Exposure & Processing In Digital Photography. Mastering Techniques

Exposure & Processing in Digital Photography. Mastering Technique. 

Instructors. Kevin Hoag and Dan Rich.

This class is for experienced digital photographers who wish to gain a better understanding about basic and advanced features of their cameras and how that can help them make better photographs. The emphasis is on how to obtain better images in the field as a way to express what you see and feel as you take the picture. The better you expose and compose, the better your images will turn out with less need to enhance in the computer later.

This course is designed for digital photographers interested in the additional processing capabilities achieved through shooting in RAW format.  Beginning from the assumption that each class participant would like to work from RAW images, the course starts with an overview of the parameters adjusted in RAW conversion, and a look at various RAW converters.  Topics that are then covered in detail include controlling and adjusting white balance, various approaches for exposure control, image file size control and printing, and the techniques of sharpening.  Specialized post-processing techniques such as high dynamic range (HDR), noise reduction, black & white and duo-tone conversion techniques will be introduced. Students will be give exercises each week and we will discuss their work the following week to see how well the methods have worked.

Some of the topics to be covered include:

Session 1. Making the Transition to RAW • What is RAW? • What are the pros and cons of using RAW? Characteristics of various photo formats; File sizes; Advantages and disadvantages. Introducing RAW conversion software. Controlling Exposure • A review of the three parameters controlling Exposure, Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO. White Balance • What is it? • How is it controlled? **White Balance Exercise ** Demonstrations of computer techniques.

Session 2. Controlling Exposure in the Camera. Tutorial of the Zone Exposure Method for setting optimal exposure under a variety of conditions. Exposure Bracketing.  First look at the camera’s histogram. How it is used for HDR photography?  ** Exposure Exercise ** Demonstrations of computer techniques.

Session 3. Understanding and Using the Histogram • What is it?  What it tells us with caveats identified. Depth of Field • What is it? • How is it determined? • Controlling depth of field. ** Depth of Field Exercise ** Demonstrations of computer techniques.

Session 4. Noise and its control. Printing and resolution.  ** Noise Exercise ** .  Sharpening • What is it? • The parameters that control sharpness.  Approaches to sharpening. Demonstrations of computer techniques.

Session 5. Putting it all together. Review of student images. Discussion of workflow in planning your efforts.