Introduction to Photography Exposure Terms – Part 4: Exposure

Written by Marc B

Last week we introduced beginners to ISO, and in previous week’s we introduced aperture and shutter speed. This week is our fourth and final part in our Introduction to Photography Exposure Terms blogs; we’re introducing exposure ie. how to bring it all together. 

The correct exposure for an image is a combination of shutter speed, aperture value, ISO setting and scene brightness, with each of these values having an effect on the exposure. 

If any of the values of these settings change, it is necessary to change one or more of the other values to make up for it. 

For example, where an exposure of 1/125^th at f8 and 200 ISO is the correct exposure for the scene brightness, and you choose to change the aperture to f5.6, more light will pass through to the sensor so the image will now be over exposed.  To accommodate this change you will need to adjust another setting. 

Assuming you couldn’t change the light levels in the scene, options would be:

·           A faster shutter speed (in this case 1/250^th).  This would halve the amount of light that the shutter would let in and therefore bring the exposure back to the original value, making up for the fact that the aperture is letting in double the light as it was originally.

·           Lower the ISO setting to 100 ISO.  This would lower the sensitivity of the sensor by half and would also make up for the original opening of the aperture being opened up.

·           A combination of both.

Below are some examples of photos taken at the correct exposure, then under exposed by two stops and over exposed by two stops.

This is the correct exposure according to the camera - a good overall exposure with some loss of detail in the brighter and darker areas.

This photo has been under exposed by two stop of light, resulting in a much darker image as compared to the image above. There is significant loss of image information in the darker and mid-toned areas.

The below photo has been over exposed by two stops, resulting in a much brighter image as compared to the first image. There is significant loss of detail in the light areas.

 

 

This diagram shows the relationship between all the values that need to be considered to get the exposure right on a camera.

The most important thing of course, is to experiment.  Get out of Auto mode; see what happens when you change the camera settings.  It costs nothing and you have everything to gain.  If you have any questions about any of the information you’ve learnt over the course of this Introduction to Photography Exposure Terms blog posts, feel free to contact us or ask in the comments section below.

We are always happy to talk cameras!

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Introduction to Photography Exposure Terms – Part 3: ISO

By Marc B

Last week we introduced beginners to aperture, and the week before we wrote about shutter speed. This week (in Part 3 of the Introduction to Photography Exposure Terms), we’re introducing ISO or sensitivity.  Using these settings effectively, will help you achieve the right exposure and therefore the right look and feel for the photo you want to take. Remember to play around with these settings and experiment. You will learn with practice, so start shooting!

ISO or Sensitivity

The ISO setting on a DSLR is used to increase or decrease the sensor’s sensitivity to light.  Current ISO sensitivity ratings are based on the original sensitivities of film i.e 100, 200, 400, 800 etc.  The ability to change the ISO quickly is very useful, as it allows you to adjust your photo according to the available light in the area you are shooting. 

If the shutter speed is too slow and you have no alternative then you can increase the ISO which will allow you to have a faster shutter speed with the same amount of light.  Be aware that as you increase your ISO you also increase the appearance of ‘digital noise’ in your image. ‘Digital noise’ shows up as a messy multi-coloured haze across the image and is particularly noticeable in block areas of colour or shadow.  The ‘digital noise’ gets worse as you increase the ISO.

Typically the ISO has a range from 100 ISO up to 25600 (or more, depending on your camera). When talking about ‘general photography’, most photos are shot in the range of 100 to 1600 ISO.  The best ISO to choose depends on a number of variables. One of these variables is when the content of the image is the absolute first priority (eg a time critical photo for a news story where the technical result is not as important as ‘just getting the shot’). In this case, a high ISO is fine. It will ensure the photo has a better chance at being sharp.

 

Examples

The photo on the left shows a cropped area of an image shot with an ISO of 100.  It is very clean with good contrast and next to no digital noise.

The photo on the right was shot at almost exactly the same time but with the ISO set to 6400.  The difference is less contrast and a lot of ‘digital noise’.

 

The ISO setting can be a powerful tool when deciding on your exposure settings.  Adjusting the setting will allow you to move to a faster or slower shutter speed while keeping your aperture consistent. Keep in mind that as you increase the ISO you also increase the appearance of digital noise in your image with a corresponding decrease in image quality.

