| Curtin's Guide to Digital Cameras And Other Photographic Equipment
If you are about to buy a new digital camera or have already bought one and wonder what all of the controls and settings do, you need this clearly written, illustrated and animated guide. Based on the author's decade of experience in digital photography you'll learn everything you need to know about cameras, tripods, camera bags, and other photographic equipment. This guide is available as a traditional 126 page large-format (8.5 by 11) spiral bound book printed in black and white, and as a full-color, fully searchable PDF eBook you can order on a CD or download instantly. The eBook also includes links to animations and other resources that bring to life the core concepts of digital photography.
Introducing Animations
The eBook version of this book has over 60 interactive animations that illustrate and explain the core concepts of digital cameras and digital photography. Integrated throughout the eBook, these animations help you understand your camera better, and they are also a lot of fun.
To use the animations you need the eBook version of this book and an Internet connection.
Click to explore the light path through an SLR then minimize or close the animation window.
Click to see how full color images are created from only three colors then minimize or close the animation window.
Introduction
New, a Short Courses digital photography book for people who are considering going digital or who already have a camera but don't understand it. Based on my 30 years experience in photography, the last decade of it entirely digital, I explain everything you need to know about cameras and other photographic equipment to choose it and then to use it. This clearly written and heavily illustrated guide to digital cameras, draws on many of the other books and textbooks published on the ShortCourses Web site and in print form. One of the most exciting new features is the addition of animations that illustrate the core concepts of digital photography. To use these animations you do need an Internet connection. Here are the animations and other resources that you can access from the PDF eBook edition of this book. Those in red are also available on the free downloadable edition that you can display by clicking the link above.
- Copyright Office Booklet (PDF)
- Adobe Acrobat Quick Reference (PDF)
- Dots Form Images
- Cameras as Dark Boxes
- The Meaning of "Charge-Coupled"
- Understanding Exposure
- RGB Color
- CMYK Colors
- Camera Icons (PDF)
- The Light Path Through an SLR
- Parallax in an Optical Viewfinder
- Continuous Mode
- Movie Mode
- 360-Degree VR Panorama
- *The Meaning of "Charge-Coupled"
- Image Sensor Sizes
- Pixelization
- Resolution—The True Meaning
- Pixels and Curves
- Output Device Determines Image Size
- Converting Pixels to Print Sizes
- The Big Lie
- ISO and Noise
- Noise, Example from Cadillac Ranch
- The Effects of Compression
- RAW vs JPEG Image Quality
- Canon Lenses
- Focal Length and Angle of View
- *Image Sensor Sizes
- Focal Length Factors
- Optical and Digital Zoom
- Wide-angle Lens Distortion
- *360-Degree VR Panorama
- Macro Magnifications
- *Parallax in an Optical Viewfinder
- Image Stabilization
- Various Exposure Modes
- Various Shutters
- Exposure Compensation
- Exposure Lock
- Autoexposure Bracketing
- Understanding Histograms
- Highlight Warnings
- The Plane of Critical Focus
- Focus Zones
- Servo AF Focus
- Focus Lock
- Adjusting White Balance
- Changing Color Spaces
- The Inverse Square Law
- Calculating Guide Numbers (Excel)
- Flash Sync
- Red-eye
- Fill Flash
- First and Second Curtain Sync
- Flash Exposure Compensation
- Hi-speed Sync Flash
- External Flash
- The Main Light
- The Fill Light
- The Background Light
- Hard and Soft Light
- Dust on Your Image Sensor
The book is designed to work with our guides to specific cameras and the on-line books on the www.shortcourses.com site. The book explains all of those arcane terms that photographic writers like to use without defining them for you. You'll not only learn about your camera but also about tripods, bags, lighting equipment and much more.
Contents
Chapter 1
Introduction
What is a Digital Photograph?
Why Go Digital?
