X100T00.indd

For more on digital photography, visit http://www.shortcourses.com i

COVER

aa30470c

Cover

A SHORT COURSE IN THE CLASSIC ART OF

F U J I F I L M X 1 0 0 T

P H O T O G R A P H Y

Fuji lm is one of the acknowledged most innovative leaders in digital

photography and their X100T is one of the best new high-end digital

cameras. If you own one of these cameras and want to get the most from

it, here’s the book for you. Complete, clear explanations show you how to

get much better and more interesting photographs.

D E N N I S P . C U R T I N

ii For more on digital photography, visit http://www.shortcourses.com

http://www.photocourse.com/itext/pdf/PDFguide.pdf

http://www.photocourse.com/itext/copyright/circ01.pdf

shorT Courses Books AnD WeB siTe

hort Courses is the leading publisher of digital photography books,

textbooks, and guides to speci c cameras from Fuji lm, Canon, Sony,

Nikon, Olympus and others. All of these books are available on-line

from the Short Courses bookstore at:

http://www.shortcourses.com/store/

All recent books are available in both black & white printed and full-color

eBook (PDF) versions available on CDs or as instant downloads. The list of

books we’ve published is always expanding so be sure to visit the store to see

if there is a book on your camera, or other topics that interest you.

If you  nd any errors in this book, would like to make suggestions for im-

provements, or just want to let me know what you think I welcome your

feedback.

ShortCourses.com

16 Preston Beach Road

Marblehead, Massachusetts 01945

E-mail: [email protected]

Web site: http://www.shortcourses.com

To learn more about digital photography, visit our two Web sites:

• http://www.shortcourses.com is our consumer site.

• http://www.photocourse.com is our instructor/student site.

United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copy-

right Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distrib-

uted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system,

without the prior written permission of the publisher.

NOTE ON THE SHORTCOURSES.COM WEB SITE

This book is designed to work with the many of the free on-line books avail-

able at the author’s Web site at www.shortcourses.com. Of special interest

may be the books on displaying & sharing your digital photos, digital photog-

raphy work ow, image sensors and digital desktop lighting.

OTHER WEB SITES

• The X100T page is at http://www.fuji lm.com/products/digital_

cameras/x/fuji lm_x100t/

• Camera manuals are at fuji lm-dsc.com/manuals

• Fuji Forum is at http://www.fujix-forum.com/index.

php?app=core&module=help

• Fuji X Series is at http://www.fujixseries.com/discussion/1652/how-to-

save-custom-settings/p1

• DPReview at http://www.dpreview.com/search/

forums?query=X100T&forum=1020

• Fuji manuals: http://fuji lm-dsc.com/en/manual/x100t/index.html

Click to view a PDF

document describing

how to use this eBook.

See the Tips box on the

next page to learn how

you access animations

and other resources

from the print edition.

short courses puBlishing company

Click to view a PDF

document on how

photographers and

other artists.

iMpoRTAnT noTe

• If you have the

print edition of this

book you will  nd

links to the animation

buttons displayed in

this book at http://

www.shortcourses.

com/hot/hot1-3.html

For more on digital photography, visit http://www.shortcourses.com iii

http://www.photocourse.com/itext/tripods/tripods.pdf

http://www.photocourse.com/itext/workow/workow2.pdf

the art oF classic photography

The Fuji X100T is

a high-quality 16

megapixel camera that

follows in the footsteps

of the venerable Leica

but with modern

touches.

Click cover to download

a free 37-page PDF

introducing digital

workow from image

formats to editing.

The ArT of ClAssiC PhoTogrAPhy

great photograph begins when you recognize a great scene or

subject. But recognizing a great opportunity isn’t enough to capture

it; you also have to be prepared. A large part of being prepared in-

volves understanding your camera well enough to capture what you see. Get-

ting you prepared to see and capture great photographs is what this book is

all about. It doesn’t matter if you are taking pictures for business or pleasure,

there’s a lot here to help you get better results and more satisfaction from

your photography.

To get better, and possibly even great photographs, you need to understand

both concepts and procedures; the “whys” and “hows” of photography.

• Concepts of photography are the underlying principles that apply regard-

less of the camera you are using. They include such things as how sharpness

and exposure affect your images and the way they are perceived by viewers.

Understanding concepts answers the “why” kinds of questions you might

have about photography.

• Procedures are those things specic to your own camera model, and

explain step-by-step how you set your camera’s controls to capture an image

just the way you want to. Understanding procedures gives you the answers to

the “how” kinds of questions you might have.

This book is organized around the concepts of digital photography because

that’s how photographers think. You think about scenes and subjects, high-

lights and shadows, softness and sharpness, color and tone. The procedures

you use with the Fujilm X100T camera are integrated throughout the con-

cepts, appearing in those places where they apply. This integrated approach

lets you rst understand the concepts of photography and then see step by

step how to use the X100T in all kinds of photographic situations.

