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 357855 times)

Offline moish

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #200 on: September 08, 2013, 04:14:51 AM »
Why would a ping pong ball be a problem?
not color corrected

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #201 on: September 08, 2013, 04:20:29 AM »
not color corrected

If you're using a cut-up ping pong ball instead of a $10 accessory and are worried about minuscule color correction issues you're doing it wrong :P.
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Offline moish

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #202 on: September 08, 2013, 07:01:36 AM »
If you're using a cut-up ping pong ball instead of a $10 accessory and are worried about minuscule color correction issues you're doing it wrong :P.
i was taking a photo class and someone suggested using a ping pong ball cut in half but the instructor told him not to since its not color corrected. i instead bought this

http://www.amazon.com/Gary-Fong-Diffuser-OLYMPUS-excluding/dp/B0011000R6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1378637999&sr=8-4&keywords=gary+fong+diffuser

Offline jaywhy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #203 on: September 08, 2013, 08:39:22 AM »
Many people do, in all types of types and price ranges. Most of those work great (I've tested most of them and own a good 4-5 different types). And of course they're more convenient than a napkin :D.

But for some cameras (like the Nex 6), there's nothing commercial available, hence the napkin.
That was my question, thanks.
If you're using a cut-up ping pong ball instead of a $10 accessory and are worried about minuscule color correction issues you're doing it wrong :P.
Couldn't you just set custom WB with a grey card to fix that?

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #204 on: September 08, 2013, 12:06:11 PM »
i was taking a photo class and someone suggested using a ping pong ball cut in half but the instructor told him not to since its not color corrected.

The instructor was covering his butt, he probably didn't want to run the chance of people complaining on the off chance that it'll have a color cast. I think people on this forum are smart enough to figure out that if they suddenly have greenish pictures after using a ping pong ball that the ball is to blame, and use something else.

Couldn't you just set custom WB with a grey card to fix that?

Sometimes, yes. But only when the flash is the only light in the picture, and only when the color cast is on the blue/yellow (cool/warm) axis. As soon as there is any other light in the scene, or if the cast is on the green/magenta axis, it becomes quite complicated.

But again, if you use a white ping pong ball or napkin the chance of introducing a color cast is nearly nil.
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Offline moish

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #205 on: September 08, 2013, 12:22:20 PM »
The instructor was covering his butt, he probably didn't want to run the chance of people complaining on the off chance that it'll have a color cast. I think people on this forum are smart enough to figure out that if they suddenly have greenish pictures after using a ping pong ball that the ball is to blame, and use something else.

but they might not notice a small color distortion while taking the pictures, and the moment will be long gone by the time they realize

better to stay away

Offline Ergel

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #206 on: October 25, 2013, 02:30:46 AM »
Bump. Any chance of reviving this thread at some point?
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Offline Dan

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #207 on: October 25, 2013, 02:32:57 AM »
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Ergel

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Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #209 on: October 25, 2013, 08:32:25 AM »
Bump. Any chance of reviving this thread at some point?

Don't give up on me just yet ;). There's lots more good stuff coming...

I've been crazy busy these last couple of months, I couldn't find enough time to devote to this. During the winter is always quieter, so expect frequent updates to commence very soon.
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #210 on: October 25, 2013, 01:29:49 PM »
Don't give up on me just yet ;). There's lots more good stuff coming...

I've been crazy busy these last couple of months, I couldn't find enough time to devote to this. During the winter is always quieter, so expect frequent updates to commence very soon.
Awesome. Looking forward. Happy with the camera I bought, especially since amex paid for it. But would love to use it to it's fullest
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #211 on: October 25, 2013, 03:07:15 PM »
Happy with the camera I bought, especially since amex paid for it.

Return protection or 2'nd year warranty?

Offline notanonymous

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #212 on: October 25, 2013, 04:10:41 PM »
I thought this might be a more appropiate place to post, rather than in in 'Deal Requests'...anyone know where I can find an inexpensive prime lense for a Pentax?

Offline AJK

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #213 on: October 25, 2013, 04:28:28 PM »
Well, with Something Fishy's help, I've decided on the Nex 5r.

Bring on the next lesson!

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Offline Dan

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #214 on: October 25, 2013, 04:30:36 PM »
I found the stunning digital viewfinder in the 6 to be worth every penny and then some. Would have missed many shots in Banff without it.

The much more compact lens and built in flash are big pluses in my book too.

I know SF disagrees though Lenticular is on my side :)
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #215 on: October 25, 2013, 04:43:28 PM »
I can't imagine having to ever use the optical viewfinder. I almost never have an issue using my phone in broad daylight; I can't imagine this would be much different, if at all.

I also don't ever tend to use the flash. And even if I did, is it worth $2-300 extra for those things? Meh. (For that money I can basically buy myself a telephoto lens, too!)

And, despite what you may think, the 5r body is smaller.

111 x 59 x 39 mm (4.37 x 2.32 x 1.54″) (5r)
vs
120 x 67 x 43 mm (4.72 x 2.64 x 1.69″) (6)

For me, it was the right choice.
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Offline sky121

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #216 on: October 25, 2013, 04:46:43 PM »
I can't imagine having to ever use the optical viewfinder. I almost never have an issue using my phone in broad daylight; I can't imagine this would be much different, if at all.

I also don't ever tend to use the flash. And even if I did, is it worth $2-300 extra for those things? Meh. (For that money I can basically buy myself a telephoto lens, too!)

And, despite what you may think, the 5r body is smaller.

111 x 59 x 39 mm (4.37 x 2.32 x 1.54″) (5r)
vs
120 x 67 x 43 mm (4.72 x 2.64 x 1.69″) (6)

For me, it was the right choice.

They're both excellent choices :)
"Not all who wander are lost"

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #217 on: October 25, 2013, 04:47:11 PM »
I can't imagine having to use the optical viewfinder. I personally almost never have an issue using my phone in broad daylight; I can't imagine this would be much different, if at all.

I also don't ever tend to use the flash. And, despite what you may think, the 5r is smaller.

For me, it was the right choice.
I am just the opposite.  I almost never use the LCD (except video).  If nothing else, it helps me stabilize the camera.  Also the shutter response is much better (at least on my camera) with the viewfinder.

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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #218 on: October 25, 2013, 04:50:02 PM »
I can't imagine having to use the optical viewfinder. I personally almost never have an issue using my phone in broad daylight; I can't imagine this would be much different, if at all.

I also don't ever tend to use the flash. And, despite what you may think, the 5r is smaller.

For me, it was the right choice.
Phones screens are made to be used in broad daylight.  My Nex screen was not really usable in broad daylight. 
I've never used a viewfinder before, but the digital version on the 6 is just stunning.  Has to be used to believe.

And the lens of the 5 is significantly longer as it doesn't retract.  I can fit the 6 in my BR khakis pocket.  There's no possible way to do that with the 5.
Though SF will say that's an advantage as you don't have to wait the extra second for it to open.  Though when I tested them side by side it's at most a split second difference from power on to shooting time.

And it's not a matter of thinking.  I bought both the 5 and 6 from the local gmach for a couple weeks before concluding which made the most sense for me ;)
« Last Edit: October 25, 2013, 04:53:10 PM by Dan »
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Re: Learn Photography Master Thread
« Reply #219 on: October 25, 2013, 04:52:10 PM »
If nothing else, it helps me stabilize the camera.  Also the shutter response is much better (at least on my camera) with the viewfinder.
Agreed.
Never used it on previous digital cameras, but there's something about it on the Nex that makes it awesome for pics.
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