Introduction 1
About This Book 2
Icons Used in This Book 2
Where to Go from Here 3
Book 1: Pursuing Digital SLR Photography 5
Chapter 1: Embracing Digital SLRs 7
Introducing the Digital SLR 7
Naming and Classifying Digital SLRs 9
Make and model 9
Sensor size 11
Pixel count 12
Lens mount 13
Mirror and viewfinder type 15
Lenses 16
Wrapping it up 16
Pricing Digital SLRs 16
Consumer dSLRs 17
Mid-range models 18
Professional cameras 18
Delving into Camera Specifications 19
Basic information 20
Crop factor 20
ISO 21
Shutter speeds 21
Autofocus system 22
Movies 23
Shooting modes and scenes 24
In-camera processing 25
Filters and other creative effects 25
Media 26
Viewfinder specs 26
Image stabilization 27
Following Recent dSLR Developments 29
Shopping for a dSLR 31
Understanding the system 31
Going shopping 31
Investing in accessories 33
Embracing dSLRs 35
Chapter 2: Handling, Cleaning, and Protecting Your Camera 39
Anatomy of a dSLR 39
Front and center 40
Around back 40
Top and bottom 42
Both sides 43
Working the Controls 45
Gripping the Camera 47
Standard grip 47
Vertical grip 48
Over-the-shoulder grip 49
Live View grip 49
Providing Additional Support 50
Handling an Articulated Monitor 52
Using a Touchscreen 53
Changing Batteries 54
Checking battery power 54
Inserting a battery 55
Removing a battery 56
Inserting and Removing Memory Cards 57
Inserting a memory card 57
Removing a memory card 58
Cleaning Your Camera 59
Wiping off the camera body 59
Cleaning monitors and LCD panels 60
Cleaning inside the camera 61
Protecting Your Camera 63
Using a camera strap 63
Carrying a camera bag 64
Buying extra lens and camera caps 64
Armoring your camera 65
Dealing with adverse weather 65
Chapter 3: Learning about Lenses 69
Identifying and Naming Lenses 69
Brand name 71
Lens mount 72
Focal length 72
Aperture 73
Image stabilization 74
Other identifiers 74
Other lens characteristics 75
Older lenses 76
Categorizing Lenses 77
Normal lenses 78
Wide-angle lenses 78
Telephoto lenses 79
Prime lenses 80
General-purpose zoom lenses 81
Wide-angle zoom lenses 81
Telephoto zoom lenses 82
Specialty lenses 82
Looking at Lens Anatomy 85
Working with Lenses 88
Getting a grip 88
Mounting a lens 91
Removing a lens 93
Zooming in and out 94
Switching from auto to manual focus 95
Manually focusing 96
Activating lens-based image stabilization 97
Cleaning Lenses 98
Chapter 4: Exploring Menus and Camera Settings 101
Understanding How Menus Are Organized 101
Opening and Using the Menu 103
Setting Up Your Camera 106
Date and time 106
Language 107
Feature guides and expanded help 107
Review time 107
Auto power off 108
Sound 108
Touchscreen settings 108
No card 109
Setting Typical Shooting Options 109
Image size and quality 109
Using multiple memory cards 110
ISO settings 111
Picture control or creative style 111
Color space 112
Highlight and shadow options 112
Noise reduction 113
Aspect ratio 113
Red-eye reduction 113
Flash options 114
Movie options 114
Making Other Choices 114
Display settings 114
Display brightness and color 116
Filenaming and numbering 116
File and folder structure 117
Auto Rotate (camera orientation) 117
Copyright 117
Wi-Fi connectivity 118
Video mode or system 118
Controlling Playback 118
Protect Images 119
Rotate 119
Erase/Delete 119
Print order 119
Slide show 120
Retouch 120
Keeping Everything Running Smoothly 120
Showing battery information 120
Formatting memory cards 121
Cleaning the image sensor 121
Creating a dust reference photo 121
Resetting the camera 122
Updating the firmware 122
Exploring Advanced Options 123
Using custom functions and settings 124
Creating custom shooting profiles 124
Tweaking autofocus settings 124
Configuring bracketing settings 125
