basic dslr photography and videography for aitians

Pakistan Students Association (PSA AIT)Fawad and Adnan

DSLR Photography, Videography and Photo/Video Editing

A Workshop on

Why this Workshop?

Note: Our prior apology from those who find the contents too basic.

Workshop Contents

Part 1: DSLR Photography

Part 2: Photo Editing (Adobe Lightroom)

Part 3: DSLR Video Shooting

Part 4: Video Editing (Cyberlink Power Director)

Part 1: DSLR Photography The basics and 3 Elements of Exposure (shutter

speed, aperture and ISO)

Lenses and Focal Lengths

Summary

A Quick Settings Slideshow

Types of Digital Cameras

3 Main classifications

Point and Shoot

Prosumer

Digital SLR

Point and Shoot digital Cameras (P&S)

Commonly referred to as consumer digital cameras.

Represent probably 90% of all digital cameras on the market

Typically small, compact and lightweight

Targeted at broad majority

Typically very User-Friendly

Image Quality has improved drastically

Prosumer Digital Cameras

Common term used to describe advanced models of P&S (now also used to describe many entry level DSLR's)

Similar in shape and appearance to Digital SLR's

Typically have extended zoom range (8-12X)

Typically combine user friendly P&S features with more advanced manual features.

Digital SLR (DSLR)

SLR Stands for Single Lens Reflex

Have larger sensors, resulting in greater image quality

Tend to favor manual control

Much larger and heavier

Ability to interchange system lenses

Entry Level DSLRs

Canon EOS 100D

Canon EOS 1200D

Canon EOS 600D

Canon EOS 650D

Canon EOS 700D

Canon EOS 60D

Nikon D3200

Nikon D3300

Nikon D5200

Nikon D5300

Nikon D5500

Olympus E-PL6

Fujifilm X-A1

Sony a3000

Sony 5000

Sony 5100

Exposure Modes

There are several modes available which offer a combination of automatic and manual controls.

Auto, sometimes represented by an A, or simply a green square, is fully automatic functioning. True point and shoot where the camera decides all the settings for you

The Manual Mode

Know your Camera

The Manual Mode The 3 Pillars of Photography

Shutter Speed

Aperture, f-stop

ISO

Variables to play with

Exposure

Shutter Speed

ISO ApertureAmount of Grains/Noise

Depth of field

Motion Blur

Light meter

Proper Exposure

Under-exposed Over-exposed

The 3 Pillars of Photography

Shutter Speed

Aperture, f-stop

ISO

The Shutter Speed

Shutter Speed

How long the shutter remains open, exposing the image sensor to light.

How long the camera sees the picture

Measured in Seconds, from 30 sec to 1/8000 sec

The more the shutter speed (bigger denominator of the fraction the lesser time light is allowed to enter the camera), the lesser the exposure.

30 sec . 10 sec. 1 sec . sec ..1/5 sec . 1/10 sec 1/25 sec ... 1/100 sec ...1/500 sec 1/2000 sec . 1/4000 sec 1/8000 sec

Shutter Speed is getting higher

The image is getting darker

Less amount of light is allowed to enter in the camera

Shutter opens and closes quickly

Shutter Speed

Fast Shutter Speeds (600 and up) are used to stop motion and will freeze the subject.

Shutter Speed

If the shutter speed is such a low value that the object or camera moves/changes position before the shutter closes, you will get Motion blur.

Slow Shutter Speeds (1/60 or slower) can be used to portray movement or speed

Shutter Speed Very Slow Shutter Speeds (5 sec. or slower) can be used in very low light

situations to obtain correct exposure, or achieve dramatic effects.

As your shutter speed decreases, your chances of getting a blurry image increase because you must hold the camera steady for a longer period.Maximum zoom is hard to hold camera steady for a sharp pictureSlowest shutter speed without a tripod is 1/focal length of lens

Slow Shutter Speed Fast Shutter Speed

Slow shutter speed Fast shutter speed

Panning

During the exposure, the camera is moved in the same direction as the subject.

