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Posts Tagged ‘Adjust’

Moving to Manual Mode: Which Setting Should You Adjust First?

23 Feb

The post Moving to Manual Mode: Which Setting Should You Adjust First? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.

moving-to-manual-mode-photography

Moving to manual mode is often considered too difficult by many beginner photographers. In reality, learning manual mode is not so hard to do. Sure, it’s not for everyone. Many photographers are content to let their camera sort out the exposure settings.

One of the most common questions I get asked by people I am teaching to use manual mode is “which setting should I adjust first?” Unfortunately, there is no set answer to this question. It depends on what you are photographing.

motion and DOF control, moving to manual mode, ballet dancer

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Moving to manual mode

Shifting your mindset is the most important aspect of moving to manual mode. Are you comfortable using any of the auto or semi-auto exposure modes on your camera? Then you need to make some changes to the way you think.

First, it rarely matters if it takes you a little longer to set your camera. Very few memorable photos are taken as snaps on the spur of the moment. Slow down.

Understand the basics of how you can set the exposure manually, then practice. Once you commit to moving to manual mode, you will find it’s not difficult to manage.

There are only three settings you need to work with to manually control your exposure – shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. These regulate the exposure.

The exposure meter, also known as the light meter, guides your decision making. With many cameras, you can also use the rear monitor to gauge your exposure. With mirrorless cameras, you can typically see the effect of adjustments you make to exposure in the viewfinder.

Woman Photographer at the Shopping Mall, moving to manual mode

© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Balancing these three settings will result in a well-exposed subject. Each setting can also affect your photos in different ways. These are important to understand to be in control of how you want your photos to look.

When you are first moving to manual mode, you may not know where to start in setting your exposure. There are many variations on how to set your camera.

Each photographer may use a different method. I base my choices on what I am photographing.

Here are the answers I give my workshop participants about which setting to change first.

When to adjust your shutter speed first

Photographing a moving subject means you need to consider your shutter speed first. If your shutter speed is too slow, your moving subject may appear blurred.

At times you will want this effect. Often you will want your subject to be sharp, without any motion blur or camera shake fuzziness.

Young woman standing in a busy market. Shot using a slow shutter speed to get the movement of the people blurred. Moving to manual mode

Shutter speed was 1/2 a second. My model stood very still © Kevin Landwer-Johan

You need to consider how fast your subject is moving to know an appropriate shutter speed to use. The faster the movement, the faster the shutter speed you’ll need to use to freeze the action.

Making use of motion blur in your photos also requires you to think about how fast your subject is moving. If you set your shutter speed too slow, you’ll see too much blur, and your subject may not be recognizable.

Alternatively, if your shutter speed is a bit too fast, your subject may only blur a little. This often looks like a mistake has been made.

To capture a person walking and have them look sharp, you’ll need to use a shutter speed of 1/250th of a second or faster. If you want them to blur a little and still be recognizable, you’ll need to set your shutter speed at around 1/10 of a second or a little slower.

Low light may mean your shutter speed needs to be slow. It’s important not to choose a speed that’s so slow you’ll get blurring from camera shake. This happens when you are hand-holding your camera and move it slightly during the exposure. I’ll address this more in the section about ISO setting.

Once you have adjusted your shutter speed, you will then need to set your aperture and ISO. This is what your exposure meter, monitor, or viewfinder can guide you to do.

Image: I used a shutter speed of 1/1250th of a second to ‘freeze’ the flying water © Kev...

I used a shutter speed of 1/1250th of a second to ‘freeze’ the flying water © Kevin Landwer-Johan

When to adjust your aperture setting first

Aperture, among other things, allows you to control the depth of field in your photographs. This is the amount of your photo that is sufficiently sharp. The wider aperture you choose (lower f/stop number), the less you’ll have in focus in your picture.

Choosing to adjust the aperture first is a decision based on how much of your composition you want in focus.

At times, you might want to render as much of your composition in focus as possible. This is a common choice when photographing landscapes.

Setting your aperture to a higher f/stop number (i.e., f/8-f/22) will give you more depth of field. Understanding hyperfocal distance will help you make better choices about getting a deep depth of field.

