Photography Basics - Part 1

Don't get caught up in settings there are no recipient to success. Just like all paint is different the same applies to photos. There's no recipe or setting that always works. You the user have to adjust.

It all depends on your goals.

Auto settings can work very well but use your exposure compensation to compensate. Great method if you just want better shots.

Learn the other modes to step it up a notch and lots of practice.
This is where most people should aspire to it they want to get good at it.

Want to take shots like in the auto brochures?
Step up to $100,000 worth of equipment, cameras and lights, a crew of a dozen people, and a custom built room or area to put the reflections right where you want them.

Point is, decide where you want to go and maximize your potential and abilities from there.
 
I have a Kodak Easy Share 663 Point and shoot. In the sunlight the screen is completely black. I use program mode mostly. There is not much else I can do with it. Making adjustments outside
is not possible. Have they improved screen viewing in the seven years since I purchased the camera ?
 
sunday joe said:
I have a Kodak Easy Share 663 Point and shoot. In the sunlight the screen is completely black. I use program mode mostly. There is not much else I can do with it. Making adjustments outside
is not possible. Have they improved screen viewing in the seven years since I purchased the camera ?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about your camera but with a dslr they make an eye cup for this. It's like a rubber gasket that goes between the camera and your eye to block the sunlight.

They are called a hood loope by the way
 
Screens are MUCH improved. Resolution and brightness is great. In extreme sunlight, you might have to put your hand in the way to block some glare, but you can definitely review your images if needed.
 
Tagging this for future reference. This was explained quite well. Now i understand this. Time for low level light pics of the car and truck. Thanks.
 
zmcgovern45 said:
I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU to get your camera out and just mess around with these settings to see what they do.

Also, please check out this link. Start at the top and work your way through it. It will go through everything from different camera modes (that I touched on), exposure settings (that I mentioned), file formats (RAW vs JPEG), focus modes, metering modes, etc etc. This will open up your world in terms of using your camera!

Photography Basics | Learn Digital Photography Basics
Click to expand...

I wish so bad there was a reputation/kudos feature on the forum, this was a great article. Thanks so much for the post zmc! :)
 
How do these pictures look?

Settings in the Manual Mode for Rebel T5i

Shutter Speed: 1/30
Apeture: F8.0
ISO: 800
White Balance set to Auto



Some with flash on and some with flash off...

A $4.00 Plastic Drop Cloth could have prevented this...


All with Flash on

PTG - How to check for Bondo or Body Filler


Some with flash on and some with flash off...

1949 Chevy 5-Window Pickup Extreme Makeover - Pictures & Videos


These setting look to me to be working pretty welll in our garage in our lighting.


What say you?


:)
 
Soundwave said:
Tagging this for future reference. This was explained quite well. Now i understand this. Time for low level light pics of the car and truck. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Glad I could help!

Dynamic_Detailing said:
I wish so bad there was a reputation/kudos feature on the forum, this was a great article. Thanks so much for the post zmc! :)
Click to expand...
:dblthumb2:

Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
How do these pictures look?

Settings in the Manual Mode for Rebel T5i

Shutter Speed: 1/30
Apeture: F8.0
ISO: 800
White Balance set to Auto



Some with flash on and some with flash off...

A $4.00 Plastic Drop Cloth could have prevented this...


All with Flash on

PTG - How to check for Bondo or Body Filler


Some with flash on and some with flash off...

1949 Chevy 5-Window Pickup Extreme Makeover - Pictures & Videos


These setting look to me to be working pretty welll in our garage in our lighting.


What say you?


:)
Click to expand...
Pics look great Mike!
 
Great write up, and just playing with these settings on any camera will improve your pictures. For example, here is my cell phone and the Car Fox. My phone doesn't have shutter speed adjustment though.

On Auto:


Very low ISO:


Upping the ISO setting. Notice how more light was shown on the left than Auto allowed:


Using depth of field to focus on the face:
 
Tagging this great article for the future, Zack. Thanks!

I'm just beginning into photography for the exact reason Mike does it/needs it...detailing, at least mostly. I'm sure what I will learn will benefit other future photography.

Currently I only have a Cannon point and shoot...and ELPH 110 HS I believe. Looking to step up in the near future.

Not real concerned with taking spectacular photo's or becoming a real true photographer. I don't have time for that with all my other hobbies. Like Mike, I want to get in and get out with a great shot that is a true representation of what my eye sees. I don't need more than than...only what my eye sees. I'm looking for correct light, swirls, and then no swirls. Plain and simple...in and out. I'm sure a decent DSLR camera would help me reach those goals better than my current set-up...even without messing too much with settings. Don't mind to learn more, just don't need to become a guru of sorts.
 
Hoytman said:
Tagging this great article for the future, Zack. Thanks!

I'm just beginning into photography for the exact reason Mike does it/needs it...detailing, at least mostly. I'm sure what I will learn will benefit other future photography.

Currently I only have a Cannon point and shoot...and ELPH 110 HS I believe. Looking to step up in the near future.

Not real concerned with taking spectacular photo's or becoming a real true photographer. I don't have time for that with all my other hobbies. Like Mike, I want to get in and get out with a great shot that is a true representation of what my eye sees. I don't need more than than...only what my eye sees. I'm looking for correct light, swirls, and then no swirls. Plain and simple...in and out. I'm sure a decent DSLR camera would help me reach those goals better than my current set-up...even without messing too much with settings. Don't mind to learn more, just don't need to become a guru of sorts.
Click to expand...

I definitely understand the need to understand the basics without the desire to 'become a guru'. Possessing the general knowledge of how the camera works will allow you to better capture the images you are seeking. Unfortunately, due to the extreme lack of dynamic range that your camera is able to capture when compared to the human eye, it is quite difficult to fully capture what you are seeing with an image. A DSLR has the best chance, as its dynamic range is far superior to most point and shoot models. Shooting in RAW and then manually processing the images will also help lead to more accurate representations of what you were truly seeing compared to shooting in JPEG and allowing your camera to alter your images based on a preset group of settings... that is all to be discussed in future articles though.
 
I must say, this seems easier to understand than those I read out there. Simple and straight.
 
Hi Zack,

Great article! I think we have a Nikon D60, kinda funny as I've always left the setting on auto. I read Parts 2 & 3 and of course, more great information! Now if only the weather will clear up I can go take some practices shots...

James
 
28ONE said:
Hi Zack,

Great article! I think we have a Nikon D60, kinda funny as I've always left the setting on auto. I read Parts 2 & 3 and of course, more great information! Now if only the weather will clear up I can go take some practices shots...

James
Click to expand...

Hey James, you'll find photography to be much more interesting once you take the camera out of auto! Have fun!
 
Hey guys. Been a long time since I signed on. Weather's a killer for business here - but it's only seasonal for us anyway, since we focus on our other company through the winter.

Anyway, I finally got a couple wicked DSLRs, and have had a lot of playtime with them, haha. A Canon and a Sony Alpha, also picked up a Tamron lens (lenses are $450 evidently, I NEVER knew that).

Took an island vacation recently, and it was awesome to be able to see and feel the difference these types of cameras can produce - plus, I'm a macro fanatic, which is all the more reason I'm looking forward to 2014's detailing season.

Anyway, just wanted to drop back in on this thread and say how helpful the information was, and that anyone on the fence about upgrading to the world of DSLRs, I HIGHLY recommend it. In the scheme of things $1,000 really isn't too bad for the use you'll get out of them (and fun)! :)

I can't WAIT to photograph cars!!!
:Picture:
 
I'm glad you found it helpful!

$450 for a lens is on the lower side, too :) good glass, however, is well worth the expense!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top