Resulting in a reasonably sharp subject and a blurred background

Movement Compensation

Refers to the cameras ability to correct small movements by the user while taking a picture, in order to reduce the blur caused by camera shake.

Represented differently by different companies:

Nikon VR Vibration Reduction

Canon IS Image Stabilization

Pentax SR Shake Reduction

Sony SSS Super Steady-Shot

Moving Object Shutter Speeds - NO Blur

Which shutter speed to use for subjects depends on 3 factors:

How big the object appear in the frame

Which direction it is moving

How fast it is moving

Moving Object Shutter Speeds - NO Blur

Moving Object Shutter Speeds For Blur

Blur can be used to emphasise movement

Amount of blur depends on speed of movement of subject and shutter speed

Shutter Speed (sec)

Subject Moderate Blur Extreme Blur

Person Walking 1/30 sec sec

Person Running 1/60 sec 1/15 sec

Horse Trotting 1/30 sec 1/8 sec

Horse Galloping 1/125 sec 1/30 sec

Car at 30mph (50kph) 1/125 sec 1/30 sec

Car at 70mph (110kph) 1/250 sec 1/60 sec

Water 1-2 sec 3 sec +


Shutter Speed

Aperture, f-stop

ISO

Aperture f/stop

Size of the lens opening - Controls the brightness of light that reaches the film

STOP refers to a change in exposure, whether the shutter speed or aperture is changed

one stop more exposure means to double the light reaching the film

one stop less exposure means to half the light reaching the film

Each f/stop number can be though of as the bottom part of a fraction

The larger the f/stop number, the smaller the lens opening

f/11 is a smaller opening than f/4

f/1.4 f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

For example, if you shoot at f/stop 5.6, and then change it to f/8, you are letting exactly half as much light strike the film or sensor.

f/stop

f/stop is getting higher

The image is getting darker

Less amount of light is allowed to enter in the camera

Size of lens opening is getting smaller

f/1.4 f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22

Depth-of-field is increasing

BUT

The area of a scene from foreground to background that will remain acceptably sharp when we focus on a subject is called the depth of field.

f/22 provides more depth of field than f/4

You determine what you want to draw your viewers attention to.

shallow depth of field

f/4

Focus Point on b

increased depth of field

f/22

Depth of field

Compare depth of field at f/3.5 and f/22.

Smaller aperture (f/22), deep depth of field Larger aperture (f/4), shallow depth of field

A wide aperture (small #) will give a shallow DOF which can be used to isolate a subject.

Depth of field Depth of Field is not divided equally

You should note that Depth of Field is roughly divided 1/3 in front of where you are focused and 2/3 behind where you

are focused


Shutter Speed

Aperture, f-stop

ISO

ISO

Measure of sensitivity of your camera to light.

ISO: General Rules and tips

ISO settings are often rated at 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, and even 3200 on some models

Use an ISO of 100 or 200 when taking photographs outside in sunny conditions.

If the sky is overcast or it is evening time, or in a darkened room, then use an ISO within the range of 400 to 800.

Night time or in cases of low light you might need to set your digital camera ISO to 1600. If not your photo will appear too dark, if at all.

Using High ISO values causes the sensor to produce much more heat, which creates digital noise in images.

ISO Setting

ISO measures the sensitivity of the image sensor. The lower the number the less sensitive your camera is to light and the finer the grain.

Set the lowest setting possible to avoid noise

ISO 100 ISO 3200

ISO Setting

The fourth Element - White Balance

White Balance is essentially the camera compensating for the color cast of the light in order to reproduce the correct colors.

The color cast of light is referred to as its Color Temperature and is rated in degrees Kelvin

Ranges from Cool to Warm

Most Digital cameras have Automatic White Balance, but also specific options for different sources of light.




Summary


The lens Light rays strike the subject and reflect in all

directions. The light hits all parts of the sensor,

everywhere, in a uniform pattern.

We need to find a way to aim that light to form an image.

The focal plane

A central question for photographers: do you want your subject to be a larger part of the frame, or a smaller part?

One way to change this is to move forward or backward.

