Contents
The Real Secret to Getting Sharp Photos
The Other Most Important Secret
Perhaps Even More Important Than That!
If You Skip This, Throw Away Your Camera
If You Do This Wrong, It Will Lock Up
Getting “Tack Sharp” Starts with a Tripod
A Ballhead Will Make Your Life Easier
Don’t Press the Shutter (Use a Cable Release)
Forgot Your Cable Release? Use a Self Timer
Getting Super Sharp: Mirror Lock-Up
Turn Off Vibration Reduction (or IS)
Shoot at Your Lens’ Sharpest Aperture
Good Glass Makes a Big Difference
Avoid Increasing Your ISO on a Tripod
Sharpening After the Fact in Photoshop
Did You Resize That for the Web? Then Resharpen!
Getting Steadier Hand-Held Shots
CHAPTER TWO
Shooting Flowers Like a Pro
There’s More to It Than You’d Think
Shooting Flowers with a Zoom Lens
Use a Macro Lens to Get Really Close
Can’t Afford a Macro? How ’bout a Close-Up?
The Perfect Light for Indoor Flower Shots
Where to Get Great Flowers to Shoot
Consider Just Showing One Part
CHAPTER THREE
Shooting Weddings Like a Pro
There Is No Retaking Wedding Photos. It Has Got to Be Right the First Time!
Tricks for Low-Light Shooting in a Church, Part 1
Tricks for Low-Light Shooting in a Church, Part 2
Do You Really Need the f/1.4 Lens?
Getting Soft, Diffused Light with Flash, Part 1
Getting Soft, Diffused Light with Flash, Part 2
Use Your Flash at Outdoor Weddings
Finding That Perfect Bridal Light
Don’t Spend Too Much Time On the Formals
Formals: Build Off the Bride and Groom
How to Pose the Bride with Other People
The Trick to Keeping Them from Blinking
Formals: How High to Position Your Camera
Formals: The Trick to Great Backgrounds
Reception Photos: Making Them Dance
Your Main Job: Follow the Bride
Shooting the Details (& Which Ones to Shoot)
Change Your Vantage Point to Add Interest
What to Shoot with a Wide-Angle Lens
Keep Backup Memory Cards on You
If Shooting JPEGs, Use a Preset White Balance
CHAPTER FOUR
Shooting Landscapes Like a Pro
Pro Tips for Capturing the Wonder of Nature
The Golden Rule of Landscape Photography
Shoot in Aperture Priority Mode
The Trick to Shooting Waterfalls
Getting More Interesting Mountain Shots
The Trick for Warmer Sunrises and Sunsets
Turn on “The Blinkies” to Keep More Detail
How to Deal with the Dreaded Blinkies
Don’t Set Up Your Tripod. Not Yet
The Trick to Getting Richer Colors
Getting Rid of Lens Flare—The Manual Way
The Landscape Photographer’s Secret Weapon
Keeping Your Horizons Straight
Tips for Shooting Panoramas, Part 1
Tips for Shooting Panoramas, Part 2
Tips for Shooting Panoramas, Part 3
Why You Need a Wide-Angle Lens
Want to Take Things Up a Notch? Shoot Low
CHAPTER FIVE
Shooting Sports Like a Pro
Better Bring Your Checkbook
Pro Sports Shooting Is Dang Expensive
Set Your White Balance for Indoor Sports
Shoot at a 1/1000 Sec. Shutter Speed or Faster
Shooting at Night or Indoors? Raise Your ISO!
Getting Burned by Indoor Lighting
RAW or JPEG for Sports Shooters?
Shoot Vertically for More Impact
Don’t Be Afraid to Crop Your Photos
Don’t Always Focus on the Winner
CHAPTER SIX
Shooting People Like a Pro
Tips for Making People Look Their Very Best
The Best Lens for Portrait Photography
Using Canvas or Muslin Backgrounds
Positioning Your Subject in the Frame
Taking Great Photos of Newborn Babies
Better Natural-Light Portraits with a Reflector
Use a Reflector When the Lighting Is Flat
CHAPTER SEVEN
Avoiding Problems Like a Pro
How to Avoid Digital Headaches
Pro Tips to Avoid White Balance Problems
Cold Weather Shooting Means Extra Batteries
Don’t Change Lenses in Dusty Weather
Apply for Permits to Shoot with Your Tripod
A Tip for Shooting on an Incline
The Other Reason Pros Use a Lens Hood
Keeping Your Lens Out of Trouble
Limit Your LCD Time to Save Battery Life
Bracket If You’re Not Sure About Exposure
CHAPTER EIGHT
Taking Advantage of Digital Like a Pro
It’s More Than Just a Replacement for Film
Level the Playing Field: Press That Button
Edit as You Shoot to Get More Keepers
Take Advantage of the Blinkies
The Viewfinder “Border Patrol” Trap
No Penalty Fee for Experimenting
Don’t Cram Too Much on One Card
Take Advantage of Poster-Sized Printing
You’re Probably Going to Lose Your Lens Hood
Is It Better to Underexpose or Overexpose?
Keep from Accidentally Erasing Memory Cards
Which Brand of Camera Should You Buy?
CHAPTER NINE
Taking Travel & City Life Shots Like a Pro
Tips for Travel Photography
How to Be Ready for “The Shot”
Shoot Kids and Old People. It Can’t Miss
Hire a Model (It’s Cheaper Than You’d Think)
Shooting Travel? Visit 500px.com First
Don’t Try to Capture It All: Shoot the Details
The Best Shot May Be Just Three Feet Away
Shoot the Signs. You’ll Thank Yourself Later
For Maximum Impact, Look for Simplicity
What to Do When It Has Been “Shot to Death”
Including the Moon and Keeping Detail
If You Have a Laptop, Take It With You
Want a Rooftop Shot of the City? Try This
Getting “Nearly Tourist-Free” Shots
CHAPTER TEN
How to Print Like a Pro and Other Cool Stuff
After All, It’s All About the Print!
The Advantages of Shooting in RAW
How to Process RAW Photos in Photoshop
Compare Your LCD to Your Computer Monitor
Organizing Your Photos with Lightroom
How Many More Megapixels Do You Need?
Printing 17x22s—The Pros’ Choice
Which Paper Should You Print On?
What Determines Which Paper You Use?
Getting Your Monitor to Match Your Printer
Download the Color Profiles for Your Paper
Selling Your Photos as “Stock” Online
There Are Three Other Books in This Series
Learn More with Me Each Week on The Grid
Chapter Eleven
Ten Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me
When I First Started Out in Photography
#1: Buying a More Expensive Camera Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Better Photos
#2: You Need to Sharpen After the Fact
#3: The Pros Take Lots of Bad Photos
#4: Learn Exposure Compensation
#5: Don’t Worry About Manual Mode
#6: Today You Should Probably Shoot Wide
#7: Nothing Has Impact Like a Print
#9: Figure Out What Type of Photographer You Are
#10: Do What It Takes to Get the Photos You Want