Isolating your subject by blurring the background requires you use a lower f/stop number (i.e., f/1.2 to f4). Doing so means more light will enter your lens. You’ll need to adjust your shutter speed and/or ISO to make sure your subject is well exposed.

Manipulating the aperture setting first is something I often do when I have a static subject. This is because the shutter speed I use is not so significant as it is when my subject is moving.

Moving to manual mode to photograph a Thai dancer

I used an aperture of f/2 on an 85mm lens to control the depth of field. © Kevin Landwer-Johan

When to adjust your ISO setting first

I treat my ISO setting as the foundation of my exposure. I only alter it when I need to. Unlike shutter speed and aperture settings, ISO has no creative influence. However, it does have an effect on the technical quality of your images.

Changing your ISO first is a good idea when you have moved from one location to another, and the light is significantly different. If you’re outside photographing in the bright sun and move inside, you will most likely need to adjust your ISO. Likewise, if you’re photographing in a dark place, and then want to take photos somewhere that’s well illuminated, you may need to change your ISO.

When you are having to set a slow shutter speed to get a good exposure, you need to consider changing your ISO setting. This is more vital when you are hand-holding your camera, because of the risk of camera shake. When your shutter speed is slow, and your aperture is wide open, increasing your ISO will allow you to also increase your shutter speed.

My rule of thumb is to keep the ISO setting as low as possible. This will ensure the best technical quality. As camera sensors have improved over the years, quality problems at high ISO settings have diminished. I still find keeping my ISO low is a good way of managing my settings.

Monks Lighting Candles at night

I used an ISO setting of 3200 © Kevin Landwer-Johan

Manual mode balancing act

Obtaining a well-exposed subject using manual mode is not very difficult. It’s a matter of balancing your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings. The key to managing to do this well is practice.

Moving to manual mode may seem like a big step, especially if you’ve been comfortable letting your camera control the exposure. Once you do make the decision to take control of your camera you will need to stick with it.

Switch back to an auto mode only when you need to. Otherwise, you will never learn how to take charge of your manual exposure settings properly.

 

The post Moving to Manual Mode: Which Setting Should You Adjust First? appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.


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Viewfinder Image Blurry? You May Need to Adjust Your Camera’s Diopter – Here’s How

23 Jul

Have you ever looked through a camera’s viewfinder and only been able to see a blurry image even after focusing? If you are always seeing a blurred image the diopter is not set correctly for your eyes. This happens every time I pick up my wife’s camera. She is near-sighted and I am far sighted.

Demonstration of diopter blur photo - Viewfinder Image Blurry? You May Need to Adjust Your Camera's Diopter - Here's How

What your viewfinder looks like when the diopter is not set correctly for your eye.

What is a diopter?

The diopter is a small lens in your camera’s viewfinder. It allows you to match the focus of your viewfinder to your eye. So before I can see anything clearly through the viewfinder on my wife’s camera I must focus this small lens. She has to do the same when she uses my camera.

If your eyesight is good and you are using a camera that’s had the diopter adjusted, you will see a blurry image in the viewfinder. You will need to adjust the diopter to correct this so you can see a sharp image.

I am surprised by the number of people who join our workshops here in Thailand that tell me they never see anything sharp in their viewfinder. After a quick adjustment, they are often surprised by how sharp the image is appearing in their viewfinder.

sharp photo illustrating diopter setting - Viewfinder Image Blurry? You May Need to Adjust Your Camera's Diopter - Here's How

When your diopter is adjusted properly you will see a sharp image and a sharp information display.

The easiest way to see if your diopter needs adjusting is to look at the information and guidelines you see in your viewfinder. If you cannot clearly see the numbers and lines sharply this means your diopter is not set correctly for your eyes.

How to Adjust the Diopter

DSLR cameras with optical viewfinders and mirrorless cameras with electronic viewfinders all have diopters.

Diopter Adjustment Wheel - Viewfinder Image Blurry? You May Need to Adjust Your Camera's Diopter - Here's How
Locate the Diopter Adjustment Control

The diopter adjustment control will most likely be a small wheel or slider close to your camera’s viewfinder. Most diopter controls are labeled with + and – signs.