A second way is to change the focal length of the lens.

The point of convergence of refracted light is called the focal point.

The focal point may be adjusted so that it is exactly at the same point as the film or sensor.

This is called in focus.

Refraction points

Some lenses bend light quite sharply. These are said to be short or wide-angle lenses.

Others bend light more gradually, These are long or telephoto lenses.

Zoom lens

Focal length is the measurement of the space between the lens and the focal plane, expressed in millimeters.

18-55 mm lens

55-250mm lens

18-135mm lens

A lens that is capable of changing focal length is called a zoom lens.

A fixed focal length lens is sometimes called a prime lens.

50mm lens

70mm lens

300mm lens

Most zoom lenses sacrifice speed for flexibility. Also, they may be less sharp.

Focal length and Zoom

If a focal length is short, the image takes up less space on the focal plane (sensor or film).

If it is long, the image takes up more space.

Therefore, a long lens brings us closer to the subject, like a binoculars.

The focal length of the lens is usually stamped on the lens barrel or ring.

Perspective

Here is a comparison of perspectives.

Wide angle and telephoto

28mm (wide angle) and 105mm (telephoto). Note sign is about the same size.

28mm (wide angle) 105mm (telephoto)

Telephoto stacking A telephoto, or long focal length, lens gives appearance that objects are

closer together. Youve probably seen this startling effect on photos of airplanes that seem to be landing right on the highway.

Wide Angle Lens vs. Telephoto Lens

Focal Length

Depth of field (Effect of focal length and distance)

Depth of field is directly affected by three things:

F/stop

Focal length

Camera-to-subject distance

Depth of field and focal length

If you have a wide-angle lens, your focus can be fairly sloppy and you can still get a sharp photo.

If you are shooting with a telephoto, depth of field is shallow. Not much beyond the actual subject will be sharp.

Depth of field and focal length

Depth of field and camera-to-subject distance

When you get closer to a subject, the depth of field becomes more shallow.

When you get really close, depth of field may be nearly zero. That is why a macro (close-up) lens requires careful focusing.

Macro and depth of field

Here is a close-up at f/4.5 and f/19.

Depth of field in P&S Cameras

Simple point-and-shoot cameras without a focus mechanism often have normal or wide-angle lenses.

This is because with these lenses depth of field is large, commonly between 5 feet and 15 feet (1.5 meters to 4.5 meters).

This means you can snap a subject anywhere in that area and be confident it will look sharp.

The Lens Specifications - f/stops and focal lengths

The longer the telephoto lens, the bigger in diameter it has to be to obtain the same f/stop.

To obtain f/2 with a 200mm lens, you need a diameter of 100mm.

This is why fast telephoto and zoom lenses become big heavy pieces of glass, and why they usually cost a LOT of money.

The fastest lens (lowest f/stop) in theory, is 1.0 f/stop. That doesnt exist, but 1.2 f/stop does. For a price.

Regular zoom lenses that offer a wide range will have a smaller possible f/stop number at the telephoto end than at the wide-angle end.

Stamped on the barrel will be something like f/3.5 - f/5.6 or f/4 f/5.6

The Lens Specifications - f/stops and focal lengths

Here are standard f/stops:

1.4, 1.8 (or 2), 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32, 45.

No one lens offers this entire range.

Usually the lens speed, or widest possible f/stop, will be stamped on the barrel. Also depth of field at different f/stop and focus combinations.

Some cameras offer a depth-of-field preview button. This shows you in your viewfinder what will be in focus.

Aperture: General Rules and tips

A larger lens opening (f1.8-3.5) offers the following advantages:

Allows you to shoot more often with just natural lighting helps to reduce harsh shadows and red-eye caused by flash.

Allows more light to pass through, the camera will be able to choose a slightly higher shutter speed helps to reduce motion blur.

Helps to reduce "depth-of-field (for effect).

How to read a lens

Zoom is 18-55mm.

Speed is f/3.5 (at 18 mm) to 5.6 (at 55mm).

VR means Vibration Reduction.

G means no aperture ring.

AF-S means Auto Focus-Single.

