Tabla de contenidos para Canon for Beginners en Canon for Beginners

Many photographers argue that the quality of the ‘glass’ used in a camera setup is more important than the camera itself, because without a good lens, the sensor quality can’t be realised. Canon lenses come in several ranges, which suit different budgets and user demands. The standard Canon-fit lenses for EOS digital SLR cameras exist in two types: EF-mount and EF-S mount. The EF-S range is designed for cameras with APS-C sensors, whereas the EF-mount lenses are designed for full-frame DSLR cameras (but will still fit APS-C sensor models). Their range covers fixed-length prime lenses, long telephoto zooms, macro lenses and everything in between. Last up is Canon’s L-Series (L for luxury) range, a premium choice that’s been designed for professionals. L-Series lenses can be recognised by their distinctive red…

21 DSLR SKILLS TIPS! There are more superb entry-level Canon EOS DSLR cameras catering to beginners than ever, in the slinky shapes of the Canon EOS 1300D, 200D, 750D/760D and 800D. More up-market enthusiast models range from the latest 77D to the venerable 80D and the power-packed 7D Mk II to the highly advanced full-frame 6D Mk II. Then there are the professional-level 5D Mk IV and 5DS/R models that offer more advanced pro features and a bigger megapixel count on their fancy full-frame sensors. While Canon is something of a legend for keeping things as simple as possible, any DSLR can be a daunting prospect for newcomers. We’re here to give you a helping hand. Over the following pages we’ll cover the basics, from setting up your new camera…

Portraiture offers a real test of a photographer’s technical skill, creativity and charisma that sets it apart from other genres of photography. There’s nothing quite like coming away from a portrait shoot knowing you’ve nailed every aspect of the challenge – the camera settings, the lighting, the composition, and the subject’s character. When everything comes together in one harmonious frame, the results can be spectacular. However, anyone who’s tried their hand at portraiture has also probably experienced the crushing disappointment that comes when grumpy subjects, technical slip-ups or misjudged lighting spoil a shot. Both technically and artistically, there’s always plenty to think about on a portrait shoot. And then there’s the other X factor: the connection between the subject and the photographer. But if you can head into a shoot…

There are a variety of different ways to photograph subjects in motion. Action photography can be about freezing moments in time, but it can also be about showing motion. Sometimes a fast shutter speed doesn’t tell the whole story, and a slow shutter speed with a panning motion creates a much more expressive and compelling image, as the motion blur captures a sense of movement. Panning is when you follow a moving subject – think cyclist, runner or race car – along its plane of motion with your camera. The concept is simple: you set your Canon to an extended shutter speed, move your camera with the subject and fire the shutter. In practice, it can be a bit tricky; fortunately, Canon have added a Panning Scene mode to several…

We’re used to seeing wildlife through the barrel of a telephoto lens, so why not take a different approach and try capturing animals with a wide angle? The altered field of view you get with a wide angle will give your photos an entirely different feel, as well as showing off more of the animal’s surroundings. By contrast, the narrow angle of a long zoom results in blurred backgrounds and compresses the perspective. So with a wide angle you can simultaneously create greater intimacy with the subject and make wildlife photos that are unlike anyone else’s. It’s also a fun challenge, both for your camera skills and patience. Whether you’re shooting exotic animals around the world or ducks at the local pond, the technique for this remains the same. The…

It’s great to use a little fill-flash when taking portraits in daylight to lighten up people’s faces and reduce harsh shadows. However, DSLRs have a maximum flash sync speed determined by the amount of time it takes for the shutter curtains to physically move across the sensor – usually 1/200 or 1/250 sec, depending on your EOS DSLR. This means that, in bright conditions, you can’t shoot with flash at wide apertures at these sync speeds (eg f/2.8 at 1/200 sec) without ending up with overexposed images, and if you set a faster shutter speed, you’ll end up with a dark band across the frame as the moving shutter is captured in the image. An alternative option is to set a narrower aperture, but while the face will be brightly…

