Digital Camera & Photo Accessories

The digital camera -
Aperture Priority Mode Explained.

Aperture priority mode controls something known as the 'Depth of Field' which is the area of the image that is in focus.

In Aperture priority mode you manually set the aperture value and the camera takes care of everything else - for example it sets the optimal shutter speed for the aperture you chose.

There are physical limitations and not every aperture value that you choose can be matched by other settings that will result in a good photo. The camera will let you know by flashing an LED light or in some other way (check your camera manual for more details) if it found the optimal settings that work with your chosen aperture value.

The use of the aperture-priority mode as noted previously is for controlling the 'Depth-of-Field'. The larger the aperture, the shallower the 'Depth-of-Field'. A shallow 'Depth-of-Field' makes the main subjects standing out. As the aperture becomes larger, the foreground and background start to blur.

continued opposite >

Camera & Photography Accessories.

Accessories have become an integral part of photography, as they can make shooting easier and your pictures better. Outfitting your gear with the latest technology and design isn’t just form, it’s function. Find the right photo accessory for a digital camera also.
There are many websites with information about camera accessories, so rather than duplicate a lot of the information on our site we have selected a few of the most popular gadgets.

Top Tips & Help from the Professional when buying Accessories

Digital Camera Filters.

Filters are a necessary addition to your accessory pack. If you’re looking to saturate colours and add contrast to your images, then shooting with a filter on your lens will help you create a digital file that’s closer to your desired end result. There are software packages and plug-ins available that can fix or enhance your images, but that could take hours of digital darkroom work. Starting with a quality image in-camera is always the best route.

The UV Filter.
A UV filter blocks ultra violet light from entering the lens.
For most shots there is no obvious effect caused by the filter on the photo, however the filter can reduce haziness in long distance shots etc. As the effect of the filter is usually un-noticeable many photographers use this filter as a shield against damage to the camera lens, and have it attached to the lens constantly.

The ND (Neutral Density) Filter.
A neutral density filter reduces light of wavelengths or colours equally (and therefore do not affect the colour of the finished photo) that your eyes see. The purpose of a neutral density filters is to allow the photographer greater flexibility to change the aperture or exposure time to suite the circumstances.

The ND Graduated Filter.
Very similar to the above, however the shade is graduated across part or half of the filter. These filters fall broadly into two groups - those that are coloured and the grey or neutral density Graduated Filter. This allows you to either darken, for example, the sky to enhance the ‘blueness’ or if you have a scene where there is a dark area that you need to expose for longer than another part of the scene this filter will allow you to achieve this. Coloured graduated filters may look eye-catching but they're best used by trial and error to create the desired effect and colour. All graduated filters need careful positioning to get the best effect. To make the most of this your camera should be fixed securely to a tripod. In most situations this will add a dramatic effect to the final picture.

The Polarizing Filter.
A polarizing filter will enable you to reduce or increase the amount of reflection in surfaces such as water or glass, this works by filtering out light polarized perpendicularly to the axis of the filter. This is great if the subject of your photo is the reflection itself or if you want the photograph to capture something either on water or behind glass.

The Colour Filter range.
The Colour filter range as the name suggests will tint the image to whatever colour you have chosen. These come in all colours of the spectrum and also in a graduated version. Examples are using a blue graduated colour filter to enhance the colour in the sky, using a yellow filter for a sunset shot etc. You can also mix these filters together to enhance different colours in one scene.

Finally, there are many other types of photographic filters available on line and in the stores. The choice is endless in meeting every photographers needs. The cost varies depending on the quality of the filter and the size required to fit your lens system. We hope our brief overview on a small selection of filters has been helpful.

Bags.

Assess the amount of gear you have as well as what sort of bag will be the most comfortable and convenient to carry. Whether you choose a backpack, shoulder bag or rolling case, the latest camera bags are designed for a range of photography needs.
Camera bags should be able to store at least a camera, a couple of lenses, batteries, backup storage and some gadgets or miscellaneous accessories like filters and cleaning tools.

Tripods.

When purchasing a tripod, check to see how much weight it can hold. Not only must it hold your digital camera, but if you plan on using an add-on flash or heavy lenses, you should factor that in as well. A steady tripod is a must when shooting in low-light conditions. Hand-holding your camera when shooting a slow shutter speed will result in a blurry image. Although sturdiness is essential, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort to make that happen.

Extra Camera batteries.

Good for everyone, but especially for travel and sports, wedding documentary, wildlife and news events.
It's a fact: digital cameras suck power, and digital SLRs suck even more of it. A key component to good power management is having at least two batteries, one to shoot and one to charge. Having three is better: one to shoot, one fully charged spare on hand, and one in the (car or home) charger being toped-up.

Aperture Priority Mode Explained - continued

Using a small 'Depth-of-Field' is a great way to isolate the main subject in the picture. Wildlife and sports photographers use this technique to blur out distracting backgrounds keeping the main focal point sharp. Using a wide aperture also allows a faster shutter speed to be used which again helps keep moving objects sharp.

Using a larger depth of field is good for landscape pictures, when you want the area close to you and the area far off in the distance all to be in focus. Using a large depth of field means that you usually need to use longer shutter speeds which means that a tripod is required to keep the camera still when the shutter is open during long exposures.

Contact Us.
If you have a question that you would like addressed, please use the Email link below. This link can also be used to send or suggest any photography Tips or Techniques that you would like to see on the site. Don’t worry; your information will not be used or passed on to Third Party Advertising or unwanted mail listing companies. It will only be used by us to respond to your question. Email> info@justphoto.co.uk < Please note that www.justphoto.co.uk makes no warranties or representation as to the accuracy of information displayed on this web site and is not responsible for any material contained in web sites linked to this site.

Website design by justphoto.co.uk