Short Courses in Canon EOS D Series SLR Cameras

A ShortCourse Book
Canon EOS 7D Photography

Canon EOS 7D Photography

This clearly written and easy-to understand short course on your Canon EOS 7D, explains step-by-step how, why and when you use your camera's controls for better pictures and HD movies. This guide is available as a traditional 182 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.

Introducing Animations

The eBook edition of this book has links to 50 animations, movies and other resources that illustrate and explain the core concepts of digital photography. Integrated throughout the eBook, these linked resources help you understand your camera better, and make you a better photographer.

To use the animations you need the eBook version of this book and an Internet connection.

Click to see how every camera is just a black box 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 want to get better pictures with their Canon EOS 7D digital SLR camera. This beautifully written and illustrated guide, pulls together answers to the questions you might have about using the camera, including the following:

Contents

Chapter 1
Camera Controls and Creativity ...7

The 7D Camera ...8
Jump Start—Using Full Auto Mode ...9
Good Things to Know ...10
Using the Viewfinder ...13

Diopter Adjustment ...13
AF Points ...13
Information Display ...13

Anatomy of the Camera ...14

Top View ...14
Rear View ...15

Changing Settings with Buttons and Dials ...17

The Main Dial ...17
The Quick Control Dial ...17

Changing Settings on the Quick Control Screen ...18

The Quick Control Screen ...18
Dual Function Button Screens ...18

Changing Settings with Menus ...19
Playing Back & Managing Your Images ...23

Image Review ...23
Image Playback ...23
INFO Display ...23
Jumping in Playback ...24

Using the Playback Menu ...25
Giving Slide Shows ...26
Selecting Image Quality and Size ...27

Number of Pixels ...27
How An Image is Captured ...29
The Exposure ...29
It’s All Black and White After All ...29
Choosing Image Size and Quality ...30
Using the One-Touch RAW+JPEG Button ...33

Chapter 2
Controlling Exposure ...34

Understanding Exposure ...35
The Shutter Controls Light and Motion ...36
The Aperture Controls Light and Depth of Field ...38
Using Shutter Speed and Aperture Together ...40

Exposure— Faucets & Buckets Analogy ...41
Exposure— Seesaw Analogy ...42

Retaining Highlight and Shadow Details ...43
Choosing Shooting Modes ...44
Using Creative Auto (CA) Mode ...45
Using Program AE (P) & Program Shift ...46
Using Shutter-Priority (Tv) Mode ...47
Using Aperture-Priority (Av) Mode ...48
Using Manual (M) Mode ...49
How Your Exposure System Works ...50

Meter Averaging and Middle Gray ...50
Types of Metering ...52

When Automatic Exposure Works Well ...53
When to Override Automatic Exposure ...54

Scenes Lighter than Middle Gray ...54
Scenes Darker than Middle Gray ...55
Subject Against a Very Light Background ...55
Subject Against a Very Dark Background ...56
Scenes with High Contrast ...56

How Overriding Autoexposure Works ...58
How to Override Automatic Exposure ...59

Autoexposure (AE) Lock ...59
Exposure Compensation and Autoexposure Bracketing (AEB) ...60

Adjusting Tones...63

Auto Lighting Optimizer ...63
Highlight tone priority ...63

Using Histograms ...64

Displaying Histograms ...64
Evaluating Histograms ...64
Clipped Pixels ...66
Sample Histograms ...67

Chapter 3
Controlling Sharpness ...68

Getting Sharper Pictures ...69

Supporting the Camera ...69
Using the Self-timer/Remote Switch ...69
Adjusting the ISO ...70

Sharpness Isn’t Everything ...72
How to Photograph Motion Sharply ...73

Speed of Subject ...73
Direction of Movement ...73
Distance to Subject and Focal Length of Lens ...74

Focus and Depth of Field ...75

Focus ...75
Depth of Field ...75
Checking Depth of Field ...76

Focusing Techniques ...77

AF-Assist Beam ...77
Autofocus Modes ...77
Using Focus Lock ...78
Manual Focus ...79

Selecting the AF Area Mode and AF Point ...80

AF Area Selection Modes ...80
Displaying AF Points in Playback ...81
Tips on AF Points ...81

Controlling Depth of Field ...82
Using Deep Depth of Field ...83
Using Shallow Depth of Field ...84
Conveying the Feeling of Motion ...85

Chapter 4
Capturing Light & Color ...86

Where Does Color Come From? ...87
White Balance and Color ...88

Using Preset White Balance Settings ...88
Creating and Using a Custom White Balance Setting ...89
Using a Specific Color Temperature ...90
Selecting a Color Space ...90

Using White Balance Correction & Bracketing ...91
Color and Time of Day ...92
Sunsets and Sunrises ...93
Weather ...95
Photographing at Night ...97
The Direction of Light ...99
The Quality of Light ...101

Chapter 5
Understanding Lenses ...102

Canon Lenses ...103

Electronic Lens Mount ...103
Focusing Technology ...103
Ultrasonic Motors ...104
Image Stabilization ...104
Information on a Canon Lens ...105

Lens Peripheral Illumination Correction ...106
Focal Length ...107
Zoom Lenses ...108
Normal Lenses ...109
Wide-Angle Lenses ...110
Telephoto Lenses ...112
Macro Lenses and Accessories ...114
Tilt-Shift Lenses ...116
Lens Accessories ...117
Perspective in a Photograph ...118

Chapter 6
Using Flash and Studio Lighting ...119

How Flash Works ...120
Using Autoflash ...121

Flash Coverage and Range ...121
Flash and Shutter Speeds ...121
Flash in P, Av, Tv, M and B Modes ...121

