Sony A7 Series: From Snapshots To Great Shots Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
While your camera manual explains what the camera can do, it doesn't show exactly how to use the camera to create great images! That's where Sony A7 Series: From Snapshots to Great Shots comes in. Starting with the top ten things users need to know about the camera, author Brian Smith carefully guides readers through the operating features. Readers get practical advice from a pro on which settings to use when, great shooting tips, and end of chapter assignments. This book updates from the Sony A7 / A7R: From Snapshots to Great Shots (2014) for all five Sony a7 series cameras: Sony a7, a7R, a7S, a7II and a7RII. CHAPTER 1: THE SONY A7 SERIES TOP TEN LISTSet Your JPEG Image Quality * Configure Your LCD and Viewfinder * Set Your Autofocus Area and Mode * Set the Correct White Balance * Set Your Color Space * Know How to Override Autofocus * Review Your ShotsCHAPTER 2: FIRST THINGS FIRSTChoosing the Right Memory Card * Formatting Your Memory Card * Updating a7-Series Firmware * Cleaning the Sensor * Using the Right Format: RAW vs. JPEG * Lenses and Focal Lengths * Understanding Exposure * Motion and Depth of FieldCHAPTER 3: MENU SETTINGSCamera Settings * Custom Settings * Wireless * Application * Playback * SetupCHAPTER 4: CUSTOMIZING YOUR CAMERAUsing the Control Wheel to Select an AF Point * Avoid ISO Surprises * Setting Up Back-Button AF * Configuring the Function Menu * Saving Custom Key Settings * Saving Custom Shooting ModesCHAPTER 5: SHOOTING MODESIntelligent Auto Mode * Scene Selection Modes * Sweep Panorama * Why You May Never Want to Use the Full Auto Modes Again * Picture Effects * P: Program Auto Mode * S: Shutter Priority Mode * A: Aperture Priority Mode * M: Manual Mode * My Camera Settings CHAPTER 6: PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHYAuto Portrait Mode * Using Aperture Priority Mode * Metering Modes for Portraits * Using the AE Lock Feature * Focusing: The Eyes Have It * Classic Black-and-White Portraits * The Portrait Creative Style for Better Skin Tones * Using Face Detection and Registration * Portraits on the Move * The Rule of Thirds * Tips for Shooting Better Portraits CHAPTER 7: MOVING TARGETStop Right There! * Using Shutter Priority (S) Mode to Stop Motion * Using Aperture Priority (A) Mode to Isolate Your Subject * Keep Them in Focus with Continuous AF * Autofocus Area Selection * Keeping Up with Continuous Shooting Mode * Manual Focus for Anticipated Action * A Sense of Motion * Tips for Shooting Action CHAPTER 8: LANDSCAPES & STREETSCAPESStop Right There! * Using Shutter Priority (S) Mode to Stop Motion * Using Aperture Priority (A) Mode to Isolate Your Subject * Keep Them in Focus with Continuous AF * Autofocus Area Selection * Keeping Up with Continuous Shooting Mode * Manual Focus for Anticipated Action * A Sense of Motion * Tips for Shooting Action CHAPTER 9: MOOD LIGHTINGRaising the ISO: The Simple Solution * High ISO Noise Reduction * Using Fast Glass * Using OSS Lenses * Mark II: 5-Axis Sensor-Shift Stabilization * Focusing in Low Light * Shooting Long Exposures * Using Flash * Compensating for the Flash Exposure * Flash Modes * Using an External Flash * Taming Flash Reflections CHAPTER 10: ADVANCED TECHNIQUESSpot Meter for More Exposure Control * Manual Mode * Avoiding Lens Flare * Using the Sun Creatively * Macro Photography * High Dynamic Range Photography * Using Dynamic Range Optimizer * Wireless Remote Capture App * Installing and Updating Sony PlayMemories Camera Apps * Share Photos with Send to Smartphone * One-Touch Connection with an NFC-Enabled Android Smartphone * Tethering Your a7-Series Camera CHAPTER 11: LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTIONIt's All About the Lenses * Movie Shooting Modes * Getting a Shallow Depth of Field * Giving a Different Look to Your Videos * Picture Profiles * Shooting 4K * Accessories for Video * Tips for Better Video * Watching and Editing Your VideoPLUS THREE BONUS DOWNLOAD CHAPTERS
Series: From Snapshots to Great Shots
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Peachpit Press; 1 edition (August 28, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 013418548X
ISBN-13: 978-0134185484
Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.8 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #60,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #55 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography & Video > Equipment, Techniques & Reference > Equipment #85 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Visual Arts > Photography #117 in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography & Video > Digital Photography
