Is This As Good As A P&S Can Get? Camera Gurus Apply Inside

TheUNZippee! · September 6th, 2011, 01:45 PM

Tools Are Useful.

So I bought a little gorilla pod to play with, so I can experiment with my wee Panasonic DMC-FZ28. This is a point & shoot 10mp camera w/18X optical.

Can I improve on this? If so how? Random pictures of a book & a ratchet, camera settings noted above each picture.

Resolution: 2474 x 1855
Flash Used: Yes (auto)
Focal Length: 10.1mm (35mm equivalent: 57mm...
Exposure Time: 0.033 s (1/30)
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO Equiv.: 100
Whitebalance: Auto
Light Source: Flash
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: program (auto)

====================

Resolution: 2382 x 1787
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 10.1mm (35mm equivalent: 57mm...
Exposure Time: 0.077 s (1/13)
Aperture: f/3.2
ISO Equiv.: 400
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: program (auto)

====================

Resolution: 2448 x 1836
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 10.1mm (35mm equivalent: 57mm...
Exposure Time: 0.077 s (1/13)
Aperture: f/3.2
ISO Equiv.: 400
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: program (auto)

====================

Resolution: 2430 x 1822
Flash Used: No
Focal Length: 8.7mm (35mm equivalent: 49mm)
Exposure Time: 0.300 s (1/3)
Aperture: f/3.2
ISO Equiv.: 100
Whitebalance: Auto
Metering Mode: matrix
Exposure: Manual
Exposure Mode: Auto bracketing

Thanks for any input!

Emay · September 6th, 2011, 04:03 PM

They can get better if you can manually control ISO, Aperature, Flash (as in turn it off), and white balance.

I've seen plenty of amature P&S shots that rivaled pro-level cameras and pro level skill. You might have to work a bit harder at it because of lack of full control and quality of glass, but the fundamentals and composition do not come from technology.

TheUNZippee! · September 6th, 2011, 04:15 PM

Aha... white balance... while I'm certainly not a pro at understanding the other fundamentals like ISO, F stops and Aperture, I know what those things are... but I do not know what white balance is. I shall go learn. Thanks.

RZNCAIN · September 6th, 2011, 04:40 PM

Really wish I knew how to use my camera.

TheUNZippee! · September 6th, 2011, 04:42 PM

I feel your pain, Mike... what comes so naturally to these other guys (seemingly to me, anyway, judging by their results) ... melts my brain when I try and study it... like since I posted my reply to Erin, I've been reading the basics of white balance... but I keep zoning out, which makes me realize just how unintelligent I really am. lol

RZNCAIN · September 6th, 2011, 04:49 PM

Rick I feel the same way. I would need someone to physical sit and teach me for me to grasp this is even a little.

TheUNZippee! · September 6th, 2011, 04:54 PM

Yup absolutely. I learn a little bit here and there... but without someone physically showing me something like this... it's tough slogging.

RZNCAIN · September 6th, 2011, 04:56 PM

So its settled, Erin where can Rick and I meet you?

TheUNZippee! · September 6th, 2011, 04:57 PM

haha

Emay · September 6th, 2011, 08:56 PM

uh oh, impromptu training.

TheUNZippee! · September 6th, 2011, 09:19 PM

lol involving beer, no doubt

Emay · September 6th, 2011, 11:05 PM

Then I might edjumacate you wrong.

TheUNZippee! · September 6th, 2011, 11:38 PM

White balance quickly becomes off balance...

RZNCAIN · September 7th, 2011, 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by TheUNZippee!

White balance quickly becomes off balance...

lol

Triple A · September 7th, 2011, 01:42 AM

Basically, every scene has a specific color temperature. Just like HID's, they're measured in Kelvin degrees. Low temperatures like 2000K-3400K are warm and higher temperatures like 8000K+ are cooler. These temperatures change the values of the colors we see. Here are some examples (same photo, just changed the white balance in Lightroom):

Custom white balance as shot (gray card):

Changed to auto:

Daylight:

And for kicks, fluorescent:

The first three look pretty similar, but the custom balance is the most accurate. The auto balance is slightly warmer than the first. And the daylight balance is slightly cooler. And I included the fluorescent just to show you how extreme the color difference can be, and that's not even the worst it can look. As you can see it's a lot cooler than the first image. That's because it's temperature is around 3800K and the original photo is at 5950K. So setting it at a lower temperature causes it to over compensate the warmth of the photo and cools it down too much. And setting it at a higher/cooler temp like 10000k will over compensate by warming up the photo.

Hope none of this confuses you

serbiandude · September 7th, 2011, 03:35 AM

TheUNZippee! · September 7th, 2011, 11:30 AM

Thanks 3A.... I'm subscribed; I'll do some more reading when I get home, and play around with a few more test shots.

Triple A · September 7th, 2011, 11:59 AM

No prob, Zip.

September 6th, 2011, 04:03 PM	#2
Emay May 08 ROTM 2008 Audi S6 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: S. Elgin Posts: 6,686 iTrader: 3 reviews	They can get better if you can manually control ISO, Aperature, Flash (as in turn it off), and white balance. I've seen plenty of amature P&S shots that rivaled pro-level cameras and pro level skill. You might have to work a bit harder at it because of lack of full control and quality of glass, but the fundamentals and composition do not come from technology. __________________ FLICKR Unique Imagery

September 6th, 2011, 04:40 PM	#4
RZNCAIN Shelby's Minion 2007 Mustang Shelby GT (Mach1) Sept. '10 ROTM Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WI Posts: 11,490 iTrader: 2 reviews	Really wish I knew how to use my camera. __________________ Sponsored by Specialty Coatings Car Salesman Club- Founder -------------------------- 2007 Shelby GT- Hardparked 2003 Mach 1- Hardparked 1988 LX 5.0- Umm...Driver?

September 6th, 2011, 04:49 PM	#6
RZNCAIN Shelby's Minion 2007 Mustang Shelby GT (Mach1) Sept. '10 ROTM Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WI Posts: 11,490 iTrader: 2 reviews	Rick I feel the same way. I would need someone to physical sit and teach me for me to grasp this is even a little. __________________ Sponsored by Specialty Coatings Car Salesman Club- Founder -------------------------- 2007 Shelby GT- Hardparked 2003 Mach 1- Hardparked 1988 LX 5.0- Umm...Driver?

September 6th, 2011, 04:56 PM	#8
RZNCAIN Shelby's Minion 2007 Mustang Shelby GT (Mach1) Sept. '10 ROTM Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: WI Posts: 11,490 iTrader: 2 reviews	So its settled, Erin where can Rick and I meet you? __________________ Sponsored by Specialty Coatings Car Salesman Club- Founder -------------------------- 2007 Shelby GT- Hardparked 2003 Mach 1- Hardparked 1988 LX 5.0- Umm...Driver?

September 6th, 2011, 08:56 PM	#10
Emay May 08 ROTM 2008 Audi S6 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: S. Elgin Posts: 6,686 iTrader: 3 reviews	uh oh, impromptu training. __________________ FLICKR Unique Imagery

September 6th, 2011, 11:05 PM	#12
Emay May 08 ROTM 2008 Audi S6 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: S. Elgin Posts: 6,686 iTrader: 3 reviews	Then I might edjumacate you wrong. __________________ FLICKR Unique Imagery

September 7th, 2011, 01:42 AM	#15
Triple A MM Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3,738 iTrader: 2 reviews	Basically, every scene has a specific color temperature. Just like HID's, they're measured in Kelvin degrees. Low temperatures like 2000K-3400K are warm and higher temperatures like 8000K+ are cooler. These temperatures change the values of the colors we see. Here are some examples (same photo, just changed the white balance in Lightroom): Custom white balance as shot (gray card): Changed to auto: Daylight: And for kicks, fluorescent: The first three look pretty similar, but the custom balance is the most accurate. The auto balance is slightly warmer than the first. And the daylight balance is slightly cooler. And I included the fluorescent just to show you how extreme the color difference can be, and that's not even the worst it can look. As you can see it's a lot cooler than the first image. That's because it's temperature is around 3800K and the original photo is at 5950K. So setting it at a lower temperature causes it to over compensate the warmth of the photo and cools it down too much. And setting it at a higher/cooler temp like 10000k will over compensate by warming up the photo. Hope none of this confuses you __________________ Photoblog

September 7th, 2011, 03:35 AM	#16
serbiandude I Handle Meat Entirely Way Too Much 2008 Mustang V6 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,237 iTrader: 1 reviews	__________________ i haz done it zippie Black and White Crew Member #4

September 7th, 2011, 11:59 AM	#18
Triple A MM Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 3,738 iTrader: 2 reviews	No prob, Zip. __________________ Photoblog

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