Tag: photography techniques

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The Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera purchase advice

The camera with the most widespread use is the single-lens reflex camera or DSLR. It is suitable for a large number of photographers and can be used both in the beginner area and in the professional environment. In this article we will clarify whether a SLR camera is worthwhile for you or not. Finally, I would like to recommend a few DSLRs that are particularly suitable for beginners, but also for advanced users and professionals. But remember: a better camera doesn’t make a better photographer. It doesn’t hurt to start small and adapt your equipment to your experience. Your driving school car didn’t have 800PS either 😉

How does a DSLR work?

The mirror reflex camera is a camera that works with a mirror. DSLR stands for D igital S ingle- L ens R eflex. The mirror comes from the analog era, because back then you had to be able to look through the lens without exposing the film. The mirror is thus the switch between the optical viewfinder and the image sensor.

If the DSLR camera is switched off (or has nothing to do), the mirror is also folded down and we can look through the lens through our viewfinder. The moment we take a photo, the mirror folds up, covers the viewfinder and releases the image sensor. Then it folds down again. That is the reason why you sometimes see nothing with DSLRs while taking pictures.

Tips for taking photos with the DSLR

I would definitely advise you to use the viewfinder, although many cameras can also show the image live on the display thanks to digital technology. The disadvantage of the display, however, is that it is reflective and sometimes makes it difficult to see something. Of course, we don’t have that with the viewfinder 😉 these cameras are also built to take photos with the viewfinder. The complete autofocus and the power of these cameras are in here and it is definitely worth keeping the display outside.

 Advantages of the SLR camera

high image quality

To put it simply, a larger image sensor often results in better image quality. Well, the smallest image sensor in a DSLR is an APS-C sensor. These sensors are far superior to those of compact cameras. Due to their large size, they have a higher resolution or can handle more megapixels much better than their smaller colleagues from the compact camera. The reason for this is that with a larger sensor, more light per pixel arrives and that ensures a significantly better quality, especially in poor lighting conditions.

In good situations, all cameras can deliver a good result, but in every one? This is something demanding, which usually requires appropriate equipment.

Versatility of the DSLR

An SLR can do everything. Due to the possibility of interchangeable lenses and the almost endless setting options, we can use them in every area, which is also the reason that they can be found in every area. By screwing on another lens, we can bring distant subjects closer or capture gigantic landscapes in a single photo. The setting options of the DSLR are not only aperture , ISO and exposure time , but also white balance , autofocus and so much more. As a result, they are definitely superior to compact cameras, which were made for everything, but which cannot be specialized in one particular area.

Battery life

I still compare the subject with compact cameras, because DSLRs and DSLMs represent the next step after a compact camera or smartphone. The battery life is definitely enormous. How long can your cell phone or compact camera run before you need a new one? For me it is 7-8 hours (with two rechargeable batteries in the battery grip) and up to 4000 photos. The whole thing depends a bit on the situation, but many should realize that it is significantly more than what is possible with cheap cameras. So a big plus for the DSLR.

Speed

Probably the most important point from my point of view. So as a professional you have completely different demands on the camera. But even for beginners it is a huge advantage if the camera does not have to think for 1-2 seconds after triggering before we can look at a picture, but if everything is displayed immediately and live. I’m not talking about as many pictures as possible in the serial picture, but about general handling. Do you always want to wait a moment for a picture to appear? Or until the camera has finally written the image to the memory card? Probably not … But there is more, because the autofocus is of course much faster and more reliable. Setting the focus in milliseconds ensures that you really don’t miss any more moments!

Lenses

Maybe someone knows this well-known picture, which shows Canon’s lens park. This gigantic mass of lenses also gives us an incredible number of possibilities. There is a suitable lens for every situation, so nothing is left to be desired. What is often solved with an extreme zoom lens in compact cameras can now be solved with a variety of specialized lenses. But of course you don’t always have to go to the actual manufacturer of the camera if you want the right lens. You can also work with third-party manufacturers such as Tamron or Sigma. These offer a wonderful and, above all, often cheaper alternative.

