SLR Photography Guide - November Edition 2015

Copyright LawsRAW File Format

2015 ISSUENOVEMBER

GUIDEPHOTOGRAPHYSLR

NOVEMBER EDITIONDIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE EDITOR TANYA PUNTTISLRPHOTOGRAPHYGUIDE.COM

2015

Cover Photo © Mona Yazbeck (Canada)Aperture f/2.8 | ISO 400 | Shutter Speed 1/250

Our online photography course now comes with four e-books: Aperture Explained, Mastering Shutter Speed, Understanding ISO and Going Manual. If you are yet to download them, look under the ‘Files’ link beneath our facebook group header image (students only) or under lesson one and two within the course content.

Enrol now http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/online-courses.shtml

in this issue

Student image © Amanda Therien (Canada) ISO 100 | Aperture f/3.2 | Shutter Speed 1/1000 | Focal Length 85mm

Student image © Kari Uselman-Shigeno ISO 500 | Aperture f/2.8 | Shutter Speed 1/320 | Focal Length 50 mm

Student image © Darlene Chapell Torres (USA)ISO 200 | Focal Length 42mm | Aperture f/10 | Shutter Speed 1.3Flashlight | Tripod

Why you should be shooting family photos in RAW

Back when I purchased my first digital camera I had no idea how badly JPEG files Back when I purchased my first digital camera I had no idea how badly JPEG files deteriorate the more you open, edit and re-save them. While it’s true in theory, that if you make a second copy of the original and only edit that file, then you should see no degradation in the JPEG that came out of the camera. The chance of you or your software making an edit every time the original is opened, is far higher than if you shoot RAW in the first place. This is especially true for those who are new to editing software like Lightroom and Photoshop.

I like to think of RAW as my ‘digital negative’. When I have an image I want to I like to think of RAW as my ‘digital negative’. When I have an image I want to upload online, I simply need to open the RAW, save a JPEG version then edit that file, knowing I always have the original RAW file intact to go back to if needed.

I’ve learned this lesson the hard way! As I said at the start, when I purchased my I’ve learned this lesson the hard way! As I said at the start, when I purchased my first digtial camera, I shot family photos in JPEG and edited them with the software that came with my camera, as many beginners do. My children were roughly ten and thirteen years old at the time. I’d mistakenly thought being digital, that I would have these images forever. Then last week I came across family CDs and thought I’d have a look through them. It was then I realised I’d lost all photos of our children that were captured during those precious years. Sadly, their faces are so pixaleted they are almost unrecognisable. Not only had Sadly, their faces are so pixaleted they are almost unrecognisable. Not only had I edited the original JPEG files, I’d also resized them to send to family and friends through email, not thinking that monitor resolutions would change over time. An easy mistake for beginners to make. Had I shot in RAW from the start, I’d still have those original files as a ‘digital negative’ per se to fall back on.

If you are a beginner to photography, do yourself a favor and make the switch from JPEG to RAW file format. Your future self will thank you for it!

Which Format Is Best

Why you should be shooting family photos in RAW

GhostsStudent image © Mavadene Kennedy

© Marg Ahern

© Kathy O’Toole

You should always carry in your camera bag

Seems a bit of a contradiction to say that something is non-essential and then state that you should always carry them in the bag, yet there will be times when you will remember this post and wish you packed a few unnecessary items instead of that heavy extra lens.

It goes without saying that a bottle of water, sunscreen, pest spray and a hat is It goes without saying that a bottle of water, sunscreen, pest spray and a hat is essential when going on any sort of nature shoot. Perhaps you can forget the sunscreen if you’re shooting stars, yet it’s those little things that you overlook that may really become essential, sometimes even life saving.

Ever thought of carrying a crepe bandage? Believe me, that is the first thing that Ever thought of carrying a crepe bandage? Believe me, that is the first thing that goes into my bag, even before the camera. I learned the lesson the hard way many years ago, walking along looking at my images in the LCD screen, hello gutter and over I went. Could have done with a good bandage then, but no, I had to learn the hard way. Not long after that skinned knee came good, the ankle turned on a coral beach. Poor John had to carry all the gear and try to help me at the same time. Now that bandage is a piece of non essential gear always in the bag. Perhaps I should throw in a pair of crutches? bag. Perhaps I should throw in a pair of crutches?

For us Aussies it’s even more essential, because when your out shooting nature there’s always something trying to bite you. Think snake bite compression bandage. Sting ray hit, yep, been there done that. Shark bite ... no let’s not go there. You get the idea.

Non Essential Gear

Here’s a few other things I would recommend that you carry in your bag. (Note: A block or two of chocolate can be added to the absolute necessities list)

A small pair of scissors or pen knife comes in handy for trimming a thin branch that is protruding into your frame. Snipping an errant whisp of hair from around a face and many other little distractions that popup from time to time. Just remember to remove from bag if flying.

