book

Canon® EOS 5D Digital Field Guide

by Charlotte K. Lowrie

April 2008

Intermediate to advanced

283 pages

7h 59m

English

Wiley

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Getting the Most from This Book
1.1. Anatomy of the EOS 5D1.1.1. Camera controls1.1.1.1. Top camera controls1.1.1.2. Rear camera controls1.1.1.3. Front camera controls1.1.2. Camera terminals1.1.3. Side and bottom camera features1.1.4. Lens controls1.1.5. Viewfinder display1.1.6. Camera menus1.2. Setting the Date and Time1.3. Choosing the File Format and Quality1.3.1. JPEG capture1.3.2. RAW capture1.4. Setting File Numbering1.5. Creating Folders on the CF Card1.6. Using the EOS 5D1.6.1. Full Auto1.6.2. Program AE1.6.3. Shutter-Priority AE1.6.4. Aperture-Priority AE1.6.5. Manual1.6.6. Bulb1.6.7. C (Register Camera Settings)1.6.8. AutoFocus and selecting AutoFocus modes1.6.9. Improving Autofocus accuracy and performance1.7. Selecting a Metering Mode1.7.1. Evaluating the 5D's dynamic range1.7.2. Evaluating exposure1.7.2.1. Brightness histogram1.7.2.2. RGB histogram1.8. Modifying Exposure1.8.1. Auto Exposure Lock1.8.2. AutoExposure Bracketing1.8.3. Exposure Compensation1.9. Setting the ISO1.9.1. ISO range, expansion, and Custom Function options1.9.2. Setting the ISO and extended range ISO1.10. Selecting a Drive Mode1.10.1. Single Shooting mode1.10.2. Continuous Drive mode1.10.3. Self-timer Drive mode1.11. Viewing and Playing Back Images1.11.1. Playback display options1.11.2. Jump quickly among images1.11.3. Index display1.11.4. Auto Playback1.12. Erasing Images1.13. Protecting Images1.14. Restoring the Camera's Default Settings1.15. Cleaning the Image Sensor
2.1. About Color Spaces2.2. Choosing a Color Space2.3. Understanding and Setting the White Balance2.3.1. Choosing a white balance approach2.3.2. Set a custom white balance2.3.3. Use White-Balance Auto Bracketing2.3.4. Set a White-Balance Shift2.3.5. Specify a color temperature2.4. Choosing and Customizing a Picture Style2.5. Registering a User-defined Picture Style
3.1. Exploring Custom Functions3.1.1. C.Fn-01: Set function when shooting3.1.2. C.Fn-02: Long exp. noise reduction3.1.3. C.Fn-03: Flash sync speed in Av (Aperture-Priority) mode3.1.4. C.Fn-04: Shutter/AE Lock button3.1.5. C.Fn-05: AF assist beam3.1.6. C.Fn-06: Exposure level increments3.1.7. C.Fn-07: Flash firing3.1.8. C.Fn-08: ISO expansion3.1.9. C.Fn-09: Bracket sequence/Auto cancel3.1.10. C.Fn-10: Superimposed display3.1.11. C.Fn-11: Menu button display position3.1.12. C.Fn-12: Mirror lockup3.1.13. C.Fn-13: AF-point selection method3.1.14. C.Fn-14: E-TTL II3.1.15. C.Fn-15: Shutter curtain sync3.1.16. C.Fn-16: Safety shift in Av or Tv3.1.17. C.Fn-17: AF-point activation area3.1.18. C.Fn-18: LCD displ −> Return to shoot3.1.19. C.Fn-19: Lens AF Stop button function3.1.20. C.Fn-20: Add original decision data3.1.21. C.Fn-00: Focusing screen3.2. Sample Customizations3.3. Registering Camera Settings

