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24 Apr 2013

05:25

ABA Creation:Check Camera Sensor for Dust and scratches

ABA Creation: How to Check Camera Sensor for Dust and scratches ~ ABA Creation
Dust and Scratches on your friend's Camera Sensor? What? That’s really very bad news. You want tocheck your camera for dust and scratches? But don’t know how to check it yourself and don’t want to spend 100 bucks on your doubt? It’s like a nightmare for any camera owner especially for D-SLR owner. No problem here is a simple DIY solution to Check

11 Apr 2013

02:22

What is ISO


flower
Image with 2 different ISO setting
ISO in digital cameras indicates how much sensitive the sensor is, to the light. There are different values for ISO in your digital cameras i.e. ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 and more. If you choose higher value, the sensor will be more sensitive to light and produce more grains in the image and if less value chosen, the sensor will be less sensitive to the light and produce high quality image without grains. For example ISO 6400 will produce more grains than ISO 100 as shown in the given Picture.
High ISO values allow you to shoot with fast shutter speed to achieve optimal exposure with given aperture. High ISO also allows you to shoot under low light, but at the same time it also produce grainy image and reduces the quality of your image. Low ISO setting produces high quality images but limit the use of higher shutter speed. Choosing ISO value is all depends on under which circumstances you are photographing and how much you can compromise with the quality of your image. 
In the above Image, you can see clear grains  photograph at high ISO setting i,e. ISO 6400 while the another image ISO 100 have no grains and have better quality. The shutter speed for the Image ISO 100 and ISO 6400 was 1/160 and 1/25 respectively.



8 Apr 2013

03:11

Shutter Speed


water
Shutter speed 1/2000

Camera shutter speed is the duration of time that the shutter remains open and allow light to fall on the sensor. The longer the shutter opens the more light reach the image sensor. It also you can also use it interestingly, if shutter speed is fast, it can freeze the action and requires more light from other source like aperture, because faster shutter speed can not allow more light to reach the sensor, requires wide aperture or high ISO number to equalize the exposure. For example you want to capture some sports action like basket ball and you set the shutter speed as fast as 1/1000 sec, now make sure that you set wide aperture like f/1.4 or f/2.8 or according to whatever the light condition allow you, (we’ll discuss on how to set right exposure in our later post) but now we wont discuss on exposure so lets stick with the topic. Again if shutter speed is slow, it can smooth the moving subject like water but don’t expect to capture any action in slow shutter speed setting. If you are using manual mode, this feature can create magic, depends on how creatively you use this feature. If you want to make shutter opening and closing manually, use bulb mode.

Points to Remember:
1.     To freeze fast action (basket ball match, bike riding etc.) start with 1/800 or 1/1000 sec.
2.     For portraits and regular photos use at least 1/200 sec.
3.     Low shutter speed allows photography in bad light condition.
4.     Fast shutter speed needs larger aperture (smaller f-stops number)
5.     Slow shutter allow smaller aperture (larger f-stops number)
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6 Apr 2013

07:49

Learning Camera Aperture (f-Stops) :Explained

Aperture diagram
ABA Creation Diagram: f-stop opening
Aperture is the size of the opening on the lens mouth, allow light to enter the camera. The larger the f-stop number, smaller the aperture opening. For example- f/5.6 or f/8 means larger opening than f/11 or f/14. Please refer the diagram.


Let’s make this simpler.We can say this, it works on the same principle on which our eye does. The larger the opening the more

the light enters and vice versa. If you want to see how it works just stand in the front of the mirror with a torch in your hand, light the torch direct in your eyes, now slowly get the torch off your eyes and towards your eyes. What happens? The pupil of your eye shrinks small to control the amount of light enters into your eye, when you get torchlight directly into your eyes and when you remove torch off your eyes the pupil shrink large to allow more light to enter. The same thing happens with your camera and when you use manual mode you control this yourself.

How Aperture works?

Actually, the question is how you want it to? everything depends on the type of photograph you want to capture. If you are photographing landscapes(pic-1), you need to set larger f-stop number(smaller aperture opening) and while taking closeups you may need to set smaller f-stop number(larger aperture opening). This is called depth of field(we'll discuss this topic in our later post). If you want your subject to be in focus and everything out of focus(pic-2), then you must set smaller f-stop number(larger aperture opening), and if you want to make everything in focus then set larger f-stop number(smaller aperture opening).
Tree
Pic-1
Shutter 1/125,APERTURE f/11 ISO-100 
In pic-1 I need short depth of field and want everything the background and foreground in focus, so I set the aperture f/11, actually when taking a landscape photo, it good to be above f/11, though f/11 worked for me here. You can set the aperture at f/14 and above.
Wheat grain
 Pic-2
  Shutter 1/250,APERTURE f/5.6 ISO-100
In Pic-2 you can see the foreground and background are out of focus and extra depth of field is used.You can achieve this result with smaller f-stop number (larger aperture opening). I use f/5.6 but don't hesitate to go with more smaller f-stop number(larger aperture),f/1.4 or f/2.8 can also create magic.
There is no hard and fast rule, just believe in yourself and do what suits you. All will comes with practice, the best way to learn anything.

