nikon d200 training
DESCRIPTION
Nikon D200 Training. Civil Air Patrol TX-413 Nighthawk Squadron. This training outline is designed to provide a moderate level of understanding and skill to members who plan to use the Nikon D200 camera for missions involving aerial photography. Outline: Basic Formula for Photography ISO - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Nikon D200 Training
Civil Air Patrol
TX-413 Nighthawk Squadron
This training outline is designed to provide a moderate level of understanding and skill to members who plan to use the Nikon D200 camera for missions involving aerial photography.
Outline: Basic Formula for Photography ISO Aperture Shutter Speed White Balance/Metering Focusing
Basic
Photography Imaging
& Composition
Basic Formula for Photography
Basic Camera Concepts
– Exposures: It takes a certain amount of light for a certain amount of time to capture an image.
– You can adjust the amount of light required (ISO-Film Speed)
– You can adjust the amount of light let in (Aperture)
– You can adjust the amount of time (Shutter)
– All of these adjustments are directly related, and will have a direct effect on each other.
Photography Basics
Think of the formula as a Bucket, Pipeline, and Valve Combination.
ISO Aperture Shutter Speed
ISO settings/changing
ISO is the Film Speed (or the size of the bucket)
In other words, it determines how much light is required to make a picture show up on the film/processor
Concept: A larger bucket takes more water to fill
ISO film speeds generally range from 100 - 6400
The higher the ISO number:– The more sensitive the film– The less light is required to expose the image– The higher the “grain”
The numbers are proportionate. ISO 100 requires twice (2x) the light as ISO 200
ISO settings/changing cont’d
High ISO “Grain”
Although we have a very high quality camera, we need to be aware of “grain” while using high ISO settings
Try to use the lowest ISO setting possible to get the highest quality results.
High ISO “Grain” Illustration
How to set ISO on the D200
How to set ISO on the D200:
Auto Mode - Go to the Menu Manual Mode- Hold the ISO button,
and spin the rear dial
All About Aperture
Aperture is the size of the opening in the camera lens
Aperture controls the amount of light coming into the camera
Think of it as a “pipeline for light”– The larger the pipeline…the more light can
come in.
All About Aperture
Larger Aperture settings will require lower ISO and higher Shutter speeds.
Smaller Aperture settings will require higher ISO and lower Shutter speeds.
Uses: Larger Aperture settings allow for higher shutter
speeds Smaller Aperture settings allow for more depth of
field.
All About Aperture
Aperture settings are referred to as: “F stops”– F5.6, F8, F2.8, F16, F22, etc….– Larger numbers equal smaller openings.– The F# is actually 1/f
Aperture settings are proportional. F8 is 2x the size of F16.
Depth of field concept: Fire Hose vs. Straw
Aperture Illustration
All About Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is how fast the shutter stays open to capture the image.
Shutter Speed is the “valve” – the longer it stays open, the more light can come through the pipeline and into the bucket.
Higher shutter speeds “freeze” movement Lower shutter speeds add “blurr” effect
Shutter speeds listed as:125, 250, 500,etc Actual is: 1/125th, 1/250th of 1 second
All About Shutter Speed
In the aircraft, you will need a minimum of 1/250 shutter speed to eliminate vibration and movement from the airplane, 1/500 is optimal if possible.
Try to balance shutter speed needs with ISO and aperture settings.
All About Shutter Speed
High vs. Low Shutter Speed
Priority for Settings
More Important– Shutter Speed– Aperture– ISO
Less Important
It is better to sacrifice ISO settings to keep aperture and speed settings up
Composition/Aiming
Focus on the subject “Fill the Frame” – use zoom and
position to crop
Composition/Aiming
You will typically be farther away from the subject than you need to be. Ask the pilot to fly closer if necessary to get the shot.
The ideal angle to the ground is 45 degrees. – 1,000’ AGL, and 1,000’ from target
Under/Over Exposure
Under Exposed Over Exposed
Examples of Under/Over Exposure
Correcting Exposure Issues
Aim the camera at the subject Use the Pre-Focus Metering to lock in
settings Remember: The camera is a
computerized machine…it will do EXACTLY what you tell it to do.
Exposure Correction
Examples of Under/Over Exposure correction by proper aiming and metering
Things to remember about exposure issues:– Photoshop can’t fix bad shots– Color and definition are lost at both
extremes– Some images can be salvaged, but the
image quality will be sacrificed– It’s much easier to get a good shot than
to fix a bad one– It’s ok to go back and reshoot
Reducing Glare with Polarizing Filters
Notice the difference in the glare on the water. The polarizing filter “cuts through” the glare, and creates good color and definition
Without Filter With Filter
Additional Exposure/Glare Techniques
Make sure the horizon is above the top of the frame. – Haze and glare are more likely to occur at
horizontal angles Get up close to your subject
– The more haze between you and the subject, the worse the photo will be.
