Topic Wiki

Quick tips on random subjects that come up in between classes (will add as we go along):

Food photography tips
Newborn photography tips

Table of Contents (I'll change each line to a link as we go along.)

Introduction

1) Choosing a camera: Point and Shoot vs. Mirrorless vs. DSLR
2) Camera specs: What do they mean, and which ones matter to me?
3) Exposure Basics Part 1 - the shutter speed/aperture/ISO triangle
4) Exposure Basics Part 2 - getting to know your mode dial, and other exposure controls
5) All about memory cards
6) Using ultra-wide lenses





Lenses 101 - technology, terminology, and specs, zooms vs. primes, basic/advanced/unique lenses

Lighting 101 - focusing specifically on easy to afford and easy to use setups
Small flash - on camera, off camera, modifiers and accessories
Studio strobes
Continuous lighting - fluorescent, LED, and halogen
Basic light modifiers - umbrellas, softboxes, gels, reflectors
Basic supports - lightstands, umbrella brackets, backgrounds, etc.

All about accessories - memory cards, tripods, bags, filters, remotes, adapters, grips, geotaggers, and more)


So I bought all my stuff - now what?

What makes a compelling photograph?
Depth of field
Composition basics - rule of thirds, perspective, framing
Advanced composition - negative space, inclusion and exclusion, compression
Light - natural, golden hour, basic flash usage.

Let's start shooting...

Kids:
In the park
Playing sports
At home

Landscapes and wildlife:
"Grand" landscapes
"Intimate" landscapes
Seascapes
Waterfalls
Cityscapes
Wildlife
Birds in flight
Shooting in bad weather

Portraits:
Babies and newborns
Single person - indoors
Single person - outdoors
Families/siblings/groups
Natural light
Artificial light - simple
Artificial light - complex
Mixed light

Others:
Close up and macro
Product photography

How do I...? (Some specific scenarios/techniques - Basic)
Shoot out of a plane window?
Shoot underwater?
Shoot compelling black-and-white?

How do I...? (Some specific scenarios/techniques - Advanced)
HDR
Long exposures
Light painting
Twilight landscapes
Milky Way
Star trails

Basic editing concepts:
Exposure
Contrast
Clarity/sharpening
Color
Layers and masking

Poll

What type of camera do shoot with?

Point & Shoot - basic (Canon Elph style) or Smartphone
122 (36.9%)
Point & Shoot - advanced (Canon S100 or G Style)
52 (15.7%)
Mirrorless
26 (7.9%)
DSLR - consumer (Up to a Nikon D5200 or Canon Rebel)
74 (22.4%)
DSLR - prosumer or pro (Nikon D7000 or Canon 60D and up)
29 (8.8%)
P&S, but I plan on getting an SLR or Mirrorless in the near future
28 (8.5%)

Total Members Voted: 275

Author Topic: Learn Photography Master Thread  (Read 357934 times)

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1560 on: August 27, 2018, 12:24:57 PM »
we are having a family trip and i would really like to be able to capture the best photos. none of us are really that good with photography. what would be our best bet? just to stick to phones? or get a shared camera to use? and if yes which camera would be best for auto settings...  TIA

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1561 on: August 27, 2018, 12:30:50 PM »
Fuji x-t20. Minimal LR editing. 18mm @f13
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1562 on: August 27, 2018, 12:39:00 PM »
Can’t go wrong with the DDMS deal today.
dead >:(

i now regret this:
oh cut me some slack! ;D
for the most part DD notifications are off.   i really dont need more oatmeal or whitening strips.  important deals i see on DDF usually
#TYH

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1563 on: August 27, 2018, 12:39:43 PM »
dead >:(

i now regret this:
twas on ddf yesterday

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1564 on: August 27, 2018, 12:40:25 PM »
If you use a tripod, not at all. If you don't use a tripod and shoot landscapes or in low light, it can be useful. It allows you to shoot at slower shutter speeds without introducing too much blur. The general rule of thumb is don't go slower than 1/focal length. With OSS, you usually can go 3-4 stops slower. In practice, this depends on many factors, including the steadiness of your hands.
Just a tip: if you're using a tripod, turn the OSS (or equivalent on your canikon) off. When it's on, the lens is looking for things to stabilize. If it's on a tripod, the image can be strangely distorted, as the camera looks for things to stabilize on a perfectly still image
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Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1565 on: August 27, 2018, 12:40:48 PM »
Yup, or when you’re shooting with very fast shutter speeds even handheld

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1566 on: August 27, 2018, 12:42:09 PM »
we are having a family trip and i would really like to be able to capture the best photos. none of us are really that good with photography. what would be our best bet? just to stick to phones? or get a shared camera to use? and if yes which camera would be best for auto settings...  TIA
If you need something asap, this isn't the best deal ever, but you're not overpaying. A6000 + 1 lens for $550

