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The Shot Doctor: The Amateur’s Guide to Taking Great Digital Photos

Name: The Shot Doctor: The Amateur’s Guide to Taking Great Digital Photos
Author: Mark Edward Soper
ISBN: 9780768690675

by Mark Edward Soper

May 2009

Beginner

208 pages

4h 21m

English

Que

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The Shot Doctor
About the Author
Acknowledgments
We Want to Hear from You!
Reader Services
Introduction
A Better Book for Everyday Photography
I. Solutions to Common Photo Problems
1. Quick Reference to Common Photo Problems
2. Quick Tour of Typical Digital Cameras
Nikon Coolpix L3Canon PowerShot A580Kodak ZD8612Canon Digital Rebel XTI/EOS 400D
II. Easy Camera Settings and their Limitations

3. Top Ten Problem Photo Situations—and How to Get Better Photos
Snow/Beach/WaterGraduationBirthday CandlesSparklers and CelebrationsConcerts and Stage ShowsChildren at Play and in GroupsSidelighting and BacklightingWedding DayNew BabySports
4. What You Can (and Cannot) Do in Auto Mode
Selecting Auto ModeWhat Auto Mode DoesWhen Auto Mode ShinesWhen Auto Mode has ProblemsEvaluating Your PhotosGoing Beyond Auto Mode
5. Using Scenes
Understanding ScenesTypes of Scene SettingsHow to Use ScenesSunrise, SunsetNightSnowInteriorsOther Scene ModesWhat Scenes Can’t Do
III. Recipes for Better Digital Photos
6. Recipes for Better Indoor and Night Pictures
Why You Need this ChapterChoosing the Right ISOChoosing the Right White BalanceUsing Electronic FlashToo-Dark Flash PhotosShooting at a Distance too Far from Your SubjectUsing Auto ISO or an ISO Below 400Too-Light Flash PhotosFocus on the Background, Not the SubjectSubject at Angle to the Camera or at Different Distances From CameraOff-Color Flash PhotosWrong White Balance SettingMixed LightingAvailable Light at HomeBirthday CandlesGroup Activities without FlashGroup Activities with FlashPlaytimeWindow Light at HomeDealing with “Spotlight” Effect from Direct Sun, Dark BackgroundDealing with Backlit SubjectsIndoor Sporting EventsPrefocus on Where Your Subject will be Instead of Trying to Track ThemUse Panning If You Can’t Use a Really Fast Shutter SpeedIf You Have an Add-On Flash, Put It to WorkChoose the Right Autofocus Method to Track a Moving SubjectNight Sporting EventsLook for Shots that Capture the Mood If You Can’t Capture the ActionPrefocus on the PlaymakerUse Manual Focus If Your Camera Supports ItChurches and MuseumsConcerts and PerformancesFireworksPortraitsCampfiresPetsMixed Lighting
7. Recipes for Better Daytime Pictures
Why You Need this ChapterChoosing the Right AperturePortraitsLandscapesChoosing the Right ISOWhen to Use a Higher (Faster) ISOWhen to Use a Lower (Slower) ISOChoosing the Right White BalanceChoosing the Right Shutter SpeedLandscapesDirectional LightingBuildings and ArchitectureWhy Details MatterShooting From the Inside to Capture Special DetailsChildrenGet Closer...and Use the Right FramingHow to Unclutter the BackgroundShooting at Dawn and DuskSunrise, SunsetBuildings at DuskBetter People PhotosAvoid Overhead LightingBacklight Is Flattering, But Watch the ExposureDistracting Background? Blur It AwayAction Air-Land-WaterUsing SmokeUsing PanningVacationsA New Take on Disney WorldAt the Zoo
8. Recipes for Better Event Pictures
WeddingsBefore the WeddingCapturing the SceneMoving from Outdoors to IndoorsPreparations for the CeremonyShooting the CeremonyShooting the ReceptionHolidays, Showers, and BirthdaysNew Baby in TownBaptisms and ChristeningsReunions and MeetingsRestaurants and Dining
