BetterPhoto Basics by Miotke, Jim -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Contents Introduction Getting Ready: A Snapshot of the Art

What Photography Is Really All About What to Shoot Welcome to Your Camera

Step 1: Meet Your Camera Modes

Portrait Mode Landscape/Infinity Mode Macro Mode Sports Mode/Kids and Pets Mode Night Mode/Night Portrait Mode Indoor Mode Beach Mode/Snow Mode Fireworks Mode Fully Automatic Mode/Program Mode/Manual Mode Aperture Priority Mode/Shutter Speed Priority Mode Flash On/Flash Off/Auto Flash

Step 2: Forty Absolutely Easy Tips to Instantly Improve Your Photos

> Get Composed

Take Charge of Your Composition Choose One (and Only One) Subject Keep It Simple Fill the Frame Get Even Closer Place Your Subject Off-center Place Your Subject in the Upper Third Use the Rule of Thirds Get Down Low—or Up High Know Where to Put the Horizon Choose Your Background Include a Foreground Object Turn Your Camera Frame Your Subject Avoid Getting More than You Bargained for Tell a Story with Your Photograph

> Get Sharp

Hold Still Use a Good Tripod Use the Self-Timer Five More Tips for Taking Sharp Photos Focus on Your Subject Focus on What Is Most Interesting Don’t Get Too Close

> Get Lit

Turn Off Your Flash Find Great Outdoor Light Keep the Sun at Your Back Find Great Indoor Light Prevent Red-Eye Avoid Flash Shadows Avoid Flash Reflections

> Get the Shot

Catch the Decisive Moment Overcome Shutter Lag Grab a Safety Shot Take Your Time Work the Subject Photograph in Any Weather Photograph in Fog Photograph in Rain Shoot a Lot! Edit Your Images

Step 3: Twenty Popular Photo Assignments

> Nature Ideas

Photograph a Flower Close-up Capture a Scenic Landscape Be Inspired by Nature Around You Capture Reflections Capture a Spectacular Sunset Celebrate the Seasons

> Portrait Ideas

Take a Portrait Outdoors Take a Portrait Indoors Take a Portrait of Your Pet Shoot Candid Photos

> Animal and Wildlife Ideas

Capture Pictures of Animals at the Zoo Go Hunting, the Humane Way Get Close to Bugs Photograph Birds and Other Small Animals

> Storytelling Ideas

Use Details to Tell a Story Document Your Travels

> Artistic Ideas

Make Great Black-and-White Photos Shoot Graphic Shadows Try Abstract Photography Copy Your Favorite Masterpiece

Step 4: Master the Light to Take Your Photos Further

Pay Attention to the Light Appreciate Soft Light Choose the Best White Balance Increase Your ISO Shoot with Sidelighting Shoot with Backlighting Use Fill Flash Shoot During the Golden Hours Turn Around … at Sunrise and Sunset Make the Most of Midday Sun Shoot at Twilight for the Best Night Photography Instead of Flash, Use a Reflector to Fill in the Shadows Avoid Extreme Contrasts in Tone Watch Out for the “Blinkies”

Step 5: Aperture, Shutter Speed, and Focal Length

Learn Your Camera Controls Understand Aperture Understand Shutter Speed Extend the Depth of Field Isolate Your Subject Use your Depth of Field Preview Button Decide What’s Most Important: Depth of Field or Stopping the Action Use Aperture Priority Understand Focal Length Compress the Background (with Telephoto) Watch Your Corners When Using Wide Angle Get a “Fast” Lens

Step 6: Thirteen Advanced Creative Techniques

Get a Flowing Effect with Waterfalls and Rivers Shoot Fireworks Photograph Lightning Make Car Lights Stream off into the Distance Save an Evening Portrait with Creative Use of Flash Shoot More Colorful, Dramatic Flower Photos Shoot Infrared Photos Photograph Water Droplets with Reflections Channel Claude Monet Blur Your Entire Photo Except for One “Sweet Spot” Use Filters to Even Out Extremes in Tonal Range Make a HDR (High Dynamic Range) Photo Give Yourself Wiggle Room: Shoot Camera Raw

Step 7: Ten Easy Fixes You Can Do on Your Computer

Start with Good Photos Crop for Impact Rotate Your Image Eliminate Red-Eye Darken or Brighten Your Image Make Colors Pop Sharpen Your Already Sharp Photos Convert a Color Photo to Black and White Remove Dust Spots and Other Clutter Reduce the “Noise” Make a Panorama

Additional References

Brief Buyer’s Guide to Help You Find the Best Camera Resources At-a-Glance Chart of Point-and-Shoot Settings Glossary of Photo Terms Camera Settings Used for Photos in This Book Acknowledgments Index