And of course, the model name is Nikkor DX.

Some cameras also include filter size.

Information you need is usually stamped on the front ring.

Why a fixed focal length?

Most of us use zoom lenses nowadays, but fixed focal lengths (prime) have advantages:

They tend to be sharper.

They tend to be more simple in construction, so more trouble-free.

They are cheaper.

They are usually fasterthe biggest reason they remain popular.

What is fast? Anything lower than about f/4.




Summary


Shutter Speed The time given to light to enter in camera and creates image

ApertureThe time given to light to enter in camera and creates image

ISOThe time given to light to enter in camera and creates image

30 sec . 1 sec .. 1/101/100..1/1000..1/4000

f/1.8 f/3.5..f/10.f/22 100, 1604001600.6400

Sh

utt

er

Sp

ee

d

Ex

po

sure

30 sec

1/4000 secDarkest but without blur

Ap

ert

ure

Ex

po

sure

f/1.8

f/22

Brightest but blurry

Darkest but highest DOF

Brightest but least DOF

ISO

Ex

po

sure

100

6400

Brightest but grainy/less sharp

Darkest but less grainy/sharp

Rough Guidelines

Sports

Night

Indoor

Portrait

Landscape

High Shutter Speed to avoid motion blur

High ISO for exposure, To center light meter

????

Low f/stop, To separate object from backgroundHigh f/stop, To bring everything in focus

e.g. SS = 1/500 sec

e.g. ISO = 1000

?????

e.g. f/stop = f/2.8

e.g. f/stop = f/8

Summary

Shutter Speed and Aperture

To get a correctly exposed picture, you need a combination of shutter speed and aperture

Each shutter speed lets in twice as much light as the next faster speed

1/60 lets in 2x as much light as 1/125

Each aperture setting lets in twice as much light as the next smaller opening (larger-numbered setting)

f/4 lets in 2x as much light as f/5.6


F stop f/22 f/16 f/11 f/8 f/5.6 f/4 f/2.8

shutter speed 1/4 1/8 1/15 1/30 1/60 1/125 1/250

Shutter Speed and Aperture Reciprocity

Similar to reciprocity, ISO numbers either halve or double the sensitivity to light

i.e. 1/30s shutter speed @ 100 ISO = 1/60s shutter speed @ 200 ISO

Shooting Modes (Canon and Nikon)

Canon Nikon

Scene Modes

Scene Modes are basically fully automatic modes designed specifically for a certain situation.

They typically place emphasis on one or more settings based on the typical circumstances of the situation chosen.

Portrait large aperture, small DOF

Landscape / Mountains small aperture, large DOF, focused around infinity

Sports Short shutter speeds to freeze movement, probably large aperture

Camera Exposure Modes

Auto / Program Not the best for low light

Shutter Priority Tv or Shutter Priority allows you to choose the shutter speed while the camera chooses the aperture which would produce the correct exposure

Aperture priority Av or Aperture Priority allows you to choose the aperture value while the camera chooses the shutter speed required to obtain a correct exposure

Manual Full creative control! :)

Metering Modes

The metering system within a camera measures the amount of light in a frame and determines the best exposure.

Many cameras have more than one metering mode and each evaluates a scene in a different way.

Essentially, by changing the metering mode you are telling the camera to evaluate the scene in a different way.