IV. What Makes the Recipes Work
9. Introduction to Creative Control Modes
Why You Need this ChapterBenefits of Creative Control ModesBetter Colors in any LightJust-Right Exposures in Tricky LightingControl What’s in FocusControl How Action Is CapturedControl How Photos Are StoredUsing Program ModeWhen to Use Program Mode—and WhyHow Program Mode WorksHow to Use Program ModeProgram Mode PhotosUsing Shutter Priority ModeWhen to Use Shutter Priority Mode—and WhyHow to Use Shutter Priority ModeShutter Priority Mode PhotosUsing Aperture Priority ModeWhen to Use Aperture Priority Mode—and WhyHow to Use Aperture Priority ModeAperture Priority Mode PhotosUsing Manual ModeWhen to Use Manual Mode—And WhyHow to Use Manual ModeManual Mode PhotosViewing PhotosPhoto Viewing ModesWhy Use Different Viewing Modes?Using Standard Viewing ModeViewing Photos in Other ModesStoring Photos in JPEG FormatWhen to Use JPEG Format—and WhySelecting JPEG Size SettingsSelecting Quality SettingsComparing JPEG Image Size and Quality SettingsStoring Photos in RAW FormatWhen to Use RAW Format—and WhyHow to Use RAW FormatRAW Format Photos
10. Improving Exposure
Why You Need this ChapterUsing Exposure LockWhen to Use Exposure Lock—and WhyHow Exposure Lock WorksHow to Use Exposure LockBefore and After Exposure LockUsing EV AdjustmentWhen to Use EV Adjustment—and WhyHow EV Adjustment WorksHow to Use EV AdjustmentBefore and After EV AdjustmentUsing Spot MeteringWhen to Use Spot MeteringWhy Use Spot Metering?How to Use Spot MeteringBefore and After Spot MeteringUsing ISO AdjustmentsWhen to Use ISO AdjustmentsWhy Use ISO Adjustments?How to Use ISO AdjustmentsBefore and After ISO AdjustmentsDon’t Use Too High an ISO SettingImproving Exposure in Histogram View
11. Improving Color
Why You Need this ChapterWhy Use White Balance Settings?How to Change White Balance SettingsUsing Daylight White BalanceWhen to Use Daylight White Balance—and WhyHow to Use Daylight White BalanceBefore and After Daylight White BalanceUsing Incandescent White BalanceWhen to Use Incandescent White Balance—and WhyHow to Use Incandescent White BalanceBefore and After Incandescent White BalanceUsing Fluorescent White BalanceWhen to Use Fluorescent White Balance—and WhyHow to Use Fluorescent White BalanceBefore and After Fluorescent White BalanceUsing Cloudy/Open Shade White BalanceWhen to Use Cloudy/Open Shade White Balance—and WhyHow to Use Cloudy/Open Shade White BalanceComparing Daylight, Cloudy, and Open Shade White BalanceUsing Custom White BalanceWhen to Use Custom White Balance—and WhyHow to Use Custom White BalanceBefore and After Custom White BalanceUsing Color SettingsWhen to Use Color Settings—and WhyHow to Use Color SettingsColor Settings Compared
12. Stopping Action
Why You Need this ChapterShutter Speeds 101Avoiding Camera ShakeSelecting the “Right” Shutter SpeedCandids and PortraitsSports and ActionWater and RainIce and SnowChildren PlayingAmusement and Theme ParksSelective BlurPanningCapturing Peaks of ActionUsing Continuous Shooting/Burst Mode
13. Using Electronic Flash
Why You Need this ChapterUsing Built-in FlashWhen to Use Built-in FlashControlling Built-in FlashWhy Use Built-in Flash?How to Use Built-in FlashUsing Fill FlashWhen to Use Fill FlashWhy Use Fill Flash?How to Use Fill FlashBefore and After Fill FlashUsing Add-on FlashHow to Use Add-on FlashUsing Bounce, Swivel, and Diffuser OptionsWhen to Use Bounce, Swivel, and Diffuser OptionsWhy Use Bounce, Swivel, and Diffuser Options?How to Use Bounce, Swivel, and Diffuser OptionsBefore and After Photos (Bounce, Swivel, Diffuser)Using Flash Exposure Compensation (EV)When to Use Flash Exposure CompensationWhy Use Flash Exposure Compensation?How to Use Flash Exposure CompensationBefore and After Flash Exposure Compensation
