taking photos of flowers

Every year, there will be two flower shows in Lalbagh. One in the month August and the other, in the month of January. I have been visiting flower shows from past several years.

This time, some flowers were arranged in a good manner. As usual, roses were excellent.

This is the 50^th year of the lalbagh flower show.

 Some flowers were having attractive colour patterns.

 I took about 150 pictures. Some of the good pictures are here.

simple tips:

1] set the aperture to f4 or f5.6

2] set the camera to A mode, i.e aperture priority auto mode.

3] take several photos at different angles and at different distances.

basics-4: controls of camera

camera basics

modes

There is a popular" misconception" that photographer need not learn about basics while using advanced digital camera, The camera cannot decide what type of photo we want.
To take good photograph, learning basics is a must.
If you are a serious photographer, then the first step is to buy a camera having manual mode setting.
The photo illustrates different shooting modes like P,A,S, and M

shutter priority mode

1] S mode : it is shutter priority mode. shutter opening and closing time can be controlled in this mode.
*camera will control aperture, to give correct exposure
*Normally from a maximum of 8 sec to 1/2000 sec can be varied in steps.
* long exposures( > 1/30 sec) are used only when the camera is on a tripod stand, else there will be camera shake because of our hand vibration.
*normal exposures (1/60 to 1/250 sec) are used for all out door shootings on a bright sunny day
* high speeds (< 1/250 sec to 1/2000 sec) are used for sports, etc.

aperture priority mode

aperture

2] A mode: it is aperture priority mode. The opening of the aperture can be controlled in this mode.
* the figure shows different openings of the aperture.
* these are measured as "f stops" or "f numbers"
* f no = aperture diameter/ focal length
* more opening means less F number! (see figure)
* aperture is varied to control the light and depth of field( which i teach later)
*camera will control shutter, to give correct exposure

program mode

exposure

p mode is program mode:
* the camera selects the best shutter and aperture depending on the light and other conditions
* we can program this and store this in some cameras
*it is mainly for taking many different photos under similar conditions
* correct exposure = area of opening X time of exposure

manual mode

M mode is manual mode:
*creativity starts here
* we have full control over shutter as well as aperture in this mode
* for all other modes, exposure will be correct, but in this mode we can make a bright day as a dim lit day etc.
* these modifications are to give special effects

basics-3:F number

i will illustrate the operation of aperture in a camera

aperture of a camera

Working of aperture in a camera lens

Aperture is used for controlling amount of light entering through the lens of the camera.
It is made up of very thin metal leaf segments overlapping on one another.
When we rotate the control , the leaf opening varies, allowing more or less light.
Wide open aperture allows maximum light and small opening allows less or minimum light.
Opening is not measured by diameter , but a parameter called “f number”
“f number” = diameter of the opening/ focal length.
“f number” normally varies from 2.8 to 22, 2.8 being maximum opening and 22 being minimum opening.
As f number increases , opening will decreases.

f number

aperture

look at the image to understand the concept of aperture and "f number"
you can see the thin metal leaf like blades arranged radially. when the lens ring is rotated, the opening or closing of the aperture. As the opening increases, f number decreases as explained above.

basics of photography-2: colour temperature.

Basic setting

color temperature

Every camera will have a basic adjustment for color temperature correction. Most neglected thing is that the correct color of the photo depends also on the color of the light falling on the object.
color temperature of tube light is different from that of a bulb light and so on. So, we have to first adjust the camera for this.

Auto mode

auto mode

The adjustment menu is called “white Balance”.
Look at the photo, it is directly taken from the display screen of a digital camera.
When you cannot decide the correct color due to combination of light etc, the you have to select ‘Auto’ mode. The camera decides the correct color to the possible extent.

Custom mode

color temperature

‘custom’ mode is used to take lots of photos in a fixed type of lighting, say bulb. This allows to adjust the color to your liking and set it as custom.Even in tricky situations, you can adjust all settings and make it as custom.

Sun light mode

sun light

This is the symbol for sunlight mode. It is normally used for all day light photos. But, note that sun light color is correct to this mode from 10AM to 4PM. You know that early morning and in the evening, sun light will be reddish in color.

shade mode

shade mode

This is the symbol for shady sunlight area. The requirement of this is use full mainly when it is a cloudy day.A bad weather is good day for certain type of photography where even lighting is required. This mode is also use full for partially sunlight areas.

Tube modes

tube mode

The three symbols are for tube lights. The first is for normal tube light of 1mt length.
The second one is for 50 cm emergency tube
light.
The third one is for CFL type tube. If your camera is having only one tube light setting, Do not worry. All the above three tubes are almost the same color temperature.

Bulb mode

bulb mode

Fourth one is for the bulb light. It is also called incandescent light or filament light. It is having yellowish temperature. So if you take photos in tube mode with bulb light you will find large color error.
Now, try all above things and even with wrong adjustments and learn the effect of color temperature.

which camera to buy?

There are a number of camera types, makes and models with almost any price tag. So, many people are getting confused about which camera to buy. Many will end up in buying a camera by considering its visual appeal or advertisement and then realize that it will not serve their purpose.

Remember, resale value of present day digital camera will drop down to 75% of its market price, even if you try to sell it as soon as you purchase!
There are some points to remember before buying any camera.
1] purpose of buying
For most of us, point and shoot camera is enough. If you are into serious photography, then think of a good camera with all the controls.

2] affordability of your purse
A good camera naturally costs more. In that buying spirit, do not over spend.
3] ease of carrying it.
Many of us will have good big camera, but it is difficult to carry. So, many times most of us will end up in keeping the camera in the shelf and taking pictures in mobile camera!
4] one camera cannot do every thing!
We cannot expect one camera to suite every purpose. So, many photographers will have more than one camera, like a big one with all controls and a compact one for simple events

Basics of photography.-1: Depth Of Field

• Basics of photography.

• Depth of field
• 
  

• Large depth of view gives all in focus!

Depth

Even though the new digital cameras can almost take pictures on any subject in any conditions, it cannot take picture  “as you want”. This is because in the same frame or composition, you may focus an object of your interest only, making other thing in the background blur , by adjusting the aperture suitably.

Depth of field

Large aperture

It is the most important but most neglected subject of photography. Even though the new digital cameras can almost takepictures on any subject in any conditions, it cannot take picture “as you want”. This is because in the same frame or composition, you may focus an object of your interest only, making other thing in the background blur , by adjusting the aperture suitably.

As an illustration,in the photo of a flower above,with aperture kept wide open ,say f4, to intentionally blur the background. If the aperture is closed more, depth of field is increased, so that ugly back ground will also be in focus. Of course, one should have a digital camera which can have manual mode to adjust the aperture, to get the above results.

Large depth of view gives all in focus!

Large depth of field

Let us look at another photo in which aperture is kept small, so as to increase the depth of field. Here, from the nearest object to the farthest object are in focus. So, what ever may be the advancement of the camera technology, it cannot understand your intention many times. That is why , as a compromise in many cameras, different modes like close up, beach, indoor … will be provided. But it cannot substitute your intelligence and creativity.

So, learning basics is a must, what ever may be the camera and latest technology!