Outdoor photoshoot w/ a Nikon D80 18-135mm lens

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Permalink Reply by Royce Costuna on December 9, 2009 at 8:05am

Thanks Brian for the reply.
I take the "P" as my starter shots. But what if I'm going to change to "M" mode what will be the perfect settings of this. I know it would take me several settings in one shot and another like you said. But, for sure there will be neutral settings for this situation.Coz I want to have a shot using a "M" mode for a very nice output of the photo. But sometimes, I can't find the right settings for this. I usually set, ISO into 200-400 then my apperture in F/5.6....shutter speed higher that 1/80...but sometimes the pic looks lame...and isn't that i could also control the DOF by using the 'M' mode?!

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Greg maklae on December 9, 2009 at 6:47am

Since you are shooting outdoors, depth of field (DOF) is probably your primary concern. Therefore, I would set the camera to "A". This is where I do 95% of my outdoor shooting. If you want a large DOF, everything in focus, I would shoot at f/16 to f/22. If you are shooting say a flower, and just want the blossom in focus, and the background blurred, shoot at f/5.6. The camera will set the exposure, though you can fine tune it with exposure compensation. Always shoot in RAW (NEF), as this will give you a lot of room for corrections later. You may also need a tripod, to hold the camera steady, especially at 135 mm, as you need an shutter speed faster than 1/135 (1/ focal length) sec to hand hold. Also keep the ISO as low as possible, typically 200-400, to reduce noise.

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Permalink Reply by Royce Costuna on December 9, 2009 at 8:09am

Hi greg!
Thanks for your reply.
"A" mode comes second to my mind as it is an outdoor and will be more dramatic. But actually, I've read something about using DOF in a way..that the blurness of the background is also be depending on the distance of the subject?!
isn't that right?!
especially i just want to use my 18-135mm lens in this event.

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Greg maklae on December 9, 2009 at 10:01am

The blurriness is based on three facts: the distance of the subject, the focal length of the lens and the f/stop of the lens. For example at 18 mm, f/22 everything from a couple of fee in front of the camera, to infinity is in focus. At say 135 mm and f/5, the subject will be in focus, but the foreground and background may be out of focus, depending on their distance from the subject. You may way to look up hyperfocal focusing, as this will give graphs as to what is in focus and what is not at a given f/stop and zoom.

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Permalink Reply by Royce Costuna on December 10, 2009 at 4:21am

Thanks Greg

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Permalink Reply by Gary Vernon on December 12, 2009 at 6:58am

If you are going to use manual, a light-meter will give you the correct settings and exposure,
Gary..

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Permalink Reply by Guido Treppiedi on December 13, 2009 at 3:35am

Hi Royce, I use D80 too..I quote Greg..I use in A usually.. when i want a total control of camera in difficult condition..(sunset, long time shot..) i use it in M. View the photos to highlight or histogram and adjust exposure with compensation (only in A and S)...(excuse me if the english is not perfect)....Guido

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Permalink Reply by Royce Costuna on December 14, 2009 at 11:50pm

thanks Guido for the reply.
Actually I already tried using your tips.last week...
and so far...i almost get the outcome that I want in the photoshoot..
now..I'm having a party event this coming thur and it will be statrting at night.
maybe in a kind of place like a bar or resto bar...
I still dont know what will be the best settings for this event for my D80..
sorry for so many question about this.because i just started using d80 2 months ago and I havent mastered it yet.

hope you can still help me guys!

thanks!

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