How shooting modes relate to exposure
With the Rebel XSi 450D, you can choose to control none, all, or part of the exposure settings, and you do that by choosing a shooting mode. If you're new to photographic exposure, the brief discussion here will help you understand the descriptions of the shooting modes later in this chapter. To make a good exposure, the camera requires that the ISO International Organization for Standardization , aperture, or f-stop, and shutter speed be set correctly based on the amount of light in the scene...
Evaluative metering
Evaluative metering is the default metering mode on the Rebel XSi 450D, and it analyzes light from 35 zones throughout the entire viewfinder and links it to the autofocus system. The meter analyzes the point of focus and automatically applies compensation if the surrounding areas are much lighter or darker than the point of focus. To determine exposure, the camera analyzes subject position, brightness, background, front- and backlighting, and camera orientation. 2.10 This image was taken using...
Canon Lens Terminology
Canon uses several designations and lens construction technologies that are helpful to know as you consider lenses to add to your camera system. EF EF-S lens mount. This designation identifies the type of mount that the lens has and the camera accepts. The EF lens mount provides not only quick mounting and removal of lenses, but it also provides the communication channel between the lens and the camera body. The EF mount is fully electronic and resists abrasion, shock, and play, and needs no...
Hard light
Hard light is created when a distant light source produces a concentrated spotlight effect such as light from the sun in a cloudless sky at midday, an electronic flash, or a bare light bulb. Hard light creates dark, sharp-edged shadows as well as a loss of detail in highlights and shadows. Portraits taken in hard overhead light create dark, unattractive shadows under the eyes, nose, and chin. This type of light also is called contrasty light. Contrast is measured by the difference in exposure...
Canon Powershot Gix
Over the years, major stock agencies have acquired thousands of images, which means they now have more specific subject needs. Conceptual shooting is also a good area to consider. Themes such as single, breaking up, and the tranquility of a spa are examples of recent stock requests. 9.36 Some stock agencies specialize in food photography, and a subject such as this plate of chocolate-chip cookies would be a potential submission for food stock imagery. Setup In the Field For the image in figure...
Using Telephoto Lenses
Choose a telephoto lens to take portraits and to capture distant subjects such as birds, buildings, wildlife, and landscapes. Short telephoto lenses such as 85mm and 100mm are ideal for portraits, while long lenses 200mm to 800mm allow you to photograph distant birds, wildlife, and athletes. When photographing wildlife, long lenses also allow you to keep a safe distance from the subject. When you shoot with a telephoto lens, keep these lens characteristics in mind Shallow depth of field....
Using TiltandShift Lenses
Referred to as TS-E, tilt-and-shift lenses allow you to alter the angle of the plane of focus between the lens and sensor plane to provide a broad depth of field even at wide apertures and to correct or alter perspective at almost any angle. In short, TS-E lenses allow you to correct perspective distortion and control focusing range. Tilt movements allow you to bring an entire scene into focus, even at maximum apertures. By tilting the lens barrel, you can adjust the lens so that the plane of...
Architectural and interior photography tips
Emphasize color and lines. If the building you're photographing features strong, vivid colors, emphasize the colors by shooting in bright midday sunlight. Find a shooting position that allows you to show off the dynamic lines and shapes of the building or interior. Use surrounding elements to underscore the sense of place and space. For example, a university building's design that incorporates gentle arches might be photographed through an archway leading up to the entrance. Or, if the area is...
Action and sports photography tips
Capture the thrill. Regardless of the technique you choose to shoot action photos, set a goal of showing the emotion, thrill, speed, or excitement of the scene in your pictures. You want the kind of picture where people look at it and say, Wow Get a clean background. Most stadiums have walls plastered with advertisements on them. To minimize the distraction of the advertisements, use a wide aperture such as f 5.6 or f 4. Early in the event, look for a position that gives you the best view of...
Exploring Flash Technology
Both the onboard flash and Canon's EX-series Speedlites employ E-TTL II technology. E-TTL stands for Evaluative Through-the-Lens flash exposure control. E-TTL II is a flash technology that receives information from the camera, including the focal length of the lens, distance from the subject, exposure settings including aperture, and the camera's built-in evaluative metering system to balance subject exposure with the ambient light. In more technical terms, with E-TTL II, the camera's meter...