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07:26

What is Exposure:-xplained

Camera dial
In digital cameras, exposure means the amount of light enters in the camera that reaches the camera sensor to make an image. When you turn off your Auto mode and use manual mode this is very important to know how the things work. Now the question is how light enters in the camera and how it can be controlled.

Following are the three things responsible for the exposure.

Aperture (f-stops)-Size of the opening of the lens, through which light enters in the camera
Shutter speed-Duration of the time that shutter is open
ISO-Sensor sensitivity to the Light.


You can control these features to control the amount of light enters in your camera. To control exposure (Shutter speed, Aperture, and ISO) and set the right exposure for your camera is not easy, the only thing you can do is practice, practice, and practice. We have to continuously increase and decrease the numbers until we get the right exposure. If you allow more light to enter the camera, the image can be overexposed or if allow less light to enter the image can be underexposed but you can also use this feature to show some creativity (we’ll discuss this in our later post).I found this book Basic Studio Lighting: The Photographer's Complete Guide to Professional Techniques very helpful for the lightning tutorial. In this book, you can master the lighting techniques step by step and learn the control over Shutter speed, Aperture, and ISO. Tell us how we can improve this article or what more expect from ABA Creation

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5 Apr 2013

01:16

Shutter priority,Aperture priority,Program and Manual mode explained

What is this M A S P on my camera? What is this Av Tv? How is this useful to me? Lots of question in your mind and the answer is here. Now its time to turn off your Auto mode and make decision by yourself. On most digital cameras you’ll find a variety of exposure modes, typically referred to as:
camera
pic 01

• Aperture priority AE (Av)
• shutter priority AE (Tv)
• Program AE (P)
• Manual (M)

Obviously the entire above mode has their own function and particular use. It’s important to understand when to switch to these exposure modes lets explain each of these separately to understand their functionality when to use.

Hot Camera Equipments


1. Aperture Priority Mode:
As the name indicates, it’s all about your priority and if your priority is to control only aperture then set this mode. The aperture priority mode enables you to set the f-stop (Aperture) and the camera will then adjust the shutter Speed to give the correct exposure. In other words you just set the aperture and forget about the shutter speed, camera will look after that.

Dragonfly
Photograph by Abhishek Anand
f/5.6, Exposure time 1/200, ISO/200, 55mm AV mode

When to Use: This mode is particularly useful in low-light conditions, where you want to set the brightest, widest f-stop in order to get the highest shutter speed and the minimum amount of movement. When want to blur the background of foreground or in other words, more depth of field is needed, you can use a small f-stop to get as much of your picture in focus as possible. I also use this mode when photographing landscapes and nature, where continuously I need to change f-stops too continuously. For example when I photograph any landscape I need to change f-stops from f-5.6 to f-14 or f-16 and vice-versa when taking close-ups.




2. Shutter priority AE (Tv): 
Again it’s all about your priority and if your priority is to control Shutter speed then just set this mode. Using the shutter priority mode, you can set the shutter speed, and the camera selects the f-stop (aperture) to give the correct exposure.
Fast shutter
Photograph by Abhishek Anand
f/10 Exposure time 1/200, ISO/4000, 18mm Tv mode
When to Use: This can be especially useful when you’re shooting action pictures like sports and wildlife action and you want to freeze the motion by setting a high shutter speed. By the same token, if you were photographing a waterfall and you wanted the water to blur, you could set a slow shutter speed and the aperture would adjust accordingly. It goes without saying that both modes assume you have enough light to expose your pictures within the range of shutter speeds and apertures you’re using.

3. Program AE (P): This setting leaves all the decision-making to the camera. The camera sets a combination of shutter speed and aperture so you don’t have to think about exposure at all.

When to Use: Personally I never use this mode and in my personal opinion this mode can be rarely choose in any condition of photography (may be this opinion would be change in future) but In some cameras this may be set up as subject programs such as “portrait,” “sports,” or “landscape.” Be careful though. If there’s not enough (or too much) light to achieve the effect you’re after, your camera won’t be able to work miracles. Even on this setting, check the LCD to make sure you are getting the images you want. And remember that you can still use auto exposure compensation to override the camera’s decision.

