Sony NEX-6: From Snapshots to Great Shots

Book description

Now that you’ve bought that amazing Sony NEX-6, you need a book that goes beyond a tour of the camera’s features to show you exactly how to take great pictures. With Sony NEX-6: From Snapshots to Great Shots, you get the perfect blend of photography instruction and camera reference that will take your images to the next level. Beautifully illustrated with large, vibrant photos, this book teaches you how to take control of your photography to get the image you want every time you pick up the camera.

Follow along with your friendly and knowledgeable guide, pro photographer Jerod Foster, and you will:

  • Set up fast and learn the top ten things about shooting with the Sony NEX-6

  • Understand the photographic basics of composition, focus, and depth of field

  • Learn all the best tricks and techniques for getting great action shots, landscapes, and portraits

  • Find out how to create images in low light

  • Use the HD video capability for recording memorable live action

  • Fully grasp all the concepts and techniques as you go, with assignments at the end of every chapter

  • And once you’ve captured the shot, show it off! Join the book’s Flickr group, share your photos, and discuss how you use your camera at flickr.com/groups/sonynex6_fromsnapshotstogreatshots.

    Table of contents

    1. Title Page
    2. Copyright Page
    3. Dedication
    4. Acknowledgments
    5. Contents
    6. Introduction
    7. 1. The NEX-6 Top Ten List
      1. Ten Tips to Make Your Shooting More Productive Right Out of the Box
      2. Poring Over the Camera
      3. Poring Over the Camera
      4. 1. Charge Your Battery
      5. 2. Turn Off the Auto ISO Setting
      6. 3. Set Your JPEG Image Quality
      7. 4. Configure Your LCD and Viewfinder
      8. 5. Set Your Autofocus Area and Mode
      9. 6. Set the Correct White Balance
      10. 7. Set Your Color Space
      11. 8. Know How to Override Autofocus
      12. 9. Review Your Shots
      13. 10. Hold Your Camera for Proper Shooting
      14. Chapter 1 Assignments
    8. 2. First Things First
      1. A Few Things to Know and Do Before You Begin Taking Pictures
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Choosing the Right Memory Card
      4. Formatting Your Memory Card
      5. Updating the NEX-6’s Firmware
      6. Cleaning the Sensor
      7. Using the Right Format: RAW vs. JPEG
      8. Lenses and Focal Lengths
      9. What Is Exposure?
      10. Motion and Depth of Field
      11. Chapter 2 Assignments
    9. 3. The Auto Modes
      1. Get Shooting with the Automatic Camera Modes
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Intelligent Auto Mode
      4. Superior Auto Mode
      5. Using Photo Creativity with Intelligent Auto and Superior Auto
      6. Scene Selection Modes
      7. Sweep Panorama
      8. Why You May Never Want to Use the Auto Modes Again
      9. Chapter 3 Assignments
    10. 4. The Professional Modes
      1. Taking Your Photography to the Next Level
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. P: Program Auto Mode
      4. S: Shutter priority mode
      5. A: Aperture Priority Mode
      6. M: Manual Mode
      7. How I Shoot: A Closer Look at the Camera Settings I Use
      8. Chapter 4 Assignments
    11. 5. Moving Target
      1. The Tricks to Shooting Sports and More
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Stop Right There!
      4. Using Shutter Priority (S) Mode to Stop Motion
      5. Using Aperture Priority (A) Mode to Isolate Your Subject
      6. Keep Them in Focus with Continuous AF and Autofocus Area Selection
      7. Manual Focus for Anticipated Action
      8. Keeping Up with Continuous Shooting Mode
      9. A Sense of Motion
      10. Tips for Shooting Action
      11. Chapter 5 Assignments
    12. 6. Say Cheese!
      1. Settings and Features to Make Great Portraits
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Automatic Portrait Mode
      4. Using Aperture Priority Mode
      5. Metering Modes for Portraits
      6. Using the AE Lock Feature
      7. Focusing: The Eyes Have It
      8. Classic Black and White Portraits
      9. The Portrait Creative Style for Better Skin Tones
      10. Using Face Detection and Registration
      11. Use Fill Flash for Reducing Shadows
      12. Portraits on the Move
      13. Tips for Shooting Better Portraits
      14. Chapter 6 Assignments
    13. 7. Landscape Photography
      1. Tips, Tools, and Techniques to Get the Most out of Your Landscape Photography
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Sharp and In Focus: Using Tripods
      4. Selecting the Proper ISO
      5. Using Noise Reduction
      6. Selecting a White Balance
      7. Using the Landscape Creative Style
      8. Taming Bright Areas with Exposure Compensation
      9. Shooting Beautiful Black and White Landscapes
      10. The Golden Light
      11. Shooting Compelling Sunrises and Sunsets
      12. Where to Focus
      13. Easier Focusing
      14. Using Manual Focus Assist
      15. Making Water Fluid
      16. Directing the Viewer: A Word About Composition
      17. Shooting Panoramas
      18. Chapter 7 Assignments
    14. 8. Mood Lighting
      1. Shooting When the Lights Get Low
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Raising the ISO: The Simple Solution
      4. Using Very High ISOs
      5. Stabilizing the Situation
      6. Focusing in Low Light
      7. Shooting Long Exposures
      8. Using the Built-In Flash
      9. Compensating for the Flash Exposure
      10. Reducing Red-Eye
      11. Rear Sync Flash
      12. Using an External Flash
      13. Flash and Glass
      14. Chapter 8 Assignments
    15. 9. Creative Compositions
      1. Improve Your Pictures with Sound Compositional Elements
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Depth of Field
      4. Angles
      5. Point of View
      6. Patterns
      7. Color
      8. Contrast
      9. Leading Lines
      10. Splitting the Frame
      11. Frames Within Frames
      12. Focal Length and Composition
      13. Chapter 9 Assignments
    16. 10. Advanced Techniques
      1. Impress Your Family and Friends
      2. Poring Over the Picture
      3. Spot Meter for More Exposure Control
      4. Manual Mode
      5. Avoiding Lens Flare
      6. Using the Sun Creatively
      7. Macro Photography
      8. High Dynamic Range Photography
      9. Wireless and the NEX-6
      10. Conclusion
      11. Chapter 10 Assignments
    17. 11. NEX-6 Video: Beyond the Basics
      1. Getting Professional-Looking Video from Your NEX-6
      2. It’s All About the Lenses
      3. Using Filters
      4. Getting a Shallow Depth of Field
      5. Giving a Different Look to Your Videos
      6. Tips for Better Video
      7. Watching and Editing Your Video
      8. Chapter 11 Assignments
    18. Index
    19. 12. Pimp My Ride
      1. Upgrades and Accessories to Expand Your Camera’s Creative Potential
      2. Filters
      3. Tripods
      4. Remote Commanders
      5. Macro Photography Accessories
      6. Hot-Shoe Flashes
      7. Diffusers
      8. Camera Bags
      9. Bits and Pieces

    Product information

    • Title: Sony NEX-6: From Snapshots to Great Shots
    • Author(s):
    • Release date: March 2013
    • Publisher(s): Peachpit Press
    • ISBN: 9780133374261