To get more effective, interesting, and creative photographs, you only need

to understand how and when to use a few simple features on your camera

such as focus, exposure controls, and ash. If you’ve previously avoided

understanding these features and the profound impact they can have on your

images, you’ll be pleased to know that you can learn them on a weekend.

You can then spend the rest of your life marveling at how the innite variety

of combinations make it possible to convey your own personal view of the

world. You’ll be ready to keep everything in a scene sharp for maximum de-

tail or to blur it all for an impressionistic portrayal. You’ll be able to get dra-

matic close-ups, freeze fast action, create wonderful panoramas, and capture

the beauty and wonder of rainbows, sunsets, reworks, and nighttime scenes.

As you explore your camera, be sure to have fun. There are no “rules” or

“best” way to make a picture. Great photographs come from using what you

know to experiment and try new approaches. Digital cameras make this espe-

cially easy because there are no lm costs or delays. Every experiment is free

and you see the results immediately so you can learn step by step. Here are

introductions to each of the camera-related things you need to understand to

be a good photographer.

imAge QuAliTy

• Set the image quality to RAW or RAW+JPEG for the best image quality.

These images can then be edited on your computer using a program such as

Adobe’s Lightroom or Google’s free Picasa.

Tips

• If you have the

print edition of this

book you will nd

links to the anima-

tion buttons in this

book at http://www.

shortcourses.com/

hot/hot1-3.html

• To learn more about

digital photography,

visit our ShortCourses

Web site at www.

shortcourses.com.

Click cover to download

a PDF on tripods.

iv For more on digital photography, visit http://www.shortcourses.com

exPosure

• Use one of the auto exposure modes—program (P), aperture-priority (A)

when depth of eld is important or shutter-priority (S) when the capture of

motion is.

• If it is a dynamic scene, use MULTI metering. If you want to base an expo-

sure on a small area use spot metering.

• If you want a smaller aperture or faster shutter speed increase the ISO

speed.

• If you want to base your exposure on a specic part of the scene, use focus

lock or AE lock and then recompose the image.

foCus

• If it’s a static scene, use manual focus. However, if you want to use autofo-

cus, use a single AF point, lock focus on a specic area and then recompose

the image.

• If the subject is moving, or may move, use MULTI autofocus which will de-

tect a moving subject and track it. Explore the topic “back button autofocus”.

Blur

•To avoid almost all subject blur, use a shutter speed of 1/1000.

•To avoid blur from camera shake use a shutter speed no slower than 1 over

the lens’s effective focal length. In the case of the X100T that is 1/35.

DePTh of fielD

• To capture greater depth of eld use a smaller aperture and move farther

away from the subject.

• To capture shallower depth of eld use a larger aperture and move closer to

the subject.

Henri Cartier-

Bresson’s rst

Leica (model Leica

I). He continued

to use Leica’s

throughout his

entire career.

Search the

Internet for some

of his amazing

photos.

the art oF classic photography

Tips

• One of the best

things about an

eBook is the way you

can search it. If you

encounter a word,

phrase or technique

and want to know

more about it, search

the eBook to see

where it is discussed.

the technique Finder

The TeChniQue finDer

n photography you only have to master a few techniques to achieve your desired

ends. Following is a check list of those things you are most likely to want to do, and

the techniques you use to do them. A Topic number listed for each technique points

you to where it’s discussed in this book. When trying these techniques, don’t try just one.

Try them all, and try them in combinations. For example, to reduce blur you can select a

faster shutter speed, but increasing the ISO makes even faster speeds available and add-

ing ash adds even faster speeds. Those techniques marked with an — are not discussed

in this book but you can locate information about them on the Internet.

Click the cover to download a PDF version of the Creative

Technique Finder table formatted for display on a smart

phone. There are a number of ways to transfer it,

including the free Dropbox app. (The Pocket Guide is at

www.photocourse.com/itext/techniquender/pocketguide.

pdf

issue Technique Topic

Increase depth of eld Increase the ISO 3–2

Decrease the aperture 2–9

Increase distance to subject 3–10

Use ash, continuous lights 4–5

Focus at hyperfocal distance 3–11

Decrease depth of eld Decrease ISO 3–2

Increase the aperture 2–9

Decrease distance to subject, focus on nearer part of scene 3–6

Use neutral density lter 2–16

Reduce camera/subject blur

S=Reduces subject blur

C=Reduces camera blur

B=Reduces both

Increase the ISO (B) 3–2

Increase shutter speed (B) 2–8

Use ash or continuous studio lights (B) 4–5

Use cable release (C) 2-8

Use self-timer or Fiji’s remote control smart phone/tablet app (C) 1–3, 3–3

Use tripod or other support (C) 3–1

Use manual focus (C) 3–9

Use minus (-) exposure compensation with ash (B) 4–5

Use continuous mode (B) 3–3

Increase distance to subject (B) 3–4

More head-on angle to subject (S) 3–4

Improve exposures Use histograms 2–17

Use exposure and ash compensation 2–16, 4–5

Use ash 4–5

Use automatic exposure bracketing 3–3

Use AE Lock 3–8

Use spot metering 2–12

Use Manual exposure mode 2–10

issue Technique Topic

Increase size of subject in image Use macro mode 3–7

Use close-up (portrait) lenses 3–7

Set minimum focus distance and move camera in and out 3–7

Reverse lens —

Increase area captured in image Move farther from subject 3–6

Remove reections Use circular polarizing lter —

Improve Colors Set white balance 4–1

Use Adobe RGB color space 1–12

Use RAW image format 1–12

Lighten shadows Soften the light —

Use ll ash 4–5

Shoot using the RAW format and adjust later 1–12

Reduce contrast Shoot on overcast days 4–1

Use ll ash 4–5

Use reectors —

Move light source closer to subject —

Improve image quality Use RAW image format 1–12

Reduce the ISO 3–2

Lighten or darken a scene Use exposure compensation 2–16

Lighten background in ash photos Use slow sync ash 4–5

Use slow shutter speed 2–8

Use plus exposure compensation, ash compensation 1–16, 4–5

Darken background in ash photos Use minus exposure compensation 2–16

Lighten or darken foreground in

ash photos

Use plus or minus ash compensation 4–5

Remove red-eye Use red-eye reduction mode 4–5

Respond faster Anticipate needed settings 1–3

Manual focus/prefocus 3–9

Use custom settings 1–7, 1–8

Use back button focus 3–8

Increase the range of the ash Increase the ISO 3–2

Increase the aperture 2–9

Use an external ash 4–5

Use a ash with a higher guide number 4–5

Increase the focal length if the ash auto zooms 4–5

Improve focus Use focus lock 3–8

Use focus zones, areas 3–7

Use face detect 3–7

Use continuous focus 3–7

Use manual focus 3–9

the technique Finder

For more on digital photography, visit http://www.shortcourses.com vii

ConTenTs

contents

Cover...i

shorT Courses Books AnD WeB siTe...ii

The ArT of ClAssiC PhoTogrAPhy...iii

Image Quality—iii

Exposure—iv

Focus—iv

Blur—iv

Depth of Field—iv

The TeChniQue finDer...v

ConTenTs...vii

Chapter 1

GettinG Started With Your FujiFilm X100t...9

ToPiC 1–1. The fujifilm x100T—An overvieW...10

ToPiC 1–2. jumP sTArT—TAking PhoTos in ProgrAm

moDe...11

ToPiC 1–3. gooD Things To knoW...12

ToPiC 1–4. using The moniTor AnD vieWfinDer...15

1. View Mode—Viewnder or LCD Monitor—15

2. Viewnder Selection—Optical or Electronic

Viewnder—15

3. DISP/BACK—Information Display—16

Screen Set-up—16

ToPiC 1–5. using DiAls AnD BuTTons...17

Top of the Camera—17

Back of camera—18

Front of Camera—19

ToPiC 1–6. using TABBeD menus...20

Resetting All Settings—20

The Shooting Menu—21

The Set-Up Menu—22

ToPiC 1–7. using The QuiCk menu...23

Understanding BASE and Setting Banks—23

1. Adjusting Settings—24

2. Adjusting, Changing and Resetting Default

Settings—25

ToPiC 1–8. using funCTion BuTTons...27

ToPiC 1–9. mAnAging imAges in PlAyBACk moDe...28

Using Playback Mode Buttons—28

Using Menus in Playback—28

Playback on a TV—29

Transferring Images—29

ToPiC 1–10. hoW An imAge is CAPTureD...30