I bought this book by Brian Smith a year after I bought The Sony a7 and a7R: The Unofficial Quintessential Guide by Matsumoto and Roullard. The Matsumoto-Roullard book is a good technical guide to the a7 cameras that I found very useful. I have frequently visited to Brian Smith's website for information about lenses for the a7, and decided to buy his book--this book--for a refresher on the sophisticated camera that I bought more than a year ago.I am very grateful to the author for the care he has taken in writing this book. He is a fabulous photographer and ties each camera function to his own craft in a way that gives extra information and direction about each subject, each control, each wheel and button. The Matsumoto-Roullard book is competent and technical, but it does leave you on your own. Brian Smith's book provides more depth and guidance to the user. I am a recreational photographer who switched to the a7 after 40 years using Nikons, from the FTN in the 1960's to D1X in 2001, when it first came out. I found both these books to be useful in becoming competent in the Sony technology and use of the Sony a7 menus. But Brian Smith's writing on the subject makes me feel as though I am part of a small seminar, learning the camera and learning how to be a better photographer. Thank you, Brian.
I buy very few self help type books because I'm always disappointed. Read most of this one and I'm disappointed. The Sony A7 series has tons of features but very poor documentation from Sony. I was hoping Mr. Smith's book would shed new light on how and why to use features as opposed to a laundry list that is just like Sony's horrible menus. There isn't a lot out there about the A7 cameras so if you are totally bewildered by the camera this book will help. If you are looking for the whys and what for of the camera this book will disappoint.
Having recently purchased a used Sony A7r I found the supplied instruction manual to be totally inadequate for understanding the camera’s menu structure. I turned to the internet in search of guidance in setting up the camera to suit my needs. One of the most informative websites was that of Sony Artisan Brian Smith. I found his website extremely informative and his knowledge of the Sony A7 series helped enormously. It's no surprise that he has written a book on the popular Sony A7 series cameras. The book was a marvelous help in learning my new camera system and covered everything I needed to know in an easy understandable format. Two thumbs up from this Sony user.
A must have for anyone who owns a Sony A series mirrorless camera. The writing is excellent and easy to understand and of course there are examples to inspire confidence, that we can do it also. I recommend visiting the author's web site for up to date information.
There are a lot of articles that might give you more thorough information on any one function, but I don't believe there is any thing in the market that covers all the bases of the a7 series. In addition, you can follow up through his website that has an update and maybe a little more detail on any one function. And I don't want to overload the author's mailbox, but he responds quickly on any other questions you might ask. Buy the book if you just bought a new Sony 7 series. It will bypass many learning curves that might arise.
I was learning all the great things about Sony's fantastic new A7r2 very slowly-- until I Ordered Brian Smith latest and greatestlearning guide, I have ever read, titled "Sony a7 series Snapshots to Great Shots' -- As I stated to read Brian's book I started to learn in an easy quick to understand way! Which by the way is illustrates in beautiful Photos !! Beside being the best instructional guide I have ever read-- the layout was so smoothto follow. Plus Brian's photos are so beautiful and to the point what the author is teaching you. It was like you are viewing a High End Photo Book instead of very informative Photo Textbook!!! -- It is no wonder that this book was different , because the author ,Brian Smith ,is a Pulitzer Prizewinning author in Photography.!!!!All the above being said --- I now have more insight into using my Sony a7R2-- I am now a more improved Photographer!!PS loved that the end of each Chapter the author gives you Assignments so you can use Your New Knowledge right away!!!!I am Now a new Fan of the Author Brian Smith Professional Photographer- Robert Ternavan
This works very well with my a6000. Since the camera is similar to the 7a, this book comes in very handy. Even better if I upgrade.
I decided to buy it for my Sony A6000 as they have a similar menu system although the Sony a7 has more features that are not available on the A6000.All told a very educational and worthwhile purchase.
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