Disadvantages of the DSLR

Nothing is perfect. Of course, the SLR camera also has disadvantages and I’ll show you a few reasons why you shouldn’t use DLSRs right away.

Weight and height

Please do not get me wrong. There are also small lenses and small DSLR cameras, but for many this factor is crucial. Imagine you are planning a vacation and you have to prevent a camera with 3 lenses in your luggage … A compact camera would be tempting. For example: a good full frame DSLR with a standard lens.

  • Canon 700d + KIT: approx. 800g
  • Canon 6d II + 50 1.2 + 35 1.4 + 24-70 2.8: 2.8 kg

These are all exemplary values ​​now, but larger cameras and lenses ensure that they take up more space and of course additional weight. It doesn’t really matter whether you use the DSLR or a system camera (DSLM). The DSLM is slightly ahead here, but in the end that doesn’t mean much. You have to be aware that you have a big and heavy camera with you.

Your own claim

This is something that I noticed again and again on my photo trips. When I travel with a DSLR, I need to take good photos. Over time you start to professionalize everything and look for the perfect photo. After all, a huge camera was dragged around with you all the time that cost several thousand yours. So why should you photograph something that you could have photographed with your mobile phone? Maybe it’s just me, but it can happen to you that you develop too high demands on your pictures and start to forget the actual memories and just stop taking those typical mobile phone photos.

Who should buy a DSLR?

A DLSR is not for everyone. If you are looking for a point and shoot camera, you should go for a compact camera. We are in an area where our purchase was unnecessary if we did not capitalize on the potential of this camera. So who is an SLR camera for?

  • Ambitious beginners who want a lot of performance for little money should use a DSLR or DSLM.
  • If you want a camera system that you can upgrade easily. (with new lenses or purchased lenses fit on new cameras again)
  • You are looking for an extremely wide range of accessories. Because the DSLR / DSLM market is extremely large and there is actually nothing that does not exist 😉
  • You want to rely on reliability and speed.

Some buy recommendations

Entry-level DSLRs

If you are looking for a cheap entry into DSLRs, the three-digit models from Canon or Nikon are very well served. Here you can get the models even cheaper if you buy older used ones. Canon’s 650d is still a good camera today!

Canon cameras with KIT lens: Canon 2000D * – Canon 1300D *  – Canon 800D *

Nikon cameras with KIT lens: Nikon D5300 * – Nikon D5100 *

Sony cameras with KIT lens: Sony Alpha 68 *

Advanced DSLRS

Canon camera with KIT lens: Canon 77D *

Nikon camera with KIT lens: Nikon D7200 *

Professional DSLRs with full frame sensors

Canon full format entry: 6D II + kit lens *

Nikon full frame entry: D750 *

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The ISO value of your camera

The ISO value of your camera

You must have already found a button or an ad with the label ISO on your camera. If you press it, you see a lot of numbers and maybe you don’t know what to set here. Don’t worry, that’s what today is about!

In addition to the exposure time and the aperture, the ISO value is probably the most important value in the exposure of your photo. It controls the brightness of your pictures, but also has other influences.

Origin & functionality

Originally, the ISO value comes from the sensitivity of analog films (ASA). This sensitivity was due to the different sizes of crystals used on the film. Large crystals could absorb more light, but created a so-called grain (noise). If small crystals were used, the film could absorb less light, but the grain became finer and finer and less visible to the eye.

But how does it work digitally now? After all, we can’t make the pixels on our image sensor bigger or smaller. Therefore there is a digital possibility to increase the ISO value. Usually every single pixel sends information to the camera. If this signal is too weak, the light received is too dark. Now we have to increase the sensitivity (the ISO value), which amplifies this signal. This allows the camera to perceive light much better, but unfortunately not only the light is amplified, but also the interference with the sensor and the electronics. We will see this later in the picture as image noise.

How does ISO affect our images?

This can be compared to the human eye. This can also see in the dark, but is then blinded by bright lights. It’s the same with your camera. If you have set the ISO value very high, every light, no matter how small, looks incredibly bright, but you can see with your camera in the dark.

