Got A New Camera? Want To Learn How To Use It?

Did you get a new camera these past holidays? Maybe as a gift, or maybe you went out and got a great deal on boxing day! Either way I am sure you have been excited to take it out and shoot away as often as you can, capturing memories that will last forever. The photography bug is an easy one to catch, and the only way to relieve the itch is by learning as much as you can to better your shots. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned veteran, there is always something you can learn about your camera, or a new technique to explore. A great and informative website that I enjoy contributing to is Digital Photography School. There is a multitude of information on their main website, and even more if you are ready to jump into their forum section. If you are fairly new to photography and/or cameras I would suggest the following compilation as a good place to start: 21 Settings, Techniques and Rules All New Camera Owners Should Know. It's a great collection of useful beginner, intermediate, and experienced information all in one handy link.
Some of the information there can be a bit daunting at first for a beginner. If you prefer I also offer one-on-one photography courses where you can learn whatever is most important to you with hands on instruction. Classes are tailor built to your own photography needs and can range anywhere from complete beginner (Point & Shoot cameras, SLR cameras, Camera settings, Get out of Auto mode) to more involved and experienced photography (Studio gear, Flash photography, HDR, Photoshop tips and tricks). If you are interested, send me an email (fernmatias@gmail.com) to get more info. I can get you on your way to becoming comfortable shooting outside of Auto mode, and moving toward making your shots amazing!

Black Capped Chickadee Takes Flight

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Black Capped Chickadee Takes Flight


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/7.1
Exposure: 1/2000
Focal Length: 200mm with 2X TC (400mm)
Flash: Not-Fired
ISO: 1000
Post processing included conversion from RAW, levels adjustment, contrast adjustment, and unsharp-mask

Chipmunk

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Chipmunk


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure: 1/800
Focal Length: 200mm with 2X TC (400mm)
Flash: Not-Fired
ISO: 1250
Post processing included conversion from RAW, cropped, and unsharp-mask

Black and White Flower

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Black and White Flower


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/6.3
Exposure: 1/100
Focal Length: 105mm
Extension Tube: 36mm
Flash: Fired E-TTL
Flash Bias: -1EV
ISO: 640
Post processing included conversion from RAW, cropped levels adjustment, converted to black and white and unsharp-mask

Potty Humour

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Potty Humour. They are some funny erasers that were given to me by a friend, who obviously knows my kind of humour. Unfortunately, their scale is slightly lacking, since neither the turd nor the plunger would ever fit in that toilet!


Exif Data
Camera: Canon Powershot G7
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure: 1/80
Focal Length: 35mm
Flash: Not-Fired
ISO: 800
Post processing included levels adjustment, contrast adjustment, noise removal, and unsharp-mask

Christmas Tree HDR

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Christmas Tree HDR. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Fernando Matias Photography!


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/4.0
Bracketed Exposures: 1/13, 1/6, 1/3
Focal Length: 28mm
Flash: Not-Fired
ISO: 500
Tripod
Post processing included photo merge to HDR, tonemapped, curves adjustment, contrast adjustment, noise reduction, healing tool, and unsharp-mask

Geranium Macro

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Geranium Macro


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/10.0
Exposure: 1/100
Focal Length: 145mm with 2X TC (290mm)
Extension Tubes: 68mm
Flash: Fired E-TTL
ISO: 640
Post processing included conversion from RAW, levels adjustment, and unsharp-mask

Downy Woodpecker

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Downy Woodpecker


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure: 1/320
Focal Length: 200mm with 2X TC (400mm)
Flash: Not-Fired
ISO: 400
Post processing included conversion from RAW, levels adjustment, contrast adjustment, and unsharp-mask

Tasty Tangerine

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Tasty Tangerine


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure: 1/100
Focal Length: 135mm with 2X TC (270mm)
Extension Tubes: 68mm
Flash: Fired E-TTL Off Camera
ISO: 400
Tripod
Diffuser Screen
Post processing included conversion from RAW, levels adjustment, and unsharp-mask

Snow Overhang

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Snow Overhang


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure: 1/5000
Focal Length: 200mm
Flash: Not-Fired
ISO: 125
Post processing included conversion from RAW, levels adjustment, and unsharp-mask

Orange Canary

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Orange Canary


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/10.0
Exposure: 1/100
Focal Length: 173mm with 2X TC (346mm)
Extension Tubes: 68mm
Flash: Fired E-TTL
Flash Bias: -1/3EV
ISO: 640
Post processing included conversion from RAW, and unsharp-mask

I Guess We Got A Bit Of Snow

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called I Guess We Got A Bit Of Snow


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure: 0.6 sec
Focal Length: 153mm
Flash: Not-Fired
ISO: 800
Tripod
Post processing included conversion from RAW, levels adjustment and selective unsharp-mask

Birdbath

Today's second shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Birdbath. I have two shots today because it has been quite cold and snowy lately, so I have been going through some of my shots from the summer and trying to remember the warm times!


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure: 1/2000
Focal Length: 200mm
Flash: Not-Fired
ISO: 400
Post processing included conversion from RAW, levels adjustment, healing tool, and unsharp-mask

Blades

Today's first shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Blades


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure: 1/1250
Focal Length: 200mm
Flash: Not-Fired
ISO: 400
Post processing included conversion from RAW, and levels adjustment

Ornaments

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Ornaments


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure: 1/80
Focal Length: 97mm
Flash: Fired E-TTL
ISO: 1250
Post processing included conversion from RAW, and unsharp-mask

Don't Drink And Drive

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Don't Drink and Drive


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/10.0
Exposure: 1/6
Focal Length: 40mm
Flash: Fired
ISO: 640
Post processing included conversion from RAW, cropped, levels adjustment, contrast adjustment, healing tool, and burning

Bubbles

There are two shots for today's "Photo a Day" project because I could not decide which one I liked better. They are called Bubbles. Which one do you prefer?



Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/13.0 and f/8.0
Exposure: 1/100
Focal Length: 100mm
Extension Tubes: 68mm
External Flash: Fired E-TTL
ISO: 400

Post processing included conversion from RAW, and unsharp-mask

Champagne S.V.P.

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called Champagne S.V.P.


Exif Data
Camera: Canon 5D mkII
Aperture: f/22.0
Exposure: 1/100
Focal Length: 50mm
Multiple Flashes: Fired E-TTL (Ratio 4:1)
ISO: 500
White Reflector
Post processing included conversion from RAW, and unsharp-mask

My Life Is An Open Window

Today's shot for the "Photo a Day" project is called My Life Is An Open Window


Exif Data
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XTi
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure: 1/40
Exposure Bias: +1/3
Focal Length: 24mm
Flash: Not-Fired
ISO: 200
Post processing included conversion from RAW, and unsharp-mask

Sanctuaire Sainte-Anne de Beaupré, Quebéc Canada

Last year we took a little trip to Quebéc City, and during that time we visited the Saint Anne de Beaupré Shrine. It was a very beautiful and rather large sanctuary that made for some fantastic natural lighting photos. Thankfully tripods were allowed, so I was able to get some very nice shots, and even a few panoramas. Enjoy!