Saturday, March 1, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Book Review: Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson
Rating: 4/5
Of all the photography books I have on my bookshelf, and believe me, I have quite a few, this is the one that stands out as the most helpful. It is the first one I recommend to new photographers and it is one that I refer to when I need a bit of a refresher. It will take the fear out of moving from the point and shoot modes to the creative modes of your camera. Don't let the dry title fool you. This book will help you with composition, depth of field and other aspects of photography.
Easy to read and straight-forward, Understanding Exposure offers the basics of aperture, lighting and shutter speed, photography's basic triumvirate, to beginning and intermediate photographers. The book is divided into these three topics, as well defining exposure, special techniques, and a discussion of film vs. digital. This is not a highly technical book and any technical points are well-written and easy to understand.
The book includes many pictures that illustrate his concepts quite well. Being a visually inclined person, which is why I like photography, a good example shot often reinforces what you have just read. These are not just pretty pictures to show you his abilities as a photographer, but practical. Particularly helpful is his inclusion of exposure settings and lenses used for each image. It will help you analyze why his shots turn out the way they do and give you a starting point for shooting similar types of pictures. He also includes some exercises throughout the book to help you practice what you have just read.
An interesting section deals with what he calls the "Who Cares?" apertures. Peterson lists these as the f/8 to f/11 settings that you should use when depth of field is not critical, but you want sharpness and contrast for your shot. Also helpful to me was a discussion of the depth of field preview button, something I had long ignored.
A few small caveats:
If you are a beginner, this book will help you understand the basics of exposure and help you take your camera off full automatic mode.
If you are an intermediate photographer, it will help you to sharpen your skills and move you to the next level.
If you are a beginner who is serious about learning to improve your photography skills, this is the book for you. Study this book (and your camera's manual) and you will be well on your way to becoming a better photographer. What more can you ask for $15.00 (US)?
Rating: 4/5
Of all the photography books I have on my bookshelf, and believe me, I have quite a few, this is the one that stands out as the most helpful. It is the first one I recommend to new photographers and it is one that I refer to when I need a bit of a refresher. It will take the fear out of moving from the point and shoot modes to the creative modes of your camera. Don't let the dry title fool you. This book will help you with composition, depth of field and other aspects of photography.
Easy to read and straight-forward, Understanding Exposure offers the basics of aperture, lighting and shutter speed, photography's basic triumvirate, to beginning and intermediate photographers. The book is divided into these three topics, as well defining exposure, special techniques, and a discussion of film vs. digital. This is not a highly technical book and any technical points are well-written and easy to understand.
The book includes many pictures that illustrate his concepts quite well. Being a visually inclined person, which is why I like photography, a good example shot often reinforces what you have just read. These are not just pretty pictures to show you his abilities as a photographer, but practical. Particularly helpful is his inclusion of exposure settings and lenses used for each image. It will help you analyze why his shots turn out the way they do and give you a starting point for shooting similar types of pictures. He also includes some exercises throughout the book to help you practice what you have just read.
An interesting section deals with what he calls the "Who Cares?" apertures. Peterson lists these as the f/8 to f/11 settings that you should use when depth of field is not critical, but you want sharpness and contrast for your shot. Also helpful to me was a discussion of the depth of field preview button, something I had long ignored.
A few small caveats:
- I wish he would include ISO along with the other settings next to his pictures. He does not really discuss ISO until the end of the book.
- This is a book written mostly for people with slr cameras (film or digital). Some of this information would not be helpful to those with a point and shoot.
- If you are really into the technical side of photography, you might find this is not as mechanically inclined as you'd like.
- Not much discussion of the use of flash.
- This book apparently was written for film cameras then tweaked to add digital.
If you are a beginner, this book will help you understand the basics of exposure and help you take your camera off full automatic mode.
If you are an intermediate photographer, it will help you to sharpen your skills and move you to the next level.
If you are a beginner who is serious about learning to improve your photography skills, this is the book for you. Study this book (and your camera's manual) and you will be well on your way to becoming a better photographer. What more can you ask for $15.00 (US)?
