Digital SLR Photography All-in-One For Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
About This Book
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Book 1 Pursuing Digital SLR Photography
Chapter 1 Embracing Digital SLRs
Introducing the Digital SLR
Naming and Classifying Digital SLRs
Make and model
Sensor size
Pixel count
Lens mount
Mirror and viewfinder type
Lenses
Wrapping it up
Pricing Digital SLRs
Consumer dSLRs
Mid-range models
Professional cameras
Delving into Camera Specifications
Basic information
Crop factor
ISO
Shutter speeds
Autofocus system
Movies
Shooting modes and scenes
In-camera processing
Filters and other creative effects
Media
Viewfinder specs
Image stabilization
Following Recent dSLR Developments
Shopping for a dSLR
Understanding the system
Going shopping
Investing in accessories
Embracing dSLRs
Chapter 2 Handling, Cleaning, and Protecting Your Camera
Anatomy of a dSLR
Front and center
Around back
Top and bottom
Both sides
Working the Controls
Gripping the Camera
Standard grip
Vertical grip
Over-the-shoulder grip
Live View grip
Providing Additional Support
Handling an Articulated Monitor
Using a Touchscreen
Changing Batteries
Checking battery power
Inserting a battery
Removing a battery
Inserting and Removing Memory Cards
Inserting a memory card
Removing a memory card
Cleaning Your Camera
Wiping off the camera body
Cleaning monitors and LCD panels
Cleaning inside the camera
Protecting Your Camera
Using a camera strap
Carrying a camera bag
Buying extra lens and camera caps
Armoring your camera
Dealing with adverse weather
Chapter 3 Learning about Lenses
Identifying and Naming Lenses
Brand name
Lens mount
Focal length
Aperture
Image stabilization
Other identifiers
Other lens characteristics
Older lenses
Categorizing Lenses
Normal lenses
Wide-angle lenses
Telephoto lenses
Prime lenses
General-purpose zoom lenses
Wide-angle zoom lenses
Telephoto zoom lenses
Specialty lenses
Looking at Lens Anatomy
Working with Lenses
Getting a grip
Mounting a lens
Removing a lens
Zooming in and out
Switching from auto to manual focus
Manually focusing
Activating lens-based image stabilization
Cleaning Lenses
Chapter 4 Exploring Menus and Camera Settings
Understanding How Menus Are Organized
Opening and Using the Menu
Setting Up Your Camera
Date and time
Language
Feature guides and expanded help
Review time
Auto power off
Sound
Touchscreen settings
No card
Setting Typical Shooting Options
Image size and quality
Using multiple memory cards
ISO settings
Picture control or creative style
Color space
Highlight and shadow options
Noise reduction
Aspect ratio
Red-eye reduction
Flash options
Movie options
Making Other Choices
Display settings
Display brightness and color
Filenaming and numbering
File and folder structure
Auto Rotate (camera orientation)
Copyright
Wi-Fi connectivity
Video mode or system
Controlling Playback
Protect Images
Rotate
Erase/Delete
Print order
Slide show
Retouch
Keeping Everything Running Smoothly
Showing battery information
Formatting memory cards
Cleaning the image sensor
Creating a dust reference photo
Resetting the camera
Updating the firmware
Exploring Advanced Options
Using custom functions and settings
Creating custom shooting profiles
Tweaking autofocus settings
Configuring bracketing settings
Customizing the controls
Creating custom menus
Chapter 5 Taking Pictures with Your dSLR
Seeing the Big Picture
Planning Ahead
Unpacking and Readying Your Gear
Setting Up Your Camera
Performing an initial checkup
Preparing for still photography
Choosing a shooting mode
Setting the image quality
Choosing a viewing mode
Configuring the display
Setting exposure controls
Setting other parameters
Taking and Reviewing Photos
Book 2 Looking through Lenses
Chapter 1 Appreciating Standard Zoom Lenses
Embodying Versatility
Taking Wide-Angle Shots
Working with Normal Focal Lengths
Zooming In
Capturing telephoto shots
Capturing portraits
Capturing close-ups
Chapter 2 Enjoying Wide-Angle Lenses
Wide-Angle Whatzit
Looking at Landscapes
