Table of Contents

 

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Our Formula for Successful Images

Writing Books

Chapter 1Cameras and Accessories

Camera System Choices

Key Camera Features

Sensor Size

Camera Batteries and Chargers

Memory Options

Avoiding Memory Card Problems

Protect the Camera

Camera Strap, Cable Release, and Attached Lens Cap

Your Camera System

Chapter 2Choosing and Using Lenses

Lens Makers

Third-party Lenses

How Lenses Work

Maximum Aperture

Fast Lens Advantages

Focal Length

Image-stabilization

Lens Choices

We Prefer Zoom Lenses

Wide-angle Lenses

Standard Lenses

Telephoto Lenses

Super-telephoto Lenses

Tilt/Shift Lenses

Macro Lenses

Teleconverters

Lens Accessories

Consider Your Lens Needs Carefully

Chapter 3Mastering Exposure

Exposure Guidelines

JPEGs

RAW

Exposure Strategy Summary

Exposure Basics

Law of Reciprocity

Exposure Aids

Understanding the Camera’s Exposure Meter

Autobracketing

You Can’t Meter Everything!

Summary

Chapter 4Conquer Extreme Contrast with HDR

A Little History on Solving High Contrast

A Better Way to Overcome Contrast

Single Image HDR

Still More Processing

Chapter 5Shoot Sharp Images

Start with a Clean Lens

Handheld Photography Techniques

When You Do Not Need a Tripod

Tripods

Tripod Head Accessories

Sharp Shooting Techniques

Focus Accurately

Chapter 6Focus Stack for more depth of field and Sharper Images

Tilt/Shift Lenses

Focus Stacking to the Rescue

Focus Stacking Advantages and Disadvantages

Software Choices

The Focus Stacking Process

Lens Choices

Processing the Stack of Images

Conclusion

Chapter 7The Magic of Light

The Qualities of Light

Bottom Line

Chapter 8Close-up and Macro

Magnification Definition

Ways to Focus Closer

Shooting Sharp Images

Ideal Close-up Light

Summary

Chapter 9The Power of Flash

Flash Advantages

Flash Basics

Getting Started with Flash

Selecting Your Off-Camera Flash System

Getting in Sync with Flash Sync

Multiple Flash

Conclusion

Chapter 10Compose Pleasing Images

Let’s Be Honest

Compositional Guidelines

There Are No Rules!

Chapter 11The Night Sky

Photo Equipment

Focusing

Stars as Points of Light

Star Trails

Process the Stack of Star Images

Northern Lights

Chapter 12Our Digital Office

The Evolution of our Business

Editing and Storing Images

How We Edit Our Images

Storing Images

Software Choices

Conclusion

Resources

Custom Camera Equipment for Outdoor Photographers

Photography Workshops

Photo Stacking Software

Books

Websites

Magazines

Photographic Equipment

Index