Book Review: The Digital Photography Book Vol. 2 by Scott Kelby
The Digital Photography Book Vol.2 by Scott Kelby
Rating: 7/10
Even if you are a novice photographer, chances are you've heard of Scott Kelby. He has written more than 40 books about photography and Photoshop that are known for their user-friendly and humorous style. His latest book, a follow-up of The Digital Photography Book, follows the same approach: good basic advice told in genial buddy to buddy fashion.
This book came at just the right time for me. I'm starting to learn about off-camera lighting and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Strobes, synch cords, pocket wizards, lightboxes or umbrellas; it's all making me feel a bit of despair since I don't think well in technical terms. The first chapter jumps right into using flash like a pro, discussing off-camera lighting and how to achieve it. I'm still a little confused by it all, but at least I know I just might be able to do this now. Each topic is covered in one short page with an image to see as an example, so even hesitant beginner can get the idea.
Other chapters cover shooting portraits, landscapes, weddings, travel and macro, as well as a section on building a studio from scratch. Lots of tips, some of which you'll find useful, others you might already know, but it goes beyond the basics of the first book. If you are a complete beginner, this book is not for you. If you are a somewhat advanced photographer, there will be nothing new for you. Point and shoot owners may get some tips from this, but it really is a book for dslr users, particularly in the first chapter on using flash.
A lot of the tips seem like common sense: get in close for portraits, simple backgrounds are best, have a clear subject in landscape shots. Others, like shooting close using a wide angle lens in portrait photography I hadn't heard and would like to try.
Best part of the book: the first chapter on flash and the second chapter on building a studio.
Worst part of the book: a lot of tips are too basic. Don't expect any amazing revelations.
Overall, this book is quick, easy to read, full of useful tips, and is a good choice for the photographer that has moved beyond the simple basics and wants to better their basic photography skills. At only $16.49 at Amazon, it's a good value.
Rating: 7/10
Even if you are a novice photographer, chances are you've heard of Scott Kelby. He has written more than 40 books about photography and Photoshop that are known for their user-friendly and humorous style. His latest book, a follow-up of The Digital Photography Book, follows the same approach: good basic advice told in genial buddy to buddy fashion.
This book came at just the right time for me. I'm starting to learn about off-camera lighting and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. Strobes, synch cords, pocket wizards, lightboxes or umbrellas; it's all making me feel a bit of despair since I don't think well in technical terms. The first chapter jumps right into using flash like a pro, discussing off-camera lighting and how to achieve it. I'm still a little confused by it all, but at least I know I just might be able to do this now. Each topic is covered in one short page with an image to see as an example, so even hesitant beginner can get the idea.
Other chapters cover shooting portraits, landscapes, weddings, travel and macro, as well as a section on building a studio from scratch. Lots of tips, some of which you'll find useful, others you might already know, but it goes beyond the basics of the first book. If you are a complete beginner, this book is not for you. If you are a somewhat advanced photographer, there will be nothing new for you. Point and shoot owners may get some tips from this, but it really is a book for dslr users, particularly in the first chapter on using flash.
A lot of the tips seem like common sense: get in close for portraits, simple backgrounds are best, have a clear subject in landscape shots. Others, like shooting close using a wide angle lens in portrait photography I hadn't heard and would like to try.
Best part of the book: the first chapter on flash and the second chapter on building a studio.
Worst part of the book: a lot of tips are too basic. Don't expect any amazing revelations.
Overall, this book is quick, easy to read, full of useful tips, and is a good choice for the photographer that has moved beyond the simple basics and wants to better their basic photography skills. At only $16.49 at Amazon, it's a good value.
Budget Lenses (under $200.00 US)
Photography can be an expensive hobby and, bargain hunter that I am, I'm always looking for the best bang for my buck. Sure I'd love to own a bunch of Canon L lenses and a full frame camera, but I'm not rich or a pro photographer, just a serious amateur that wants a variety of lens options with decent optics at a price I can afford. So these are my choices of lenses to buy if you have a DSLR and little money left to expand your range. I have, or had, all of them.
