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Page 1: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

The Beginner’s

Guide to

Photography

Dami Anandbazar

The Beginner’s

Guide to

Photography

Dami Anandbazar

Page 2: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

2

The Beginner’s Guide to

Photography

2

The Beginner’s Guide to

Photography

Page 3: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

3

The camera used in the examples in this guidebook is a

Canon 5D Mark II. Most Canon cameras will have

similar designs. The instructions may differ with other

brands and models.

3

The camera used in the examples in this guidebook is a

Canon 5D Mark II. Most Canon cameras will have

similar designs. The instructions may differ with other

brands and models.

Page 4: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Aperture

3. Shutter Speed

4. ISO

5. Aperture Priority

6. Shutter Priority

6

10

12

16

19

26

4

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. Aperture

3. Shutter Speed

4. ISO

5. Aperture Priority

6. Shutter Priority

6

10

12

16

19

26

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7. Program Mode

8. Metering Modes

9. AF Points

10. Photo Composition

11. Rules of Thumb

12. Tips for Beginners

13. Index

14. Acknowledgements

31

34

38

43

48

50

53

55

5

7. Program Mode

8. Metering Modes

9. AF Points

10. Photo Composition

11. Rules of Thumb

12. Tips for Beginners

13. Index

14. Acknowledgements

31

34

38

43

48

50

53

55

Page 6: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

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Introduction Simply having an expensive camera

does not necessarily make you a

good photographer. The process of

learning how to take creative

pictures is very much a process of

trial and error, and this guide will

ease you through that process.

Essentially, there are 3 major pillars

of photography; Aperture, which

dictates the size of the opening in

the lens, Shutter Speed, which

changes the speed of the camera’s

shutter, and ISO, which controls the

sensitivity of the camera to light.

Those 3 settings determine the

6

Introduction Simply having an expensive camera

does not necessarily make you a

good photographer. The process of

learning how to take creative

pictures is very much a process of

trial and error, and this guide will

ease you through that process.

Essentially, there are 3 major pillars

of photography; Aperture, which

dictates the size of the opening in

the lens, Shutter Speed, which

changes the speed of the camera’s

shutter, and ISO, which controls the

sensitivity of the camera to light.

Those 3 settings determine the

Page 7: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

7

exposure of the photo, which

controls how dark or light the photo

will appear1. Along with the three

pillars of photography, there are

several things to keep at the back of

your mind as you familiarize

yourself with the concepts of

photography. The Rule of Thirds

helps you to take a more

aesthetically pleasing photo,

dictating how the image should be

composed by dividing it into 9 equal

rectangles.1

Focus is very important in

photography. Before taking a

picture, you should always have an

idea of which parts of your photo

you want to focus on, and which

parts will be blurry. Know whether

or not your background will be in

focus, or if it will be blurry, how

blurry will it be? Nailing your focus

will make your photo look much

better, and this guidebook will show 1Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/a-beginners-guide-to-photography/ (accessed 06 Dec, 2015).

7

exposure of the photo, which

controls how dark or light the photo

will appear1. Along with the three

pillars of photography, there are

several things to keep at the back of

your mind as you familiarize

yourself with the concepts of

photography. The Rule of Thirds

helps you to take a more

aesthetically pleasing photo,

dictating how the image should be

composed by dividing it into 9 equal

rectangles.1

Focus is very important in

photography. Before taking a

picture, you should always have an

idea of which parts of your photo

you want to focus on, and which

parts will be blurry. Know whether

or not your background will be in

focus, or if it will be blurry, how

blurry will it be? Nailing your focus

will make your photo look much

better, and this guidebook will show 1Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/a-beginners-guide-to-photography/ (accessed 06 Dec, 2015).

Page 8: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

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Lighting is one of the most vital

aspects of photography. Always be

aware of your lighting and

surroundings, as you must adjust

your camera’s settings accordingly.

Some useful tips for lighting include;

avoid bright light behind your

subject, look out for dark shadows,

and beware of things that glare in

the light. In essence, photography is

lighting, as photography is the art of

capturing light reflected from

objects into the camera’s lenses.

The success of a photo will usually

come down to photo composition,

which is what you include and leave

out of the shot, and how you

2Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/a-beginners-guide-to-photography/ (accessed 06 Dec, 2015).

8

Lighting is one of the most vital

aspects of photography. Always be

aware of your lighting and

surroundings, as you must adjust

your camera’s settings accordingly.

Some useful tips for lighting include;

avoid bright light behind your

subject, look out for dark shadows,

and beware of things that glare in

the light. In essence, photography is

lighting, as photography is the art of

capturing light reflected from

objects into the camera’s lenses.

The success of a photo will usually

come down to photo composition,

which is what you include and leave

out of the shot, and how you

2Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/a-beginners-guide-to-photography/ (accessed 06 Dec, 2015).

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It will also be helpful to keep in

mind the color within your photos.

If the main subject of focus is the

same color as the background, it

can make it difficult for viewers to

see the subject, which can be

All the pictures in this guidebook are the

works of the author, with the exception of

the diagram on page 10.

9

It will also be helpful to keep in

mind the color within your photos.

If the main subject of focus is the

same color as the background, it

can make it difficult for viewers to

see the subject, which can be

All the pictures in this guidebook are the

works of the author, with the exception of

the diagram on page 10.

Page 10: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

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Aperture Simply put, aperture is the size of

the opening in the lens3. When you

press on the shutter release button

to take a picture, a hole opens in

the camera’s lens which allows light

to enter, giving the image sensor a

look at the scene which you are

about to shoot. The aperture setting

controls the size of that hole. The

larger the hole, the more light that

enters; the smaller the hole, the

less light entering the lens. Aperture

is measured in f-stops. The diagram

above shows how increasing the f-

stop number affects the size of the

hole.3

3Darren Rose, Digital Photography School, http://digital-photography-school.com/aperture/ (accessed 15 Nov, 2015).

10

Aperture Simply put, aperture is the size of

the opening in the lens3. When you

press on the shutter release button

to take a picture, a hole opens in

the camera’s lens which allows light

to enter, giving the image sensor a

look at the scene which you are

about to shoot. The aperture setting

controls the size of that hole. The

larger the hole, the more light that

enters; the smaller the hole, the

less light entering the lens. Aperture

is measured in f-stops. The diagram

above shows how increasing the f-

stop number affects the size of the

hole.3

3Darren Rose, Digital Photography School, http://digital-photography-school.com/aperture/ (accessed 15 Nov, 2015).

