Shooting Modes Pt 2 Basic Zone

basiczone2
Now that you have learned and practiced shooting in the automatic mode, lets take it a notch up and broaden your skills. the icons highlighted in by the red line in the image above is know as the basic zone, according the Canon users manual that came with the camera that nobody reads.

we will go over each mode and further explain what it’s is good for and when to use it.

Tip: as you shoot in each mode the aperture, shutter, and iso with change automatically according to lighting conditions. if you make a note of the these settings, it will make it easier when shooting in the creative and manual modes.

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Portrait
The (Portrait) mode blurs the background (shallow depth of field) to make the human subject stand out. It also makes flesh tones and the hair look softer than with the (Full Auto) mode.

 

Shooting Tips

  • The further the distance between the subject and background, the better. The further the distance between the subject and background, the more blurred the background will look. The subject will also stand out better in front of a plain, dark background.
  • Use a telephoto lens. If you have a zoom lens, use the telephoto end to fill the frame with the subject from the waist up. Move in closer if necessary.
  • Focus the face. Check that the AF point covering the face flashes in red.
 
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Landscape
Use the (Landscape) mode for wide scenery, night scenes, and to have everything in focus from near to far (wide depth of field). The greens and blues also become more vivid and sharp than with (Full Auto).

 

Shooting Tips

  • With a zoom lens, use the wide-angle end. When using a zoom lens, use the wide-angle end. This will have objects near and far in focus, better than at the telephoto end. It also adds breadth to landscapes.
  • Shooting night scenes. Since the built-in flash will be disabled, this mode is also good for night scenes. For night scenes, use a tripod to prevent camera shake. If you want to photograph a person against a night scene, set the Mode Dial to <> and use a tripod.
 
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Close- Up
When you want to photograph flowers or small things up close, use the (Close-up) mode. To make small things appear much larger, use a macro lens.

 

Shooting Tips

  • Use a simple background. A simple background makes the flower, etc., stand out better.
  • Move to the subject as close as possible. Check the lens for its minimum focusing distance. Some lenses have indications such as <40.28m/0.9ft>. The lens minimum focusing distance is measured from the (focal plane) mark on the camera to the subject. If you are too close to the subject, the focus confirmation light will blink. Under low light, the built-in flash will fire. If you are too close to the subject and the bottom of the picture looks dark, move away from the subject.
  • With a zoom lens, use the telephoto end. If you have a zoom lens, using the telephoto end will make the subject look larger. Shooting Tips
 
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Sports
To photograph a moving subject whether it be a child running or an auto race, use the (Sports) mode. this mode is focused on shutter priority and AI Servo focusing mode.

 

Shooting Tips

  • Use a telephoto lens. Using a telephoto lens is recommended so you can shoot from afar.
  • Use the center AF point to focus. Aim the center AF point over the subject, then press the shutter button halfway to auto focus. During autofocusing, the beeper will continue beeping softly. If focus cannot be achieved, the focus confirmation light will blink. When you want to take the picture, press the shutter button completely. While holding down the shutter button, continuous shooting (max. approx. 6.5 shots per sec.) and autofocusing will take effect.
 
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Night Portrait
To shoot someone at night and obtain a natural-looking exposure in the background, use the (Night Portrait) mode. Using a flash is highly reconmend (580IIEX, 430IIEX, 220EX)

 

Shooting Tips

  • Use a wide-angle lens and a tripod. If you use a zoom lens, set it to the wide-angle end to obtain a wide night view. Use a tripod to prevent camera shake.
  • Keep the person within 5 meters/16.4 feet from the camera. Under low light, the built-in flash will fire automatically to obtain a good exposure of the person. The effective distance of the built-in flash is 5 meters/16.4 feet from the camera.
  • Shoot also with (Full Auto). Since camera shake is prone to occur with night shots, shooting also with (Full Auto) is recommended.
 
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Flash off
In places where flash photography is prohibited, use the (Flash Off) mode. This mode is also effective for candlelight scenes when you want to obtain the candlelight effect.

 

Shooting Tips

  • If the numeric display in the viewfinder blinks, take care to prevent camera shake. Under low light when camera shake is prone to occur, the viewfinder’s shutter speed display will blink. Hold the camera steady or use a tripod. If you have a zoom lens, use the wide-angle end to reduce blur due to camera shake.
  • Taking portraits without flash. Under low light, the person must not move until the picture is taken. If the person moves during the exposure, he or she might look blurred in the picture. Shooting Tips
 

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