- Free Photography, Photographic Freedom
- The Three Steps of Digital Photography
A Jump Start in Digital Photography
- Step 1. Get a Photo-editing Program
- Step 2. Get an Image
- Step 3. E-mail an Image
- Step 4. Share Images on the Internet
How a Digital Camera Works
- It's All Black and White After All
- There's a Computer in Your Camera
- Where We Seem to be Headed
The Steps in Buying a New Camera and Other Equipment
- Think About Your Interests
- Decide About Size
- Decide About Lens
- Download the Manual
- Check New Model Plans
- Check Camera Sites
- Check Discussion Forums
- Check Camera News & Review Sites
- Explore On-line Auctions
- Visit Trustworthy Stores
- Watch out for Unbundling
- Avoid Gray Market Products
- Check Postage Rates and Sales Taxes
- Avoid Extended Warranties
- Check Return Policies, Restocking Fees
- Buy No Extras
Chapter 2
The Art of Choosing
Types of Digital Cameras
Camera Controls
Composing Images
Continuous Photography
Shooting Movies
Panorama mode
Photographing in Black & White
Image Sensors—Types
Image Sensors—Sizes and Aspect Ratios
Image Sensors—Resolution
Image Sensors—Sensitivity and Noise
Camera Responsiveness
Image Formats
In-Camera Image Storage
Playback Mode
Transferring Images
Lenses
- Lens Information
- Choosing Focal Lengths
- Zoom Lenses
- Normal Lenses
- Short Focal Lengths
- Long Focal Lengths
- Depth of Field Preview
- Depth of Field Scales
- Minimum Focus Distance
- OEM and 3rd Party Lenses
- Older Lenses
- Newer Lenses—Looking Down the Road
- Lens Accessories
Macro Mode and Macro Lenses
Lens Accessories
Image Stabilization
Exposure Modes
Metering
Shutters
Exposure Controls
- Exposure Compensation
- Autoexposure Lock (AE Lock)
- Autoexposure Bracketing (AEB)
- Gray Cards
- Exposure Increments
Histograms & Highlight Warnings
- Evaluating Histograms
- Highlight Warning
Focus
- Focus Settings
- Focus Zones
- Servo Focus
- Predictive Focus
- Focus Assist
- Focus Lock
- Focus bracketing
- Landscape Mode
- Depth-of-field Mode
White Balance
- White Balance Bracketing
- Color Spaces
Flash
- Flash Power and Range
- Flash Sync and Shutter Speeds
- Flash Modes
- Flash Exposure Compensation
- Flash Exposure Bracketing (FEB)
- Flash Exposure (FE) Lock
- High-speed sync (FP) Flash
- Stroboscopic Flash
- External Flash Units
- Slave Flash Units
- Ring Flash
Batteries
Other Features
- Look and Feel
- Size and Weight
- Control Panel Illumination
- Mirror Lockup
- Custom Functions
- Time-Lapse (Intervalometer Mode) Photography
- Multiple Exposures
- Animations
- Tripod mount
- Water and Shock Proofing
- Self-timer/Remote Control
- Date/time Indicators
- Written Annotation
- Sound Recording
- Power Management
- Special Effects
- GPS
- MP3 Player
- Folders
- Software
- Firmware Update
- Image Verification
- EXIF Information
Chapter 3
Studio Equipment
Studio Lighting
- Candidates for Studio Lighting
- Lighting
- Backgrounds
- Risers
- Special Bulbs
Portrait and Product Photography
Using Continuous Lights
Using Strobes
Connecting the Camera and Lights
- Hot shoes
- PC Terminal
- Wireless Remote Flash
Chapter 4
Other Camera Equipment
Tripods & Monopods
- Tripods
- Monopods
- Accessories
Tripod Heads
- 3-Way Pan/Tilt Heads
- Ball Heads
- Other Heads
Quick Release Systems
- The Bogen/Manfrotto Systems
- The Arca-Swiss systems
Other Camera Supports
- Gimbaled Mounts
- Beanbags
- Window Mounts
- Suction Mounts
- Clamps
- Focusing Rails
- Other
- Subject Stabilizers
Flash and Flash Accessories
- Flash Brackets
- Battery Packs
- Reflectors and Diffusers
- Flash Extenders
- Slave Units
Image Storage and Viewing
Digital Picture Frames
Camera Straps and Bags
Neck Straps
Chest straps or Harnesses
- Vests
- Lens Pouches
- Shoulder and Hip Bags
- Camera Backpacks
- Rigid Cases
- Camera Pouches and Cases
- Camera Bags
- Tripod Cases
- Waterproofing while Shooting
Chapter 5
Appendix
Glossary
Caring for Your Camera
- Cleaning the Image Sensor
- Cleaning the Camera and Lens
- Protecting your Camera from the Elements
- Protecting when Traveling
- Storing a Camera
- Caring for Yourself
Notes
Preface
