AWT4 – Camera Controls
This is a collection
of techniques and tips you should be familiar with in order to do effective
Photo shoots.
Most of the
examples will be from the Canon Digital Rebel XT, a standard digital SLR. You can borrow these to shoot with.
You can find
all these features on any DSLR, and many of them on lesser digitals too.
Dials,
Buttons and Indicators You Should Know
Shooting Modes
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Mode Name |
Icon |
Description |
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Basic Modes – presets that take most control
away, making life easier but limiting creativity |
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Auto |
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Almost totally
automatic, very few user controls e.g.
Flash will pop up if the camera detects low light; camera chooses ISO, WB, shutter
speed, aperture control etc. Not
recommended for serious photography! |
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|
Portrait |
|
Preset
for Shallow DOF |
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Macro |
|
For
closeups. Also zoom the lens in as
much as possible. |
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Action |
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For
frozen action shots. Tries for the
highest shutter speed, using high ISO and wide aperture except in very bright
light. Will shoot continuously if
btton held down, refocusing on the fly. |
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Night Portrait |
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“Slow
Synch Flash” : Illuminates a close subject with a flash, but leaves
the shutter open longer to also expose the darker background. Thus you and your subject should stay
still! |
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Advanced Modes – allow more user control of
important parameters, to achieve the exact effects you’re looking for. The aperture and shutter speed are always displayed
so you know how the exposure is being done.
You can set ISO, WB, exposure compensation, exposure bracketing and
other parameters. |
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Program |
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This
still uses fully automatic aperture and shutter speed, but allows user
setting of ISO, WB, exposure compensation and other important
parameters. It’s my most common
setting. |
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Tv (Shutter priority) |
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User sets
the shutter speed, camera chooses an appropriate aperture to expose
correctly, if possible. If a good
exposure can’t be obtained (e.g. choosing a fast shutter speed in a dark
room), the aperture display will be flashing to warn you. |
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Av (Aperture Priority) |
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User sets
the aperture, camera chooses an appropriate shutter speed to expose
correctly, if possible. If a good
exposure can’t be obtained (e.g. choosing a wide aperture with high ISO in
bright sunshine), the shutter speed display will be flashing to warn you. |
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M (Full Manual) |
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User sets
both Shutter Speed (spin the main Dial) and Aperture (Hold the Av button and
spin the Dial, using the Exposure Level Indicator as a light meter, like an
old-school manual film SLR. |
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Important Controls under Program Mode