220 pages of expert Photo advice
The all-in-one beginner’s course to using your D-SLR
LEARN all these things: ✔ how to use the key controls of your D-SLR ✔ Improve your pictures in simple steps ✔ Get to grips with lenses and accessories ✔ Take photos that you’ll be really proud of PMZ42
2014
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Welcome to your digital edition Three easy ways to read this digital book‌ Double click to zoom
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Compared with camera phones and compact cameras, modern D-SLRs can seem terribly over-complicated to the novice photographer. The truth is, they have to be over-complicated to satisfy the needs of a diverse range of users, despite the fact that most photographers will only use a small percentage of the features on their cameras on a regular basis. What the beginner photographer really needs, then, is a no-nonsense guide to the most important features on D-SLRs written by experts that reveals in plain English exactly what they need to know and nothing more. This is that book. Teach yourself Photography explains all the photography concepts beginners need to know, such as how to balance exposures, how to get sharp shots, and how to maximise image quality. Once you’ve mastered these basics, you can then move on to our more advanced skills section at the end of the book featuring 26 practical how-to guides for shooting almost any subject written by seasoned pro photographer Mark Hamblin. We hope you enjoy learning with this guide. Because you bought this book we’d also like to offer you a 40% discount off our 40-part Teach yourself Photography interactive DVD training course. To claim the discount, use the voucher code MFMDVD at www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/photo
Chris George, Series Editor
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Teach yourself Photography
Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA www.digitalcameraworld.com
Series Editor Operations Editor Design Disc Editor Editorial contributors
Chris George Steven Raynes Chris Hedley, Simon Middleweek, Martin Parfitt Ali Jennings Claire Gillo, Mark Hamblin, Hollie Latham, James Paterson
Future Publishing Limited Head of Photography Matt Pierce Group Editor in Chief Chris George Group Art Director Simon Middleweek Content & Marketing Director Nial Ferguson
Advertising Senior Sales Executive Tel: +44 (0)1225 788186 Sasha McGregor sasha.mcgregor@futurenet.com
PRINT & PRODUCTION Production Co-ordinator Marie Quilter marie.quilter@futurenet.com
LICENSING Senior Licensing and Syndication Manager Regina Erak regina.erak@futurenet.com Phone: + 44 (0)1225 442244 Fax: + 44 (0)1225 732275 Printed in the UK by William Gibbons on behalf of Future. Distributed in the UK by Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London EC1A 9PT. Phone: + 44 (0)20 7429 4000
Future produces carefully targeted magazines, websites and events for people with a passion. Our portfolio includes more than 180 magazines, websites and events, and we export or license our publications to 90 countries around the world. Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR). Chief executive Zillah Byng-Maddick Non-executive chairman Peter Allen Group financial officer Richard Haley Tel: +44 (0) 1225 442244 www.futureplc.com All information contained in this magazine is for informational purposes only and is, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of going to press. Future Publishing Limited cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies that occur. Readers are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers direct with regard to pricing. Š Future Publishing Limited 2014. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.
Teach yourself Photography
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 1
Set up your camera
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Get your new digital SLR camera out of the box...................... 8 A guide to digital camera batteries.............................................12 Memory cards for digital cameras explained..........................15 How to fit a lens to your camera..................................................18 A guided tour of your digital SLR camera................................20
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A guide to your camera’s menu system..................................26 Learn how to hold your SLR correctly......................................28 Discover how to zoom and focus a lens...................................32 Learn how to take your first photo.............................................36 Transfer images from camera to computer...........................38
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Learn the different ways of framing..........................................42 Automatic shooting modes........................................................44 Stay sharp with autofocus...........................................................46 Maximise your picture quality....................................................48 Review your photos on screen...................................................50
CHAPTER 4
Capture stunning creative portraits
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A guide to your SLR’s Scene modes.........................................54 Produce picture-perfect portraits.............................................58 Discover how to blur a background..........................................66 Use autofocus points for sharper shots...................................68 Get natural lighting right...............................................................70
CHAPTER 5
Shoot inspiring landscapes
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Master landscape composition................................................. 74 Make the most of natural light....................................................84 Maximise your depth of field.......................................................92 Take control of your exposures .................................................96
CHAPTER 6
Capture kids having fun
ISO explained................................................................................126 Get supported with a tripod......................................................128 Pop some flash light....................................................................130 White balance settings...............................................................132 Shoot light trails...........................................................................136
Start taking control
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Take control in Program mode................................................. 142 Get to grips with the mode dial.................................................146 The basics of exposure..............................................................150 Get to grips with manual mode................................................160 Which camera lens next?..........................................................164
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 3
Learn key features of your camera
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CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 2
The basics explained
Low-light tips and tricks
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Easy home lighting......................................................................102 Add pizzazz with camera picture styles................................106 How to avoid unwanted blur......................................................110 Capture action-packed pictures...............................................114 Fun family portrait tips................................................................118
Core skills
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Be artistic at home......................................................................170 Capture pets on the move......................................................... 173 Capture holiday highs..................................................................174 Achieve perfect focus every time............................................ 177 Shooting silhouettes................................................................... 178 Master Auto ISO............................................................................181 The light fantastic........................................................................182 Fireworks!......................................................................................185 Let there be light!.........................................................................186 Exposure bracketing..................................................................189 Go on a garden safari..................................................................190 Focus stacking.............................................................................193 Give your shots wings!................................................................194 Switch focus.................................................................................. 197 See in black and white................................................................198 Instant mono................................................................................201 See you on the other side.........................................................202 Metering modes.........................................................................205 Make the most of the golden hour..........................................206 Get exposure just right..............................................................209 Blur clouds with filters................................................................210 Capture rich blue skies...............................................................213 Wizard wild flowers.....................................................................214 Capture the big picture............................................................... 217 The sky at night............................................................................218 Seeing stars..................................................................................221
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Teach yourself Photography Set up your camera
Teach yourself Photography Set up your camera
Set up your camera We take a digital SLR camera and accessories out of the box and show you how to set it all up
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Get your new digital SLR camera out of the box
Take the first steps in setting up your digital SLR, and get familiar with the accessories that accompany it
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A guide to digital camera batteries
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Memory cards for digital cameras explained
Learn everything you need to know about your SLR’s built-in battery and included charger pack
We take look at the various types of memory card so that you know which one is right for your camera model
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How to fit a lens to your camera
Our easy-to-follow guide reveals all you need to know about attaching lenses to an SLR and removing them
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A guided tour of your digital SLR camera
Get to know your camera better by understanding where all the main controls and dials are positioned and what they are for
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Teach yourself Photography Set up your camera
Unbox your SLR Take the first steps in setting up your digital SLR, and get familiar with the accessories that accompany it t’s always the same when you buy something new – as soon as you get your new D-SLR home you’ll want to start using it straight away. And that’s fine. But for the very best results it’s well worth spending some time familiarising yourself with your new camera (and its accessories) before you start shooting. So, to ensure that you know what’s what from the outset, here we’ll give you a quick guide to the basics. To take and save pictures, you’ll need a memory card that’s compatible with your camera, and these aren’t often supplied as standard. Not sure what to buy? We’ll be covering memory card types and requirements later on. For now though, we suggest you go and grab your camera box and follow along with us so you can be sure your camera is set up properly before you head out to take pictures.
