Beyond Point-and-Shoot

Beyond Point-and-Shoot

by Darrell Young
Released April 2012
Publisher(s): Rocky Nook
ISBN: 9781457165177

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Book description

There are two types of new photographers: those satisfied with their low-cost point-and-shoot cameras, and those more enthusiastic photographers who recognize the limitations of low-cost equipment and want to improve their pictures. No longer satisfied with simple snapshots, the enthusiast moves up to a more complex digital camera-one with interchangeable lenses and manual controls-to satisfy their artistic urge.

Assuming little to no knowledge of photographic terms, techniques, or technology, Beyond Point-And-Shoot is intended to help smooth the transition from photographic newbie to "real" photographer who is experienced, in-control, and passionate about their craft. Author Darrell Young explores various types of interchangeable-lens cameras, focusing on those with larger imaging sensors, such as digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.

Learn how to get the most out of your camera's automatic and semi-automatic exposure modes, as well as how to move beyond those modes and take full, manual control of your camera. Watch your photography improve as you discover how to apply important photographic principles, such as depth of field, white balance, and metering. With this newfound knowledge you'll move beyond point-and-shoot and begin taking truly great photographs.

Other topics include:

  • Camera types
  • Lenses
  • Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO
  • Metering and shooting controls
  • Lens focal lengths and angles of view
  • The histogram
  • Color spaces
  • Sensors
  • Filters
  • Image file formats
  • Managing digital noise
  • And much more!

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright Page
  4. Dedication
  5. Table of Contents
  6. Foreword
  7. Chapter 1. Camera Types: Making a Choice
    1. This Book Assumes No Previous Knowledge
    2. Is Camera Brand Important?
    3. What Is a DSLR?
    4. What Is an ILC?
    5. Should I Choose a DSLR or an ILC?
    6. What Is an Imaging Sensor?
      1. How Does an Imaging Sensor Work?
    7. Choosing a Camera System
    8. Buy One Camera Instead of Three!
      1. Which Level Should I Choose?
    9. Conclusions
  8. Chapter 2. Choosing and Using Lenses
    1. How Does a Lens Work?
    2. Focal Length: Wide Angle, Normal, and Telephoto Settings
      1. Angle of View
      2. Focal Length Changes Angle of View
      3. Imaging Sensor Size Affects Angle of View
      4. Using Wide-Angle Lenses
      5. Choosing a Focal Length for Portraits
      6. Compression of Perspective with Telephoto Lenses
    3. Lens Aperture
    4. Zoom Lenses versus Prime Lenses
    5. Macro Lenses and Closeup Filters
      1. True Macro Lenses
      2. Screw-On Closeup Filters
    6. Autofocus vs. Manual Focus Lenses
    7. Basic Three-Lens Kit
    8. Lens vs. Sensor Image Stabilization
    9. Autofocus Motor Types
    10. Lens Concerns
      1. Flare
      2. Light Falloff
      3. Distortion
        1. Softness at the Edges of the Image
        2. Color Fringing or Chromatic Aberration
        3. Barrel and Pincushion Distortion
      4. Bokeh
    11. Filters
      1. UV or Skylight Filter
      2. Polarizing Filter
      3. Match the Filter Size to Your Lens
      4. Multicoatings Matter
    12. Conclusions
  9. Chapter 3. Understanding Exposure Controls
    1. What Is a Good Exposure?
    2. Three Controls for a Good Exposure
      1. Learning about the Three Exposure Controls
      2. Understanding the Camera’s Limitations
        1. Exposing for the Subject
      3. Camera Exposure Control Relationship Illustrated
      4. Understanding Stops, F-Stops, and EV Steps
        1. What Is a Stop?
        2. What Is an F-Stop?
        3. What Is an EV Step?
      5. What Is ISO Sensitivity?
        1. Minimum and Maximum ISO Sensitivity Levels
        2. Using In-Between ISO Sensitivity Values
        3. Choosing an ISO Sensitivity Level: Some Important Issues
      6. What Is Aperture?
        1. What Does the Aperture Do?
        2. Understanding Aperture Numbers
      7. What Is Shutter Speed?
        1. Shutter Speed Number Series
    3. Conclusions
  10. Chapter 4. Taking Control of Exposure
    1. Using the Three Exposure Controls Together
      1. Understanding Depth of Field
      2. Using the Depth of Field Preview Button
      3. Capturing the Star Effect with a Small Aperture
      4. Large and Small Aperture Consideration
      5. Motion Control
        1. Stopping Action When the Subject Never Stops Moving
        2. Stopping Action with a Medium Shutter Speed and Peak of Action
        3. Allowing Blur in an Image as a Creative Effect
        4. Reciprocal of Focal Length Shutter Speed Rule
      6. Final Thoughts on ISO Sensitivity
      7. Shutter Speed and Aperture Relationship
        1. Using Your Camera to Test Your Knowledge
        2. Exactly How Does the Shutter Speed Relate to the Aperture?
        3. Why Do I Need to Make All These Adjustments?
    2. Conclusions
  11. Chapter 5. Camera Modes and Controls
    1. Selecting a Light Meter Type
      1. Multizone Meter
      2. Center-Weighted Meter
      3. Spot Meter
      4. Averaging Meter
      5. Partial Meter
      6. Author’s Recommendation
    2. Why So Many Scene Modes?
      1. Should an Enthusiast Use Scene Modes?
    3. What about Auto Exposure Mode?
      1. When Is Auto Exposure Mode Appropriate?
      2. What Are Some Drawbacks to Auto Exposure Mode?
    4. Exploring Semiautomation for More Control
      1. P: Programmed Auto Mode
      2. S or Tv: Shutter Priority Mode
      3. A or Av: Aperture Priority Mode
      4. M: Manual Mode
    5. Conclusions
  12. Chapter 6. Understanding Image Formats
    1. Image Quality
      1. JPEG Format
        1. JPEG Compression
      2. TIFF Format
      3. RAW Format
        1. A RAW File Is Not an Image, Yet!
        2. RAW Mode Compression
        3. RAW Image Conversion Software
        4. Viewing RAW Files as Thumbnails on Your Computer
      4. Combined RAW + JPEG Shooting (Two Images at Once)
    2. Channel and Bit Depth Tutorial
    3. Conclusions
  13. Chapter 7. Histogram, Color Space, and White Balance
    1. Section One: Histogram
      1. RGB Histograms
      2. Luminance Histogram
      3. Understanding a Histogram
        1. What Is the Basis for a Histogram?
        2. Color of Luminance Histogram
        3. Light Range
        4. Histogram Shape
        5. How Does the Eye React to Light Values?
        6. Computer Adjustment of Images
        7. In-Computer Image Post-Processing
        8. Use the Light Meter and Histogram Together
        9. Blown-Out Highlight Blink Mode
    2. Section Two: Color Space
      1. Camera and Eye Compared
      2. Which Color Space Should I Choose?
    3. Section Three: White Balance
      1. How Does White Balance Work?
        1. Color Temperature
      2. White Balance and RAW Mode
      3. White Balance Ambient Light Reading Tip
  14. Afterword
  15. Index
  16. Footnotes
    1. Chapter 1
    2. Chapter 6

Product information

  • Title: Beyond Point-and-Shoot
  • Author(s): Darrell Young
  • Release date: April 2012
  • Publisher(s): Rocky Nook
  • ISBN: 9781457165177