Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 7 i Canon Photography The Complete Manual

All DSLRs have a full range of manual functions, and generally have a much wider range of control than even the best super-zooms or advanced compact cameras. DSLR sensors range from 12 megapixels up to over 25 megapixels, and are physically larger than the sensors in compact and bridge cameras, giving them a number of advantages in terms of image quality. The majority of Canon digital SLRs use a sensor size known as APS-C, roughly half the size of a frame of 35mm film. They are typically around 24 x 16mm, while the advanced professional DSLRs use ‘full-frame’ sensors. These are the same size as a frame of 35mm film. All Canon digital SLRs have interchangeable lenses and a wide range of accessories, such as external flashguns, extra battery packs,…

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 ■ Circular aperture diaphragm ■ High-speed AF Pros: Excellent image quality, particularly around f/8. Low distortion. 4 stop stabilisation.…

TS-E 17mm f/4L £1799/$2149/€2699 A specialist wide angle tilt-shift lens for distortion free architectural photography. ■ Ultra-wide 17mm tilt and shift lens ■ Low distortion and high resolution ■ 6.5° tilt and 12mm shift ■ Independent tilt or shift rotation ■ Aspherical and UD lens elements ■ Subwavelength Structure and Super Spectra coatings ■ Circular aperture ■ 18 elements in 12 groups Pros: A unique use lens. Great sharpness and overall image quality. Low distortion. Cons: Filters cannot be used on it. Very expensive. No protection for the front element. TS-E 24mm f/3.5L II £1579/$1899/€1782 A wide range of movement for expanded possibilities of tilt-shift photography. ■ Low distortion and high resolution ■ 8.5° tilt and 12mm shift ■ Independent tilt and shift movements ■ Aspherical and UD lens elements…

Landscape photography is one of those genres where sharpness is everything. Wide angle shots of amazing vistas usually require front to back sharpness in your scene to maintain all the detail that was present. The viewer of the final photograph will appreciate the image more if their eye is able to take in all that detail. It will make the photograph ‘live’ for them. Nothing ruins a shot more than the image being fuzzy and blurry when you need it to be tack sharp. The problem, however, is that in many cases in landscape photography you have a foreground element as well as a distant object that you want to be in as sharp a focus as possible at the same time. Shooting with a wide angle lens and setting…

If you are keen to express your creativity and learn more about the nature of photography, then you will need to be daring and take your camera out of fully automatic mode and explore the skills required for shooting in manual mode. When you shoot fully manual, you have to be aware of the interplay between each of your camera’s main settings of ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed. Connect them up The exposure triangle is a popular visual method to connect the three main variables of aperture, shutter speed and ISO amplification that govern the final look of your image. Photography is a balancing act of these three elements when you capture an image. Once you have your camera ready and have a set of variables in place to give…

It is a fair bet that your camera has a pop up flash. This is a small flash unit that sits on the top of your camera and, if you are using it in automatic mode, you may have encountered situations where it has suddenly popped up as you were about to take a photo. This tiny flash draws its power from your camera’s battery and as such it has limited power and range so as not to totally drain your battery. A pop up flash usually has a range of about .5m up to 5m. Anything further out and you will not be able to light your subject properly as you won’t have the range or power. Full disclosure Let’s be honest at the outset and say that the…

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 be advice about equipment and understanding a little more about your camera. You don’t have to use them all but pick out a few that work for you, develop them and make them a part of your creative photographic process and they will stand you in good stead as you progress your skills. 1 Choose the right camera When you’re looking to buy a new camera for your photography, make a list of your requirements and set yourself a budget. Don’t forget to allow for accessories such as lenses, a tripod and cleaning kit if you need them. Don’t fall in…

Are you finding that you cannot get a balanced exposure between the land and the sky? If the sky is overexposed, you could always crop it out and create another composition that is a tighter framed version of what you had. If your sky is an important part of the original shot, then consider an ND grad to make a more balanced overall exposure. If you are shooting during the day with blue skies and white clouds, try using a polarising filter. It will boost the contrast between the blue of the sky and the white of the clouds.…

