Exposure Photo Workshop, 2nd Edition

New and updated techniques for working with exposure

Exposure involves a variety of skills, but once mastered, can turn a hobbyist into a bona fide photographer. This hands-on resource dissects the components of exposure?ISO, aperture, shutter speed?and shows how they work together to capture the photographer?s vision. You?ll learn how to leave the safety of automatic settings and understand how controlling the settings can result in beautiful photos. Stunning photos of people, wildlife, and landscapes serve to inspire you to practice your new skills in exposure and create memorable and frame-worthy photos.

• Unveils the many intricate levels of exposure and clearly explains how to master each one so that you can capture amazing photos
• Encourages you to apply each of the techniques you learn with patience and experimentation when photographing people, wildlife, landscapes, or any other subject matter
• Details the essentials for taking frame-worthy photos in a variety of challenges, such as action, night scenes, low light, bad weather, and more
• Features updated, stunning, and inspiring full-color photos throughout

Exposure yourself to the fantastic and unparalleled advice contained within the pages of Exposure Photo Workshop, Second Edition!

From the Author: Top Five Exposure Tips

1. Avoid extreme contrast. Try to work early or late in the day, or on slightly overcast days to avoid contrast problems from harsh daylight. Digital-camera sensors can only record a limited contrast range and the gentler the light is, the more accurate your exposures will be. If possible, you can also move your subject to an area of open shade.

2. Shoot in RAW format. Use the RAW format if your camera offers that option. In the RAW format you can alter both exposure and color temperature (white balance) during the editing process. This means you can be off by a few stops in exposure and still correct the exposure in the original file. You can also fine-tune the white balance of the original file. RAW requires a few more steps in editing, but the effort is well rewarded.

3. Meter a middle-tone subject. Try to select a middle tone when you’re metering and you’ll get much more accurate exposures. Subjects that offer a natural middle town include green grass or foliage, clear blue skies and weathered barn wood. You can also carry an 18% gray card (available at photo stores) and meter from that: just place the card in the same light as your subject, meter it and then use that exposure setting.

4. Use fill-in flash for outdoor portraits. Portraits shot in bright daylight often have distracting shadows under the nose or below eyebrows. By turning on your built-in flash in daylight you can light open those shadows and still keep a natural-light look. Read your manual for tips on using fill-in flash.

5. Use a tripod. Using a tripod enables you to use the full range or reciprocal aperture and shutter-speed combinations. Yes, image-stabilization systems will help keep the camera steady with moderately slower shutter speeds, but won’t help much if you want to make a ten-second exposure of a waterfall or a twilight skyline. Placing your camera on a tripod also slows you down and gives you more time to consider exposure options.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. The Art of the Exposure
Chapter 2. Exposure Controls: A Primer
Chapter 3. Measuring the Light
Chapter 4. Lens Apertures and Depth of Field
Chapter 5. Shutter Speed and Subject Motion
Chapter 6. Training Wheels Off: Going Beyond the Green Mode
Chapter 7. Natural Light Exposures
Chapter 8. The Easy Way Out: Simplifying Difficult Situations
Chapter 9. Photography After Dark and in Existing Light
Chapter 10. Special Considerations: Weather and Natural Phenomena
Chapter 11. Flash Photography