and take the picture and it would not affect the exposure of photograph.
• In extremely dark situations, manual focus is the best option. When using manual focus, you can benefit from live view as well. Live view will increase the brightness of the LCD without affecting the image itself.
Can I use my old flashgun with my new DSLR?
Older, non-dedicated flashguns work just as well on the DSLR as they do on film cameras. It is also possible to use the same exposure calculations. However, it is a must to ensure that the trigger voltage for the flash is below 5 volts, as it can end up damaging the camera.
How does the continues shooting mode work?
• This mode allows the camera to release the shutter and advance frames continuously, as long as the shutter-release button is depressed.
• The number of continuous frames a digital camera can shoot is limited by the amount of internal memory and the speed of the transfer to the media card and corrosion.
Understanding lens nomenclature – Explain canon lens EF-S 18-55mm, 1:3.5-5.6IS. Also 70-200 mm a telephoto or a zoom lens?
• Canon has two types of lenses – EF-Electrofocus and EF-S(electrofocus-short back focus). EF lenses works on EOS cameras (BOTH DIGITAL AND FILM). EF-S lenses work only with some digital ranges with an APS-C sized sensor. Like the canon EOS-4500.
• The 18mm-55mm implies that the zoom range goes from 18mm (when zoomed out completely) to 55mm (when zoomed in fully). At 18mm it has maximum aperture of f/3.5 and at 55mm, the maximum aperture is f/5.6, ‘IS’ or Image Stabilisation.
• This allows hand held photography at lower light levels. The human eye’s field of view is like a 50mm lens. The 70-200mm lens is a telephoto zoom, as it has variable focal length.
50mm in my compact camera- It is possible to achieve the same field of view as a 50mm normal lens?
• The 50mm lens depicts the approximate angle of view of the human eye.
• The only way to manoeuvre the zoom of a compact camera to the 50mm position is to set the angle of view, as seen normally by the human eye. See a frame through full-frame SLR with a 50mm lens and match your frame.
• Then you put a tiny dot with a permanent marker on the lens barrel, to mark the lens extension at 50mm.
71. WEATHER SEALS IN CAMERAS
How effective are the weather seals used to cover all gaps on a camera’s body? Do they really make the camera waterproof?
Weather seals are usually found only in extremely high-end DSLRs meant for the professional. Weather-sealed cameras have rubber fittings that prevent moisture and dust from entering and damaging it. This does not mean that the camera is waterproof. However, it would be able to withstand a splash or a light drizzle while you get your photograph.
72. PLUG-INS IN PHOTOSHOP
What are Photoshop plug-ins? Are they useful in anyway? Can they improve my photographs?
Plug-ins are downloadable software inputs for any existing software that one is already using. They are dependent on the main application and do not usually work by themselves. While Adobe themselves develop a number of plug-ins, you can also use third-party plug-ins that work in Photoshop or Lightroom.
Pug-ins are of many types, but eventually, their function is to enhance your experience of using that particular software. For example, some of them help you customize your Photoshop workflow; while others have automated functions that help you enhance your photographs in a quick and efficient manner. Also, some plug-ins allows you to perform image-editing functions that are not directly accessible in Photoshop/Lightroom. These include replicating a specialized darkroom technique or simulating the look of film.
73. EQUIPMENT FOR INSECT PHOTOGRAPHY
I am interested in shooting insects. What gear should I use? Can I do this kind of photography if I do not have an SLR?
A macro lens is essential to shoot small insects. For a comfortable working distance, you would ideally want a macro lens with a focal length of at least 90mm. However, do remember that you can get good photographs with your basic kit lens or even a compact camera. If you do not have a macro lens, you can use a magnifying glass in front of your camera’s lens. The macro mode in compact cameras is efficient, too. Also remember to carry a sturdy tripod.
74. WHITE OR YELLOW BACKDROPS?
I use a white backdrop while shooting indoors, but the photograph reproduces the whites as yellow! How do I resolve this?
There could be several reasons why whites are not reproduces as whites. Usually though, it is always the choice of white balance. You could have set the wrong WB in your camera (try using Tungsten WB if your images are too yellow). It could also be possible that the colour temperature of the light is too warm for your camera to correct. You should ideally invest in a grey card. If your camera has a custom WB function, you can point your camera at the grey card to fine-tune the white balance. Alternatively, shoot in RAW so that can correct the white balance in post-production.
75. SHOOTING REFLECTIONS
While traveling by car or bus, we often see reflections on the windows. I want to capture these reflections without capturing the scene outside. Is it possible?
It is absolutely possible, although it depends on the amount of light and outside. The trick is to shoot the reflection when the outside scenario is darker than the reflection itself. Then, your camera will be able to meter for the reflection properly.
Also, use -1EV to ensure that the outside scenario does not get blown out. If you wish to attempt such photographs in moving vehicles, you can also wait for a moment when the scene outside does not distract much. For instance, if there is a person sitting by the window whose reflection you want to capture, then wait till the bus passes by a series of trees as the canopy usually will play a perfect foil for such images.
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