Experiment and have fun!

Next week, Part 4 of our ‘Introduction to Photography Exposure Terms’ will be on Exposure (bringing it all together).

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Shooting Haunted Houses and Kids (for Halloween)

We like to turn any event, celebration, gathering, holiday and weekend into a reason to take photos. And with Halloween coming up and the potential for lots of ghouly and gruesome night shots, we thought some hints and tips would be useful.

Capturing special effects and lighting

When photographing houses to capture special effects and lighting, long exposure photography is a great option. You will be able to capture the decorations and special Halloween lighting on houses.

In terms of equipment, use a sturdy tripod to keep your camera steady and your photos sharp - some exposures can be as long as 30 seconds which is impossible to hand hold.  

To get the best results, shoot with a moderately low ISO in the range of 100-400, to keep sensor noise to a minimum.  This will give a much cleaner result to your shot.  

Shoot in RAW to give yourself the ability to recover detail in bright and dark areas in your post processing flow.  When taking the photo use a cable release, either a wired or wireless one; this will prevent camera shake if you accidentally move the camera when pressing the shutter button at the start of your exposure.  

Experiment with your exposure to get the best result, overexpose by a couple of stops to see what the results looks like. No need to follow the rules, just have fun!

Capturing the creepy kids!

It’s not just decorations and lighting you will want to capture. Taking photos of your kids in costume can be great fun.  Using some off-camera flash with gels can add awesome light to your image.  A good trick is to fire the flash from behind your child-zombie who is facing toward the camera. This will give a backlit silhouette effect that looks great.  Try with any colour gel (a green or orange one looks great).  
 

Placing the flash in different places around your kids to change the effect and using a slower shutter (approximately 1/8 of a second) will also capture any lights or decorations in the background.  This is great for ambience and to help set the scene.  For this type of shoot you will need a DSLR, an off-camera flash, flash trigger and some gels.  If you hand hold the camera, be sure to increase your ISO to capture the background lights.  

This should be a fun shoot. Experiment with anything you can think of - there are no limits to what you can try!

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Documentary and Photojournalist Tips and Techniques

Shooting in a documentary or journalistic style is a really good way to produce a strong and coherent body of work on a subject you are passionate about.  Unfortunately it’s not always easy to get the results you want.  We have a few preparation tips for events or assignments which you wish to photograph as a story. This could range from your kids first soccer match to a harder hitting subject.  Whatever the story is, there are some key things that will enable you to be capture-ready when that perfect moment occurs.  To get a head start on telling your story, read on....

 

The most important thing is to be prepared with batteries fully charged (both primary and spares), testing them in-camera to ensure all necessary gear is in good working order. Triple-check your camera settings before you begin to confirm everything is a-ok. Don’t forget to also obtain permission to shoot the event if required.  

Have a pre-determined idea of the story you wish to tell and think about the type of shots needed to tell that story effectively. An example might be a wide-angle shot of a factory to set the stage, a few portraits of factory workers and some candid photos of their day-to-day experiences.  Remember to be patient as you may not always get the shot on day one. The photographic style you choose can say a lot about the subject and the aim should be to always show the reality of the subject’s situation. The challenge is to capture the humanity in the scene and this only comes from practice, patience and experience.

Keep in mind you may need to do some homework before you start.  Check with the organisers (if applicable) of the event to see if there are any restricted subjects or areas and if you need a permit to shoot in a specific location. If it's a public event held on public property then you should generally be fine to simply show up and shoot.  If you do have a meeting with anyone in the lead up to an event make sure you are punctual and act in a professional manner.  This will give you credibility and shows that you have respect for them as well.

Some factors to consider during your project is – ‘How will you present the finished folio?’ ‘Will it be in colour or black and white (or both)?’ ‘Are you going to print them or will it only be viewable online?’ Also take note of locations, dates, times and names as you shoot because the photos will need to be given context with a few words attached to each image.  People need to know what they are seeing and their significance as it pertains to the overall portfolio.  Documentary photos rarely speak for themselves.

The equipment required is very personal and also dependent on the story type.  For some stories, being unobtrusive and ‘under-the-radar’ is essential so therefore using a compact but high-quality camera is important.  Some suggestions would be the Fujifilm X100s , Sony RX1, Leica X2 or Olympus OM-D-E5 . These are all compact cameras with serious sensors and high quality optics yet they are hard to notice and whisper quiet when shooting with them.