For those just getting started with studio lighting, things can seem a little daunting. But fear not: we’ll explain how to get set up, which camera settings to use, and how to build a classic lighting setup in minutes. Home studio flash kits, such as the Elinchrom D-Lite set we used, bring huge benefits compared to flashguns. Firstly, they give you greater control over exposure. They’re more powerful, meaning you can get away with lower ISOs, so you get high-quality images with less noise. And changing the flash power effectively gives you control over depth of field, as you can increase power and close the aperture for more, or lower the power and open up the aperture for less, so you get to decide what’s sharp or soft. But the…

There’s something really quite magical about rays of light beaming towards thr ground. Whether seen on a misty morning walk as the sun breaks through gaps in the trees, or inside a dusty room pierced by shafts of light from the window, light rays can create a wonderful atmosphere. We can make use of this beautifully serene atmosphere to enliven our portraits with the technique explained over the page. Although we think of them as ‘light rays’, it’s not really possible to photograph a ray of light. What we’re actually seeing is the light illuminating particles in the air. So the key to creating the rays is to fill the air with particles, whether it be steam, mist, dust or smoke. Here, we’ve made use of an inexpensive smoke machine.…

As much as it’s about skill, perseverance and downright nerve, skateboarding is also about creativity – which is something that we photographers can relate to. Both pursuits rely on a combination of imagination and technique – just as a skater adopts the right line and strives for perfect execution, a photographer chooses the camera angle and considers the best way to capture the moment. Perhaps this is why the best skate photography has a visual poetry to it that most other action sports can’t match. Or maybe it’s simply because the motion of a talented skateboarder in full flow is so visually appealing. This is especially true when we combine several frames for a sequence photograph like this one. Photographers have always wrestled with the challenge of conveying a sense…

When importing photos into Lightroom CC, the first thing you’ll want to do is begin processing the images. On the right side, under the Edit panel, the first set of edit controls available reside in the Light panel – aptly named, for it allows you to control the light levels of the photograph. From here it’s possible to adjust overall Exposure (brightness) of your image, alter Contrast, control Highlights, lift or reduce Shadows, and adjust the Whites and Blacks sliders. If you have an underexposed image, it’s possible to increase the exposure and save an image that otherwise would be lost. However, the controls should be used sparingly, for if you’ve underexposed an image, even if you can retrieve that data through, say, increasing the exposure by a stop or…

Online galleries and portfolios provide quick and easy ways to share your images, but your photos are vulnerable to theft on the Internet. By shooting a photo you automatically own its copyright, but once it’s been downloaded and reposted to other sites, prospective clients won’t necessarily know who the photograph belongs to. This might result in a photo being used without anyone crediting or paying you. However, you can digitally assign your copyright and contact details to a photo’s metadata, so that this important information will always be attached to the image. This helps potential clients contact you if they want to use the image in any way. But while embedding copyright info into metadata is useful, people can still ignore it and make an unauthorized print of your image.…

There are plenty of techniques for sharpening your photos, but few are as effective as High Pass sharpening. This method makes use of Photoshop’s High Pass Filter, which separates an image into high frequency and low frequency detail. It effectively allows us to target the edges in an image – where light pixels meet darker pixels and apply contrast to them, resulting in crisper and sharper details. The High Pass technique is especially suitable for localised sharpening of specific areas of an image. If you think about it, when an image has out-of-focus, detail-less areas (as is often the case with macro photos) there’s really no need to apply universal sharpening to these areas, as all we end up doing is amplifying the image noise – not ideal at all.…

Just like the clothes we buy and the cars we drive, picking a camera brand is a very personal choice. Every camera might do a similar job – taking pictures – but it’s the heritage, functionality and style of that camera that we’re also literally buying into when we invest in a new system. Canon is still one of the ‘big-two’ players in the industry (their major rival being Nikon), and the company was originally formed in 1933 as a specialist optical lab in Tokyo. In 1934, it came up with a prototype ‘Kwanon’, Japan’s first 35mm focal-plane-shutter camera, and just one year after, the ‘Canon’ trademark was officially registered. Fast forward in time to today, after hundreds of camera releases and leaps in technology, and Canon makes cameras to…

