Nikon D200 Training

Civil Air Patrol

TX-413 Nighthawk Squadron

This training outline is designed to provide a moderate level of understanding and skill to members who plan to use the Nikon D200 camera for missions involving aerial photography.

Outline: Basic Formula for Photography ISO Aperture Shutter Speed White Balance/Metering Focusing

Basic

Photography Imaging

& Composition

Basic Formula for Photography

Basic Camera Concepts

– Exposures: It takes a certain amount of light for a certain amount of time to capture an image.

– You can adjust the amount of light required (ISO-Film Speed)

– You can adjust the amount of light let in (Aperture)

– You can adjust the amount of time (Shutter)

– All of these adjustments are directly related, and will have a direct effect on each other.

Photography Basics

Think of the formula as a Bucket, Pipeline, and Valve Combination.

ISO Aperture Shutter Speed

ISO settings/changing

ISO is the Film Speed (or the size of the bucket)

In other words, it determines how much light is required to make a picture show up on the film/processor

Concept: A larger bucket takes more water to fill

ISO film speeds generally range from 100 - 6400

The higher the ISO number:– The more sensitive the film– The less light is required to expose the image– The higher the “grain”

The numbers are proportionate. ISO 100 requires twice (2x) the light as ISO 200

ISO settings/changing cont’d

High ISO “Grain”

Although we have a very high quality camera, we need to be aware of “grain” while using high ISO settings

Try to use the lowest ISO setting possible to get the highest quality results.

High ISO “Grain” Illustration

How to set ISO on the D200

How to set ISO on the D200:

Auto Mode - Go to the Menu Manual Mode- Hold the ISO button,

and spin the rear dial

All About Aperture

Aperture is the size of the opening in the camera lens

Aperture controls the amount of light coming into the camera

Think of it as a “pipeline for light”– The larger the pipeline…the more light can

come in.

All About Aperture

Larger Aperture settings will require lower ISO and higher Shutter speeds.

Smaller Aperture settings will require higher ISO and lower Shutter speeds.

Uses: Larger Aperture settings allow for higher shutter

speeds Smaller Aperture settings allow for more depth of

field.

All About Aperture

Aperture settings are referred to as: “F stops”– F5.6, F8, F2.8, F16, F22, etc….– Larger numbers equal smaller openings.– The F# is actually 1/f

Aperture settings are proportional. F8 is 2x the size of F16.

Depth of field concept: Fire Hose vs. Straw

Aperture Illustration

All About Shutter Speed

Shutter speed is how fast the shutter stays open to capture the image.

Shutter Speed is the “valve” – the longer it stays open, the more light can come through the pipeline and into the bucket.

Higher shutter speeds “freeze” movement Lower shutter speeds add “blurr” effect

Shutter speeds listed as:125, 250, 500,etc Actual is: 1/125th, 1/250th of 1 second

All About Shutter Speed

In the aircraft, you will need a minimum of 1/250 shutter speed to eliminate vibration and movement from the airplane, 1/500 is optimal if possible.

Try to balance shutter speed needs with ISO and aperture settings.

All About Shutter Speed

High vs. Low Shutter Speed

Priority for Settings

More Important– Shutter Speed– Aperture– ISO

Less Important

It is better to sacrifice ISO settings to keep aperture and speed settings up

Composition/Aiming

Focus on the subject “Fill the Frame” – use zoom and

position to crop

Composition/Aiming

You will typically be farther away from the subject than you need to be. Ask the pilot to fly closer if necessary to get the shot.

The ideal angle to the ground is 45 degrees. – 1,000’ AGL, and 1,000’ from target

Under/Over Exposure

Under Exposed Over Exposed

Examples of Under/Over Exposure

Correcting Exposure Issues

Aim the camera at the subject Use the Pre-Focus Metering to lock in

settings Remember: The camera is a

computerized machine…it will do EXACTLY what you tell it to do.

Exposure Correction

Examples of Under/Over Exposure correction by proper aiming and metering

Things to remember about exposure issues:– Photoshop can’t fix bad shots– Color and definition are lost at both

extremes– Some images can be salvaged, but the

image quality will be sacrificed– It’s much easier to get a good shot than

to fix a bad one– It’s ok to go back and reshoot

Reducing Glare with Polarizing Filters

Notice the difference in the glare on the water. The polarizing filter “cuts through” the glare, and creates good color and definition

Without Filter With Filter

Additional Exposure/Glare Techniques

Make sure the horizon is above the top of the frame. – Haze and glare are more likely to occur at

horizontal angles Get up close to your subject

– The more haze between you and the subject, the worse the photo will be.

Use the “glare hood”– Prevents “flare” and “stray light” from

affecting lens glass

Haze/Glare

Glare/Flare

Example of lens “flare”

3 Houses Destroyed

Tornado Damage

Radio Tower

High Angle

Not So Good

Lens Hood Warning

Warning!!!!! Make sure the lens hood is

“snapped” in place The lens hood can be pulled off the

camera by the wind Keep the camera inside the aircraft

Technique Review

Aim at the target Fill the frame Get up on it 45 degree angle No horizon Shoot “down light” if possible Review photos BEFORE you RTB

Review Questions

Questions?

