One thing I've noticed about many new photographers is the enthusiasm they have for really learning how to use their camera as well as possible. In some cases, this requires the use of understanding how to shoot in Manual mode. Learning how to choose your setting so it appropriately fits the scene and style of the photograph you are trying to achieve is a great skill to have. But then I see them take it up one more step, and get the idea that to be some sort of real photographer they have to always shoot in manual. In an online photography … [Read more...] about Aperture Priority versus Manual Mode
exposure
Experimental Collages and Multiple Exposures with Blending Modes
Interested in making composited photo collages that simulates shooting multiple exposures? In this tutorial I show you a favorite technique for combining several images with blending modes in Adobe Photoshop. Give me two minutes and I'll show you a bunch of cool tricks for merging exposures. Can't see the video? Click Here. Disclaimer: These are just a few ways to use blending modes....there are of course many different things you can try. ______ … [Read more...] about Experimental Collages and Multiple Exposures with Blending Modes
How to Fix an Underexposed or Overexposed Photo in Seconds
Do you want to lift the shadows in your photos? Give me two minutes and I'll show you the powerful Shadows Highlights Adjustment in Adobe Photoshop. In seconds you can fix exposure problems for just about any image. Can't see the video? Click Here. This is just one way to fix exposure problems.... I hope its helpful. ______ … [Read more...] about How to Fix an Underexposed or Overexposed Photo in Seconds
How to Photograph a Silhouette
This image shows the transition of a darkened silhouette, where the image was exposed for the sky, all the way to an image where the metering was set to the foreground. A silhouette can make a beautiful photographthey are a true minimalistic image, and can even evoke a feeling of mystery or suspense. And, the good thing is that they are relatively simple to create! The basics of creating a silhouette is that your background will need to be brighter than your foreground and subject. Most of the time, when you are outdoors on a sunny day, this … [Read more...] about How to Photograph a Silhouette
Rescuing a Photo with Lightroom
Which Type of HDR is Right for You?
When working with HDR software tools, there are many options. Its easy to get overwhelmed with sliders and presets. Theres a critical choice that needs to be made first. How do you want to merge the multiple exposures together? There are generally three options to choose from. Lets explore the benefits of each. Fuse Exposures The most subtle use of HDR is to simply merge exposures. If you want to capture a scene whos dynamic range exceeds the capabilities of a digital sensor, use this approach. In Photomatix, choose the method Fuse exposure … [Read more...] about Which Type of HDR is Right for You?
How to Expose a Video Shot on a DSLR
I've had a lot of people ask me how to properly expose a DSLR camera when shooting video. It seems a bit tricky since you really need to shoot in Manual mode to get the best results. Here's a video I recorded for the DPBestflow project which may help you. _________ … [Read more...] about How to Expose a Video Shot on a DSLR
Learn The Basics Of Photographic Light & Exposure
If you're new to photography and would like to learn more about light and exposure, my pal Rich Harrington and I have written a book just for you. It's called "The Basic Beginner's Guide To Photography Light & Exposure." We're very excited about this book because it uses all the tools available in Apple's iBooks Author to create a fully interactive experience. You'll not only be able to read the text, but you'll find video, audio, motion graphics and more. We're also excited about the fact that we can offer this at just $3.99. When Rich … [Read more...] about Learn The Basics Of Photographic Light & Exposure
Multiple Exposure Photography
According to Wikipedia - a multiple exposure photograph is: "...the superimposition of two or more individual exposures to create a single photograph. The exposure values may or may not be identical to each other." In the old days, we did this in camera - and using some of the newer digital compact cameras (and even a few of the pro bodies) the multiple exposure feature is built in - meaning you can shoot more than one subject on a frame. But another way to accomplish this is to shoot multiple frames (in the case above three) and then blend … [Read more...] about Multiple Exposure Photography
Free Video Tutorial – How to use ACR’s Fill/Recovery Command to fix a poorly exposed photo.
Guest Post by Rich Harrington shows you how to use ACR's Fill/Recovery Command to fix a poorly exposed photo. DISCLAIMER: This post isn't intended to be definitive - we're not claiming this is the ONLY way or even the BEST way to accomplish this task in Photoshop, Aperture, iPhoto or any other post-prodcessing program. We're merely offering it as A way you might accomplish this task. These tips are free, offered only because they might be helpful to someone. __________________________________ … [Read more...] about Free Video Tutorial – How to use ACR’s Fill/Recovery Command to fix a poorly exposed photo.
Photographers: Exposure Yourself
Post & Photo by If you agree that light is one of the key elements that differentiate a good photograph from a snapshot, then its necessary to learn and understand proper exposure. Believe it or not, there was a time when cameras did not have built in light meters, let alone automatic exposure. In those Jurassic-era days, photographers either used a hand-held exposure meter or relied on the data sheet that was packaged with each roll of film, providing basic exposure guidelines for taking photographs in bright sun, hazy sun, or cloudy … [Read more...] about Photographers: Exposure Yourself
Sometimes It’s Okay To Overexpose
I posted this image a few days ago and one of my readers wrote a 3,200 word expose on how I was a horrible photographer because his high school photography teacher (Yep I am being schooled by a 17-year-old) told him that under NO circumstance should you ever fail to expose for detail in the highlights. Sorry junior - but your high school photography teacher is wrong - if that is indeed what he said. Sometimes it's just absolutely, positively okay to let the highlights go. I happen to think this photo is a perfect example of that. The idea of … [Read more...] about Sometimes It’s Okay To Overexpose
Advanced Photography Exposure Tips
There are plenty of places to get basic exposure tips. Just enter the phrase "Basic Photo Exposure Tips" into Google and you'll see what I mean. Since the basics are easy to come by, I decided to write a post on some advanced exposure tips. I usually recommend using your camera with matrix or evaluative metering. These modes evaluate the entire scene, comparing levels of brightness, and then, using proprietary algorithms, come up with a correct exposure. Most of the time, the evaluative meter works just fine. The key to advanced exposure … [Read more...] about Advanced Photography Exposure Tips
The Ultimate Exposure Question
This is a tough one. Many readers write and ask me, "What's the best exposure - all things being equal." Of course there is no "best exposure." Every situation is different. But there are some best practices to consider. These best practices assume application toward general photography. They don't apply to people who have a creative or technical reason to do it differently. In short, if you're NOT the kind of person who would ask this question, you may not need to read this post. (I'd write a longer disclaimer to deal with the pixel peepers … [Read more...] about The Ultimate Exposure Question
Exposure Tips
If you're having trouble getting the right exposure, here are some basic tips that might help you solve your problems. a. Use matrix or evaluative metering. Your camera's manual will tell you how to set this preference. It takes into account a wider area of scene information and attempts to balance the exposure to better compensate for contrasty light. b. Assuming you're shooting with digital cameras, and most of you are, expose for the highlights. That means, don't overexpose. Once you lose information in the highlights it's gone … [Read more...] about Exposure Tips
Exposure & Basic Camera Controls – The Shutter
This article is dedicated to controlling the shutter. On older cameras, the shutter speed dial is engraved with numbers. Youd turn the dial and line up a number with a mark on the camera body. Today, you have an LCD to display the numbers, usually on the top panel of the camera and inside the viewfinder. On the older cameras, the series of numbers went something like this 4, 2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 500, 1000. Notice that the three numbers on the left are red. Ill get to those in a minute. The rest of these numbers represent time in … [Read more...] about Exposure & Basic Camera Controls – The Shutter
