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The Basics of Digital Photography
By Dana Reese
Poll #1
A poll will be displayed on your screen. Please select the appropriate responses You have 15 seconds
Do I Need Photographs of my Product?
The answer is YES! Absolute necessity to have digital photographs to
market your product Brochures Web page Email Press release Juried shows Spotlight a new product Made In Alaska website
Poll #2
A poll will be displayed on your screen. Please select the appropriate responses You have 15 seconds
Advantages of Digital Cameras
Save time Save money Memory cards hold large amounts of photos Easy to use programs for downloading photos Easy to use
Advantages of Digital Images
More creative control Use computer and photo-editing software to touch
up and enhance pictures Instant, easy, photo sharing
E-mail Website Photo gallery
Digital Camera Terms
Resolution Image Quality File Formats Media Storage Devices OPTICAL vs. DIGITAL ZOOM Exposure
Resolution
Digital Pictures are made up of thousands of pixels Pixels square “tiles” of color that make up all digital
images. 1 Megapixel (MP) = 1 Million Pixels More Pixels = Better Image Detail and Quality More Pixels = Higher Camera Price Most digital cameras allow you to change the
resolution setting
Selecting the Image Quality
Good, Better, and Best These settings reflect the compression levels
of photos Compression refers to the amount of image
your camera collects when taking a photo Lower Compression = Large File Size High Compression = Small File Size
Selecting the Image Quality
Best – Excellent Picture Quality, Large File Sizes, and Prints (11x17)
Better – Acceptable Picture Quality, Medium File Sizes, Prints 8x10 and Smaller
Good – Lowest Acceptable Quality, Good for Online Usage, Prints 5x7 and 4x6
To maximize both the resolution and clarity of your
photos, set your camera on its highest resolution and Best
Image quality setting
File Formats JPEG – Joint Photographic Experts Group
Most Common Format Low Quality - Compressed File Ideal for Web and Email
TIFF – Tagged Image File Format High Quality – Uncompressed File Capable of Editing Intended for Printing
RAW Digital Negatives Not directly usable as an image, but has all of the
information needed to create an image
Media Storage Device
Memory Stick CD DVD Measured in Megabytes (MB) & Gigabytes
(GB) Hard Disks
Memory Cards
Size does matter Take as many pictures as needed; delete bad
pictures, keep the good ones Limited Storage
Higher resolution photos Takes up more storage space
Lower resolution photos Takes up less storage space
Memory Cards
Capacity # of Photos (jpeg format)
128 MB 98
256 MB 196
512 MB 392
1 GB 784
2 GB 1,568
4 GB 3, 136
8 GB 6, 272
Digital Zoom vs. Optical Zoom
Most Cameras come with both Optical Zoom
The lens changes focal length and magnification as it is zoomed.
Image quality is high throughout the zoom range. Digital Zoom
simply crops the image to a smaller size, then enlarges the cropped portion to fill the frame again
zoom results in a significant loss of quality
Exposure
Image affected by shutter speed, aperture, and ISO (sensitivity to light)
Programmed auto exposure Camera selects proper aperture and shutter speed Very Convenient
Built-in Flash
Very Convenient Low Power Limited Range 10-20 ft range Prone to Red-eye
Flash Heads
External Flash More Power Good Range Up to 100’ Ability to Bounce Light Eliminates Red-eye More Features and Flexibility Hot Shoe
Tips for getting the most from on-camera flash
Stay within the Flash Range Turn on Additional Lights Avoid Reflective Surfaces
Taking Great Digital Photos
Know your camera Diffuser Close Up Stabilize Angles Lighting
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
This quote goes a long way but not if you take a terrible photo
Know your camera Learning just a few of your digital camera features
can help in achieving powerful and meaningful photos
Read your cameras manual! Read about the various features and play around
with them
Light Diffuser
White-translucent fabric that is setup between a light source and subject
“softens” Light Diffusing the light source allows for greater
detail to be revealed Eliminates dark shadows and bright spots
caused by direct light
Light Diffuser
Captured without diffuser Captured with diffuser
Close Up – Zoom In
Always get as close as possible to subject Removes background clutter
Zoom in Beware: some auto focus cameras have
limits on how close they will work Fill picture with the subject For small objects, use the camera’s Macro
Mode and a Tripod
Take Vertical Pictures
Many subjects look better in a vertical picture Make a conscious effort to turn your camera
and take vertical pictures
Wasted Space
Use Auto Focus
Center the subject Press Shutter Button halfway down Re-Frame your picture Finish by Pressing the Shutter Button all the
way down
Stabilize
Tripods Use for sharp images Eliminates shake Get a stiff tripod Great for close ups
Use a Plain Background
A cluttered background is distracting Plain background will emphasize your subject Experiment with different color backgrounds Use sheets, towel, etc.
Control Your Flash
Turn it off experiment with available light Know your flash range
Pictures taken beyond the maximum flash range will be to dark Check your manual
Light
Great light makes great pictures Study the effects of light in your pictures Avoid strong over head lights that cast hard
shadows Use a diffuser between light source and
subject Diffuser spreads light over larger area of subject
Use natural light to your advantage
Light
Manipulate the scene to create the effect you want Move lights Move the subject
Purchase additional light Professional Photo Studio Light Kit –
3 Head lighting set, stand and light bulbs ($149.00) Wireless Flash ($360.00) ours ($50.00 Cheapest)
Angles
Try different Angles Move the subject Shoot your photo from different angles
Verify details in the display screen
For close-ups with a digital camera, use the display screen to compose the picture and then review it
If you think it could be better, you can delete the picture and retake it
Editing and Enhancing Digital Photos
With picture-editing software, you can enhance your pictures
Recommend Photoshop Element (less than $100 @ Costco)
Photoshop Element Resize Rotate Crop Adjust Lighting Adjust Contrast Work with Tiff files
Create Your Own Studio
A simple setup outside or inside by a window is all you need
Create a plain background by draping a bath towel or solid-color sheet over something, or tacking it to the wall
Smooth out any distracting folds Cheaper
Purchase Portable Lighting Studio
Sunpak EBOX Portable Mini Studio
•Less than $80.00
•Everything need to take professional studio-quality images
•Two 50 watt floor-standing lights
•Mini aluminum tripod with 3-way panhead
•Includes carrying case
Practice, Practice, Practice
Experiment with lighting Experiment with different color backgrounds Experiment with different angles Have fun Read your manual Research online Take lots of pictures Create your own studio
Resources
The Complete Guide to Digital Photography Michael Freeman
Digital Photography Bible Desktop Edition Dan Simon
The Joy of Digital Photography Jeff Wignall
The Complete Guide to Light and Lighting in Digital Photography Michael Freeman
Digital Photography for Dummies Julie Adair King
Questions?
Made In Alaska Website
Made In Alaska Permit Holders have the opportunity to display one photo on the Made In Alaska website, along with your business information.
We Need Your Photos! Please email your photo to