Review Questions

What is ISO?– What is the optimal setting for our

missions?– How do you adjust ISO settings?– If you adjust ISO, what else do you need

to consider?– What are the problems associated with

high and low ISO settings?

Review Questions

What is Shutter Speed– What is the minimum speed for our

missions?– What is the optimal speed for our

missions?– How do you adjust Shutter Speed?– If you adjust Shutter Speed, what else

do you need to consider?– What are the problems with high and

low shutter speeds?

What is Aperture?– What does the Apeture control?– How do you adjust Aperture?– If you adjust Aperture, what else do you

need to consider?– What are the problems with large and

small Aperture settings?

Review Questions

If you keep having the wing and the strut show up in your pictures, what should you do?

If your pictures aren’t in focus, what settings should you check? – What other issues should you consider?

If your pictures are very “white” and bright, what should you do?

If you have a lot of glare in your photos, what should you try?

What is the maximum # of pictures you can take of a target on a mission?

Camera Functions

& Setup

Formatting vs Deleting

Works the same way as your PC

Formatting the CF card resets the file numbering system and reduces the chances of a file error.

Deleting the images simply erases them. The file numbering system does not reset.

Auto-Focus Modes

There are 3 Auto Focus modes: Servo, AF, M– Servo mode provides constantly variable

focusing

– AF mode allows you to temporarily “lock” the focal distance during the “pre-focus”

– Manual mode – the name says it all…

Shutter Modes

There are 5 Shutter modes: S, CL, CH, Clock, Mup

– Single Shot – Works like a semi auto gun– Continuous Low – Full auto @ 2.5 fps– Cont. High – (Rambo Mode) Full auto @

6 fps– Clock – For taking pics of yourself– Mirror Up – Night photos

Shooting Modes

There are 4 shooting modes: P, S, A, M– Program Mode – (Dummy Mode)

Everything done for you– Shutter Priority – Mandated Shutter

Speeds– Aperture Priority – Mandated Aperture

Size– Manual – You set everything on your

own

Issues with Program Mode

A few issues with P mode:– Factory Settings may not be ideal for

our missions• Color• Saturation• Sharpness• Contrast

Image Size/Quality

File Formats : JPEG, RAW– JPEG is the standard file format for

images– RAW is the file format for Nikon, Canon,

etc• RAW images are significantly higher quality

– Thus, the file sizes are substantially larger

• RAW file formats can only be read by special software

Image Compression

Image Compression helps reduce file size

– RAW- No compression– JPEG Fine – 1:4 – JPEG Normal – 1:8– JPEG Basic – 1:16 Lower Quality

Higher Quality

Image Size

There are 3 size formats– Large 3,872 x 2,592 (10 mp)– Medium 2,896 x 1,944 (5.6 mp)– Small 1,936 x 1,296 (2.5 mp)

Larger image sizes can be magnified with more detail.

Smaller image sizes allow for ease of transfer, and more space on CF card

GPS Connectivity

Connect the GPS and make sure the GPS Indicator is SOLID

A SOLID light means you have a SOLID Connection

GPS Placement

The GPS needs to be able to “see the sky” If not, you may still get a “GPS” signal on

the camera, but you may not get any coordinates from the GPS

The front dash and rear baggage area work well

The GPS indicator on the camera only verifies that there is a connection. It does not guarantee that any data was collected.

Inside the Viewfinder

Top Display

Shutter Speed Aperture

Remaining Pictures

Shooting Mode

Battery

Focal Point

Camera Buttons

JPEG, FINE, LARGE

ISO SETTING

SHUTTER MODES, CL, CH, CLOCK, MUP

WHITE BALANCE

SHOOTING MODE:P, S, A, M

SHUTTER MODEWHEEL LOCK

Questions?

Review Questions

Why do we format the CF card? What are the 3 AF modes?

– What’s the difference? What are the 3 primary Shutter Modes? What are the 4 Shooting/Priority Modes?

– What are the issues associated with each? What Are the 2 image file formats?

– What are the pro’s/con’s of each? What does a blinking GPS symbol on the camera

indicate?

Skill & Proficiency

Skill Development &

Proficiency Management

Developing Skills

Cone Drills– Line up cones– Place in + configuration– Drive around– Take photos on the move

The cone drill develops skill for:– Movement / Vibration– Cardinal directions– Turns around a point– Framing / Composition– Peripheral vision in viewfinder

Lining up the shot

vs.

Use the cones to train the eye to “line up” the shot

Turn around a point

Use single cones to demonstrate radio towers

On Foot

You can also do it on foot– Make sure someone is there to keep you from

tripping

Proficiency

There are lots of people and things to take pictures of around your home to stay proficient.

The End