It's not in my spell checker and the suggestion was well, not appropriate...
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > Hey, without defraction how would we know where to cut de pie? > > I think you meant diffraction:-) > > Paul > (being a wise-ass) > -------------- Original message ---------------------- > From: "P. J. Alling" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >> frank theriault wrote: >> >>> Well, that clarifies things... >>> >>> ;-) >>> >> Heck, I didn't even get into defraction... >> (Jo, don't worry about it, nothing you need to care about right now or >> probably ever). >> >> frank theriault wrote: >> >>> On Wed, Jun 4, 2008 at 11:23 AM, P. J. Alling <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>> >> wrote: >> >>> >>> >>>> First you need is a quick course on exposure values and how they effect >>>> the way your camera captures images. There used to be two parameters >>>> that could be readily controlled, aperture and shutter speed, which were >>>> adjusted to give the proper exposure. In addition higher shutter speed >>>> can "freeze" action, aperture controls the depth of apparent focus (the >>>> smaller the aperture, though confusingly enough the larger the aperture >>>> number, the more DOF is available), the combination of the two controls >>>> the amount of light hitting the sensor which will effect the quality of >>>> your results. In addition today you also have control over the >>>> effective ISO of your sensor, higher ISOs will allow faster shutter >>>> speeds to stop more action and more Depth of Field, but above a certain >>>> ISO image quality begins to be degraded by digital noise. Everything is >>>> a compromise, good choices of the three exposure parameters will give >>>> good results but remember you'll have to choose what's most important. >>>> Then there's Flash. Flash can supplement the available light or replace >>>> it, but the same parameters used in natural light still control the look >>>> and quality of the photograph. >>>> >>>> You need to realize that auto focus can be your enemy, I find that in >>>> automatic modes it always picks a part of a scene to focus on other than >>>> the one I wanted, it's especially problematic when you need it most, >>>> (usually in marginal lighting situations). Learn when you can trust >>>> your auto focus and when you need to take a hand. You have chosen a >>>> particularly difficult subject, living creatures with minds of their >>>> own, i.e. puppies, you know their habits and behaviors, your camera >>>> doesn't you have to pick the point of focus to anticipate what you >>>> expect them to be doing next, the camera can't, it generally doesn't >>>> know what you're interested in. You have to be aware of how much DOF >>>> the lens is delivering as well as where the actual point of focus is. >>>> Sometimes you can't get everything in acceptable focus that you want, so >>>> you have to choose, once again a compromise. >>>> >>>> The best way to improve is learn the basics, exposure, and the effects >>>> aperture and shutter speed will have on apparent sharpness and >>>> movement. Practice focusing manually anticipating the movement of your >>>> subject, not an easy thing, I know but there's no way around it. Shoot >>>> lots of pictures and show them to people who know a bit about >>>> photography tell them what you were trying to accomplish and what your >>>> camera settings were. PESOs here can be good for that. You'll get lots >>>> of stupid comments, (not the least of all from me), but you'll also get >>>> some good advice. The almost got what I wanted photos are often the >>>> best to show. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> Well, that clarifies things... >>> >>> ;-) >>> >>> Well, seriously, everything Peter said is true. You have to know >>> exposure, and light, and how those things interact. What shutter >>> speed and aperture (and now ISO - with film, ISO was the "film speed" >>> and couldn't be changed except by changing the roll of film) do to the >>> incoming light affect the image in major ways: What's light and dark >>> on the image of course, but also what's sharp or blurry. >>> >>> Then there's focus... >>> >>> But here's the thing. Reading about it is really difficult (at least >>> for me). It's so much easier to learn by doing. You have one huge >>> advantage with your digital camera, which is that you can shoot >>> (virtually) for free. So shoot away, have fun, don't worry about the >>> results. >>> >>> But if things don't turn out as you expect, find out why. Check in >>> your EXIF data to see what your shutter speed, aperture and ISO >>> ratings were, see if you can figure out how those things affected your >>> result. From there, you may want to control one or more of these >>> things to try to change future results. Was the dog blurry because he >>> moved? Maybe you need to use a faster shutter speed. Was only part >>> of the dog in focus, but not all of it? Maybe you need a narrower >>> aperture. Not enough room to change either of these values? Maybe >>> you need an higher ISO. >>> >>> As Peter said, ask questions. Post photos and ask. Most of us don't bite. >>> >>> One thing that Peter didn't get on to that I think affects things more >>> than the camera and its settings is ~composition~. You can have all >>> the settings on your camera perfect, the autofocus (or you manual >>> focus) can be spot-on, but if what's in the photo is banal and boring, >>> you might as well have bought a disposable camera. OTOH, there are >>> folks that get amazing images from the most rudimentary of plastic >>> cameras such as Holgas and the like, because of their composition. >>> >>> Look at good photographs (including many you'll see posted on this >>> list). Look at photography books. Go to websites such as this: >>> >>> >>> >> http://www.magnumphotos.com/Archive/C.aspx?VP=XSpecific_MAG.AgencyHome_VPage&pid >> =2K7O3R1VX08V >> >>> Look at the photos, see what works and maybe even why they work. I'm >>> not talking technically, but notice where things are in the frame and >>> see what you like and what you don't. Note how some photos are not >>> sharp, not well-exposed, but still work! >>> >>> Get inspired. >>> >>> Then shoot some more. >>> >>> Most of all have fun! You're not a pro. Most of us on this list >>> aren't pros. If you're not having fun, why else would you be taking >>> pictures? >>> >>> ;-) >>> >>> cheers, >>> frank >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> -- >> Vote for Cthulhu. Why settle for a lesser evil... >> -- Dr. Jerry Pournelle >> >> >> -- >> PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List >> [email protected] >> http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net >> to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and >> follow >> the directions. >> > > > -- Vote for Cthulhu. Why settle for a lesser evil... -- Dr. Jerry Pournelle -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
