What do we have next?

Hi there, today is just another good day. After all these "theories" and "lessons", I guess we can have a break and go around to shoot some photos. 

There are more theories and lessons, what I wrote is just some basic knowledge in photography, and I hope I can write better to share my shooting experiences. Some of my friends told me "theories are boring", they hope to see more photos, especially night scene, they wish to see shooting stars, they want to see light in the city, or northern light :)

Well, those photos are not impossible to capture, but I need some time and equipment, and apparently I am out of budget... ...sad :(  By the way, I am not good in night shooting (manual mode) so far, and I need to learn how to use flash because I always get some "white face" in night portrait.

But, I like to shoot in forest, waterfall, flame, garden and etc. I like to get closer to nature and keep all these sceneries in different angle, especially in macro. Of course, night scene is part of it and I definitely will capture them in my camera.

However, photography is just like anything else, we cannot stop learning and need to keep trying in order to discover new theory and skill. Once you think you are perfect in photography, you will not improve and you will only remain what you had.

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Shutter Speed Project

Hi there, today is another good day to shoot some outdoor photos, I guess. :)

We had discussed different theories and shoot with different Mode, but all these lessons and tutorials are just not enough for me. Hehe. I need more, not only my brain needs to remember all these lessons, I guess my hands need to remember either. :) Of course, practise makes perfect. 

I just realised I like to play with Shutter Speed instead of Aperture. Although the basic of photography must work with both Shutter Speed and Aperture, I like to freeze the motion, to capture the beauty of instance. Sounds like a phrase directly translate from a Chinese phrase. ^^ 

Ok, I just grabbed my camera and drive to a place, a clean and quite place. There is a lake, I traced the water source and I found this.

This photo shoot in 1/100 Shutter Speed, you can get this result in a normal compact camera, or in Auto Mode. Well, the water is blur, and it just like you see with your eyes.

As I said, I really like to play with Shutter Speed. Freezing the motion of the water or fire just make me love photography more. :)

With 1/2000 Shutter Speed, you can see the water sharper and clearer. But the photo will be darker due to underexposure. Compare with 1/100 Shutter Speed, you can the drop and shape of the water now :)

By the way, shooting with a slower Shutter Speed is another way to make me love photography either. :P

As you can see, the water looks soft and smooth. Unlike the result in 1/100 Shutter Speed, you can see the beauty of the "blur" result. :P I also tried to shoot with a slower Shutter Speed but I got overexposure because the environment is not dark enough. Too bad, it started to rain and 3 hours to sunset. I got another appointment. Maybe, next time. :)


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Shooting in Camera User Setting Mode.

First, you need to select the Custom Mode at the camera Mode Dial. You might found your Dial looks different, but I'm sure you can find the C1 (or C2) icon ( In red circle) at the Dial :)

So, what does Custom Mode do? Let's begin. These are the setting for my camera, but it will be about the same as yours as well. Do not worry ^^

A Camera User Setting (or I called it Custom Mode) is actually a function to store your desire setting in Creative Zone. Let's see the setting below.

Aperture = f/5.6

Shutter Speed = Auto

Exposure = 0

ISO Speed = 3200

Picture Style = Portrait

White Balance = Tungsten Light

AF Mode = One Shot

AF Point Selection = Selectable

Drive Mode = Single

Metering Mode = Evaluative Metering

Built-in Flash = Off

These setting is my setting for a indoor shooting with Aperture-Priority Mode. Therefore, I save ALL these setting in Camera User Setting 1 (C1). 

Why do I need to save these settings? It is because I might need these settings AGAIN. I need to shoot indoor photos but I'm lazy to redo all these setting. Therefore, saving all these settings in C1 (or C2), so I can simply recall these settings whenever I need them. 

Camera User Setting allowed user to store any settings in Creative Zone. Therefore, when you got your "perfect" settings, you can either store in C1 or C2. The settings will be replaced if you store another settings in the same file. 

However, as a photographer, remember one thing. Even you got a "perfect" setting, you are advised to test shoot before the party or dinner started. The "perfect" setting is only perfect in the previous environment, and it might not be "perfect" once you change to another environment. :)

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Shooting in Manual Mode

First, you need to select the Manual Mode at the camera Mode Dial. You might found your Dial looks different, but I'm sure you can find the M icon ( In red circle) at the Dial :)

So, what does Manual Mode do? Let's begin. These are the setting for my camera, but it will be about the same as yours as well. Do not worry ^^

Aperture = Selectable

Shutter Speed = Selectable

Exposure = Cannot be Set

ISO Speed = Selectable

Picture Style = Selectable

White Balance = Selectable

AF Mode = Selectable

AF Point Selection = Selectable

Drive Mode = Selectable

Metering Mode = Selectable

Built-in Flash = Selectable

Most of the settings are selectable in Manual Mode, it is about the SAME as Program AE Mode.  I would say there is no more honeymoon for user who choose this Mode. There are many things to aware and you need to try different setting in different situation, Manually :)

The Shutter Speed and Aperture are selectable. Therefore, the Exposure will indicate the result according to your Shutter Speed and Aperture setting. Do you remember the chapter "How does Exposure work"? Let's see the steps below. 

