All Questions
15
votes
16answers
869 views
What method is best to take backups of your digital photos?
What method do you recommend to take secure backups of your photos?
I have used Carbonite.com for my family photos and videos - it is an online backup - just select folders to backup and the software ...
47
votes
11answers
11k views
Is there a noticeable difference between 1.8 and 1.4 prime lens?
I have been shopping around for a prime lens for my Nikon d50. I noticed that the 1.8 is hundreds of dollars cheaper than the 1.4 AF-S. What will I gain for that cost difference? Is it really ...
30
votes
8answers
4k views
Can I publish photos taken in public legally?
Who actually owns a photo that is taken in a public place?
18
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I use Graduated Neutral Density filters?
I want to improve my photos of landscapes with high contrast (sunset/sunrise). What are good selections for GND filters and what are some techniques for using them correctly?
25
votes
7answers
4k views
What are the major differences between these camera series by Canon?
Here is a shot of the different series of camras that Canon has to offer:
There's several models of Rebel, then there's the 50D, the 5D, and the 1Ds.
Broadly, which one is for whom broadly?
21
votes
3answers
472 views
What are Color Profiles and where would I find information on using them properly?
I see the term "Color Profile" a lot and I have this vague idea that it helps you adjust color values based on the unique differences of both cameras, displays and printers from some ideal device. ...
7
votes
6answers
2k views
Technically, why is the out of focus area blurred more when using a bigger aperture?
I'm wondering, technically, why and how does the out of focus areas blur more when using a bigger aperture. I think it'd help a lot if I presented a problem that's been driving me nuts for a long ...
30
votes
1answer
10k views
What is tone mapping? How does it relate to HDR?
Whenever I read / hear about HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography, someone usually says something along the lines of "Actually, you're talking about tone mapping, not HDR."
Please can someone ...
24
votes
11answers
2k views
What is the best way to clean the sensor on a digital SLR?
I've got a couple of spots of dust on the sensor of my Canon 20D - a rocket blower isn't shifting them, and I'm ridiculously scared of some of the more direct methods for cleaning sensors -- what ...
18
votes
4answers
4k views
How do you use a gray card?
There are already two questions on how to make a gray card, but unfortunately my ignorance goes deeper than that.
How do you use a gray card?
20
votes
9answers
1k views
What is the difference between in-lens image stabilizing and in-sensor image stabilizing?
And which one is more effective?
14
votes
6answers
2k views
What is one “stop”?
I always hear this term, e.g.,
I had to go down one stop
Increasing X by Y raises Z by one stop
I turned down the flash/the light two stops
This lens/sensor/strobe/Photoshop tweak raises X by ...
11
votes
1answer
851 views
What are the best practices for taking pictures of a canvas?
Please share your experience about:
Lighting
Objectives
Setup
Colorimetry
Photo-Editing
...
22
votes
7answers
3k views
What precautions should I take when taking a camera into humid conditions?
My camera's manual warns about sudden changes in temperature, but there are a few cases when I can't see how to avoid this.
These include entering a reptile house in a zoo, or a trip to tropical ...
14
votes
2answers
4k views
What does DPI mean?
What does DPI mean and how does it affect images displayed on screen versus printed?
32
votes
8answers
8k views
What does “expanded ISO” mean?
The ISO specification for the Canon EOS 7D reads as follows:
High ISO
For handheld shooting in low light, the EOS 7D offers ISO
speeds of up to 6400. Expandable to
ISO 12800, for low light ...
22
votes
9answers
3k views
Should I buy a camera with kit lens, or body plus lens separately?
I am planning to buy a DSLR soon.
Before I zero in on the model, I want to know whether it is advisable to buy a kit (body + 18-55 lens) or not? OR should I go for the camera-body and the lens ...
18
votes
5answers
1k views
Is it worth it to have the 50mm f/1.8 Canon lens?
Is it really useful to have a fast prime lens for portrait photography, considering a low budget? If it is, what about the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II?
I have an entry level 18-55mm lens and a Canon 20D. ...
20
votes
5answers
826 views
What exactly is flash sync speed, and should it be a factor in a buying decision?
What exactly is flash sync speed and should it be a factor in a buying decision?
14
votes
4answers
5k views
Why does a bigger sensor lead to a shallower depth of field?
It has been mentioned at a few places that a larger sensor results in images with a shallower depth of field.
Example image: http://www.mattgrum.com/FF_vs_APS-C.jpg
APS-C Canon 30D left, FF ...
3
votes
3answers
928 views
When do you need a model release?
Revised Question:
After a bit of a think I realised that this question can also be asked the other way round and much more simply: In what situation(s) have you required a model release?
Original ...
2
votes
4answers
572 views
How do I make the water silky in water/beach photography?
I see beautiful photos of beaches or rivers/streams where the water looks like frosted glass...
How is this effect achieved?
Is it a longer exposure?
74
votes
11answers
3k views
How do I approach people for a natural look in street photography?
I am enjoying taking candid photos of people, but the subject is usually someone I know, or it is during some family/friend event, so after a while the people get used to the presence of the camera ...
39
votes
24answers
3k views
What are good photography projects?
I am currently in the middle of a year long photo a day project, and am beginning to think about what I will do once this is done.
What types of photography projects have you done?
Please keep ...
39
votes
32answers
7k views
What are the best sites to share photo galleries with friends?
Which sites do you use for sharing photos with family and friends?
27
votes
3answers
2k views
Unsharp mask - what do the parameters do?