Originally, the ISO value comes from the sensitivity of analog films (ASA). This sensitivity was due to the different sizes of the crystals used on the film. Large crystals could absorb more light, but created a so-called grain (noise). If small crystals were used, the film could absorb less light, but the grain became finer and finer and less visible to the eye.

But how does it work digitally now? After all, we can’t make the pixels on our image sensor bigger or smaller. Therefore there is a digital possibility to increase the ISO value. Usually every single pixel sends information to the camera. If this signal is too weak, the light received is too dark. Now we have to increase the sensitivity (the ISO value), which amplifies this signal. This allows the camera to perceive light much better, but unfortunately not only the light is amplified, but also the interferences of the sensor and the electronics. We will see this later in the picture as image noise.

With the ISO value this is the noise. Noise looks like someone has placed the smoking of a television picture over your photo. This effect is also known from many smartphone cameras that only show muddy pictures without sharpness in the dark.

This is because we perceive sharpness as micro-contrast. So as a small difference between light and dark. However, the edges between these areas are destroyed by noise, which is also a difference between light and dark.

The high ISO value (6400) ensures that you can see the stars, but the details in the grass are completely lost in the noise

How do I set the ISO value?

To set this value on the camera, simply press the ISO button . Then you can use the corresponding adjusting wheel to check how high or low the value should be set.

Like exposure time and aperture , the ISO value is based on aperture steps. In addition, it is based on the power of 2, which doesn’t make it all that easy. But I have an example that might make it easier.

Every step to the right (higher value) makes the picture twice as bright as before and every step to the left makes it half as bright. Got it? Well! Because there are also third steps that allow you to fine-tune the value.

So if you still have intermediate values ​​on your camera, do not worry: this is only for fine adjustment.

When do I use which ISO value

This is now a subject that a lot of completely misunderstand. Because the ISO value is nothing worse. It doesn’t always have to be kept so low that we avoid any noise. The ISO value should support you in your photography and with modern cameras the noise is also less and less.

My tip: Try to find out on your camera when the ISO noise is so strong that you can no longer use an image and when you don’t notice any differences. 

For me, it’s pretty easy with all my cameras: You can actually always use ISO 100-800 without seeing any noise anywhere. From ISO3200 everything should be treated with caution. This example can work for you, but it doesn’t have to.

Avoid image noise

Noise does not have to be a bad thing either – although this image is very noisy, you can still see enough details and can forgive the noise.

Do you now have to take photos in the dark and want to avoid the noise? Then I now have a few tips for you. First of all, a larger image sensor always ensures less noise, as the pixels on the sensor have significantly more space and can therefore absorb more light. But a new camera is not the universal solution. Better take a look at what can still be extracted from the other values. We have exposure time and aperture , which can possibly be set a little brighter and thus relieve the ISO value.

But be careful: it is better to take a noisy picture than a blurred or blurred one. Viewers of the picture are more forgiving of noise than blurred or even blurred pictures.

An alternative would be to take the photo in RAW and remove noise from the image. There are many image processing programs for this that can pick up the noise in the image. There are many possibilities here, you can find your own way.

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The perfect setting for couple photo shooting

The perfect setting for couple photo shooting

Time stands still for a couple in love – ideal when this moment is captured photographically. For couple photographers, it is a nice challenge to capture the affection of two people for one another through a professional shoot.

The recordings are not as intimate as with a selfie, but a photographer can perceive even more and has completely different technical possibilities.
And the couple can concentrate on the most important thing: their love.

Every couple who wants a photographer to capture their love for one another is unique. The challenge for a couple photographer is to depict this uniqueness and to tease it out with the design of the shoot. In one moment, as in storytelling, a whole story can be told – the same goes for the relationship between two people.

Giving away couple photo shoots


in the time of the greatest bond between two partners, both feel like they are in abundance. So it makes sense to give away photos of the couple in love together. With such a couple shoot, there are many different ways to perfectly reflect the happiness of the two.

