SSam Loc: Sierra Vista, AZ

RegisG, I recently made a "home tour" video and haven't "listed our home yet". BUT, I'd like frank comments so I can improve if I ever do something like this again. Tnx in advance. Sam
Here is the Link to my 4 minute video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USfNy59dO5Q

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

On the opening exterior shot I was not impressed but after watching the entire video the interior is beautiful. And the view of the ocean is wonderful. I'm no expert but I think I would modify the lead in of the exterior. :thumbup:

texashill Loc: Texas Hill Country

Hi again Michael. I followed your instruction and got good results but now that I think about it maybe there is more to understand. Why "Program"? Does "Aperture" not also allow the camera to control the exposure and flash independently?

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

Full program on most camera will let the camera decide when flash is needed. I prefer to make that decision depending on lighting and the layout. If flash is needed I'd rather go with ambient lighting even if I have to use a tripod and longer exposure time. Using a flash usually will cause harsh shadows unless you are using multiple flash units or using bounce. Just my opinion. :thumbup:

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

texashill,

In Aperture Priority (Av) you manually set the aperture value, and the camera sets the shutter duration (assuming you manually set the ISO).

Program Mode assumes you will use the back button Exposure Lock on the brighter background, thereby allowing the camera to use ETTL for the flash duration (exposure).
When you pre-compose the scene and use the center spot focus square you can lock focus on the subject, and then recompose for the final capture.
When you press the shutter button the camera uses the shutter duration to expose for the background, the shutter opens and the flash goes off and is controlled by the TTL metering in the camera.

Michael G

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

pounder35,

Good opinion, and valuable experience.

Many cameras work just as you described, we were discussing the Canon EOS model of digital bodies. Where Full Program is the same as Full Auto.

The Canon EOS line does have Full Auto, and it has Program. There is a difference in operation. With Canon bodies Full Auto works as you described.

If the Canon bodies did not have both Full Auto and Program we would have to revert to full manual with light meters in hand.

The option of using Program, with the back button Exposure Lock, is to allow the camera to make critical adjustment during a busy shoot, and not lose critical action cameo shots.

There is also a thread in this group, today, about Real Estate photos inside the house where there are outside facing windows. HDR can be used to capture the indoor light and tone down the window light, but it has some serious drawbacks. Standard on board flash and external flash units can be used but they have exposure problems, as well. All other methods result in the window light blowing the windows out into white blobs.

Using ETTL with the camera and compatible flash units, bouncing light off the ceiling and side walls results in even lighting of the interior, and nicely exposed window light. For extra effects you can dial in Exposure Compensation (Ev) for the windows, and add Ev for the flash (provided the ceiling and walls are white).

Yes, we can dial this all in with manual controls, we can get similar effects by using Av and Tv settings, but will the flash be controlled by the camera? Most of the time, not. It will become confused by all the semi-automatic values it receives through the lens.

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My opinion, I want to get the shot with good composition, timing just right for the subject action, or reaction, and let the camera worry about most of the Grunt Work. We have marvelous, computerized, cameras, why not use their power to our benefit.

It is true, the camera cannot do everything perfectly, that is why we need to know how it performs its magic, so we can override it when necessary.

Michael G

texashill Loc: Texas Hill Country

OK :-) Sorry to be so tedious but I would like to make sure that I understand. If I were to select Aperture mode and use the back button Exposure Lock on the brighter background and then use the center spot focus square on the interior wall; the TTL metering in the camera would behave differently that had I of selected Program mode? I guess that I could wait till tomorrow and let the sun come up and see for myself :-)

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

Don't worry about tedious, gaining a good understanding is the path to knowledge and the ability to make modification when things don't turn out the way we expect.

When you turn on Program the camera assumes you have selected some manual settings, like ISO. It also assume you will be using a dedicated flash for fill flash. If you don't use all the measuring tools the camera will make decisions for you, and those can be in error.

The power of Digital comes in where we are learning and making tons of mistakes; we don't waste money on film and processing, we get instant feedback. So, when the Sun rises in to morning practice in your living room, open the curtains, turn on flash and Program, meter the window light and take a practice shot. Then, just for fun, apply some - exposure control (-2). Then try some + Flash compensation, and finally use all the Ec controls.

Michael G

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Pounder35...

Full Program as you put it NEVER allows the flash to work on a camera. ONLY the Auto program setting will allow the flash to pop up when the camera thinks it is needed. The use of Auto is basically for a beginner to make sure they have a possible good exposure.

Using Program mode allows the camera to make a good decision on the exposure but allows a photographer, knows what he is doing, to adjust that setting to get the best exposure to suit the photographer, not the camera brain, which is the best thing to do. A photographer needs to learn and understand their camera, no matter what level of expertise they are.

Moles Loc: South Carolina

Beautiful work!!!!

SSam Loc: Sierra Vista, AZ

Pounder35, I really appreciate the thoughts you included in your critique of my "home features" video. Seeing from the eyes of a person that has no stake in the subject is so valuable!

That's why I have been in camera clubs for over 40 years, to enlarge my 'thinking'.

SSam

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

I looked into Dropbox. Which plan on you on? I would assume the Pro Plan for $9.95 monthly.

Wendy2 Loc: California

I am on the free plan.

I initially send the photos to my customers as an email from Dropbox that is an invitation to join Dropbox. The email includes the photos but they must join to view them. It costs them nothing to join. When they join (they have to in order to view the photos) I get additional storage for each person that joins. From that point on, if they hire me again, I send photos to them as a link.

This is all explained on Dropbox.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

I joined on the free plan just to play around and see if it'll do what I want it to do. Is there a way you can get credit? I'm still trying figure out how to get a page layout like you have. I have a temporary folder that I named Condo Pics in the Dropbox folder. I thought I could go to "properties" on the drop down menu and cut and paste the link but that info doesn't show up. I looked at a few on-line tutorials and maybe my feeble brain can figure it out. I want to be able to send links and have a page layout like you do with the smaller pics all clustered together on one page for each property. I'm doing this for a friend with beach properties and I can get him to join. I'd be glad to give credit for more storage space if I can. Let me know and thanks for the advice. :thumbup:

texashill Loc: Texas Hill Country

Done :-) I did some comparison of Aperture and Program modes. I couldn't tell any difference as far as the behavior of the flash but the larger point is that your advice to expose the window and flash the room separately is a great tip. Is my particular camera, Canon G1X MII, smarter with the flash on P than it is on A? I don't know but for these types of shots, "depth of field" is not an issue. Why not shoot in P? Michael says to shoot in P, that's good enough for me :-)