If there is no need for a low-profile then feel free to equip yourself with what you think will be needed and that you can deal with carrying around all-day.  For me it would be the Canon 16-35, 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f 2.8 (or equivalent lengths in your chosen brand) or a combination of two of these depending on the situation.  Also, two strobes may come in handy with two Gorillapods to hold them in position should an opportunity arise to set up some posed portraits. A small tripod with an adapter can work as a light stand or a tripod when required.

Check out these links to get inspired by some talented photojournalists.

*Please note that the following links are to external sites and may contain photos of a mature nature so reader discretion is advised.

Verve Photo - photos and links to some of the best photographers in this field.

The New York Times Lens blog - excellent photography with each entry telling a story from The New York Times.

Tatiana Cardeal - a mixture of travel and photojournalist work.

Sanjit Das - some great reportage stories and great photography.

Once you're feeling inspired why not give it a go and enter the Sydney Morning Herald Photos1440 Challenge!  Great prizes are on offer for the best of the best including a Canon 5D Mk3 Pro kit (includes a 24-70 f2.8 II Lens), an internship with The Sydney Morning Herald and prizes from Digital Camera Warehouse!  The challenge is 'Capturing the minutes of the day' and the winning entrants will be displayed as part of The Sydney Morning Herald exhibition - Photos1440 capturing the minutes of the day.  The exhibition is proudly presented by Canon Australia.

Good luck and don't forget to share with us your results on our Facebook page or right here on this blog.

 

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Valentine's Day Photo Tips

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, here are ten quick tips to assist you in capturing the special moments with your loved one this February 14^th.

1. Avoid Flash Photography

Where possible, preserving the natural ambience of a scene such as candle lighting will produce an authentic capture of the mood and setting.

2. Candid Shooting

While posed shots are good, capturing candid moments will provide you with a lasting memory of that spontaneous action.

3. Tripod and Timer Use

When taking ‘selfies’ with your loved one, consider using a tripod in conjunction with your camera’s timer-countdown function to ensure camera shake is minimal. Additionally, utilizing the camera’s burst-mode to take multiple exposures not only paves the way for spontaneity, but will also increase your chances of a perfect shot in case of blinking.  

4. Close-ups

Zoom-in to capture various emotions of the day including that priceless smile or a special gift exchange moment.

5. Silhouettes

Silhouettes are a powerful method of capturing romantic scenes with a dramatic vibe.

6. Props

Utilize sentimental items and/or Valentine’s Day related props to give your photograph a fun and playful edge that encapsulates the subject’s personality.

7. Depth of Field Control

Draw attention to the desired subject(s) by exploring depth-of-field settings. A beautifully soft out-of-focus background adds visual value to the occasion.

8. Be Mindful of Your Surroundings

Keep an eye on your background and surroundings to avoid any objects that may cause distraction.

9. Objects and Elements

Special objects and elements such as a table setting, gorgeous scenery or a present are fantastic for showcasing unique highlights of the day.

10. Digital Darkroom        

The post-photography process can be a fun stage of creative exploration via your favourite photo-editing software suite. Digital filters and effects can add various levels of class or change the scene dynamics to suit your desired style.

Until next time folks, enjoy the month ahead and may it be filled with cherished memories!

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Latest Updates from LYTRO

The Lytro Light Field camera is still captivating audiences around the world, and naturally Australia is no exception. 

One thing we really like about the LYTRO company is their constant drive to improve the system, with yet another desktop software update available today. It's pretty great when you can experience the latest technology on offer without the need to upgrade the hardware huh?

This December 4th update allows users to utilize "Perspective Shift" and "Living Filters" in their light field images. 

Perspective Shift allows Lytro users to interactively change the point of view in a light field photo after it has been taken. Just like all Lytro images, both the photographer and the viewer can play with the perspective without the need for special software once the feature has been applied and shared. Pictures come to life and become an involved experience for the audience - it makes for a really neat way to tell your story.

So what about Living Filters? These allow the photographer to show off their creative flair and compose their art in even more ways to excite the audience. Lytro users will be able to apply one of nine interactive filters, including Film Noir, Crayon, and Carnival, to their living pictures to change the look of the picture based on light field depth.