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-Mirrorless-Digitial-3-0-Inch-16-50mm/dp/B00I8BICB2/ref=sm_n_se_dkp_US_pr_sea_0_0?adId=B00I8BICB2&creativeASIN=B00I8BICB2&linkId=584b1961a43d204e259df8a0d2f93163&tag=edealinfocom-20&linkCode=w42&ref-refURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.edealinfo.com%2Fdeals%2Fsearch%2F&slotNum=0&imprToken=W49ViR53j9zfXRA5zhUxLQ&adType=smart&adMode=search&adFormat=grid&impressionTimestamp=1535388056221
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#TYH

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1568 on: August 27, 2018, 12:44:29 PM »
This isn't too bad either. Panasonic g7 with a lens for $497. You won't be able to go as wide as the Sony with the same focal length, because the sensor is smaller, but Panasonic colors tend to be nicer than Sony (SOOC)

PANASONIC LUMIX G7 4K Mirrorless Camera, with 14-42mm MEGA O.I.S. Lens, 16 Megapixels, 3 Inch Touch LCD, DMC-G7KK (USA BLACK) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X409PQS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wOcHBbYQ24ZC6
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1569 on: August 27, 2018, 01:11:50 PM »
I think I am going to try and get the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 and the Sony 50mm f/1.8. I am looking for them used so hopefully can find a good deal.

With the Sony 50mm I see that the full frame version is significantly cheaper than the crop lens. How much of a difference will it make on my sony a6000?
got the Sony 50mm 1.8 and am loving it so far. Sharp and great bokeh. I also got the Sony 55-210 but haven't used that yet, not sure what i should be using that for, got it from a friend for free

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1570 on: October 30, 2018, 10:22:49 AM »
What's causing this rainbow that shows up when I raise the brightness?
The sun is behind the buildings, and the dead spots came with rainbow when I raised the brightness.
« Last Edit: October 30, 2018, 10:26:18 AM by davidrotts63 »
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1571 on: October 30, 2018, 10:27:21 AM »
Low dynamic range and bit depth. The area around the sun is getting blown out.
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Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1572 on: October 30, 2018, 10:36:46 AM »
Low dynamic range and bit depth. The area around the sun is getting blown out.
Thanks.
There is no actual sun in the picture, when taking a picture across from that setting, where there wasnt even a sun nearby I got the same effect.
It was shot on my phone, so I doubt there is a way to correct it.
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1573 on: November 14, 2018, 11:20:01 PM »
Looking to buy camera with APC-S sensor size, but have absolutely 0 need for 24,000,000 pixels.
Why are they crowding up the sensor like that?! 12 MP is more than enough for me, and would have much better noise performance.
any one know of a mirrorless cam., APC-S sensor, but 12MP?

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1574 on: November 14, 2018, 11:31:44 PM »
Looking to buy camera with APC-S sensor size, but have absolutely 0 need for 24,000,000 pixels.
Why are they crowding up the sensor like that?! 12 MP is more than enough for me, and would have much better noise performance.
any one know of a mirrorless cam., APC-S sensor, but 12MP?
They're crowding up the sensor, because with newer technology (like sensor back lighting), they're able to get a ton of detail even in low light.

If you have the budget for an a6300 or xt2, don't ignore them because the pixel count is too high
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1575 on: November 14, 2018, 11:36:53 PM »
They're crowding up the sensor, because with newer technology (like sensor back lighting), they're able to get a ton of detail even in low light.

If you have the budget for an a6300 or xt2, don't ignore them because the pixel count is too high
I see, But wouldn't it function EVEN better in low light with less pixels, I would prefer better low light functionality, than being able to blow it up huuuuuuge, wouldn't every one?
(theory: they are doing it to get people to buy the bigger sensor?)

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1576 on: November 14, 2018, 11:41:56 PM »
The only large sensor camera (that I know of) with 12mp is the A7s series.
Insalely good low light, especially for video.

Most people never need that kind of low light.

24mp doesn't just mean blow up power, it means some cropping power too. If you frame a little too wide at 12mp, cropping could take you down to 8. Now try printing...
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1577 on: November 14, 2018, 11:44:01 PM »

If you have the budget for an a6300 don't ignore them because the pixel count is too high
Is the a6300 worth the premium  over the a6000?

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1578 on: November 14, 2018, 11:44:29 PM »
The only large sensor camera (that I know of) with 12mp is the A7s series.
Insalely good low light, especially for video.

Most people never need that kind of low light.

24mp doesn't just mean blow up power, it means some cropping power too. If you frame a little too wide at 12mp, cropping could take you down to 8. Now try printing...
gotcha, tnx!

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #1579 on: November 14, 2018, 11:47:53 PM »
Is the a6300 worth the premium  over the a6000?
I'd only say yes because the A6000 is getting old. I feel like it's been around forever. That being said, if you buy a new iPhone 5 today (and don't run any updates on it), it'll work just fine.

For color reasons, see if there's a fuji that you like.
You can get great results editing sony raw files, but fuji produces the best in camera jpegs (IMO)
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