As a photographer, if you are ever required to create portraits of women, there are a number of key factors that are worth bearing in mind. If both you, as the photographer and your subject, as the model are not experienced professionals, then knowing how to pose for a photograph is the thing that will make or break your image. All the best lighting, exposure and composition in the world will not save the image if your model looks awkward and unhappy. Here then are a few helpful hints to get your female portraits looking professional. The curve It is considered flattering for a subject to angle their body away from the camera, rather than square on to it. It creates more visual curves and shapes, complementing the model. It certainly…

Back in the day, it was always something of a cliché to shoot or paint a bowl of fruit as an indoor still life project. It doesn’t have to be that way, especially in the world of digital photography. Using fruit as your still life subject can be given a little twist with this easy to setup tabletop project. Rather than having a bunch of fruit in a bowl, how about something a little more creative? Sliced fruit pieces are a lovely, translucent material, in a range of great colours. All well and good, but what if you shine a strong light through them? Now things get interesting. Suddenly the fruit glows and internal shapes and structure are seen. This is not how you normally see fruit and it sounds like a…

“Many professional sports shooters will specialise in one particular type of event, becoming experts in one or two techniques that work well.” Photographing sports and action scenes is a challenging but rewarding part of the hobby. At almost any sporting event, from the company five-a-side team on a Saturday fixture, to international events like the Olympics or the World Cup, you’ll find photographers on the sidelines capturing the action. Professional sports photographers make a good living from it, and use specialised equipment such as advanced high-speed cameras and ultra-fast telephoto lenses costing thousands of pounds, but even the average hobby photographer with basic equipment can capture good sports and action shots with a bit of patience and effort. There are no hard-and-fast rules for sports photography, mainly because there are…

Are you a new photographer? 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 masters of their art. Mistakes happen, lessons have to be learned and experience has to be gained. You don’t just have to be a newbie to make mistakes, anyone can do it. You are not alone. Let’s run down some of the things that you should be aware of to ensure that your images will improve. Stuck in the middle New photographers may find themselves making this first error quite a bit. It concerns landscape photography generally. There is often the urge to…

AMOLED Stands for active-matrix organic light-emitting diode. A new type of display technology used in mobile devices and televisions, used in the monitors of some digital cameras. Has several advantages over LCD, including using less power. Aperture Behind the lens of your camera is a movable circular iris which opens and closes to control the amount of light falling on the sensor. This is usually controlled by the light meter, although some cameras have a manual aperture control. Altering the aperture also changes the depth of field. Aperture Priority This is one of the semi-manual exposure options found on some cameras. The user sets the aperture according to the depth of field they require, and the metering system sets the shutter speed to obtain the correct exposure. Artefacts When an…

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’ll also cover Canon lenses and Speedlite flashes to complete your essential photography kit. Photography is all about how you capture light. With a Canon camera, you have the chance to produce powerful and beautiful images. You also have a gateway…

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 for sharpness ■ 0.24m minimum focus distance Pros: Very good quality and sharpness for a non-L series…

RF 100-300mm F2.8L IS USM £11499/$15116/€13658 A super-fast telephoto zoom lens that gives you the advantage for sports and wildlife. ■ Maximum aperture f2.8 ■ Minimum aperture f22 ■ 5.5 stops image stabilisation ■ 23 elements in 18 groups ■ Closest focusing distance 1.8m ■ Weight: 2,590g Pros: Superb ultra-fast sports and wildlife lens. Great image stabilisation. Fast USM focusing. Cons: Very expensive. Only for specialists. RF 28mm F2.8 STM £344/$452/€408 A super compact wide-angle prime lens that’s perfect for street photography. ■ Maximum aperture of f/2.8 ■ Minimum aperture f22 ■ 7 diaphragm blades ■ 8 elements in 6 groups ■ Closest focusing distance 0.23m ■ Weight: 120g Pros: Ultra-compact. Fast autofocus. Unobtrusive. Cons: No image stabilisation. A bit niche for most users. RF 1200mm F8L IS USM £22449/$29509/€…

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 the more you’ll get out of it. Read on and find out…

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 or using very long telephoto lenses will have noticed that sometimes even the best AF system can run into problems. We’ve all stood there with the lens whirring in and out of…

Understanding exposure and how it affects your photographs is probably the single most important technical skill you can learn in photography. It’s certainly the one that most people get wrong, and apart from camera shake bad exposure probably ruins more photos than any other single cause. The main problem is over reliance on the use of automatic metering. Most modern cameras, even relatively cheap compacts, have sophisticated built-in TTL multi-zone evaluative exposure meters that measure light levels at dozens, in some cases hundreds, of points within the frame, instantly comparing the results with a built-in library of exposure situations and automatically adjusting the shutter speed and aperture to deal with problems such as back-lighting, close-ups or moving subjects. In most cases these automatic exposure systems are very good, and can…

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 will ensure that you can produce well balanced, attractive photographs that will really stand out and express your own…

Surely, we all love a sunset? A blazing red sunset is lovely to behold and can make for some great photos, if you know how to get the most from the fiery scene in front of you. Of course, good exposure control is paramount to ensure you capture as much of the tonal range of the scene as possible. Moreover, the scene itself requires a couple of things to make it a success from the point of view of composition. A clear sky does not necessarily make for a good sunset. Clouds are the perfect addition to reflect the light and create visual interest in the sky. Now that the sky is sorted, you will need some foreground interest, more on that shortly. “Of course, good exposure control is paramount…

“There are a few basics to be aware of, but it’s nothing that a photographer of any skill level can’t handle.” Taking photos of landscapes is one thing, but when you decide it’s time to get involved in portrait photography, it can seem quite a daunting prospect. You might imagine it requires armfuls of expensive equipment and lots of lighting gear. Don’t worry; there are a few simple things that you can try to see if portrait work is for you. Indoor natural light is certainly a great and easy way to dip your toe into the portrait world. There are a few basics to be aware of, but it’s nothing that a photographer of any skill level can’t handle. The camera For most applications, the camera can be anything…

When you think of nude photography, chances are you’re going to fall into one of two categories. There are those that consider nudes controversial and vulgar, then there are others who just see it as a creative representation of the human form. There is no doubt that if handled with respect and care to the subject matter, nude photography can yield amazing images. Of course, it is sensitive in its nature, and attention must be paid in order that it not stray into the pornographic. Since the dawn of the art form, many famous photographers have shot nude studies, and if it’s something you’re interested in exploring, there is no reason that you can’t attempt it too. We have, in no particular order, a series of guides that can help you…

When it comes to reliability, performance and the production of creative photography and video, the Canon professional range of camera bodies is the onestop shop for results that you and your clients will love. Whatever the conditions, Canon’s professional DSLR reliable performance will keep you shooting and keep delivering the shots you need. They are weather resistant, keeping dust and moisture at bay and their magnesium-alloy construction provide reliable strength and welcome lightness. Look at any high-end sporting event or fashion shoot and you will see Canon professional cameras and lenses. Sports shooters love them for their advanced autofocus ability to lock on and track the action, coupled with amazing optics from the range of lenses available; it makes them a formidable image capture system. The full-frame benefits of these cameras…

EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM £319/$599/€435 Capture panoramic landscapes with this ultra-wide angle 11-22mm EF-M zoom lens. ■ Ultra-wide 11-22mm EF-M zoom lens ■ Compact, retractable lens design ■ Smooth, quiet STM focusing in movies ■ Dynamic IS for steady movies ■ 3-stop optical Image Stabiliser ■ High image quality ■ 0.15m minimum focusing distance ■ Manual focus ring Pros: Very useful 3 stops of image stabilisation. Small and light. Low distortion. Cons: Not very fast aperture, even wide open. A little pricey for what it is. EF-M 15-45mm f3.5-6.3 IS STM £229/$299/€317 A light, compact and versatile standard zoom lens ideal for everyday photography. ■ Versatile zoom covering wide-angle to short telephoto perspectives ■ Offers a 24-72mm equivalent focal length ■ Optical design incorporates three aspherical elements controls distortion…

