Sony a7 Series: From Snapshots to Great Shots

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 LISTS
et 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 Shots

CHAPTER 2: FIRST THINGS FIRST
Choosing 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 Field

CHAPTER 3: MENU SETTINGS
Camera Settings * Custom Settings * Wireless * Application * Playback * Setup

CHAPTER 4: CUSTOMIZING YOUR CAMERA
Using 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 Modes

CHAPTER 5: SHOOTING MODES
Intelligent 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 PHOTOGRAPHY
Auto 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 TARGET
Stop 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 & STREETSCAPES
Stop 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 LIGHTING
Raising 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 TECHNIQUES
Spot 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, ACTION
It'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 Video

PLUS THREE BONUS DOWNLOAD CHAPTERS