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DSLR Workflow

From start to finish, how to shoot, edit and present digital images.

You’ve just purchased or been given your first DSLR however there is every chance that the images you are producing are no better then the ones you were capturing on your compact camera.

This could be down to the fact you aren’t yet aware of how to use your DSLR to its fullest potential. This month DCE takes you through the basic guide from start to finish to ensure you are getting the most out of your DSLR and images. Take your camera off auto mode and build upon your photography skills in the shooting, editing and presentation departments by following this simple guide. You will gain the necessary techniques across the next eight pages to produce top quality images that you can take pride in.

Shoot- How to take photographs

With more settings and controls then a compact camera a DSLR can feel overwhelming and may discourage many from moving away from the auto mode setting.

Photography is all about reading and balancing light so you need to think about everything in a logical manner. If you consider your camera to be a set of scales that requires shutter speed, aperture and ISO to all balance in order to achieve the correct exposure. All these elements have been discussed in previous tutorial sections of DCE however for those who require a refresh here is a quick recap.

ISO is the charge of the sensor and most models range from 100-6400. Shutter speed is how fast the shutter is opening and closing to allow light through and the average DSLR ranges from 30 - 1/4000 sec. The aperture is the amount of light coming through the lens and a narrow depth of field is usually around f.32 to a shallow depth of field f.2.8.    

The basic settings to know

Metering a scene

When you meter a scene depending on the conditions you are shooting determines how you approach the exposure. If you are shooting in overcast conditions then it is best to take an average reading of the whole scene. If there is extreme lighting conditions i.e. a high contrast of light and dark then use the spot meter and select the area you want to expose. 

Reading the light meter

After selecting how you are going to meter a scene you now need to know how to read the light meter. Most systems work in the same manner and to ensure the expose is correct the needle needs to sit in the middle.

Manual mode

If you have your DSLR on manual mode this means you have more control over all elements and will achieve better results if you know what you are doing. Using the camera on manual mode can be slower and does take some time to get used to. You need to think about ISO, shutter speed, aperture and white balance.

Shutter and aperture priority

These two elements work in conjunction with each other. If you have your camera set on shutter priority then you control the shutter speed and the aperture will change accordingly to balance the light. This works vice versa and can be useful if you need to shoot quickly yet have some control over one setting. On Canon models the shutter priority could be labelled as Tv.

Uploading images

Getting your images from your camera to computer

There are many different methods of uploading your images from your camera to your computer however one of the easiest ways to do this is to use a card reader. As there are many different formats of memory cards make sure the device is compatible with the card. To upload images simply plug the reader into the USB port on your computer, make a folder, then drag the images over.

Other methods include plugging the camera straight into the computer with the USB cable that should be provided in the box. You may also need to install some software when using this approach. Some DSLRs come with a HDMI cable which means images can be viewed straight from the camera onto a high-def television screen.  

File formats -What to shoot in?

Most DSLRs have the option of shooting in a variety of formats. The two most common for DSLRs are compressed JPEG and uncompressed RAW. Once images are on the computer there are even more formats to work in however unless you are a professional photographer most are worth staying clear of. Some can be confusing to use and restrictions can apply with certain programmes. If you are shooting in RAW then the option of shooting with a high resolution JPEG is usually available and worth selecting.

RAW

RAW is the first choice format to shoot in, as the files are not compressed meaning images retain more information and are easier to correct post shoot. On the down side RAW files are large in size and can be slow to upload. If you are a complete amateur then this format is worth avoiding however if you are an enthusiast or want to progress in the medium then it is best to start shooting in RAW and JPEG simultaneously. 

JPEG

JPEG is a compressed file that is the standard format for nearly every camera. Being a compressed file means compared to the RAW format the file holds less data. On the plus side sizes are much smaller then RAW files so are easier to work on. They take up less storage space on both computer and memory card and are easier to open with all software programmes.

TIFF and PSD

The TIFF format remains widely accepted as a photograph file standard in the printing business. TIFF files are not as flexible as JPEGS however it is still recognised in most programmes.
If you use the programme Photoshop or Photoshop Elements then there is every chance that you will have come across the PSD format. Photoshop files are useful as they retain information such as layers (as can be seen in this example) however in size they can be large to store. 

Edit

There are a variety of software programmes that can be used for editing images. Adobe Photoshop is one of the best however it is very expensive to buy and most users will rarely progress past using the basic settings, as it is so complex.

Photoshop Elements on the other hand is a basic version of the programme and can be purchased for under £100 or you can download a free trail from www.adobe.com. All these programmes are very similar in style so for the sake of this tutorial we will be using Adobe Photoshop Elements however the advice given can be applied to most software packages.

Filters and experimenting

Easily switch images to black and white by going into the enhance menu, select colour adjust, then choose the option remove colour. Increase the contrast and brightness levels either in levels or simply on the brightness/contrast bar, as this will give the image more depth and texture. 

There are a variety of different filters to use in Photoshop Elements and most software programmes have similar features. Filters are simple to apply and work by selecting menu option filters and choosing the one you require. The diffused glow shown in this example looks effective in the clouds.   

A more subtle effect such as this paint daubs filter adds texture to the image without making it look over the top. The trick when it comes to filters is less is more. The mistake many amateur photographers make when they start editing is making the effect too heavy. Remember you want the image to speak for itself. 

