Photography Basics - Part 1

**shogun88888888** · 08-09-2013, 07:19 AM

Don't get caught up in settings there are no recipient to success. Just like all paint is different the same applies to photos. There's no recipe or setting that always works. You the user have to adjust.

It all depends on your goals.

Auto settings can work very well but use your exposure compensation to compensate. Great method if you just want better shots.

Learn the other modes to step it up a notch and lots of practice.
This is where most people should aspire to it they want to get good at it.

Want to take shots like in the auto brochures?
Step up to $100,000 worth of equipment, cameras and lights, a crew of a dozen people, and a custom built room or area to put the reflections right where you want them.

Point is, decide where you want to go and maximize your potential and abilities from there.

**sunday joe** · 08-09-2013, 07:45 AM

I have a Kodak Easy Share 663 Point and shoot. In the sunlight the screen is completely black. I use program mode mostly. There is not much else I can do with it. Making adjustments outside
is not possible. Have they improved screen viewing in the seven years since I purchased the camera ?

**shogun88888888** · 08-09-2013, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by sunday joe

I have a Kodak Easy Share 663 Point and shoot. In the sunlight the screen is completely black. I use program mode mostly. There is not much else I can do with it. Making adjustments outside
is not possible. Have they improved screen viewing in the seven years since I purchased the camera ?

I'm not sure about your camera but with a dslr they make an eye cup for this. It's like a rubber gasket that goes between the camera and your eye to block the sunlight.

They are called a hood loope by the way

**zmcgovern45** · 08-09-2013, 08:43 AM

Screens are MUCH improved. Resolution and brightness is great. In extreme sunlight, you might have to put your hand in the way to block some glare, but you can definitely review your images if needed.

**Soundwave** · 08-14-2013, 11:07 AM

Tagging this for future reference. This was explained quite well. Now i understand this. Time for low level light pics of the car and truck. Thanks.

**Ohio Detailing** · 08-14-2013, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by zmcgovern45

I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU to get your camera out and just mess around with these settings to see what they do.

Also, please check out this link. Start at the top and work your way through it. It will go through everything from different camera modes (that I touched on), exposure settings (that I mentioned), file formats (RAW vs JPEG), focus modes, metering modes, etc etc. This will open up your world in terms of using your camera!

Photography Basics | Learn Digital Photography Basics

I wish so bad there was a reputation/kudos feature on the forum, this was a great article. Thanks so much for the post zmc!

Mike Phillips · 08-15-2013, 02:41 PM

How do these pictures look?

Settings in the Manual Mode for Rebel T5i

Shutter Speed: 1/30
Apeture: F8.0
ISO: 800
White Balance set to Auto

Some with flash on and some with flash off...

A $4.00 Plastic Drop Cloth could have prevented this...

All with Flash on

PTG - How to check for Bondo or Body Filler

Some with flash on and some with flash off...

1949 Chevy 5-Window Pickup Extreme Makeover - Pictures & Videos

These setting look to me to be working pretty welll in our garage in our lighting.

What say you?

**zmcgovern45** · 08-16-2013, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Soundwave

Tagging this for future reference. This was explained quite well. Now i understand this. Time for low level light pics of the car and truck. Thanks.

Glad I could help!

Originally Posted by Dynamic_Detailing

I wish so bad there was a reputation/kudos feature on the forum, this was a great article. Thanks so much for the post zmc!

Originally Posted by Mike.Phillips@Autogeek

How do these pictures look?

Settings in the Manual Mode for Rebel T5i

Shutter Speed: 1/30
Apeture: F8.0
ISO: 800
White Balance set to Auto

Some with flash on and some with flash off...

A $4.00 Plastic Drop Cloth could have prevented this...

All with Flash on

PTG - How to check for Bondo or Body Filler

Some with flash on and some with flash off...

1949 Chevy 5-Window Pickup Extreme Makeover - Pictures & Videos

These setting look to me to be working pretty welll in our garage in our lighting.

What say you?

Pics look great Mike!

**hamlyn** · 11-10-2013, 12:50 AM

What there ever a part 2 follow-up to part 1?

**SYMAWD** · 11-10-2013, 03:47 PM

Great write up, and just playing with these settings on any camera will improve your pictures. For example, here is my cell phone and the Car Fox. My phone doesn't have shutter speed adjustment though.

On Auto:

Very low ISO:

Upping the ISO setting. Notice how more light was shown on the left than Auto allowed:

Using depth of field to focus on the face: