Nikon D200 Training

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Nikon D200 Training

• Civil Air Patrol
• TX-413 Nighthawk Squadron

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This training outline is designed to provide a
moderate level of understanding and skill to
members who plan to use the Nikon D200 camera for
missions involving aerial photography.
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• Outline
• Basic Formula for Photography
• ISO
• Aperture
• Shutter Speed
• White Balance/Metering
• Focusing

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• Basic
• Photography
• Imaging
• Composition

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Basic Formula for Photography

• The basic formula for taking pictures
• Sensitivity x Light x Time Image
• Or
• ISO x Aperture x Shutter Speed Image

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Basic Camera Concepts

• Exposures It takes a certain amount of light for
  a certain amount of time to capture an image.
• You can adjust the amount of light required
  (ISO-Film Speed)
• You can adjust the amount of light let in
  (Aperture)
• You can adjust the amount of time (Shutter)
• All of these adjustments are directly related,
  and will have a direct effect on each other.

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Photography Basics

• Think of the formula as a Bucket, Pipeline, and
  Valve Combination.

Shutter Speed
Aperture
ISO
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ISO settings/changing

• ISO is the Film Speed (or the size of the bucket)
• In other words, it determines how much light is
  required to make a picture show up on the
  film/processor
• Concept A larger bucket takes more water to fill
• ISO film speeds generally range from 100 - 6400
• The higher the ISO number
• The more sensitive the film
• The less light is required to expose the image
• The higher the grain
• The numbers are proportionate. ISO 100 requires
  twice (2x) the light as ISO 200

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ISO settings/changing contd

• High ISO Grain
• Although we have a very high quality camera, we
  need to be aware of grain while using high ISO
  settings
• Try to use the lowest ISO setting possible to get
  the highest quality results.

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High ISO Grain Illustration
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How to set ISO on the D200

• How to set ISO on the D200
• Auto Mode - Go to the Menu
• Manual Mode- Hold the ISO button, and spin the
  rear dial

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All About Aperture

• Aperture is the size of the opening in the camera
  lens
• Aperture controls the amount of light coming into
  the camera
• Think of it as a pipeline for light
• The larger the pipelinethe more light can come
  in.

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All About Aperture

• Larger Aperture settings will require lower ISO
  and higher Shutter speeds.
• Smaller Aperture settings will require higher ISO
  and lower Shutter speeds.
• Uses
• Larger Aperture settings allow for higher shutter
  speeds
• Smaller Aperture settings allow for more depth of
  field.

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All About Aperture

• Aperture settings are referred to as F stops
• F5.6, F8, F2.8, F16, F22, etc.
• Larger numbers equal smaller openings.
• The F is actually 1/f
• Aperture settings are proportional. F8 is 2x the
  size of F16.
• Depth of field concept Fire Hose vs. Straw

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Aperture Illustration
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All About Shutter Speed

• Shutter speed is how fast the shutter stays open
  to capture the image.
• Shutter Speed is the valve the longer it
  stays open, the more light can come through the
  pipeline and into the bucket.
• Higher shutter speeds freeze movement
• Lower shutter speeds add blurr effect
• Shutter speeds listed as125, 250, 500,etc
• Actual is 1/125th, 1/250th of 1 second

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All About Shutter Speed

• In the aircraft, you will need a minimum of 1/250
  shutter speed to eliminate vibration and movement
  from the airplane, 1/500 is optimal if possible.
• Try to balance shutter speed needs with ISO and
  aperture settings.

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All About Shutter Speed

• High vs. Low Shutter Speed

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Priority for Settings

• More Important
• Shutter Speed
• Aperture
• ISO
• Less Important
• It is better to sacrifice ISO settings to keep
  aperture and speed settings up

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Composition/Aiming

• Focus on the subject
• Fill the Frame use zoom and position to crop

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Composition/Aiming

• You will typically be farther away from the
  subject than you need to be. Ask the pilot to fly
  closer if necessary to get the shot.
• The ideal angle to the ground is 45 degrees.
• 1,000 AGL, and 1,000 from target

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Under/Over Exposure
Examples of Under/Over Exposure
Over Exposed
Under Exposed
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Correcting Exposure Issues

• Aim the camera at the subject
• Use the Pre-Focus Metering to lock in settings
• Remember The camera is a computerized machineit
  will do EXACTLY what you tell it to do.

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Exposure Correction
Examples of Under/Over Exposure correction by
proper aiming and metering
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• Things to remember about exposure issues
• Photoshop cant fix bad shots
• Color and definition are lost at both extremes
• Some images can be salvaged, but the image
  quality will be sacrificed
• Its much easier to get a good shot than to fix a
  bad one
• Its ok to go back and reshoot

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Reducing Glare with Polarizing Filters
With Filter
Without Filter

• Notice the difference in the glare on the water.
  The polarizing filter cuts through the glare,
  and creates good color and definition

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Additional Exposure/Glare Techniques

• Make sure the horizon is above the top of the
  frame.
• Haze and glare are more likely to occur at
  horizontal angles
• Get up close to your subject
• The more haze between you and the subject, the
  worse the photo will be.
• Use the glare hood
• Prevents flare and stray light from affecting
  lens glass

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Haze/Glare
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Glare/Flare

• Example of lens flare

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3 Houses Destroyed
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Tornado Damage
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Radio Tower
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High Angle
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Not So Good
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Lens Hood Warning

• Warning!!!!!
• Make sure the lens hood is snapped in place
• The lens hood can be pulled off the camera by the
  wind
• Keep the camera inside the aircraft

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Technique Review

• Aim at the target
• Fill the frame
• Get up on it
• 45 degree angle
• No horizon
• Shoot down light if possible
• Review photos BEFORE you RTB

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Review Questions

• Questions?