ToPiC 1–11. seleCTing An AsPeCT rATio & size...32

Aspect Ratios—32

Image Sizes—33

ToPiC 1–12. seleCTing imAge QuAliTy...35

JPEG Images—35

RAW Images—35

Pros and Cons—35

Working with RAW Images—36

The Function Buttons—37

ToPiC 1–13. CusTomizing your CAmerA—

WorksheeTs...38

Quick Menu Setting Banks—38

Function Button Settings—39

Chapter 2

ControllinG eXpoSure...40

ToPiC 2–1. unDersTAnDing exPosure...41

oPiC 2–2. The shuTTer ConTrols lighT AnD

moTion...42

ToPiC 2–3. The APerTure ConTrols lighT AnD DePTh of

fielD...44

oPiC 2–4. using shuTTer sPeeD AnD APerTure

ogeTher...46

Exposure—Faucets & Buckets Analogy—46

Exposure—Seesaw Analogy—47

ToPiC 2–5. reTAining highlighT AnD shADoW DeTAils

...49

ToPiC 2–6. Choosing shooTing moDes...50

ToPiC 2–7. using ProgrAm (P) shooTing moDe AnD

ProgrAm shifT...51

ToPiC 2–8. using shuTTer-PrioriTy (s) shooTing

moDe...52

Selecting the Shutter type—52

Other Shutter Settings—53

ToPiC 2–9. using APerTure-PrioriTy (A) shooTing

moDe...54

ToPiC 2–10. using mAnuAl (m) shooTing moDe...55

ToPiC 2–11. hoW your exPosure sysTem Works...56

ToPiC 2–12. Choosing A meTering meThoD...58

ToPiC 2–13. When AuTomATiC exPosure Works

Well...59

ToPiC 2–14. When To overriDe AuTomATiC

exPosure...60

Scenes Lighter than Middle Gray—60

Scenes Darker than Middle Gray—61

Subject Against Very Light Background—61

Subject Against Very Dark Background—62

Scenes with High Contrast—62

Hard to Meter Scenes—63

ToPiC 2–15. hoW overriDing AuToexPosure

Works...64

ToPiC 2–16. hoW To overriDe AuTomATiC exPosure...65

Exposure Compensation—65

Exposure Lock and AE Lock—66

Specifying What the AEL/AFL Button

Locks—66

Specifying When the AEL/AFL Button

Locks—67

Autoexposure Bracketing (AEB)—67

Using the Neutral Density Filter—68

ToPiC 2–17. using hisTogrAms...69

Displaying Histograms—69

Evaluating Histograms —69

Clipped Pixels—71

Sample Histograms—72

ToPiC 2–18. ADjusTing Tones in your jPeg

mAges...73

Dynamic Range—73

Shadow and Highlight Tones—73

viii For more on digital photography, visit http://www.shortcourses.com

contents

Chapter 3

ControllinG SharpneSS...74

ToPiC 3–1. geTTing shArPer PiCTures...75

Supporting the Camera—75

Using the Self-timer—75

ToPiC 3–2. using iso & noise reDuCTion...76

Adjusting ISO—76

Adjusting AUTO Modes—76

Noise Reduction—77

ToPiC 3–3. using Drive moDes...78

ToPiC 3–4. hoW To PhoTogrAPh moTion shArPly...79

Speed of Subject—79

Direction of Movement—79

Distance to Subject and Focal Length of the

Lens—80

ToPiC 3–5. shArPness isn’T everyThing...81

ToPiC 3–6. foCus AnD DePTh of fielD...82

Focus—82

Depth of Field—82

ToPiC 3–7. AuTofoCusing TeChniQues & seTTings...84

AUTOFOCUS SETTING—84

Selecting the AF Mode—85

Checking Focus—86

Autofocus Problems—86

Using Macro Mode—86

Selecting RELEASE/FOCUS PRIORITY—86

Using Face Detection—87

PRE-AF—87

AF ILLUMINATOR—87

Corrected AF Frame—87

ToPiC 3–8. loCking foCus...88

Specifying What the AEL/AFL Button

Locks—88

Specifying When the AEL/AFL Button

Locks—88

Back Button Autofocus (Quick Focus)—89

ToPiC 3-9 mAnuAl foCusing...90

ToPiC 3–10. ConTrolling DePTh of fielD...91

ToPiC 3–11. using mAximum DePTh of fielD...92

ToPiC 3–12. using shAlloW DePTh of fielD...94

ToPiC 3–13. Conveying The feeling of moTion...95

Chapter 4

other SettinGS...96

ToPiC 4–1. WhiTe BAlAnCe...97

Selecting a White Balance Preset Mode—98

Setting a Custom White Balance—98

ToPiC 4–2. BulB & Time moDes—PhoTogrAPhing AT

nighT...100

Long Exposures—100

Fireworks—100

The Moon—101

ToPiC 4–3. shooTing movies...102

Shooting Movies—102

Setting Up Movies—102

Using an External Microphone—103

ToPiC 4–4. jPeg enhAnCemenTs...104

Film Simulation—104

Using Advanced Filters—104

ToPiC 4–5. using The flAsh...105

Selecting a Flash Mode—105

Red-Eye Removal—105

Flash Compensation—106

ToPiC 4–6. inTervAl Timer PhoTogrAPhy...107

A multiple exposure taken with the Fujiim X100T.