A lothough Canon has spent decades refining the way in which its cameras handle, that doesn’t mean the default, box-fresh way an EOS is set up is perfect for everyone. But although you can’t do anything about where the buttons are placed, there are many ways you can configure the controls and settings so the camera operates as effectively as possible for the type of photography that you do, and the way you like to do it. All EOS DSLRs offer quite a large selection of Custom Functions that allow you to finetune camera performance, although you’re only able to set them when you’re using one of the Creative Zone exposure mode – Manual, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Program. You can access the Custom Functions by selecting the orange…

One of the most enticing things about photography is that it’s such an easy hobby to start. Yet it offers untold depth to those who choose to look for it. Anybody can take a picture, and almost everybody you know has a camera. But just a little extra knowledge is all it takes to separate the real Canon DSLR enthusiast from the occasional happy snapper. The Canon Crash Course we’ve lined up for you over the following pages puts the focus on the fundamental aspects of photography that matter most. Turn the page now and get ready to learn, relearn and discover how to use the incredible features on your Canon! CANON CRASH COURSE CONTENTS Camera anatomy The settings and features, common to all Canon EOS DSLRs, that no photographer…

Photographing beautiful scenes in bright sunny conditions is a rare treat during gloomy winter months, but when inviting conditions do appear, it’s sometimes tricky to capture an image that retains detail in every part of the frame. Problems arise when the whole scene isn’t evenly lit. As the sun is lower in the sky during winter, you’re often faced with a high-contrast scene, with lots of dark shadows and bright highlights to contend with. Thankfully, your Canon EOS DSLR is equipped with a choice of built-in solutions to help when shooting high-contrast scenes. First up is Auto Lighting Optimizer (ALO) that’s available as a menu option on all current Canon bodies. ALO uses selective tone curve adjustments to tweak the shadows and highlights. It’s useful for opening up darker areas…

Sweeping coastlines and craggy cliffs make for dramatic photographic subjects. Many of the general landscape photo rules remain relevant for coastal shots, but seaside scenes benefit from more detailed planning. This is because coastal locations are constantly changing, both over the course of a day and across the seasons. For example, tides transform the mood and composition of shots, and spring flowers inject striking colours into otherwise drab cliff-faces. Arriving in the right place at the right time for that money shot is easier said than done. Online or OS maps will help you scout out potential new shooting grounds. Apps, such as The Photographer’s Ephemeris, will help you to determine which direction the sunrise and sunset will fall at your chosen vantage point. Lighting is key for this type…

Traditional landscape and seaside shots are usually taken using a wide-angle focal length, such as 16mm (or 10mm on an APS-C sensor), and narrow aperture, such as f/16, so you can capture a large part of the vista, and ensure it’s sharp from the foreground to the horizon. In this project, however, we’re going to show you how creative your scenic shots can look if you do the opposite. We’ve come to Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier, in Somerset, as it offers a clear focal point with lots of sand for our foreground. We have timed our visit so that the tide is out – it’s easy to check tide times in advance online (try www.tidetimes.org.uk). Be aware of how the high and low tide times vary on each day, and how…

UUsing candles is an effective way to capture nicely lit portraits, with the warm light creating an evocative atmosphere. But you need to follow a few key techniques for the best results. First off, we’re using a wooden floor to act as a reflective surface for the candlelight. Avoid drafty locations as otherwise the flames will flicker – like a candle in the wind! Shooting at night with the lights off is best, but shooting during daytime with the curtains closed should be dark enough. We draped black material behind our model; this area doesn’t need to be totally dark as we’re exposing for candlelight, which renders the backdrop and surroundings black anyway. Using more candles throws more light onto your subject; we found around 20 tea lights worked well,…

