In reply to Post #1
I found the best way to progress from alway using 'auto' is to move on to 'AV' mode (or aperture priority). This way you get your head round the two most useful 'Carpy' settings, the F-stop (for the bokeh effect) and exposure (reducing it makes the fish look darker), the rest is still automatic. Once you get the hang of that you can move on if you feel you need to.
I found the best way to progress from alway using 'auto' is to move on to 'AV' mode (or aperture priority). This way you get your head round the two most useful 'Carpy' settings, the F-stop (for the bokeh effect) and exposure (reducing it makes the fish look darker), the rest is still automatic. Once you get the hang of that you can move on if you feel you need to.
In reply to Post #16
I agree with that, the 'exposure compensation' (I guess that's what you meant by exposure setting) is good for that. If you got into shooting raw and editing yourself its even more useful as you can use it to protect the highlights so you don't get the pure white areas, or protect the shadows so you can lift the darkest areas without loads of noise.
Even in these semi auto modes you can take control and even in manual you can leave a lot to the camera
I agree with that, the 'exposure compensation' (I guess that's what you meant by exposure setting) is good for that. If you got into shooting raw and editing yourself its even more useful as you can use it to protect the highlights so you don't get the pure white areas, or protect the shadows so you can lift the darkest areas without loads of noise.
Even in these semi auto modes you can take control and even in manual you can leave a lot to the camera
In reply to Post #17
Yes ‘exposure compensation', that's the fella 👍
Yes ‘exposure compensation', that's the fella 👍
In reply to Post #18
Why bring in exposure comp when folk still can't get to grips with manual 😂. Most cameras nowadays have decent sensors which enable you to handle darker situations much better than a few years back, especially with invariance, but thats another level a d subject for another day. as for editing, lightroom is the best if using RAW images but for phone snaps look at Snapseed. Loads of free RAW editing programs here,
https://petapixel.com/best-free-raw-editing-programs/
There's so many YouTube tutorials on photography it's just not worth my rambling on about the exposure triangle. Just do a search.
Why bring in exposure comp when folk still can't get to grips with manual 😂. Most cameras nowadays have decent sensors which enable you to handle darker situations much better than a few years back, especially with invariance, but thats another level a d subject for another day. as for editing, lightroom is the best if using RAW images but for phone snaps look at Snapseed. Loads of free RAW editing programs here,
https://petapixel.com/best-free-raw-editing-programs/
There's so many YouTube tutorials on photography it's just not worth my rambling on about the exposure triangle. Just do a search.
I've been a pro wildlife and landscape tog for over thirty years doing wedding photography for the last twenty years. Rambling on about exposure isn't going to help anyone. Just stick your camera in manual and go make mistakes. Watch YouTube and you will get to grips with it.
My camera is years old, but the most valuable tool on it is the "Exposure Compensation" setting. Usually I have it set to a "minus" setting permanently this usually stops the lower whiter parts of a fish being overexposed and losing its scale pattern.
Also, and probably most camera's these days do it, it will take 3 pictures one after the other automatically. Based on what I have the camera set at for "Exposure Compensation" it will take one at that setting and one plus of that setting and one minus of that setting, so I get a normal exposure and one each of overexposed and underexposed. Amongst those three is usually a good one.
But it is trial and error to find the setting you can leave the camera set too to get the perfect shot first time rather than mess about with trial shots, ie see its over or under exposed, so adjust the setting, then another shot, check the picture again and so on till you get it right.
Even on a night the method works unless you are a far too close to the "Flash" and that can overexpose everything and leave the fish glowing yellowy white and scale less whilst yourself looks as if you wash your face and hands in "DAZ"
Also, and probably most camera's these days do it, it will take 3 pictures one after the other automatically. Based on what I have the camera set at for "Exposure Compensation" it will take one at that setting and one plus of that setting and one minus of that setting, so I get a normal exposure and one each of overexposed and underexposed. Amongst those three is usually a good one.
But it is trial and error to find the setting you can leave the camera set too to get the perfect shot first time rather than mess about with trial shots, ie see its over or under exposed, so adjust the setting, then another shot, check the picture again and so on till you get it right.
Even on a night the method works unless you are a far too close to the "Flash" and that can overexpose everything and leave the fish glowing yellowy white and scale less whilst yourself looks as if you wash your face and hands in "DAZ"
In reply to Post #19
But if you read the OP he is asking how to get the fish to look darker for that 'carpy' shot.
