THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK - SCOTT KELBY

Whilst in the library, I came across a book which I really enjoyed reading. Kelby gives you tips and tricks on how to use your SLR camera. Below are some of the main points I feel were really interesting and useful:

• HOW TO GET THE SHARPEST PICTURES:
  1. Use a tripod
  2. Buy a cable release
  3. Use self timer
  4. Enable Exposure Delay Mode on a Nikon and Mirror Lock up on Canon
  5. Turn off vibration reduction when using a tripod! This is because if there is no vibration and you have this mode on, the camera will try to look for it and therefore cause a slight vibration within the camera
  6. Shoot at the camera's sharpest aperture
  7. Use a lens with good clear glass
  8. Always zoom in to check sharpness as the small LCD screen can be misleading at first
  9. "The Death Grip" is a way of holding you camera strap around your arm and wrist for complete control
• HOW TO SHOOT FLOWERS:
  1. Don't shoot downwards at them because this is normally how everyone looks at them. Try new angles such as getting down on eye level
  2. Use your zoom lens to achieve a depth of field
  3. Shoot them after it has just rained, or if not, just take a spray with you and spray them yourself
  4. Try shooting on a black background, especially white lillies
  5. Do not buy an extensive lighting rig, use natural light as the petals absorb this better
  6. Buy flowers from a florist! Don't try and find them as you won't be able to find a "perfect" flower outside on the streets
• HOW TO SHOOT LANDSCAPES:
  1. Use a tripod!!!
  2. You can only shoot at two times in the day. This is known as the GOLDEN RULE. The first time is as dawn, 15 to 30 minutes before sunrise then 30 minutes to an hour after that. The other time is dusk, again 15 to 30 minutes before sunset and up to 30 mins afterwards. This is so you get the warmest and softest light and shadows.
  3. Have a background, middle ground and foreground = DEPTH IS INTERESTING
  4. Leave your shutter open longer when taking a picture of waterfalls etc. This will create that mystical effect of the water
  5. Don't include the ground when shooting forests, and shoot when it overcast
  6. Don't just put your horizon line in the middle. Focus on what you want to emphasise, i.e if it is the sky, put the horizon line two thirds at the bottom
  7. Turn on HIGHLIGHT WARNINGS. This means that when you look at the LCD screen, any 'blown out' or completely white areas will start blinking. For example if you have clouds that start blinking, you can adjust the exposure settings
  8. Don't put your tripod down and stay there. Keep walking! You may come across the shot you wanted, but the chances you find this in the first few minutes is slim
  9. Experiment with Polarizing filters which cut down reflections
  10. Shoot just before a storm, or JUST after
  11. Use fog - it's atmospheric
  12. When shooting animals, focus on their eyes. Don't crop the image too close to the animal, give them some space. 
• HOW TO SHOOT PEOPLE:
  1. Use a short zoom lens, with a focal length of 85-100mm (this reduced facial distortion you get with wide lens) Use the aperture f/11
  2. Use seamless or muslin backgrounds, or when shooting outdoors make sure the background is simple
  3. Focus on the eyes
  4. Position at eye level - don't shoot down on children
  5. Stand 6 to 10 feet away
  6. When taking pictures outside, find a shady area as the shadows will be softer
  7. For great light indoors, stand by a window for natural light
  8. To get great shots outside of people when there is a sunset, turn off your flash and aim at the sky. Hold your shutter halfway to it focuses on the sky then while still holding the shutter button, point your camera towards your subject, turn your flash on and take the picture!
  9. Balance sunlight with reflectors when shooting outside
• HOW TO NOT RUN INTO PROBLEMS!
  1. ALWAYS white balance inside when using fluorescent lighting to avoid a yellowish tint
  2. When the weather is cold, the batteries don't last as long
  3. Don't change lenses in dusty weather!!
  4. Always apply for permits to shoot at a public location!!
  5. Use a UV filter to protect your lens
  6. To avoid red eye, detach your flash from the camera and hold it a couple of feet away from the lens. Bounce the flash off the ceiling
• TAKING CITY SHOTS:
  1. Hire a model!
  2. Shoot at dawn: the golden rule and also streets will tend to be empty
  3. Look for bright and vivid colours
  4. wheretheprosshoot.com
  5. Shoot the details
  6. Take a picture of the sign! This can be of the building, church, cathedral, whatever you're taking a picture of!
  7. Shoot pictures of fireworks on a tripod! Shoot in full manual mode: shutter speed=4secs, aperture=f/11