Free Download PDF User Manual, Instructions, User Guide, Owner's Manual.
The Canon PowerShot G12 jumps into that middle area between compacts and DSLRs. Shoot everything in fully automatic mode if you want, and when you're ready to move up to more complexity, advanced features are all there. I've put together a short Q&A to help you get a better understanding of just what you can expect from this book.
Q: Is every camera feature going to be covered?
A: Nope, just the ones I felt you need to know about in order to start taking great photos. The owner's manual is a great resource that covers every feature of your camera. Writing a book that just repeats this information would have been a waste of my time and your money. What I did want to write about was how to harness certain camera features to the benefit of your photography.
Q: So if I already own the manual, why do I need this book?
A: The manual does a pretty good job of telling you how to use a feature or turn it on in the menus, but it doesn't necessarily tell you why and when you should use it. If you really want to improve your photography, you need to know the whys and whens to put all those great camera features to use at the right time. The manual is a great resource on the camera's features, so I treat it like a companion to this book.
Q: What can I expect to learn from this book?
A: Hopefully, you will learn how to take great photographs. My goal, and the reason the book is laid out the way it is, is to guide you through the basics of photography as they relate to different situations and scenarios. By using the features of your camera and this book, you will learn about aperture, shutter speed, ISO, depth of field, and many other photographic concepts. You will also find plenty of large full-page photos that include captions, shooting data, and callouts so you can see how all of the photography fundamentals come together to make great images. All the while, you will be learning how your camera works and how to apply its functions and features to your photography.
Q: What are the assignments all about?
A: At the end of most of the chapters, you will find shooting assignments, where I give you some suggestions as to how you can apply the lessons of the chapter to help reinforce everything you just learned.
Q: Should I read the book straight through or can I skip around from chapter to chapter?
A: I recommend reading the first four chapters to get the building blocks you need to know about your camera. After that, move around the book as you see fit because those chapters are written to stand on their own as guides to specific types of photography or shooting situations. Or, you can read it straight through. The choice is up to you.
Q: Is that it?
A: One last thought before you dive into the first chapter. Take some time to learn the basics and then put them to use. Photography, like most things, takes time to master and requires practice. It's not the camera but the person using it who makes beautiful photographs. Have fun, make mistakes, and then learn from them. In no time, I'm sure you will transition from a person who takes snapshots to a photographer who makes great shots.
Canon PowerShot G12: From Snapshots to Great Shots - Table of Contents:
Introduction
The G12 Great Shots Community
Chapter 1: The PowerShot G12 Top Ten List
Ten Tips to Make Your Shooting More Productive Right Out of the Box
Poring Over the Camera
Poring Over the Camera
1. Charge Your Battery
2. Keep a Backup Memory Card
3. Set Your JPEG Image Quality
4. Avoid Using the Auto ISO Setting
5. Set Your Focus
6. Set the Correct White Balance
7. Adjust the Viewfinder Diopter
8. Know How to Override Auto Focus
9. Review Your Shots
10. Hold Your Camera for Proper Shooting
Chapter 1 Assignments
Chapter 2: First Things First
A Few Things to Know and Do Before You Begin Taking Pictures
Poring Over the Picture
Choosing the Right Memory Card
Formatting Your Memory Card
Using the Right Format: RAW vs. JPEG
The Lens and Focal Lengths
What Is Exposure?
Motion and Depth of Field
Chapter 2 Assignments
Chapter 3: The Automatic Modes
Get Shooting with the Automatic Camera Modes
Poring Over the Picture
Auto Mode
Scene Modes
Low Light Mode
Quick Shot Mode
Why You Will Rarely Want to Use the Automatic Modes
Chapter 3 Assignments
Chapter 4: The Creative Modes
Taking Your Photography to the Next Level
Poring Over the Picture
P: Program Mode
Tv: Shutter Priority Mode
Av: Aperture Priority Mode
M: Manual Mode
How I Shoot: A Closer Look at the Camera Settings I Use
Chapter 4 Assignments
Chapter 5: Moving Target
Shooting Action, Stopping Motion, and More
Poring Over the Picture
Stop Right There!
Using Shutter Priority (Tv) Mode to Stop Motion
Using Aperture Priority (Av) Mode to Isolate Your Subject
Manual Focus for Anticipated Action
Keep Them in Focus with Servo AF
Keeping Up with Continuous Drive Mode
A Sense of Motion
Tips for Shooting Action
Chapter 5 Assignments
Chapter 6: Say Cheese!
Settings and Features to Make Great Portraits
Poring Over the Picture
Automatic Portrait Mode
Using Aperture Priority Mode
Metering Modes for Portraits
Using the AE Lock Feature
Focusing: The Eyes Have It
Detect Faces
Use Fill Flash for Reducing Shadows
Tips for Shooting Better Portraits
Chapter 6 Assignments
Chapter 7: Landscape Photography
Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get the Most Out of Your Landscape Photography
Poring Over the Picture
Sharp and In Focus: Using Tripods
Selecting the Proper ISO
Selecting a White Balance
Taming Bright Skies with Exposure Compensation
The Golden Light
Where to Focus
Easier Focusing
Making Water Fluid
Directing the Viewer: A Word about Composition
Advanced Techniques to Explore
Chapter 7 Assignments
Chapter 8: Mood Lighting
Shooting When the Lights Get Low
Poring Over the Picture
Raising the ISO: The Simple Solution
Stabilizing the Situation
Focusing in Low Light
Shooting Long Exposures
Using the Built-In Flash
Compensating for the Flash Exposure
Reducing Red-Eye
Slow Synchro
Flash and Glass
2nd Curtain Sync
Chapter 8 Assignments
Chapter 9: Creative Compositions
Improve Your Pictures with Sound Compositional Elements
Poring Over the Picture
Depth of Field
Angles
Point of View
Patterns
Color
Contrast
Leading Lines
Splitting the Frame
Frames within Frames
Chapter 9 Assignments
Chapter 10: Advanced Techniques
Impress Your Family and Friends
Poring Over the Picture
Spot Meter for More Exposure Control
Avoiding Lens Flare
Bracketing Exposures
Macro Photography
Shadow Correction and Dynamic Range (DR) Correction
Shooting with an External Flash
The My Menu Setting
Chapter 10 Assignments
Chapter 11: Shooting Video
Because Everything in Front of the Lens is Moving
Shooting Video
Locking Focus
Locking the Exposure Level
Video Shooting Tips
Watching Your Videos
Chapter 11 Assignments
Index
Buy Canon PowerShot G12: From Snapshots to Great Shots Camera Guide Book Written by Jeff Carlson:
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Canon PowerShot G12: From Snapshots to Great Shots
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Canon PowerShot G12: From Snapshots to Great Shots