Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 1 i Canon Photography The Complete Manual

EF ZOOM LENSES EF zoom lenses Enjoy the flexibility to change your framing to match your vision EF 11-24mm f/4L USM £2699/$2799/€2549 The best in ultra-wide-angle photography. ■ Minimum focusing distance of 11 in./0.28m ■ 9 diaphragm blades ■ 16 element in 11 groups ■ The widest angle rectilinear zoom lens ■ Minimal distortion for architecture ■ Advanced lens coatings ■ Swift, nearly silent AF Pros: Astonishing scope and quality. Superb sharpness, colour rendition, and contrast.  Cons: Colour fringing reported at 11mm. Sigma’s 12-24 might be an alternative. Heavy. EF 17-40mm f/4L USM £549/$799/€747 A lightweight and affordable ultra-wide zoom. ■ Superb optical performance throughout the zoom range ■ Fast autofocus speed ■ Highly resistant to dust and moisture ■ 28cm minimum focusing distance at all focal lengths ■ 12 elements…

APERTURE AND DEPTH OF FIELD Aperture and depth of field With aperture you can control how much of your picture is in focus Of the three main controls common to nearly all cameras, shutter speed, focus and aperture, it is aperture adjustment that is the least well understood. This is because it not only helps to control exposure, but also affects something called Depth of Field. Understanding the effects of aperture size is a vital skill for any keen photographer. At least there’s nothing mysterious about the name. The aperture is literally a hole through which light passes after it enters the lens. The diameter of this hole can be altered, allowing a greater or smaller amount of light to pass through on its way to the sensor. In the…

BE THE MASTER OF METERING Be the master of metering Know when to use the different types of metering modes Nearly all digital cameras, from top-of-the-range DSLRs to the humblest budget point-and-shoot compacts, have multiple light metering options. Knowing how and when to use these different metering modes can make a dramatic difference to the quality of your photography; unfortunately most people don’t understand what the different modes are for, how they work, or how to use them. Know your modes Depending on your camera, you’ll find metering options either in the menu or with their own separate control. In cameras with a fully-automatic setting, this will usually disable the metering options; automatically selecting multi-zone metering as the best option for day-to-day scenes and snapshots. The most common light metering…

TIPS FOR BETTER PHOTOS TIPS FOR BETTER PHOTOS Top tips that can help you take better photos It is fairly common for us to rely on the automatic settings provided allowing us to simply point-and-shoot to take a photo. We feel that an automatic setting has its place but it does disconnect you from the actual process of taking a photograph. To be able to take your shots to the next level, you need to understand how to take control of your camera, see what makes a good shot and start taking the photos that you really want to capture. There are a number of hints and tips we can pass on that can help you evolve as a photographer. Many of those tips cover shooting techniques, others may simply…

SHALLOW DEPTH OF FIELD Shallow depth of field Isolate your subject using narrow depth of field Careful control of depth of field by adjusting aperture and focal length is one of the most striking creative techniques available to the photographer, and you don’t need any special equipment to do it, just your camera and a zoom lens. For this insect image, the photographer has used a 100mm, fast macro lens with a large maximum aperture of f2.8. This has resulted in a narrow depth of field, but by carefully focusing on the creature’s body the effect of this narrow plane of focus is to isolate the insect against what could otherwise be a distracting background of the green leaves and grass both behind, and in front of, the subject. One…

OVERPOWERING THE SUN Overpowering the sun With enough lighting firepower even the sun can be subdued Overpowering the sun is not as strange as it might sound. It certainly makes for some striking portraits and has been very popular with fashion photographers for some time. The aim is to light your subject in such a way that the sun, which is directly in front of you, becomes a fill light rather than the key light. You might imagine that you would need a second sun of equal brightness right? If you use the Sunny 16 Rule, you can expect your subject to photograph correctly in midday summer sunshine with camera settings off/16 at1/100s using ISO 100 (the shutter speed is always the reciprocal of the ISO number). Luckily, with a…

AVOID COMMON PHOTOGRAPHY MISHAPS Avoid common photography mishaps Some guidance on how you can improve your photos Are you a new photographer? Have you just upgraded to a DSLR from your cameraphone and looking to take more inspired photos? We all have to start somewhere and chances are you’re not going to be creating sensational photographic works of art the moment you turn your new camera on. Despite professional photographers wanting us to believe it, they are not all born perfect master of their art. Mistakes happen, lessons have to be learned and experience has to be gained. It is also probably worth noting that you don’t have to be a newbie to make mistakes, anyone can do it. You are not alone. Sometimes, things happen that are not even…

INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES Colours of sunrise Sunrise goes through some particular phases, each with its own quality of light. Pre-dawn is usually cooler in tone, with lower dynamic range and soft shadows but the clouds will normally start lighting up before the sun actually gets to the horizon. The minutes before sunrise are generally more orange/yellow in tone and shadows become more obvious. Then, once the sun is a couple of degrees above the horizon, you get long shadows that reveal detail in the landscape, crisp highlights and a marked increase in contrast. Light up the horizon Never discount an overcast sky as an opportunity to photograph a possible sunrise or sunset. Sometimes the clouds may start to break and reveal a glowing horizon, making a very dramatic image. These moments…

