Mid-Level questions

[JeremyGNJ]

I have a Kodak P850, which is a pretty good camera for someone like me who likes some power without being "into it". (unfortunately it's RAW format doesnt have wide-spread support). I've read a couple books on digital photography, and I understand the basics of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed....but I still have issues.

It seems like I NEVER get a good picture when I try manual settings. Luckily editing in RAW allows me to fix *some* of them, but I seem to gravitate back to Auto-Mode because I dont want to risk not getting any good pictures.

So I know that if I really want to do well, i just have to spend lots of time practicing and examining the pictures after I take them.....but ....i'm not sure if that's ever going to happen! hehe

So maybe someone can help me out with a few questions.

1. The auto mode on this camera is pretty good. It almost always gives me a "ok" picture, even though there's nothing special about them. The focus is always on "everything", etc.

Is there any particular place/times/environment when the Auto Mode will regularly fail to take decent pictures? Like when should I definitely NOT rely on it?

2. Are the "scene" settings on these cameras usually OK? Do they actually work well? Being in the IT field I generally shy away from this type of function, because in computers....those types of settings are rarely what you actually want.

3. My camera has three "user pre-sets" for manual modes. Are they any good "defaults" that I can pre-program for common environments? Like if I'm going to Disney, there are generally 3 types of pictures that wil be taken:

Outside in sunlight
Outside when it's cloudy
Indoors in medium light
Indoors in dark light

Would it make sense to try to pre-configure some manual modes for these scenarios?

 

[ukcatfan]

Do you understand the dynamics on how the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO combine to make the exposure? Also, with a p&s camera, you almost always have everything in focus. That is just a limitation of that kind of camera. It is a benefit at other times though.

Kevin

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Do you understand the dynamics on how the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO combine to make the exposure? Also, with a p&s camera, you almost always have everything in focus. That is just a limitation of that kind of camera. It is a benefit at other times though.

Kevin

Yes I understand how they all work....but only in the technical sense. I've yet to "get it" in the artistic sense.

It's not quite a P&S camera. I have pretty good control over the focus. Can either do it totally manually from 0 to infinity....or I can set the AutoFocus "zone" using a 5x5 grid. Though I do find the manual focus clumsy and unpredictable, a real manual lens would be much easier I'm sure.

Maybe it is actually easier to learn with a good SLR. I just cant shell out that much cash for it at this point. I'm hoping for the camera and lens to combo to come into the $400-$500 range.

 

[Nikel]

What books have you read? Have you read any of Bryan Peterson's?

Do you have any of the pics from shooting in manual you can post, along with exif data, if it's not imbedded? Maybe some critique with in-depth explanation would help. Or head over to flickr and find some stuff that you find asthetically pleasing, and we can talk about how the ISO-Ap-SS affected what you see. (Here's my flickr: http://flickr.com/photos/benandlauren/ And everything in the Charleston collection/sets was shot with my p&s, the canon s3 is.)

 

[JeremyGNJ]

What books have you read? Have you read any of Bryan Peterson's?

Do you have any of the pics from shooting in manual you can post, along with exif data, if it's not imbedded? Maybe some critique with in-depth explanation would help. Or head over to flickr and find some stuff that you find asthetically pleasing, and we can talk about how the ISO-Ap-SS affected what you see. (Here's my flickr: http://flickr.com/photos/benandlauren/ And everything in the Charleston collection/sets was shot with my p&s, the canon s3 is.)

The book i read the most was:
http://www.amazon.com/Betterphoto-G...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208181016&sr=8-1

I read this cover to cover (maybe twice because it was "bathroom reading" hahaha). I also partly read some other books.....but I liked the one above because it explained things in a way I could understand, had plenty of example pictures, and didnt favor any particular camera.

After looking at your pictures, I think I could probably "do that". I guess if I was posing people and really taking some time I could figure it out better. I do have slightly better luck with static subjects like landscapes or objects. I think my problem is that I HATE posed pictures. I like candid or at least quickly set-up photos.

So I guess it's a little much to be good at setting things "one the fly" without first learning on posed subjects.

 

[Nikel]

Try this one: http://www.amazon.com/Understanding...463003/ref=pd_sim_b_img_1/104-6805090-5391142

IMO, it's pretty good at explaining the artistic differences with ap and ss.

And FWIW, except for 1 (180, which was part of the "for the parents" shots), nothing on the 1st page of my photostream is posed.

But yes, I'd say take something or someone out and practice. I had my husband practicing with our son's trains to play with ap. Take some wide open, some in the middle, and some stopped way down. Then compare, see what you like. See what the different settings give you. Then find something moving, like a creek or river or maybe a kid on a bicycle. Now play with shutter speeds and compare.

When you're looking at a scene, you need to decide how you want to capture it. Do you want everything in focus (small ap, large #), or just some of it (large ap, small #) or is it unimportant (mid-range ap)? Or is motion the issue? Or you trying to freeze the motion (fast ss) or blur it (slow ss)?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I think you can improve your pictures but you'll need to commit to either time, money or a combination of the two.

Let's start with the cheapest way to go. First, start hanging out here. You will be inspired. Know that many of the great photographers here were once in your shoes. Begin to read threads and old threads. See what works for others and whether it could apply to you. It's good that you've begun your study (and seeing you're a techie, it should come fairly easily), but launch into it more deeply. Re-read your books with a different eye. How could this apply to you and your camera? Many people like Understanding Exposure, and there are lots of other good books out there as well (Kodak just came out with a nice one.) Spend more time with your camera. Try out the modes. Read this thread which is made up of people with cameras like yours. Get out there and work with it and know there's a learning curve. See what happens.