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Switching from one f-stop to the

next doubles or halves the size of

the aperture. The smaller the

number of the f-stop, the bigger

the aperture and vice versa4. When

you change between apertures, you

will see a change in depth of field of

the image. Depth of Field, or DOF, is

the term for how much of your

photo will be in focus. Larger depth

of field means most of the shot will

be in focus, whereas shallow depth

of field means only a small part of

the shot will be in focus. Larger

apertures result in a shallower

depth of field; smaller apertures

result in a larger depth of field.4

4Darren Rose, Digital Photography School, http://digital-photography-school.com/aperture/ (accessed 15 Nov, 2015).

11

Switching from one f-stop to the

next doubles or halves the size of

the aperture. The smaller the

number of the f-stop, the bigger

the aperture and vice versa4. When

you change between apertures, you

will see a change in depth of field of

the image. Depth of Field, or DOF, is

the term for how much of your

photo will be in focus. Larger depth

of field means most of the shot will

be in focus, whereas shallow depth

of field means only a small part of

the shot will be in focus. Larger

apertures result in a shallower

depth of field; smaller apertures

result in a larger depth of field.4

4Darren Rose, Digital Photography School, http://digital-photography-school.com/aperture/ (accessed 15 Nov, 2015).

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Shutter Speed Shutter speed is the amount of time

that the shutter is open5. One of

the three settings which control the

exposure of the photo, shutter

speed is measured in seconds,

although in most cases it is

measured in fractions of seconds.

The bigger the denominator, the

faster the shutter speed. Just like

aperture, shutter speeds usually

doubles or halves with each setting.

So keep in mind, increasing the

shutter speed by 1 stop and

decreasing the aperture by 1 stop

will have a similar effect on

exposure. Faster shutter speeds

means less light will be allowed to

enter the lens, so in order to

compensate for less light, you

should increase the aperture or ISO

sensitivity.5

5Darren Rowse, Digital Photography School, http://digital-photography-school.com/shutter-speed/ (accessed 15 Nov, 2015).

12

Shutter Speed Shutter speed is the amount of time

that the shutter is open5. One of

the three settings which control the

exposure of the photo, shutter

speed is measured in seconds,

although in most cases it is

measured in fractions of seconds.

The bigger the denominator, the

faster the shutter speed. Just like

aperture, shutter speeds usually

doubles or halves with each setting.

So keep in mind, increasing the

shutter speed by 1 stop and

decreasing the aperture by 1 stop

will have a similar effect on

exposure. Faster shutter speeds

means less light will be allowed to

enter the lens, so in order to

compensate for less light, you

should increase the aperture or ISO

sensitivity.5

5Darren Rowse, Digital Photography School, http://digital-photography-school.com/shutter-speed/ (accessed 15 Nov, 2015).

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With slower shutter speeds, it

allows you to adjust the aperture

and ISO sensitivity as you wish.

However, slow shutter speeds can

result in camera shake, where an

image appears blurry and

unfocused due to movement. A

common rule of thumb is to select a

shutter speed with a denominator

larger than the focal length of the

lens to take a photo at the slowest

shutter speed without camera

6Darren Rowse, Digital Photography School, http://digital-photography-school.com/shutter-speed/ (accessed 15 Nov, 2015).

13

With slower shutter speeds, it

allows you to adjust the aperture

and ISO sensitivity as you wish.

However, slow shutter speeds can

result in camera shake, where an

image appears blurry and

unfocused due to movement. A

common rule of thumb is to select a

shutter speed with a denominator

larger than the focal length of the

lens to take a photo at the slowest

shutter speed without camera

6Darren Rowse, Digital Photography School, http://digital-photography-school.com/shutter-speed/ (accessed 15 Nov, 2015).

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In low light situations, higher

shutter speeds are needed to

compensate for the lack of light,

whereas faster shutter speeds

should be used when there is a

sufficient and controlled amount of

lighting. You might need a tripod

with shutter speeds lower than

around 1/60, but it usually depends

on how steady the hands of the

photographer are. Shutter speed

can be used in many creative ways,

such as freezing or blurring motion.

To freeze motion faster shutter

speeds are required while slower

shutter speeds will blur the motion.

14

In low light situations, higher

shutter speeds are needed to

compensate for the lack of light,

whereas faster shutter speeds

should be used when there is a

sufficient and controlled amount of

lighting. You might need a tripod

with shutter speeds lower than

around 1/60, but it usually depends

on how steady the hands of the

photographer are. Shutter speed

can be used in many creative ways,

such as freezing or blurring motion.

To freeze motion faster shutter

speeds are required while slower

shutter speeds will blur the motion.

Page 15: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

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15

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ISO ISO is the level of sensitivity of your

camera to light7. ISO is measured in

numbers usually from 100 to

around 6400. The lower the ISO

number, the less sensitivity, and the

higher the ISO number, the more

sensitivity. Every camera has what is

called a base ISO, the term for the

lowest ISO setting the camera has to

offer, which produces detailed

images with no noise. Bumping up

the ISO brings grainy visual

distortion into the photograph,

making it look slightly pixelated.7

7Nasim Mansurov, Photography Life, https://photographylife.com/what-is-iso-in-photography, (accessed 13 Nov, 2015).

16

ISO ISO is the level of sensitivity of your

camera to light7. ISO is measured in

numbers usually from 100 to

around 6400. The lower the ISO

number, the less sensitivity, and the

higher the ISO number, the more

sensitivity. Every camera has what is

called a base ISO, the term for the

lowest ISO setting the camera has to

offer, which produces detailed

images with no noise. Bumping up

the ISO brings grainy visual

distortion into the photograph,

making it look slightly pixelated.7

7Nasim Mansurov, Photography Life, https://photographylife.com/what-is-iso-in-photography, (accessed 13 Nov, 2015).

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ISO numbers start from around 100-

200 (Base ISO), and usually doubles

or halves each time you switch

between settings just like aperture

and shutter speed. Being twice as

sensitive to light means the camera

requires half the time it takes to

take a photo. To change the ISO,

press the button shown on the

image to the right and switch the

setting using the front dial. The

small LCD panel below the ISO

button will display which setting you

have chosen. You will also be able

to see the setting you have chosen

by looking through the viewfinder.8

8Nasim Mansurov, Photography Life, https://photographylife.com/what-is-iso-in-photography, (accessed 13 Nov, 2015).

17

ISO numbers start from around 100-

200 (Base ISO), and usually doubles

or halves each time you switch

between settings just like aperture

and shutter speed. Being twice as

sensitive to light means the camera

requires half the time it takes to

take a photo. To change the ISO,

press the button shown on the

image to the right and switch the

setting using the front dial. The

small LCD panel below the ISO

button will display which setting you

have chosen. You will also be able

to see the setting you have chosen

by looking through the viewfinder.8

8Nasim Mansurov, Photography Life, https://photographylife.com/what-is-iso-in-photography, (accessed 13 Nov, 2015).

