Table Top Photography Tutorial (text & photos)

clipped from www.shortcourses.com

Preface CHAPTER 1. THE CAMERA IN THE DIGITAL DESKTOP STUDIO Choosing the Camera Choosing the Lens or Amount of Zoom Focussing Auto Focus Manual Focus Focus Lock Controlling Depth of the Field Capturing Maximum Depth of Field Using Selective Focus Selecting an Image Size Selecting an Image Quality File Compression File Formats Choosing a Format Controlling Exposures The Shutter The Aperture Using the Shutter and Aperture Together Exposure Modes Metering the Set Up Metering and Middle Gray Using Exposure Compensation Exposure Compensation Exposure Bracketing Other Camera Features Sensitivity and Noise Reduction Image Manipulation Controlling Brightness— Histograms Controlling Colors— White Balance Putting it all Together — Exposure and White Balance CHAPTER 2. THE DIGITAL DESKTOP PHOTO STUDIO Using the Camera's Built-in Flash Using an External Flash External Flash Accessories Controlling Flash Exposures Flash Exposure Compensation Flash Exposure Bracketing(FEB) Flash Exposure Lock(FEL) Using Continuous Lights Stands Reflectors Bulbs Using Strobes Connecting the Camera and Lights Hot Shoes PC Terminal Wireless Remote Flash Understanding Hard and Soft Light Using Fill Cards and Reflectors Using Diffusers Other Lighting Controls Choosing a Background Background Materials Background Lighting Supporting the Camera Collecting Studio Stuff Creating the Studio Positioning the Camera Positioning Lights— Introduction The Main Light The Fill Light The Background Light The Rim Light Getting Ready— Cleaning the Item CHAPTER 3. CASE STUDIES FROM THE DIGITAL DESKTOP STUDIO Thinking about Your Photograph Case Study— The Road Runner Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Kodak Truck Bank Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Neon Flamingo Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Reflective Stainless Steel Coffee Holder Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Textured Leather Battery Wallet Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— Two Dimensional Flat Art Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— Objects Behind Glass Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Reflective Silver Chalice Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Translucent Bottle Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Transparent Crystal Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Part Opaque and Part Transclucent Mineral Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Product With its Packaging Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Chinese Porcelain Vase Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— An Animated Object Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Turquoise Necklace Composition Lighting Camera Settings Case Study— A Snapping turtle Composition Lighting Camera Settings

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Welcome to
Digital Desktop Studio Photography
The Complete Guide To Lighting and Photographing Small Objects with your Digital Camera