1) Set your desire Shutter Speed

- Depends on what you want to shoot and style you want to create in your picture. Blur or Freeze motion. Please refer to chapter "Shooting in Shutter-Priority Mode".

2) Set your desire f-number. Do you still remember the chapter "Controlling the Depth of Field" ? I think I should repeat it again, simple one.

- If you higher the f-number, the Depth of Field will be wider. Therefore, both in front and back of the subject will be focus. 

- If you lower the f-number, the Depth of Field will be narrower. Therefore, only the subject is sharp and clear, most photographers like to create a soft background for portraits.

3) Set your desire ISO Speeds.

-If you found you can't get a satisfy result because of the dark environment, set the ISO speeds higher in order to increase the Shutter Speed to freeze the motion.

4) Pay attention in your Exposure

- As I mentioned above, the Shutter Speed and Aperture are under your control. Therefore, the camera will indicate whether you have a correct Exposure. 

If you are underexposure or overexposure, the Exposure bar will blink (in Green Circle). Therefore, you can create your own style, dark or bright, blur or freeze, it all depends on the user now. 

- You are advised to skip directly to Step 11 because the AF Point, AF Mode, Metering Mode, Drive Mode, White Balance, Picture Style and Built-in Flash are about the Same as Exposure-Priority Mode.

5) Set your desire AF Point.

- You can select your desire AF Point in this Mode. Unlike Auto Mode, Portrait Mode, Landscape Mode and etc, you can now choose the point you want to be focused. The Red Square shows the selected AF Point.

6) Try to focus with Manual Focus.

- I strongly recommend the user who choose Aperture-Priority Mode use Manual Focus. All you need to do is push the button from AF to MF.

Well, although Auto Focus is very convenient in most of the time, you need to try Manual Focus in order to improve your skill. Also, Manual Focus save more battery than Auto Focus. If you do not have a Battery Grip ( I only use it when I attach the External Flash ), you can use Manual Focus so your battery can last for the whole day.

7) Set the AF Mode.

- I'm sorry to tell you that you are not allowed to use AF Mode if you are using Manual Focus. It is because once you selected Manual Focus, all the AF Mode selection will not works. Switch back to Auto Focus to capture moving objects. :)

8) Try different Drive Mode for continuous action.

- There are 5 different Drive Mode for my camera, which are Single, Low-Speed continuous Shutter, High-Speed Continuous Shutter, 2 seconds Timer and 10 seconds Timer.

The first thing you need to aware is light source. If the environment is too dark, you can forget about the Continuous Shutter because you will not get a sharp and clear picture. Please refer back to chapter "How to Freeze Motion?".

9) Set your desire Metering Mode.

- Please refer back to chapter "How does Metering Mode work?"

10) Set your desire Drive Mode

- Please refer back to chapter "How does Drive Mode work?"

11) Manual Mode in dark environment

- Most photographer use Manual Mode in dark environment which difficult to get Exposure. Since Shutter Speed is under your control, you can even shoot starlit sky now. 

Although Shutter-Priority Mode can select your desire Shutter Speed ( or even open with BULK whole night for starlit sky), but you can't control the f-number. Therefore, you might not get the result you want. What you see with your eyes is different with the camera at night. 

You might feel difficult at first because you do not know the Exposure level. But you can look at the Exposure level indicator in the LCD Panel or viewfinder. Once the Exposure reach your desire level, close the shutter immediately before it overexpose. 

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Shooting in Automatic Depth of Field AE.

First, you need to select the Automatic Depth of Field Mode at the camera Mode Dial. You might found your Dial looks different, but I'm sure you can find the A-DEP icon ( In red circle) at the Dial :)

So, what does Automatic Depth of Field Mode do? Let's begin. These are the setting for my camera, but it will be about the same as yours as well. Do not worry ^^

Aperture = Auto

Shutter Speed = Auto

Exposure = Not Available

ISO Speed = Selectable

Picture Style = Selectable

White Balance = Selectable

AF Mode = Selectable

AF Point Selection = Not Available

Drive Mode = Selectable

Metering Mode = Selectable

Built-in Flash = Selectable

The objective of Automatic Depth of Field is to focus all subjects. Actually it sounds like compact camera to me because everything in target will be sharp and clear. The AF point is not selectable because all nine focus point well be in focused in order to capture close and everything clear picture. It works like Program AE but in different way.

