Shortcourses-Canon Powershot G6 Photography

A ShortCourse Book
Canon Powershot G6 Photography

Canon Powershot G6 Photography

This clearly written and easy-to understand short course on your Canon Powershot G6 explains step-by-step how, why and when you use your camera's controls for better pictures. This guide is available as a traditional 122 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.

Introduction

New, a Short Courses digital photography book for people who own the Canon PowerShot G6 digital camera and want to get better pictures. This beautifully written and illustrated guide, drawing on the much more comprehensive information on the ShortCourses Web site, pulls together answers to the questions you might have about using the Canon G6, including the following:

Taking Pictures in Auto Mode
Using Tabbed Menus
Using the Function Menu
Resetting Settings
Managing Images in Review Mode
Changing the Image Review Time
Displaying Images in Playback Mode
Managing Images In Playback Mode
Giving a Slide Show
Selecting Image Size and Quality
Specifying the Size of JPEG Thumbnails in RAW Images
Converting from JPEG to RAW Format
Changing Exposure Modes
Using Image Zone Modes
Using Program AE (P) Mode
Using Program Shift
Using Shutter-Priority (Tv) Mode
Using Aperture-Priority (Av) Mode
Using Manual (M) Mode
Choosing a Metering Method
Choosing Center or AF Point Metering
Using Exposure Compensation
Using AE Lock
Using the Neutral Density (ND) Filter
Using Autoexposure Bracketing (AEB)
Turning Safety Shift on and Off
Displaying Histograms
Using Histograms
Using the Self-timer/Wireless Controller
Setting the Delay Time
Changing the ISO
Increasing Sharpness of Moving Objects
Controlling Autofocus
Using Single or Continuous Autofocus
Using Focus Lock and AF Lock
Using Manual Focus
Bracketing Focus
Using Focus Lock for Maximum Depth of Field
Increasing Depth of Field

Using Focus Lock for Minimum Depth of Field
Decreasing Depth of Field
Capturing Creative Blur
Adjusting White Balance
Zooming the Lens
Turning Digital Zoom On and Off
Turning Auto Flash On and Off
Combating Red-eye
Turning Red-eye On and Off
Using Fill Flash
Turning Off the Flash
Using Slow Synchro Flash
Selecting 2nd Curtain Flash Sync
Turning Flash Adjust to Auto or Manual
Using Flash Exposure Compensation
Adjusting Flash Output
Using Flash Exposure Lock
Using an External Flash
Taking Macro Close-ups
Turning Super Macro Mode On and Off
Increasing Depth of Field in Close-ups
Shooting Panoramic Sequences
Choosing a Photo Effect
Turning Continuous Mode On and Off
Choosing a Continuous Mode
Capturing Movies
Playing Back Movies
Editing Movies
Preparing Print Orders
Using Intervalometer Mode
Saving Settings in C1 or C2 Modes
Changing My Camera Settings
Using Your Own Start Up Image and Sound
Using the Set Up Menu
Using Sound with Images

The book is designed to work with the on-line books on the www.shortcourses.com site. The book explains how to get better pictures but you'll find more on that subject on the site. In addition, there is lots of information on the site about what you can do with your pictures after you've taken them.

Contents

Chapter 1
Getting Started With Your Canon G6 ...6

The PowerShot G6— An Overview ...7
Jump Start-Taking Photos in Auto Mode ...8
Good Things to Know ...9
When Things Go Wrong ...11
Using the Monitor ...12
Using Dials and Buttons ...13
Using Menus ...15
Using Replay Mode ...19
Selecting Image Quality and Size ...22

Chapter 2
Controlling Exposure ...28

Understanding Exposure ...29
Choosing Exposure Modes ...30
Using Image Zone Modes ...31
Using Program AE (P) Mode ...32
Using Shutter-Priority (Tv) Mode ...33
Using Aperture-Priority (Av) Mode ...35
Using Manual (M) Mode ...37
How Your Exposure System Works ...38
How Exposure Affects Your Images ...41
When Automatic Exposure Works Well ...42
When to Override Automatic Exposure ...43
How to Override Automatic Exposure ...47
Using Histograms ...51

Chapter 3
Controlling Sharpness ...54

Getting Sharper Pictures ...55
Sharpness Isn't Everything ...57
How to Photograph Motion Sharply ...58
Focus and Depth of Field ...60
Focusing Techniques ...62
Controlling Depth of Field ...65
How to Get Maximum Depth of Field ...66
Selective Focus: When You Don't Want Everything Sharp ...67
Conveying the Feeling of Motion ...68

Chapter 4
Capturing Light & Color ...69

Where Does Color Come From? ...70
White Balance ...71
Color Balance and Time of Day ...72
Sunsets and Sunrises ...73
Photographing at Night ...75
Weather ...77
The Direction of Light ...79
The Quality of Light ...81

Chapter 5
Understanding Lenses ...82

Zoom Lenses ...83
Normal Zoom ...84
Wide-Angle Zoom ...85
Telephoto and Digital Zoom ...87
Portraits with a Zoom Lens ...88
Perspective in a Photograph ...89
Canon Lens Converters ...90

Chapter 6
Using Automatic Flash ...91

How Automatic Flash Works ...92
Portraits with Flash ...94
Using Fill Flash ...96
Using Available Light ...97
Using Slow Sync Flash ...98
Controlling Flash Exposures ...99
Using an External Flash ...101

Chapter 7
Exploring Close-up Photography ...102

Macro Mode ...103
Focusing and Depth of Field ...105
Exposures and Backgrounds ...106
Arranging Lighting ...107
Using Flash in Close-ups ...108

Chapter 8
Special Features ...109

Panoramas—Stitch Assist Mode ...110
Photo Effects ...112
Continuous Photography ...113
Capturing Movies ...114
Preparing Print Orders ...116
Intervalometer Mode—Time-Lapse Photography ...117
Saving Custom Settings—C1 and C2 Modes ...118
Personalizing Your Camera ...119
Using the Set Up Menu ...120
Attaching Sounds to Images-Sound Memos ...122

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 real-estate ads or self-expression, 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 PowerShot G6 camera are integrated throughout the concepts, appearing in those places where they apply. This integrated approach let's you first understand the concepts of photography and then see step by step how to use the Canon PowerShot G6 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 afternoon. You can then spend the rest of your life marveling at how their infinite variety of combinations makes 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 experiment step by step.

This book assumes you've mastered the mechanics of your camera. It's about getting great pictures, not about installing batteries and connecting your camera to your computer. That information is well presented in the user guides that came with your camera, however it is summarized in the Appendix of this book.

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