How to Get the Most from Your New DSLR

WHAT DOES DSLR STAND FOR?
Digital Single Reflex Lens. A DSLR allows you to create amazing images and gives you more control when shooting. You can shoot in auto and/or adjust setting to enhance your image.

APERTURE
Aperture is the circular opening in the camera lens that allows light to come in. Setting the size/ opening allows you to decide how much light will enter the lens. Openings are called f-stops. A small f-stop = a larger amount of light coming in. A large f-stop = smaller amount of light coming in. This is due to shutter speed. Slow speed = more light and fast speed = less light. Sunny day = high aperture to minimize exposure. A small aperture also allows you to focus on deeper spaces. With the front subject clear and the background hazy, this is called bokeh. Light meters on your camera allow you to set the f-stop. This is a basic necessity in photography.

SHUTTER SPEED
Shutter speed and aperture work hand in hand. Small f-stop = more light = slower speed. Large f-stop = less light = faster shutter speed. Slow shutter speed allows motion in a shot whereas a fast speed does not allow motion as much. In fact, it tries to minimize it. A tripod comes in handy in low light settings where you will use a slow shutter speed to get more light into the lens. A wide aperture creates very sharp images with shallow depth, which is perfect for portraits.

ISO
ISO refers to light sensitivity of the film or sensor. After you take a shot you can adjust the sensitivity (exposure) of an image. High ISO allows light to strike more sensitively, capturing image with less available light, capturing the image without a blur. The downside of high ISO is it makes the photo more grainy by allowing more noise.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
If it is sunny, set a low ISO. If it is darker, set a high ISO. Next set the aperture and shutter speed. Play with it. Take a few shots to find the light that is just right. The "A" setting on your DSLR allows you to adjust the aperture and it adjusts the shutter speed for you. The "S" setting allows you to set the shutter speed and adjusts the aperture for you. Compensation adjustment is a last minute exposre adjustment.

WHITE BALANCE
White balance in a camera adjusts the relation of the color you are shooting. White balance is controlled through the use of filters. The coloring is up to you.

FOCUS
Play with the auto and manual focus. Sometimes one is better than the other. Using the AF button will lock onto the center of the image/ subject you are shooting and allow you to readjust yourself while still being focused on the subject.

"Keep on shooting."