EF-S LENSES EF-S lenses Get creative with focal lengths from ultra-wide to telephoto with lenses for APS-C sized sensors EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM £180/$249/€245 A light and compact wide-angle zoom. ■ Get more in every shot with this ultra-wide zoom lens ■ Easy to carry thanks to a compact design ■ Smooth, near-silent AF when shooting movies ■ 4-stop Image Stabiliser ■ 0.22m close focusing Pros: Smooth and quiet motor. Amazing 4 stops of image stabilisation. Exceptional image quality. Cons: It uses a plastic mount, not metal. Can be a bit soft at the widest apertures. EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II £149/$199/€129 Affordable general purpose lens. ■ Lightweight, compact design ■ Wide-angle to short telephoto range ■ Four stop Image Stabiliser ■ Aspherical lens elements ■ 0.25m close-focusing distance ■…

INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES The majesty of mono Don’t be a fair weather photographer. You don’t always need a stunning sunrise or glorious sunny day to undertake a photography session. Sometimes, a grey day can give up the goods as well as any sunny day. It’s just a case of approaching it from a different angle. If it is a lacklustre day, the shadows will be flat or non-existent and there will be very little contrast compared to a bright day. Make the most of form and texture instead. Also, perhaps you could shoot with the intent of doing a mono conversion such as the examples seen here.…

FOCUSING Focusing Getting the best out of your autofocus system “Autofocus technology has improved immensely, and these days even the most basic modern AF systems are generally fast, accurate and reliable.” With only one or two exceptions, all current digital cameras have automatic focusing. The first autofocus systems were developed by Leica in the 1970s. The first autofocus compact camera, the Konica C35 AF, was introduced in 1977, and the first autofocus 35mm SLR, the Pentax ME-F, was launched in 1981. Since that time autofocus technology has improved immensely, and these days even the most basic modern AF systems are generally fast, accurate and reliable. Although we now rely on autofocus for the vast majority of photographs, anyone who has tried taking a photo in low light, with fast-moving subjects…

ISO AND IMAGE NOISE ISO and image noise High ISO gives you faster shutter speeds in low light, but there’s a price to pay Anyone who has owned a digital camera for a while will be familiar with the concept of image noise. It’s that grainy distortion that spoils pictures shot in low light conditions with high ISO settings. What is image noise, where does it come from and what can be done to prevent it? All electronic devices generate noise. The background hiss of a radio, the sound of an over-amplified electric guitar, or the interference on a badly tuned television, all of these things are electronic noise, and so is the noise seen in a digital photograph. This noise comes from a variety of sources. Some of it…

CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY Learn the techniques that the professionals use Now you’re familiar with how your camera works and how to use its many features, you’re ready to start learning the creative techniques that professional photographers use to achieve great results time after time. By learning and using a few simple techniques you can turn your photographs from well taken snapshots into works of art of which you can be proud. Professional photographers use some very simple tricks and rules-of-thumb that have been developed over many years, including rules of composition that are inspired by classical art. Combined with technical skill and a thorough understanding of the principles of photography that we laid out in the previous section, these artistic methods produce well balanced, attractive photographs that will really…

THE FISHEYE LENS The fisheye lens The right lens for the job “It’s important to choose the right lens for the job, but top quality DSLR lenses are very expensive.” Digital SLR systems offer the greatest versatility of any photographic system, and represent the best compromise between quality and portability. The best CSC systems are still some way behind, but are catching up fast. There are lenses and other accessories available to suit every type of photography, both amateur and professional. It is worth being aware that top quality DSLR lenses command top prices. This photographer is using a very specialist lens to get this wide-angle photo of a bride and groom. The extreme nature of the distortion this lens gives you is apparent in the visible curvature of the…

ASSIGNMENT: THE BLACK RIDER Assignment: The Black Rider A photo shoot to pay homage to the Lord of the Rings Being a photographer, you may be called upon to shoot many varied subjects. Some of them may not exactly be as exciting or creative but that is the nature of the job. Not all of us have the option to shoot in exotic locations with masses of equipment and a plethora of supermodels. In point of fact, the reverse is the norm for a jobbing photographer. You are more likely to be swapping Portofino for Portsmouth. Even though you may not be a jet-set photographer, there are times when you get to have some fun and have the chance to experiment with some great photographic and lighting techniques to deliver…

CANON GEAR GUIDE CANON GEAR GUIDE Your essential guide to Canon cameras and equipment Whether you are a beginner, an enthusiast or a seasoned professional, Canon’s range of cameras and accessories means that there is something for everyone. From stylish compact cameras, to entry level DSLRs and top of the range professional equipment; the range available to choose from is huge. Over the following pages we’ll take a look at the primary Canon range with easy at a glance specifications to help you decide which type of camera is right for you, along with some pros and cons to help refine your choices. We start with a few choice compact cameras and then move on to more advanced models such as the EOS M range and APS-C crop sensor and…