Customizing the controls 125
Creating custom menus 126
Chapter 5: Taking Pictures with Your dSLR 127
Seeing the Big Picture 127
Planning Ahead 128
Unpacking and Readying Your Gear 129
Setting Up Your Camera 131
Performing an initial checkup 131
Preparing for still photography 132
Choosing a shooting mode 132
Setting the image quality 144
Choosing a viewing mode 144
Configuring the display 146
Setting exposure controls 146
Setting other parameters 147
Taking and Reviewing Photos 154
Book 2: Looking Through Lenses 161
Chapter 1: Appreciating Standard Zoom Lenses 163
Embodying Versatility 163
Taking Wide-Angle Shots 165
Working with Normal Focal Lengths 168
Zooming In 170
Capturing telephoto shots 171
Capturing portraits 172
Capturing close-ups 173
Chapter 2: Enjoying Wide-Angle Lenses 177
Wide-Angle Whatzit 177
Looking at Landscapes 179
Capturing Wide-Angle Cityscapes 180
Focusing on Single Buildings 182
Photographing Interiors 184
Shooting Wide-Angle Portraits 185
Improving Your Wide-Angle Shots 186
Frame tall objects from afar 186
Get up close and personal 187
Use the vertical 188
Combine different elements into one shot 189
Emphasize height 189
Chapter 3: Capturing Macros and Close-ups 193
Defining Macro and Close-up Photography 194
Shooting at Close Ranges 195
Managing Depth of Field 196
Shooting Handheld with a Flash 197
Maximizing Shutter Speed 198
Shooting in Controlled Conditions 199
Exploring Creative Alternatives 201
Relaxing your angle of view 201
Shooting close-ups with everyday lenses 202
Using telephoto lenses 202
Using Holga lenses 203
Shooting with Special Accessories 204
Using a teleconverter 205
Using extension tubes 205
Using diopters 207
Using reverse rings 209
Using a macro bellows 211
Chapter 4: Reaching Out with Telephoto Lenses 213
Learning the Lingo 213
Using a Super Telephoto Lens 216
Capturing Action with Telephoto Lenses 219
Using Telephoto Lenses for Close-ups 221
Capturing Portraits 223
Photographing Animals 225
Chapter 5: Exploring Other Lenses 229
Fisheye Lenses 229
Tilt-Shift Lenses 233
Holga Lenses 236
Lensbaby Lenses 239
Pinhole Lenses 241
Diana F+ Lenses 242
Book 3: Taking Creative Control 245
Chapter 1: Making Sense of Exposure 247
Understanding Exposure 247
Evaluating exposure 248
Controlling exposure 249
Comparing exposure intervals 250
Keeping an Eye on Exposure Information 252
Reading the exposure level 252
Viewing exposure settings 253
Paying attention to warnings 255
Measuring Light by Metering 255
General metering methods 256
Camera metering modes 256
Changing metering modes 258
Metering the scene with your camera 258
Using an external light meter 259
Reviewing and Analyzing Your Photos 260
Delving into photo playback 260
Interpreting histograms 262
Troubleshooting Exposure 268
Using exposure compensation 268
Setting the exposure manually 269
Using AE lock 271
Autoexposure bracketing (AEB) 274
Using other exposure tricks 275
Chapter 2: Setting the Aperture 277
Investigating f-numbers and Apertures 277
Learning about f-numbers 277
Lenses and apertures 278
Setting the Aperture 281
From the camera 281
From the lens 282
Digging into Depth of Field 283
Controlling the depth of field 283
Previewing the depth of field 285
Paying attention to the blurry parts 286
Being realistic 287
Designing with Depth of Field 288
Landscapes 288
Portraits 289
Macros and close-ups 292
Action 293
Tilt-shift lenses 294
Chapter 3: Choosing a Shutter Speed 295
Decoding Shutter Speed 295
Learning about the shutter 296
Reading the speed 298
Shutter speed and exposure 300
Setting the Shutter Speed 301
Combating Blur and Noise 302
Camera shake, rattle, and roll 302
Shooting moving targets 307
Enabling Long Exposure Noise Reduction 308
