Shooting

Initial Camera Settings

Cameras have default settings for picture quality.

The school’s cameras are no exception.

Camera resets to default settings whenever turned off and back on (unless this option is turned off in the menu.

Initial Camera Settings

If you own a camera, you may want to set your camera to a certain configuration that you will use all the time.

Some settings you will want or need to change from shot to shot.

Image Size and Compression

There are many different size and compression settings.

Even if shooting for the web, why not shoot at full resolution. That way you have the option to adjust the image as you see fit.

School’s camera settings

Image Size and Compression

Image size is simply the dimensions of the image (in pixels) the camera will create.

Compression reduces the file size, not the resolution.

14 MP = 4,500 x 3,185

3 MP = 2,048 x 1,536

XGA (3/4 MP) = 1,024 x 768

VGA (300 K) = 640 x 480

Image Size and Compression

It’s always best to shoot at the lowest compression (highest quality)

What will changing compression affect?

Image Size and Compression

Being able to store more memory on a card, or having more cards can overcome the problem of larger storage needs

Compression - File Formats

Compressed formats, artifacts:

Jpeg/jpg - Joint Photographic Experts Group

Uncompressed formats, no artifacts:

TIFF - Tagged Image File Format

Raw - The preferred choice for uncompressed shooting; offers maximum quality and the most editing control

For just starting out, stick with jpeg.

Shooting Settings

Many if not all cameras have many settings to assist in shooting.

Shooting Settings

P - Program Mode: the camera sets the aperture and shutter speed. Other functions such as flash and drive modes can be adjusted.

Shooting Settings

A - Aperture Priority: lets the user set the aperture while the camera handles the shutter speed.

What does the aperture affect?

Shooting Settings

S - Shutter Priority: lets the user set the shutter speed while the camera selects the aperture.

What does the shutter speed affect?

Shooting Settings

M - Manual Mode: provides complete control over all camera settings.

This button serves to set the aperture when used in combination with the Control Dial, while the shutter speed is set using the Control Dial exclusively.

Shooting Settings

M - My Mode: provides 8 memory locations in which complete sets of shooting mode and setting preferences can be stored, and accessed by turning the dial to the My Mode position.

Shooting Settings

M - Portrait Shooting: uses a wide aperture to achieve a sharp subject and a blurred background.

What is a “wide” aperture?

Shooting Settings

M - Sports Shooting: automatically selects a high shutter speed to capture fast moving action.

What does the faster shutter directly affect?

Shooting Settings

M - Landscape Shooting: is to record both foreground and a distant background in focus. Blues and greens are slightly emphasized.

What aperture will accomplish this?

Shooting Settings

M - Landscape + Portrait Shooting: similar to the Landscape mode, both foreground and background are maintained in focus through the use of a smaller aperture, but without the extra emphasis of blues and greens.

Shooting Settings

M - Night Scene Shooting:

aids with night shots. The camera selects an appropriate shutter speed for the scene, noise reduction, and sets the white balance appropriately.

Shooting Settings

M - Movie Mode: Video clips can be recorded at 1 of 3 frame sizes: SHQ 640 x 480, HQ 320 x 240, or SQ 160 x 120. Can be captured with or without sound.

Exposure Compensation

Exposure Compensation: provides for ± 2EV in 1/3 EV or 1/2EV increments (EV = exposure value), the increment to use being selected in the Setup menu.

Exposure Compensation

What is Exposure compensation?Deliberately changing the exposure settings recommended by a light meter in order to obtain proper exposure.

You can lighten or darken the image by under or over exposing the image.

Metering

Center-weighted: meters the entire frame with emphasis on the center.

Metering

Spot Metering: meters a much smaller area in the center of the screen, usually in the AF target area.

Metering

ESP: an averaging pattern that meters the centre of the subject and the surrounding area separately.

Metering

Multi-Metering: allows memorizing the readings for up to 8 different points from which an average is then determined.

Flash

Flash Mode: Auto;Red-eye Reduction; Forced On;Forced Off; Slow Synch.

What is red-eye caused by?

Flash Compensation

Flash Compensation: adjustable over ± 2EV in 1/3 EV increments (EV = exposure value), is selected when both the exposure compensation and flash modes buttons are pressed simultaneously.

Auto Exposure Lock

Auto Exposure Lock (AEL): locks the exposure temporarily, avoiding the need to hold and maintain the shutter release halfway down.

Auto Exposure Lock

Auto Exposure Lock (AEL): The AEL button also serves when using Multi-metering, memorizing each of the 8 readings that can be done.