Digital Photography Handbook

Mrs. Melansonemelanson@pembinatrails.ca

Website: melansonphotography.weebly.com

THE CAMERA

Holding the Camera Properly

SHUTTER RELEASE BUTTON

1. Compose your ________________2. Press shutter _________________ half way (hold) – allows

the camera to ____________ and select the __________________.  Camera will beep when ready.

3. (Hold) press  shutter release __________________ to snap/take your picture.

COMPACT/CELL PHONE VS. DSLR (DIGITAL ___________ LENS __________)

convenience – compact cameras are easier to _______________.  always have your cell phone.

the lens – __________________ in a DSLR expense  less image _________________ in a DSLR (quality) camera size and weight can use an ______________with a DSLR DSLR you can control the _______________:  aperture, depth of field, shutter

speed, ISO

STEPS TO TAKING A PICTURE

1. Turn on the _____________ – check battery2. Select camera _______________ – auto, portrait, etc.3. Frame the photograph – hold camera properly, _______________ close to your

body, one foot in front of the other to keep your upper body stable4. Focus on your subject – press shutter release __________, check your

indicators in the viewfinder5. Take your picture – smoothly ____________ shutter release all the way6.

THE ANATOMY OF A DSLR

Knowing your way around your DSLR camera will _____________ your enjoyment of photography. Knowledge and familiarity will also give you more ____________ and help build your confidence as you start to explore the world through the eyes of your camera _______________.

Using the images on the next few pages, label the following parts of the Nikon D3100 camera.

Mode Dial Release Mode Selector On/Off LCD Monitor AF button – Automatic Focus MF button – Manual Focus Menu Button Viewfinder Shutter Release Button Playback Button Lens release button Information Edit Button Information Button Command Dial Pop up flash Multi-controller Delete or Trash Button Function Button Zoom Buttons Flash controller Single Frame Continuous Self-Timer Quiet Shutter Release

WHAT MAKES A GOOD PHOTO? (SHOT COMPOSITION) Clearly defined ___________ and _________________ Sense of ____________ Point of view Degree of ___________ People doing __________ Good colour and contrast – lighting Planning and forethought Intent (message of the picture) Arranging forms and tones in a way that is _________ and brings viewers eyes

to the subject

AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE MODES

UNDERSTANDING EXPOSURE MODES

There is so much ______________ packed into the modern camera today that you can literally point and shoot and receive excellent pictures without getting too technical with the settings. Every DSLR has an array of ______________ modes. You can either keep things simple by selecting one of the scene modes and let the camera do the work for you or you can get very involved by taking over the camera settings and thus being more creative. The choice is yours.

SCENE MODES

PortraitUse for portraits (______________). Adjusts for soft, natural-looking _____________. If the subject is far from the background, background details will be ____________________ to lend the composition a sense of depth.

LandscapeUse for vivid landscape (_______________) shots in daylight. The built-in flash and AF turn off. The entire picture should be _______________ and in focus.

ChildUse for snapshots of ____________. Clothing and background details are ______________ while skin tones remain soft and natural. Camera will adjust ______________ to make up for slight movements

Close up / MacroUsed for close-up of flowers, insects and other ______________. Subject (flower) will be in focus and background will be ________________.

SportsUse when taking a picture of a ______________. The camera will use a faster shutter speed to _____________ for dynamic sports or movement shots in which main subject clearly stands out. No flash and AF (auto focus) is turned _________.

Night Portrait

Camera will adjust settings when taking a picture in ____________ in this mode(slower shutter speed and smaller aperture). Should have a natural balance between main subject and the background. Use of a __________ is recommended to prevent blur.