4. Manual (M): Oh this is my favorite mode; any professional photographer would say this when asked by someone. If you want to have full control over the camera then manual mode is there, just turn it on. This mode enables you to manually set ISO, the shutter speed and the aperture (we’ll talk about ISO Shutter speed and aperture in our later post) independently of each other, referring either to the camera’s built-in meter or to a handheld meter. Professionals tend to use manual exposure and handheld light meters. This allows them to take multiple meter readings in various points of the subject frame. In this method the photographer has total control over the pictorial effects that various shutter speed and aperture Combinations can achieve.

Points to Remember:
Aperture priority AE (Av) - set the f-stop (Aperture) and the camera will adjust the shutter Speed. Use when-low light conditions, change f-stops too continuously.

• Shutter priority AE (Tv) - set the shutter speed, and the camera selects the f-stop (aperture), Use when-shooting action pictures like sports and wildlife.

• Program AE (P) - Camera sets shutter speed and aperture, Use when-shooting portrait, sports, landscape but always be careful

• Manual (M) - You set ISO, the shutter speed and the aperture, Use when- it’s your choice.



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4 Apr 2013

02:38

When was the last time you use Bulb mode in your Camera

Published by http://abacreation.blogspot.com/

Light painting
Photograph in Bulb Mode
Bulb Mode in a camera is like a fun feature and I really enjoy this item. When I started photography, it was a complete surprising experience, every day I learn something new about my camera and I enjoy this very much, bulb mode was one of them. Before you start make sure you must have a tripod. You can check out this Ravelli APLT2 50" Light Weight Aluminum Tripod with Bag, its cheap an better but you are free to use any one of your choice, without a tripod its difficult to use bulb mode because this feature use slow shutter speed.This particular feature can add a new dimension in your photography. So if you still unaware of how to use bulb mode exist in your camera, just check camera manual guide and search for this feature or if you are using Nikon d5100 like model just turn your camera dial to manual mode, turn your camera focus on manual and focus at infinity, start rotating the shutter speed wheel until it comes to bulb mode. Now enjoy and share your experience, let everybody know what miracle you did with Bulb mode.
Next: How to Check Camera Sensor for Dust and scratches

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2 Apr 2013

01:49

Photograph Stars at Night / ABA Creation

Published by http://abacreation.blogspot.com/

Photograph stars at night are really a fun experience and today I decided to write my experience about photograp­­­­h stars at night without flash. I was totally blind of the results. Actually I wanted to make a photograph which is full of stars and blue sky, but sky looked so black at night with naked eye and very few stars are visible, I had no idea what would I make finally. I was working with Nikon D 5100, a kit lens and a tripod.

starsI decided to put my camera on bulb mode(we’ll discuss later how to use bulb mode in our later post), set the camera on tripod and to keep my camera more steady and sharp, just set the shutter release on 2 sec delay mode (to make camera extra steady) or you can also use shutter release cable or shutter release remote. I clicked some photographs and after some adjustment on Photoshop, got this result. This is how I shoot these stars at night. So grab your camera and let everybody know what you made, share on ABA Creation.

Next: How to Use Bulb mode in your Camera
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24 Mar 2013

12:05

ABA Creation: How to Check Camera Sensor for Dust and scratches

Published by http://abacreation.blogspot.com/

Dust and Scratches on your friend's Camera Sensor? What? That’s really very bad news. You want to check your camera for dust and scratches? But don’t know how to check it yourself and don’t want to spend 100 bucks on your doubt? It’s like a nightmare for any camera owner especially for D-SLR owner. No problem here is a simple DIY solution to Check Camera Sensor for scratches and Dust.

So you have a D-SLR and wondering if your sensor is working properly. You know sensor is very sophisticated part of your camera and can be easily damage if it doesn't handle with care. If you get single dust on your camera sensor it could be spoil you photography experience. So how would you check your sensor for scratches and dust particles at home, without any tools and gears, even you don’t need to spend 100 bucks on maintenance. It’s very simple, just watch this video and follow the steps.

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28 Feb 2013

00:43

ABA Creation:Photography Tips for Beginners:


How to start with your camera, create your own style of photography, and make great images.

When I was thinking of writing this article I have only one thing in mind how it would be helpful for the beginner photographers (I never call them immature photographers) because  when I started I have faced many problems like choosing my type of photography, what to photograph, how to start etc. and spends lots of time by reading photography tips, watching images but I realize there is no particular type of photography you have to stick with, reality is when you think to be a photographer, sky is the limit, so I thought to share my experience through this article may be this will help you. 