14. Controlling What’s in Focus
Why You Need this ChapterUnderstanding Depth of FieldUsing Focus LockWhen to Use Focus LockHow to Use Focus LockFocus Lock PhotosUsing Different Autofocus MethodsHow to Use Face DetectionHow to Use Multiple Area Focus SelectionUsing User-Selectable Focusing Zones/PointsDifferent Autofocus ModesControlling Focus with Aperture SelectionsWhen to Use Wide AperturesWhen to Use Narrow AperturesSelecting AperturesWide Aperture (Selective Focus) PhotosNarrow Aperture (Deep Focus) PhotosUsing Depth-of-Field PreviewWhen to Use Depth-of-Field PreviewHow to Use Depth-of-Field PreviewUsing Manual FocusWhen to Use Manual FocusHow to Use Manual FocusPreventing Camera ShakeWhen to Use a Tripod or Tripod SubstituteUsing Tripod or Tripod SubstitutesUsing a Self Timer
15. Using Zoom and Interchangeable Lenses
Why You Need this ChapterZoom LensesZoom RatiosOptical Versus Digital ZoomZoom Lenses with Variable AperturesUsing “Normal” Zoom LensesUsing Medium Zoom LensesUsing Long Zoom LensesShooting Portraits with Zoom LensesUsing Fast LensesShooting Ultra Close-ups in Macro ModeUsing FiltersWhen to Use UV and Skylight Filters—and WhyWhen to Use a Polarizing Filter—and WhyHow to Use a Polarizing FilterBefore and After Polarizing FilterWhen to Use Neutral Density (ND) Filters—and WhyAdapting Filters to Your Point-and-Shoot CameraUsing Anti-Shake Technologies
V. Appendixes
A. Glossary
B. FAQs
What Do the Buttons on My Camera Do?Why are some Buttons Marked with more than One Symbol?I Can Store more Pictures by Selecting a Smaller Image Size. Should I?I Can Store more Pictures by Selecting a Lower-Quality Setting. Should I?Should I Shoot in Widescreen or 3:2 Modes?Why Should I Set the Date and Time on My Camera?How Can I Find Out What Settings were Used for a Picture?How Big a Memory Card Do I Need?Can’t I Just Fix Bad Pictures with My Computer?Why Do Cameras with the Same Megapixel Rating Cost Different Amounts of Money?My Camera Keeps Turning Itself Off. How Can I Stop this from Happening?How Can I Remove Red Eye After Taking Pictures?Should I Use Rechargeable or Throwaway Batteries?Should I Use My Digital Camera to Shoot Video?

Content preview from The Shot Doctor: The Amateur’s Guide to Taking Great Digital Photos

Chapter 14. Controlling What’s in Focus

Why You Need this Chapter

If you want to create decent photos, it’s essential to make sure your main subject is in focus. However, that isn’t as easy as it sounds. For example, if you’re shooting landscapes, you want everything (or almost everything) in the frame to be in sharp focus (see Figure 14.1). However, for portraits, you want to blur out the background (see Figure 14.2).

Figure 14.1. Narrow (f/20) aperture helps keep this sunset in sharp focus.

Wide (f/5.6) aperture blurs the background for a great portrait.

Figure 14.2. Wide (f/5.6) aperture blurs the background for ...

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The Way of the Digital Photographer: Walking the Photoshop post-production path to more creative photography

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The Shot Doctor: The Amateur’s Guide to Taking Great Digital Photos

by Mark Edward Soper

Chapter 14. Controlling What’s in Focus

Why You Need this Chapter

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.