I started with the Canon Rebel XT and the kit lens 18-55 mm. The kit lens is generally panned by a lot of people, but it is really a decent lens to start out with, particularly since it is less than $100.00 US. It is still the only wide angle lens I own.
1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II ($70.00 US) for Nikkon users Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D ($108.00 US)
Rating: 9/10
Pros: great for low light, lightweight and compact, sharp, ideal for portrait photography, nice background blur
Cons: plastic build, can focus slowly
Known as the "nifty fifty" or "thrifty fifty", this lens is sharp at 1.8 and even better at 2.8. Really a great lens to have in situations with low light, especially if you can't use a flash. With no zoom to depend on, this prime gives you a chance to develop your skills. I found myself being more careful about framing and perspective. A lot of people use this as their walk around lens, but it does have its limitations. I used this lens so often that when it broke I bought its big brother, 50mm f/1.4.
2. Sigma 70-300mmf/4-5.6 Macro APO DG (under $200.00 US) Must be the APO version ( Mounts for Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Minolta cameras)
Rating: 8/10
Pros: inexpensive, comes with a lens hood, can function as a macro (1:2), versatility
Cons: needs good light (can hunt for focus), soft above 200mm
If you want an inexpensive zoom lens, look no farther then this. It can be used for portraits, outdoor sports, and nature/macro photography. This lens is nice for trying out macro, even though it is not true macro which is 1:1, not the 1:2 this lens has. It can manage some outdoor sports, but if this is something you shoot a lot, a faster lens might be better.
If you are new to photography and not sure if you want a zoom or a prime lens, this is a low cost way to find out. Are there better lenses then these? Certainly, but there are not many for under $200.00. Of course there are other options. You could save money for a more expensive lens or buy used.
I started with the Canon Rebel XT and the kit lens 18-55 mm. The kit lens is generally panned by a lot of people, but it is really a decent lens to start out with, particularly since it is less than $100.00 US. It is still the only wide angle lens I own.
1. Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II ($70.00 US) for Nikkon users Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D ($108.00 US)
Rating: 9/10
Pros: great for low light, lightweight and compact, sharp, ideal for portrait photography, nice background blur
Cons: plastic build, can focus slowly
Known as the "nifty fifty" or "thrifty fifty", this lens is sharp at 1.8 and even better at 2.8. Really a great lens to have in situations with low light, especially if you can't use a flash. With no zoom to depend on, this prime gives you a chance to develop your skills. I found myself being more careful about framing and perspective. A lot of people use this as their walk around lens, but it does have its limitations. I used this lens so often that when it broke I bought its big brother, 50mm f/1.4.
2. Sigma 70-300mmf/4-5.6 Macro APO DG (under $200.00 US) Must be the APO version ( Mounts for Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Minolta cameras)
Rating: 8/10
Pros: inexpensive, comes with a lens hood, can function as a macro (1:2), versatility
Cons: needs good light (can hunt for focus), soft above 200mm
If you want an inexpensive zoom lens, look no farther then this. It can be used for portraits, outdoor sports, and nature/macro photography. This lens is nice for trying out macro, even though it is not true macro which is 1:1, not the 1:2 this lens has. It can manage some outdoor sports, but if this is something you shoot a lot, a faster lens might be better.
If you are new to photography and not sure if you want a zoom or a prime lens, this is a low cost way to find out. Are there better lenses then these? Certainly, but there are not many for under $200.00. Of course there are other options. You could save money for a more expensive lens or buy used.
My Review of Savage Port-A-Stand, Free Standing Background Support System with a roll 53" x 12' Seamless White Background Paper
Originally submitted at Adorama
Savage Port-A-Stand, Free Standing Background Support System with a roll 53" x 12' Seamless White Background Paper
Economical and Portable
By Saralonde from PA on 2/21/2008
Pros: Easy assembly, Good value, Versatile, Portable
Best Uses: Indoors, Studio
Describe Yourself: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
My photography has advanced enough that I felt I needed a better background for indoor portraits. Not being a professional, I didn't want to spend a great deal. I was a little worried that the relatively inexpensive price would get me something flimsy or not very adjustable. It turned out to be very sturdy and easy to set up. Definitely versatile: the 2 side stands can be used as light stands and it can expand by width and height.
