book

Canon® EOS Rebel T2i/550D Digital Field Guide

by Charlotte K. Lowrie

May 2010

Beginner to intermediate

304 pages

7h 59m

English

Wiley

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1.1. Roadmap to the Rebel T2i/550D1.1.1. Front camera controls1.1.2. Top camera controls1.1.3. Rear camera controls1.1.4. Side camera controls1.1.5. Lens controls1.1.6. The LCD1.1.7. Viewfinder display1.2. Setting Up the Rebel T2i/550D1.3. About Media Cards1.4. Choosing the File Format and Quality1.4.1. JPEG format1.4.2. RAW format1.4.3. RAW + JPEG1.5. Changing File Numbering1.5.1. Continuous file numbering1.5.2. Auto reset1.5.3. Manual reset1.6. Additional Setup Options1.7. Adding a Copyright to Images1.8. Viewing and Finding Images1.8.1. Single-image playback1.8.2. Index display1.8.3. Slide show1.8.4. Image jump1.8.5. Using the Display button1.8.6. Displaying images on a TV1.9. Erasing and Protecting Images1.9.1. Erasing images1.9.2. Protecting images
2.1. Choosing a Shooting Mode2.1.1. How shooting modes relate to exposure2.1.2. Basic Zone shooting modes2.1.2.1. Creative Auto mode2.1.2.2. Full Auto mode2.1.2.3. Flash-off mode2.1.2.4. Portrait mode2.1.2.5. Landscape mode2.1.2.6. Close-up mode2.1.2.7. Sports mode2.1.2.8. Night Portrait mode2.1.2.9. Movie mode2.1.3. Creative Zone shooting modes2.1.3.1. P mode2.1.3.2. Tv mode2.1.3.3. Av mode2.1.3.4. M mode2.1.3.5. A-DEP mode2.2. Setting the ISO Sensitivity2.2.1. About ISO settings2.2.2. Expanded ISO settings2.3. Metering Light to Determine Exposure Settings2.3.1. How the Rebel T2i/550D meters light2.3.2. Four metering modes2.3.2.1. Evaluative metering mode2.3.2.2. Partial metering mode2.3.2.3. Spot metering mode2.3.2.4. Center-weighted Average metering mode2.4. Evaluating and Modifying Exposure2.4.1. Evaluating exposure2.4.1.1. Brightness histogram2.4.1.2. RGB histogram2.4.2. Auto Lighting Optimizer2.4.3. Highlight Tone Priority2.4.4. Exposure Compensation2.4.5. Auto Exposure Bracketing2.4.6. Auto Exposure Lock2.5. Getting Tack-Sharp Focus2.5.1. Choosing an autofocus mode2.5.2. Selecting a single autofocus point2.6. Selecting a Drive Mode2.6.1. Single-shot drive mode2.6.2. Continuous drive mode2.6.3. Self-timer drive modes
3.1. Choosing White Balance Options3.1.1. Using white balance options3.1.2. Set a custom white balance3.1.3. Use White balance auto bracketing3.1.4. Set White balance correction3.2. Choosing and Customizing a Picture Style3.2.1. Choosing a preset Picture Style3.2.2. Customizing a Picture Style3.3. Registering a User-Defined Picture Style3.4. Using the Picture Style Editor3.5. About Color Spaces3.5.1. Comparing color spaces3.5.2. Choosing a color space
4.1. Setting Custom Functions4.1.1. Custom Function groupings4.1.2. Custom Function specifics4.1.2.1. C.Fn I: Exposure4.1.2.1.1. C.Fn-1: Exposure-level increments4.1.2.1.2. C.Fn-2: ISO Expansion4.1.2.1.3. C.Fn-3: Flash sync. speed in Av (Aperture Priority AE) mode4.1.2.2. C.Fn II: Image4.1.2.2.1. C.Fn-4: Long-exposure noise reduction4.1.2.2.2. C.Fn-5: High ISO speed noise reduction4.1.2.2.3. C.Fn-6: Highlight tone priority4.1.2.3. C.Fn III: Autofocus/Drive4.1.2.3.1. C.Fn-7: AF-assist beam firing4.1.2.3.2. C.Fn-8: Mirror Lockup4.1.2.4. C.Fn IV: Operation/Others4.1.2.4.1. C.Fn-9: Shutter/AE Lock button4.1.2.4.2. C.Fn-10: Assign SET button4.1.2.4.3. C.Fn-11: LCD display when power ON4.1.2.4.4. C.Fn-12: Add image verification data4.1.3. Setting Custom Functions4.2. Customizing My Menu4.3. Additional Customization Options4.3.1. Displaying the Quick Control screen4.3.2. Changing the shooting settings screen color
5.1. About Live View Shooting5.1.1. Live View features and functions5.1.1.1. Live View focus5.1.1.2. Metering5.1.1.3. Using a flash5.1.2. Setting up for Live View Shooting5.1.3. Working with Live View5.1.4. Shooting in Live View5.2. Shooting Tethered or with a Wireless Connection

