DSLR Facts Tips

Custom Picture Controls

Picture Controls or Picture Styles depending on what brand you have are applied to every picture you take except RAW this is why some people shy away from RAW format the contrast, sharpness, and color saturation is not applied by an algorithm. Post production allows you to create the perfect touches and really clean up your photo exactly how you want.

Changing the picture control if you shoot in RAW will not affect the image you see on the computer, but it will help you see what you’re capturing on the camera. To set a custom picture control or picture style, go to your menu and find the custom picture control setting. 

 

Multiple Exposure 

Though not available on all DSLRs the camera takes 2 or 3 (or more) photos in a row and then combines them to create one picture. You can do the same thing in photoshop by fading each picture in the order you took them using Opacity.   

Lincoln Harris

Time Lapse

Nikon only Great for nature and slow events it is labeled as “Interval timer shooting.”

Time Before Screen Sleeps

All DSLRs allow the photographer to adjust how long a photo is displayed before the screen goes to sleep. It is usually listed under settings/ the little wrench and LCD display 5-10 seconds is good if you like to look things over. Your battery does drain quicker so if you make the display turn off quicker or off all together you save battery and don't annoy people while taking pictures at a public event.  

Flash Compensation

The camera will determine how much flash output is needed, and then the photographer can adjust as needed.  

Depth-of-Field Preview

Adjusting the aperture changes the depth of field but you cant tell what it looks like until you take the photo. Most DSLR cameras have a small black button on the front of the camera just to the left (camera left) of the lens.  If you look through the viewfinder and press the button, it will make the screen go a bit darker, but it will also show you how the depth-of-field will look when you take the picture.

Back Button Focus

Allows you to take many photos at different angles without having to re-adjust your focus as long as you stay at the same distance. If something closer gets in the way you can quickly get back to your subject. 

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Jim Harmer