A washing peg or small clamp can hold back that twig, secure a reflector to a A washing peg or small clamp can hold back that twig, secure a reflector to a structure or fix a piece of fabric to use as a background. You can make clothes a snug fit or use a clamp insted of a safety pin. I use a couple of clamps to hold hotel window curtains around my camera and tripod when shooting city scenes at night. Stops window glare.

A roll of gaffer or duct tape has inumerable uses. Leave your heavy tripod home A roll of gaffer or duct tape has inumerable uses. Leave your heavy tripod home and tape your camera to a branch, rock or similar object. Stick your speed light onto a tree, tape down electric leads to the floor, hold cloth backgrounds, secure your remote release cord to your tripod leg so it doesn’t flap in the breeze. Very handy item.

Piece of string, hair tie, small flashlight, cigarette lighter and safety pin are other Piece of string, hair tie, small flashlight, cigarette lighter and safety pin are other small items that should be lying somewhere in your camera bag. You never know when you will use these items, yet you certainly will some time during your photography journey.

Have any non essential yet useful gadgets in your camera bag? Share them in our private Facebook group (students only), I’d love to hear what they are.

Student image © Sandy RainesAperture f/16 | Shutter Speed 15.0 sec | ISO 200 | Focal Length 66 mm

Student image © Judy Mitschelen (USA) Aperture f/11 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 33 mm | Bracketed image | HDR Merge

(student profile)

http://www.joybellaphotography.com

Joy is a person I admire greatly for her persistance and determination to make it as Joy is a person I admire greatly for her persistance and determination to make it as a photographer despite being both dyslexic and color blind! Instead of getting frustrated and giving up on her dream as many would in her position, she forges forward to find a way that works for her. Never afraid to ask for help or constructive criticism and take it onboard, she’s also fast to give back to others and offer advice or a friendly hand of support where she can. I’ve enjoyed watching on as her photography progresses, becoming one of the most inspirational members of our group. inspirational members of our group.

Joy Bobrink

How did you first become interested in photography?

I'm not sure how it began, but I was always the family photographer I'm not sure how it began, but I was always the family photographer starting with a polaroid camera, then a point and shoot camera, and next a Canon EOS Rebel xs. I had it for several years - always on Auto until I purchased this course. I've always wanted to capture "the moment". I've actually missed important moments because I was behind the lens and not participating.

What do you enjoy the most about being a photographer?

I love being asked by my family to take their pictures. To capture their I love being asked by my family to take their pictures. To capture their special moments. I started this course so that I could become the best photographer for my family - my children and grandchildren. I love having a concept in my head and being able to execute it with my camera.

How has our photography course helped you?

I had no idea that a camera was capable of so much! Everything I've learned about photography, I learned from this course, Tanya and the other students. From aperture, shutter speed, ISO, which mode to shoot in, changing white balance, metering and composition, etc. I've had no formal training outside this class.

What’s your favourite photograph you’ve taken and why?

My absolute favorite image to date is my Bear on a Bicycle. I've always loved blues and greens. It was this photo that started me on my newest adventure.

What plans do you have for the future of your photography?

Right now I've created a Teddy B Photo Book and Greeting Cards and Right now I've created a Teddy B Photo Book and Greeting Cards and it's going well considering it just launched. I plan to add more books to the series and additional cards. I'm learning how to composite thanks to Story Art (Karen is an artist that was featured in one of our Student Magazines several months back). I plan to take my grandchildren around the world using my camera. Maybe I'll take my Teddy Bear on a few adventures with them.

Anything else you’d like to share with everyone?Anything else you’d like to share with everyone?

I have a couple of things that work against me. I'm color blind and I'm I have a couple of things that work against me. I'm color blind and I'm dyslexic, so learning is very challenging. I don't see color like everyone else does. I don't always see shadows (which is hard to correct in post editing) and I'm a visual / audible learner ... which means I have to hear it and see it for it to make sense to my brain. There are days my brain just doesn't work and I can't get my camera to do what I want it to do. I've recently found a way that works great for me with Tanya's help. I look at other photographer's work and find out what I like about their look at other photographer's work and find out what I like about their images and from there try to recreate what I like / appreciate about it in my own photography. This has allowed me to create my own certain style (without copying someone else's work). My only advise to another photographer is don't give up. If something isn't working, try it a different way. Find a way that works for you, even if it's unconventional. There are photographers in this group that shoot outside the box, because they've found their way. I'm working on finding mine. I hope because they've found their way. I'm working on finding mine. I hope you find yours.