A-DEP Mode is slightly similar with Close-Up Mode as well. The Aperture is in high f-number to narrow the depth of field. Therefore, all nine AF Point auto focus and narrow depth of field, it works just like "multi-focus" in compact camera. :)

By the way, since A-DEP Mode will automatically narrow the Depth of Field, the Shutter Speed will decrease in order to get enough Exposure. While you try to shoot a macro photography, slightly moved will cause blur result. Therefore, you are advised to use tripod or increase the ISO speeds.

However, users are allowed to control the picture style, white balance and etc to create special effect. 

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Shooting in Aperture-Priority Mode

First, you need to select the Aperture-Priority Mode at the camera Mode Dial. You might found your Dial looks different, but I'm sure you can find the Av icon ( In red circle) at the Dial :)

So, what does Aperture-Priority Mode do? Let's begin. These are the setting for my camera, but it will be about the same as yours as well. Do not worry ^^

Aperture = Selectable

Shutter Speed = Auto

Exposure = Selectable

ISO Speed = Selectable

Picture Style = Selectable

White Balance = Selectable

AF Mode = Selectable

AF Point Selection = Selectable

Drive Mode = Selectable

Metering Mode = Selectable

Built-in Flash = Selectable

Most of the settings are selectable in Aperture-Priority Mode, it is about the SAME as Exposure-Priority Mode.  I would say there is no more honeymoon for user who choose this Mode. There are many things to aware and you need to try different setting in different situation, Manually :)

The Shutter Speed is in Auto. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the Aperture, Exposure and ISO Speeds for a normal shooting, just ignore the white balance, drive mode and etc at the beginning. If you choose Aperture Mode, I believe you want the subject to stand out more and blur unwanted background in most case. I will show it step by step, in simple way.

1) Set your desire Exposure.

2) Set your desire f-number. Do you still remember the chapter "Controlling the Depth of Field" ? I think I should repeat it again, simple one.

- If you higher the f-number, the Depth of Field will be wider. Therefore, both in front and back of the subject will be focus. 

- If you lower the f-number, the Depth of Field will be narrower. Therefore, only the subject is sharp and clear, most photographers like to create a soft background for portraits.

- I believe it is rare to see the Shutter Speed blinking (In Green Circle ) to show an error because of overexposure or underexposure. If you maximize the f-number and Exposure, the Shutter Speed will be slower, and you probably will get a blur image instead of overexposure ( Unless you shoot to the Sun, It is not recommended to do so without a proper filter ).

- If you minimize the f-number and Exposure, trust me, the Shutter Speed is fast enough for you to play around. :)

3) Set your desire ISO Speeds.

-If you found you can't get a satisfy result because of the dark environment, set the ISO speeds higher in order to increase the Shutter Speed to freeze the motion.

- You are advised to skip directly to Step 10 because the AF Point, AF Mode, Metering Mode, Drive Mode, White Balance, Picture Style and Built-in Flash are about the Same as Exposure-Priority Mode.

4) Set your desire AF Point.
- You can select your desire AF Point in this Mode. Unlike Auto Mode, Portrait Mode, Landscape Mode and etc, you can now choose the point you want to be focused. The Red Square shows the selected AF Point.

5) Try to focus with Manual Focus.
- I strongly recommend the user who choose Aperture-Priority Mode use Manual Focus. All you need to do is push the button from AF to MF.

Well, although Auto Focus is very convenient in most of the time, you need to try Manual Focus in order to improve your skill. Also, Manual Focus save more battery than Auto Focus. If you do not have a Battery Grip ( I only use it when I attach the External Flash ), you can use Manual Focus so your battery can last for the whole day.

6) Set the AF Mode.

- I'm sorry to tell you that you are not allowed to use AF Mode if you are using Manual Focus. It is because once you selected Manual Focus, all the AF Mode selection will not works. Switch back to Auto Focus to capture moving objects. :)

7) Try different Drive Mode for continuous action.

- There are 5 different Drive Mode for my camera, which are Single, Low-Speed continuous Shutter, High-Speed Continuous Shutter, 2 seconds Timer and 10 seconds Timer.

The first thing you need to aware is light source. If the environment is too dark, you can forget about the Continuous Shutter because you will not get a sharp and clear picture. Please refer back to chapter "How to Freeze Motion?".

8) Set your desire Metering Mode.

- Please refer back to chapter "How does Metering Mode work?"

9) Set your desire Drive Mode

- Please refer back to chapter "How does Drive Mode work?"

