Digital SLR Photography

76 Digital slr PhotographyNove mber2016TheBeginner’sGuideCUSTOM FUNCTIONS:As if DSLRs weren’tcomplicated enough, they also boastvarying numbersof custom functions,which allow you to tailor certain camerasettings to suit your wayof working, or tosuit specific subjects. All the major camerasettings have custom functions. Forexample, you can change the incrementsofexposure adjustment from1/3 to 1/2 stops- the same with ISO ratings.You can choosethe numberof shots in an exposure bracket,the order those shots are taken and if AEBautomatically cancels. You can also change the functionalityofdifferent camera buttons and dials. Thedepth-of-field preview button can usuallybe set-up to become the exposure lock, toswitch between One Shot and Servo AF, orto change Image Quality if you don’t use it asa depth-of-field button. The input dials on your camera can beassigned different jobs, such as which onechanges the aperture and shutter speed- you may prefer to have the front dialchanging the shutter speed insteadof theaperture and vice-versa. Therear thumb dialmay also let you adjust the AF point, orchange the ISO – being big it’s easier to findwhen the camera’sat eye level. The Set button does more than confirmamenu option if you want it to – you coulduse it to access your DSLR’s PictureStyles,Image Quality, adjust the ISO,replay imagesor enlarge/reduce the preview image. Manyusers never bother with custom functions,but they’re there to make life easier, so whynot spend a while exploring the options yourcameraoffers and tailor it to suit you?eIghTMOre CaMeraFUNCTIONSThaT begINNerS ShOUld explOre...HDRSomecamerasletyoucreateHDR(HighDynamicRange)imagesin-camera.Youcanchangetheexposureparametersofthesequenceofimagesandchooseanaturallookorgoforamoredramaticeffect.Youcanalsokeeptheindividualimagesincaseyouwanttomergethemin-computerlater,orletthe cameradeletethemandjustkeepthefinalHDRimage.``````MiRRoR lock-upYoucanmountyourcameraonatripod,focuscarefullyandusethebestlenses,butwithDSLRsthe‘slap’ofthereflexmirrorasitflipsupcancausevibrationsthatreduceimagesharpness.Themirrorlock-upfacilityisdesignedtopreventthisbylockingupthereflexmirrorbeforetheshutterisopenedtomaketheexposure.Worthusingforlongexposures.``````inteRval tiMeRTo createstunningtime-lapsesequences,theintervaltimerisinvaluable.Useit totakeaspecifiednumberofshotswithaspecificintervalbetweeneach–100shotswithafiveseconddelaybetweenthem,forexample.Remembertofullychargeyourbatterybeforestartingthetime-lapsetoensureitdoesn'trunoutofjuicebeforecompletingthesequence.``````Digital spiRit levelDoyoustruggletogetstraighthorizons?Fortunately, manyDSLRsnowhaveanelectronicintegrallevelthatyoucandisplayonyourcamera'sLCDmonitor–withmostthelevelgoesfromredtogreenwhenyou’re level.SomeDSLRsalsogiveyoutheoptiontohaveanelectroniclevelintheviewfinder,whichisidealwhenhandholdingthecamera.``````VIdeO reCOrdINg:EversincetheCanonEOS5DMkIIwaslaunchedwithbroadcast-qualityHDvideo,manufacturershavebeenstrivingtoimprovethemovie-makingpotentialofDSLRs.There’snowagrowingrangeofmodelsofferingstaggering4KvideoqualityaswellasFullHD,withvariableframeratesincluding120pslowmotionandtimelapse.ThelatestistheCanonEOS5DMkIV,whichevenallowsyoutosaveanyvideoframeasan8.8-megapixelJPEG–soyoucanshootmoviesandstillsatthesametime!Obviously, this levelof video technology isfor serious movie-makers rather than casualvideo shooters. However, even entry-levelDSLRs and many digital compact camerasoffer 1080p HD video, and that’s more thangood enoughfor mostof us. As with theresolutionof a still image, the bigger the``````numbersfor video, the higher theresolution.At present, 4K (17:9format) is the highestmovieresolutionavailable in DSLRs andtranslates to a video imageof 4096x2160pixels.Full HD video (otherwise known as1080p) is 1920x1080 pixels and HD (alsoknown as 720p) is 1280x720 pixels.``````SIwABuD VEERAPAISARn/SHuTTERSTOCK