Sensitivity The role of ISO
The ISO setting determines how sensitive the image sensor is to light. The higher the ISO number, the less light that's needed to make a picture. The lower the ISO number, the more light that's needed to make a picture. In everyday shooting, photographers use high ISO numbers or settings such as ISO 800 to 1600 to get faster shutter speeds so that they can handhold the camera and get a sharp image in low-light scenes. Conversely, in bright to moderately bright light, low settings from 100 to...
Approaches to using various white balance options
Because the XSi 450D offers two basic approaches to setting white balance, you may find that you use different approaches in different shooting scenarios. Following are examples for using the different approaches Using preset white balance settings. For outdoor shooting, especially during clearly defined lighting situations such as bright daylight, an overcast sky, or shooting indoors in fluorescent or tungsten light, the preset white balance settings perform nicely. In general, the preset...
Disabling the flash but enabling the flashs autofocusassist beam
In some low-light scenes, you may want to shoot using ambient light without using the flash. However, the camera may have trouble establishing good focus due to the low light. The autofocus-assist AF-assist beam from the flash is invaluable in these situations to help the camera establish focus. In these kinds of scenes, you can disable the flash firing and still use the flash's AF-assist beam to help the camera to establish focus. To enable or disable flash firing but still allow the camera to...
Taking child photographs
9.18 Dress-up family events offer excellent opportunities for portraits as children assume a much more grown-up carriage, but retain the sparkle of youth with a characteristic twinkle in their eyes. Setup In the Field The image in figure 9.18 was taken during a wedding reception, and 11-year-old Dalton enjoyed wearing a suit for the first time. The original image was shot in color, but after experimenting with black-and-white conversion, I liked the classic look of the monochrome rendering...
Auto Lighting Optimization
Auto Lighting Optimization is a built-in image-correction feature that boosts contrast and brightens images that are too dark. Auto Lighting Optimization is not a setting that you can adjust manually, and it is used when you shoot in all Basic Zone modes such as Portrait, Landscape, Sports mode, and so on. It is also used when you shoot JPEG images in Creative Zone modes including P, Tv, Av, and A-DEP. It is not used in M mode or when you shoot RAW or RAW JPEG format images. While automatic...
Using WideAngle Lenses
A wide-angle lens is a versatile lens for capturing subjects ranging from large groups of people to sweeping landscapes, as well as for taking pictures in places where space is cramped. The distinguishing characteristic of wide-angle lenses is the range of the angle of view. Within the Canon lens line-up, you can choose angles of view from the 15mm Fisheye lens, which offers a 180-degree angle of view, to the 35mm lens, which offers a 63-degree angle of view, not counting the 1.6x focal length...
Shadows In Still Life Art
Traditional still-life subjects are a great way to start learning the art of still-life photography. Subjects include fruit, flowers, pottery, antiques, clothing, food entrees, beverages, bottles, soaps, coins, watch and clock parts, and decorative holiday display items. Almost anything that catches your eye for its beautiful form, texture, shape, and design is a good candidate for a still-life photo. Because the success of the image often depends on the setup and arrangement, study art and...
Using Macro Lenses
Macro lenses open a new world of photographic possibilities by offering extreme levels of magnification. In addition, the reduced focusing distance allows beautiful, moderate close-ups as well as extreme close-ups of flowers and plants, animals, raindrops, and everyday objects. The closest focusing distance can be further reduced by using extension tubes. Normal and telephoto lenses offer macro capability. Because these lenses can be used at their normal focal length as well as for macro...
Press the right cross key to select OK
4. Press the Set button. The camera formats the card, and then displays the Setup 1 yellow menu. Lightly press the Shutter button to return to shooting. It is generally a good idea to format media cards every few weeks to keep them clean. If you've used a media card in another camera, be sure to format it in the XSi 450D to ensure that proper data structure is set, and to clean up the card. Note ls possible to take pictures when no memory card is in the camera, which is useful when you're...
Closeup mode
In Close-up mode, the Rebel XSi 450D allows a close focusing distance, and it sets a wide aperture to provide a shallow depth of field that blurs background details. It also sets as fast a shutter speed as possible given the light. This mode produces much the same type of rendering as Portrait mode, but it uses the Standard Picture Style. You can further enhance the close-up effect by using a macro lens. If you're using a zoom lens, zoom to the telephoto end of the lens. In Close-up mode, the...