Page 18: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

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When taking photographs in low

light situations, bump up the ISO

just enough so that there is enough

light entering but no noise in the

photo. When the lighting is

controlled, use the lowest possible

ISO setting and adjust the aperture

and shutter priority accordingly.

Also, if you are using a tripod, you

can use the slowest shutter speed

and the lowest ISO for the highest

quality photo. One very important

thing to keep at the back of your

mind is to never trust the display on

your camera. Always zoom in a bit

to look for unwanted noise, as it

usually appears very different on a

computer.

18

When taking photographs in low

light situations, bump up the ISO

just enough so that there is enough

light entering but no noise in the

photo. When the lighting is

controlled, use the lowest possible

ISO setting and adjust the aperture

and shutter priority accordingly.

Also, if you are using a tripod, you

can use the slowest shutter speed

and the lowest ISO for the highest

quality photo. One very important

thing to keep at the back of your

mind is to never trust the display on

your camera. Always zoom in a bit

to look for unwanted noise, as it

usually appears very different on a

computer.

Page 19: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

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Aperture Priority This is a semi-automatic mode

which allows you to set the

aperture manually and the camera

automatically sets the shutter

speed9. When you widen the

aperture, you allow more light to

enter the lens which in turn allows

the camera to speed up the shutter

speed for the optimal exposure.

Changing the aperture setting

affects the exposure of the photo,

so ISO and shutter speed should

also be considered. To use aperture

priority mode, switch the dial to “A”

or “Av”, and use the front dial to

change the aperture setting.9

9Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/how-when-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/, (accessed 14 Nov, 2015).

19

Aperture Priority This is a semi-automatic mode

which allows you to set the

aperture manually and the camera

automatically sets the shutter

speed9. When you widen the

aperture, you allow more light to

enter the lens which in turn allows

the camera to speed up the shutter

speed for the optimal exposure.

Changing the aperture setting

affects the exposure of the photo,

so ISO and shutter speed should

also be considered. To use aperture

priority mode, switch the dial to “A”

or “Av”, and use the front dial to

change the aperture setting.9

9Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/how-when-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/, (accessed 14 Nov, 2015).

Page 20: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

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There are many situations in which

using aperture priority can be very

useful.

If you are trying to put all the

emphasis on the subject at the

expense of the background detail

To put everything in the frame in

focus.

In controlled lighting situations with

minimal movement, where shutter

speed is not important.

However there are some situation

where you should not use this

mode as it could ruin your shot.

Poor light or dark room

Shooting in low light can cause problems

with exposure and camera shake. Using

aperture priority mode only solves the

exposure problem, and as a result you get

camera shake. To a certain degree, you

can fix the exposure but you cannot fix

camera shake in photos. However you can

fix

20

There are many situations in which

using aperture priority can be very

useful.

If you are trying to put all the

emphasis on the subject at the

expense of the background detail

To put everything in the frame in

focus.

In controlled lighting situations with

minimal movement, where shutter

speed is not important.

However there are some situation

where you should not use this

mode as it could ruin your shot.

Poor light or dark room

Shooting in low light can cause problems

with exposure and camera shake. Using

aperture priority mode only solves the

exposure problem, and as a result you get

camera shake. To a certain degree, you

can fix the exposure but you cannot fix

camera shake in photos. However you can

fix

Page 21: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

21

both problems by using aperture priority

mode and a tripod, which will give you

sharp and clear photos with no camera

shake.

Night Landscape

Aperture priority mode is useful for

landscape shots during the day, but it can

be difficult at night due to how

unpredictable the lighting can be. For

these situations shutter priority or

program mode is the better option as you

can change the shutter speed as you wish.

21

both problems by using aperture priority

mode and a tripod, which will give you

sharp and clear photos with no camera

shake.

Night Landscape

Aperture priority mode is useful for

landscape shots during the day, but it can

be difficult at night due to how

unpredictable the lighting can be. For

these situations shutter priority or

program mode is the better option as you

can change the shutter speed as you wish.

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Aperture tips

Very Low Light

You may be tempted to use your camera’s

built-in flash when you’re shooting in low

light situations, but don’t do it! Using the

flash can produce very low quality photos,

often introducing washed out faces, harsh

black shadows, and red-eye. Therefore it

is a much better option to use a larger

aperture and maybe a higher ISO

depending on how dark it is.10

10Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/how-when-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/, (accessed 14 Nov, 2015).

22

Aperture tips

Very Low Light

You may be tempted to use your camera’s

built-in flash when you’re shooting in low

light situations, but don’t do it! Using the

flash can produce very low quality photos,

often introducing washed out faces, harsh

black shadows, and red-eye. Therefore it

is a much better option to use a larger

aperture and maybe a higher ISO

depending on how dark it is.10

10Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/how-when-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/, (accessed 14 Nov, 2015).

Page 23: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

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Macro Images

When shooting very small objects, the

subject can fall out of focus very easily

even with a smaller aperture. To capture

the most detail, use the smallest aperture

available, which means you will need a

slower shutter speed to compensate for

the lack of light, and quite possibly a

tripod as well.11

Capturing Motion Blur in Daytime

To capture motion blur during the day,

use a smaller aperture. Using a larger

aperture will produce overexposed

photos, since you need slower shutter

speeds to capture motion blur. Using a

tripod along with a small aperture will

give you that very slight motion blur.11

11Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/how-when-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/, (accessed 14 Nov,

2015).

23

Macro Images

When shooting very small objects, the

subject can fall out of focus very easily

even with a smaller aperture. To capture

the most detail, use the smallest aperture

available, which means you will need a

slower shutter speed to compensate for

the lack of light, and quite possibly a

tripod as well.11

Capturing Motion Blur in Daytime

To capture motion blur during the day,

use a smaller aperture. Using a larger

aperture will produce overexposed

photos, since you need slower shutter

speeds to capture motion blur. Using a

tripod along with a small aperture will

give you that very slight motion blur.11

11Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/how-when-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/, (accessed 14 Nov,

2015).

Page 24: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

24

Busy Backgrounds

Busy backgrounds can distract the viewer

from the main subject, which makes the

photo chaotic, confusing the viewer. For

this, use a larger aperture to give the

photo a shallow depth of field, which will

put the unneeded background out of

focus. Set the autofocus mode to One

shot, as it is most suitable for subjects

which are not moving.

