book

Canon® EOS 30D Digital Field Guide

by Charlotte K. Lowrie

October 2006

Beginner to intermediate

287 pages

7h 48m

English

Wiley

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Getting the Most from This Book
Taking the First PicturesSetup Basics for the EOS 30DFormatting the CompactFlash cardSetting the image recording qualitySetting file numberingBasic Zone ShootingCreative Zone ShootingSetting the ISOSetting the White BalanceSetting the Autofocus PointSetting the Color SpaceSetting the Drive ModeSetting the Metering ModeSetting the Picture Style
1.1. Camera and Lens Controls1.1.1. Rear camera controls1.1.2. LCD panel1.1.3. Viewfinder display1.2. Programmed Modes1.2.1. Basic Zone modes1.2.1.1. Full Auto mode1.2.1.2. Portrait mode1.2.1.3. Landscape mode1.2.1.4. Close-up mode1.2.1.5. Sports mode1.2.1.6. Night Portrait mode1.2.1.7. Flash Off mode1.2.2. Creative Zone modes1.2.2.1. Program AE mode1.2.2.2. A-DEP mode1.2.2.3. Aperture-priority AE mode1.2.2.4. Shutter-priority AE mode1.2.2.5. Manual mode1.2.3. Select a drive mode1.2.3.1. Single-shot mode1.2.3.2. High-speed and Low-speed continuous modes1.3. Metering Modes1.3.1. Evaluative metering1.3.2. Partial metering1.3.3. Spot metering1.3.4. Center-weighted average metering1.4. Exposure Compensation1.5. Auto Exposure Bracketing1.6. AE Lock1.7. Bulb Exposure1.8. Evaluating Exposure1.9. Autofocus Modes1.10. Understanding AF Point Selection1.11. Viewing and Image Playback1.11.1. Single-image playback1.11.2. Magnified view1.11.3. Index display1.11.4. Auto Playback1.12. Erasing Images1.13. Protecting Images1.14. Using the Built-in Flash1.14.1. Red-eye reduction1.14.2. FE lock1.14.3. Flash exposure compensation1.15. Setting Custom Functions
2.1. About the Battery and CF Card2.2. When to Use the Main and Quick Control Dials2.3. Choosing a Media Card2.4. Using a CF Card2.5. Setting the Date and Time2.6. Choosing the File Format and Quality2.6.1. JPEG format2.6.2. RAW format2.7. Setting File Numbering2.8. Choosing a White Balance Option2.8.1. Setting a custom white balance2.8.2. Using white balance auto bracketing2.8.3. White balance correction2.9. About Picture Styles2.9.1. Choosing Picture Styles2.9.2. Customizing Picture Styles2.9.3. Customizing Monochrome Picture Style2.9.4. Creating a customized Picture Style2.10. Choosing a Color Space2.11. Setting ISO and Extended-Range ISO

