Knowing the capabilities and limitations of your camera equipment is a key to successful photography. The following is a quick reference.
GENERAL
1. Locate your owner's manual for your camera equipment. Read it.
Review it every time you are going someplace where you might take a special
photograph. Make sure you have a camera bag which will hold your camera, the owner's
manual, film, an extra set of batteries, and odds & ends.
2. Hold your camera horizontally like you are about to take a photo. Now look at yourself in a mirror. Are your fingers, hair, etc. close to any of the camera's important points (lens, light sensor, flash unit, etc.). Adjust your handling of the camera and note any unwanted tendencies you might have. Hold the camera vertically. Check yourself again in a mirror.
FOCUS
1. How close can you get to an object with your camera?
___________________
Do you have to make any special adjustments (press a
button, use a different section of your view finder, etc.) at your closest distance?
Exposure Control (Shutter Speed and Aperture
/f-Stop)
1. Can you take manual control of your camera's exposure
control system?
If "yes", make a note about how it's
done:
2. Notes: Fast shutter (1/500th)
- stops motion
Slow shutter
(1/30th) - blurs motion
3. Notes: Large aperture,
indicated by a small f-stop (f2.8) - shallow depth of sharp focus
Small
aperture, indicated by a large f-stop (f22) - great depth of sharp focus
4. If you think you might be using slow shutter speeds, invest in a tripod. Try to find one which can be carried in/on your camera bag.
FLASH UNIT
1. What is the effective range of your flash unit?
From ______ to _______
Notes: If you try to use your flash closer than
the smaller distance, your photo will be overexposed.
If you go beyond the larger distance, your photo will be dark.
2. Hold your camera vertically as if you were about to take a picture. Is the flash below the lens? If "yes", get used to holding your camera the other way - so your electronic flash is above your lens and the light will look more natural, coming from above.
3. Can you detach your flash from your camera or use a secondary flash? If "yes" make a note on how to do it.
4. Can you set the light output of
your flash manually?
a. If "Yes", how is it done?
b. If "Yes", place a note in
your camera bag how to determine/set flash output for various distances
Notes: On
some flashes, this information is on the flash, for others you may need to copy
information from the owners manual
FILM
1. What speed film do you generally use? ASA _________
2. Film Makers Recommendations:
a. On a bright day with
distinct shadows, what shutter speed (
) and aperture (
)
b. In full shade (dawn/dusk),
what shutter speed ( ) and aperture
( )
3. Camera Bag Check:
a. At least one extra roll of
film
b. The paper or carton from a
roll of film showing camera settings for different light conditions
c. Note paper and something
to write with (record names of subjects, equipment settings used, etc.)