24

Busy Backgrounds

Busy backgrounds can distract the viewer

from the main subject, which makes the

photo chaotic, confusing the viewer. For

this, use a larger aperture to give the

photo a shallow depth of field, which will

put the unneeded background out of

focus. Set the autofocus mode to One

shot, as it is most suitable for subjects

which are not moving.

Page 25: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

25

Contextual Background

If the background is part of the story

you’re trying to tell through your photo,

use a smaller aperture to put the

background into focus. It’s all about

whether the background is too distracting

or if it is an important part of the photo.12

Landscapes

For most landscape photos, you want the

entire frame in focus, so the viewer sees it

as if they were actually there. Smaller

apertures give a larger DOF, focusing on

everything in the frame.12

12Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/how-when-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/, (accessed 14 Nov, 2015).

25

Contextual Background

If the background is part of the story

you’re trying to tell through your photo,

use a smaller aperture to put the

background into focus. It’s all about

whether the background is too distracting

or if it is an important part of the photo.12

Landscapes

For most landscape photos, you want the

entire frame in focus, so the viewer sees it

as if they were actually there. Smaller

apertures give a larger DOF, focusing on

everything in the frame.12

12Josh, Expert Photography, http://expertphotography.com/how-when-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/, (accessed 14 Nov, 2015).

Page 26: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

26

Shutter Priority Shutter priority mode allows you to

manually set the shutter speed

while the camera automatically

sets the aperture setting13. To use

this mode, switch the dial to “S” or

“Tv”. The front dial changes shutter

speed.

There are different situations where

using shutter priority mode can be

very useful.

To stop motion, you need to set the

shutter speed faster than the

object.

To blur movement, set the shutter

speed slower than the object.

Under unpredictable lighting

conditions.13

13Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Nov, 2015).

26

Shutter Priority Shutter priority mode allows you to

manually set the shutter speed

while the camera automatically

sets the aperture setting13. To use

this mode, switch the dial to “S” or

“Tv”. The front dial changes shutter

speed.

There are different situations where

using shutter priority mode can be

very useful.

To stop motion, you need to set the

shutter speed faster than the

object.

To blur movement, set the shutter

speed slower than the object.

Under unpredictable lighting

conditions.13

13Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Nov, 2015).

Page 27: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

27

The best shutter speeds for general

purpose are usually between 1/80

to 1/125, with 1/80 being the

slowest speed to get a quality

photo with no camera shake.

However, if you have a tripod, you

can set your shutter speed to

virtually anything, as it gets rid of

camera shake.

Shutter speed tips

Shooting Stars

Using a tripod, you can literally set you

shutter speed to several minutes or even

hours using bulb mode, which allows you

to take pictures for as long as you press

the shutter button. Including stars and

still objects in the photo will show stars

moving across the sky while the static

objects stay still.14

14Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Nov, 2015).

27

The best shutter speeds for general

purpose are usually between 1/80

to 1/125, with 1/80 being the

slowest speed to get a quality

photo with no camera shake.

However, if you have a tripod, you

can set your shutter speed to

virtually anything, as it gets rid of

camera shake.

Shutter speed tips

Shooting Stars

Using a tripod, you can literally set you

shutter speed to several minutes or even

hours using bulb mode, which allows you

to take pictures for as long as you press

the shutter button. Including stars and

still objects in the photo will show stars

moving across the sky while the static

objects stay still.14

14Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Nov, 2015).

Page 28: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

28

Shooting water

Shooting water at high shutter speeds

makes the water seem frozen. This will

require a shutter speed of 1/500 or faster.

Shooting birds in flight

To freeze the movement of birds while

they’re flying, use a shutter speed of just

around 1/2000.

Shooting moving vehicles

Use a shutter speed of around 1/1000 to

freeze the motion of moving vehicles such

as cars and motorcycles.

Blurring walking people

To blur the movement of people walking,

use a shutter speed of 1/4 or so.15

15Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Nov, 2015).

28

Shooting water

Shooting water at high shutter speeds

makes the water seem frozen. This will

require a shutter speed of 1/500 or faster.

Shooting birds in flight

To freeze the movement of birds while

they’re flying, use a shutter speed of just

around 1/2000.

Shooting moving vehicles

Use a shutter speed of around 1/1000 to

freeze the motion of moving vehicles such

as cars and motorcycles.

Blurring walking people

To blur the movement of people walking,

use a shutter speed of 1/4 or so.15

15Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Nov, 2015).

Page 29: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

29

Panning

This technique is where you move the

camera from one side to the other

following a moving object which results in

a sharp subject and blurred background.

Set the ISO to around 100, to get the best

quality photo. This works best in low-light

environments, as bright environments

cause overexposed photos. This will need

a shutter speed of around 1/30 to 1/60.

Use the Al Servo autofocus mode, as it is

designed for the purpose of tracking

moving subjects.15

Light Trails

To capture the light trails of cars as they

pass by the frame, use a shutter speed of

around 10 seconds to a couple minutes

depending on traffic. Use an aperture of

about f/8 and set your ISO at 200. To

ensure that there is no camera shake

when you take the picture, use a tripod. If

the photo is underexposed, bump up the

ISO or increase the shutter speed. Try to

use manual focus rather than autofocus,

as autofocus may struggle with the lack of

contrast.15

15Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Nov, 2015).

29

Panning

This technique is where you move the

camera from one side to the other

following a moving object which results in

a sharp subject and blurred background.

Set the ISO to around 100, to get the best

quality photo. This works best in low-light

environments, as bright environments

cause overexposed photos. This will need

a shutter speed of around 1/30 to 1/60.

Use the Al Servo autofocus mode, as it is

designed for the purpose of tracking

moving subjects.15

Light Trails

To capture the light trails of cars as they

pass by the frame, use a shutter speed of

around 10 seconds to a couple minutes

depending on traffic. Use an aperture of

about f/8 and set your ISO at 200. To

ensure that there is no camera shake

when you take the picture, use a tripod. If

the photo is underexposed, bump up the

ISO or increase the shutter speed. Try to

use manual focus rather than autofocus,

as autofocus may struggle with the lack of

contrast.15

15Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Nov, 2015).

Page 30: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

30

Milky water effect

To give the waterfall a silky look, set the

shutter speed to around 1-3 seconds, or

to higher speeds to make it seem

frozen.16

Mastering shutter speed and

photography in general always

requires lots of practice, trial, and

error so stay patient. To practice

setting the right shutter speed, try

taking photos of moving cars.16

16Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

30

Milky water effect

To give the waterfall a silky look, set the

shutter speed to around 1-3 seconds, or

to higher speeds to make it seem

frozen.16

Mastering shutter speed and

photography in general always

requires lots of practice, trial, and

error so stay patient. To practice

setting the right shutter speed, try

taking photos of moving cars.16

16Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Page 31: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

31

Program Mode Program mode is a semi-automatic

mode which sets the aperture and

shutter speed automatically for

what it deems most appropriate,

but allows you to change them as

you wish to improve the quality of

the photos17. On all dSLR cameras,

program mode will be represented

by a “P” on the main dial.

