If you can avoid it, don't buy a camera the day before you want to photograph an important event such as a family wedding or your holiday. Even seasoned photographers take a while to get used to a new camera.
The important thing to do to start with is simply to play around with your camera and find out how all the different things on it work. You need to have the camera manual handy, and to look at it to find things out. Getting StartedOften manuals come with a simple section near the start called 'Getting Started' or something similar that takes you through the basic operation of the camera. Generally it is a good idea to read through and do what it says.
Every camera is at least a little different from every other model, so giving you the details for your camera would be almost impossible, but there are some useful general tips and things that manuals don't usually tell you.
Start by finding out from the manual how to do the really basic things:
1. How to see what picture your camera will take - on compact digital cameras this will either be a direct vision viewfinder or an LCD screen (or both.)
2. How to control exposure (the amount of light reaching the sensor), usually by controlling both the size of the lens opening (aperture) and the time the sensor is exposed to the light (shutter speed.) Most cameras control this automatically.
3. How to of adjusting the lens for the distance between camera and subject - called focussing.
Most cameras have an autofocus system that does this for you.
4. How to zoom the lens in and zoom out - assuming your camera has a zoom lens.
5. Which is the button to press to take the pictures (the shutter release.)
6. How to to view your pictures on the LCD screen after you have taken them. Usually you can zoom in to see parts of the picture larger.
7. Most cameras now can be used in an auto mode that does everything for you except press the shutter, but many also allow you to alter or make settings manually. This give you more control over what you are doing, and also means you can sort things out when the automatic systems get it wrong. It's probably a good idea to start taking pictures in the auto mode, and once you are happy with this, start to explore what else your camera can do.
Once you have mastered these very basic camera features you will want to learn more! Your camera manual, books, or camera magazines, and this blog will help you learn more so that you can get the most out of your digitial camera experience! We also offer classes, workshops, personal coaching and field trips all designed to make you the best photographer possible!
Dont forget to check out photography by Lloydlee Heite www.lloydlee.com.
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