Manual camera settings and the why behind them:
ISO – 200 (outside in the afternoon, cloudy but bright)
aperture – F 2.2 (I wanted to blur out the background and focus on him. The background was only wintery dead grass anyway.)
shutter speed – 1/1250 (what was needed for correct exposure)
distance from subject (rough estimate) – only 3-4 feet away
focal point – on one of  his eyeballs (just picked one)
lens – 50mm 1.2L
Camera body – canon’s 5D mark II**Oh and in case you wondered… he kind of melts my heart in sweet pics like these. :)

Manual camera settings and the why behind them:
ISO – 500 (inside, needed a bit more brightness)
aperture – F 3.5 (didn’t want my lens opened up too too wide. I was only across the small table from him. Didn’t want everything to be out of focus.)
shutter speed – 1/160
distance from subject – sitting in the chair on the other side of in n out’s little table
focal point – my boy’s eyeball
lens – 50mm 1.2L
camera body – canon’s 5D mark II

For me… the most fabulous part of this is that I am going to take a picture of my boys or my family every single day during the month of February (the pics might be taken the day before or so but posted every day here). I will be photographing every day life, not a photo session, and usually not even a posed moment. My kids may have spectacular bed head or there may be unimpressive laundry in the background. I want to photograph a real moment, a memory. So that’s my goal. And as a result, I will have lots of precious images … for me … of my boys.

For you… I will be posting my settings and some details as to how I shot the pictures every day as well. And that is for you. Hopefully it will contribute to helping you understand your camera and a bit of photography even more. Who knows, maybe it will even inspire you to take more pictures of the people in your world… for you.  So, here we go…

………………………………………………………………………….

Day one: rain puddles

Manual camera settings and the why behind them:
ISO – 200 (outside, bright even though it’s cloudy)
aperture – F 2.8 (why not? cause I don’t necessarily need everything in focus behind them and they’re on the same “plane” in regards to their depth of field)
shutter speed – 1/320 (the shutter speed needed for proper exposure)
distance from subject (rough estimate) – approx 10 feet away
focal point – on one of my boy’s heads (just picked one)
lens – 50mm 1.2L
camera body – canon’s 5D mark II

Manual settings for the image below:
ISO – 1000
aperture – F 2.8
shutter – 1/160
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L
camera body – canon’s 5D mark II

Manual settings for the image below:
ISO – 1000
aperture – F 2.8
shutter – 1/160
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L
camera body – canon’s 5D mark II

manual settings for the shot below:
ISO – 1250 (inside, in the evening, under just the lights from above the kitchen table)
aperture – F 2.2 (needed light and i wanted the blur factor)
shutter – 1/160 (slow, but not too slow that my wiggly guy is out of focus)
lens – 50mm 1.2L
camera – canon 5D mark II

Then I change my perspective and look down on my other little guy from above. I wanted to tell the whole story of how this little guy plays. He loves bananagrams. :)

manual settings for the shot below:
ISO – 1250 (inside still, same table, same lighting)
aperture – F 2.5 (needed light but not quite as much as the light was reflecting off the table a bit)
shutter – 1/160 (slow, but not too slow)
lens – 50mm 1.2L
camera – canon 5D mark II

Here are my settings and a few comments/tips:

Settings for image below:
ISO – 100 (bright sunny afternoon, even though it’s january)
aperture – 3.2
shutter – 1/250
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L
camera – canon 5D mark II

Settings for image below:
ISO – 100
aperture – 2.8
shutter – 1/500
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L

I do love how the macro lens narrows your focus to your subject and that alone. :)

But look at the out of focus image below. One of the tricky things about using a macro lens on wiggly little people. It’s easy to miss focus and ruin the whole image.

Settings for image below (more distance between me and my subjects):
ISO – 100
aperture – 2.8
shutter – 1/1000 (more in the sun)
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L

Settings for image below:
ISO – 100
aperture – 2.8
shutter – 1/400
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L

Again when I’m somewhat close to my subject all else completely falls out of focus. It’s all about him. Love that.

Settings for image below:
ISO – 100
aperture – 4
shutter – 1/320
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L

Settings for image below:
ISO – 100
aperture – 4
shutter – 1/320
lens – 100mm macro 2.8L

Super fun playing around with my macro lens in a new way. I just may have to take it on some shoots with children soon. :)

Do you want to learn how to use your digital camera using manual settings? Want to stop using auto and being frustrated? If you’re interested, I’m offering two workshops this winter (most likely the only ones for 2012) that will focus on how to use your camera and it’s manual functions so that you can have more control over the images you capture. We will also touch a bit on all those other buttons on your camera, natural light, color, contrast, and composition. Each workshop will be limited to only six people, allowing plenty of one-on-one time and for each question to be answered.  The workshop also includes my workbook, Learn Your Camera (an $89 value).

Details:
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 9am to 3pm   FULL
Saturday, February 25, 2012, 9am to 3pm   FULL

Registration will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.