Other basic editing tools

Cropping images

The crop tool is one of the most useful tools in any editing programme. Straighten up horizons and cut out unwanted objects/people/space from images. If you find you are cropping your images more often then not then make an effort to consider your composition when you take the shot. The more you crop into an image the more resolution you loose.     

Dodge and burn tool

Both these tools can be useful if there is a small area that needs lightening or darkening. The burn tool darkens and the dodge tool lightens. To make effective use of these tools turn the opacity on the top bar down from 100% to 50% or sometimes 25% as otherwise brush strokes can look too harsh. Size can also be adjusted depending on the area you are working on.

Layers

Layers are an extremely useful application and although the complexity of them operates into great depths they can also be simple and effective to use in the basic mode. It is worth duplicating layers if there are many parts that need changing. Once a layer is duplicated the unwanted part can be removed with the eraser tool. 

Correcting images

There are many different things you can do post shoot to help enhance your images and you do not have to be a computer whiz to be able to do them. For the amateur photographer then there is no real need to move past the basic adjustments in editing software programmes. These adjustments come in the form of levels, colour balance, filters, hue/saturation and for those wanting to push their skills a little further layers can be a good tool to utilise. With all these editing skills practice makes perfect so keep going even if at first you don’t understand

Levels

Levels are a controlled way to adjust the contrast and brightness of an image. They work using three bars illustrated by a histogram. If you slide the dark bar up the shadows get darker and vice versa with highlights with the light bar. The middle bar works for the contrast increasing and decreasing it as you slide it up and down.

Colour balance

Colour balance is quite an art to master and can be variable depending on a number of factors. Firstly it is best to have your screen and printer calibrated so what is being projected from the screen is accurate. Personal preference also plays a role in colour balance, as some images can look more effective with cooler or warmer tones. 

Hue/saturation

The hue and saturation of a photograph is how rich the colours are. I.e. if the image has strong colours then the photograph has a high saturation level however if the image looks washed out then the saturation is weak. Tweaking the saturation level can really make a big difference to the overall impact of the image.     


Presentation

The sad fact of the matter is most images taken in the digital format never make it past the screen and remain stored in a folder on a computer. Taking the time and making the effort to present your photographic work can be highly beneficial not just for your own gratification but also for others.

There are many different ways to present your images that range from the printed image to posting your work online for others to view digitally. Social networking in the last few years has become a popular method for sharing images and for those wanting to take the medium seriously a website is worth considering. Other methods for photographers of all abilities are sites such as Flicker, Facebook and the Digital Photographer (www.dphotographer.co.uk) online gallery. These sites are all easy to use with a huge number of people already following meaning you can share and view the work of others. 

Books and albums

Presenting images in this manner can be ideal as a gift or as a treasured memory and does not have to cost a fortune. Websites such as Jessops (www.jessops.com) and Blurb (www.blurb.com) are a cheap and easy way to produce a printed book for under £35. Books and gifts from these sites can be self-designed so you need to think about the images and layout carefully. 

How you arrange your images can make a huge difference to the overall impact of the book. To make an impact to the viewer juxtapose interesting images together to tell a story or use shots which have some sort of connection. Often a scene that has been taken far away can look effective with a close up image of the same subject matter as can be seen in the example here.  


Other ways of sharing images

Online sharing

Most images these days never make it past the screen and the Internet has become a sea of photographs posted by all photographers of different abilities. Online gallery sites like our sister title Digital Photographer (www.dphotographer.co.uk) is an excellent way to share your images and get constructive feed back from fellow photographers.

Digital Photo frame

These electronic devices can be a great way of showing off your images in a slideshow manner meaning you are not restricted to displaying one image. There is a range of digital photo frames available that vary greatly in price and quality. One of DCEs top reviewed digital photo frame recently is the Jessops 8” digital Picture frame that retails at £48.

The Photo frame

There is something romantic about the printed image as a material object and still an effective way of presenting a photograph. A variety of frames can be purchased for a small amount of money ranging from a small mantelpiece frame to one you can hang on the wall. If you are going to produce a large image make sure the resolution of the image is high enough to retain quality.

Printing

Printing images is a great way to display your treasured memories however with technology increasing at a fast rate this side of photography has become rather complicated. The process for many can become frustrating as certain products cannot be used together meaning images appear to have colour casts or just won’t print at all. As every printer and computer is different there is no generic solution that can be applied to all devices.

When setting up your printer if you find you are having trouble contact the printer manufacturer as most will be more then happy to talk you through the set up. Buying cheaper paper and inks may seem like a good option however more often then not it is hard to calibrate the printer and inks with the paper. Using the manufacturers paper and ink in the long run will save money and will produce better quality prints from that printer.

Colour calibration.

Colour calibration is a tricky part of the printing process and the relationship between the screen, inks and paper is what makes the difference between a great and bad print. Devices such as the Color Munki are for the more advanced photographer however they work to ensure all colour elements are matching. For more information go to colourconfidence.com.

Allow the ink to settle

Once an image has been printed in an ideal world the inks need 24 hours to settle, as the colours change in this period as they sink into the paper. Remember that the life of a digital print will be reduced greatly if it is placed in direct sunlight. Find a sheltered spot and protect your image from scratches and dust by placing it behind glass or a clear surface.

Present in an album or frame

The printed image can be a great gift or centrepiece in a room so think about presentation skills and how the photograph will appear in the space. Framing an image to a larger size or printing it on canvas can look really effective and have the wow factor.

 

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