These filters work on new shots as well as light field photos previously taken before the software update - woo hoo!

Check out a sample below, and see the Lytro Blog to update your desktop software today. 

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A How-To with Facebook Photo Comp Winner, Michael Tannos

As you'd know by now we love giving our customers as many opportunities to express themselves through photography as possible, and one such way we achieve this is through our frequent Facebook competitions.

Last month we held a comp with the theme 'Miniature Memories' and this spawned hundreds of fantastic entries covering a myriad of interpretations; the standard was very high but one man sought to defeat them all with his gravity-defying Barbie hair-whip. For his effort he received a Canon EOS M Twin Kit in white.

This man was Sydney photographer Michael Tannos, and he was kind enough to share his process with us for the blog:


Michael: "I am glad that I entered as it is my first time that I entered a competition.  My partner talked me into doing a photography class together in april 2010 and I am glad I did."
In order to achieve his image he built a handy mechanism, which he explains:


Michael: "It took about 15 minutes to build.  It’s rough but it works  - I poured cornflour over her hair and then you pull the longer string on the left handside with your left hand and press the remote button of camera on a tripod with your right hand – take a couple of practice shoots for speed and timing and that’s it."

Below is his sequence:

The Barbie Doll is attached to lever arm with a screw thru her shoes When you pull the string as shown it flips the doll vertically up in the air	Pull with left hand
As the doll raises to Vertical position Final Shot

You can see more of Michael's work on his Flickr page, and check out his winning image on Facebook.

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Event/Party Photography Tips Just in Time for the Holidays

If your event and party photography is a little lacklustre or you just don’t seem to capture the magic in the moment, you might need to take a different approach. These tips will help put you in the right direction for your next family event, party or function:

     1. Plan, Plan, Plan. You might think the average event is planned enough without you thinking about it, but if you have been to a few Engagement Parties, Weddings or even a child’s birthday party you know it doesn’t always go off according to schedule and you will need to be prepared to be flexible at these times.

If you can look over a program of the day this will give you somewhat of a head start. You will be able to plan the gear you need to take – be mindful of your kit if you’re using a DSLR and think about how long and how far you will be walking with it all. It might be a good idea to visit the location/s ahead of time and if you feel so inclined, planning shots while there could come in handy.  If you can’t do these things, talk to the organisers. Small steps in preparation can at least ease some of the stress during the event.

 

     2.Try To Tell a Story. Most photographers aim to tell some sort of story of course, but with an event you usually have a distinct beginning, middle and end. Break the camera out early and try to capture establishing shots to give the viewer an experience of the whole party, not just the ceremonial aspects.

What kind of day/night was it? Who was there? Was it casual, formal? Show the room empty, filled up and even the aftermath of the event if you can stick around.

     3. Capture the Emotion. Search the crowd for those moments of elation, nostalgia, even the tears of a little kid who has dropped their ice cream cone. Tight close-ups work very well for single displays of emotion, and think about angles and going wider if you have a group to get in shot – think of a wedding bouquet toss or Christening shot.

 

     4. Don’t Be Afraid of Variety. Think about your positioning and without going too crazy and standing on your head, try high and lower angles, try photographing different shapes and alternating the zoom in and out. Do you have time for macro? Try this with table arrangements, small knick-knacks, even the snacks on offer and you might find some magic.

     5. Try To Relax and Be Candid. If you’re on edge and approaching people for posing in photos, this will rub off. If you are speaking to people be calm and try to make them feel at ease. Sometimes the best results come from just snapping away at the action as it unfolds, so take a deep breath and go with the flow.

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Hot AIPP offer for Canon EOS 1DX customers

If you're a professional photographer in Australia, you would know reliable gear is everything. Canon's latest 1-series, the EOS 1DX, exceeds the expectations of professionals in the field and has quickly become an industry workhorse.

If you're looking to step up to this mighty beast in the near future, now is the time so you can take advantage of this AIPP membership offer in conjunction with Canon.

For the whole of December, if you join the AIPP or renew your membership as accredited member Canon will pay your full annual AIPP membership fee. Thats a direct saving of $466!

To take advantage of this offer simply go along to an authorised reseller (like us here at Digital Camera Warehouse!) purchase a Canon EOS 1Dx, and email a copy of your purchase receipt to admin@aipp.com.au. They will do the rest. Offer ends on December 31st, so be quick!

