Fundamental Cyber-shot Handling Course at Sony Digital Workshop

Attended this complimentary Fundamental Cyber-shot^® Handling Course at the Sony Digital Workshop (Isetan Orchard). It was given complimentary to me as I've registered my Sony camera for the online warranty. This course would have cost $40 per person if one wish to sign up for it but didn't buy their camera.

Abit of the theoretical was taught in order for us to understand more of those terms that was usually used.

Digital camera - Replace the usage of film with a sensor. The bigger the sensor the better as it means the pixal would not be too packed. Usually a 10-12 megapixel camera is good enough as when the megapixel goes higher, the more "noise" it would produce.

Pixel = Resolution

Megapixel : Menu on shooting mode.
The ratio on the megapixel will affect the output. Be it as u upload to TV or when you develop out.
HDTV : 16 : 9 ratio (If you choose a 4 : 3 ratio when u show it on the TV it will have two bars by the side.
4R photos : 3 : 2 ratio but out camera ratio is 4 : 3 thus when we take photo must give allowance to top and side as it would get cut off when develop.

MENU
Menu button : Shooting control.
Easy mode : Less option, font size increase.
Home/Briefcase : Camera setting
(Grid line : useful for taking scenery)
(Initialize : reset to default setting)
iPanorama: menu : 2 options : Standard (180 degree) Wide (360 degree)
(Change direction just press the button)

XUnder Exposed VS Over ExposedX
Under Exposed : too dark. photos still can be saved as details can be recovered.
Over Exposed : Useless photos. Details can't be seen.

Shuttle Speed
The higher the number the less motion blur.
ISO can control shuttle speed.
ISO : Sensitivity of sensor towards light.
If bright daylight, use low ISO (200/100) cause don't need to absorb too much light.
In low light environment, use higher ISO but "Noise" level increase (Unwanted dots, distorted photo)
High ISO allows faster shuttle speed but details blur due to noise.

Aperture
Controls width of opening of light. Create or control the depth of field.
* Background defocus (make background blur)
Measured in F stops (Mine: F3.3) Number small, bigger aperture

Scene Selection
1) Twilight: Low light scene without flash (Use tripod, can't see fast moving cars but only light trail) (1-2 seconds exposure)
2) Twilight potrait
3) Soft snap: Shoot subject with soft background. Have face detection. Detect blinks of eyes. Detects up to 8 faces.
4) High sensitivity : Shoot without flash in low light.
5) Handheld twilight: Minimize handshake in low light environment. No need tripod. (Best for night festival this coming 27th Aug)
6) Anti-Motion Blur: Counter hand shaking when on boat. Even faster shuttle speed to counter movement. No need tripod
7) Landscape: Shoot landscape in distant focus. Nice blue sky.
8) Beach mode: Enhance the blur colour more
9) Snow: Shoot white scene brightly. In places with snow, when camera see so much white colour it will auto darken and the snow will become grey colour. So this mode disallow the camera to "act smart"
10) Advanced sports shooting: Shoot airplanes. Track people running.
11) Fireworks: Shoot fireworks in slow shuttle. When hear the sound can start pressing. First two burst of fireworks is good, next few will see smokes. Shoot with background.
12) Smile Shuttle: in auto mode. Take photo when the camera smile. Good for kids and self take.

Program Mode
More control of the camera.
1) Focus (half press to focus)
- Multi AF: See where it focus
- Center AF: Focus on center of object
Focus lock in half mode and move camera. The object that was focused will still be sharp.

2) Macro: only in intelligent auto mode. Go closer to object. Don't zoom.

3) Metering mode: Calculate how much light to be captured. (Multi, Center, Spot) (Moon)

4) Flash: Slow syncho flash

5) Red-eye: Better to use software to remove

6) Backlight correction HPR = DRO. Balance highlight and shadow areas in shooting backlight situation. (When sun is behind)

7) White Balance: allows camera to determine the colour white on camera. Set the white colour. Good for taking photos to sell online as the colour white would be constant.

8) Zoom: Reduce megapixel.

9) Timer: One person or two person countdown

10) EV : Minus EV: under exposed. *Rmb to set back to zero

11) Brust: No Flash. Take multiple shots

12) BRK: No flash. Few shots but different EV

13) SD Memory Card: Get a class 10 memory card. Class 4 is the lowest.

14) Get a lens pen to wipe off dust.