Child Photography
Perhaps no specialty area is simultaneously as satisfying and challenging as child photography. It is satisfying because it is a singular opportunity to capture the innocence, fun, and curiosity of unspoiled so to speak kids, and it is challenging because success depends on engaging the child so that you can reveal the child's sense of innocence, fun, and curiosity. Of the many factors that figure into making successful pictures of children, the most critical ones are the child's mood and the...
Extension tubes and closeup lenses
Extension tubes are close-up accessories that provide magnification from approximately 0.3 to 0.7 and can be used on many EF lenses, though there are exceptions. Extension tubes are placed between the camera body and lens and connect to the camera via eight electronic contact points. The function of the camera and lens is unchanged, and you can combine extension tubes for greater magnification. Canon offers two extension tubes, the EF 12 II and the EF 25 II. Magnification differs by lens, but...
CFn Mirror Lockup
Option 1 for this function prevents blur that can be caused in close-up and super-tele-photo shots by the camera's reflex mirror flipping up at the beginning of an exposure. While the effect of motion from the mirror is negligible during normal shooting, it can make a difference in the extreme magnification levels for macro shooting and when using super-telephoto lenses. If you turn on Mirror Lockup, the first time that you press the Shutter button, it flips up the reflex mirror. You then have...
Sports mode
In Sports mode, the Rebel XSi 450D sets a fast shutter speed to freeze subject motion. This mode is good for capturing athletes in mid-air, a player sliding toward a base, or the antics of pets and children. 2.5 This image was taken in Close-up mode, where the camera also sets a wide aperture and automatically chooses the autofocus point. Exposure ISO 400, f 4, 1 60 second. 2.5 This image was taken in Close-up mode, where the camera also sets a wide aperture and automatically chooses the...
Macro Photography
Many people think about shooting flowers when they think macro photography. Certainly, few photographers can resist the temptation to photograph flowers, and exotic plants. But macro photography applications are much broader than subjects offered in nature. With any of Canon's macro lenses, you have the opportunity to make stunning close-up images of everything from stamps and water drops to jewelry and the weathered hands of an elder. At its best, macro photography is a journey in discovering...
Flash Exposure Lock
One way to modify flash output is by using Flash Exposure Lock FE Lock . Much like Auto Exposure Lock AE Lock , FE Lock allows you to meter and set the flash output on any part of the scene. With FE Lock, you lock the flash exposure on a midtone area in the scene. The camera calculates a suitable flash output, and locks or remembers the exposure, and then you can recompose, focus, and make the picture. FE Lock is also effective when there are reflective surfaces such as a mirror, chrome, or...
Inspiration Myf
Before you begin, talk to the subject about his or her interests. Then see if you can create setups or poses that play off of what you learn. Consider having a prop that the subject can use for inspiration and improvisation. Alternately, play off the subject's characteristics. For example, with a very masculine subject, use angular props or a rocky natural setting that reflects masculinity. 9.29 The primary lighting for this portrait came from a window to the left of the camera. I used a Canon...
Control the focus and depth of field
Sharp focus establishes the relative importance of the elements within the image. And because the human eye is drawn first to the sharpest point in the photo, be sure that the point of sharpest focus is on the part of the subject that you want to emphasize for example, in a portrait, the point of sharpest focus should be on the subject's eyes. Differential focusing controls the depth of field, or the zone or area of the image that is acceptably sharp. In a nutshell, differential focusing works...
Taking night and lowlight photographs
9.27 Low-light scenes such as sports events, interiors, and music concerts offer wonderful photo opportunities, but they are challenging in terms of exposure, timing for capturing the action, and composition. 9.27 Low-light scenes such as sports events, interiors, and music concerts offer wonderful photo opportunities, but they are challenging in terms of exposure, timing for capturing the action, and composition. Table 9.9 Night and Low-Light Photography Setup In the Field The primary setup...
CFn SET button when shooting
This Custom Function enables you to take advantage of using the Set button while you're shooting rather than only when you're using camera menus. The Set button continues to function normally when you're accessing camera menus. If you have Live View shooting enabled, however, pressing the Set button initiates Live View display on the LCD monitor regardless of the options you've chosen for this Custom Function. Here are the options and a description of each one 0 Normal disabled . This is the...