Not sure if this would be good for a pro, but for an enthusiastic amateur, it's a great buy.
(legalese)
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
My Mother's Red Coat
Today was cold and cloudy with lots of errands to run. Really a drab day: gray weather, boring errands, cheerless mood. Opening the closet door to grab a jacket I found my mother's red suede coat. It has been hanging there for almost 5 years. When she died, I went through her things, alone most days (my brother lived 10 hours away), tossing some things, putting others in a pile for charity. Then I came to this coat. She loved this coat. I remember when she got it. She and my dad were out shopping for, I don't know what, when she spotted the coat. She tried it on for fun, the color and impractibility of it calling to her. It lit up her eyes and her complexion, and I imagine my dad could not resist getting it for her. She protested, she was after all a sensible woman, the Depression, a World War and growing up fatherless and poor had ingrained commonsense into her. A red suede coat was the height impracticality. Too expensive, it drew attention, it couldn't be worn everyday, she reasoned; she knew every excuse not to buy it. But my father had only one reason: it made her happy. And so the red suede coat was hers. So when I found it in her closet a few weeks after she died, I knew I had to keep it. All this time it's hung in my closet, unworn. It's too big. doesn't fit, I reasoned. But today it called to me. I put it on and ran my errands. Did it light up my eyes and complexion? I don't know, but it lit up my day.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
A Very Basic Guide to Critiquing Pictures
This is something I wrote for the Digital Photography School to help new photographers learn how to critique their own and other's work.
I know we have a lot of people here that might like to take a stab at commenting on shots posted on the forum, but feel they don't know enough or are unsure where to start. I, too, was nervous about doing this, but I've found that by studying the images of other people and analyzing what I see, I've been able to improve my own photography with self-critique. It's really a great learning process!
Here are some of the things I look for when I critique a shot. Of course, not all things apply to each image and there are always exceptions to "the rules".
1. Is it in focus? This is actually a more complex question than you might think. Sometimes an OOF shot is what the photographer is trying to do (such as showing movement), but generally the subject should be in focus even if the surrounding area is not. Notice the depth of field and see if it is working well for the image. Would it look better with a narrower or wider DOF?
2. What is the subject? Is it apparent when you look at the picture? Are your eyes drawn to it, or are you asking yourself why did they take this shot? If it has to be explained, it probably is lacking a purpose.
3. How is the composition? Are there extraneous areas that are not adding to the overall effect? Is the subject lost in a sea of background? Not getting close enough to your subject may be the problem. Maybe cropping will save the shot. Maybe changing from horizontal to vertical would make the difference. Is your eye moving easily around the image from subject to secondary subjects (visual rest spots) in a visual path or are there abrupt stops? Would following the "Rule of Thirds" improve it?
4. Does it have impact? Are there any interesting elements, such as perspective, dramatic angles, leading lines, colors, textures, shapes, etc? What makes this shot stand out from the usual? What grabs your attention? Anything in the shot that helps set the mood?
5. How is the lighting? Are there blown out highlights or areas so dark you can't make out details? Has poor lighting created shadows that distract? Can some post processing help? Has the direction of the light hitting the subject helped or hindered?
6. What is the mood it evokes? If you still feel uncomfortable commenting, particularly on a technical level, mention how the shot makes you feel. Discussing it on an emotional level is just as valid and important. Remember, technical or emotional, it's all opinion anyway.
7. Offer a solution to the problem if you can. Do you know some editing trick that could help? Can you give a suggestion that would fix the problem next time?
I usually start out by saying something positive, and there is always something positive, about the picture, and then pick out something that I think could be improved. If I can, I explain what they could do to fix it or what to do next time so the problem won't happen again.