The situations to use program mode

include:

When autofocus isn’t choosing the

subject you want.

When auto-mode is jacking up the

ISO more than necessary.

When the subject is either too light

or dark.

Generally when your photos aren’t

coming out the way you want it.17

17Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-program-mode/, (accessed 20 Nov,

2015).

31

Program Mode Program mode is a semi-automatic

mode which sets the aperture and

shutter speed automatically for

what it deems most appropriate,

but allows you to change them as

you wish to improve the quality of

the photos17. On all dSLR cameras,

program mode will be represented

by a “P” on the main dial.

The situations to use program mode

include:

When autofocus isn’t choosing the

subject you want.

When auto-mode is jacking up the

ISO more than necessary.

When the subject is either too light

or dark.

Generally when your photos aren’t

coming out the way you want it.17

17Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-program-mode/, (accessed 20 Nov,

2015).

Page 32: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

32

When you use auto mode to take

photos, most cameras jack up the

ISO when you shoot in low light. The

reason for this is because most

cameras set the ISO sensitivity high

enough that the shutter speed does

not need to be dropped too low, as

it could cause motion blur. However,

increasing the ISO to much can

introduce unwanted noise to the

images. You can solve this by using a

tripod and program mode, allowing

you to manually set the ISO and

lower the shutter speed. Remember

to always use the lowest ISO setting

when you use a tripod, unless you

want special effects.

To use program mode, switch the

main dial to “P”. After that, look

through your viewfinder as if you’re

about to take a picture and gently

press on the shutter release

button.18 You should hear

18Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Nov, 2015).

32

When you use auto mode to take

photos, most cameras jack up the

ISO when you shoot in low light. The

reason for this is because most

cameras set the ISO sensitivity high

enough that the shutter speed does

not need to be dropped too low, as

it could cause motion blur. However,

increasing the ISO to much can

introduce unwanted noise to the

images. You can solve this by using a

tripod and program mode, allowing

you to manually set the ISO and

lower the shutter speed. Remember

to always use the lowest ISO setting

when you use a tripod, unless you

want special effects.

To use program mode, switch the

main dial to “P”. After that, look

through your viewfinder as if you’re

about to take a picture and gently

press on the shutter release

button.18 You should hear

18Lori Grunin, CNET, http://www.cnet.com/how-to/dslr-tips-for-beginners-how-to-use-aperture-priority-mode/ (accessed 18

Nov, 2015).

Page 33: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

33

a soft click, indicating the camera

has focused on an object and has

set the aperture and shutter speed

automatically. The chosen aperture

and shutter speed should appear on

the LCD panel. To switch between

different aperture and shutter

speed combinations, use the front

dial. Spinning the front dial to the

left will lower the shutter speed,

introducing motion blur, whereas

spinning it to the right will increase

the aperture which results in a

more shallow depth of field. Keep in

mind, the number on the right is

the aperture and the number on

the left in the LCD panel is the

shutter speed.

33

a soft click, indicating the camera

has focused on an object and has

set the aperture and shutter speed

automatically. The chosen aperture

and shutter speed should appear on

the LCD panel. To switch between

different aperture and shutter

speed combinations, use the front

dial. Spinning the front dial to the

left will lower the shutter speed,

introducing motion blur, whereas

spinning it to the right will increase

the aperture which results in a

more shallow depth of field. Keep in

mind, the number on the right is

the aperture and the number on

the left in the LCD panel is the

shutter speed.

Page 34: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

34

Metering Modes Metering is the term for how your

camera chooses the optimal shutter

speed and aperture, based upon

the amount of light that enters and

the sensitivity of the sensor1. When

the scene you shooting is unevenly

lit, cameras can struggle to

determine the correct exposure of

the photo. Most cameras take in to

account the light levels of the entire

frame by default, to determine an

exposure that produces a photo

with balanced bright and dark

areas. In situations where the

default does not work, other

options are available.19

19Nasim Mansurov, PhotographyLife, https://photographylife.com/understanding-metering-modes, (accessed 5 Dec, 2015).

34

Metering Modes Metering is the term for how your

camera chooses the optimal shutter

speed and aperture, based upon

the amount of light that enters and

the sensitivity of the sensor1. When

the scene you shooting is unevenly

lit, cameras can struggle to

determine the correct exposure of

the photo. Most cameras take in to

account the light levels of the entire

frame by default, to determine an

exposure that produces a photo

with balanced bright and dark

areas. In situations where the

default does not work, other

options are available.19

19Nasim Mansurov, PhotographyLife, https://photographylife.com/understanding-metering-modes, (accessed 5 Dec, 2015).

Page 35: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

35

The 3 most common metering

modes which most dSLR cameras

should have are; Overall/Evaluative

Metering, Center-Weighted

Metering, and Spot Metering.

Different manufacturers and

models will have differing ways to

change the metering mode, so

make sure to read the user manual

of your camera. To change the

metering mode on a Canon 5D

Mark II, press the button to the

upper left of the LCD panel and use

the front dial to switch between

20Nasim Mansurov, PhotographyLife, https://photographylife.com/

understanding-metering-modes, (accessed 5 Dec, 2015).

35

The 3 most common metering

modes which most dSLR cameras

should have are; Overall/Evaluative

Metering, Center-Weighted

Metering, and Spot Metering.

Different manufacturers and

models will have differing ways to

change the metering mode, so

make sure to read the user manual

of your camera. To change the

metering mode on a Canon 5D

Mark II, press the button to the

upper left of the LCD panel and use

the front dial to switch between

20Nasim Mansurov, PhotographyLife, https://photographylife.com/

understanding-metering-modes, (accessed 5 Dec, 2015).

Page 36: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

36

Overall Metering

The default mode of most cameras,

the camera assesses everything in

the frame, averaging the lighting in

every zone to decide on an

exposure.

Center-Weighted Metering

In this mode, the camera assesses

lighting from several different

metering zones around the frame,

but focuses most of the metering

on the center of the frame. This

mode can be useful for shooting

under tricky lighting conditions.

36

Overall Metering

The default mode of most cameras,

the camera assesses everything in

the frame, averaging the lighting in

every zone to decide on an

exposure.