Think about the images we’ve seen from the Hubble Space Telescope where nebulae, distant stellar nurseries, form new stars in the universe. Well, those same laws of motion can be seen here on earth. When making a cup of tea, you’ll surely have noticed the wonderful swirling patterns created as the milk’s poured in. But what if our cup was made of glass? We could watch the milk unfurl below the surface instead. Well, switch that cup for a glass fish tank, and change the milk to paint, and we suddenly have a very photogenic subject. Once lit, we can freeze this flow of paint mid-motion with our Canon DSLR and capture a slice of time. All it takes is a little patience and a lot of water. In fact,…

This stop-motion effect is created by a pulsing flash that fires lots of times during a long exposure, freezing the action multiple times as our dancer moves through the frame. Known as stroboscopic flash, it’s an interesting technique to try on any moving subject. All you need is a dark space, a tripod and a speedlight with a stroboscopic or ‘multi’ mode. Timing plays a huge part in this kind of photography project, and in three very distinct ways. First there’s the timing of the flash – you can choose the number of flashes and determine how quickly they fire, so you’ll get varying results depending on the flash count and frequency. Secondly, there’s the timing and flow of the subject’s motion – actions that might look graceful in real…

This is one of Mother Nature’s greatest displays; a dazzling curtain of greens and pinks that dances across the night sky. But how easy is it to photograph the Northern Lights? Well, in terms of technique it’s not difficult at all, you simply need a tripod and a DSLR that performs well at high ISOs. It’s sighting the aurora that proves more tricky. On our five-day trip to Norway we saw the aurora twice, while others we spoke to had seen just one faint display in two weeks. The elusiveness of the Northern Lights is part of the appeal, and makes a sighting even more special. But there are ways to increase your chances of success. The aurora may occasionally be spotted in Scotland or even further south, but the…

Sometimes, even with lots of preparation in the white balance and colour settings in-camera, your final photo can lack punch. This could come down to a variety of different factors, including lighting conditions, lens flare or innate limitations in the image sensor. It’s handy, then, that you can adjust colour in such a powerful way in Lightroom CC 2018. The Color panel is laid out in an intuitive way that makes it easy for even the beginner to navigate. From the top we see White Balance, Vibrance and Saturation. In Lightroom CC 2018, we also have a redesigned Color Mixer, which makes it easier to selectively adjust the Hue, Saturation and Luminance settings of any individual colour channel as you wish. If you get stuck, Adobe has even thrown in…

Many of Photoshop’s tools are brush-based. By changing the size, softness and opacity of a brush-based tool, you can fine-tune the way it alters the pixels in an image. If you use a graphics tablet then you can use changes in stylus pressure to create lighter or darker strokes and work with more precision. You can also use brushes to mimic natural media. Select the Brush tool, then click the Brush Preset picker and scroll down to find more creative shapes, such as Chalk, which produces a grainy texture. You’ll also find creative brush tips, such as Leaves, which scatters random leaf shapes. By clicking the Brush panel icon you can modify the way a preset shape behaves, such as making the leaves scatter in less dense clumps.To make Photoshop’s…

A Adobe Camera Raw A free plugin used by Photoshop and Elements (and built into Lightroom) to process and edit Raw files. Adobe Camera Raw is frequently updated to support the newest camera models. AF Stands for autofocus, in which the lens is adjusted automatically to bring the designated part of the image into sharp focus. Almost all modern lenses for digital SLRs have AF, which is achieved via one or more sensors and a motor either integrated into the lens itself or into the camera body. Angle of view A measurement of how much a lens can see of a scene from a particular position, usually measured in degrees. The longer the focal length of the lens, the narrower the angle of view. Zoom lenses have adjustable angles of…

Canon offers one of the most extensive DSLR systems in the industry, which includes bodies (the camera itself), lenses and accessories. It produces and organises its DSLRs to suit every type of user: Entry Level, Advanced and Professional. Those just starting out would typically be looking for a model with the smaller APS-C format sensor, which strikes a balance between being affordable, easy to carry, but still capable of producing good images. APS-C sensor cameras can also be the preferred choice over full-frame models for genres such as nature and sports, because the crop factor enables photographers to get closer to their subjects with a given lens. Canon’s APS-C sensors have a crop factor of 1.6x, a touch less than the 1.5x found inside Nikon and Sony models. Full-frame cameras…

