Newbie just starting course needing help

L.Culley

L.Culley

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Name
Leon
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Hi everyone, dont really know where to turn to to ask questions so am coming here in the hope someone can help me turn this confusion into something I can understand...

I have just started a photography diploma in the hope to have some structure in learning how to operate a DSLR and become a half decent photographer, ive just started the first module that deals with the camera opperations and already I am drawing blanks.

I am being instructed to

1. Find a ruler or a yard stick and lay it down flat on a table, with the
short edge facing you and flush with the edge of the table so that the
numbers are moving away from you.

2. Set up your camera on a tripod (or hand-held if necessary) so that
you are almost eye-level with the edge of the table and ruler, but still
tall enough so that you can see the inch numbers as they descend
away from you (1 inches, 2 inches, etc). Use your lens with the lowest
f/stop and get close enough to the ruler so that it takes up about
1/4th of your frame height-wise.

3. Set your camera into aperture priority mode and stop down to your
lowest f/stop.

4. Make sure auto-focus is turned on and focus in on the number “1” in
inches. If you are too close to focus in properly, inch back until you
can and stay there. Take the photo.

5. Now refocus on number “3”, then “6”, and finally “12” and repeat step
4 for each inch.

6. Without changing your vantage point, set your aperture to f/11 and
repeat steps 4 and 5.

How call me totally thick but what the ******... which one is f/11? are they wanting me to zoom at all because if not i cant even see the numbers before they start being to close to focus? Whats my lowest F stop? is it the smallest number or the higest number?

the next thing which is talked about is shutter speed

Normal outdoor shooting conditions will call for a shutter speed anywhere
from 1/300th of a second to 1/8000th of a second.

how do i change tell what numbers represent what shutter speeds?


Im looking through the manual and just cant seem to find out what the hell is going on.... can anyone prehaps make this a little easier to understand???

i dont know if it makes a difference but ive got a Canon EOS 40D...

cheers in advance

Culley
 
Hi Leon

Basically set the camera into AV mode
Set the Aperture to the lowest for the lens you are using, e.g. 2.8, 1.8, 3.5 etc (depends on the lens)

Focus on 1 on the ruler and take the picture, then 3,5 etc

Once done change the lens Aperture to F11 and re take the same sequence

You should notice the difference between the two sets of images:thumbs:


This thread may also be of some use
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=99841&page=2


On the shutter speed set the camera in TV mode and then move the wheel next to the shutter button, you should see the numbers change in the eye display or on the top screen, this is the shutter speed, 1/8000 is a very fast shutter speed, 1/20 is a lot slower
 
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cheers robin, will give it a go :D

William... how far into the course are you and how are you finding it?
 
its this one http://www.inst.org/photography-courses/become.htm

but you can get the exact same course for £150 cheaper if you go via this link

http://www.inst.org/photography-courses/enroloffer.htm

the only difference is the course materials arnt brand new, they were sent to someone who decided they didnt want to do the course so sent them back. everything is there, all in good order, the advice and support is the same its just loads cheaper.
i booked now because i think all prices are going to go up in 2 days with the vat increase
...

I cant really comment if its any good or not just yet because ive only just started, all seems good though, im learning a lot.
 
lmgculley said:
its this one http://www.inst.org/photography-courses/become.htm

but you can get the exact same course for £150 cheaper if you go via this link

http://www.inst.org/photography-courses/enroloffer.htm

the only difference is the course materials arnt brand new, they were sent to someone who decided they didnt want to do the course so sent them back. everything is there, all in good order, the advice and support is the same its just loads cheaper.
i booked now because i think all prices are going to go up in 2 days with the vat increase
...



I cant really comment if its any good or not just yet because ive only just started, all seems good though, im learning a lot.
Click to expand...

cheers for that info will take a look.
 
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Im stuck on Module 7 at the moment still waiting for all the snow to go away and people to venture out of their houses so I can take pictures of them, I have a good idea of what I want to photograph, I just need the right weather.
If you need any help I'll try and answer your questions!
 
It's basically teaching you about the relationship between depth of field and aperture. As Robin said set your 40D to Av and you should be good to go. With wider aperture you get much shallower depth of field. Good luck.
 
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