Metering Modes

Focus Points




Summary


Note: All photos shown are taken using Canon EOS 650D

AIT Sports - Main Ground

ISO = 800

Shutter = 1/800 sec

F-stop = f/5.6

Focal Length = 250 mm

AIT Outdoor Main Gate

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/800 sec

F-stop = f/5.6



ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/800 sec

F-stop = f/5.6


ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/500 sec

F-stop = f/5.6



ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/500 sec

F-stop = f/5.6



ISO = 800

Shutter = 1/250 sec

F-stop = f/3.5


Milton Bender Hall

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/50 sec

F-stop = f/3.5


AITCC

ISO = 400

Shutter = 1/100 sec

F-stop = f/5.6


AITCC

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/60 sec

F-stop = f/4


AITCC

ISO = 200Shutter = 1/125 secF-stop = f/4Focal Length = 55 mm


Korea House

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/80 sec

F-stop = f/4.5


Flash

Korea House

ISO = 100

Shutter = 1/100 sec

F-stop = f/3.5


Flash

AIT Outdoor and Landscape

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/1000 sec

F-stop = f/5.6



ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/500 sec

F-stop = f/3.5


AIT Outdoor

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/200 sec

F-stop = f/8


AIT Outdoor

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/500 sec

F-stop = f/3.5



ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/500 sec

F-stop = f/5


AIT at Night (Long Exposure)

ISO = 100

Shutter = 30 sec

F-stop = f/3.5


AIT at Night (Long Exposure)

ISO = 100

Shutter = 8 sec

F-stop = f/3.5


AIT at Evening

ISO = 200


F-stop = f/5.6


AIT at Evening (Going to the very limits of my machine)

ISO = 200


F-stop = f/20


AIT at Night (Fireworks)

Shutter Speed = 1/5 sec



Portraits

ISO = 100

Shutter = 1/100 sec

F-stop = f/3.5


Portraits

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/160 sec

F-stop = f/5.6


F-stop is not that much low, then why the background is nicely separated from object???

Portraits

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/200 sec

F-stop = f/5



Portraits

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/250 sec

F-stop = f/5.6



Portraits

ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/200 sec

F-stop = f/5



Now what about.

Sports.. in.. Night.. ????

Landscape .. with People .. Jumping


ISO = 200

Shutter = 1/320 sec

F-stop = f/7.1


Nothing is controlling here???

ISO = 200


F-stop = f/3.5


Why Flash is not Desirable?

How to use Flash effectively?

Which one is better? Why?

Waiting for the Moment

Moon Photography


Exposure = 30 sec

Playing with Colors

QuizGuess the settings in terms of HIGH, LOW and Not a Controlling Factor you would use to take these photos?

What Do you Think is WRONG in this Photo?

What Do you Think is DIFFERENT in this Photo?

Perspective

Some Principles Un-clutter the picture. Zoom in.

Put subject off-center / Rule of thirds

Use of frames, lines & diagonals

Dramatic Perspective

Unusual camera angles

Frame your photo with foreground objects.

Some Principles

Take Vertical Pictures

Many subjects look better in a vertical picture

Make a conscious effort to turn your camera and take vertical pictures

Wasted Space

Use Auto Focus

Center the subject

Press Shutter Button halfway down

Re-Frame your picture

Finish by Pressing the Shutter Button all the way down

Stabilize

Tripods

Use for sharp images

Eliminates shake

Get a stiff tripod

Great for close ups

Light Avoid using flash, even for night shots, The indiscriminate

blast of flash destroys the intimate mood of existing light

Side Lighting instead of front or overhead (noon-time) lighting

Use fill-in flash, for backlit situations or overhead sun, camera auto exposure is sometimes confused

Traffic Trails

Once you master all settings, you can play with them !!!

Light Explosion

Light Explosion / Motion blur With an SLR zoom the lens during a long exposure

Out of Focus

Bright, colourful pinpoint light sources work best (try illuminations?)

Painting with Light

Painting with Light

Use a small torch or sparkler to draw on images.

A short burst of flash can also be used to illuminate objects / people if you draw around them

Funfairs

Fireworks Concentrate on aerial rocket displays for best result

Best view is further back, behind the crowds. Elevated position good if you can find one.