Obviously when your photography skills are pro level then adjust everything to your hearts content but, when you are moving out of 'auto' mode for the first time then AV mode and Exp Comp is the easiest way to get good results. In Manual mode you have to get everything right, not so easy when on your own doing self-takes and your new PB is in the sack!!
I use a Canon in AV mode with an Intervalometer app that I set to take shots at different exp levels 0, -1/3, -2/3, next one back to 0 and so on in a loop, then choose the best ones. Invariably the shots that are on a minus setting come out with the fish looking better.
This doesn't apply for night shots.
But if you read the OP he is asking how to get the fish to look darker for that 'carpy' shot.
Obviously when your photography skills are pro level then adjust everything to your hearts content but, when you are moving out of 'auto' mode for the first time then AV mode and Exp Comp is the easiest way to get good results. In Manual mode you have to get everything right, not so easy when on your own doing self-takes and your new PB is in the sack!!
I use a Canon in AV mode with an Intervalometer app that I set to take shots at different exp levels 0, -1/3, -2/3, next one back to 0 and so on in a loop, then choose the best ones. Invariably the shots that are on a minus setting come out with the fish looking better.
This doesn't apply for night shots.
In reply to Post #22
"But if you read the OP he is asking how to get the fish to look darker for that 'carpy' shot."
Exposure compensation adjusts light levels just like adjusting ISO, shutter speed and aperture. eg, want it darker shoot it with a lower ISO or higher shutter speed or wider aperture. Many cameras allow you to shoot manual using auto ISO. If you know where your ceiling is, where noise starts to creep in, then setting your ISO cap and running auto ISO in manual gives you one less thing to concern yourself with. Just decide on what you want in focus, adjust your aperture and then adjust your shutter speed to taste, simple... you're now on your way to becoming a manual shooter.
"But if you read the OP he is asking how to get the fish to look darker for that 'carpy' shot."
Exposure compensation adjusts light levels just like adjusting ISO, shutter speed and aperture. eg, want it darker shoot it with a lower ISO or higher shutter speed or wider aperture. Many cameras allow you to shoot manual using auto ISO. If you know where your ceiling is, where noise starts to creep in, then setting your ISO cap and running auto ISO in manual gives you one less thing to concern yourself with. Just decide on what you want in focus, adjust your aperture and then adjust your shutter speed to taste, simple... you're now on your way to becoming a manual shooter.
In reply to Post #22
In truth there are no settings to make the 'fish' look darker, you're making everything look darker. To darken the fish alone, it's editing after the event.
In truth there are no settings to make the 'fish' look darker, you're making everything look darker. To darken the fish alone, it's editing after the event.
In reply to Post #24
Very true.
I find the underexposed look overdone tbh
Very true.
I find the underexposed look overdone tbh
In reply to Post #25
The only way to highlight something such as just the fish is through selection and local adjustments in an image editing software program such as Lightroom. Altering and camera settings is altering the image globally i.e. all of it.
The only way to highlight something such as just the fish is through selection and local adjustments in an image editing software program such as Lightroom. Altering and camera settings is altering the image globally i.e. all of it.
In reply to Post #26
Some really good advice there , thanks . As a complete novice it all seems a little daunting . I will start off playing about in av mode trying to build up an understanding . At the end of the day we do tend to have a fair bit of ‘down time' when fishing so this would be an ideal time to play around , thanks .
Some really good advice there , thanks . As a complete novice it all seems a little daunting . I will start off playing about in av mode trying to build up an understanding . At the end of the day we do tend to have a fair bit of ‘down time' when fishing so this would be an ideal time to play around , thanks .
In reply to Post #27
Good luck an enjoy.
BTW I totally agree with other posters on here that you can't highlight the fish and make it darker merely by using the exp comp, but that isn't what I was saying anyway and yes, the under exp thing was done to death a few years ago but that went a bit extreme in some cases. But...as I said, you will find that by using AV mode setting the f stop to get the bokeh effect and reducing the exp comp ever so slightly (try just one notch) you will be on the way to getting that 'carpy shot' you originally asked about, it's as simple as that.
Good luck an enjoy.
BTW I totally agree with other posters on here that you can't highlight the fish and make it darker merely by using the exp comp, but that isn't what I was saying anyway and yes, the under exp thing was done to death a few years ago but that went a bit extreme in some cases. But...as I said, you will find that by using AV mode setting the f stop to get the bokeh effect and reducing the exp comp ever so slightly (try just one notch) you will be on the way to getting that 'carpy shot' you originally asked about, it's as simple as that.