4.1. Understanding Canon Lenses4.1.1. EF lens mount4.1.2. Ultrasonic Motor4.1.3. L-series lenses4.1.4. Image Stabilization4.1.5. Macro4.1.6. Full-time manual focusing4.1.7. Inner and rear focusing4.1.8. Floating system4.1.9. AF Stop button4.1.10. Focus preset4.1.11. Diffractive Optics4.2. Prime versus Zoom Lenses4.2.1. Single-focal-length lens advantages4.2.2. Single-focal-length lens disadvantages4.2.3. Zoom lenses4.2.4. Zoom lens advantages4.2.5. Zoom lens disadvantages4.3. Using Wide-Angle Lenses4.4. Using Telephoto Lenses4.5. Using Normal Lenses4.6. Using Macro Lenses4.7. Using Tilt-and-Shift Lenses4.8. Using Image-Stabilized Lenses4.9. Exploring Lens Accessories4.9.1. Extending the range of any lens with extenders4.9.2. Increasing magnification with extension tubes and close-up lenses
5.1. Exploring E-TTL Technology5.2. Choosing a Canon EX-series Speedlite5.2.1. Evaluating EOS 5D-compatible Speedlites5.2.2. Canon Speedlite Transmitter, ST-E25.3. Using Speedlites5.3.1. Flash Exposure Compensation5.3.2. Flash Exposure Bracketing5.3.3. Flash Exposure Lock5.3.4. High-speed sync5.4. A Compendium of Flash Techniques5.4.1. Using a Speedlite as an auxiliary light5.4.2. Working with wireless multiple flash setups5.4.3. Balancing lighting extremes
6.1. Overview and Trends6.2. Inspiration and Creative Resources6.3. Packing Your Gear Bag6.4. Shooting Events6.5. A Compendium of Practical Advice
7.1. Overview and Trends7.2. Inspiration and Creative Resources7.3. Packing Your Gear Bag7.4. Shooting Nature, Landscape, and Travel Images7.4.1. Using the characteristics of natural light7.4.1.1. Presunrise and sunrise7.4.1.2. Early morning to midday7.4.1.3. Presunset, sunset, and twilight7.4.1.4. Diffused light7.4.2. Exposure techniques for atypical scenes7.4.3. Shooting in lowlight7.5. A Compendium of Practical Advice
8.1. Overview and Trends8.2. Inspiration and Creative Resources8.3. Packing Your Gear Bag8.4. Shooting Portraits8.4.1. Making outdoor portraits8.4.1.1. Getting the best color8.4.1.2. Use C mode8.4.2. Making indoor portraits8.4.2.1. Window light8.4.2.2. Ambient interior and mixed light8.4.2.3. Studio lighting8.5. A Compendium of Practical Advice
9.1. Overview and Trends9.2. Inspiration and Creative Resources9.3. Packing Your Gear Bag9.4. Shooting Stock and Editorial Images9.5. A Compendium of Practical Advice
10.1. Overview and Trends10.2. Inspiration and Creative Resources10.2.1. Slideshows and DVDs10.2.2. Printed and bound albums10.3. Packing Your Gear Bag10.4. Shooting Weddings10.4.1. Getting ready10.4.2. Capturing the ceremony10.4.3. Focus on the details, portraits, and the reception10.4.3.1. Details10.4.3.2. Portraits10.4.3.3. The reception10.5. A Compendium of Practical Advice
11.1. Characteristics of RAW Images11.2. Choosing a RAW Conversion Program11.3. Sample RAW Image Conversion11.4. Creating an Efficient Workflow11.5. Updating the 5D Firmware
A.1. Canon-produced CMOS SensorsA.1.1. CCD sensorsA.1.2. CMOS sensorsA.2. DiG!C II Image Processor
B.1. TypeB.2. Image SensorB.3. Recording SystemB.4. White BalanceB.5. ViewfinderB.6. AutofocusB.7. Exposure ControlB.8. ShutterB.9. External SpeedliteB.10. Drive SystemB.11. LCD MonitorB.12. PlaybackB.13. Image Protection and EraseB.14. Power SourceB.15. Dimensions and WeightB.16. Operating Environment

Content preview from Canon® EOS 5D Digital Field Guide

Chapter 8. Portait Photography

In This Chapter

Overview and trends
Inspiration and creative resources
Packing the gear bag
Shooting portraits
A compendium of practical advice

Portraiture is an amazing and unique entrée into another person's life. It is all about encapsulating the spirit of the subject. Certainly, this concept is hackneyed, but any photographer who has photographed a fair number of people knows that it is true. Capturing the singular energy of the subject is what brings the subject up and off the photographic paper and into the hearts of those who view the portrait.

Capturing the person's spirit begins by having a bond, a connection with the subject. Ultimately it's the photographer's responsibility to ensure that the bond is established.

But what about portraits where the shooting time is limited to 10 or 15 minutes? That's rarely enough time to create a bond, and it's barely enough time to make the images. Even in those situations, the photographer's experience and knowledge of the subject—perhaps from previous conversations or research on the person—combines with using the lens like a divining rod to quickly hone in on the essence of the subject.

Overview and Trends

Portraiture is a field that crosses many other areas of photography including weddings, fashion, stock, travel, editorial, photojournalism, sports, and commercial shooting. And within each of the areas, various trends abound and change frequently. For the traditional portrait photographer, styles in studio and ...