To view more of Joy’s images visit: http://www.joybellaphotography.com

Student image © Julie Danaher (Australia) ISO 200 | Focal Length 135mm | Aperture f/5.6 | Shutter Speed 1/800

Student image © Laura Howard Strumberger (USA) Aperture f/2.8 | Shutter Speed 1/320 | ISO 400

We have been talking about writing a page on your legal rights as a copyright owner for photographers for some time, but it wasn’t something that was pressing. Just this last week we had to go into battle and fight for our own rights, where someone had obtained files of ours and was selling them online. Thanks to our photography group and great detective work by several members, the matter was quickly dealt with.

Perhaps there is no better time to talk about your rights and copyright law than Perhaps there is no better time to talk about your rights and copyright law than now.

What is copyright?

Copyright is a legal right given to the authors or creators of works with the aim of protecting the rights of the copyright owner from unauthorised use by others.

What does copyright protect?

Copyright protects the written expression of an idea or concept - it does not protect Copyright protects the written expression of an idea or concept - it does not protect the actual idea or concept itself. Photos, paintings, drawings, books, essays, articles, assignments, theses, scripts, plays, song lyrics, films, maps, charts, letters, cheat sheets, video and anything considered intellectually made by you. If you have and idea write it down, it is then deemed as yours.

Do you need to register your copyright?

Generally you do not need to register your copyright. In the US, if you are going to Generally you do not need to register your copyright. In the US, if you are going to take legal action against someone for copyright violation you do need to register your copyright. Each country will be different, e.g. Australian copyright law automatically protects the copyright from the moment a work is placed in material form.

Most overseas countries have agreements with each other which protect their citizens copyrights abroad.

Copyright and You

Owners' rights!

The Copyright Act gives the copyright owner a number of exclusive rights in relation to their works including:

- the right to control the reproduction of their work- moral rights in their work- performers’ rights in their work

Reproduction rightsReproduction rights

Reproduction rights allow the copyright owner control over who uses their works. Usually you need the copyright owner’s permission before you can reproduce their work without infringing their copyright. Copyright owners can exercise these rights themselves or attribute their rights to someone else (licence).

Do your works have to bear a copyright symbol

No! Your rights were set as soon as you produced your work. Whether it be No! Your rights were set as soon as you produced your work. Whether it be written work or artistic. In the case of photography, as soon as you press your shutter the work then belongs to you. That file (digital or film) is your intellectual property and cannot be used in anyway without your permission. Todays digital cameras allow you to embed copyright information onto the file (highly recommended).

Can I use a portion of someones work in my own artistic compilations?

This is a moral issue and the copyright owner does have certain rights that This is a moral issue and the copyright owner does have certain rights that are protected by the relevant act. If you use a portion of someones image without their consent, you would be in contempt of the law if you then tried to sell your image containing their works. Moral rights apply to most types of material protected by copyright such as literary, dramatic, artistic and musical works.

How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark?

Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects Copyright protects original works of authorship, while a patent protects inventions or discoveries. Ideas and discoveries are not protected by the copyright law, although the way in which they are expressed may be. A trademark protects words, phrases, symbols, or designs identifying the source of the goods or services of one party and distinguishing them from those of others.

Copyright in your country

To obtain the copyright information for your country, a quick google To obtain the copyright information for your country, a quick google search will bring up a brief overview of the relevant act of your particular government and more specic information if required.

What to do if your copyright is violated?

If you nd that your works have been used by someone without your If you nd that your works have been used by someone without your express permission, usually a stern warning will be sufficient to make that person cease using your property. Contact the offender personally, either by email or social contact, setting out that they are in breach of copyright law.

If they are selling your works as their own online, contact the website where sales are made and inform them that your copyright has been violated and state that if the item is not withdrawn for sale they may face legal action. If the copyright thief is using a payment system such as PayPal, contact them also, as they will usually freeze the seller’s account until your rights are established.

Unfortunately exercising your legal rights can be expensive. It is best to Unfortunately exercising your legal rights can be expensive. It is best to exhaust all possible social ways to protect your rights before contacting a legal practitioner. Todays social media platforms can be an effective tool to shame a copyright thief.

Your rights are protected

Photography is an art and as an artist you have legal rights to your works. As a Photography is an art and as an artist you have legal rights to your works. As a fraternity, we should also give moral appreciation for others artistic works, as we expect them to give us. Be inspired by others while maintaining your own individuality.

Student image © Tina Frizzell O'Donnell (USA) Nikon D5100 | Aperture f/5.6 | Shutter Speed 1/500 | ISO 200 | Focal Length 300 mm

Student image © Lee Ann Richardson Patterson

Did you know our online photography course

now comes with downloadable cheat sheets?

"If you haven't taken advantage of printing the cheat sheets, I strongly suggest you take time to do so. These alone are worth

the price of the course." ~ John Smith (student)

Check out our online photography course over at

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/online-courses.shtml

SLR Photography Guide - November Edition 2015

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