Digital cameras have triumphed over traditional film cameras in less than a decade, causing the greatest shift in photographic technology in 150 years. In a few short years film will be a specialty item carried only by a few Internet companies that cater to photographers exploring historic processes such as platinum and albumen prints. The only downside to this dramatic change is that since digital cameras are less expensive to make and use software instead of moving parts, models tend to proliferate at a much faster rate than traditional 35 mm cameras did. To differentiate their offerings, camera companies initially added new features at an almost unbelievable rate, but as the field has matured, they now mainly just combine existing features in an endless series of variations. As a result it has gotten harder to rationally choose the camera you want to buy. One reason for this is that it's hard to understand the descriptions and specifications these companies supply for their cameras, or the reviews written about them, because few terms are ever defined and camera companies invent their own names for common features to make them sound unique. One of the primary goals of this book is to help you understand the terminology used in digital photography so you can get more out of what you read. Although camera models differ from one another, they all draw on the same common features discussed in this book.
What I hope to bring to this book is my experience accumulated over years of observing, practicing and writing about digital photography. In 1999 I started using a Nikon Coolpix 950 and my transition to digital was so abrupt that I left 20 rolls of unused slide film in the refrigerator—even though I had prepaid for processing. Only recently did I gave the film to a friend who was still laboring with the old technology. What attracted me so strongly was the immediacy of digital photography. Not just the immediacy of seeing a captured photo, but also sharing it with others. Since using that first digital camera I have written books on 30 or so digital cameras and three textbooks widely used in schools around the world. My hope is that this experience will help me guide you as you consider what it is you are looking for in your next camera purchase—or try to figure out what the features in your current camera are for. I apologize for the book's length, but there is a lot to consider. I hope I can make wading through all of these features as interesting as possible.
Here are just some of the questions we'll try to answer for you:
- Why go digital?
- What is a digital photograph?
- How does a digital camera work?
- What is digital photography?
- What features should I look for in a digital camera?
- What resolution do I need?
- Do I want a point-and-shoot camera or one with creative controls?
- How important are accessories?
- How should I choose the company to buy from?
Hopefully the best thing about this book is that it doesn't just describe most camera features, it shows you why they are important to you as a photographer and how they affect your photographs. This makes the book a valuable reference after you have purchased a camera because it explains things camera company manuals assume you know. I also try to match features with the kind of photography you do. Although all of us do general photography, many of us tend to concentrate in areas such as landscape, close-up, studio, street or sports photography. It's in these specific areas where some camera features become much more important than others. For example, I spend much of my free time hiking and taking nature photographs, especially landscapes, wildlife, and wildflowers. My needs are much different than someone who is photographing products for sale on eBay, taking wedding photographs, photographing sporting events or doing travel photography.
This book discusses features, not specific cameras. You won't find a single camera that includes all of the features discussed here, and different cameras combine the features they do have in different ways. Cameras come and go very quickly, but entirely new features are introduced only rarely. This book lays a foundation for you, but to take what you learn here and zero in on a specific camera you have more work to do—Internet research. You need to visit on-line discussion forums and camera review sites to see what others are thinking. Some of these sites, and Amazon, list their best sellers if you want to base your decisions on what others are doing and run with the crowd. To get you started, we list some of the Internet sites we like on page 28.
|
|
Click to order a PDF download of this book for $9.95US. After completing the checkout process, a download link is given on the thank you page and on your e-mail receipt.
Click to order a copy of the printed book for 19.95US.
Click to order a printed copy of the book and a PDF copy on a CD at a special package price of $24.95US.
Click to order a PDF copy of the book on a CD for $10.00US.
You can read our eBooks on the screen, or print some or all of the pages using your browser or the Acrobat Reader free from Adobe. Click the button for the latest version
|
