Shortcourses-Canon PowerShot S5 IS Photography

A ShortCourse Book
Canon PowerShot S5 IS Photography

Canon PowerShot S5 IS Photography

This clearly written and easy-to understand short course on your Canon Powershot S5 IS explains step-by-step how, why and when you use your camera's controls for better pictures. This guide is available as a traditional 152 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 50 interactive animations that illustrate and explain the core concepts of 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 on a CD 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.

New, a Short Courses digital photography book for people who want to get better pictures with their Canon Powershot S5 IS digital camera. This beautifully written and illustrated guide, pulls together answers to the questions you might have about using the S5 IS, including the following:

Taking Pictures in Auto Mode
Customizing Display Information
Using Tabbed Menus
Using the Function Menu
Resetting Settings
Keeping an Image Displayed
Changing the Image Review Time
Displaying Images in Playback Mode
Managing Images In Playback Mode
Jumping Between Images
Erasing and Protecting Images
Giving a Slide Show
Assigning Categories
Turning Auto Category On and Off
Selecting Image Size and Quality
Changing Exposure Modes
Using Image Zone Modes
Shooting in SCN Modes
Using Program Shift
Using Shutter-Priority (Tv) Mode
Using Aperture-Priority (Av) Mode
Using Manual (M) Mode
Choosing a Metering Mode
Choosing Center or AF Point Metering
Using Exposure Compensation
Using AE Lock
Using Autoexposure Bracketing (AEB)
Turning Safety Shift On and Off
Displaying Histograms
Evaluating Histograms
Using the Self-timer
Setting the Custom Timer
Selecting an Image Stabilization Mode
Changing the ISO
Using Auto ISO Shift
Increasing Sharpness of Moving Objects
Checking Focus
Selecting an AF Frame
Moving the AF Frame
Using Single or Continuous Autofocus
Using Focus Lock and AF Lock
Using Manual Focus
Bracketing Focus

Increasing Depth of Field
Decreasing Depth of Field
Conveying Motion
Adjusting White Balance
Zooming the Lens
Selecting a Zoom Mode
Using Digital Zoom and Digital Teleconverter
Using a Converter Lens
Using Macro and Super Macro Modes
Increasing Depth of Field in Close-ups
Using the Built-in Flash
Turning Safety FE On and Off
Turning Red-eye On and Off
Using Red-eye Correction
Using Flash On
Using Flash Off
Using Slow Synchro Flash
Selecting 1st or 2nd Curtain Flash Sync
Using FE Lock
Using Flash Exposure Compensation
Turning Flash Adjust to Auto or Manual
Adjusting Flash Output Manually
Shooting Panoramic Sequences
Using Color Accent and Swap
Saving Originals
Shooting Using My Colors
Adding My Colors to Existing Images
Using Continuous Mode
Capturing Movies
Adjusting Exposure in Movie Mode
Playing Back Movies
Editing Movies
Attaching Sounds to Images
Sound Only recording
Saving Settings to C Mode
Assigning a Function to the Shortcut Button
Changing My Camera Settings
Using Your Own Start Up Image and Sound
Using the Set Up Menu
Using the Print Menu

The book is designed to work with 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 much more 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 S5 IS

The PowerShot S5 IS—Overview
Jump Start—Taking Photos in Auto Mode
Good Things to Know
When Things Go Wrong
Using the LCD Monitor and Viewfinder
Using Dials and Buttons
Using Menus
Managing Images in Review Mode
Managing Images in Playback Mode
Giving Slide Shows
Using Categories
Selecting Image Quality and Size

Chapter 2
Controlling Exposure

Understanding Exposure
The Shutter Controls Light and Motion
The Aperture Controls Light and Depth of Field
Using Shutter Speed and Aperture Together
Retaining Highlight and Shadow Details
Choosing Exposure Modes
Using Image Zone Modes
Using Special Scene (SCN) Modes
Using Program AE (P) Mode
Using Shutter—Priority (Tv) Mode
Using Aperture—Priority (Av) Mode
Using Manual (M) Mode
How Your Exposure System Works
Choosing a Metering Method
When Automatic Exposure Works Well
When to Override Automatic Exposure
How Overriding Autoexposure Works
How to Override Automatic Exposure
Using Histograms

Chapter 3
Controlling Sharpness

Getting Sharper Pictures
Sharpness Isn't Everything
How to Photograph Motion Sharply
Focus and Depth of Field
Focusing Techniques
Controlling Depth of Field
Using Maximum Depth of Field
Using Shallow Depth of Field
Conveying the Feeling of Motion

Chapter 4
Capturing Light & Color

Where Does Color Come From?
White Balance
Color Balance and Time of Day
Sunsets and Sunrises
Photographing at Night
Weather
The Direction of Light
The Quality of Light

Chapter 5
Understanding Lenses

The Zoom Lens
Normal Zoom
Wide—Angle Zoom
Telephoto and Digital Zoom
Portraits with a Zoom Lens
Perspective in a Photograph
Canon Lens Converters
Using Macro and Super Macro Modes
Focusing and Depth of Field Close Up

Chapter 6
Using Flash and Studio Lighting

How Automatic Flash Works
Portraits with Flash
Red-eye
Using Flash On—Fill Flash
Using Available Light
Using Slow Synchro Flash
Controlling Flash Exposures
Studio Lighting
Portrait and Product Photography—Introduction
The Main Light
The Fill Light
The Background Light
The Rim Light

Chapter 7
Special Features

Panoramas—Stitch Assist Mode
Using Color Accent and Color Swap
Using My Colors
Continuous Photography
Capturing Movies
Playing Movies
Editing Movies
Using Sound
Using C Mode
Using The Shortcut Button
Personalizing Your Camera
Using the Set Up Menu
Using the Print Menu

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 PowerShot S5 IS camera 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 S5 IS 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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