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1500 questions
36
votes
3 answers
How does autofocus work?
How does auto focus work on modern cameras? How accurate is it?
Ken
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36
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12 answers
What situations are best suited for spot metering?
I have found myself using spot metering on several occasions in order to get the right exposure, such as sunsets and on bright days with a subject in the shade. What other situations are well suited for spot metering instead of the standard matrix…
chills42
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36
votes
3 answers
Why don't they make all DSLRs with an electronic shutter?
Why don't they make all DSLRs with an electronic shutter? Is it technically possible?
Surely this would allow easier syncing with flashes (rather than the usual 1/200s or 1/250s max).
I could even imagine a special RAW format that basically recorded…
matt burns
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36
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13 answers
Better to buy an older high-level camera or newer entry-level camera?
What are the pros and cons of buying an older higher-level camera if the price is about the same as a new entry-level one?
sukhjot
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36
votes
10 answers
What are some tips for shooting in low light?
I own a Canon 450D with just the standard kit lens that comes with it (I don't plan buying a new lens for a while) and one thing I tend to struggle with is shooting in lower light conditions, indoors and out.
When we have people over and I try and…
Nathan W
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36
votes
4 answers
How do you find out the "sweet spot" of a lens?
I've tried googling this, but have never found a satisfactory answer.
I've heard the term "sweet spot" thrown around by some photographers to mean the f-stop of a lens which results in the highest sharpness that lens can achieve.
A few questions on…
andy
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36
votes
3 answers
Why does storing a long exposure photo take almost as long as the exposure time itself?
Last night I took some night sky shots, and I've noticed that with long exposure times (15s, 30s) the time it took to store the images in the camera memory card (jpeg) took roughly as long?
The actual file size is fairly small at 1 to 3MB per…
fduff
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36
votes
11 answers
Is version control software used for photos?
I am a software developer at heart and by trade, and spend a lot of time in development tools... One of the more useful development tool types is version control, and for the uninitiated, it works something like as follows:
Create a file
Start…
TiernanO
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36
votes
5 answers
Is there a trick to shooting large group portraits without blinkers?
When shooting large group portraits, is there a trick to getting everyone to not blink (other than taking many shots)?
Jeff Swensen
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36
votes
8 answers
How does one develop good photographic vision and style?
I am a relatively new photographer. I've only owned my Canon Rebel XSi for a year, however I was researching SLR/DSLR camera gear and photographic theory for over a year before I purchased a DSLR. I have extensive theoretical knowledge, and I…
jrista
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36
votes
3 answers
What makes a strong wide-angle composition?
A simple, effective way to improve most compositions is to crop (or zoom) more tightly. Cut out the "distractions", and boom, powerful composition. I usually shoot with a slightly-long lens in the normal range, or with a short portrait telephoto, so…
mattdm
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36
votes
8 answers
Should I shoot underexposed photos?
Someone more experienced than me said that he always shoots so that his photos are underexposed (darker) and I should too. The reasoning being that you can always increase the exposure in postproduction, but you can never get the details back from…
duality_
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35
votes
6 answers
How can knowledge of human perception of color be used in photography?
How does the human vision system perceive color, and how can/should this be taken into account when taking and post-processing photographs (both in color and in black and white)?
The bit above is the question I'm asking; below are some follow-on…
mattdm
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35
votes
3 answers
How does Image Stabilization / Vibration Reduction work?
I know the effect of IS and VR, but what exactly is going on when they're enabled... how do they work from a technical standpoint?
ahockley
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35
votes
15 answers
What do I need to get photos with a unifom black background (not with post)?
Often i see portraits such as the one below and like the way they look. I wanted to know can I get this look in my shots.
I am sure there are professional materials you can get to outfit a studio that will deliver such results. I have no clue what…
kacalapy
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