Photography lessons

[Amoli]

Sorry Indy. Sprocky, you can answer Indy first, and I will follow.

[Dewi]

Amoli, for adjusting the white balance, look in the menu settings on your camera and scroll through and hit "Auto" for the time being.

You may also be able to set it without going into the menu - on the back of the camera somewhere (mine is below the LCD screen).

On my older camera, I had my setting on Cloudy all the time (was told by a pro to use this for warmer images) I have the new body set to auto 99% of the time, but will adjust it for certain circumstances.

On a seperate note here, you should all do this when you buy a new camera, even if you are an old pro or a beginner.

1. Get the manual out.
2. Read it.
3. Familiarise yourself with the buttons, controls etc. so that you know where they are.

I know this sound basic, but it's suprising how many do not do this. I'll sit in front of the telly with the camera and read through so that I at least know how to adjust things fairly quickly. I even do this before I go on a trip with a camera I've had for a few years, it's suprising how quickly you forget things if you have not used the camera for a while.

I also set up the camera on a tripod and take pictures of something like a cornflakes box (other cereals are available ) and take photos at different settings to see what the results are. It's worth it to get the feel of what your camera can do. You can delete these when you have finished.

Manuals are available online to download if you have lost yours. google the model of your camera and the word manual to find the one you need.

[Sprocky]

If I must read the article for my question - please tell me.

My lighting is correct, the ISO is correct - yet my pics come out over exposed! This can happen in early morning light and even worse in sunlight.

Amoli, first of all, correct exposure comprises of three components...Shutter speed, aperture (f-stop) and ISO. Change one and you have to compensate by changing one or both of the others.

By saying that your pics are over or under exposed, do you mean the subject or the entire image?

The entire image Sprocky. Somebody said to me I must adjust my white balance.. but that is only increasing into the different colours.
My grass looks blue?

Amoli, white balance (while we can still call it that) is for advanced techniques. I only use auto white balance, unless I want to create a special effect, which I never really bother with. White balance as far as I know will not affect your exposure, only your colour balance. This is where the boffins will step in. As Dewi has done already.

On your exposure problem, please post an example and if possible your camera settings.

[PRWIN]

Amoli

First up what camera you using so that I can get a idea what I am looking at

Indy will come back to the basic again, also what camera you using. as each camera and model are different to a degree and it will be easier to know what model we are dealing with

[Amoli]

Thanks to all. -

Dewi - I remember changing my setting to full sun - will confirm later.

I will post a pic this afternoon with my settings,

and the make and model camera.

[nan]

thank you for this lessons, what a magnificent idea

already on "clouds" and 1/3 less in "corr expo-reglage AEB" (Canon EOS 7D)
I burn all the whites (see the Egret... WHITE Egret in my thread)

I stay in the queue... please first iNdlovu, very interesting to know from the start

[BluTuna]

A while ago, Flutterby posted some introduction to photography threads on this very (Technical Photography Discussion Forum) forum. They are specifically for beginners and are very easy to understand, even for the photographically challenged.

Understanding Shutter Speed
Understanding Apperture
Understanding ISO
Understanding Exposure

Can I suggest that iNdlovu reads these and then asks for advice.

[Flutterby]

BluTuna

Those posts are very easy to follow and very informative. But I also agree with Dewi....get to know your camera - very important!!

[BluTuna]

BluTuna

Those posts are very easy to follow and very informative. But I also agree with Dewi....get to know your camera - very important!!

I agree! But knowing that a particular setting does X, Y or Z doesn't help when you have no clue what X, Y and Z are: which seems to be iNdlovu's problem.

[Flutterby]

I know that BluTuna...but he has to be able to find X,Y and Z first.