And a few rules for people asking for a critique:
1. Include pertinent information: camera settings, time of day, perhaps what you were trying to achieve.
2. Asking a specific question, such as "How can I improve the lighting?" and explaining what lighting you used will get you the precise answers you need to improve.
3. Saying "I love this picture! What do you think?" will not get you the help you need to improve. Better to put those in the "Share Your Shots" thread.
4. No comments on your picture? As forums get busier (and remember both mods and members have lives outside of DPS!), your thread could get overlooked. Try giving it a title more interesting than "Critique My Shot". Ask a clear question in your post. Get involved critiquing other member's images and join in discussions (like polls) and games (such as Photo Focus/Topic or True or False). Before you know it, you will become an active member and people will go out of their way to look at your posts. Additionally, take a good hard look at your image. Is it lacking a lot of the things mentioned above? It could be passed by because it (and I know this sounds harsh) is just a snapshot. Posting your best efforts will get more comments as well as help you learn how to critique your own images.
I know we have a lot of people here that might like to take a stab at commenting on shots posted on the forum, but feel they don't know enough or are unsure where to start. I, too, was nervous about doing this, but I've found that by studying the images of other people and analyzing what I see, I've been able to improve my own photography with self-critique. It's really a great learning process!
Here are some of the things I look for when I critique a shot. Of course, not all things apply to each image and there are always exceptions to "the rules".
1. Is it in focus? This is actually a more complex question than you might think. Sometimes an OOF shot is what the photographer is trying to do (such as showing movement), but generally the subject should be in focus even if the surrounding area is not. Notice the depth of field and see if it is working well for the image. Would it look better with a narrower or wider DOF?
2. What is the subject? Is it apparent when you look at the picture? Are your eyes drawn to it, or are you asking yourself why did they take this shot? If it has to be explained, it probably is lacking a purpose.
3. How is the composition? Are there extraneous areas that are not adding to the overall effect? Is the subject lost in a sea of background? Not getting close enough to your subject may be the problem. Maybe cropping will save the shot. Maybe changing from horizontal to vertical would make the difference. Is your eye moving easily around the image from subject to secondary subjects (visual rest spots) in a visual path or are there abrupt stops? Would following the "Rule of Thirds" improve it?
4. Does it have impact? Are there any interesting elements, such as perspective, dramatic angles, leading lines, colors, textures, shapes, etc? What makes this shot stand out from the usual? What grabs your attention? Anything in the shot that helps set the mood?
5. How is the lighting? Are there blown out highlights or areas so dark you can't make out details? Has poor lighting created shadows that distract? Can some post processing help? Has the direction of the light hitting the subject helped or hindered?
6. What is the mood it evokes? If you still feel uncomfortable commenting, particularly on a technical level, mention how the shot makes you feel. Discussing it on an emotional level is just as valid and important. Remember, technical or emotional, it's all opinion anyway.
7. Offer a solution to the problem if you can. Do you know some editing trick that could help? Can you give a suggestion that would fix the problem next time?
I usually start out by saying something positive, and there is always something positive, about the picture, and then pick out something that I think could be improved. If I can, I explain what they could do to fix it or what to do next time so the problem won't happen again.
And a few rules for people asking for a critique:
1. Include pertinent information: camera settings, time of day, perhaps what you were trying to achieve.
2. Asking a specific question, such as "How can I improve the lighting?" and explaining what lighting you used will get you the precise answers you need to improve.
3. Saying "I love this picture! What do you think?" will not get you the help you need to improve. Better to put those in the "Share Your Shots" thread.
4. No comments on your picture? As forums get busier (and remember both mods and members have lives outside of DPS!), your thread could get overlooked. Try giving it a title more interesting than "Critique My Shot". Ask a clear question in your post. Get involved critiquing other member's images and join in discussions (like polls) and games (such as Photo Focus/Topic or True or False). Before you know it, you will become an active member and people will go out of their way to look at your posts. Additionally, take a good hard look at your image. Is it lacking a lot of the things mentioned above? It could be passed by because it (and I know this sounds harsh) is just a snapshot. Posting your best efforts will get more comments as well as help you learn how to critique your own images.
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