DSLR

New Camera RAW Format

Added: February 25, 2014

2014.01 Canon P1080033 I have learned, from DIY Photographer, that the Camera RAW 8.4 release is now available for CS6 and CC. I have CC at work, so this may help me there. I have CS5 at home, so no help at all for personal files.

My new DLSR camera takes RAW format photos, which is supposed to give me more post-processing options for digital photos. The files are huge. However, my version of Photoshop can’t open the RAW format files my camera is producing.

I am told that the software that comes with my camera is supposed to allow me to access the RAW files and edit them. I have installed the software but not started using it yet.

In the meantime, I am not taking photos in RAW format. I am concentrating on learning to use the camera and getting my images in the highest quality JPG it produces.

Learning to use my DSLR class — Assignments

Added: January 26, 2014

I am taking an online course to learn more about the manual settings on my new DSLR camera. As a class assignment I had to post photos online to share. I will be doing that via this post.

Lesson two, assignment two

I don’t own any specialty lenses yet. I used the macro setting on my Canon’s 18-55mm lens.

A Photography #Fail

Added: January 22, 2014

2014.01 Canon P1080033 The third time I took out my brand new Canon DSLR, I had a glitch. Not with the camera, at least I don’t think it was with the camera. I had a problem with the memory card… or at least that’s what I think happened.

After placing the SD memory card in a card reader (both of them new; they “came” with the camera from the vendor), I placed the reader in my relatively new laptop (bought last September), and I started to view the images. Upon attempting to copy them over, the SD card folder closed, I got a “cannot read” message, and the card itself could no longer be seen in my computer. I had to remove and reattach.

It was at this point where I discovered that all my images were gone. I only had the images that had copied over before the failure happened.

I did research, asked friends, begged God… and the images are gone.

I’ve been told (and found the recommendation online) that I should reformat the memory card inside the camera after each time I place it in the computer to download my pics and before I start a new photo session. There seems to be some disagreement between whether this is a good idea or not. I’m not sure who’s right.

What I do know is that I’ve been working with digital cameras for more than a decade, with different models and brands, and in all that time I’ve had maybe 5 or 6 instances where we had a problem either with the camera, the card or the reader.

I think I’d be more worried if I were a professional photographer. Maybe when I start to get more serious about this the issue will become more critical.

Today I’m just upset that I lost more than half a work event and the entire birthday party at the zoo with my nephew.

I’ve bought my first DSLR camera

Added: January 7, 2014

2014.01 Canon P1080033 I finally made the plunge and bought a DSLR camera. In fact, I bought a kit with a lot of accessories and pretty much everything I am going to need to get started. I opted for the Canon Rebel T5i. I have heard good things and it’s considered to be a good entry-level DSLR.

Now all I have to do is learn everything I can about it.

Coincidentally, the Digital Photography School’s website has Your First DSLR – now what?! in their current articles. That’s good timing.

Their tips include:

Get off Auto as a soon as possible and start shooting on Manual mode
Understand the terms ISO, shutter speed and aperture and how to use them
your camera manual is your second best friend

They do emphasize that you have to take your camera everywhere, practice a lot and not be afraid of making mistakes. I anticipate I’ll be doing that a lot… at least I hope I will.

You are warned that I’m probably going to start posting a lot more info on photography and cameras.

Even though I’ve upgraded to a DSLR camera, I do believe that I’m keeping my point and shoot camera. It fits very nicely in my purse and I like the convenience of it.