Basic techniques for better images. Sony 3-700-727-12(1), DSC T500

8

Basic techniques for better images

Focus Exposure Color Quality Flash

This section describes the basics so you can enjoy the camera. It tells you how to use various camera functions such as the HOME

screen (page 36), and the menus (page 38).

Focus Focusing on a subject successfully

When you press the shutter button halfway down, the camera adjusts the focus automatically

(Auto Focus). Remember to press the shutter button only halfway down.

Do not fully press the shutter button straight away.

Press the shutter button halfway down.

AE/AF lock indicator flashing

, lit/beeps

Then press the shutter button fully down.

When focusing is difficult t

[Focus] (page 44)

If the image looks blurred even after focusing, it may be because of camera shake. t

See

“Hints for preventing blur” below.

Basic techniques for better images

Hints for preventing blur

The camera moved accidentally when you took the image. This is called “Camera shake.”

On the other hand, if the subject moved when you took the image, it is called “subject blur.”

Camera shake

Cause

Your hands or body shake while you hold the camera and press the shutter button, and the entire screen is blurred.

What you can do to reduce the blurring

• Use a tripod or place the camera on a flat surface to hold the camera steady.

• Shoot with a 2-second delay self-timer and stabilize the camera by holding your arms firmly at your side after pressing the shutter button.

Subject blur

Cause

Even though the camera is steady, the subject moves during the exposure so the subject looks blurred when the shutter button is pressed.

What you can do to reduce the blurring

• Select (High Sensitivity) mode in Scene

Selection.

• Select a higher ISO sensitivity to make the shutter speed faster, and press the shutter button before the subject moves.

Notes

• The anti-blur function is enabled in the factory default settings so that the camera shake is reduced automatically. However, this is not effective for subject blur.

• Besides, camera shake and subject blur occur frequently under low-light or slow shutter speed conditions, such as those encountered in (Twilight) or (Twilight Portrait) mode. In that case, shoot with the above tips in mind.

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Basic techniques for better images

Exposure

Adjusting the light intensity

You can create various images by adjusting the exposure and the ISO sensitivity. Exposure is the amount of light that the camera will receive when you release the shutter.

Exposure:

Shutter speed = Length of time the camera receives light

Aperture = Size of the opening allowing light to pass through

ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure

Index)

= Recording sensitivity

Overexposure

= too much light

Whitish image

Correct exposure

Underexposure

= too little light

Darker image

The exposure is automatically set to the proper value in the Auto Adjustment mode. However, you can adjust it manually using the functions below.

Adjusting EV:

Allows you to adjust the exposure

determined by the camera (page 49).

Metering Mode:

Allows you to change the part of the subject to be measured to determine the

exposure (page 47).

Basic techniques for better images

Adjusting ISO Sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)

ISO sensitivity is a speed rating for recording media that incorporates an image sensor that receives light. Even when the exposure is the same, images differ depending on the ISO sensitivity.

To adjust the ISO sensitivity, see page 48.

High ISO sensitivity

Records a bright image even in dark locations while increasing shutter speed to reduce blur.

However, the image tends to become noisy.

Low ISO sensitivity

Records a smoother image.

However, when the exposure is insufficient, the image may become darker.

Color

On the effects of lighting

The apparent color of the subject is affected by the lighting conditions.

Example: The color of an image affected by light sources

Weather/lighting

Characteristics of light

Daylight

White (standard)

Cloudy

Bluish

Fluorescent

Green-tinged

Incandescent

Reddish

The color tones are adjusted automatically in the Auto Adjustment mode.

However, you can adjust color tones manually with [White Balance] (page 52).

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Basic techniques for better images

Quality

On “image quality” and “image size”

A digital image is made up of a collection of small dots called pixels.

If it contains a large number of pixels, the image becomes large, it takes up more memory, and the image is displayed in fine detail. “Image size” is shown by the number of pixels. Although you cannot see the differences on the screen of the camera, the fine detail and data processing time differ when the image is printed or displayed on a computer screen.

Description of the pixels and the image size

1 Image size: 10M

3648 pixels × 2736 pixels = 9,980,928 pixels

2

Image size: VGA

640 pixels × 480 pixels = 307,200 pixels

Pixels

Selecting the image size for use (pages 13, 27, 30)

Pixel

Many pixels (Fine image quality and large file size)

Few pixels (Rough image quality but small file size)

Example: Printing in up to A3+ size

Example: An attached image to be sent by e-mail

Basic techniques for better images

The default settings are marked with .

Image size

10M

(3648×2736)

Usage guidelines

For prints up to A3+(13×19")

3:2 (8M)

*1

(3648×2432)

Shoot in 3:2 aspect ratio

No. of images

Less

5M

(2592×1944)

3M

(2048×1536)

For prints up to A4(8×10")

For prints up to 10×15 cm

(4×6") or 13×18 cm(5×7")

VGA

(640×480)

Shoot at small image size for e-mail attachments

16:9 (7M)

*2

(3648×2056)

For viewing on HDTVs and printing up to A4(8×10")

More

Less

Printing

Fine

Rough

Fine

16:9 (2M)

*2

(1920×1080)

For viewing on HDTVs

More Rough

*

1)

Images are recorded in 3:2 aspect ratio, same as photograph printing paper or postcards, etc.

*

2)

Images fill the entire screen. Both edges of the image may be cut off when printing (page 119).

Movie image size Average bit rate/

Second

1280×720(Fine) 9 Mbps

Usage guidelines

1280×720(Standard)

VGA

6 Mbps

3 Mbps

Shoot highest quality movie for display on

HDTV

Shoot standard quality movie for display on

HDTV

Shoot at an image size suitable for WEB upload

• The movies shot with this camera will be recorded in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, Approx. 30fps, Progressive,

AAC, mp4 format.

• The larger the image size and average bit rate, the higher the image quality.

• A telephoto image results when the

image size

is selected for movies.

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Basic techniques for better images

Flash

On using the flash

The eyes of the subject may come out red, or fuzzy white circular spots may appear when using the flash. These phenomena can be reduced by taking the following steps.

The “Red-eye phenomenon”

Pupils become dilated in dark environments. Flash light is reflected off the blood vessels at the back of the eye (retina), causing the “red-eye” phenomenon.

Camera Eye

Retina

How can the “Red-eye phenomenon” be reduced?

• Set [Red Eye Reduction] to [On] (page 55).

• When the eyes of the subject turn out red, correct the image with [Retouch] on the viewing menu

(page 58) or with the supplied software “Picture Motion Browser”.

The “White circular spots”

This is caused by particles (dust, pollen, etc.) floating close to the lens. When they are accentuated by the camera’s flash, they appear as white circular spots.

Camera

Subject

Particles (dust, pollen, etc.) in the air

How can the “White circular spots” be reduced?

• Light the room and shoot the subject without a flash.

* Even though you selected (High Sensitivity) mode in Scene Selection, the shutter speed might be slower under low-light conditions, or in a dark place. In that case, use a tripod or hold your arms firmly at your side after pressing the shutter button.