For more details, click here.

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Free Shipping on ANY Canon Product This December!

It's getting down to the wire when it comes to shopping for Christmas, and here at Digital Camera Warehouse we'd like to make the experience as easy and value-packed as we can.

For the month of December, we're offering free shipping on all Canon products including compact cameras, DSLRs, video cameras and genuine Canon accessories. There's also bonuses coming with selected products across the range so take a look and sniff out a bargain just in time for the big day.

If you're after more value, there's hot pricing and a bonus floating case on the Panasonic Lumix FT4, a waterproof superstar camera perfect for summer. Also, check out Olympus' award-winning OM-D EM-5 - we're throwing in a Gorillapod with that too.

Just like Billy Idol, we're giving you more, more, more this Christmas!

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Trade in ANY Camera for a Discount on the Nikon D600/D800!

Digital Camera Warehouse in conjunction with Nikon Australia are giving you a fantastic opportunity to own one of their ever-impressive full frame DSLR models at a great price.

Simply trade in ANY camera (yep, that's right, even your old battered compact!) and we will give you $150.00 off the Nikon D600, or $300.00 off the Nikon D800/e! It couldn't be any easier to own one of these impressive cameras at a stellar price with full Australian warranty. 

With the large man in the red suit not far away, this could be the gift of the century for yourself or the enthusiast photographer in your life. 

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Get Cash Back from Canon!

We've got a lot happening in terms of Christmas promotion at the moment, and that includes a veritable platter of offers on selected Canon gear.

Not only are there bonus cases, memory cards, straps and other useful accessories on most Canon DSLRs, Compacts and Video Cameras, but there's also the opportunity to get cash back when you upgrade to the latest whizz-bang tech Canon has produced.

Simply purchase a Canon EOS 650D, Canon EOS 5D Mark III Premium Kit, Canon EOS 6D Premium Kit or Canon PIXMA PRO-1 printer between November 5 2012 and January 31 2013 and you could be eligible for up to $300 cash back via redemption from Canon! Upgrade to the latest in digital imaging technology today and save a motza.

Already bought one of the above from us? Click the banner to redeem direct from Canon:

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New Contour ROAM2 and Contour SD Card Information

The action cam market continues to expand with the latest offering from the propellerheads at Contour, the Contour ROAM2! 

With significant upgrades over the original ROAM, the ROAM2 boasts a locking "instant-on" switch making it the most simplistic action cam out there, perfect for concentrating on the task while still capturing amazing video. Capable of shooting 60fps at 720p, it lends itself well to fast-paced action and delivers a consistently smooth result.

The ROAM 2 is waterproof without the need for a case, making it one of the most slimline and versatile tools available. The built-in laser level ensures you always have the correct angle, while the long battery life keeps you conquering earth, sea and sky longer than ever before.

It comes in stylish black as well as red and blue, a first for the Contour series. Priced to compete with the big guns, it is set to grab its market share and run with it so don't get left behind.

IMPORTANT SD CARD INFORMATION:

Some users have reported problems with some MicroSD cards in Contour devices. Refer to this information as it may just help you out:

ContourROAM2
You can use any* microSDHC card up to 32GB in size between Class 2 and Class 10 in speed.  Be sure that you format microSD cards using the in-camera method  for this model of camera.

ContourGPS, Contour+, ContourROAM, and Contour+2
You can use any* microSD or microSDHC card up to 32GB in size and up to Class 10 in speed.  Be sure that you format microSD cards using the in-camera method  for each of these models of camera.

ContourHD 1080p
You can use up to a 32GB card in your ContourHD 1080p.  When that camera  was first introduced, 32GB cards were not widely available and that is why the printed manual in the box references 16GB cards.  Since then the microSD card market has expanded and so your camera can use a 32GB card.

However, because the camera was not designed to use a card of that size, the memory card light will alway indicate that the card is full by showing a red light anytime you check the card status.  This is true even when the card is not full.  Other than that, it will function normally.

ContourHD 720p
You can use up to a 16GB card in your ContourHD 720p.

*SanDisk Ultra cards are only compatible with Contour cameras using the latest firmware.

*SHDC-1 microSD cards are not currently compatible with any of the Contour cameras.

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