Sunday, September 12, 2010

How to Use Your Camera - The Mode Dial

Many of the cameras I see people using these days have a mode dial on them. These cameras also have a multi-selector dial as well and you should not confuse one with the other. The mode dial is where you select the proper shooting mode for the conditions or type of photography you will be doing. Some of the most common settings available are AUTO (Most people use this setting) landscape, portrait, sports, P or Programmed Auto, S or Shutter Priority (Nikon), Canon calls this Tv or "Time Value." A or Aperture Priority, and M or Manual. I will discuss each of these in subsequent blog posts. Nikon cameras include a "Scene" mode with sub-menus that include shooting fireworks, snow or beach scenes, landscapes, portraits with face recognition and so on.

My Kodak Easyshare 1253 isn't this fancy. It simply has a Scene button on top that lets me choose from 23 possible situations that I might find myself shooting in. I just have to push the button and select the mode that fits the lighting conditions I will be shooting in. It's pretty simple if you know where to look but if you think you will find these options by pushing the menu button you will become frustrated in a very short time. This is another reason to learn how to use your camera.

Spend some time looking for the mode dial or scene buttons on your camera. Once you know where to find them take several pictures using each of the various options. It will be important for you to be able to find these modes quickly and easily. To do that well will take a little practice as you learn how to use your camera.

My next blog post will discuss Depth of Field, which settings will allow you to control it, and why you might want to do that.

 

 

<a href= “http://dwainspicks.imagekind.com”>Dwains Picks</a>

 

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Photography Tips

Here are a few things you can do to improve your photography that will apply regardless of what camera you use. These are the basics that every photographer should know and do to get reasonably good pictures out of any camera.

Make sure you have a clean lens. Don't just blow the dust off, but use a clean cloth suitable for cleaning lenses and do it right.

Set up so your camera is stable and won't move as you press the shutter. You can do this a number of ways. If you will be handholding the camera, hold your elbows in against your sides, and stand with your feet apart with one slightly forward of the other. You can also lean against a solid object like a light pole, tree, building or whatever. The best method though is to use a tripod or monopod. I have both but I like to carry the tripod best. If I want to use it as a monopod I just extend only one leg and us it as I would a monopod. I'll add instructions about to how to use these tools later.

Finally the "First" basic thing you need to do is read your manual and learn what all the parts of your camera are for and how to use them. If you understand how your meter works and what white balence is you'll go a long way to getting that shot you want when the light is wierd and you are wondering why your pictures are all dark or yellow instead of like what you saw on the monitor or in the viewfinder.

I'll expand on all these topics in the coming weeks and months so you'll want to check back and see what I've added from time to time.