Real Science, Sorta
Here’s your most excellent acronym for the best processing of a photo shoot.
ATOMIC REACTION
A Aperture Priority - This is important!
T Test your settings
O Observe the result
M Modify the settings
I Implement
C Clear to shoot
R Results
E Extrapolate
A Adjust
C Cogitate
T Transform
I Ignore (failures but not process)
O Organize
N Notes
Aperture Priority
Aperture Priority, often noted as the most important setting on your camera, plays a crucial role in your photoshoot process. While some subjects may require specific shutter speeds or ISO settings, don’t overlook the power of Aperture Priority when it's needed.
Rest assured, the most important tool is setting the aperture. This allows you to control the depth of field, limiting it to the plane of the primary subject or expanding it to ensure every plane of focus is sharp. With this knowledge, you can confidently make stunning photographs.
You will learn this by doing. Pick a subject with a foreground object. Focus on it and run through all of the aperture settings from the lowest number to the highest number.
Do not use the camera LCD screen to judge the results. You must see the differences on a larger screen. Transfer the photos to your computer and observe the differences there.
See which f-stops work the best. What is in focus in each? Look at the out of focus background. What does the bokeh look like? Too large or too small. The size is affected by the f-stop.
Find the balance of foreground focus and background spectral lights that works best for the subject. This will be different for different subjects.
You’re now through the ATO in ATOMIC. The initial observation is complete.
Return tomorrow for MIC.
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