A FEW COMMON PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTIONS - PART 1
A FEW COMMON PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTIONS
All my shots keep coming out blurred or out of focus?
- Various answers to this question but if you are using a DSLR, check to ensure that you have both the body and the lens switched to "A" for automatic focusing.
- If using a compact, check your focusing options. Is it set to face recognition when you actually want to focus on something else?
- Check your shutter speed, you may be experiencing either movement blur from your subject or lens shake from using too small a shutter speed for the focal length. See this rule of thumb.
What does … million pixels mean?
Pixels are tiny light sensitive panels that form your sensor. The "… millions pixels" that your camera has is based on the total number of pixels that the sensor is made up of.
For example a 12MP camera will have a sensor with the rough dimensions of 4288 pixels on the long edge and 2824 pixels on the short edge, multiplying thses dimensions together will give the total number of pixels.
Does the number of pixels matter?
- On the whole, no. I you are wanting to blow images up supersize, then perhaps. A better question would be "does the size of the pixels matter?" to which the answer would most definitely be yes!
So, why does pixel size matter?
Each pixel has one role; to capture as much light as possible. The bigger the pixel, the more light and qualitative light it can capture. This is why a DSLR will always produce a better exposed, balanced image than a compact even if both cameras have the same number of total pixels. The sensor on a DSLR is considerably larger than on a compact, thus if both have the same number of pixels, those on the DSLR will be bigger.
For a much more in-depth narration on pixels and why they do or don't matter, take a look here at Ken Rockwell's "The Megapixel Myth" it's quite enlightening!
Which DSLR should I buy?
- Choices choices! We shoot on Nikon, but in terms of quality there's really nothing much separating the two main brands higher up the end; Nikon and Canon. I must also mention; Sony, Olympus, Pentax….. but I've not had any practical experiences with these brands.
However, as a starter, Nikon for me has the best camera, the great D5000 - which superceded the D40 and then the D60 models. The D5000 is an excellent camera and can offer image quality similar to that of the more expensive prosumer models the D90 and D300 as I believe they use the same sensor. It's a fast and quiet camera with the excellent Nikon menu system (which for a newbie, I'd say was easier to navigate than Canon's and hence the recommendation).
The ADR (automatic dynamic range) is the same as on the D() models upwards and works a treat. It basically manages contrasts in colour and light so much better and really brings out striking images. Nikons are much better in producing balanced, rich, JPEG images than Canon as a rule.
The D5000, also comes with video (although it's not great and you can't manual focus while in record mode) and live view - the same as using a compact - and the rear LCD also flips and swivels.
The last important note; go an pick one up! You really won't know what will suit you until you try it. If you want some comparison then take a look at the Canon 1000D or the 450D which are around the same price bracket and both are excellent cameras.
Prices from Warehouse Express;
D5000 Kit £509
EOS 1000D £64
EOS 450D £531 (Amazon)
This is not meant as a thorough complete guide nor is it particularly endorsing one brand over another but purely based on my own current experiences with each.
A FEW COMMON PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTIONS
All my shots keep coming out blurred or out of focus?- Various answers to this question but if you are using a DSLR, check to ensure that you have both the body and the lens switched to "A" for automatic focusing.- If using a compact, check your focusing options. Is it set to face recognition when you actually want to focus on something else?- Check your shutter speed, you may be experiencing either movement blur from your subject or lens shake from using too small a shutter speed for the focal length. See this rule of thumb.
Read more: A FEW COMMON PHOTOGRAPHY QUESTIONS - PART 1
THE RULE OF THIRDS
In photography you will come across many rules of thumb which are really intended to guide and provide some boundaries or agreed methods.
The rule of thirds is a compositional rule that relates to how a scene is constructed with the simple aim of ensuring that positioning visual interest subjects within or on key points of an image greatly enhances composition and therefore viewing pleasure.
These points are mapped by placing a virtual grid over a composition which consists of two evenly spaces vertical lines and two horizontal of the same. These lines then create a grid of nine equal squares.
Importantly, this grid also now creates four points of intersection.
The theory of the rule of thirds is that by positioning subjects either on the intersections or along the lines you will produce a more pleasing image that is balanced and has interest created from the position of the subjects and thus avoiding the 'bullseye' shots.
A good example of this can be seen when looking at landscapes where the horizon is usually placed on the bottom of the two horizontal lines and any predominant vertical points of interest such as perhaps rocks and trees are lined up with the verticals.
In the example here, you can see the horizon is aligned to the bottom guide as are the cows. The cow shed in on the bottom right intersection and the sun around the top left.
Studies have apparently shown (I don't have the source) that these intersecting points are where the eye goes first when looking at an image, not to the centre of the frame. Try it, take some time to look at a few pictures and see where you are drawn to.
Of course as with any rule of thumb, it is just a guide - a good one - but still a guide. I find 'bullyseye' shots, those with the subject sitting bang in the middle of the grid works extremely well when you have very symmetrical images where the composition is almost entirely about the subject itself.
Get out and experiment but the key to any composition is to take your time, look around you, look at points of view and really look at the scene before you even get your camera out of the bag.
Happy shooting!
Gareth
THE RULE OF THIRDS
In photography you will come across many rules of thumb which are really intended to guide and provide some boundaries or agreed methods.
The rule of thirds is a compositional rule that relates to how a scene is constructed with the simple aim of ensuring that positioning visual interest subjects within or on key points of an image greatly enhances composition and therefore viewing pleasure.
Read more: THE RULE OF THIRDS
For this tutorial all you are going to need is a single light source (preferably a head), a subject (preferably a real head) and a space of about 10ft x 8ft. What we are going to look at in this tutorial is the relationship of light with the distance over which it is used. Light allows us to see, to create mood, to change the appearance of subjects, define shape and give us amazing colours
