Digital cameras 101

[ShutterbugGail]

If you're a brand new digital camera owner, here are three things you must do:

Read and refer to the manual

A quick guide is fine for getting started taking snapshots, but if that's all you read you'll eventually find yourself in a rut. Follow the link below for steps to help ease you through effectively reading and using a digital camera manual:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/for-newbies/camera-manual.php


Learn to use the two-step shutter-release button

The shutter-release button on a digital camera functions quite differently than one on a film camera. If you don't use it correctly, photos will be improperly focused and exposed. In addition, images may become blurred. Here's an easy-to-understand guide about using the two-step shutter-release button:


http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/basic-techniques/shutter-button.php

Become familiar with how to Reset your digicam

With so many menus options, it's not uncommon to select a wrong one without realizing it, causing your digital camera to not function as you wish. If this happens, reset your camera.

The Reset function is typically accessed in the Menu screen when your digital camera is set to Play mode. Every digicam is a bit different, so please check your manual.




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[rhinorick]

Good tips.

Good tip about resetting. And always, always, always remember to CHECK THOSE SETTINGS before shooting.  I don't know how many times I have changed my settings and forgot to change them back ... only to ruin the next shot or set of shots.  :-/

[ShutterbugGail]

  I don't know how many times I have changed my settings and forgot to change them back ... only to ruin the next shot or set of shots.  :-/

Of course, I've never ever done that!  

Last week I took a whole bunch of photos in bright, outside light at ISO 400. Yikes!

Related reading: ISO - Digital Camera Sensitivity:
http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/advanced-settings/iso.php

[rhinorick]

Yes, that is my most common mistake I was referring to - ISO.   :-/  

My wife even asks me now, "did you check all your settings?"    She knows how very frustrated I get when I find out all my great shots were at the wrong settings.  :-/

[Neofolis]

Great tips.  I think my favourite tip for people changing from film cameras to digital is to take lots of photo's.  Many people make the switch to digital, but remain in 35mm mode, where they only had 12,24,36, etc. shots per film.  Without that restriction, it is often worthwhile taking the same photo 5 or more times, because you can guarantee they won't all come out the same.  You can't always go back to take a photo again, if it didn't come out well, but if you make several attempts to get the right shot, you have a better chance of having a usable photo at the end of it.

[ShutterbugGail]

Great tips.  I think my favourite tip for people changing from film cameras to digital is to take lots of photo's.  

That is a GREAT tip, too, Neofolis!

One of the fabulous things about digital photography is that you can take photo after photo without worrying about the cost of film and developing.

It's so long ago that I used film. What was it? 12, 24 and 36 shots per roll? Now, with the increased size in memory cards (and thankfully drop in prices), you can take hundreds of photos in an outing without changing the "film."  

[rhinorick]

Amen!  So true!!  

I have learned something, however, in using a digital camera and taking lots of photos.  (and I mean LOTS!!!)   ....

What I have learned is that since I can take so many photos, it is very easy to get "lazy".  That is, taking a lot of mediocre photos, hoping there will be a few good ones in the bunch, instead of taking the time and effort to learn and apply the proper techniques to get a really good photo.  

If we are careful to take good photos, we won't need as many.

And believe me ... it is much easier that way!  Especially in after-camera processing!  

[rhinorick]

With that said ....

I took my record number of shots in one day at one place ....

At the Virginia Zoo, on Aug. 15, I took over 1000 shots in one day!     

[ShutterbugGail]

At the Virginia Zoo, on Aug. 15, I took over 1000 shots in one day!     

Shoot as I say, not as I do, eh? 

Seriously, that may be a record. Have fun sorting through them. I bet you got some great shots, though!

[rhinorick]

They were taken on the day my brother paid to have us go behind the scenes at the zoo and pet a real, live rhino, and to then see the 4 new lion cubs that were not open to the public yet!!! It was an awesome encounter!!  I made sure I took plenty of photos.

I had lots of fun going through them.