How-to

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The Photographer's Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos

by Michael Freeman from Focal Press

Design is the single most important factor in creating a successful photograph. The ability to see the potential for a strong picture and then organize the graphic elements into an effective, compelling composition has always been one of the key skills in making photographs.
Digital photography has brought a new, exciting aspect to design - first because the instant feedback from a digital camera allows immediate appraisal and improvement; and second because image-editing tools make it possible to alter and enhance the design after the shutter has been pressed. This has had a profound effect on the way digital photographers take pictures.
The Photographer's Eye shows how anyone can develop the ability to see and shoot great digital photographs. The book explores all the traditional approaches to composition and design, but crucially, it also addresses the new digital technique of shooting in the knowledge that a picture will later be edited, manipulated, or montaged to result in a final image that may be very different from the one seen in the viewfinder.

Features
*Covers both traditional in-camera composition and the new opportunities for picture-making made possible by digital imaging editing
*Shows how to explore situations and locations in order to find the best possible photographic possibilities
*Uses clear examples from real photographic assignments, with schematic illustrations of how and why the pictures work

Exposure Digital Field Guide

by Alan Hess from Wiley

Exposure is the number one topic that digital photographers want to know about. This full-color book fits in your camera bag and provides all the information you need on this very important aspect of digital photography.

Exposure involves combining ISO, aperture, and shutter speed in different variations to accomplish your vision of the perfect image. Exposure Digital Field Guide takes you through the complex techniques of good exposure, taking you from hobbyist to serious amateur photographer.

• Explains how to adjust shutter speed and aperture to control the amount of light hitting the camera's light sensor
• Teaches you how to "see the light" for the perfect exposure
• Helps you gain confidence as you move from automatic controls into manipulating the elements of exposure for specific results
• Packed with stunning full-color photographs to illustrate what you can achieve
• Provides suggested settings for various shooting situations and subjects
• Includes a tear-out color checker card to help you maintain true color
• Fits in your camera bag for ready reference in the field

Exposure Digital Field Guide helps you master one of the most complex and intricate elements of digital photography.

Aperture and Shutter Speed Techniques

Shutter Speed: This fighter jet was frozen in mid flight using a shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second. Even with plenty of light, I needed to boost the ISO to 640 to get the shutter speed necessary. At times you want to make sure that that you capture the action, now, granted, this is an extreme example, but the concept is the same. To catch a fast moving subject you need to use a high shutter speed and to get the correct exposure that means using the widest aperture possible and increasing the ISO if needed. Since I didn’t want a photo of a blurry fighter jet flying overhead, I used a shutter speed high enough to capture the action. (Click on image to enlarge)

Blur the Background: This was shot during the morning in a playground at a local park. I wanted to make the little girl stand out from the surroundings so I used an aperture that would effectively blur the background and keep the subject in sharp focus. Since the photograph was taken in the morning there was plenty of bright light. To get the shallow depth of field I used an aperture of f/5, which lets in a lot of light, so I needed to use a low ISO of 200 and a very fast shutter speed, 1/1000 of a second to make sure I got the correct exposure. Since I knew that I wanted to blur the background, I set the camera on Aperture Priority mode and set the aperture, letting the camera set the shutter speed. (Click on image to enlarge)

Blur the Foreground: This is one of my favorite tricks when shooting in zoos or through any type of barrier. Instead of using the aperture to blur the background, I use it to blur the items in the extreme foreground. This leopard was safely behind a chain link fence at the local zoo, but because the leopard was towards the back of the enclosure I was able to use a shallow depth of field to make the fence disappear. I shot this at 1/320 of a second using f/2.8 and ISO 200. Because I used a wide aperture, I also needed to use a high shutter speed to get the correct exposure. This worked out really well because the 1/320 of a second shutter speed kept the big cat frozen while the wide f/2.8 aperture blurred the fence. (Click on image to enlarge)

Top Ten Exposure Tips

1. Pick the right shutter speed for the situation. One of the most common exposure problems that beginner photographers experience is blurry photographs. The cause of a blurry photo is very simple; the shutter is left open too long and either the camera moves or the subject moves. Experiment to discover the merits of different shutter speeds.

2. Pick the right aperture for the situation. The aperture is the opening in the lens that lets light through to the sensor in the camera. The aperture also controls the depth of field in the image and controls what will be in focus and what will be blurred. The larger the aperture the shallower the depth of field.

3. Pick the right exposure mode for the situation. Two key components of exposure are shutter speed and aperture. By using the correct exposure mode, you choose to determine either one or both of these settings yourself, or to let your camera adjust them for you. If you use shutter speed priority mode your camera will allow you to pick the shutter speed and it will use the built in light meter to determine the proper exposure. If you use the aperture priority mode, you pick the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed. Aperture priority mode is the correct choice when depth of field is the most important factor in your image. Of course you can always use the automatic mode, which lets the camera choose shutter speed and aperture or you can use the manual mode that lets you pick both yourself.