I'm interested in getting into post-processing stuff, and I'm wondering about the Unsharp Mask operation. Specifically, there are 3 parameters involved:
amount
radius
threshold
What do these do? ...
24
votes
9answers
4k views
How can I get a good HDR image from a single RAW file?
I've heard that it's possible to create an HDR image from a single RAW file. (Obviously, it won't be as good as using multiple bracketed RAW files; I know that much.)
Every time I try — using ...
34
votes
13answers
2k views
53
votes
5answers
1k views
What is RAW, technically?
From a technical perspective, what exactly is RAW and how does it differ from JPG or bitmap images? I'm not asking about the pros/cons versus another format, but rather what constitutes RAW format, ...
29
votes
5answers
4k views
What should one look for when buying a used lens?
When buying a used lens, what should the buyer check? Other than looking for obvious physical damage on the outside of the lens, what else should be inspected to identify the condition or quality of ...
35
votes
13answers
3k views
Any good tutorials for learning how to post-process images?
I don't really know where to start with post-processing my images. I normally just straighten, crop and sharpen. Do people know of any good resources on the internet for getting a grip with Photoshop ...
52
votes
10answers
2k views
How can I get my portrait subjects to look natural and drop the cheesy smile?
I am surprised by how many people automatically put on a cheesy smile when I point a camera in their direction.
Please share any tips / techniques / links that might help me get better, more ...
39
votes
6answers
2k views
What are the key photography-related features from Photoshop that are missing in GIMP?
I am on a tight budget and chose to use GIMP for editing since it is free.
What important photographic post-processing features am I missing from Photoshop?
32
votes
4answers
6k views
Why do light sources appear as stars sometimes?
See for example this photo:
From my experience, the longer the exposure the stronger can this effect be observed. Is this correct? Are there any other factors that influence the creation of these ...
26
votes
6answers
2k views
How can knowledge of human perception of color be used in photography?
How does the human vision system perceive color, and how can/should this be taken into account when taking and post-processing photographs (both in color and in black and white)?
The bit above is ...
57
votes
22answers
5k views
What kind of photography is still better done with film cameras?
Are there any kind of photography left today which digital cameras are still in the disadvantage to film cameras?
23
votes
3answers
2k views
What is the meaning of “white balance”?
I would like to understand the term white balance. My camera has settings for white balance with the following options:
Auto white balance
Daylight
Cloudy
Shade
Flash
Incandescent lights
White set1 ...
23
votes
4answers
936 views
What are the best practices for DOF stacking?
What are the best practices for DOF stacking? How do you get the frames with focus just right amount apart? How do you stack them in post processing?
14
votes
3answers
743 views
What do I need to know to get started with food photography?
I'd like to get started in food photography, and my first attempts are worlds apart from the examples we see all around us on food labels, in cookbooks, and in advertising. What are some tips to ...
13
votes
9answers
17k views
Which prime lens for Pentax?
My girlfriend is buying a Pentax K-5 (I already have a Pentax DSLR so we thought it made sense for us to be able to share lenses), and she's not sure about which lens to get with it, so I've been ...
21
votes
5answers
3k views
How to capture the scene exactly as my eyes can see?
What settings of my DSLR camera will emulate the scene exactly as I can see through my naked eyes?
I think it's not possible to get the contrast and colors exactly as my eyes can see, and it may vary ...
36
votes
6answers
1k views
Is crop-factor a bad thing?
It seems to me that there is a preference for full-frame sensors rather than cropped sensors, and I'm curious as to why. It seems to me, that the cropped sensor means that I get more bang for my buck ...
29
votes
8answers
4k views
What's the difference between Adobe RGB and sRGB and which should I set in my camera?
In my Canon 60D, there's a setting between Adobe RGB and sRGB. What's the difference and what should I prefer when shooting to RAW ?
29
votes
7answers
828 views
What is “Hyperfocal Distance”?
I'd like a clear & easy-to-understand (especially for non-physics-types) explanation of what Hyperfocal Distance is, how it affects photographs, and what determines its value.
21
votes
14answers
8k views
What lenses would best comprise a travel photography kit?
On a crop sensor camera, eg Canon 7D, what would be the best kit to travel with around Europe for a few weeks? My shooting style will focus on landscape, architecture, and general purpose travel ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I simulate a long exposure photo using a set of shorter exposure photos?
I'm shooting towards the sky to capture the stars. The exposure time is 15 seconds, so I can see the stars still, without a trace. These photos are taken continuously one after the other, because I ...
25
votes
8answers
2k views
What is the advantage to back-button autofocus?
I've heard some advanced photographers talk about using back-button autofocus. As I understand it, this involves changing one of the camera's custom setting to engage the AF when a button on the rear ...
23
votes
10answers
2k views
What settings should I be using to photograph fireworks?
As it's heading into firework season (with Thanksgiving, Guy Fawkes, and New Years), I've never been particularly successful at photographing fireworks. In previous years I think I've always had too ...
19
votes
3answers
2k views
What makes a strong wide-angle composition?
A simple, effective way to improve most compositions is to crop (or zoom) more tightly. Cut out the "distractions", and boom, powerful composition. I usually shoot with a slightly-long lens in the ...
18
votes
4answers
2k views
What do Pentax, Sony, and Olympus DSLRs offer that differs from Canon and Nikon?
We have a question and answers outlining the significant differences between the "big two" DSLR brands. I'm interested in the other DSLR makers, and how the cameras they make compare in terms of ...
