Darrell Young - Mastering the Olympus OM-D E-M1

Darrell Young (DigitalDarrell) is a professional nature and event photographer and an active member of Professional Photographers of America, North American Nature Photography Association, and Nikon Professional Services. Hes been an avid photographer since 1968 when his mother gave him a Brownie Hawk-eye camera.

Darrell is a full-time professional photographer with 35 years of experience in event shooting. He also produces commercial and editorial images for two major stock agencies. When Darrell writes a book on a particular camera, it is based on real-life experience with the camera in a production environment.

Living in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains National Park has given Darrell a real concern for environmental issues and a deep interest in nature photography. You will often find him on the trails and byways of the Appalachian Mountains, standing behind a tripod with a beautiful landscape in view.

Darrell Young

Darrell Young (www.PictureAndPen.com)

Editor: Jocelyn Howell

Copyeditor: Jeanne Hansen
Layout: Petra Strauch
Cover Design: Helmut Kraus, www.exclam.de
Printer: Versa Press, Inc.

Printed in USA

ISBN 978-1-937538-54-5

1st Edition

2015 Darrell Young

Rocky Nook, Inc.

802 E. Cota Street, 3rd Floor

Santa Barbara, CA 93103

www.rockynook.com

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014959164

All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilized in any form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission of the publisher.

Many of the designations in this book used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks of their respective companies. Where those designations appear in this book, and Rocky Nook was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed in caps or initial caps. All product names and services identified throughout this book are used in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of such companies with no intention of infringement of the trademark. They are not intended to convey endorsement or other affiliation with this book. Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

While reasonable care has been exercised in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author(s) assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein or from the use of the discs or programs that may accompany it.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

My wife of many years, Brenda; the love of my life and best friend ...

My children, Autumn, David, Emily, Hannah, and Ethan, five priceless gifts ...

My mother and father, Barbara and Vaughn, who brought me into this world and guided my early life, teaching me sound principles to live by ...

The wonderful staff of Rocky Nook, including:
Gerhard Rossbach, Scott Cowlin, Ted Waitt, Joan Dixon, Jocelyn Howell, and Matthias Rossmanith ...

My favorite copy editor, Jeanne Hansen ...

And, finally, to Olympus, who makes the worlds best mirrorless cameras and lenses.

Brad Berger of www.Berger-Bros.com (800-542-8811) for helping me obtain an Olympus OM-D E-M1 early in its production cycle so that I could write this book. I personally buy from and recommend Berger-Bros.com for Olympus cameras, lenses, and accessories. They offer old-time service and classes for your photographic educational needs!

Dear E-M1 Owner,

The year 2008 saw the birth of the Micro Four Thirds format, pioneered by Olympus. At that time, only a handful of forward-thinking manufacturers embraced the new format and joined the consortium. Fast forward to 2015, and there are now 17 different manufacturers of cameras and lenses who have joined the consortium and are bringing high-value products to consumers! Our first OM-D model, the E-M5, was introduced in the first half of 2012. The OM-D E-M5 was our first mirrorless camera to incorporate a high-resolution and high-speed electronic viewfinder. It was an immediate hit with both photographers and editors and put the world on notice that mirrorless products were the future of imaging.

Of course, we continued to listen to our customers demands, and in the fall of 2013 we introduced the OM-D E-M1the flagship of the OM-D family. The E-M1 embodies all of the key attributes of the successful E-M5 and more. A newly developed sensor that supports phase detection autofocus allows photographers to utilize their highly acclaimed Four-Thirds lenses on a modern mirrorless body. Olympus continued to take advantage of the creative freedom that the interactive EVF allowed and expanded on creative features such as the color creator feature first seen in the E-M1.

Our philosophy at Olympus is we dont stand still. We continually look to the future and continue to innovate. We were the first to bring technologies such as effective sensor dust-removal systems, live view electronic viewfinders, and articulating LCD monitors to digital camerastechnologies that are now commonplace in the market. Our ZUIKO lens manufacturing know-how is second to none and is an integral part of the OM-D system.

The OM-D E-M1 is packed with many advanced features that will be appreciated by serious photographers. I know this because I own and photograph with an E-M1. Not being a professional photographer, I am so grateful for Mr. Darrell Young and Rocky Nook for having produced this fine book! It is not only teaching me all of the deep and amazing features of this camera, it has shown me how to use this great photographic tool to realize some of the creative things I try to do with my photography.

Olympus deeply appreciates that you have chosen to make the OM-D E-M1 the photographic tool that you will use to Capture Your Own Stories. Please enjoy this fine and informative book.

Thank you,

Hirohide Harry Matsushita

President, Olympus America Inc.

Consumer Products Group

Figure 1: Back of camera body

1. Viewfinder (EVF)

2. Diopter adjustment dial

3. LV button

4. Monitor (Live view touch screen)

5. Erase button (Delete)

6. Speaker

7. MENU button

8. Playback button

9. Card slot cover (memory card)

10. Arrow Pad buttons

11. OK button

12. INFO button

13. Fn1 button

14. Lever

15. AEL/AFL button