Friday, September 10, 2010

How to Use Your Camera

Hi,

I am about to launch a series of blog posts about "How to use your camera." The need for this came to me this summer as I was working as a volunteer for Oregon State Parks and Recreation. I worked at Wallowa Lake State Park, where part of my duties included conducting photography walks along some of the hiking trails in the area. Before each walk or hike, I spent a little time explaining some important factors about "creating" photographs rather than "snappin' pitchers." I discussed three things all pros use to make a photo. I included the tools used to make those three things work, and I began helping people get used to using the menus in their cameras as well as explaining what some of the things mean.

After a few outings I came to realize that most folks simply don't understand the language to begin with. Some folks could relate ISO to the old film speed concept they used to use when they bought new rolls of film, but when asked how different settings could effect their images in different lighting conditions they had no clue. Almost everyone became confused when we talked about aperture and depth of field. Shutter speed was a little easier to grasp but almost no one used the shutter speed setting on their camera. Almost everyone I talked to always used the "Auto" settings for everything.

So, if you are one of those folks who wants to know how to use your camera just follow along. I'll begin by discussing the most common features available on most cameras available today. Then I'll dive deeper into the mysteries of these features and tell you how to use them. In the end you will have learned much more about your camera, how the controls work and how to control them, and above all learn to take better pictures. Will you be a Pro by then? Probably not, but you will have a much better understanding of  photography and how to create a photograph the way you want, rather than be surprised at how good your camera works.

DV

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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.