Use the “glare hood”– Prevents “flare” and “stray light” from
affecting lens glass
Haze/Glare
Glare/Flare
Example of lens “flare”
3 Houses Destroyed
Tornado Damage
Radio Tower
High Angle
Not So Good
Lens Hood Warning
Warning!!!!! Make sure the lens hood is
“snapped” in place The lens hood can be pulled off the
camera by the wind Keep the camera inside the aircraft
Technique Review
Aim at the target Fill the frame Get up on it 45 degree angle No horizon Shoot “down light” if possible Review photos BEFORE you RTB
Review Questions
Questions?
Review Questions
What is ISO?– What is the optimal setting for our
missions?– How do you adjust ISO settings?– If you adjust ISO, what else do you need
to consider?– What are the problems associated with
high and low ISO settings?
Review Questions
What is Shutter Speed– What is the minimum speed for our
missions?– What is the optimal speed for our
missions?– How do you adjust Shutter Speed?– If you adjust Shutter Speed, what else
do you need to consider?– What are the problems with high and
low shutter speeds?
What is Aperture?– What does the Apeture control?– How do you adjust Aperture?– If you adjust Aperture, what else do you
need to consider?– What are the problems with large and
small Aperture settings?
Review Questions
If you keep having the wing and the strut show up in your pictures, what should you do?
If your pictures aren’t in focus, what settings should you check? – What other issues should you consider?
If your pictures are very “white” and bright, what should you do?
If you have a lot of glare in your photos, what should you try?
What is the maximum # of pictures you can take of a target on a mission?
Camera Functions
& Setup
Formatting vs Deleting
Works the same way as your PC
Formatting the CF card resets the file numbering system and reduces the chances of a file error.
Deleting the images simply erases them. The file numbering system does not reset.
Auto-Focus Modes
There are 3 Auto Focus modes: Servo, AF, M– Servo mode provides constantly variable
focusing
– AF mode allows you to temporarily “lock” the focal distance during the “pre-focus”
– Manual mode – the name says it all…
Shutter Modes
There are 5 Shutter modes: S, CL, CH, Clock, Mup
– Single Shot – Works like a semi auto gun– Continuous Low – Full auto @ 2.5 fps– Cont. High – (Rambo Mode) Full auto @
6 fps– Clock – For taking pics of yourself– Mirror Up – Night photos
Shooting Modes
There are 4 shooting modes: P, S, A, M– Program Mode – (Dummy Mode)
Everything done for you– Shutter Priority – Mandated Shutter
Speeds– Aperture Priority – Mandated Aperture
Size– Manual – You set everything on your
own
Issues with Program Mode
A few issues with P mode:– Factory Settings may not be ideal for
our missions• Color• Saturation• Sharpness• Contrast
Image Size/Quality
File Formats : JPEG, RAW– JPEG is the standard file format for
images– RAW is the file format for Nikon, Canon,
etc• RAW images are significantly higher quality
– Thus, the file sizes are substantially larger
• RAW file formats can only be read by special software
Image Compression
Image Compression helps reduce file size
– RAW- No compression– JPEG Fine – 1:4 – JPEG Normal – 1:8– JPEG Basic – 1:16 Lower Quality
Higher Quality
Image Size
There are 3 size formats– Large 3,872 x 2,592 (10 mp)– Medium 2,896 x 1,944 (5.6 mp)– Small 1,936 x 1,296 (2.5 mp)
Larger image sizes can be magnified with more detail.
Smaller image sizes allow for ease of transfer, and more space on CF card
GPS Connectivity
Connect the GPS and make sure the GPS Indicator is SOLID
A SOLID light means you have a SOLID Connection
GPS Placement
The GPS needs to be able to “see the sky” If not, you may still get a “GPS” signal on
the camera, but you may not get any coordinates from the GPS
The front dash and rear baggage area work well
The GPS indicator on the camera only verifies that there is a connection. It does not guarantee that any data was collected.
Inside the Viewfinder
Top Display
Shutter Speed Aperture
Remaining Pictures
Shooting Mode
Battery
Focal Point
Camera Buttons
JPEG, FINE, LARGE
ISO SETTING
SHUTTER MODES, CL, CH, CLOCK, MUP
WHITE BALANCE
SHOOTING MODE:P, S, A, M
SHUTTER MODEWHEEL LOCK
Questions?
Review Questions
Why do we format the CF card? What are the 3 AF modes?
– What’s the difference? What are the 3 primary Shutter Modes? What are the 4 Shooting/Priority Modes?
– What are the issues associated with each? What Are the 2 image file formats?
– What are the pro’s/con’s of each? What does a blinking GPS symbol on the camera
indicate?
Skill & Proficiency
Skill Development &
Proficiency Management
Developing Skills
Cone Drills– Line up cones– Place in + configuration– Drive around– Take photos on the move
The cone drill develops skill for:– Movement / Vibration– Cardinal directions– Turns around a point– Framing / Composition– Peripheral vision in viewfinder
Lining up the shot
vs.
Use the cones to train the eye to “line up” the shot
Turn around a point
Use single cones to demonstrate radio towers
On Foot
You can also do it on foot– Make sure someone is there to keep you from
tripping
Proficiency
There are lots of people and things to take pictures of around your home to stay proficient.
The End