4. Pick the right metering mode for the situation. Your camera has a built in light meter that it uses to determine what the correct exposure for the scene should be. The light meter has a variety of settings that can help you find the best exposure. Use the full metering in situations where the whole scene is important, and use the spot metering or center weighted metering when you want to only take a small part of the scene in to consideration.

5. When in doubt, bracket your exposures. Many cameras have an automatic bracketing setting which allows you to purposely take a series of photos that purposely underexpose then correctly expose then overexpose the scene. This gives you a much better chance of getting a good exposure and is also the method used for HDR photography.

6. Use a tripod. One of the best accessories you can have is a good tripod. This will allow you to use a longer shutter speed and still be able to keep the camera steady.

7. Use the ISO. Your camera has the ability to mimic the film speeds of the old film cameras. Changing the ISO will increase the signal from the sensor, which allows the sensor to gather more information and work in lower light. When you need to use a higher shutter speed or a smaller aperture, you can increase the ISO so that you still get a proper exposure. The down side to this is that digital noise can be introduced into your image.

8. Experiment. Go out there and experiment. With digital photography you can get instant feedback by looking at the screen on the back of the camera. If you think it would be fun to use a very slow shutter speed, go ahead and give it a shot. Remember, that these are your images and you can do it the way you want to.

9. Understand the histogram. The histogram display on your camera can give you a lot of information if you read it right. A histogram simply shows you where the tones in your image fall. The higher the peak on the right side of the histogram, the more light tones appear in your image. And the more info on the left side of the histogram, the more dark tones appear in your image. Match the histogram to what you see to make sure the camera is recording the scene to your preferences.

10. Check the highlight warning. Most cameras have a highlight warning display that will blink the areas that are overexposed and have no detail. These are really important to look for since they show which parts of your image will be pure white. There is very little that should be pure white in an image except for an actual light source that is so bright there is no detail, other than that, you want to avoid those blinkies by using a smaller aperture or higher shutter speed.

Secrets of exposure revealed, with a bonus color checker card included

Exposure is the number one topic that digital photographers want to know about. This full-color book fits in your camera bag and provides all the information you need on this very important aspect of digital photography.

Exposure involves combining ISO, aperture, and shutter speed in different variations to accomplish your vision of the perfect image. Exposure Digital Field Guide takes you through the complex techniques of good exposure, taking you from hobbyist to serious amateur photographer.

• Explains how to adjust shutter speed and aperture to control the amount of light hitting the camera's light sensor
• Teaches you how to "see the light" for the perfect exposure
• Helps you gain confidence as you move from automatic controls into manipulating the elements of exposure for specific results
• Packed with stunning full-color photographs to illustrate what you can achieve
• Provides suggested settings for various shooting situations and subjects
• Includes a tear-out color checker card to help you maintain true color
• Fits in your camera bag for ready reference in the field

Exposure Digital Field Guide helps you master one of the most complex and intricate elements of digital photography.

Scott Kelby's Digital Photography Boxed Set, Volumes 1, 2, and 3

by Scott Kelby from Peachpit Press

Scott Kelby, the man who changed the "digital darkroom" forever with his groundbreaking, #1 bestselling, award-winning book The Photoshop Book for Digital Photographers, shows which button to push, which setting to use, when to use them and hundreds of the most closely guarded photographic "tricks of the trade" to get budding photographers shooting dramatically better-looking, sharper, more colorful, more professional-looking photos with their digital camera every time they press the shutter button.Scott tackles the most important side of digital photography--how to take pro-quality shots using the same tricks today's top digital pros use (and it's easier than you'd think). Each chapter is packed with plain English tips on using flash, shooting close up photography, travel photography, shooting people and even how to build a studio from scratch, where he demystifies the process so anyone can start taking pro-quality portraits today! Plus, he's got full chapters on his most requested topics, including loads of tips for landscape photographers, wedding photographers and there's an entire chapter devoted to sharing some of the pro's secrets for making your photos look more professional, no matter what you're shooting.

Captured by the Light: The Essential Guide to Creating Extraordinary Wedding Photography

by David Ziser from New Riders Press

This book is about how to take the best wedding photographs possible for clients. In this book, David Ziser will outline chapter-by-chapter and step-by-step exactly how to get great photographs while under pressure at a fast-pace wedding. He covers lighting and posing, on-camera flash (and how to make it dance), off-camera flash, using natural light, determining the best exposure, gear and more. He tells readers where to place the bride and groom, how to light them, where to place the light, what lens to use and what f-stop, shutter speed and ISO to use.David Ziser has shared his knowledge with tens of thousands of photographers in five languages and in 14 countries worldwide. Studio Photography magazine says, "Award-winning photographer, David Ziser, is showing the world how to take wedding pictures."

Creative Nature & Outdoor Photography, Revised Edition

by Brenda Tharp from Amphoto Books

A classic guide to creative nature photography, now updated for the digital world.

