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Intermediate Digital SLR Lessons: Playing With Light

Every time you take a picture with your digital SLR camera, there is one special element that you have NO control over...or DO you?
playing with light

The special element that I'm referring to is LIGHT.

Without it, photography would not be very interesting. Light is an essential ingredient in every photo you take.

However, some types of light make every photo you take spectacular while others just make you cringe.

So what's the difference? How can you tell the "good" light from the "bad"? And when you're stuck with bad light, what — if anything — can you do to improve it?

For starters, you have to understand that your camera doesn't see the world the same way you do.

Let me explain.

Camera, Meet Contrast

Every time you take a photo — whether with natural or artificial light — you're working with a range of contrast.

Here's the problem:

Your eyes see all the details in the world around you, regardless of the level of contrast. Your camera does not.

Every digital camera (and every film camera for that matter) can only capture a limited range of contrast. What does this mean for you?

It means that sometimes a picture that looks very promising to your eyes won't turn out all that well when captured by your camera.

Learn How to Manipulate Light

I've written five digital SLR lessons that wil help you improve your digital images in all kinds of light, both natural and artificial.

These lessons are for you if:

  • You'd like to learn more about natural light - the good and the bad
  • You want to improve your natural light photos, even if the light's not great
  • You're not happy with how your photos look with flash
  • You want to learn how to control you flash to improve image quality
  • You'd like to move beyond the small built-in flash on top of your camera
  • You want to leverage you flash to improve your natural light photos

These digital SLR lessons aren't written with one particular camera model in mind - they apply to ALL digital cameras that let you use manual controls and are compatible with flash accessories.

NOTE: These lessons are not for beginners.

You'll need at least a working understanding of shutter speed, aperture, ISO and exposure for these lessons to really make sense.

If you are just starting out with your digital SLR camera, then see my Beginner Digital SLR Lessons instead.

If you do have a firm grasp on your camera's controls, then here's what you'll learn from these digital SLR lessons:

  • How to see the quality, direction and color of natural light
  • Why your camera doesn't see things the way you do
  • How the time of day dramatically affects the quality of your image
  • How to manipulate natural light to make your images pop
  • What all those numbers on your flash mean
  • The pros and cons of different types of flash
  • How to manipulate artificial light for maximum impact
  • How to blend natural and artificial light to create unique images

Unlimited Access

I realize that some people with have plenty of time each day to sit down and work through a lesson. Others with less free time will have to work through the lessons as they can.

Since this is the case, there are several important points that must be made about your access to the lessons:

  • The lessons are available online, 24/7
  • You can download the lessons as PDFs and take them wherever you go!
  • There is no time limit on the lessons
  • There is no limit to the number of times you can view the lessons

Even if it's years from now and you still want to brush up on your technique, you'll be able to access the lessons so long as you have a computer with an Internet connection.

Ask Questions

I have written the lessons as clearly as possible in the hopes that everything that you read is completely intuitive.

However, I'm also well aware that there may be times when you need additional clarification, or help with a specific photographic situation that I don't cover.

In these cases, you are welcome to contact me and I will personally assist you until your question is answered.

Learn More Without Paying More

Now you can learn how to bend light to your will for less than the price of a new memory card.

The five lessons cost just $14.95 USD (about £10 or $20.57 AUD).

This one-time fee buys you:

  1. Indefinite access to all five lessons
  2. Free updates when I add more information to the lessons in the future
  3. Personal help as needed - ask me questions if you get confused

Need more info before you're ready to sign up?

Getting Started Is Easy

To sign up for the 5 digital SLR lessons, just click the "Buy Now" button below (your payment will be made to Triphase Media, the parent company of the Digital SLR Guide).

To your photographic success,

Chris Roberts
Your Digital SLR Guide

IMPORTANT!
Click the RETURN TO TRIPHASE MEDIA button on PayPal's site after you have paid or else you will NOT receive your lessons.