Giving away a photo shoot is a highly analogous affair. And so the region in which the couple lives is sometimes the most important selection criterion. Next, a couple has to decide which style they prefer: romantic, elegant or rather crazy and unusual? In order to implement this, the shooting location, the couple’s outfit and the posing are adjusted accordingly. There are no limits to your imagination. Is there a special occasion for the gift, such as an anniversary or wedding anniversary? A very special quality or a hobby that the couple share? The ideas for designing the shoot are diverse and make the decisive difference.

What are the ingredients for successful couple photos?


The inner image of a couple of themselves is captured in the best case in the most beautiful facets and colors in the photos. In order for a couple shoot to deliver exactly the images that a couple wants of each other, it is important that the ingredients are precisely coordinated. Before the shoot begins, a photographer should discuss the details with the couple so that the right preparations can be made.

The right location:


The photo location is selected depending on what a couple wants. Probably the best lighting conditions can be created in the studio, but maybe it should be an outdoor location that best characterizes the couple or where they feel particularly comfortable?
Is it supposed to rain confetti or have a crazy lifting figure built in? Then the location must offer the opportunity to implement these ideas.

The right outfit and appearance


the picture is about a natural expression, but it can look flawless. In order for both to make the best possible impression, it is an advantage to be able to offer make-up or hair styling during the shoot. It probably makes the couple feel more confident about getting professionally styled beforehand. The outfit should also be designed in such a way that it can withstand years of observation. In the case of a wedding or engagement, a couple may want to have their valuable outfits or accessories properly staged.

Posing


Of course, a photo shoot is a posed situation. However, it must not look like this in the subsequent photos. For photographers as well as for couples, it is a challenge to create poses that are as natural as possible in a photo shoot and positions that appear authentic and unsteady. All tips that help the couple to come across as relaxed and relaxed are helpful: For example, the wish whispered in the ear for dinner or the instruction from the photographer to think about the most beautiful moment in their life. Keeping an eye on the couple outside of the official photo shoot can also make a great picture.

Proper Technique


Photographic equipment and shooting techniques should be professional and appropriate. The photographer should know what his strengths are or what technique he thinks works best to portray the couple and the situation. However, technology should never be more important than capturing the special moment between the couple or makcalendar, the former competitive swimmer is not only causing a sensation with his customers with his wedding photos. In just five years as a wedding photographer,  Steven Herrschaft has already received over 100 awards for his pictures: Masters of Wedding Photography,  Fearless Award , Editor’s Choice Award – the list of honors doesn’t seem to end.

How does this young photographer do it? Soft focus is not his method of choice. Striking shadows and unusual perspectives, in which the groom’s bare feet come into focus, are more of a technical description of his style. But what sets him apart is his experimental and intuitive approach. In the style of a street photographer, he throws himself into the action and follows his instinct. He also regularly celebrates at the weddings until the end – every weekend anew. His finding: the chemistry with the couple has to be right, then emotions can best be captured.

To capture the right snapshots of a couple, you need to be imaginative and spontaneous. This is especially true for the photographer, because then he can still get a lot out of an initially self-conscious couple. In the best case scenario, the photo shoot turns into a romantic experience or a happening that the subsequent photos are only too happy to remind of.

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Wide angle lens – lens advice

Wide angle lens - lens advice

What is a wide angle lens?

All lenses with a very short focal length are called wide-angle . The focal length here is roughly between 10mm & 40mm. But what does that mean? Such a short focal length has a significantly larger angle of view than the human eye. We would have to turn our heads to capture the entire scene (or use both eyes 😉) The camera can capture all of this in one picture. So we can easily get a very large subject or a normal subject with little space in one picture.

What can I use a wide angle lens for?

Wide-angle lenses are very popular in landscape photography, but can be used in all areas. Whenever you have a large subject or there is not much space available, a wide angle is used. It can now be a gigantic landscape, a large building, or a small apartment that is to be rented out. Yes, it is also great to use a wide-angle lens in a small apartment, because it not only makes the apartment look bigger, but is also the only way to get the entire space in the picture.

