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Shutter-release button
Using a digital camera shutter-release button
Using the shutter-release button on a digital camera is quite different than using one on a film camera. The difference is vital to understand. If you don't press the button in the right sequence, photos will be improperly exposed and focused.
Pressing the shutter-release button down correctly helps prevent camera shake too. Even the slightest movement during the record time of a shot can result in blurred images.
With a film camera, the shutter-release button is pressed down in a single step. However, it's a two step process when using a digital camera. When the shutter-release button is depressed half-way, exposure and focus are locked as long as you hold it in that position.
Controlling focus and exposure
Use the first stage of pressing the shutter-release button to gain more control over where the camera actually focuses and exposes. Once locked, take the photo. When focus and exposure are achieved, keep holding the button down halfway if you must recompose. Some digital cameras let you lock focus and exposure separately.
Confirming focus and exposure lock
An indicator on the LCD, electronic viewfinder or a light on the camera near an optical viewfinder glows steadily to confirm the lock. Once the camera confirms focus and exposure, then fully depress the shutter button to take the shot.
This two-step process is such a critical digital camera technique that you must take time to learn it. All digital camera manuals contain instructions about the technique. Check them out, then practice until you get the rhythm of the sequence and using it becomes second nature.