Center-Weighted Metering

In this mode, the camera assesses

lighting from several different

metering zones around the frame,

but focuses most of the metering

on the center of the frame. This

mode can be useful for shooting

under tricky lighting conditions.

Page 37: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

37

Spot Metering

When using this mode, the camera

focuses its metering on a very small

area in the frame. Rather than

assessing information from all the

metering zones, it focuses on one

and ignores the others. This mode

can be useful for tricky lighting

conditions and when the scene is

much brighter or darker than your

photo’s subject.

37

Spot Metering

When using this mode, the camera

focuses its metering on a very small

area in the frame. Rather than

assessing information from all the

metering zones, it focuses on one

and ignores the others. This mode

can be useful for tricky lighting

conditions and when the scene is

much brighter or darker than your

photo’s subject.

Page 38: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

38

Autofocus Points Using autofocus (or AF) points to

your advantage can solve many

common problems photographers

encounter. Your camera analyzes

information from the nine

autofocus points, then chooses

what to focus on. It then locks onto

the closest object which coincides

with one of the focus points. This

may work if you want to focus on

the closest object to the camera,

but often times it will cause

troubles. A more reliable method is

to manually select one of the focus

point you want to use, called single-

point autofocus.21

To change the AF point you want to

use, click on the grid button to the

top-right of the rear of your camera,

and then either use the front dial or

the joystick to switch

21Jeff Meyer, Digital Camera World, http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/02/07/af-points-how-to-take-control-of-

autofocus-to-get-the-shots-you-want/, (accessed 11 Dec, 2015)

38

Autofocus Points Using autofocus (or AF) points to

your advantage can solve many

common problems photographers

encounter. Your camera analyzes

information from the nine

autofocus points, then chooses

what to focus on. It then locks onto

the closest object which coincides

with one of the focus points. This

may work if you want to focus on

the closest object to the camera,

but often times it will cause

troubles. A more reliable method is

to manually select one of the focus

point you want to use, called single-

point autofocus.21

To change the AF point you want to

use, click on the grid button to the

top-right of the rear of your camera,

and then either use the front dial or

the joystick to switch

21Jeff Meyer, Digital Camera World, http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/02/07/af-points-how-to-take-control-of-

autofocus-to-get-the-shots-you-want/, (accessed 11 Dec, 2015)

Page 39: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

39

between AF points. The focus point

you have chosen will appear on

your camera’s LCD panel and in the

viewfinder. Afterwards, you can

click on the AF-ON button while

looking through the viewfinder to

see which point you chose. The AF

point you have chosen will briefly

be highlighted in red once you press

the AF-ON button. Change the AF

mode by pressing on the AF-Drive

button.22

22Jeff Meyer, Digital Camera World, http://

www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/02/07/af-points-how-to-take-control-of-

autofocus-to-get-the-shots-you-want/, (accessed 11 Dec, 2015)

39

between AF points. The focus point

you have chosen will appear on

your camera’s LCD panel and in the

viewfinder. Afterwards, you can

click on the AF-ON button while

looking through the viewfinder to

see which point you chose. The AF

point you have chosen will briefly

be highlighted in red once you press

the AF-ON button. Change the AF

mode by pressing on the AF-Drive

button.22

22Jeff Meyer, Digital Camera World, http://

www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/02/07/af-points-how-to-take-control-of-

autofocus-to-get-the-shots-you-want/, (accessed 11 Dec, 2015)

Page 40: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

40

You can change the camera’s

method of changing the AF point to

make it easier for yourself.

Press on the “menu” button to the

top left of the preview display.

Go to the second to last section,

named “custom functions”.

Select C. Fn. III: Autofocus/Drive

On page 3 under “AF point selection

method” select 1. Multi-controller

direct.

This allows you to change the AF

point by simply moving the joystick

in the direction of the focus point,

without clicking on the grid button

first. To use all AF points again, hit

the grid button.23

23Jeff Meyer, Digital Camera World, http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/02/07/af-points-how-to-take-control-of-

autofocus-to-get-the-shots-you-want/, (accessed 11 Dec, 2015)

40

You can change the camera’s

method of changing the AF point to

make it easier for yourself.

Press on the “menu” button to the

top left of the preview display.

Go to the second to last section,

named “custom functions”.

Select C. Fn. III: Autofocus/Drive

On page 3 under “AF point selection

method” select 1. Multi-controller

direct.

This allows you to change the AF

point by simply moving the joystick

in the direction of the focus point,

without clicking on the grid button

first. To use all AF points again, hit

the grid button.23

23Jeff Meyer, Digital Camera World, http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/02/07/af-points-how-to-take-control-of-

autofocus-to-get-the-shots-you-want/, (accessed 11 Dec, 2015)

Page 41: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

41

Focus Point Tips

Auto Select

The default auto select can be the ideal

option for when you need to react quickly

so that you don’t miss a good shot. It’s

also great for tracking movement.

Upper AF Point

When shooting a landscape and you want

to focus on the distant scenery at the

expense of the foreground, use the focus

point at the very top.

Central AF Point

The focus point at the center is the most

accurate of all, therefore it’s useful for

shooting under dull or very bright lighting,

where other AF point might not be able to

focus properly.

41

Focus Point Tips

Auto Select

The default auto select can be the ideal

option for when you need to react quickly

so that you don’t miss a good shot. It’s

also great for tracking movement.

Upper AF Point

When shooting a landscape and you want

to focus on the distant scenery at the

expense of the foreground, use the focus

point at the very top.

Central AF Point

The focus point at the center is the most

accurate of all, therefore it’s useful for

shooting under dull or very bright lighting,

where other AF point might not be able to

focus properly.

Page 42: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

42

Diagonal AF points

Generally, portraits look best when the

subject is placed slightly off the center of

the frame. When taking a portrait of

someone, choose one of the diagonal AF

points and place it right on top of either

of the person’s eyes.

Edge AF points

Using the AF points at the far left or right

can be helpful when the subject is placed

at either end of the frame, or when you

want to focus slightly more on the

foreground.

42

Diagonal AF points

Generally, portraits look best when the

subject is placed slightly off the center of

the frame. When taking a portrait of

someone, choose one of the diagonal AF

points and place it right on top of either

of the person’s eyes.

Edge AF points

Using the AF points at the far left or right

can be helpful when the subject is placed

at either end of the frame, or when you

want to focus slightly more on the

foreground.

Page 43: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

43

Photo Composition Essentially, photo composition

determines how successful a photo

will be. It is what you include in the

frame of your shot, and how you

arrange them1. It can be difficult for

beginners to decide on what they

want to include in their photos, so

here are some rules of photo

composition.

