DEPTH OF FIELD

Depth of field refers to the range of distance that appears acceptably sharp. It varies depending on camera type, aperture and focusing distance, although print size and viewing distance can also influence our perception of depth of field. This tutorial is designed to give a better intuitive and technical understanding for photography, and provides a depth of field calculator to show how it varies with your camera settings.

CAMERA METERING & EXPOSURE

Knowing how your digital camera meters light is critical for achieving consistent and accurate exposures. Metering is the brains behind how your camera determines the shutter speed and aperture, based on lighting conditions and ISO speed. Metering options often include partial, evaluative zone or matrix, center-weighted and spot metering. Each of these have subject lighting conditions for which they excel — and for which they fail. Understanding these can improve one's photographic intuition for how a camera measures light.

Canon offers EOS 5D Mark III firmware v1.1.2

Canon has made the latest firmware (v1.1.2) for the EOS 5D Mark III available from its customer support websites.

Adobe launches Photoshop Lightroom 4.1 Release Candidate 2

Adobe has released a second Release Candidate version of Lightroom 4.1, its Raw conversion and asset management software. The latest version adds support for 13 additional cameras, including the Nikon D3200, Olympus E-M5, Pentax K-01, Ricoh GXR A16 24-85mm and the three latest Samsung NXs. Interestingly, it also adds an improved 'defringe' option to reduce axial chromatic aberrations.

Nikon recalls batch of 1 V1, D7000, D800 and D800E batteries

Nikon has announced a voluntary replacement scheme for a sub-standard batch of batteries for its 1 V1, D7000, D800 and D800E cameras. EN-EL15 batteries with an E or F as the 9th character of their serial numbers are at risk of overheating and becoming distorted, though the company says no customers have yet reported the problem. Nikon says it will replace any battery from the affected batch (which only became available after February 29th 2012).

Understanding Camera Exposure: Aperture, ISO & Shutter Speed

CAMERA EXPOSURE

A photograph's exposure determines how light or dark an image will appear when it's been captured by your camera. Believe it or not, this is determined by just three camera settings: aperture, ISO and shutter speed (the "exposure triangle"). Mastering their use is an essential part of developing an intuition for photography.

DIGITAL CAMERA SENSORS

A digital camera uses a sensor array of millions of tiny pixels in order to produce the final image. When you press your camera's shutter button and the exposure begins, each of these pixels has a "photosite" which is uncovered to collect and store photons in a cavity. Once the exposure finishes, the camera closes each of these photosites, and then tries to assess how many photons fell into each. The relative quantity of photons in each cavity are then sorted into various intensity levels, whose precision is determined by bit depth (0 - 255 for an 8-bit image).

Adobe Unveils Fast, Feature-Packed Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CS6 Extended

For immediate release

SAN JOSE, Calif. — April 23, 2012 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced Adobe® Photoshop® CS6 and Photoshop CS6 Extended software, major releases of the undisputed standard for professional digital imaging. Packed with new features and enhancements, the software includes groundbreaking innovations and unparalleled performance breakthroughs that expand the frontiers of imaging science, and deliver new levels of creativity and increased efficiency.

Adobe issues Lightroom 4.1 release candidate with 5D Mark III support

Adobe has launched a release candidate of Photoshop Lightroom v4.1, including a series of bug fixes and support for Canon's EOS 5D Mark III. The release candidate tag means it has been well tested but could still benefit from user input. The update includes support for the 5D Mark III that appeared in the latest Adobe Camera Raw update.