Education
If you just purchased your first DSLR camera, congratulations! You’re well on your way to taking better photos, the kind you’ll look back on and treasure for years to come.
The next step is learning about all the amazing things your camera can do. If you learn how to really take care of it and use its features to the fullest, you’ll be able to take your photography skills to the next level and capture special moments in a beautiful, artistic way. Below are a few things you need to know about your DSLR camera to take better photos.
- Learn about your camera’s shooting modes
Different shooting modes allow you to have more control over certain functions in the exposure triangle. These modes usually include aperture priority, shutter priority, program, and manual. - Learn the “exposure triangle”
Three variables determine the exposure of a photograph: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. In order to produce a great photo, you need to balance all three. Aperture (a measure of how open or closed the iris is on the lens), shutter speed (how long the sensor is exposed to light) and ISO (light sensitivity) make up the exposure triangle. - Think about your lenses
DSLR cameras are unique because you can attach a variety of lenses to them. Keep in mind that you’ll want to use different lenses for different situations— choosing the right lens can be just as important as knowing how to use the features on your camera. - Keep an eye on the white balance
White balance affects the color tone of your images. Different light sources give off different colored light. Get familiar with the different options your camera has, such as auto, daylight, cloudy, incandescent, etc. - Make sure your sensor stays clean
Especially if you’re planning on using your camera a lot, you’ll need to make sure your sensor stays clean. Check whether your camera has an auto-cleaning function. Otherwise, you’ll have to get your camera’s sensor professionally cleaned.
Remember: just like any skill, getting good at photography requires a lot of hard work, patience, and practice. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the results you want right away. As you experiment and familiarize yourself with your camera, you’ll start producing better photos. Looking to learn more about your DSLR camera? Consider taking our beginner basic digital photography class. Click here for more details.