Portrait mode
In Portrait mode, the Rebel XSi 450D sets a wide aperture small f-stop number providing a shallow depth of field, which blurs background details to prevent them from distracting from the subject. The Rebel also switches to Portrait Picture Style, which is designed to enhance the skin tones. Obviously, Portrait mode is great for people portraits, but it's also a great mode for taking pet portraits, indoor and outdoor still-life shots, and nature shots such as flowers that you photograph from a...
AFAF lock no AE lock If
you're shooting in AI Servo AF mode where the camera automatically tracks the motion of a moving subject, this function enables you to press the AE Lock button whenever an object moves in front of the subject so that subject focus isn't thrown off. For sports, action, and wildlife shooting, this option is useful in ensuring sharp subject focus. The downside, of course, is that you do not have the ability to use AE Lock at all. 3 AE AF, no AE lock. This option extends Option 2 by allowing you to...
Exposure Compensation
Exposure Compensation enables you to purposely and continuously modify the standard exposure by a specific amount up to - 2 f-stops in 1 3-stop increments or in 1 2-stop increments via C.Fn-1. Scenarios for using Exposure Compensation vary widely, but a common use is to override the camera's suggested ideal exposure in scenes that have large areas of white or dark tones. In these types of scenes, the camera's onboard meter averages light or dark scenes to 18 percent gray to render large...
Using the Display Disp Button
You can use the Display button to sequence through different displays in Playback mode. In Single-image playback mode, press the Display button once to display basic shooting information overlaid on the image preview. Press it again to display shooting information, a small image preview, and the image histogram. Press it yet again to display the images with the RGB histograms. Press it once more to return to an image display with no shooting information. You can use the cross keys to move...
Preset Picture Style Nostalgia Ke Canon 450d
Creative Zone mode, 30-31 versus Full Auto mode, 29-30 panning, 253 panoramic shots, M Manual mode, 33-34 Partial metering mode, backlit side-lit scenes, 36-37 patience, animal wildlife photography, 184 perspective composition element, 172-173 telephoto lenses, 156 wide angle lenses, 156 Photoshop PSD format, lossless compression, 17 photosite, 253 Picture Style button, 7, 9 Picture Style Editor, 80-82 Picture Styles Autumn Hues, 82 Clear, 82 Emerald, 82 Faithful, 75, 77 filter effects, 78...
Getting Sharp Focus
In addition to good exposure, the success of a picture also depends on getting tack-sharp focus. The XSi 450D offers nine AF points that are etched in the viewfinder. Once you or the camera selects an AF point or points, it is used to establish the point of sharpest focus in the image. Note Technically, getting tack-sharp focus depends on three factors the resolving power of the lens its ability to render fine details sharply , the resolution of the image sensor, and, if you print the image,...
Only external flash emits
If you choose this option, the AF-assist beam emits only when a Canon Speedlite is mounted on the camera's hot shoe. The Speedlite's AF-assist beam is more powerful than the beam of the built-in flash, and that makes this option good for low-light and low-contrast subjects that are farther away from the camera. However, be aware that if you have set the Custom Function on the Speedlite so that the AF-assist beam does not fire, then the Speedlite's Custom Function option overrides the camera's...
Formatting an SDSDHC card
The Rebel XSi 450D accepts SD and SDHC, or Secure Digital High Capacity, media cards. Not all media cards are created equal, and the type and speed of media that you use affects the Rebel XSi 450D's response times, including the ability to write images to the media card and to continue shooting quickly, the speed at which images display on the LCD, and how quickly you can zoom images on the LCD. The type of file format that you choose also affects the speed of certain tasks. For example, when...
Front camera controls
The front of the camera is a view photographers seldom see. But there are controls and connections on the front of the camera that you'll use often, such as the Lens release button and the Depth of field preview button. If you use EF-S lenses, you should note the location of the white EF-S lens mount index mark. This is the mark you use to line up the lens when you mount it on the camera. The front camera controls, from left to right, include the following Shutter button. This button sets...
Repeat Steps through to change the remaining fields
7. When all options are set, press the Set button. The Setup 2 menu appears. Lightly press the Shutter button to return to shooting. Note You may want to reset the date and time to adjust for daylight saving time and when you change time zones when traveling. When the camera's red access light located on the back of the camera is blinking, it means that the camera is recording or erasing image data. When the access light is blinking, do not open the SD SDHC card slot cover, do not attempt to...