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 in 9 groups Pros: Quality L series lens. Incredible image quality and fast focusing. Relatively inexpensive.…

Nearly all modern compact cameras have zoom lenses, and most users of digital SLRs or CSCs will also have at least a couple of zooms in their kit. Focal length is one of your primary tools for adjusting composition. Selecting the right focal length for the scene allows the photographer to control perspective, angle of view and magnification, and can radically alter the mood and style of the photo. Some focal lengths are more suited to particular types of photo, and the properties of wide-angle and telephoto lenses can be used to produce particular effects. Understanding how focal length works and how it affects your photos is a vital photographic skill. Lenses and focal length There are two types of lens: those with fixed focal lengths, also known as prime lenses,…

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 modes are found on nearly all digital cameras. They are spot metering, centre-weighted metering and matrix metering. The symbols used…

Don’t worry, this isn’t going to turn into a maths class, or a lecture on physics. It’s an old adage that photographers work with light and understanding a little about how light affects your scene is a useful thing to know. In reality, you don’t have to be able to carry a headful of fractions and do mental arithmetic, just know that light has some interesting properties as it travels from its source, to your subject. This brings us to the inverse-square law. This law applies not only to light but any physical quantity, but for our purposes it states that the intensity of a light source is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from that light source. Reading that you may be tempted to flip over to the…

“Whichever way you look at it, colour distracts you from the heart of what should make a great photo…” At the dawn of photography as we know it, when everything was fresh and new, your only choice back then was to shoot in black and white. Exposing images onto glass or metal plates gave way to the film and chemical process. It wasn’t until 1936 that Kodak gave the world colour photography. However, black and white didn’t die off like the black and white TV, in fact it flourished. Whichever way you look at it, colour distracts you from the heart of what should make a great photo. Things like texture, composition, form, lighting and good old storytelling can be swamped and made inconsequential by colour. It’s not to say…

Still life photography is defi ned as the depiction of an inanimate subject. You are probably familiar with classic paintings of still life subjects which often tend to be bowls of fruit, bottles, and fl owers. Although some might frown upon photographing a still life that mimics an old painting, it actually takes a deft touch with lighting and a skill in knowing how to set up and arrange your particular subjects. In fact, it is said that a still life photographer is ’making’ a picture, rather than ‘taking’ it. Of course still life is not limited to bowls of fruit and such, but on a rainy day, when you’re stuck indoors looking for a photography project, a good still life can teach you a lot about light, texture, contrast and…

Just to clarify, when we say high speed, we don’t mean that we are doing it very fast! In point of fact high speed, in this context, refers to being able to catch rapid movement in such a way that you effectively ‘freeze’ the action. There are two basic ways we can do this. First is to have enough light pouring on to your scene to give you the required shutter speeds (in excess of 1/2000th of a second) to have a hope of stopping an event dead in its tracks. The second method relies on the stopping power of flashguns and not the settings used on your camera. The camera, depending on how many flashes you are brining to bear on the scene, is normally set to ISO 100…

By its very nature, defining what an abstract really is can be a source of much philosophical discussion. In the broadest sense, an abstract is something that is symbolic and does not represent reality. In photographic terms, then, an abstract image is something that does not reflect reality. This does create something of a problem because everything around us is real (hopefully), so any image contains some element of reality; therefore it can’t be abstract by definition. Let’s cut through all the nonsense and be a bit more logical about it. Perhaps an easier way to think about abstract images is to consider them as small slices of reality that, when viewed in isolation, give no clue as to what they are in real life. A very extreme example of…