Canon understands that not everyone looking for a new camera is a professional DSLR user, and it also produces a range of popular point-and-shoot options to suit beginners, enthusiasts, and those who want an easy to use family camera. These fixed-lens, or ‘compact’ cameras are a better choice than a DSLR because they’re smaller, cheaper or designed to do a specific job. Canon has two compact camera ranges: its basic Ixus models are designed for style, simplicity and pocket travel, while its PowerShot range of cameras are designed for photographers interested in features, controls and a wide range of subjects. Within the PowerShot family, you’ll find superzoom models – which fit powerful zoom lenses up to 65x into still compact and stylish camera bodies – and Bridge models with a…

Are you getting the most from Canon DSLR lenses? What lens you pick to shoot a subject, and how you use it, has a big influence on the quality of your photos. Your lens’ focal length affects how much of the scene you can include, which will influence the viewpoint and composition. Furthermore, the apertures available on your lens – from f/1.4 to f/36 – will affect the depth of field, which will also determine the shutter speeds that you have available. The main reason for switching lenses is to choose a one that suits certain subjects or scenes. A wide-angle lens is the natural choice for landscapes as you want to include as much of the scene in your frame; while for sports and action you’ll want a telephoto…

Essential Kit THE EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED TO GET STARTED Canon DSLR Wide-angle lens Comfortable bag Waterproof bag cover Sturdy tripod HANDY EXTRAS UV filter Polarizing filter Lens cloth 1 The right kit For the best chance of success you need to look, feel and dress the part Donning the trendiest outdoor clothing won’t elevate your photography, however it does pay to invest in some practical outdoor garments. The right clothing will protect you against the elements and enable you to shoot for longer in comfort. Summer isn’t always sunny, so think about dressing for wet and stormy weather, as well as heat and humidity. Whatever your budget, opt for versatile, water-resistant and lightweight clothes. Look at how well ventilated they are and whether they can be packed away in a…

At one point or another, you’ve probably been scrolling through a folder of files on your computer and thought, “I wonder where I shot that?” Thankfully, the latest Canon DSLRs have in-built GPS functions that can identify where your files were taken – and they can also track the journeys you take with your camera. Whether you’re out shooting nature, wildlife, travel, stock images or even just your own personal photography, geotagging will help you keep track of where all your photos and videos were taken. Starting with the 6D, and continuing with the 6D Mark II, 7D Mark II, 5D Mark IV and 1D X Mark II, a number of EOS bodies can tag images and videos using global positioning systems. Once you’ve enabled the GPS on your camera,…

What’s the best way to shoot portraits in daylight? Use a long focal length and wide aperture to blur the backgrounds so the subject stands out? Or use some fill flash and underexpose the background for extra contrast and drama? If you use a wide aperture for a shallow depth of field to blur the background behind your subject in even lighting, you may have to accept annoying shadows on their faces, and the backdrop will be much the same brightness as your subject as well. If you use flash you can fill in shadows on faces. But with your camera’s maximum flash sync speed of around 1/200 sec, you’ll need to shoot at an aperture of around f/9 or more if you want to underexpose and darken the background…

Food photography is one of those genres that’s very easy to get wrong – but easy to get right with some know-how. In this project we went for a subtle festive feel, with mince pies as our subject, but the tips we’re dishing out can be applied to most treats. Use the ideas as food for thought, rather than a set of strict rules to follow. To get started, you’ll need a surface to style on, food of your choice and a few props to hand. We all know that quality lighting is vital on any shoot, but if you pick the wrong type for food, the results immediately look hideous. Lighting from the front yields a flat and unsavoury effect, but side and backlighting has much more potential for…