3.1. The Four Elements of Exposure3.1.1. The EOS 30D in the field3.1.2. Sensitivity: The role of ISO3.1.3. Intensity: The role of the aperture3.1.3.1. Wide aperture3.1.3.2. Narrow aperture3.1.3.3. Choosing an aperture3.2. What Is Depth of Field?3.2.1. Shallow depth of field3.2.2. Extensive depth of field3.3. Time: The Role of Shutter Speed3.4. Equivalent Exposures3.5. Putting It All Together
4.1. Color Hues4.2. The Colors of Light4.2.1. Sunrise4.2.2. Midday4.2.3. Sunset4.2.4. Diffused light4.2.5. Electronic flash4.2.6. Tungsten light4.2.7. Fluorescent and other light4.3. Metering Light4.4. Additional Characteristics of Light4.4.1. Hard/harsh light4.4.2. Soft light4.4.3. Directional light
5.1. Composition Basics5.2. Understanding symmetry5.2.1. Working with balance and tension5.2.2. Knowing what lines convey5.2.3. Filling the frame5.2.4. Checking the background5.2.5. Using the rule of thirds5.3. Composing with Color5.4. Controlling Focus and Depth of Field5.5. Additional Composition Techniques
6.1. Understanding the Focal Length Multiplication Factor6.2. Lens Choices6.2.1. Wide angle6.2.2. Normal6.2.3. Telephoto6.2.4. Macro6.3. About Zoom Lenses6.3.1. Zoom lens advantages6.3.2. Zoom lens disadvantages6.4. About Single Focal Length Lenses6.4.1. Single-focal-length lens advantages6.4.2. Single-focal-length lens disadvantages6.5. Using Wide-Angle Lenses6.6. Using Telephoto Lenses6.7. Using Normal Lenses6.8. Using Macro Lenses6.9. Extending the Range of Any Lens
7.1. Action and Sports Photography7.1.1. Inspiration7.1.2. Taking action and sports photographs7.1.3. Action and sports photography tips7.2. Architectural and Interior Photography7.2.1. Inspiration7.2.2. Taking architectural and interior photographs7.2.3. Architectural photography tips7.3. Black-and-White Photography7.3.1. Inspiration7.3.2. Taking black-and-white photographs7.3.3. Black-and-white photography tips7.4. Business Photography7.4.1. Inspiration7.4.2. Taking business photographs7.4.3. Business photography tips7.5. Candid Photography7.5.1. Inspiration7.5.2. Taking candid photographs7.5.3. Candid photography tips7.6. Child Photography7.6.1. Inspiration7.6.2. Taking child photographs7.6.3. Child photography tips7.7. Commercial Assignment Photography7.7.1. Inspiration7.7.2. Taking commercial assignment photographs7.7.3. Commercial assignment photography tips7.8. Editorial Photography and Photojournalism7.8.1. Inspiration7.8.2. Taking editorial photographs and photojournalism photographs7.8.3. Editorial photography and photojournalism photography tips7.9. Environmental Portrait Photography7.9.1. Inspiration7.9.2. Taking environmental portrait photographs7.9.3. Environmental portrait photography tips7.10. Event Photography7.10.1. Inspiration7.10.2. Taking event photographs7.10.3. Event photography tips7.11. Fine-Art Photography7.11.1. Inspiration7.11.2. Taking fine-art photographs7.11.3. Fine-art photography tips7.12. Flower and Macro Photography7.12.1. Inspiration7.12.2. Taking flower and macro photographs7.12.3. Flower and macro photography tips7.13. Food Photography7.13.1. Inspiration7.13.2. Taking food photographs7.13.3. Food photography tips7.14. Landscape and Nature Photography7.14.1. Inspiration7.14.2. Taking landscape and nature photographs7.14.3. Landscape and nature photography tips7.15. Night, Evening, and Low-Light Photography7.15.1. Inspiration7.15.2. Taking night, evening, and low-light photographs7.15.3. Night, evening, and low-light photography tips7.16. Panoramic Photography7.16.1. Inspiration7.16.2. Taking panoramic photographs7.16.3. Panoramic photography tips7.17. Pet and Animal Photography7.17.1. Inspiration7.17.2. Taking pet and animal photographs7.17.3. Pet and animal photography tips7.18. Portrait Photography7.18.1.7.18.1.1. Lens choices7.18.1.2. Backgrounds and props7.18.1.3. Lighting7.18.1.4. Flash7.18.1.5. Posing7.18.1.6. Clothing7.18.1.7. Rapport7.18.2. Inspiration7.18.3. Taking portrait photographs7.18.4. Portrait photography tips7.19. Still-Life and Product Photography7.19.1. Inspiration7.19.2. Taking still-life and product photographs7.19.3. Still-life and product photography tips7.20. Stock Photography7.20.1. Inspiration7.20.2. Taking stock photographs7.20.3. Stock photography tips7.21. Street Photography7.21.1. Inspiration7.21.2. Taking street photographs7.21.3. Street shooting tips7.22. Sunset and Sunrise Photography7.22.1. Inspiration7.22.2. Taking sunset and sunrise photographs7.22.3. Sunset and sunrise photography tips7.23. Travel Photography7.23.1. Inspiration7.23.2. Taking travel photographs7.23.3. Travel photography tips7.24. Weather and Seasonal Photography7.24.1.7.24.1.1. Falling rain and snow7.24.1.2. Fog7.24.1.3. Snow7.24.1.4. Stormy skies7.24.2. Inspiration7.24.3. Taking weather and seasonal photographs7.24.4. Weather photography tips7.25. Wedding Photography7.25.1. Inspiration7.25.2. Taking wedding photographs7.25.3. Wedding photography tips
8.1. Downloading with a USB Cable8.2. Downloading with a Card Reader8.3. Downloading with a PCMCIA Card8.4. Shooting Tethered8.5. Editing Images8.6. Printing Images8.6.1. Direct to printer8.6.2. Digital print order format
A.1. Characteristics of RAW ImagesA.2. Choosing a RAW Conversion ProgramA.3. Sample RAW Image ConversionA.4. Creating an Efficient Workflow
B.1. Getting the Latest Firmware and SoftwareB.2. Internet ResourcesB.3. Photography Publications and Web SitesB.4. Professional ResourcesB.4.1.B.4.1.1. CommercialB.4.1.2. Editorial/PhotojournalismB.4.1.3. Fine ArtB.4.1.4. GeneralB.4.1.5. Nature and WildlifeB.4.1.6. PhotoshopB.4.1.7. Portrait/WeddingB.4.1.8. StockB.4.1.9. Workshops

Content preview from Canon® EOS 30D Digital Field Guide

Chapter 5. Brush Up on Composition

In This Chapter

Composition basics
Understanding symmetry
Composing with color
Controlling focus and depth of field
Additional composition techniques

Although the technical aspects of an image are important, image content and composition carry equal or greater weight. After all, a technically questionable image with a compelling subject and composition always aces a technically perfect image with a mundane subject and uninteresting composition. In this section of the book, you can brush up on composition guidelines and principles.

Composition is a skill that intrigues and challenges even the most experienced photographers. Taken at ISO 100, f/22, 1/125 sec. using a Canon EF 180mm, f/3.5L Macro USM lens.

Figure 5.1. Composition is a skill that intrigues and challenges even the most experienced photographers. Taken at ISO 100, f/22, 1/125 sec. using a Canon EF 180mm, f/3.5L Macro USM lens.

Composition Basics

Composition is the aspect of photography that many photographers strive to master. Mastering composition, however, remains a challenge for many photographers. Composition principles can help you design an image, but in the end, your personal aesthetic is the final judge. After all, for every rule of composition, there are galleries filled with pictures that break the rules, and they succeed famously.

Composition can range from strikingly simple to complex, filled with layers of content and meaning. Most photographers would agree that simple compositions are best. Simple compositions offer the advantage of being easy for the viewer ...