• Registration and payment are due when you sign up for the class. Your spot is not saved until your payment is received. Spots are first come first serve. Cost is $279.
• Includes my Learn Your Camera workbook, caffeinated beverages, lunch, and lots of hands on knowledge.
• We’ll even be shooting pictures of some little kids together in our own mini photo shoots for hands on practice
• Workshops are offered in Fresno, California, in my home.
• Equipment needed for workshop: DSLR camera and recommended Canon’s 50mm 1.8 lens or one of Nikon’s wide aperture lenses like Nikkor 50mm 1.4 lens or Nikkor 35mm 1.8 lens (Nikon’s focusing system is different so check that it’s compatible with your camera and will focus before buying, for most camera bodies it has to have “AF-S” in order to auto focus).

Here are a few comments from previous workshops:

“I would TOTALLY recommend the workshop to others. I really appreciate how you combined lecture (more like informative conversation) and hands on application.   That really helped me grasp an understanding of all the new lingo, settings, suggestions, ideas, etc. I would have to say that my favorite part of the workshop was going to Old Town Clovis to shoot.  That really gave me an opportunity to apply all that I learned.  It gave me a sense of accomplishment to see that I was really walking away with true value from the class. I also want to thank you for responding to my emails even after the workshop.  So many times you take a course and never hear from the instructor again…..that is not the case with you!  I have received so many compliments from friends and family about the photos I have taken recently. THANK YOU!
~Vanessa from Fresno

“I really loved the workshop. Your workbook and workshop are down to earth and easy to understand. They both make taking pictures on manuel not only seem completely obtainable but fun as well. I would recommend the workshop and workbook for anyone who wants take a simple approach to photography that can make taking pictures of your family a blast.”
~Kris from Clovis

“I am so thankful I have a better understanding of how to work my camera and take pics of my boys.  I loved getting so much hands on experience and I feel so accomplished taking a decent picture (especially on manual!) Now when I take a picture and look to see that it’s too dark, fuzzy, etc., I know what to do to fix it!  Thank you so much for your heart and passion for photography and helping people love what you love.”
~Jen from Clovis

“I would definitely recommend this workshop to someone else.  I loved that you limited the number of people so that each of us had  plenty of “one on one” time. Whether we were beginners or more advanced, there was plenty to learn and practice.   I also thought it was super helpful to have two live photo shoots.  It gave us the chance to practice what we were learning while receiving great feedback.  It was also really fun to practice with the different lenses. Great workshop!”
~Brooke from Clovis

“Cori’s class was amazing!  I have gone from taking ok pictures to really loving my pictures!  I would recommend her class to anyone who wants to improve your own photography skills.  So much great information!”
~Cary from Fresno

“Thanks so much for the workshop Cori!!  I feel like I have a brand new camera!!  I would recommend your workshop to anyone!!”
~Kirsten from Orange County

“I would definitely recommend the class to a friend.  Cori made learning my camera fun and took my intimidation of it away.  By the time I left, I felt very confident in manual and I was very excited to go and experiment using the tools Cori taught us. Thanks so much for everything.  Its true–I am so excited to try now whereas I was just frustrated before!!”
~Kristy from Fresno

“I took Cori’s workshop after owning a dSLR camera for less then a month. I entered the class never  having used my camera off the auto setting. I didn’t know what ISO, aperture or a F-stop was but I left the class with the ability to control the quality of my photos. I never felt embarrassed to ask a question or for assistance. Without this workshop, the money spent on my camera would be a waste because, I wouldn’t be able to use my camera to it’s full potential.”
~Theresa from Fresno

This was shot in the late afternoon and I’m proud of this image because this one has four little wiggly boys in it. The sun is behind my subjects and just a bit in my camera. I am shooting so that the sun is not coming directly or intensely into my camera, but rather just a bit in the corner.

ISO – 500
aperture – F 5
shutter speed – 1/250
lens – canon’s 35mm 1.4L
camera body – canon’s 5D mark II

Manual settings for the picture below:
ISO 100, aperture F 4, shutter 1/160

Manual settings for the picture below:
ISO 100, aperture F 4, shutter 1/160

Manual settings for the picture below:
ISO 100, aperture F 3.2, shutter 1/200Manual settings for the picture below:
ISO 160, aperture F 4, shutter 1/160

TIP #30: Make memories, don’t just photograph them.

I know we all want to capture amazing pictures of our kids as they throw a snowball, or as they eat their first birthday cake, or while they learn to ride their bike. But be sure to be present when making memories with your family. Capture some moments with your camera and then put your camera down and be a part of the memory. Don’t allow your part of the experience to always be only behind the camera. Get down on the floor and play. Go throw a snowball. Take a few pictures here and there, but you want your kids to remember that you were part of the experience as well, right? Not that you were just there to document it. So be in it.

In order to be a part of the experience you have to know your camera so you can be quick and move fast. So practice, practice, practice. Maybe even practice now and then when your kids aren’t there. Practice without wiggly little people. Learn how to use your manual settings well so you have control over lighting. Be content with shots of candid moments rather than making your kids constantly stop what they’re doing to look at you and say “cheese”. If you need more tips, explanation, and guidance on learning how to use your camera on manual, my Learn Your Camera Workbook might be helpful to you.

Here are a few shots from a special ice cream shop on our recent vacation.

My manual settings for all three images:
ISO 1250, aperture F 3.2, shutter 1/200 second