Designing with Shutter Speed 308
Shooting crisp photos 309
Accounting for flash sync speed 311
Photographing action 312
Being creative with water 313
Working with slow shutter speeds 315
Using Bulb mode 316
Shooting macros 316
Chapter 4: Selecting an ISO 319
Understanding ISO 319
A bit of history 320
Inside the numbers 321
Generating noise with high ISOs 323
The funny thing about noise 324
Setting ISO 325
Controlling ISO yourself 325
Using Auto ISO 326
Restricting Auto ISO 327
Using High ISO Noise Reduction 328
Managing ISO 329
ISO Gallery 331
Elevated ISO 331
High ISO levels 332
Extreme ISO settings 334
Chapter 5: Using Filters 337
Learning about Filters 337
Looking at how filters work 337
Considering filter pros and cons 339
Using filters with dSLRs 341
Taking Shape with Filter Systems 342
Circular (screw-in) 343
Rectangular frame slide-in 345
Using Filters for Different Purposes 346
Protective 346
Circular polarizer 347
Ultraviolet (UV) 348
Neutral density (ND) 349
ND graduated 351
Color filter 351
Color grad filter 352
Other filters 352
Book 4: Lighting the Scene 355
Chapter 1: Working with Ambient Light 357
Working in Natural Light 357
Shooting during the morning golden hour 358
Fighting with the light at noon 359
Going out in the early evening 360
Enjoying the evening golden hour 360
Photographing the sunset 361
Capturing twilight 362
Shooting at night 363
Dealing with Weather 364
Capturing clouds 364
Working in the snow 365
Using fog 366
Shooting Inside 367
Photographing in large interior spaces 367
Photographing in living spaces 368
Using stage lighting 369
Being Creative in Different Situations 370
Working with indirect light 370
Capturing reflections 370
Dealing with glare and haze 371
Shooting high-contrast scenes 372
Photographing low contrast scenes 373
The Shadow knows! 373
Chapter 2: Exploring Basic Flash Photography 375
Finding the Flash 376
Using the Flash Automatically 377
Setting a flash-friendly shooting mode 377
Preventing the built-in flash from firing 378
Customizing automatic flash settings 378
Manually Activating the Built-in Flash 379
Using the built-in flash 379
Knowing when to use flash 381
Disabling the built-in flash 384
Tips on Using the Built-in Flash 384
Getting Fancy with the Flash 386
Enabling red-eye reduction 387
Using flash compensation 388
Using FE Lock 389
Controlling the flash strength manually 389
Unlocking more advanced features 390
Chapter 3: Using an External Flash and Accessories 393
Getting to Know External Flash Units 393
Looking at the front 395
From the back and sides 397
Accessorizing your external flash 399
Handling an External Flash 402
Attaching it to your camera 402
Removing the flash 403
Tilting and swiveling the flash head 404
Attaching a mini stand 405
Working the controls 405
Configuring Your External Flash 407
Trying Different Techniques 408
Using high-speed sync 408
Bouncing and diffusing 409
Using an umbrella 410
Focusing light with a snoot 411
Using a stand 412
Elevating the flash with a bracket 413
Cords galore 413
Going wireless 414
Book 5: Managing and Processing Your Shots 417
Chapter 1: Transferring and Managing Files 419
Getting a Workflow 419
Early Decisions 422
Transferring Files 422
Connecting 422
Downloading 426
Getting a Grip on Your Pictures 428
Manual management 428
Media-management software 429
Processing and managing software 430
Photo editors 433
Managing Photos 434
Quickly Processing the Good Ones 435
Advanced Editing When Desired 436
Publishing 436
General considerations 436
Resizing options 438
Saving and exporting 439
Archiving 440
Playing it safe 441
Putting the plan into action 442
Chapter 2: Quickly Sprucing Up Shots 445
Software for Sprucing Up Photos 445