Capturing Wide-Angle Cityscapes
Focusing on Single Buildings
Photographing Interiors
Shooting Wide-Angle Portraits
Improving Your Wide-Angle Shots
Frame tall objects from afar
Get up close and personal
Use the vertical
Combine different elements into one shot
Emphasize height
Chapter 3 Capturing Macros and Close-ups
Defining Macro and Close-up Photography
Shooting at Close Ranges
Managing Depth of Field
Shooting Handheld with a Flash
Maximizing Shutter Speed
Shooting in Controlled Conditions
Exploring Creative Alternatives
Relaxing your angle of view
Shooting close-ups with everyday lenses
Using telephoto lenses
Using Holga lenses
Shooting with Special Accessories
Using a teleconverter
Using extension tubes
Using diopters
Using reverse rings
Using a macro bellows
Chapter 4 Reaching Out with Telephoto Lenses
Learning the Lingo
Using a Super Telephoto Lens
Capturing Action with Telephoto Lenses
Using Telephoto Lenses for Close-ups
Capturing Portraits
Photographing Animals
Chapter 5 Exploring Other Lenses
Fisheye Lenses
Tilt-Shift Lenses
Holga Lenses
Lensbaby Lenses
Pinhole Lenses
Diana F+ Lenses
Book 3 Taking Creative Control
Chapter 1 Making Sense of Exposure
Understanding Exposure
Evaluating exposure
Controlling exposure
Comparing exposure intervals
Keeping an Eye on Exposure Information
Reading the exposure level
Viewing exposure settings
Paying attention to warnings
Measuring Light by Metering
General metering methods
Camera metering modes
Changing metering modes
Metering the scene with your camera
Using an external light meter
Reviewing and Analyzing Your Photos
Delving into photo playback
Interpreting histograms
Troubleshooting Exposure
Using exposure compensation
Setting the exposure manually
Using AE lock
Autoexposure bracketing (AEB)
Using other exposure tricks
Chapter 2 Setting the Aperture
Investigating f-numbers and Apertures
Learning about f-numbers
Lenses and apertures
Setting the Aperture
From the camera
From the lens
Digging into Depth of Field
Controlling the depth of field
Previewing the depth of field
Paying attention to the blurry parts
Being realistic
Designing with Depth of Field
Landscapes
Portraits
Macros and close-ups
Action
Tilt-shift lenses
Chapter 3 Choosing a Shutter Speed
Decoding Shutter Speed
Learning about the shutter
Reading the speed
Shutter speed and exposure
Setting the Shutter Speed
Combating Blur and Noise
Camera shake, rattle, and roll
Shooting moving targets
Enabling Long Exposure Noise Reduction
Designing with Shutter Speed
Shooting crisp photos
Accounting for flash sync speed
Photographing action
Being creative with water
Working with slow shutter speeds
Using Bulb mode
Shooting macros
Chapter 4 Selecting an ISO
Understanding ISO
A bit of history
Inside the numbers
Generating noise with high ISOs
The funny thing about noise
Setting ISO
Controlling ISO yourself
Using Auto ISO
Restricting Auto ISO
Using High ISO Noise Reduction
Managing ISO
ISO Gallery
Elevated ISO
High ISO levels
Extreme ISO settings
Chapter 5 Using Filters
Learning about Filters
Looking at how filters work
Considering filter pros and cons
Using filters with dSLRs
Taking Shape with Filter Systems
Circular (screw-in)
Rectangular frame slide-in
Using Filters for Different Purposes
Protective
Circular polarizer
Ultraviolet (UV)
Neutral density (ND)
ND graduated
Color filter
Color grad filter
Other filters
Book 4 Lighting the Scene
Chapter 1 Working with Ambient Light
Working in Natural Light
Shooting during the morning golden hour
Fighting with the light at noon
Going out in the early evening
Enjoying the evening golden hour
Photographing the sunset
Capturing twilight
Shooting at night
Dealing with Weather
Capturing clouds
Working in the snow
Using fog
Shooting Inside
Photographing in large interior spaces
Photographing in living spaces
Using stage lighting
Being Creative in Different Situations
Working with indirect light
Capturing reflections
Dealing with glare and haze
Shooting high-contrast scenes
Photographing low contrast scenes
The Shadow knows!
