Whether you're a complete beginner, a casual snapper or a seasoned photographer, there is a lot to be learned from this extensive photography guide. Take the guesswork out of your photography and understand not just what to do with your camera, but how and why this affects the photos you take. You'll learn how to compose a shot for visual impact, focus it to attract the viewer's eye, expose it so every detail is captured and so much more. Photography never stands still so it doesn't matter what camera you have, whether you own an SLR, film camera or a compact digital camera, Chris will teach you how to take the best photos possible.
Chris Gatcum's writing is clear and instructive, covering a vast range of essential photography aspects in great detail so that you can truly understand how to take a great photo that stands out. As well as Gatcum's expertise on the subject, Complete Photography is packed with tips and masterclasses from other inspirational professionals. Each point is illustrated with carefully selected, beautiful photography examples along with clear diagrams to inspire and instruct.
Author(s): Chris Gatcum
Edition: Illustrated
Publisher: Ilex Press
Year: 2017
Language: English
Pages: 400
Copyright
Title
Contents
Introduction
Part 1: Exposure
Before You Begin
File Formats
Image Size
The Exposure Trinity
Aperture
Shutter Speed
ISO
A Question of Balance
Filling the Bucket
Stop!
Masterclass: Landscape – David Taylor
Aperture & Depth of Field
Wide Aperture
Small Aperture
Mid Aperture
Bokeh
Masterclass: Portraits – Ben Anker
Shutter Speed & Movement
Camera Shake
Freezing Movement
Panning
Exaggerating Movement
Night Sky Exposures
Masterclass: Sports – Ian MacNicol
ISO & Noise
Types of Noise
Noise Control
Shooting Modes
Auto
Scene Modes
Program
Priority Modes
Manual
Exposure Metering
Metering Patterns
Ultimate Accuracy
Histograms
Exposure Compensation
Bracketing
Dynamic Range
High Dynamic Range
Holding the Highlights
HDR Imaging
Silhouettes
High Key
Low Key
Masterclass: Interiors – Adrian Wilson
Part 2: Light & Colour
Basics of Light
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Quality of Light
Hard Light
Soft Light
Changing the Quality of Light
Direction of Light
Front Lighting
Side Lighting
Backlighting
Top Lighting
Masterclass: Food – Stuart Ovenden
The Colour of Light
Auto WB
Preset WB
Custom WB
Grey Target
Colour Space
CIELab
sRGB
AdobeRGB
ProPhoto RGB
Theory vs. Practice
Masterclass: Still Life – Daniel Brooke
Flash
The Fundamentals of Flash
Built-In Flash
Hotshoe-Mounted Flash
Warning: Trigger Voltages
Hotshoe Flash Anatomy
Controlling Flash
Manual Flash
Bounce Flash
Off-Camera Flash
Continuous Lighting
Continuous Lighting Types
Masterclass: Fashion – Dixie Dixon
Part 3: Lenses
Lens Basics
Fixed Lenses vs. Interchangeable Lenses
Lens Anatomy
Lens Types
Zoom Lenses
Prime Lenses
Focal Length
Angle Of View
Crop Factor
Perspective
The Imperfect Lens
Chromatic Aberration
Barrel Distortion
Flare
Vignetting
Edge Softness
Masterclass: Street Photography – Brian Lloyd Duckett
Zoom Lenses
Standard
Wide Angle
Telephoto
Macro
Reproduction Ration
Focal Length & Working Distance
Macro Accessories
Close-Up Lenses
Reverse-Lens Adapter
Extension Tubes
Bellows
Extreme Lenses
Fisheye
Mirror
Tilt Shift
Legacy Lenses
Alternative Lenses
Pinhole
Holga
Lensbaby
Filters
Polarising Filters
Neutral Density (ND) Filters
Graduated ND Filters
Masterclass: Wildlife – Richard Garvey-Williams
Focus
Autofocus
AF Modes
AF Technology
AF Points
AF Point Selection
Manual Focus
Off-Centre Subjects
Moving Subjects
Shooting from the Hip
Low Contrast
Shooting Through
Consistent Focus
Precise Focus
Hyperfocal Distance
Focus Stacking
Masterclass: Macro – Andy Small
Part 4: Composition
What Is Composition?
Composition Basics
Orientation
Aspect Ratio
Viewpoint
Classic Rules
Rule of Thirds
Golden Ratio
Golden Triangle
Rule of Odds
Central Subjects
Lines
Physical & Implied Lines
Leading Lines
Line Direction
Masterclass: Architecture – Janie Airey
Other Considerations
Balance
Weighing In
Negative Space
Level Horizons
Pattern & Texture
Minimalism
Frames
Colour
The Colour Wheel
Colour Connotations
Harmonious Colour
Complementary Colour
Masterclass: Abstract – Ryan Bush
Part 5: Post-Processing
Why is Processing Necessary?
Software
Image Editing
Catalogues & Keywords
Specialist Software
Plugins
Workflow
Essential Edits
Cropping
Exposure
Contrast
Adobe Camera Raw
Colour
Retouching
The Tools
Resizing
Sharpening
Masterclass: Retouching – Miss Aniela
Advanced Edits
Bit Depth
Layers
Adjustment Layers
Lens Correction
Curves
Noise Control
Selective Edits
Edge Sharpening
Stitched Panoramas
Black & White
Basic Conversions
Advanced Conversions
Raw Conversion
Dodging & Burning
Toning
Split-Toning
Part 6: In the Bag
Camera Types
Digital SLR Cameras
Mirrorless Cameras
Bridge Cameras
Compact Cameras
Digital Medium Format
Other Options
Sensors
Anatomy of a Sensor
Resolution
Pixel Pitch
Sensor Size
Camera Essentials
Batteries
Memory Cards
Bags
Remote Releases
GPS
Wireless
Film Isn’t Dead
Film Formats
Film vs. Digital
Film Camera Types
35mm SLRs
35mm Rangefinder
35mm Compact
Other Small-Format Cameras
Medium-Format Cameras
Large-Format Cameras
Masterclass: Documentary – Michelle Frankfurter
Developing Black-and-White Film
Equipment
Loading Your Film
Preparing Your Chemicals
Processing the Film
Drying the Film
What’s Next?
Camera Handling
Tripods
Other Options
Handholding
Camera Care
Part 7: Reference
Glossary
Picture Credits
Index
Acknowledgments