Mount Your Camera

When you want to adjust the diopter it is best to have your camera mounted on a tripod or somewhere it will not move. You want to do this where you have a scene with good contrast. Something that your camera can autofocus on easily.

Focus Your Camera

Focus your camera using the autofocus. If you are using a camera or lens without autofocus you will need to look at the focus indicators in the viewfinder to ensure the lens is in focus. If your diopter is adjusted incorrectly for your eyes you will not see a sharp image in the viewfinder at this point.

photo of an eye - Viewfinder Image Blurry? You May Need to Adjust Your Camera's Diopter - Here's How
Adjust Your Diopter

Start to turn the diopter wheel or move the slider. As the image comes into focus keep adjusting until you see a blurred image again. Now dial back your control so you see a sharp image (go back and forth until it’s as sharp as you can get). Now your diopter should be set correctly.

If you cannot see a sharp image in your viewfinder at any point of the adjustment you need to look at the display information. The exposure display in the viewfinder will come into focus at some point. If the display info is sharp in your viewfinder but the image is still blurry, you have a different problem.

The problem may be with the camera’s autofocus system or the lens. Here are a few suggestions for what to do in this situation:

  • Try changing lenses or zooming.
  • Make sure your lens is set to autofocus.
  • Attempt to focus manually.
  • Check focus using your camera’s LCD screen and Live View
  • Take your camera for repair.

Chinese Woman Photographer - Viewfinder Image Blurry? You May Need to Adjust Your Camera's Diopter - Here's How

Wearing Glasses or Contacts

If you normally wear glasses or contact lenses you can adjust your diopter to suit.  If you prefer wearing glasses while using your camera, adjust the diopter with your glasses on.

But if you prefer not to wear your glasses while using your camera’s viewfinder, make the adjustments while you are not wearing them. If your eyesight is quite bad you may not be able to adjust your diopter sufficiently though and may need to keep your glasses on.

Add-On Diopter Accessories

If your diopter will not adjust to give you a clear image in your viewfinder you might need an add-on accessory diopter. Not all camera models will accommodate these so you will need to check your camera manual.

Boy with glasses - Viewfinder Image Blurry? You May Need to Adjust Your Camera's Diopter - Here's How

Diopter adjustment is simple but can make a significant difference to your photography enjoyment. It is always good to see a sharp image when you look through your viewfinder.

The post Viewfinder Image Blurry? You May Need to Adjust Your Camera’s Diopter – Here’s How appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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The iPhone camera may soon use ‘SmartCam’ AI to adjust to different scenes on the fly

04 Aug

Apple’s Photos app and other gallery solutions have used AI (artificial intelligence) technology for years now to identify objects and scenes for image sorting, searching and categorization. But according to information that was found in the source code of the Apple HomePod firmware the same technology might soon be implemented in the iPhone Camera app, and be used in real time (instead of post-capture) to optimize camera settings such as exposure, white balance and HDR for specific scenes.

The new feature is called “SmartCam,” and takes the widely used face detection technology to a new level. The code—which was discovered as part of a firmware leak for Apple’s HomePod—identifies several different types of scenes that could be identified, including: baby photos, pets, the sky, snow, sports, sunset, fireworks, foliage, documents and more. This sounds pretty much like a list of conventional camera scene modes, but without the need to select and set them manually in the camera menu—Apple will simply recognize them and shift accordingly.

The so-called “SmartCam” feature was not announced by Apple at its Worldwide Developers Conference, which likely means it won’t be made available to older iPhones with an update to iOS 11. It’s possible Apple wants to retain the feature as a unique selling proposition for the next generation iPhone models, which are expected to be announced in September.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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How to Adjust the Shutter Speed on a Canon 60D DSLR

