Lesson 2: Know your camera ~ An introduction to your DSLR

After buying you DSLR, now you can clearly understand why a DSLR is able to take good pictures than a simple point and shoot camera. Truly a DSLR always enables you to take more creative shots giving you access to more functionalities. But, to know those functions, you need to give it some times, a good time know each other, you to know your machine and you machine to know its master! It can get frustrating but trust me when you know what to do with your camera, its not frustrating any more, rather I would say, CHALLENGING!

Things mostly I'll be talking about in this thread is :

Quality control: Using RAW formats instead of JPEG as RAW photos give you more extended informations to work with. On the other hand, if you are one of those photographers who thinks post processing is literally killing a natural photo, I'd recommend you to work with JPEG. Reason is, you'll get fully worked photo when you export them, but in RAW formats, lot many works will be left for you to see the final flash

Key control: Controlling both apertures and shutter speed mostly! Aperture controls the depth of the field. Higher apertures make shallow depth of field. Like f 1.8 will make shallower DOF than f 16. Shutter speed controls the exposure time. So taking a sharp photo with a nice DOF, needs a hard practice of dialing in the details using the dials of that camera!!

Setting the right exposure mode: In most of the cameras, there are some SEMI AUTO modes along with the Manual and complete auto mode. These popular modes like Aperture priority, Shutter priority are also capable of controlling lights. Like lower apertures need more lights than higher. So in those modes you might think about considering higher shutter speeds!!

Get meter reading: Metering modes are different in different cameras. Most popular settings are, Multi zone, centre weighted and spot. Multi zone uses an average metering mode through the frame. While Centre weighted concentrates on around 70% of the frame and then feathers out towards the edges. Spot metering reads a tiny area in the frame and thats why its the most advanced and precise metering mode.

Setting AF and drive modes Two main focusing systems on DSLRs are, single and continuos servo modes. Single modes are for most stationary objects while for moving objects you use Continuos modes. There are also custom modes in these days DSLRs which enables you to focus subjects off the centre.
Drive mode gives you option to shoot continuously as long as the shutter button is pressed and hold.

Make the most of rear screen Now a days DSLRs help you giving a LCD screen sometimes giving you access to live screening mode. Apart from live screens, it helps giving in details of multiple functions and controls over the camera. Like, EV metering, aperture, shutter speed and also WB set up and many more, telling you how you shooting a shot.

Right these were just the start, read your manual first before you start shooting. Know what your camera is capable of doing and also let yourself introduce to your camera, give it some time and I'll start posting shortly with more description and controls to master you, your camera DIAL

Continue to lesson 2.1