2 The Camera
Startingwiththecameraset-up, thischapterexplainsthe
correct settingsto usefor yourcamerainmanual mode,
andwhydoingsowillenableyoutobeincompletecontrol
oftheoutcomeofyourphotography.Wewillconcentrate
onusingthecameraandequipmentcorrectlytoobtainthe
best results from the portrait sittings.
Camera file formatssuchas RAW, TIFFand JPEG are
explained in depth, along with how best to use these
formatstorecordandstore photographicimagesand the
reasons why. Thorough explanations of ISO (film
sensitivity), shutterspeeds and theaperture settings will
enablethephotographertounderstandthebasics oflight
enteringthecameraandhoweachvariablecanaffectthe
outcome of the image.
Appropriateusesoflenseswillbecoveredingeneralterms
and thenfollowedwith morespecificdirectionasto the
correctchoiceswhentakingportraitureimages;thissection
willalsocovertheprosandconsofzoomlensesandprime
lenses.Thisisfollowedbydiscussionofdepthoffieldand
whatitmeans,andhowunderstandingthetermcancreate
moremeaningfulportraiture,bydeveloping aperspective
and more consideredfocal pointof the image. There is
guidance on howthephotographer is ableto utilize the
variousfocustechniquesincameratohighlighttheprimary
pointsoftheimage,withdetailsonthemethodsavailable
and how each should be employed. In-camera light
meteringwillalsobecoveredwiththevarietyofsystems
available to the photographer and thelighting situations
where they can be used effectively.