10) Set your desire White Balance and Picture Style.
- As a photographer, remember one important thing.

"Arrive the Destination EARLIER and Try the Best White Balance and Picture Style Setting."

Well, I believe you will need to understand the environment before the wedding dinner or party get started. The light sources are not going to change (unless at outdoors) and probably you can try on different White Balance and Picture Style, look for the best setting so you will not screw your job. :)

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Shooting in Shutter-Priority Mode

First, you need to select the Shutter-Priority Mode at the camera Mode Dial. You might found your Dial looks different, but I'm sure you can find the Tv icon ( In red circle) at the Dial :)

So, what does Shutter-Priority Mode do? Let's begin. These are the setting for my camera, but it will be about the same as yours as well. Do not worry ^^

Aperture = Auto

Shutter Speed = Selectable

Exposure = Selectable

ISO Speed = Selectable

Picture Style = Selectable

White Balance = Selectable

AF Mode = Selectable

AF Point Selection = Selectable

Drive Mode = Selectable

Metering Mode = Selectable

Built-in Flash = Selectable

Most of the settings are selectable in Shutter-Priority Mode, it is about the SAME as Exposure-Priority Mode.  I would say there is no more honeymoon for user who choose this Mode. There are many things to aware and you need to try different setting in different situation, Manually :)

The Aperture is in Auto. Therefore, you need to pay attention to the Shutter Speed, Exposure and ISO Speeds for a normal shooting, just ignore the white balance, drive mode and etc at the beginning. I believe you want to freeze motion if you choose Shutter-Priority Mode. But all these settings will affect each other all the time. I will show it step by step, in simple way.

1) Set your desire Exposure.

2) Set your desire Shutter Speed. 

- If the environment is not very bright, maybe cloudy or at indoor, you will see the f-number blinking ( In  Green Circle) once you set the Shutter Speed too fast. It is because according to your desire Exposure, you are not allow to use certain Shutter Speed. Therefore, the Aperture reach lowest f-number limit and it blink to show as an error.

- If you select a slower Shutter Speed, notice the f-number gets higher in order to balance the Exposure. Once you Shutter Speed get too slow, the f-number might reach the highest limit and it will blink to show as an error as well. 

3) Set your desire ISO Speeds.

-If you found you can't get a satisfy result because of the dark environment, set the ISO speeds higher in order to increase the Shutter Speed to freeze the motion.

- You are advised to skip directly to Step 11 because the AF Point, AF Mode, Metering Mode, Drive Mode, White Balance, Picture Style and Built-in Flash are about the Same as Program AE Mode.

4) Set your desire AF Point.

- You can select your desire AF Point in this Mode. Unlike Auto Mode, Portrait Mode, Landscape Mode and etc, you can now choose the point you want to be focused. The Red Square shows the selected AF Point.

5) Try to focus with Manual Focus.

- I strongly recommend the user who choose Shutter-Priority Mode use Manual Focus. All you need to do is push the button from AF to MF.

Well, although Auto Focus is very convenient in most of the time, you need to try Manual Focus in order to improve your skill. Also, Manual Focus save more battery than Auto Focus. If you do not have a Battery Grip ( I only use it when I attach the External Flash ), you can use Manual Focus so your battery can last for the whole day.

6) Set the AF Mode.

- I'm sorry to tell you that you are not allowed to use AF Mode if you are using Manual Focus. It is because once you selected Manual Focus, all the AF Mode selection will not works. Switch back to Auto Focus to capture moving objects. :)

7) Try different Drive Mode for continuous action.

- There are 5 different Drive Mode for my camera, which are Single, Low-Speed continuous Shutter, High-Speed Continuous Shutter, 2 seconds Timer and 10 seconds Timer.

The first thing you need to aware is light source. If the environment is too dark, you can forget about the Continuous Shutter because you will not get a sharp and clear picture. Please refer back to chapter "How to Freeze Motion?".

8) Set your desire White Balance and Picture Style.

- Please refer back to chapter "How does White Balance work?" and "How does Picture Style work?"

9) Set your desire Metering Mode.

- Please refer back to chapter "How does Metering Mode work?"

10) Set your desire Drive Mode

- Please refer back to chapter "How does Drive Mode work?"

11) There are some different between Aperture-Priority Mode and Shutter-Priority Mode. The first thing, of course, it is to control the Shutter Speed in this Mode. And most of the time, user who choose Shutter-Priority Mode shoot with a faster Shutter Speed instead of a slower Shutter Speed.

Do you ever notice, the faster Shutter Speed will lose some details at the background? You don't, am I right? Your goal might only to freeze the motion of the focused object, you do not care about the background? Let's discuss in next chapter. :)

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