I have seen lots of my friends who are always try to make some stunning photographs but being a beginner photographer they failed most of the time. Reason? Simple they photograph every thing and every time without any vision. They don’t even bother to think what and why they are photographing and that is the reason I found their pictures are very confusing. I also realize that they strongly emphasize on the techniques like taking images with different angles, filling frames with subject, this is good and everyone who photograph must think about that but one should also keep in mind, this techniques alone cannot make great images, techniques can make a photograph good, not great. Then what makes that? Answer is ‘The Subject’. How you treat and how you see your subject. First of all ask yourself what you want to photograph? What is your interest of photography? This is very important; you cannot photograph anything and everything because there is hundreds of styles like Commercial, Event, Macro, Nature, Night, Panoramic, Portraits and People, Sports,  Action, Adventure Underwater, Time-Lapse, Travel, Street, Architectural, Urban, Landscape, Still Life, Wedding Etc, etc, etc.. Don’t worry you just have to choose only one and think, if you are enjoying to photograph them? Obviously it will take your lots of effort and time as well may be more than a year to understand but without follow this step you cannot move further. Be careful may be you will realize there is more than 2 or three style you love to photograph, so don’t be very particular about this. When I started I thought I would only do wildlife photography but when I tied people photography I really enjoyed and now spend my most of the time by taking portraits of people and I realized how this is challenging (I shall discuss about this in detail in my next article that would be focused on portrait photography only).So when you are on the way of making great images from the beginning always keep this 5 things below on your mind.

Think and Shoot: 
Whenever I take pictures first of all I imagine how this look like would, I never ever shoot instantly (this will not applicable on wildlife photography, this type of photography needs instant click because you cannot predict their action.)I think, manage to get my pose and then click. (see pic01)


(pic01)
Be interactive: 
Anything you photograph needs interaction. It means talk to your subject, try to understand their nature whether the subject is live or Still no matter just make relation with them before you click. Being a beginner you really need to practice this and improve this gradually. When I did this I was surprised by the result.  I spend lots of time with flowers, leaves, trees and after a little interaction with them I click my camera. May be this sounds weird but try this, you will be surely surprised. (see pic02)


(pic02)
Be Positive: 
Yes, this may be not seemed to be very important but believe me this is as much important as your subject of photography. Your altitude can simply change the mood of your subject (if you are taking images of peoples.) and your positive altitude can turn your image live. Let’s take a simple example, if you are trying to take a portrait of a kid and he is not looking comfortable while posing, what you think you should do? just keep on photographing her and talk to him about any thing, make him comfortable, be a friend never ever let him know he is not posing according to you, just be nice with him and I promise he’ll award you with a great portrait. (see pic03)


(pic03)
Do Experiments: 
I always like to do lots of experiment with my camera and I realize at the end of the day I got at least one photo in my camera which looks great and most important I get something new. Believe me if you experiment in your photography, actually you make something new which is your very own discovered style. Take some photos with different angle, try to hold camera like never been before, lay down, kneel down, hold camera vertical, use available lights creatively etc, I don’t want you to be confuse, I am just telling you to do something which is yours. This is good to follow great photographers and there photography tips they are universal useful after all they are great, you must follow them but this is necessary to develop your own style which can make you great photographer.

Shoot and learn: 
Go out side and take images, Best way to learn. Practical knowledge is always better and helps you to learn the things faster. Just get out of your home with your camera, take image and see how it works. All the best.

Written by Smita for aba creative works


29 Jan 2013

10:36

NIKON COOLPIX P510: how to shoot high speed movie.

Last Sunday I got an opportunity to hold Nikon CoolpixP510 and I was surprised with its performance. The image color tone was really great in auto mode, I must say, sometime greater than my Nikon D5100 DSLR comparison will not be right But here we’ll talk about P510’s  HS 120/fps feature.

My friend came to me with his excited face and brand new P510 and asks me to learn him some cool features. And the first feature came to my mind was its high speed movie i.e. 120 fps,This has become a trend in almost all Nikon P series cameras. That was really a fun.When I told him about this feature he asked me, ‘how to shoot high speed movie’ I told him its very simple  than you think with Nikon user friendly keys.

Press menu button just below in the left side of the navigational key Come 1 step down with navigation key and Go to shooting menu Go to movie setting Select 640x 424; 120fps Now press record button and enjoy. Now he know how to shoot high speed movie with his brand new camera.
Look at the result in this video. This is really funny. I am looking so stupid, please don't laugh.



We will talk about some new feature of Nikon later.