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Review Questions

• What is ISO?
• What is the optimal setting for our missions?
• How do you adjust ISO settings?
• If you adjust ISO, what else do you need to
  consider?
• What are the problems associated with high and
  low ISO settings?

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Review Questions

• What is Shutter Speed
• What is the minimum speed for our missions?
• What is the optimal speed for our missions?
• How do you adjust Shutter Speed?
• If you adjust Shutter Speed, what else do you
  need to consider?
• What are the problems with high and low shutter
  speeds?

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• What is Aperture?
• What does the Apeture control?
• How do you adjust Aperture?
• If you adjust Aperture, what else do you need to
  consider?
• What are the problems with large and small
  Aperture settings?

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Review Questions

• If you keep having the wing and the strut show up
  in your pictures, what should you do?
• If your pictures arent in focus, what settings
  should you check?
• What other issues should you consider?
• If your pictures are very white and bright,
  what should you do?
• If you have a lot of glare in your photos, what
  should you try?
• What is the maximum of pictures you can take of
  a target on a mission?

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• Camera Functions
• Setup

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Formatting vs Deleting

• Works the same way as your PC
• Formatting the CF card resets the file numbering
  system and reduces the chances of a file error.
• Deleting the images simply erases them. The file
  numbering system does not reset.

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Auto-Focus Modes

• There are 3 Auto Focus modes Servo, AF, M
• Servo mode provides constantly variable focusing
• AF mode allows you to temporarily lock the
  focal distance during the pre-focus
• Manual mode the name says it all

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Shutter Modes

• There are 5 Shutter modes S, CL, CH, Clock, Mup
• Single Shot Works like a semi auto gun
• Continuous Low Full auto _at_ 2.5 fps
• Cont. High (Rambo Mode) Full auto _at_ 6 fps
• Clock For taking pics of yourself
• Mirror Up Night photos

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Shooting Modes

• There are 4 shooting modes P, S, A, M
• Program Mode (Dummy Mode) Everything done for
  you
• Shutter Priority Mandated Shutter Speeds
• Aperture Priority Mandated Aperture Size
• Manual You set everything on your own

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Issues with Program Mode

• A few issues with P mode
• Factory Settings may not be ideal for our
  missions
• Color
• Saturation
• Sharpness
• Contrast

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Image Size/Quality

• File Formats JPEG, RAW
• JPEG is the standard file format for images
• RAW is the file format for Nikon, Canon, etc
• RAW images are significantly higher quality
• Thus, the file sizes are substantially larger
• RAW file formats can only be read by special
  software

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Image Compression

• Image Compression helps reduce file size
• RAW- No compression
• JPEG Fine 14
• JPEG Normal 18
• JPEG Basic 116

Higher Quality
Lower Quality
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Image Size

• There are 3 size formats
• Large 3,872 x 2,592 (10 mp)
• Medium 2,896 x 1,944 (5.6 mp)
• Small 1,936 x 1,296 (2.5 mp)
• Larger image sizes can be magnified with more
  detail.
• Smaller image sizes allow for ease of transfer,
  and more space on CF card

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GPS Connectivity
Connect the GPS and make sure the GPS Indicator
is SOLID
A SOLID light means you have a SOLID Connection
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GPS Placement

• The GPS needs to be able to see the sky
• If not, you may still get a GPS signal on the
  camera, but you may not get any coordinates from
  the GPS
• The front dash and rear baggage area work well
• The GPS indicator on the camera only verifies
  that there is a connection. It does not guarantee
  that any data was collected.

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Inside the Viewfinder
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Top Display
Battery
Aperture
Shutter Speed
Shooting Mode
Focal Point
Remaining Pictures
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Camera Buttons
JPEG, FINE, LARGE
SHOOTING MODE P, S, A, M
ISO SETTING
SHUTTER MODE WHEEL LOCK
SHUTTER MODE S, CL, CH, CLOCK, MUP
WHITE BALANCE
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• Questions?

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Review Questions

• Why do we format the CF card?
• What are the 3 AF modes?
• Whats the difference?
• What are the 3 primary Shutter Modes?
• What are the 4 Shooting/Priority Modes?
• What are the issues associated with each?
• What Are the 2 image file formats?
• What are the pros/cons of each?
• What does a blinking GPS symbol on the camera
  indicate?

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Skill Proficiency

• Skill Development
• Proficiency Management

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Developing Skills

• Cone Drills
• Line up cones
• Place in configuration
• Drive around
• Take photos on the move

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• The cone drill develops skill for
• Movement / Vibration
• Cardinal directions
• Turns around a point
• Framing / Composition
• Peripheral vision in viewfinder

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Lining up the shot
Use the cones to train the eye to line up the
shot
vs.
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Turn around a point
Use single cones to demonstrate radio towers
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On Foot

• You can also do it on foot
• Make sure someone is there to keep you from
  tripping

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Proficiency
There are lots of people and things to take
pictures of around your home to stay proficient.
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• The End