Amateur and experienced photographers interested in taking more compelling, personal images will love this new edition of Creative Nature & Outdoor Photography, now updated to address the exciting possibilities (and challenges) of digital image-making. Author Brenda Tharp’s inspiring approach has garnered fans all over the world, as she teaches that magical skill no camera can do for you: learn how to “see.” Readers expand their photographic vision and discover deep wellsprings of creativity as they learn to use light, balance, color, design, pattern, texture, composition, and many simple techniques to take a photo from ordinary to high-impact.

Featuring more than 150 stunning, all-new images, Creative Nature & Outdoor  Photography, Revised Edition is for anyone who understands the basic technical side to photography but wants to wake up their creative vision.

Bryan Peterson's Understanding Photography Field Guide: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera

by Bryan Peterson from Amphoto Books

Everything you need to know in one take-anywhere field guide!

This all-in-one guide from renowned photographer, instructor, and author Bryan Peterson will help you take better photos anytime, anywhere–with any camera.

Want to finally understand exposure? Interested in learning to "see" and composing your images more creatively? Ready to master the magic of light? It’s all here, the techniques every amateur photographer needs to take better nature, landscape, people, and close-up photos. You’ll even get creative techniques, like making "rain" and capturing "ghosts," and practical advice on gear, equipment, and postprocessing software. Filled with Bryan’s inspirational photographs, this is the one essential guide for every camera bag.

Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Masters

by Michael Frye from Focal Press

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was a pioneer of landscape photography, whose imagery-especially his iconic views of the American National Parks--is widely published and instantly recognizable. While he is undoubtedly one of the best-loved and best-known visionaries of American art, photographers also recognize him as a pioneer of technique, a theoretician, and as one of the great teachers of the craft of photography.

His zone system has been widely adapted, but Adams unique imagery also relied on his determination and application at every stage of the photographic process; he spent years in his darkroom, as well as out in the open air. For decades, this kind of attention to detail required the kind of equipment, time, and facilities that were out of the reach of most photographers--but now, in the digital age, technology has finally made his techniques accessible.

This book will show you what can be learned from Adams working process, and how these lessons can be applied today. The craft of Adams photography is discussed, and the ZONE SYSTEM is related to the digital age. Sections on light, composition, mood, and the darkroom all show what can be achieved today using and understanding his thinking. Michael Frye's own photography provides many stunning examples of the results that can be achieved and, as one of Adams' natural successors in the field, he is well placed to analyze the inspirational shots which open each chapter.

* Demystifies the art behind the iconic shots
* Contains a number of breathtaking works by Ansel Adams and other landscape masters such as Edward Weston and Elliot Porter
* Written by one of the most reputable fine landscape photographers, who (like Ansel Adams) uses Yosemite National Park most frequently as his subject
* Breaks the zone systems (famous to Adams) down in a way that digital photographers can use

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450D For Dummies

by Julie Adair King from For Dummies

If you’re as excited as we are about the Rebel XSi/450D, you probably can’t wait to start shooting. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450D For Dummies will show you how to make every shot count! Even if you’re new to digital SLR cameras or are unfamiliar with general photography terms and techniques, this handy guide will show you how to feel comfortable with the controls and start taking beautiful photographs.

Don’t worry if you’ve never heard the words aperture, white balance, or ISO. You’ll soon be switching easily between automatic and manual modes, managing exposure, and using the all-important Quality setting! You’ll learn everything about the lenses, from how to choose the ones you need to how to handle them. You’ll finally know how to push just the right buttons to achieve the results that you desire. In a snap, you will find out how to unleash your creativity by manipulating exposure and lighting. You will find out how to:

• Control picture quality
• Adjust resolution for image quality and size
• Shoot in automatic and manual modes
• Review photos using Playback Mode and the histogram, delete unwanted photos, and protect valuable photos from accidental deletion
• Manipulate exposure, color, focus, and lighting
• Download, organize, archive, print, and share photos with family and friends

Complete with lists of ten fast photo-editing tricks and ten special-purpose features to explore on a rainy day, Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/450D For Dummies is your one-stop guide to setting up, working with, and making the most of your new Canon digital SLR camera.

On-Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography

by Neil van Niekerk from Amherst Media, Inc.

David Busch's Nikon D90 Guide to Digital SLR Photography

by David D. Busch from Course Technology PTR

Welcome to the D90, Nikon’s newest full-featured—yet compact and affordable—digital SLR camera. David Busch’s Nikon D90 Guide to Digital SLR Photography shows you how to maximize your camera’s robust feature set, blazing fast automatic focus, the real-time preview system Live View, HDTV movie-making capabilities, and the Retouch mode that allows you to edit your picture in the camera, to take outstanding photos. You’ll learn how, when, and, most importantly, why to use each of the cool features and functions of your camera to take eye-popping photographs. Introductory chapters will help you get comfortable with the basics of your camera before you dive right into exploring creative ways to apply the Nikon D90’s exposure modes, focus controls, and electronic flash options. You’ll also find loads of helpful information and tips on choosing lenses, flash units, and software products to use with your new camera. Beautiful, full-color images illustrate where the essential buttons and dials are, so you’ll quickly learn how to use your Nikon D90, and use it like a pro!