Easing Off Auto Mode, with Jennifer Davidson

Switching off the auto mode on your dSLR for the first time can be a daunting task. Don’t fret! There are options to give you control of your exposure without going into full manual mode.

A good place to start is Aperture Priority. Depending on your camera model, it is the A or Av mode. Aperture Priority lets you control the aperture; your camera then automatically sets the shutter speed to give you the correct exposure. By controlling the aperture you determine the depth of field in your image—the area of sharpness in front of and behind your subject. The easiest way to remember aperture is that the smaller the aperture number (say f/3.5), the shallower the depth of field. Larger aperture numbers (such as f/22) produce images with longer depths of field.

A good exercise is to begin with your aperture “wide open,” meaning at the smallest aperture number. Choose a subject that is relatively close to you, with other elements in the background. Focus on the subject and take that picture. Then, keeping your subject and composition constant, change the aperture and take another picture. Continue this process through the entire range of your aperture settings. Once you have the images downloaded, you’ll be able to see the effect depth of field has on images.

There are some areas to be careful with in Aperture Priority, but it is a great first step in gaining more control of your camera and the images that you produce.

Learn more from Jennifer in her workshop
Beginning Photography Using Digital Cameras
January 3 - January 6, 2011

From So-So to Fabulous in a Flash, with Rick Allred

Once we learn how to use the basic features of our cameras, we can coast along happily in most lighting situations. Whether using Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority or even the Auto exposure mode, we are able to capture great images in most situations by letting the camera determine the exposure.

It gets a little tricky, however, when the lighting for our subject is drastically different from the rest of the scene. Although our eyes adjust instantly to the different areas of light in our scene, our cameras (as in the example shown) will expose for scene or the subject in the shade. This is a great time to use fill-flash. In the final image, a fill-flash was used to have the light on the subject more closely match the exposure in the scene.

Rick’s helpful hint: I like to warm up my flash a little. To do this, I tape a small piece of one quarter Sun gel on the front of my flash (basically it is a piece of light orange plastic). The gel is called Orange, Sun or Color Temperature Orange (CTO) and comes in Full, one-half, and one-quarter densities.

Learn more from Rick in his workshop
Flash and Lighting: Joy Beyond the Basics of Digital Photography
December 6 - December 10, 2010

Visit his web site www.rickallredimagery.com to see what he's up to.

Finding Time at Warp Speed with Liza Politi

I live in New York City where everything is moving at warp speed. There are some days when I catch myself actually running to get from one place to the next. So in my time here I’ve learned a thing or two about appreciation and taking time.

There was a tree, a cherry tree that sat in a little pocket park on my corner. And every year for the past 8 years, this cherry tree bloomed. These were not just any blooms, but radiant explosions that made jaded New Yorkers stop and stare in awe. And I promised myself that I was going to photograph that tree when she was her most glorious- but somehow never found the time. This past April, she was at her most spectacular. Then one day I walked by and in the place of my cherry tree stood an oak sapling! I was so disappointed that in 8 years I didn't find 10 minutes to go and take pictures of her blossoms.

So I made a pact with myself—to make time, to take 1/2 hour a week to photograph just for me. Some weeks I’m successful, some not. But by setting the intention I’ve captured a handful of images that represent me pausing and taking time for my work, my passion, and myself.

Learn more from Liza in her workshop
New York City: City of Lights
December 8 – December 11, 2010

Visit Liza’s web site www.fancygirlstreetboy.com to see what she’s up to.