Try to fill the frame as much as possible

Recommended Settings for Fireworks

Set small aperture, e.g. f/16

Use a wide angle (28-35mm) to capture the whole of the display

Use a telephoto (50mm+) to fill the frame with firework explosions

Using the Bulb setting, open the shutter for 2-60 seconds - hopefully to capture multiple fireworks

Can open the shutter for longer if you block the light with your hand or a black card between fireworks longer gives a much more impressive picture

Night Exposure Guide (This is only a guide)

Suggested Exposure at f/16 aperture

Film Speed (ISO) 100 200 400 800

Subject

Cityscape just after sunset 4 secs 2 secs 1 sec sec

Cityscape at night 20 secs 10 secs 5 secs 3 secs

Docks and bridges with reflection 30 secs 15 secs 8 secs 4 secs

Traffic trails on busy road 30 secs 15 secs 8 secs 4 secs

Floodlit Building 4 secs 2 secs 1 sec sec

Floodlit castles, churches at dusk 15 secs 8 secs 4 secs 2 secs

Floodlit castles, churches at night 30 secs 15 secs 8 secs 4 secs

Floodlit statues and fountains 8 secs 4 secs 2 secs 1 sec

Neon Sign 2 secs 1 secs sec sec

Illuminated shop window 2 secs 1 secs sec sec

Outdoor Illuminations 20 secs 10 secs 5 secs 3 secs

Fairground Rides 15 secs 8 secs 4 sec 2 secs

Bonfire Flames 2 secs 1 secs sec sec

Aerial Firework Display 2-60 secs 2-30 secs 2-15 secs 2-8 secs

Landscape lit by moonlight 30 mins 15 mins 8 mins 2 mins

Landscape at twilight 1 min 30 sec 15 secs 8 secs

Domestic Interior (tungsten) 8 secs 4 secs 2 secs 1 sec

Workshop Contents





Post Processing and Image Management

ACD Systems ACDSee Pro 6 and ACDSee Photo Editor Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 or 5 Apple Aperture 3 DxO Optics Pro 8 Paint.net Phase One Capture One Pro 7 Corel PaintShop Pro X5 GIMP 2.8 Pixelmator 2.2 'Blueberry' Pixlr Editor Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 Picasa

How Many Megapixels?

MP 4X6 (in) 5X7 (in) 8X10 (in)11X14 (in)

16X20 (in)

2 Exc Good Fair Poor Poor

3 Exc Exc Good Fair Poor

4 Exc Exc Exc Good Fair

5 Exc Exc Exc Exc Good

8 Exc Exc Exc Exc Exc

11 Exc Exc Exc Exc Exc

File Format

Refers to the way the computer stores the data

More common formats include:

JPEG (Most widely used, can compress image data, Do not edit JPEG images in photo-editing programs to minimize data loss)

EXIF (a variation of the JPEG format, Stores extra data as metadata with the image file)

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format, Does not compress as much as JPEG, Choose when picture quality is more important than file size

RAW (Does not include any in-camera processing features, Provides a truer version of the scene in front of the camera, Large file size

Camera RAW

An important feature of DSLRs is the ability to store images in RAW format.

JPEG format color corrects, sharpens and compresses the image information and so takes some control away from the photographer.

RAW records image directly as the sensor sees it, without processing.

It allows photographers to use all the digital information gathered by the sensor.

The photographer does the processing in Photoshop.

Resolution

Number of pixels captured by the image sensor.

Higher Resolution Image300 ppi

Lower Resolution Image72 ppi

A Quick Lightroom Demonstration

Workshop Contents





Variables to play with

Exposure

Shutter Speed

ISO ApertureAmount of Grains/Noise

Depth of field

Motion Blur

Neutral Density (ND) filters

We can reduce the amount of light entering the lens with a Neutral Density (ND) filter.

This is useful if we want to shoot with a wide aperture on a bright day.

ND4 (1-stop) Graduated ND Fader ND

What Shutter Speed should be used for Film Making?

The shutter speed of each frame is limited by the frame rate. (Shooting) at 24 fps, the LONGEST exposure possible is 1/24s.

To mimic the appearance of film, shoot as close as possible to half your frame rate. E.g. at 24 fps, set your shutter to 1/50s.

You can increase your shutter speed, for a stroboscopic, choppy appearance (e.g. Gladiator).

What f-stop should be used for Film Making?

Depends on how far your subject or you will move in that particular scene.

Interviews

Parties

Sports

Presentations and Class Lectures

Some Considerations

Focus in motion - Auto Servo Focus

Audio issues

Zooming

Fawad and Adnan

Thank youNow go out and take some pictures!!!