Macro photography tips
Ensure tack-sharp focus. The Rebel offers several Self-timer modes that you can combine with Mirror Lockup, described previously, and a solid tripod for tack-sharp focus. Before you begin shooting, ensure that there is no drift of the camera as it is mounted on the tripod head, such as when the camera is pointed down or in vertical shooting position. If you detect any drift, tighten the fitting of the camera on the tripod head's quickrelease plate or the fitting that attaches the camera to the...
Rear camera controls
The rear camera controls are handy for making quick adjustments while you're shooting. In particular, you'll likely use the WB white balance , Menu, Playback, and AF-point selection Magnify Autofocus buttons often. Your ability to use some of the rear camera controls depends on the shooting mode you're using. In automatic modes such as Portrait, Landscape, and Sports, pressing the AV, WB, and Drive mode selection buttons has no effect because these functions are set automatically by the camera....
Redeye reduction
A disadvantage of flash exposure in portraits of people and pets is unattractive red in the subject's eyes. There is no sure fix that prevents red eye, but a few steps help reduce it. First, be sure to turn on Red-Eye Reduction on the XSi 450D. This option is set to Off by default. Then, before making the picture, have the subject look at the Red-Eye Reduction lamp on the front of the camera when it fires at the beginning of a flash exposure. Also have the room well lit. Before you begin,...
Choosing a Color Space
On the XSi 450D, you can select a color space for shooting in the Creative Zone shooting modes, such as P Program Auto Exposure, or AE , Tv Shutter-priority AE , Av Aperture-priority AE , M Manual exposure , and A-DEP Automatic Depth of Field . The options are Adobe RGB or sRGB. The color space you choose applies to both JPEG and RAW files shot in Creative Zone modes. In all Basic Zone modes, the camera automatically selects sRGB and JPEG capture. If you choose Adobe RGB for Creative Zone...
Inspiration Wiy
Choose a place that gives you a unique visual or emotional sense. For example, if you find a scene that exudes tranquility, try different positions, focal lengths, and foreground elements to help convey the sense of peace. As you take pictures, look both at the overall scene and the components that make it compelling. Isolate subscenes that make independent compositions or can be used as a center of interest for the overall scene. Reference For details on using and modifying Picture Styles, see...
Nature and Landscape Photography
With breathtaking vistas of forests, mountains, and expanse of sky, God's handiwork remains an awesome wealth of photographic material for photographers. From dawn to dusk and sometimes beyond, nature provides an endless source of inspiration for stunning images. And you don't have to go far to find the next image. You can choose a single location and return week after week to take entirely different pictures. Seasonal changes to flora and fauna, passing wildlife, rain, sunshine, fog, and snow...
Understanding color temperature
Few people think of light as having color until the color becomes obvious, such as at sunrise and sunset when the sun's low angle causes light to pass through more of the earth's atmosphere, creating visible and often dramatic color. However, regardless of the time of day, natural light has a color temperature, and each color, or hue, of sunlight renders subjects differently. Likewise, household bulbs, candlelight, flashlights, and electronic flashes all have distinct color temperatures. As...
StillLife Photography
Arrangements of food, pottery, rocks, and plants that are reminiscent of classic and modern paintings jump to mind first when many people think of still-life photography. As with painters, photographic still-life images are typically characterized by striking lighting that defines the subject form. But still-life arrangements also can be found in existing scenes in old homes and buildings, along sidewalks, and in stores. Some photographers shy away from still-life photography because of its...
Top camera controls
Controls on the top of the camera enable you to use your thumb and index finger on your right hand to control common adjustments quickly. Here is a look at the top camera controls Mode dial. This dial enables you to switch among shooting modes by lining up the mode you want with the white mark beside the dial. ISO speed button. Press this button to set the sensor's ISO setting, which determines the sensor's sensitivity to light. In Creative Zone modes such as P Program AE Auto Exposure , Tv...
Av mode
Aperture-priority AE mode is shown on the camera Mode dial as Av. Av mode is a semiautomatic mode that enables you to control the aperture. In this mode, you change the aperture by turning the Main dial, and then the camera automatically calculates and sets the appropriate shutter speed. As detailed earlier, aperture is the primary factor that controls the depth of field. A wide aperture, such as f 3.5, provides a shallow depth of field that softly blurs the background. A narrow aperture, such...