Learn Photography Master Thread

[Work-for-ur-muny]

I got the a6000, and my wife's been complaining that the pictures she takes in auto mode are far worse than that of a lower end p & s. After taking a closer look I decided that she's right. What seems to be the problem is that the camera always leans toward a larger aperture (lower number) for its source of light, over ISO and shutter speed. The result is most of the picture is out of focus. Is there any way to tell the camera when in auto-mode to take its light by other means? (So if, for example, I have the family sitting around the table for a birthday party everyone is clear, rather than having just the birthday girl's younger brother's dirty cheek in focus...)

[RJ898]

I got the a6000, and my wife's been complaining that the pictures she takes in auto mode are far worse than that of a lower end p & s. After taking a closer look I decided that she's right. What seems to be the problem is that the camera always leans toward a larger aperture (lower number) for its source of light, over ISO and shutter speed. The result is most of the picture is out of focus. Is there any way to tell the camera when in auto-mode to take its light by other means? (So if, for example, I have the family sitting around the table for a birthday party everyone is clear, rather than having just the birthday girl's younger brother's dirty cheek in focus...)

One of the best things about the a6000 is that in low light situations, you can pop up the flash, hold it back with your index finger (so it's facing up and will be used as fill instead of direct flash), and shoot with your middle finger. The camera won't need to push it's capabilities as much (obviously assuming that you're close enough to your subject to have an impact).

Another thing to consider is that you may have incorrectly diagnosed the problem. Assuming you're using the kit lens, your widest aperture is 3.5. Couple that with an aps-c sensor + a wide angle,  and your DOF should be pretty deep. Can you please post an example and a dropbox link to a raw file? I'd like to take a closer look.

[RJ898]

I've been hired to do a 2 week timelapse of a construction site. I'm going to be using 2 gopro hero 4 silver's for different angles.

Usually, I go with either 3 or 5 second intervals. Considering the length of this project, should I be doing 10 or even 30 second shots?

[whYME]

I've been hired to do a 2 week timelapse of a construction site. I'm going to be using 2 gopro hero 4 silver's for different angles.

Usually, I go with either 3 or 5 second intervals. Considering the length of this project, should I be doing 10 or even 30 second shots?

Go with the 5 second interval. you could always cut half the pics if it's too much. if you do less and don't like it you're stuck.

 2 weeks at 5 second interval @ 30 fps is just over 2 minutes of video.

[RJ898]

Go with the 5 second interval. you could always cut half the pics if it's too much. if you do less and don't like it you're stuck.

 2 weeks at 5 second interval @ 30 fps is just over 2 minutes of video.

Good point. Thanks!

It should be fun.  Ordered 2 water and dustproof 10k MAH battery packs and 64 gb cards. I need to show up in the morning to start and at the end of the day to stop.

[Work-for-ur-muny]

One of the best things about the a6000 is that in low light situations, you can pop up the flash, hold it back with your index finger (so it's facing up and will be used as fill instead of direct flash), and shoot with your middle finger. The camera won't need to push it's capabilities as much (obviously assuming that you're close enough to your subject to have an impact).

Another thing to consider is that you may have incorrectly diagnosed the problem. Assuming you're using the kit lens, your widest aperture is 3.5. Couple that with an aps-c sensor + a wide angle,  and your DOF should be pretty deep. Can you please post an example and a dropbox link to a raw file? I'd like to take a closer look.

Do you need specifically raw? Most of what I have in raw is what I shot with manual settings.

[whYME]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QGJ919U

Arguably the best $10 I've spent since starting this hobby

[ushdadude]

I got the a6000, and my wife's been complaining that the pictures she takes in auto mode are far worse than that of a lower end p & s. After taking a closer look I decided that she's right. What seems to be the problem is that the camera always leans toward a larger aperture (lower number) for its source of light, over ISO and shutter speed. The result is most of the picture is out of focus. Is there any way to tell the camera when in auto-mode to take its light by other means? (So if, for example, I have the family sitting around the table for a birthday party everyone is clear, rather than having just the birthday girl's younger brother's dirty cheek in focus...)

[Something Fishy]

When everyone is taking the same picture of an incredible sunset, turn 180° and get blown away by the colors instead.

