Shooting in Manual and White Balance

We had another great photography night the other day. It's so much fun having you all come over and have fun together! I sure hope I don't overload you and scare you off! We missed a few of you and hope that you're feeling better. We are pretty much done with all of the "technical" stuff. Next month we'll be learning about our flash and then the next month will be about composition (the fun stuff).

Here's a review of "Lesson 3: Putting it All Together: ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture. White Balance."

Please remember -- We are following the lesson schedule from "Two Peas in a Bucket." Usually I just take the main idea, but for this month, I took most of it word for word for "White Balance" . You can see the actual lesson by clicking on "Two Peas" on the right hand side of the blog. Also, I took the "teeter totter" pictures from this site: http://www.pbase.com/wlhuber/the_basics Because it's all available at this site, I won't be posting the pictures from the lesson.

Okay, here we go...

HOW TO SHOOT IN MANUAL

First, why do you want to shoot in manual mode, you ask? Well, thank you for asking. :) You shoot in manual mode because it allows you to take control of the picture. You get to make the decisions of how you want your picture to look. It also allows you to be more creative in your pictures.

Remember, for this class you don't always have to shoot in manual, but I am encouraging you to stay away from "Auto" mode. Take control of SOMETHING in your pictures - at least put your camera into "Semi-Auto" by using the "A" Aperture Priority Mode and/or "S" Shutter Speed Priority Mode. You can even put your camera into one of those fancy settings like running man or mountain mode. You'll get better pictures just by getting out of "Auto" mode somewhat. As we learn more and get more practice, you'll want to shoot in manual mode - I promise. :)

Exposure - is the image created by the light entering the camera and being recorded onto the film or digital sensor. In other words – exposure is the picture.

You don’t want your picture to be too dark (underexposed) or too light (overexposed).

Set your camera into the "M" mode. This stands for "Manual."

First, make a decision:

1. Do I want my pictures to have a blurry background? Then set your aperture WIDE open (small number). Do I want everything in focus? Set your aperture to the smallest number.

2. OR.... do I want a fast shutter speed? Set your ss at a fast SS (1/1000 for example). Do I want a slow SS? Set your SS slow (whatever you desire).

These are the two extremes, and as we learn more, we'll understand why we would use some of the middle settings.

Remember ---- you have to have BALANCE.

*If you set your aperture wide open (2.8), you will get a fast ss.

*If you close your aperture down (22), you will get a slow shutter speed.

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Two Peas in a Bucket (Week 2 Lesson, Park 2):

"Turn your camera dial to Manual mode (usually indicated by an “M.”)

Choose a non-moving object either indoors or outdoors.

Step 1: Consider your surroundings.

Step 2: Consider your priority. Aperture controls the amount of the photo in focus -- do you want to limit your depth of field? Shutter speed controls the pace of the photo - do you want to freeze or blur the action?

Step 3: Select the number on the camera.If you’ve chosen aperture as your priority, set your f/stop. If you’ve chosen shutter speed, set it.

Step 4: Focus on your subject and press the shutter button half-way down.Find the blinking line on your exposure meter -- is the image underexposed (-) or overexposed (+)?

Step 5: To balance your exposure, you will need to change the OTHER number (the one that’s not the priority.) If you selected your aperture, change the shutter speed until your line is centered on the exposure meter. If you selected your shutter speed, change the f/stop until your line is centered. As you’re turning the dial for either setting, keep an eye on the exposure meter. If the line is going in the wrong direction (not toward center) reverse the dial.....and, relax! Whew!

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Disclaimer:

Okay, so we’re not really finished yet. Look at the numbers through the viewfinder again. Is your shutter speed 60 or above? If not, you may have to decrease your f/stop. If your original priority was shutter speed, check your f/stop number.

Will that f/stop work with the amount of your subject you want in focus? Take the photo and find out! Are you not getting anywhere at all? Increase your ISO if your meter indicates that the image is severely underexposed. Decrease your ISO if your meter indicates that the image is severely overexposed."

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WHITE BALANCE

For a more detailed description, please refer to "Two Peas in a Bucket, Week 3."

Here it is in a really, really small nutshell:

All light emits a particular color. When you're indoors, this light can be very unappealing to your pictures. Your camera has settings to help you get the "correct" color. These include: cloudy, sunny, fluorescent, incandescent (regular light bulbs), etc. If you set your camera's white balance to the situation you're in, you will get more accurately colored pictures. Whew, that was quick!

Here are some pictures to help you see the difference: (I know you all wanted to see pictures of my toilet bowl cleaner!) :) These pictures were taken in my laundry room where we are oh-so-lucky to have fluoescent lighting.

AUTO WB

CLOUDY WB
TUNGSTEN WB
FLUROSCENT WB


Here are some more pictures. These were taken with a mix of lighting - regular lightbulbs (very very dim compared to the window) and natural light through the window. I shot the last picture in "Custom WB" where I set the white balance. If anyone is interested, I can teach you this later.

AUTO WB

TUNGSTEN WB

FLUORESENT WB

DAYLIGHT WB

CUSTOM WB

This months CHALLENGE:

Shoot in manual mode. At least give it a shot. Again, I can talk and teach you until I'm blue in the face, but until you actually try it, you're not going to learn. It's really not as hard as it first seems. You'll get the hang of it, and you'll be taking better pictures!

Try shooting different objects in different white balance modes. Some of the most creative pictures have been taken in a different setting than you're actually in. White balance is critical for indoor pictures.

Post your pictures on here for all to see.

Also, we will be going to Thanksgiving Point Gardens on Thursday, May 7th at 6 pm. If you could drop me an e-mail to let me know if you are planning on coming, that would be great. Some of you have let me know that they can't make it because of meetings, and if we don't have enough people going, we can reschedule and/or plan a second trip. I LOVE that place and don't mind going a couple of different times to plan around your schedules. :) Just let me know.

The price for the gardens are $10/adult and $6/child, but because Todd and I have a membership, you get in for half price. I really don't mind if you bring your families - I know some of you mentioned that you want to leave the kidlets at home. It's a fun date place!

You can send me an e-mail at: taggartphotography@gmail.com or the e-mail you already have.