In which areas is a wide angle still used?

Actually, whenever I want to show a lot of the surroundings. This can of course also be the case with a portrait. As you can see in this example, you can see the details in the picture as well as an incredible amount of the background. If I go more into the partial area and use a 35mm lens instead of a 17mm, we still have a lot of background in the picture, but significantly less than before.

Wide angle shot at 35mm

Wide angle shot at 17mm

The wide angle effect

Taking pictures with one has a certain effect on your pictures. First of all, everything seems bigger. The distance between the individual elements in your photo looks like there are several meters between them. The smaller the focal length, the stronger this effect is.

Subjects that are very close to the camera appear very large and puffed up and the further you are away from the camera, the smaller everything looks. I have the following example for you.

The arm in the picture looks huge, but the head is almost normal

Wide angle distortion

The extreme angle of view that a wide-angle lens brings with it not only results in the wide-angle effect, but also other distortions that cannot be avoided.

Here one speaks of a perspective distortion. The shorter the focal length , the closer the subject and the greater the angle of inclination, the stronger this effect becomes.

A perfect example of this is supportive lines. If you photograph lines (for example of high-rise buildings) from below or from above, it looks as if the lines are falling over. This can also happen if the lines are on the edge of the image.

This effect can be avoided by photographing the building from the front on the same level as possible. However, this is not always necessary, because it sometimes looks great when you integrate the effect of the “falling lines” in your subject and intensify it even further with a deep perspective.

The lanterns on the side lean slightly towards the centre as the picture was photographed from a deep perspective

No crashing lines as the picture was just photographed from a higher perspective

Focus range with the wide-angle lens

If you want to work a lot with a low focus range, it is difficult with a wide angle. Because the shorter the focal length , the larger the focus area. A diaphragm 4 on a wide angle therefore has a significantly larger field of focus than on a telephoto lens. You should definitely keep this in mind when buying a wide-angle lens. If you like to take photos with blurring, you should either pay attention to a large revelation when buying or use the normal lens. Because an aperture 1.8 on a 50mm, for example, cannot be compared with a 1.8 on a wide-angle lens e.g. B. 18mm.

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Shooting Action Shots in Low Light Conditions

Shooting Action Shots in Low Light Conditions

I enjoy getting out to sporting events both indoors and outdoors with my digital electronic camera. Just recently I went to view tennis and took a couple of hundred shots over the day.

Recently I have been getting a few demands to please help with quick action shots inside your home. I remember when I too was frustrated with not having the ability to get a reaction from expert photographers about this situation. They were constantly so elusive with how they conducted themselves out on the field and what they did to get a certain result.

Now I’m going to tell you about how to master this. Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news?

Okay, the good news is that yes, it is possible. Bad news is that you do require a good electronic camera with manual controls to do it. Now because you have currently read this I am assuming that you have either a point and shoot camera or a DSLR. In either case, it’s better than an inexpensive electronic camera that does nothing.

Okay good, so we got that developed.

The trick is this: the factor fast action shots look blurred is generally because they are taken in level of low light, such as an indoor basketball arena for instance. What occurs is the electronic camera, if left on automobile, instantly changes itself to low light levels, which means a slower shutter speed. A slower shutter speed takes place the cam requires time to get in as much light as possible due to this low level of light. Its great from the electronic cameras point of view, but really, it’s annoying and frustrating.

So what can be done about it?

Well firstly, boost that shutter speed. You may observe a boost in digital sound however it will only be slight so do not worry about it. After all it’s most likely worth it for that ‘golden’ picture you are trying to get.

It’s going to be hard getting more light into the cam, since usually you’ll be too far for the flash to work properly anyhow. This is why your shutter is the very first factor to consider.

Something that might help further is this: Shot one, take the shutter at a specific speed, then shot the second, increase the shutter speed one notch, shot third time then increase it again, and so on and so forth. If you have the persistence and inclination, write down on a note pad exactly what shutter speed shot 1 was at, what shot 2 was at, and so on.

So unwind and deal with what you’ve got. Increase the shutter speed or increase the light.