Taken a few minutes ago:

[RJ898]

Those are some really cool colors!

[pixi]

When everyone is taking the same picture of an incredible sunset, turn 180° and get blown away by the colors instead.

Taken a few minutes ago:

Nice

[myi]

When everyone is taking the same picture of an incredible sunset, turn 180° and get blown away by the colors instead.

Taken a few minutes ago:

What did you do to have such emphases on the headlights of the cars, really a beautiful picture...
I got to get myself one of these days a basic DSLR Camera to start, really a big difference between a point and shoot and a decent DSLR!

[RJ898]

That could be accomplished with a slightly longer shutter on the exposure.
Also, if you're just getting started, get a mirrorless camera. The chances of you actually carrying the camera with you for up dramatically

[myi]

That could be accomplished with a slightly longer shutter on the exposure.
Also, if you're just getting started, get a mirrorless camera. The chances of you actually carrying the camera with you for up dramatically

Thanks for the suggestion will look into both of them and see which is easier to start with.

[israbear89]

Just bought a Sony a6000, going on vacation soon and trying to inhale as much info as possible. Thanks so much SF for the wealth of info. Any suggestions in terms of a small tripod for hiking (small enough to fit in a backpack or forget about)?

I was looking at Joby Gorrilapods, and I've seen you reference a Manfroto before. What's your take?

Some I was looking at
(Joby: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/470237-REG/Joby_GP3_A1EN_Gorillapod_SLR_Zoom_Flexible_Mini_Tripod.html or https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/633362-REG/Joby_GP3_BHEN_Gorillapod_SLR_Zoom_Flexible_Mini.html/prm/alsVwDtl) are those good options?

(Manfroto: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-MTPIXIEVO-BK-Section-Tripod-Black/dp/B0149KBPB4/ref=pd_day0_421_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0149KBPB4&pd_rd_r=4KDTSZCYEFK2SPJJQTSB&pd_rd_w=4y2dV&pd_rd_wg=mDjcH&psc=1&refRID=4KDTSZCYEFK2SPJJQTSB)

[ushdadude]

Just bought a Sony a6000, going on vacation soon and trying to inhale as much info as possible. Thanks so much SF for the wealth of info. Any suggestions in terms of a small tripod for hiking (small enough to fit in a backpack or forget about)?

I was looking at Joby Gorrilapods, and I've seen you reference a Manfroto before. What's your take?

Some I was looking at
(Joby: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/470237-REG/Joby_GP3_A1EN_Gorillapod_SLR_Zoom_Flexible_Mini_Tripod.html or https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/633362-REG/Joby_GP3_BHEN_Gorillapod_SLR_Zoom_Flexible_Mini.html/prm/alsVwDtl) are those good options?

(Manfroto: https://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-MTPIXIEVO-BK-Section-Tripod-Black/dp/B0149KBPB4/ref=pd_day0_421_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0149KBPB4&pd_rd_r=4KDTSZCYEFK2SPJJQTSB&pd_rd_w=4y2dV&pd_rd_wg=mDjcH&psc=1&refRID=4KDTSZCYEFK2SPJJQTSB)

I bought this on sale:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=email&A=details&Q=&sku=871069&is=REG

Which tutorials did you watch for the a6000?

[israbear89]

I bought this on sale:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=email&A=details&Q=&sku=871069&is=REG

Which tutorials did you watch for the a6000?

That's a bit pricey for me as a newbie.

In terms of tutorials specific for the a6000 not too many. Mostly youtube videos. Tony Northrup has a pretty comprehensive settings tutorial for starting out IMO (

) Gary Fong has some pretty decent ones  too

[springles]

I just won the Sony a6000 at a Chinese auction, guess I gotta learn some photography skills now

[RJ898]

I just won the Sony a6000 at a Chinese auction, guess I gotta learn some photography skills now

Mazal tov! Get a copy of Bryan Peterson's "understanding composition". When you've read that 2-3 times, he has another book called "understand exposure"

[ChAiM'l]

Mazal tov! Get a copy of Bryan Peterson's "understanding composition". When you've read that 2-3 times, he has another book called "understand exposure"

Try that the other way round...