Or if you want to improve more quickly, you could buy better equipment. This will improve your pictures but to get the most out of whatever you buy, you still need to spend time learning what it all means and how to apply this knowledge to the camera/photo shoot (the real challenge). There are some decent deals out there if you decide to go the dSLR route, you just have to seek them out (many manufacturers are coming out with new models this and next month so their older models are better priced or on clearance). But before that, you need to figure out whether it's a good purchase for you, and what camera will suit you best; it's very individual and shouldn't be a rushed decision or purchase. (With that said, there are people who go out and buy one, shoot on Auto, get great pictures, never desire to know more, and they're perfectly happy, too.)

To help answer some of your questions (the best I can). I've been studying this myself lately but am by no means an expert. Hopefully it helps a little bit anyway.

1. The auto mode on this camera is pretty good. It almost always gives me a "ok" picture, even though there's nothing special about them. The focus is always on "everything", etc.
You generally can adjust the metering and/or move the focus brackets around to focus on whatever will give you the best exposure in any particular situation, however, you may need to move out of Auto to do this (try Program to start).

Is there any particular place/times/environment when the Auto Mode will regularly fail to take decent pictures? Like when should I definitely NOT rely on it?
There aren't hard and fast rules, but yes, there will be times you want to make decisions about exposure yourself, such as in unusual or extreme lighting or subject matter. Understanding Exposure (the book, and the skill itself), will help here. Learning to use the Histogram is helpful, too.

2. Are the "scene" settings on these cameras usually OK? Do they actually work well? Being in the IT field I generally shy away from this type of function, because in computers....those types of settings are rarely what you actually want.
Preset modes have their place but you either like them or you don't, and they're like Auto in that you generally can't make adjustments to settings, either. You have to experiment with them. They do have settings meant to give you the best shots under certain conditions, ie wider aperture or longer shutter speed; certain white balance, etc. I have a candlelight setting on mine, for instance, which I'm itching to use but haven't had a chance to yet (the samples sure look nice). I've also been playing around with sunset pictures using different settings to see what gives me the best pictures and have been getting some nice (and interesting) results.

I'm sure you know this, but usually you'll get better pictures using a tripod or gorillapod for pictures involving a slower shutter speed.

3. My camera has three "user pre-sets" for manual modes. Are they any good "defaults" that I can pre-program for common environments? Like if I'm going to Disney, there are generally 3 types of pictures that wil be taken:

Outside in sunlight
Outside when it's cloudy
Indoors in medium light
Indoors in dark light

Would it make sense to try to pre-configure some manual modes for these scenarios?
You could try it. Situations may be just slightly different but if you use those settings a lot, it could make it a bit easier as long as you can tweak them from there.

Good luck!

 

[ukcatfan]

It's not quite a P&S camera. I have pretty good control over the focus. Can either do it totally manually from 0 to infinity....or I can set the AutoFocus "zone" using a 5x5 grid. Though I do find the manual focus clumsy and unpredictable, a real manual lens would be much easier I'm sure.

Do not take offense, but but it is exactly a p&s. There are many very nice p&s cameras that have as much control over the exposure as a DSLR. The difference is the physics behind it. All p&s cameras have very small sensors compared to the DSLRs. Because of this, the apertures are not equal comparisons when considering depth of field. The widest aperture on a p&s (usu. f/2.8) has the DOF of around f/8 on a DSLR. It is tough enough to isolate the subject with a DSLR at f/3.5. It is nearly impossible to creatively control DOF at f/8 and similarly at any aperture on a p&s. If the subject is really close, then you can limit it, but not on a typical portrait type shot. Keep in mind that this is an advantage for macro work.

Kevin

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

The widest aperture on a p&s (usu. f/2.8) has the DOF of around f/8 on a DSLR. It is tough enough to isolate the subject with a DSLR at f/3.5. It is nearly impossible to creatively control DOF at f/8 and similarly at any aperture on a p&s.

I'm not sure how much zoom the Kodak P850 has, but you can get better DOF control with a P&S camera by stepping back and zooming in. It's not as easy as with most DSLR lenses, but you can usually get a similar effect.

On the plus side, if you ever want to get a *large* DOF (like a whole field of flowers or something similar) it's easy with a P&S.

 

[JeremyGNJ]

Ok I guess I didnt realize how big the scope of P&S was. I always assumed it referred to "auto mode". So then yes, I have a P&S camera.

The P850 has 12x optical zoom....and more importantly the zoom works *while* you're taking video clips (which was a big factor in me choosing this camera)

Do dSLR's take video?

 

[ukcatfan]

Ok I guess I didnt realize how big the scope of P&S was. I always assumed it referred to "auto mode". So then yes, I have a P&S camera.

The P850 has 12x optical zoom....and more importantly the zoom works *while* you're taking video clips (which was a big factor in me choosing this camera)

Do dSLR's take video?

Not yet, but do you have a problem carrying your old camera for that while having a DSLR for pics? I still carry my S2 IS for any really long tele shots and video.

 

[handicap18]

How is the meter in the view finder when your in Manual mode? There should be some sort of meter that tells you if the settings you've chosen will give you a "properly" exposed image.