FAQ for New TPF Members

[12stones]

Welcome to the wonderful world of TPF and photography. If you’re reading this thread, you are probably new to photography, digital photography, post-processing, etc. and have some questions about something. I know I still do. I’m hoping to provide an easy way to get some answers to you in case that elusive search button moves again.. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, then click here: I NEED TO FIND SOMETHING

What are all these acronyms?

AEB – Auto Exposure Bracketing
BBF – Back Button Focusing
dSLR – Digital Single Lens Reflex
CS3 – Photoshop CS3
CS4 - Photoshop CS4
C&C – Comment and Critique
DOF – Depth of Field
EXIF – Exchangeable Information File Format
HDR – High Dynamic Range
IS – Image Stabilizer
ISO – International Standards Organization
LR - Lightroom
OOF – Out of Focus
PP – Post Processing
PS – Photoshop
PSP – Paint Shop Pro
SOC/SOOC – Straight Out of Camera
SLR – Single Lens Reflex
USM - Ultrasonic Motor
VR – Vibration Reduction


Exposure what?
If you’re new to photography and trying to figure out what f-stops and ISO and shutter speed all means, I recommend checking out the book “Understanding Exposure” by Bryan Peterson. If you’re too impatient to wait for the book or need something to read while UPS is delivering it, here are a few threads about exposure that might give you some insight:

Setting the table straight about digital exposure
exposure question.
what does exposure compensation really do?
Bracketing?

Metering what?
Tutorial: Metering Mode Explanation
Metering


Comments and Critique?
If you ask for C&C when posting a photo, be prepared to get it. However, don’t expect it right away. A lot of people like to look at your photo, but may not feel they have the experience or knowledge to constructively help you. They may think that you don’t need help and so have nothing to say. We all want positive reinforcement, but give other TPF members a chance to review it. It’s not uncommon to have 50 views and no comments. Also, if someone does critique your work, don’t take it personally. The best thing you could hope for is direct, even blunt, criticism as it will only help you get better. If you’re only looking for an ego boost or an “atta boy/girl,” then maybe you already know everything and you should be critiquing everyone else’s work.

What is IS, VR & VC?
IS (Canon), VR (Nikon), and VC (Tamron) are the initials given to lenses that have image stabilization technology incorporated in the lens. This helps you capture a sharper image, especially when you’re holding the camera and are zoomed in on your subject. It also means that the lens will cost you more.

What is Back Button Focusing (BBF)?
Click Here


What lens should I buy?
Only you can truly answer this question based on your shooting needs and your budget. Generally, you would be advised to get the fastest lens in your desired focal range that you can afford. For example, if you’re looking for a 50mm prime lens, everyone would probably suggest getting the f/1.4, but if you can’t afford that, the f/1.8 can be had for a more reasonable price. Here are some threads that may help:
Best Lens
Favorite Lens or The Money Lens
Need suggestions!!!
Help me spend 600.00 on a lens for my XTi

Histogram what?

The Historgram
Histogram question...
How to properly interpret a Histogram?

RAW v. JPEG
Coloring in JPG vs. RAW
RAW vs Jpeg
For weddings: raw or jpeg?
RAW or JPEG??

What are my rights as a photographer?
The Photographers Rights...

18% grey card?
18% grey

Sunny 16 what?
Sunny 16 Rule?

Circular Polarizer what?
Circular polarizer question

HDR what?
HDR Tutorial
HDR Processing

Calibrated monitor what?
Do you calibrate your monitor?
How to Calibrate my laptop?

Color Correction in Photoshop how?
Click Here

What is fill flash?
Fill Flash

Strobist what?
http://www.pduncan.com/strobiststart/index.html

Better bounce card what?
How to make a bounce card for free

What flash should I buy?
Again, what are your shooting needs and budget? Still want advice? Okay…
What Kind of Flash Should I Buy?
What to buy: big strobes or little flash?

Skin smoothing what?
Photoshop glamming help

Lens reversed what?
You'll have to read a bit into the thread, but this will explain it...
Hackberry Emperor

What are some good rules for portraiture?
Look at these general guidelines for portraiture (this will download a PDF file)... Click here!

I want to sell pictures. What should I charge?
Okay, this can be a touchy subject. We all want to think we’re pros, or aspiring pros, but just because someone says they’d buy your picture doesn’t mean you should put out your shingle and open for business. However, if you must know what to charge, here’s some help for that too:
How much to charge?
More Texans Training Camp
what should i charge for pictures??
How do you charge?

Somebody stole my pic what?
This isn't about MySpacers taking your pics, but what if a professional company takes them. Some links in this thread to help you understand copyright infringement. Hope it doesn't happen to you.
My Photos got lifted for a Print Ad... Need some info..

Workshops and seminars what?
There are many great photographers here on TPF that go out of there way to help the photographer community by sharing their knowledge through workshops and seminars for all different subjects and experience levels. They can be had from relatively inexpensive to really expensive, but there's no price too high for the knowledge to capture the ever-illusive perfect picture.
http://www.pixtus.com/forum/workshops-seminars/

I’ll add more to this as I go along if it’s necessary. Hope this helps someone.

[Wes]

Wow! Very very cool. To be honest, I never thought to put something like this together. This probably needs to be stickied somewhere.

[erisian pope]

Fabulous post!!

[provo]

Indeed this should be stickied.

[kenmyers70]

For your consideration:
Circular Polarizer Discussion:
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=62291

[fishcat]

Thank you; much appreciated.

[hitec4you]

Lots of good stuff here. Great post.

[photonewb]

great idea for a thread...heck I still don't know half of that rofl

[loana0320]

awesome post!!!!! and I need to find my understanding exposure book... read it like 20 times and want to see through it again LOL but cannot find it.. I may pick up another copy!

[lhdvies]

Thks Ricky, I just found this from your "sunny 16" post-thks a lot - great thread. Should be a sticky!

[brad]

Cool addition.

You might think about linking to the workshops and classes section, too.

[Ahh!]

Nicely done! You may wish to add VC as Tamron's response to IS and VR. (Since they are running adds on the forum right now).

[digitalpixels]

Thanks for doing this.

I saw "C&C" everywhere and couldn't figure it out for my first few TPF months as I was too embarassed to ask, before I finally figured it out myself. I knew it had something to do with comments, but it never clicked in my head!

[Titaniumblade]

Originally Posted by digitalpixels

Thanks for doing this.

I saw "C&C" everywhere and couldn't figure it out for my first few TPF months as I was too embarassed to ask, before I finally figured it out myself. I knew it had something to do with comments, but it never clicked in my head!

Hey I hear ya! I am still working on what the heck is SOC??

[Ahh!]

SOC...Straight Outofthe Camera?