We photographers have a bit of a love/hate relationship with movement. Sometimes it’s a real pain and we strive to keep it to a minimum. At other times, we want to celebrate it in all its blurry glory. The motion of traffic at night falls into the latter category. By using a long exposure in the low evening light, the smooth motion of their lights creates wonderful streaks of colour through the frame. This is one of those camera skills that reveals the true magic of photography – and anyone with a DSLR and tripod can do it. As such, it’s a great way to get started with long-exposure photography as there’s no need for extra filters or even a cable release. The real challenge of capturing light trails is…

Venturing out into sub-zero temperatures while Jack Frost is nipping at your nose might not sound all that appealing, but morning frost offers a myriad of opportunities for the photographer who dares to venture out into the winter wilderness. Landscapes are transformed with a glistening sparkle, ice forms impossible abstract patterns, and a coating of ice crystals gives everyday objects an extraordinary look. Frost forms when overnight temperatures fall below zero. Moisture in the air freezes on cold surfaces, forming weird and wonderful shapes in the process. Get up early and head out while it’s still dark because the rising sun will melt ice rapidly, and you’re better off heading out into open areas, such as fields and parks, rather than woodlands, as the canopy can prevent frost from forming.…

Black-light photography involves shooting a subject under ultraviolet lighting. To the eye these kind of lights appear to emit very little light, but that’s because the bluish UV light is at the limits of the visible spectrum, and much of the output is invisible. However, the UV can cause white or neon colours to produce visible light, giving it a glow that looks so incredible when used in combination with body painting. We booked a model and a make-up artist and hired a couple of UV LED batten for our black-light shoot. But you don’t necessarily need to spend lots on this; you can achieve similar results on a shoestring budget. The body paint costs just a few pounds, and you can buy UV lights or bulbs online for as…

We often think of twilight as the most atmospheric part of the day. But after dark can also be a terrific time to head out with the camera, especially if you’re intending to photograph in an urban setting. Coloured lights from shop windows, passing traffic and neon signs can all make for a marvellous backdrop when shooting portraits. So, in this project we’ll explore a few ideas and techniques to create unique portraits after dark, using the environment to give it a creative edge. You don’t need any fancy kit for this, there will be plenty of spots of ambient light that can be used. But, if you do bring along your own lighting you will have the freedom to shoot almost anywhere. We’ll begin by looking at how to…

Atrip to the seaside wouldn’t be complete without an ice cream, a walk along the beach, and… a refreshing dip in the freezing-cold water. Plenty of us have sat on the beach with a long lens, shooting the waves as they lap against the shore. It’s easy and it’s safe, but the results can be a little dull. Have you ever considered running into the sea with your Canon in your hands? The idea isn’t as crazy as it sounds – provided you protect your kit from the elements. With a waterproof housing for your camera you can keep your pride and joy dry while hopping in the water and photographing inside a wave. There are options to suit every budget, from the simple Aquapac submersible bag that we used,…

The Effects and Detail panels are two features of Lightroom CC that, although not new, work together seamlessly to powerfully alter the final image. They combine a lot of useful but incremental adjustments that include changing contrast, sharpness and noise for a drastically different photograph. You might find these areas useful when working on a photo like ours here – something hazy, distant, lacking contrast or definition. Sometimes haze can enhance an image, but in this case we have two people towards the right of the frame we want to highlight. The mountains behind the subjects are covered with cloud, which makes them less impressive. So we’re going to give this shot a boost of sharpness for a more striking, visually appealing result. “We’re going to give this shot a…

Stretch an exposure to several seconds or more and the movement of clouds is captured as a beautiful silky blur. It’s one of the landscape photographer’s most potent visual devices, but it requires a tripod and a strong neutral density filter. If you don’t have this gear to hand, you can recreate the look with simple Photoshop skills. The long-exposure, blurred-clouds look goes well with a moody black-and-white treatment. So we’ll begin by converting our image to monochrome. There are many ways to remove colour in Photoshop, but one of the most powerful is found within the Camera Raw plug-in. Here we can strip out the colour while controlling the brightness of eight colour ranges, so we can fine-tune the brightness of green grass, blues skies and any other colours…