Portraits with Flash ...123

Positioning the Flash and Subjects ...123
Red-eye ...124

Using Fill Flash ...125
Using Slow Sync Flash ...126
Using Available Light ...128
Using a Canon Speedlite ...129
The Flash Control Menu ...130
Controlling Flash Exposures ...131

Flash Modes ...131
Flash Exposure Compensation ...131
Flash Exposure Bracketing (FEB) ...132
Flash Exposure (FE) Lock ...132
Adjusting Flash Output Manually ...133

Other Flash Features ...134

High-speed Flash ...134
Wireless Remote Flash ...134
MULTI Flash ...134
External flash C.Fn setting ...135
Zoom ...135

Using Flash in Close-ups ...132
Studio Lighting ...137

Candidates for Studio Lighting ...137
Lighting ...137
Backgrounds ...139
Risers ...139
Special Bulbs ...139

Portrait and Product Photography—Introduction ...140
The Main Light ...141
The Fill Light ...142
The Background Light ...143
The Rim Light ...144

Chapter 7
Other Features and Commands ...145

Continuous Photography ...146
Remote Control Photography ...147
Shooting Still Images in Live View ...148
Focusing in Live View ...149

Manual Focusing ...149
AF Mode ...149
Magnified View for Focusing ...150

Live View Shooting Menu 4 Settings for Still Images ...151

Live View shoot ....151
AF Mode ...151
Grid Display ...151
Expo. Simulation ...151
Silent Shooting ...152
Metering Timer ...152

Live View Tips for Stills and Movies ...153

General Tips in Live View ...153
Live View Focusing Tips ...153
Live View Exposure Tips ...154
Making Settings ...154

Shooting Movies in Live View ...155

Movie Menu settings ...155
Movie Recording Size ...155
Sound Recording ...156
Movie Tips ...156

Playing Movies ...158
Editing Movies ...159
Using Picture Styles ...160

Selecting Picture Styles ...160
Adjusting Picture Styles ...160
Registering a Picture Style ...161

Registering Your Own Settings ...162
Using Custom Functions ...163

C.Fn I: Exposure...164
C. Fn II: Image...165
C.Fn III: Auto focus/Drive...165
C.Fn IV: Operation Others...168

Using My Menu ...170
Changing Other Settings ...171

Shooting Without a CF Card ...171
Setting the Date and Time ...171
Changing the Review Time ...171
Reset File Numbers ...172
Turning the Beep On and Off ...172
Adjusting Monitor Brightness ...173
Traveling Options—Language and Video Settings ...173
Setting the Auto Power Off Time ...173
Formatting CF Cards ...173
Turning Auto Rotate On and Off ...174
Creating and Selecting Folders ...174
Firmware Version ...175
Battery Info ...175
Entering Copyright Information ...175

Resetting Camera Settings ...176
Caring for Your Camera ...178

Cleaning the Image Sensor ...178
Cleaning the Camera and Lens ...180
Protecting your Camera from the Elements ...180
Protecting when Traveling ...181
Storing a Camera ...181
Caring for Yourself ...181

Preface

A great photograph begins when you recognize a great scene or subject. But recognizing a great opportunity isn’t enough to capture it; you also have to be prepared. A large part of being prepared involves understanding your camera well enough to capture what you see. Getting you prepared to see and capture great photographs is what this book is all about. It doesn’t matter if you are taking pictures for business or pleasure, there’s a lot here to help you get better results and more satisfaction from your photography.

To get better, and possibly even great photographs, you need to understand both concepts and procedures; the “whys” and “hows” of photography.

Concepts of photography are the underlying principles that apply regardless of the camera you are using. They include such things as how sharpness and exposure affect your images and the way they are perceived by viewers. Understanding concepts answers the “why” kinds of questions you might have about photography.
Procedures are those things specific to one kind of camera, and explain step-by-step how you set your camera’s controls to capture an image just the way you want to. Understanding procedures gives you the answers to the “how” kinds of questions you might have.

This book is organized around the concepts of digital photography because that’s how photographers think. You think about scenes and subjects, highlights and shadows, softness and sharpness, color and tone. The procedures you use with the Canon EOS 7D are integrated throughout the concepts, appearing in those places where they apply. This integrated approach lets you first understand the concepts of photography and then see step by step how to use the 7D in all kinds of photographic situations.

To get more effective, interesting, and creative photographs, you only need to understand how and when to use a few simple features on your camera such as focus, exposure controls, and flash. If you’ve previously avoided understanding these features and the profound impact they can have on your images, you’ll be pleased to know that you can learn them on a weekend. You can then spend the rest of your life marveling at how the infinite variety of combinations make it possible to convey your own personal view of the world. You’ll be ready to keep everything in a scene sharp for maximum detail or to blur it all for an impressionistic portrayal. You’ll be able to get dramatic close-ups, freeze fast action, create wonderful panoramas, and capture the beauty and wonder of rainbows, sunsets, fireworks, and nighttime scenes.

As you explore your camera, be sure to have fun. There are no “rules” or “best” way to make a picture. Great photographs come from using what you know to experiment and try new approaches. Digital cameras make this especially easy because there are no film costs or delays. Every experiment is free and you see the results immediately so you can learn step by step.

This book assumes you’ve mastered the mechanics of your camera. It’s about getting great pictures, not about connecting your camera to computers and using your software. That information is well presented in the user guide that came with your camera. Be sure to visit our Web site at www.shortcourses.com for even more digital photography information.

Click to order a PDF download of this book for $19.95US. 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 $24.95US.

Click to order a printed copy of the book and a PDF copy on a CD at a special package price of $36.95US.

Click to order a PDF copy of the book on a CD for $19.95US.

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