Photography Information

Have You Read Your Digital Camera Manual?


Have you read the manual that came with your digital camera? If not you are in good company, the majority of digital camera owners never get past the *Basic Operations* section.

If you didn*t read the manual why not? Was it the obscure photographic terms? The numerous cross references ? The complicated diagrams? The myriad uses for each dial and button? The convoluted English? Maybe all of the above. The fact is that most digital camera manuals are neither user friendly nor written with beginners in mind. If you aren*t already familiar with photographic terms then White Balance, AE Lock, AF Illuminator, and so on, aren*t much help and it can seem like very hard work to figure it all out.

But if you haven*t read the manual you aren*t getting the most from your digital camera. Digital cameras are loaded with options that let you do really cool things. If all you do is point and shoot you are missing out on a whole lot of fun and some great photos.

We are visual learners, and we like our information in manageable chunks. When we are learning a new skill we learn more by seeing and doing than by reading. Don*t you find that you remember a name more easily if the owner is wearing a name badge when you are introduced? Isn*t a map easier to follow than listed directions? Did you learn to drive by reading about it? Figuring out a digital camera is no different- we need to practice. Let*s go back to the manual and pick up from where you got stuck. In the first few pages of the manual there will be diagrams identifying each function. Don*t start there. It*s too much to learn all at once, and if you don*t know what it all means you won*t remember it. It*s much easier to learn each function as you need it. Try this: get your camera and the manual out. Choose a topic that you are unfamiliar with and learn about that one feature. It might be the basic operation or it may be something more advanced, such as white balance or aperture priority mode. The manual may not be very clear about what each feature does but you can check all the terms out here: http://www.digital-cameras-and-accessories.com/glossary.html

As you read the instructions in the manual explore the settings on your camera and try them out. Then stop and practice using this setting. Go and take some pictures around your home or neighbourhood. You don*t have to worry about wasting film any more, so you can snap happily away and then delete the duds. Only go on to the next topic when you feel that you have thoroughly absorbed the first.

This way you will get through all the features in a month at most. In good time to take some fabulous photos at Thanksgiving and Christmas!

That*s it! You are on your way to becoming an expert.

About The Author

Liz Beresford is a writer who owns and operates the web site Digital Cameras & Accessories. Its an information resource for those who are new to digital cameras and photography. If your camera manual is particularly obscure and you need more information you can find it there: http://www.digital-cameras-and-accessories.com/


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Times

Landscapes Framed by a Chevy
New York Times
That perverse thought seems to have inspired a recent series by another photography great, Lee Friedlander. Mr. Friedlander's “America by Car” has just been ...

and more »


Community briefly: Photography begins for 'Trespass' thriller
Shreveport Times
The new thriller from Nu Image, Inc./Millennium Films, directed by Joel Schumacher, stars Oscar winners Nicole Kidman and Nicolas Cage. ...

and more »


Guardian Camera Club: Puppkin on pet photography
The Guardian
This portfolio starts with 'Tim'; it's a fantastic image; perfect viewpoint, excellent composition, with great low contrast tonality. ...



Honeycomb Archive Named Digital Asset Management System for New Free Stock ...
Online PR News (press release)
Honeycomb Archive has recently been named the Digital Asset Management System provider for Pure Creative Commons, a new stock photography website. ...

and more »


Pawtography – Intro to Pet Photography
Boston Globe
Join Cheryl Colombo of Boston Dog Photography for this informative and fun two-day introduction to pet photography. Topics will include: discovering your ...



The Age

Eye-Popping HDR Photography Now Standard On iPhone
Cult of Mac (blog)
01, 2010) The iPhone's strong nod to photography just got more emphatic with the introduction of HDR in today's iOS 4.1 update. HDR, or High Dynamic Range, ...
iOS 4.1 HDR Photo Capabilities Previewed on VideoPhones Review
HDR comes built into iOS 4.1, bad news for developers?Today's iPhone (blog)
Ios4.1.Hdrtuaw.com (blog)
Evansville Courier & Press -Geeks are Sexy Technology News -WirelessGround.com Blog (blog)
all 334 news articles »


Art Barn features Digital photography
White Mountain Independent
Matt Suess displays his unique fine art digital photography prints at the Art Barn for his premier season. Posted: Friday, September 3, ...



Sept. 15 photography show depicts Galapagos Islands
Madison Eagle
Brennick, interested in photography for many years, is a watercolor artist, a teacher and a reading specialist. She has been a jeweler and a health care ...



Keep bird watching and photography respectful
Kansas City Star
Wildlife photography and bird watching go well together, provided nature shutterbugs minimize the impact on subjects, and respect resource managers, ...

and more »


Jamaica Gleaner

Adrian Creary clicks with photography, graphics
Jamaica Gleaner
In music, literature, film, dance and photography, young Jamaicans are making strides inside and outside the country. The generation coming is innovative ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2009 Professional Photographers Guild Of Abilene, Abilene Texas