1, Fill the Frame

Simply put, the less empty space filling

the frame, the better the shot will look. It

can sometimes be difficult to decide how

much of the frame your subject should

fill, and many photographers make the

mistake of leaving too much empty space.

When the subject is too small, it confuses

the viewers as to what they should be

looking at, which makes for a rather bad

photo.24

24Jeff Meyer, Digital Camera World, http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/04/12/10-rules-of-photo-composition-and-why-they-work/,

(accessed 8 Dec, 2015).

43

Photo Composition Essentially, photo composition

determines how successful a photo

will be. It is what you include in the

frame of your shot, and how you

arrange them1. It can be difficult for

beginners to decide on what they

want to include in their photos, so

here are some rules of photo

composition.

1, Fill the Frame

Simply put, the less empty space filling

the frame, the better the shot will look. It

can sometimes be difficult to decide how

much of the frame your subject should

fill, and many photographers make the

mistake of leaving too much empty space.

When the subject is too small, it confuses

the viewers as to what they should be

looking at, which makes for a rather bad

photo.24

24Jeff Meyer, Digital Camera World, http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/04/12/10-rules-of-photo-composition-and-why-they-work/,

(accessed 8 Dec, 2015).

Page 44: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

44

2. Avoid the Middle

Putting the subject of your photo at

the dead center of the frame is a

very common mistake

photographers make. Move your

subject slightly more to one side of

the frame, and balance it out with

contrasting colors to avoid taking

rather boring and uninteresting

pictures.

3. Leading Lines

One way of telling if a photo is badly

composed is if the viewer’s eyes

44

2. Avoid the Middle

Putting the subject of your photo at

the dead center of the frame is a

very common mistake

photographers make. Move your

subject slightly more to one side of

the frame, and balance it out with

contrasting colors to avoid taking

rather boring and uninteresting

pictures.

3. Leading Lines

One way of telling if a photo is badly

composed is if the viewer’s eyes

Page 45: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

45

scene with no center of attention.

Lines can be utilized to direct the

eyes of the viewer to the subject,

controlling how their eyes move

around the photo. Curved lines can

lead eyes around the frame to the

subject, while also giving a sense of

depth and perspective.

4. Use Diagonals

In a picture, vertical lines will

suggest stability, whereas horizontal

lines will give it a calm feel. On the

other hand, diagonal lines can give a

sense of uncertainty and drama,

making the photo more interesting

to look at.

45

scene with no center of attention.

Lines can be utilized to direct the

eyes of the viewer to the subject,

controlling how their eyes move

around the photo. Curved lines can

lead eyes around the frame to the

subject, while also giving a sense of

depth and perspective.

4. Use Diagonals

In a picture, vertical lines will

suggest stability, whereas horizontal

lines will give it a calm feel. On the

other hand, diagonal lines can give a

sense of uncertainty and drama,

making the photo more interesting

to look at.

Page 46: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

46

5. Space to Move

Although photographs themselves

don’t move, they can portray a

strong sense of movement

nonetheless. If your subject is

moving, make sure it has space in

the frame to move into. It gives off

a feeling of unease when there is no

space to move into. Likewise with

portraits, the person’s gaze should

have some room to move into. So

for these types of shots, it’s a good

idea to always have a bit more room

in front of your subject than behind

it.

46

5. Space to Move

Although photographs themselves

don’t move, they can portray a

strong sense of movement

nonetheless. If your subject is

moving, make sure it has space in

the frame to move into. It gives off

a feeling of unease when there is no

space to move into. Likewise with

portraits, the person’s gaze should

have some room to move into. So

for these types of shots, it’s a good

idea to always have a bit more room

in front of your subject than behind

it.

Page 47: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

47

6. Backgrounds

Before you take any photo, you

must always look at your

background first. If you think your

background to be unnecessary, you

can control it even though you most

likely won’t be able to remove it

completely. You can either adjust

your position to get a background

you would like, or you can use a

larger aperture to throw it out of

focus.

7. Break the Rules

The saying goes, “Rules are meant

to be broken”. These rules are

simply tips for you to improve the

quality of your shots. Breaking the

rules can bring interesting new

special effects, but you must first

know the rules and deliberately

break them. For every composition

rule that has been made, there is a

picture out there proving it wrong.

47

6. Backgrounds

Before you take any photo, you

must always look at your

background first. If you think your

background to be unnecessary, you

can control it even though you most

likely won’t be able to remove it

completely. You can either adjust

your position to get a background

you would like, or you can use a

larger aperture to throw it out of

focus.

7. Break the Rules

The saying goes, “Rules are meant

to be broken”. These rules are

simply tips for you to improve the

quality of your shots. Breaking the

rules can bring interesting new

special effects, but you must first

know the rules and deliberately

break them. For every composition

rule that has been made, there is a

picture out there proving it wrong.

Page 48: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

48

Rules of Thumb Certain rules of thumb can be very

useful to keep at the back of your

mind when you shoot, to make sure

your photos come out the way you

want it to.

1. Sunny 16

During bright or sunny days, aperture

should be f/16 and shutter speed 1/ISO.

2. Moony 11

Shutter: 1/ISO

Full Moon: f/11

Half Moon: f/8

Quarter Moon: f/5.6

2. Camera Shake

Shutter Speed: 1/focal length of lens.

3. Flash Range

Double the distance, 4x the ISO

48

Rules of Thumb Certain rules of thumb can be very

useful to keep at the back of your

mind when you shoot, to make sure

your photos come out the way you

want it to.

1. Sunny 16

During bright or sunny days, aperture

should be f/16 and shutter speed 1/ISO.

2. Moony 11

Shutter: 1/ISO

Full Moon: f/11

Half Moon: f/8

Quarter Moon: f/5.6

2. Camera Shake

Shutter Speed: 1/focal length of lens.

3. Flash Range

Double the distance, 4x the ISO

Page 49: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

49

4. Stopping Action

If the movement is perpendicular to the

lens, use a shutter speed 2 stops faster

than the movement. Use 1 stop faster if

the action is at a 45-degree angle to the

lens.

5. Shutter Speed with Flash

Use 1/60 shutter speed all the time.

6. Depth of Field

For maximum DOF use f/16 and for

minimum DOF use f/2.

7. Focus

Focus on the eyes if your subject has

them.

8. Sunsets

Take your metering from the area just

above the sun and use it for your

exposure. Decrease the aperture by one

stop to give it the effect of a photo taken

half and hour later.

