[RWebb]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I know how to press a button. That's pretty much it. But this should be an exciting adventure learning how to use a proper camera.

ok, set the knob that says P S A M on it to A for close ups (for general photography, just start out with the P setting)

A means you will set the lens opening (Aperture) yourself and let the camera do the rest of the thinking

for most closeups (not "arty" shots) you will want the most depth of field, and that means the smallest aperture, depth of field DoF is what will look sharp at what distance from the camera (the focal plane + things in front of and behind it)

so set it to A, and then crank the lens down to the smallest aperture (greatest depth of field); you should see an indicator in the viewfinder change as you do this

smallest aperture (greatest depth of field) means the largest numerical values - f/32 is smaller than f/8

take a pic at the smallest aperture, e.g. f/32 or f/16 (I forget which is smallest on that lens)

now, take another pic after opening the aperture up a couple of stops (to about f/11) - then compare the 2 pics (there is an optical effect called diffraction we want to avoid, but it may not show up)


3 things determine the exposure that the sensor will record at any given light level: the aperture, the shutter speed (for product photos, use a tripod so you can set a slow shutter speed), and the ISO (which relates to the sensor - higher ISO means you can use slower shutter speeds and bigger lens openings but will raise the noise level in the image)

Focus:
the camera is smart enough to focus by itself; but not always smart enough to decide what to focus on

you will see a focus indicator in the viewfinder - because of depth of field you will usually want to set the focus indicator not on the closest part of the image but at something a little behind it - you'll then get the closest part of the subject and (maybe) the furthest part of the subject nice and sharp

Light:
- for product photography it is easy to increase the light level

you will be concerned with getting hollows evenly illuminated and not cast in darkness - use small LEDs for that (or light pipes)

the other issue is specular reflections - hot spots on part of the subject (you have some in the pics above) - lots of ways to deal with those, some easy, others very advanced

the easy & cheap way is to put LED lights inside an empty plastic milk jugs or a piece of one you cut up - this will diffuse the light

that's your primer - have fun and take a lot of different shots while changing things - take notes to find what works best