I hope everyone had a good Holiday this season. All of us here at Unique did, but then we got slammed by a wall of snow the day after Christmas! A lot of you out there probably got new DSLR cameras as a gift and you may be wondering, "What's this button for?". Compared to little compact point and shoots, DSLR cameras can be scary not only because of their size, but also the seemingly endless amount of buttons, dials, and strange little markings all over the camera such as "ISO". The best thing you can do is take a photography class in your spare time. You probably don't have enough of that precious spare time to take a full-time dedicated class at a University. The good news is that we offer plenty of classes here for beginners. You can find out more information about our University here, but I've decided to make a short little post detailing 5 invaluable tips for new DSLR owners.
[caption id="attachment_2708" align="alignright" width="205" caption="Aperture values and what they actually mean is one of the fundamentals of photography."]
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1) Learn the Fundamentals of Photography!
After selling a DSLR, one of the most frequent questions I get is "Can I get a class on this camera?". The simple answer is yes, you can! However, you shouldn't be worried about what camera you bought. In fact, forget about what brand/model you have. When it comes to beginner SLR use, the knowledge of photography itself is key, not weird menu functions of your 93489DXa928 camera! You could take a hundred classes specifically geared towards your camera and still learn nothing because you don't know the basics of photography. Learning the fundamentals such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, etc... will make learning everything else so much easier.
2) Get out of the Green Box!
Learning how to use the other settings on your DSLR camera is important. You made the investment in a DSLR system because it has more flexibility and control than a point and shoot camera. Leaving your DSLR on auto/green box is a mortal sin! Taking a class is a good idea, but so is just experimenting with the different modes. Even if your pictures aren't coming out great at first, don't forget all the pictures you take while experimenting are free! When your card is full, you can just erase it and not feel guilty about wasting anything. Getting out of AUTO mode also lets you change many settings that are locked. Even if you're just going to make the first baby-step to Program (P) mode, it's worth it.
[caption id="attachment_2710" align="aligncenter" width="165" caption="Go ahead take that mode dial off of the green box!"]
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3) Use Your Viewfinder!
Well you bought yourself a nice new entry level DSLR like the Canon T2i or Nikon D3100. So let me ask you one question... WHY THE HECK ARE YOU USING THE BACK LCD ON THE CAMERA TO COMPOSE AND SHOOT YOUR PHOTOS?? The viewfinder isn't just a nice resting spot for the pop-up flash. Use the darn thing, I promise you that it's better. Using "Live View" is useful for video, macro, and extremely high/low angle shots, but for normal shooting, just use the view finder. You will be able to focus faster, block out distracting external light, and just pay attention to your composition more closely in general.
[caption id="attachment_2709" align="aligncenter" width="257" caption="Using your viewfinder will also provide exposure settings on the bottom so you can change them without having to take your eye away from the camera."]
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4) Zoom in with Your Feet!
Get closer to your subjects! The 18-55mm kit zoom that came with your camera probably doesn't give you as much telephoto zoom as your point and shoot camera does. As soon as people realize this, they often run back to the store to purchase a 55-200 or 55-250mm lens. Those lenses are fine for what they're for, but always try to get physically closer to your subject. There are certain times when you need a telephoto lens, mostly when you can't get closer. However, when you aren't stuck in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium or on an African Safari, just use your feet to zoom and stop being lazy! Trust me, it will allow you to fill the frame with your subject and create much more interesting compositions.
[caption id="attachment_2713" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Hold on let me switch to my telephoto lens!"]
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5) Learn About Lenses!
It also seems many point and shoot up-graders are disappointed with the 18-55mm kit zoom lens. I've heard many people whine "That's only a 3x zoom!". Well yes, this is true, but the whole point of getting a DSLR is to have multiple lenses. There is no such thing as a perfect "all-in-one". Learn what lenses are best for what you would like to photograph. In fact, there are many lenses that don't "zoom" at all, that take amazing photographs. Look, I'm not saying to go out and break the bank on lenses; you just got the camera after all! Learn more about photography first and see what types of photographs you like taking or would like to take. Then learn what lenses will make those shots easiest and look the best!
[caption id="attachment_2712" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Just like anything else, doing some research first will help you find what lenses are best for you!"]
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Happy Shooting! -MZ