EF PRIME LENSES EF prime lenses Some key selections from the wide choice of Canon EF full-frame lenses EF 14mm f/2.8L II USM £1889/$2099/€2571 A precision ultra-wide-angle lens. ■ L-series construction with dust and moisture sealing ■ Aspherical and UD lens elements ■ Circular aperture ■ Super Spectra coatings ■ Rectilinear design ■ Filter Size: Gelatine type Pros: Very low distortion for such a wide lens. Image sharpness second to none. Cons: The 16-35mm wide-angle zoom could be a cheaper option. It’s a very expensive lens. EF 35mm f/2 IS USM £399/$549/€543 A versatile standard f/2 prime lens. ■ Up to four stops of image stabilisation ■ Fast f/2 maximum aperture ■ Ultrasonic AF for quick focusing ■ Compact, lightweight design ■ Eight-bladed aperture for smooth bokeh ■ Moulded glass elements…

EOS RF LENSES EOS RF lenses Begin your journey into the world of full-frame mirrorless photography Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM £520/$499/€584 A versatile high-quality 35mm lens for the EOS R mirrorless system. ■ Maximum aperture of f/1.8 ■ 5 stops image stabilisation ■ 11 elements in 9 groups ■ 9 diaphragm blades ■ Closest focusing distance 0.17m ■ 63° diagonal angle of view Pros: Fast AF system. Amazing build quality. Great sharpness with sharp corners wide open. Cons: Not a true 1:1 macro lens. Some vignetting visible. Noisy AF motor. Some distortion visible. Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM £2687/$2699/€2999 An L series prime lens with incredible low light performance. ■ Maximum aperture of f/1.2 ■ Smooth, fast, USM motor ■ 13 elements in 9 groups ■ 9 diaphragm…

UNDERSTAND YOUR CAMERA UNDERSTAND YOUR CAMERA Our guide to some photographic essentials Modern Canon cameras are marvels of miniaturised technology, with many automatic functions to help you take good photos in a wide range of different situations. However by learning more about how your camera works and how to use its many features you can expand the scope of your photography and get good results every time, even in difficult conditions. For owners of more advanced DSLRs there are options such as aperture and shutter speed control, sensitivity and white balance, as well as creative light metering modes and manual focusing, all of which can be used creatively to make your photos really stand out. Photography is a rewarding and potentially profitable hobby, and the more you learn about it…

SHUTTER SPEED Shutter speed The shutter of your camera is simply a mechanical barrier The shutter of your camera is simply a mechanical barrier that prevents light from entering the camera until it is needed, controlling when and for how long light is allowed in to expose the sensor. The latest digital cameras have high-speed electro-mechanical shutters capable of timing exposures with an accuracy measured in fractions of a millisecond. Along with the aperture setting and the sensitivity control, shutter speed is one of the three ways that photographic exposure is adjusted. When a picture is taken, the shutter is opened for a precisely measured amount of time allowing light to pass through. The duration of the exposure is set either automatically by the camera’s light meter or manually by…

WHITE BALANCE White balance White may not be as white as you think When you look at, for example, a sheet of white paper, your brain adjusts what you see so that it matches what you are expecting to see. However your digital camera doesn’t have any expectations, and the colour that it “sees” is the actual colour present in the scene. ‘White’ light visible to humans can actually vary in colour from reddish orange to greenish-blue. This variation is usually described as a temperature range, with warm being the red end and cold at the blue end, and is usually measured in degrees Kelvin using a colour meter. Confusingly, the higher the colour temperature, the cooler the tone and vice versa. We perceive various shades of white light illuminating…

CAPTURING THE DAWN Capturing the dawn Early morning light makes for a beautiful sunrise Photographers have a phrase, the “golden hour”, which refers to the first and last hours of light in the day, but particularly the special light one only sees at dawn. To capture a shot like the one on this page requires not only precise control of exposure, but also the dedication and patience to wake up while it’s still dark and get set up to take the photo before the sun rises. Since that beautiful morning mist depends on the weather conditions, you might have to try several mornings in a row to get a shot this good. You have to be really committed to your art to go above and beyond! As for the technical…

MISTY WATER EFFECT Misty water effect Fast flowing water looks great with a slow shutter speed “It’s best to take this sort of photo on a day that’s bright, but not too sunny, because it’s easy to burn out highlights on a longer exposure.” This mist-like waterfall effect is very popular and looks great when it’s done right. It looks challenging, but in fact it’s very easy to set up. All you need is a tripod and any camera with manual shutter speed control. The hardest part is finding a stream or river that has a nice photogenic waterfall or some rapids. Use your common sense and always exercise caution around fast-moving water; it may be deeper than it looks, with strong currents. It’s best to take this sort of…

ENHANCE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY Enhance your photography A word about using filters and why they are still so useful As your photography skills increase and you delve deeper into the techniques available, you are very likely to encounter words like Neutral Density Filter, Graduated Filter and Polarising Filter. Filters, in this case, are not the kind of effects you add in Instagram at the touch of a button, these are physical items that are attached to your lens to alter the incoming light that is hitting your camera’s sensor. Don’t think of these filters as somehow being old-fashioned and just opt to do it all in post, filters are still a very relevant aspect of your photography skills and techniques and that’s why we wanted to introduce a few of them…