07 Jan

Check out Bas Rutten’s Liver Shot on MMA Surge: bit.ly www.mahalo.com This video explains how to adjust the shutter speed on a Canon 60D DSLR See the rest of our 60D Videos: www.youtube.comCheck Out These Related Mahalo Pages: DSLR Buying Guide: www.mahalo.com DSLR Comparison Guide: www.mahalo.com How to clean your DSLR: www.mahalo.com Digital SLR Camera: www.mahalo.com Check Out these Mahalo How-To Playlists: How To Apply Makeup: www.youtube.com How To Become a Pharmacist: www.youtube.com How To Become a Photographer: www.youtube.com How To Dance the Fox Trot: www.youtube.com How To Dance the Salsa: www.youtube.com How To Dance the Waltz: www.youtube.com How To Flirt: www.youtube.com How To Get 3 Stars on Angry Birds 1st World: www.youtube.com How To Get 3 Stars on Angry Birds 2nd World: www.youtube.com Royalty Free Music by DanoSongs.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

 
 

How to Adjust the Viewfinder Diopter on a Canon 60D DSLR

01 Jan

Mix your music! Learn GarageBand in 30 Days! mhlo.co www.mahalo.com This video explains how to adjust the Viewfinder Diopter on a Canon 60D DSLR See the rest of our 60D Videos: www.youtube.com CheckOut These Related Mahalo Pages: DSLR Buying Guide: www.mahalo.com DSLR Comparison Guide: www.mahalo.com How to clean your DSLR: www.mahalo.com Digital SLR Camera: www.mahalo.com Check Out these Mahalo How-To Playlists: How To Apply Makeup: www.youtube.com How To Become a Pharmacist: www.youtube.com How To Become a Photographer: www.youtube.com How To Dance the Fox Trot: www.youtube.com How To Dance the Salsa: www.youtube.com How To Dance the Waltz: www.youtube.com How To Flirt: www.youtube.com How To Get 3 Stars on Angry Birds 1st World: www.youtube.com How To Get 3 Stars on Angry Birds 2nd World: www.youtube.com Royalty Free Music by DanoSongs.com

 
 

Night Photography Enhanced with Adjust, B&W Effects and Star Effects

05 Nov

With the addition of Star Effects to our arsenal, it is easier than ever to create memorable and striking night imagery with Topaz plug-ins. Join Nichole Paschal as she walks through several workflows to show how Topaz Adjust, B&W Effects and Star Effects can enhance your night images.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

 
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How to adjust DPI in Photoshop

21 Oct

Adjusting DPI in Photoshop for print at Next Day Flyers

 
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Windows Live Photo Gallery 2011 – Determine Tasks Auto Adjust Performs

18 Oct

When Auto Adjusting one photo or a group in Windows Live Photo Gallery 2011, determine what fixes are applied.

The “Auto Adjust” button in Windows Live Photo Gallery 2011 is a quick way to “fix” a photo or selection of photos without going through a lot of options. Normally, clicking it straightens a photo, and also adjusts its color and exposure based on default settings.

If you don’t like some of the adjustments made, or if you also want to apply noise reduction when clicking the “Auto Adjust” button, make the following tweak:…

Read more at MalekTips.
New Computer and Technology Help and Tips – MalekTips.Com

 
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[MODIFIED] Digital Photo Processing – Adjust Sliders, Try All Options in New Photo Editing Software / Plugins

26 Aug

Experiment with your digital photo editing software and plugins. Move sliders to the max and enable advanced options.

A great way to learn how to use digital photo editing software and plugins is through experimentation. When modifying your digital photos with such software, you’re bound to come across slider controls, whether you are modifying brightness, contrast, color balance, color saturation, etc. Sliders are also popular with filters. These controls let you fine-tune adjustments so that you can either change your photos a little or a lot.

When using sliders to adjust image features, especially if the sliders are linked to an auto-preview feature so you can see the results of your changes before actually applying them, consider going ‘all out’ and moving the sliders all the way to one side. Instead of merely modifying your photos with a 5% increase of contrast, 5% color shift from red to blue, etc., view dramatic changes to your photos. This may make it easier to see the effects of the color or filter, and then you can move the slider back to get the results you really want….

Read more at MalekTips.
New Computer and Technology Help and Tips – MalekTips.Com

 
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Adjust 4 Quick Photo Pop

18 Aug

Adjust 4 Quick Photo Pop

Enhancing local contrast in GIMP to give images a ‘snap’.