Chapter 2 Exploring Basic Flash Photography
Finding the Flash
Using the Flash Automatically
Setting a flash-friendly shooting mode
Preventing the built-in flash from firing
Customizing automatic flash settings
Manually Activating the Built-in Flash
Using the built-in flash
Knowing when to use flash
Disabling the built-in flash
Tips on Using the Built-in Flash
Getting Fancy with the Flash
Enabling red-eye reduction
Using flash compensation
Using FE Lock
Controlling the flash strength manually
Unlocking more advanced features
Chapter 3 Using an External Flash and Accessories
Getting to Know External Flash Units
Looking at the front
From the back and sides
Accessorizing your external flash
Handling an External Flash
Attaching it to your camera
Removing the flash
Tilting and swiveling the flash head
Attaching a mini stand
Working the controls
Configuring Your External Flash
Trying Different Techniques
Using high-speed sync
Bouncing and diffusing
Using an umbrella
Focusing light with a snoot
Using a stand
Elevating the flash with a bracket
Cords galore
Going wireless
Book 5 Managing and Processing Your Shots
Chapter 1 Transferring and Managing Files
Getting a Workflow
Early Decisions
Transferring Files
Connecting
Downloading
Getting a Grip on Your Pictures
Manual management
Media-management software
Processing and managing software
Photo editors
Managing Photos
Quickly Processing the Good Ones
Advanced Editing When Desired
Publishing
General considerations
Resizing options
Saving and exporting
Archiving
Playing it safe
Putting the plan into action
Chapter 2 Quickly Sprucing Up Shots
Software for Sprucing Up Photos
Deciding on an Image Quality
Benefits of Raw images
Challenges of working with Raw photos
Non-destructive editing
Getting Started
Reviewing and flagging good photos
Switching to the Develop module
Setting the lens profile
Testing the waters
Setting Brightness and Contrast
Adjusting the exposure
Improving contrast
Protecting highlights and shadows
Setting the black and white points
Working with texture, clarity, and haze
Correcting and Improving Color
Checking the white balance
Adjusting color vibrancy and saturation
Making Additional Improvements
Finishing Up
Straightening and cropping
Exporting images
Processing Photos In-Camera
Chapter 3 Digging Deeper into Photo Editing
Software for Editing Photos
Dealing with the Mundane Stuff
Creating a Photoshop file
Helpful Photoshop features
Coping with color management
Saving your final images
Dodging and Burning
Using High Pass to Sharpen
Making Minor Adjustments
Applying Changes Selectively with Masks
Mashing Up Versions of the Same Shot
Stamping Out Imperfections and Distractions
Dusting and cleaning
Removing other distractions
Improving complexions
Adjusting Final Composition
Words of Caution and Encouragement
Chapter 4 Expressing Your Artistry
Why Be Creative?
Software for Your Artistic Endeavors
Converting to Black and White
Using black-and-white adjustment layers
Photo gallery
Colorizing Your Photos
Tinting the fast and easy way
Colorizing with Hue/Saturation
Split toning using Color Balance
Cross-processing with Curves
Using color layers
Creating duotones
Experimenting with Artistic Filters
Using the Filter Gallery
Applying other filters
Smart Filters
Filter fun
Using In-Camera Creative Styles and Filters
Using in-camera styles
Applying in-camera filters
Chapter 5 Creating Panoramas
Shooting Pan-tastic Panoramas
Getting your camera ready
Shooting tripod-assisted panoramas
Shooting handheld panoramas
Stitching Photos Together
Creating panoramas with Lightroom
Creating panoramas with Photoshop
Stepping Up Your Game
Advanced blending in Photoshop
Using a panoramic tripod head
Using specialized panorama software
Shooting HDR panoramas
Shooting Automatic Panoramas
Chapter 6 Enjoying HDR Photography
HDR Software
Learning about HDR
Shooting Exposure Brackets for HDR
Configuring your camera
Setting up automatic exposure bracketing (AEB)
Shooting the exposure brackets
Tone Mapping in Photomatix Pro
Creating the HDR image
Tone mapping the HDR image
Trying Alternative Techniques
Using your camera’s HDR modes
Preparing your images differently
Trying single-exposure HDR
Creating your own brackets from a single shot
Manually bracketing exposures
Using other applications for HDR
Book 6 Showcasing Different Scenes
Chapter 1 Portraits
Capturing Animal Portraits
Copy What Works
Snapping Casual Portraits
Posing Group Photos
Say Cheese!
Chapter 2 Landscapes
Using an Ultra Wide-Angle Lens
Getting Up Early
Going Different Places
Getting Out in the Weather
The Classic Sunset
Chapter 3 Action
Tracking the Action
Using an External Flash
Finding the Right Spot
Great Light Is Great
Pushing to the Limits
Chapter 4 Close-Ups
Zoom In
Be Ready to Grab Your Camera
Using Diopters
Whatever Works, Works
Focus on Small Details
Index
EULA