UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL EXPOSURE:

Part 1: Exposure Reduction for Highlight Retention
Part 2: Digital Exposure & Noise
Part 3: When Blocked-up Shadows Aren’t Really
Part 4: Take a Balanced Approach to White Balance
Part 5: Dynamic Range
Part 6: Extending the Tonal Range
Part 7: What’s the Real Difference Between RAW and JPEG?

GENERAL:

1) COST-EFFECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY
2) CONTROL THE RANGE OF FOCUS
3) IMAGE INTERPOLATION
4) LOSE THE DEAD SHOTS
5) SCANNING 35MM FILM
6) THE RAW vs. JPEG DEBATE…
7) IS PHOTOGRAPHY EASY?
8) MUST EVERYTHING HAVE AN ADOBE SLANT?
9) A CAMERA TO PAINT WITH
10) WHAT'S THIS COMPOSITION THING ABOUT?

Is Photography EASY?

Can we make DSLR photography simple? Nope.

So that’s that out of the way then…

Why can’t we make it simple? Well, after learning how a capable camera actually operates, we have to practise very good technique to be sure of producing strong images.

That’ll be about exposure then. And camera-shake, and depth-of-field, and shutter speed, and flashguns, and composition… And these can be a tad tricky, especially all at the same time. Not only that, but at some stage you’ll probably have to carry a sturdy tripod with you wherever you go. Maybe up to the tops of mountains where you’ll get rained on all day…

But then the real crunch comes: image-manipulation.

Back in the dark ages an amateur shooter pulled on his cap, rode a black pushbike to the nearest local photographer and propped it up against the wall. He handed a negative strip over the counter to the master printer who would later analyse the frame and use creative techniques at his enlarger to produce a nice, balanced print. When the amateur came back out of the shop his bike was still there.

But now processing is our job.

So we need a powerful computer, a decent monitor and equally powerful software. And, of course, if we believe all we read these days (even allowing for the worst of the hype), too many of us will end up buying expensive programs that allow us to process different file formats in layers in an infinite number of ways. So we’ll have to learn how to use all those tools properly. Eventually we’ll sweat over 100% on-screen detail till our eyes glaze over and we miss our children growing up. Then there’s RAW…

And then there’s the average photo forum! What an experience that can be.

Use RAW not JPEG so you can process more “bits” for better results – don’t dare throw away that precious data! Well actually, you can get great results from JPEG... Buy the best lenses made by camera manufacturers. Megapixels don’t matter. Yes they do. Get it right in-camera. No, get as many tones as possible and then get it right in software. You must calibrate your monitor. No, you don't need to. This camera model is best. No – I had one and sold it on. Use a light meter. No, just use your histogram. Use grey graduated filters. No – shoot more than one image and use software.

It's all there – grey-haired experience, good information, personal preferences, opinion, misinformation, and downright bad advice, all in one handy resource.

Ok. Let’s ask another question: Can we make photography less problematic for the average amateur? Well now, that’s different.

Start with learning how your camera works. Use it a lot, in all kinds of circumstances. Practice, practice, practice. After you’ve done that, be sure to practice some more. Don’t get bored. Don’t lose patience. Don’t be disheartened.

While you’re doing that, get some really good books that deal with basic camera and processing techniques. Read them over and over and over again till the covers come off. While you’re doing that, get your best images into mid-range software packages to see what they need most. Don’t get too carried away. Be subtle. Use basic and fundamental processing skills to get the look you’re after.

Don’t get distracted by the abundance of software frills and gimmicky plug-ins. It’s fun to experiment, but it’s best to keep it fairly straightforward so you don’t put a dent in your confidence. The goal is images that please you. Get into a processing routine that gets results.

When you’re done, get your processed images printed up to the biggest size possible for your camera’s pixel output (that will be at 300 ppi – a good lab will have the details you need for each size). When you get your prints back, pin them to a wall and look at them from a sensible viewing distance. There’s no point in getting so close you can see the hairs on the end of your nose. If they look a little dark (the prints that is), check the contrast and brilliance of your monitor. If they look a bit soft, you may need to think more about sharpening techniques, or maybe try another lab.

These days more and more amateurs are creating excellent DVD slideshows for widescreen TVs. The impact is somewhat reduced when looking at images shot in the portrait format, and rotating your TV can be hazardous. But generally it’s a very effective way to share your best work. Shadow detail is more obvious on a TV screen, and the colours are strong and clear.

* * *

So, sad to say, creative digital photography can't be simple.

But as a keen amateur you can make it less difficult by practising a lot. Gather practical information from true experts. Avoid the hair-splitting critical exactness that drowns itself in dreary formula and science and puts us all to sleep. It can turn a pleasurable hobby into an endless and bewildering chore.

Throw yourself into it. Major on the majors and enjoy your results.

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