- DSLRs are different to “point and shoot” cameras because they have detachable lenses.
- Prime lenses only have one focal length.
- Zoom lenses have varying focal lengths.
- A wide angle focal length is good for Architecture and landscape photos.
- Telephoto focal lengths are better for sports or wildlife photos.
- When you have more available light, use a lower ISO.
- When you have less available light use, a higher ISO.
- A lower ISO means the quieter the image.
- Your shutter speed should typically be double your frame rate.
- Use tripods so you don’t shake the camera while shooting with a slow shutter speed.
- The smaller the f-stop the larger the opening.
- A larger aperture means a shallower depth of field.
- Cameras have a numerical valve to adjust colours.
- A majority of cameras will have presets; daylight, cloudy, flash, various indoor lights.
- Your white balance settings need to be correct so the neutral grays and whites don’t get any colour tint.
- For indoors with more direct light you want a lower colour temperature.
- Outdoors (lighter clear skies, daylight, etc.) you’d want a higher colour temperature.
- Some white balance presets are Auto, Incandescent, cloudy, shade, fluorescent, PRE, direct sunlight, and K.
- Cameras have a Full Auto mode, where the camera sets everything for you.
- There is also a Creative Auto setting where the camera does everything except choosing the brightness, picture style, and depth of field.
- The creative zone have 5 settings; Program, Shutter Speed Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, and Automatic depth of field.
- Program(P) mode is when the camera lets you choose the ISO, white balance, and AF/MF, but it auto sets the shutter speed and aperture.
- Shutter Speed Priority (Tv) is when you choose the shutter speed and the camera chooses the right aperture.
- Aperture Priority (Av) is when you choose the aperture and the camera chooses the right shutter speed.
- Automatic depth of field (A-Dep) the camera chooses the right aperture and shutter speed for the best Depth of Field.