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2 Battery Your camera will be powered by a Lithium-ion rechargeable battery, which slots neatly into the battery compartment. Different camera models will need a different battery type. If you need to buy a spare, check the battery body for the model number.
If you haven’t already done so, you’ll need to purchase a lens. Many entry-level D-SLRs are sold with a kit lens included in the price, and this is a good way to get started. A standard zoom lens, such as an 18-55mm model, is perfect for beginners, and you can invest in more flexible (and expensive) lenses as your photography progresses.
1 USB cable The USB cable enables you to connect your camera directly to your computer or tablet, so you can transfer, look at, file and back up images without the need for a card reader.
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Teach yourself Photography Set up your camera
Software and manual Your camera’s instruction manual might not seem the most interesting read, but it will prove very handy if you ever get stuck, so make sure it’s always in your kit bag. If you’re unsure where to find certain features or your camera is doing something you weren’t expecting, the manual will most likely provide a solution. You can also download a digital version of your camera’s manual from the manufacturer’s website. You’ll notice, too, that your camera comes with free software that will help you to organise and edit your shots, and it’s a good idea to install this right away. Simply insert the disc into your computer and follow the on-screen instructions. Keep the software running smoothly by downloading regular updates from your camera manufacturer’s website.
4 Battery charger The battery charger will come with a cable that attaches to a power supply. A small LED light will let you know when the battery is fully charged. It’s worth charging your battery each time you return from a shoot so that your camera is always powered up. It’s worth carrying a charged spare too.
5 Main camera body The first and most important thing is the body itself. Your camera will arrive with a protective body cap that should always be fitted when you don’t have a lens attached. This prevents dust and dirt entering your camera and sitting on the sensitive image sensor inside. These ‘sensor spots’ will decrease the quality of your images.
6 Neck strap To hang your camera securely around your neck, and ensure your camera is always there and ready to shoot, you need to attach the neck strap (see our step-by-step guide on the next page to find out how).
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Teach yourself Photography Set up your camera
Fit the camera strap Attach the neck strap supplied with your D-SLR to the body of the camera securely with our step-by-step guide
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Lay out the strap
Take the strap out of the box and lay it down on a flat surface in front of the camera body. Make sure the writing on the strap is facing upwards and is the right way around.
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Place in the loop
Grab the small end of the strap and thread it underneath and through the bar on the side of the camera body. Pull about 10cms of the strap through.
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Adjust the buckle
Now grip the plastic buckle and pull out a few inches of the strap to make a loop. The next step can be a bit fiddly, so ensure you pull out enough slack now to make the next stage easier.
Teach yourself Photography Set up your camera
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Pull it tight
Carefully thread the end of the strap up and down through the buckle so that it locks into place (see the image). You can now pull the strap tight.
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Repeat the process
Repeat this process on the other side and give each side a firm pull to test it’s secure. You can now hang your camera around your neck knowing it’s fully protected. Some photographers prefer to wrap the strap around their wrist and grip the camera in the hand.
Strap in place
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Teach yourself Photography Set up your camera
Power up!
Learn everything you need to know about your SLR’s built-in battery and included charger pack efore you even think about delving into your camera’s endless menus and features, you’ll need to charge the battery and insert it. Each camera is supplied with a battery and charger in the box, and your battery will be a Lithium-ion rechargeable type. Some older D-SLRs still take AA batteries, but the modern Lithiumion batteries supplied with the vast majority of new cameras last far longer, and are easier to recharge. To charge the battery, simply insert it into the charger slot, plug in the charger, and switch on the power. The battery is the lifeline to your D-SLR. Unlike film cameras, where everything could be controlled manually, digital cameras need batteries to power everything from the on switch to the autofocus. So, before you get started, here’s how to get the best out of your rechargeable battery.
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How do I know when the battery is fully charged? Your charger will have an indicator light that changes colour or stops flashing when your battery is full.
How do I know how much charge is left in my battery? Your camera’s LCD screen will feature a battery icon that lets you know at a glance how much juice is left. When power gets really low it will start flashing. Some D-SLRs also include a top panel LCD with a small battery icon in the corner.