Deciding on an Image Quality 446
Benefits of Raw images 446
Challenges of working with Raw photos 447
Non-destructive editing 448
Getting Started 448
Reviewing and flagging good photos 448
Switching to the Develop module 451
Setting the lens profile 451
Testing the waters 452
etting Brightness and Contrast 453
Adjusting the exposure 453
Improving contrast 454
Protecting highlights and shadows 455
Setting the black and white points 456
Working with texture, clarity, and haze 457
Correcting and Improving Color 459
Checking the white balance 459
Adjusting color vibrancy and saturation 459
Making Additional Improvements 461
Finishing Up 463
Straightening and cropping 463
Exporting images 464
Processing Photos In-Camera 464
Chapter 3: Digging Deeper into Photo Editing 467
Software for Editing Photos 468
Dealing with the Mundane Stuff 468
Creating a Photoshop file 468
Helpful Photoshop features 470
Coping with color management 471
Saving your final images 472
Dodging and Burning 472
Using High Pass to Sharpen 474
Making Minor Adjustments 476
Applying Changes Selectively with Masks 477
Mashing Up Versions of the Same Shot 478
Stamping Out Imperfections and Distractions 480
Dusting and cleaning 480
Removing other distractions 482
Improving complexions 482
Adjusting Final Composition 484
Words of Caution and Encouragement 486
Chapter 4: Expressing Your Artistry 489
Why Be Creative? 490
Software for Your Artistic Endeavors 491
Converting to Black and White 492
Using black-and-white adjustment layers 493
Photo gallery 495
Colorizing Your Photos 498
Tinting the fast and easy way 498
Colorizing with Hue/Saturation 500
Split toning using Color Balance 500
Cross-processing with Curves 502
Using color layers 503
Creating duotones 506
Experimenting with Artistic Filters 508
Using the Filter Gallery 508
Applying other filters 510
Smart Filters 510
Filter fun 511
Using In-Camera Creative Styles and Filters 514
Using in-camera styles 514
Applying in-camera filters 516
Chapter 5: Creating Panoramas 519
Shooting Pan-tastic Panoramas 519
Getting your camera ready 520
Shooting tripod-assisted panoramas 520
Shooting handheld panoramas 522
Stitching Photos Together 523
Creating panoramas with Lightroom 523
Creating panoramas with Photoshop 527
Stepping Up Your Game 530
Advanced blending in Photoshop 530
Using a panoramic tripod head 531
Using specialized panorama software 532
Shooting HDR panoramas 533
Shooting Automatic Panoramas 534
Chapter 6: Enjoying HDR Photography 537
HDR Software 538
Learning about HDR 538
Shooting Exposure Brackets for HDR 540
Configuring your camera 540
Setting up automatic exposure bracketing (AEB) 541
Shooting the exposure brackets 543
Tone Mapping in Photomatix Pro 544
Creating the HDR image 544
Tone mapping the HDR image 548
Trying Alternative Techniques 552
Using your camera’s HDR modes 552
Preparing your images differently 553
Trying single-exposure HDR 554
Creating your own brackets from a single shot 554
Manually bracketing exposures 555
Using other applications for HDR 555
Book 6: Showcasing Different Scenes 559
Chapter 1: Portraits 561
Capturing Animal Portraits 561
Copy What Works 563
Snapping Casual Portraits 563
Posing Group Photos 565
Say Cheese! 566
Chapter 2: Landscapes 567
Using an Ultra Wide-Angle Lens 567
Getting Up Early 568
Going Different Places 569
Getting Out in the Weather 570
The Classic Sunset 571
Chapter 3: Action 573
Tracking the Action 573
Using an External Flash 574
Finding the Right Spot 575
Great Light is Great 576
Pushing to the Limits 577
Chapter 4: Close-Ups 579
Zoom In 579
Be Ready to Grab Your Camera 580
Using Diopters 581
Whatever Works, Works 583
Focus on Small Details 584
Index 585