6.1. About Video6.1.1. Video standards6.1.2. Video on the T2i/550D6.2. Recording and Playing Back Videos6.2.1. Setting up for movie recording6.2.2. Recording movies6.2.3. Playing back videos
7.1. Exploring Flash Technology7.1.1. Using the onboard flash7.1.2. Using the flash's autofocus-assist beam without firing the flash7.1.3. Red-eye reduction7.2. Modifying Flash Exposure7.2.1. Flash Exposure Lock7.2.2. Flash Exposure Compensation7.2.3. Using flash control options7.3. Using Accessory Speedlites7.3.1. Using multiple Speedlites7.3.2. Exploring flash techniques7.3.2.1. Bounce flash7.3.2.2. Adding catchlights to the eyes7.3.2.3. Balancing lighting extremes
8.1. Building a Lens System that Lasts8.2. Understanding the Focal-Length Multiplier8.3. Zoom versus Prime Lenses8.3.1. About zoom lenses8.3.2. About prime lenses8.4. Working with Different Types of Lenses8.4.1. Using wide-angle lenses8.4.2. Using telephoto lenses8.4.3. Using normal lenses8.4.4. Using macro lenses8.4.5. Using tilt-and-shift lenses8.4.6. Using Image Stabilized lenses8.5. Setting Lens Peripheral Correction8.6. Doing More with Lens Accessories8.6.1. Lens extenders8.6.2. Extension tubes
9.1. The Four Elements of Exposure9.1.1. Light9.1.2. Sensitivity: The role of ISO9.1.3. Intensity: The role of aperture9.1.3.1. Wide aperture9.1.3.2. Narrow aperture9.1.3.3. Choosing an aperture9.1.3.4. What is depth of field?9.1.3.4.1. Shallow depth of field9.1.3.4.2. Extensive depth of field9.1.3.4.3. Other factors affecting depth of field9.1.4. Time: The role of shutter speed9.2. Equivalent Exposures9.3. Putting It All Together9.4. Approaches to Composition9.4.1. Subdividing the photographic frame9.4.2. Balance and symmetry9.4.3. Tone and color9.4.4. Lines and direction9.4.5. Fill the frame9.4.6. Create a clean background9.4.7. Frame the subject9.4.8. Control the focus and depth of field9.4.9. Defining space and perspective
10.1. Setting up for Event and Action Photography10.1.1. Packing the gear bag10.1.2. Choosing settings10.2. Taking Event and Action Images10.3. Event and Action Photography Tips
11.1. Setting up for Nature and Landscape Shooting11.1.1. Packing the gear bag11.1.2. Choosing settings11.2. Taking Nature and Landscape Images11.2.1. Basic exposure technique11.2.2. Exposing Challenging Scenes11.2.3. Advanced exposure technique11.3. Landscape and Nature Photography Tips
12.1. Setting up for Portraits12.1.1. Selecting gear12.1.2. Setting up the T2i/550D for portrait shooting12.2. Making Portraits12.2.1. Backgrounds12.2.2. Lighting12.2.3. Posing12.2.4. Rapport and direction12.2.5. Exposure approaches12.3. Portrait Photography Tips
A.1. Learning about RAW CaptureA.2. Canon's RAW Conversion ProgramA.3. Sample RAW Image Conversion
B.1. The Gray CardB.2. The Color Checker

Content preview from Canon® EOS Rebel T2i/550D Digital Field Guide

Chapter 9. The Elements of Exposure and Composition

If you haven't used a digital SLR before, then the options for controlling exposure on the T2i/550D may seem foreign to you, and knowing when to use them to get specific results may seem mystifying and overwhelming. But once you know how the elements of exposure work together, the camera will make much more sense. In this chapter, you learn how aperture (f-stop), shutter speed, and ISO affect your images, as well as how they work together. And if you are returning to photography after time away, the information in this chapter serves as a refresher on the elements of exposure. In addition to introducing photographic exposure elements, this chapter includes an overview of composition guidelines and tips.

Both strong color and lines dominate this composition of a floatplane waiting for repairs. Exposure: ISO 200, f/11, 1/200 second using −1/3-stop of Exposure Compensation.

The Four Elements of Exposure

Making a picture begins with your creative eye and personal expression. The unique way that you see a subject or scene is the first step in making engaging and unique pictures. Then you use the camera to help you express how you see the scene or subject. While creativity is first and foremost in making images, there is also an essential technical aspect that enables you to use the camera effectively to express your vision.

While the technical ...