9. Doubt

25Peter Liu, Swiss Army Nerd, http://peterliu47.com/12-photography-rules-of-thumb/, (accessed 11 Jan, 2015).

49

4. Stopping Action

If the movement is perpendicular to the

lens, use a shutter speed 2 stops faster

than the movement. Use 1 stop faster if

the action is at a 45-degree angle to the

lens.

5. Shutter Speed with Flash

Use 1/60 shutter speed all the time.

6. Depth of Field

For maximum DOF use f/16 and for

minimum DOF use f/2.

7. Focus

Focus on the eyes if your subject has

them.

8. Sunsets

Take your metering from the area just

above the sun and use it for your

exposure. Decrease the aperture by one

stop to give it the effect of a photo taken

half and hour later.

9. Doubt

25Peter Liu, Swiss Army Nerd, http://peterliu47.com/12-photography-rules-of-thumb/, (accessed 11 Jan, 2015).

Page 50: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

50

Beginner photographers can often

feel lost without a sense of

direction as they familiarize

themselves with their camera. So

here are some tips to follow if you

ever feel hopeless or if you’re

struggling to take good photos.

1) Don’t be afraid to make

mistakes.

The best professional photographers out

there didn't immediately start taking

great photos. Photography needs practice

just like everything else.

2) Look at the background first

The quality of the background can either

make or break your photo. Beware of

things that draw attention away from

your subject, such as colorful and bright

objects or other elements that distract

the audience.

Tips for Beginners

50

Beginner photographers can often

feel lost without a sense of

direction as they familiarize

themselves with their camera. So

here are some tips to follow if you

ever feel hopeless or if you’re

struggling to take good photos.

1) Don’t be afraid to make

mistakes.

The best professional photographers out

there didn't immediately start taking

great photos. Photography needs practice

just like everything else.

2) Look at the background first

The quality of the background can either

make or break your photo. Beware of

things that draw attention away from

your subject, such as colorful and bright

objects or other elements that distract

the audience.

Tips for Beginners

Page 51: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

51

3) Keep the beep

The beep you hear when your camera

focuses can make it much more enjoyable

for you as well as those around you when

taking pictures.

4) Don’t stress about the quality

of your camera

At the end of the day, the quality of a

photo will always come down to the

photographer and the composition of the

photo, so there’s no need to buy the most

expensive camera that you can find.

5) Wait for the right light

Shooting under soft and diffused light can

reduce the contrast and reveal detail in a

photo, while bright but overcast weather

is great for outdoor portraits and macro

photos.

6) A photo is either a ‘hell yes’ or

‘no’

7) Try to take atleast a photo per

day

8) Adding clarity, vignette, and

51

3) Keep the beep

The beep you hear when your camera

focuses can make it much more enjoyable

for you as well as those around you when

taking pictures.

4) Don’t stress about the quality

of your camera

At the end of the day, the quality of a

photo will always come down to the

photographer and the composition of the

photo, so there’s no need to buy the most

expensive camera that you can find.

5) Wait for the right light

Shooting under soft and diffused light can

reduce the contrast and reveal detail in a

photo, while bright but overcast weather

is great for outdoor portraits and macro

photos.

6) A photo is either a ‘hell yes’ or

‘no’

7) Try to take atleast a photo per

day

8) Adding clarity, vignette, and

Page 52: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

52

make a photo better.

9) Buy books, not gear

10) The bigger your camera, the

less likely you are to carry it

around with you everyday,

meaning you will shoot less

photos.

11) Always have backups (lens,

battery, etc.) when travelling

and taking photos.

12) Be patient.

You will need to be patient as you learn to

take photographs. Photography can often

times be incredibly frustrating, and some

days you will feel like quitting

photography. But as you gain more

experience, the photos will come a lot

easier.

52

make a photo better.

9) Buy books, not gear

10) The bigger your camera, the

less likely you are to carry it

around with you everyday,

meaning you will shoot less

photos.

11) Always have backups (lens,

battery, etc.) when travelling

and taking photos.

12) Be patient.

You will need to be patient as you learn to

take photographs. Photography can often

times be incredibly frustrating, and some

days you will feel like quitting

photography. But as you gain more

experience, the photos will come a lot

easier.

Page 53: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

53

Index aperture 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 33, 34, 47, 48, 50

autofocus 24, 29, 31, 38

AF mode 39

Al Servo 29

Bulb mode 27

Camera shake 13, 20, 21, 27, 29, 48

Color 9

Exposure 7, 12, 19, 20, 34, 36, 49

Focus 7, 9, 11, 20, 23, 24, 25, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 47, 49

53

Index aperture 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22

23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 33, 34, 47, 48, 50

autofocus 24, 29, 31, 38

AF mode 39

Al Servo 29

Bulb mode 27

Camera shake 13, 20, 21, 27, 29, 48

Color 9

Exposure 7, 12, 19, 20, 34, 36, 49

Focus 7, 9, 11, 20, 23, 24, 25, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 47, 49

Page 54: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

54

ISO 7, 9, 11, 20, 23, 24, 25, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 47, 49

Lighting 8, 14, 18, 20, 21, 26, 36, 37, 41

LCD panel 17, 33, 35, 39

Metering 35, 36, 37, 49

Noise 16, 18, 32

One Shot AF 24

photo composition 8, 43

Rule of Thirds 7

single-point autofocus 38

shutter speed 6, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26,

27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 48, 49

54

ISO 7, 9, 11, 20, 23, 24, 25, 29, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 47, 49

Lighting 8, 14, 18, 20, 21, 26, 36, 37, 41

LCD panel 17, 33, 35, 39

Metering 35, 36, 37, 49

Noise 16, 18, 32

One Shot AF 24

photo composition 8, 43

Rule of Thirds 7

single-point autofocus 38

shutter speed 6, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26,

27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 48, 49

Page 55: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

55

Acknowledgements Thank you to…

Mr. Raja Sen

For guiding me through this

project and assisting me when I

needed help.

All my models!

Teo Kitahara Bigot

Tengis Battur

Tsommo Zorigtbaatar

Misheel Enkhbayar

Temuujin Munkhbat

Buyanaa Boldbaatar

Nyamrinchin Amarsaihan

Samanda Anandbazar

55

Acknowledgements Thank you to…

Mr. Raja Sen

For guiding me through this

project and assisting me when I

needed help.

All my models!

Teo Kitahara Bigot

Tengis Battur

Tsommo Zorigtbaatar

Misheel Enkhbayar

Temuujin Munkhbat

Buyanaa Boldbaatar

Nyamrinchin Amarsaihan

Samanda Anandbazar

Page 56: The Beginner's Guide to Photography

56

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60