Mastering Your DSLR Camera

bwana

bwana

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Seems like the start of a nice little tutorial for people who are new to the world of the dSLR.
Editor: When photographer and reader Scott D. Feldstein offered to write a tutorial on how to put your digital SLR camera to good use this holiday season, we couldn't pass it up. Our new Canon's dial never budged from Auto mode—until now.

You ponied up for a digital SLR camera because you hated the shutter lag on your little point-and-shoot. The good news: Your photos have improved! The bad news? You know they could be even better—if only you dared to let go of the camera's "auto" mode. It's as if you've been creeping around the neighborhood in a new Mustang using only first gear. No more! It's time to take control, hit the highway, and learn what you can do in program mode.
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umm, program mode is auto mode... :P

Program mode is possibly the worst thing ever for a camera to have. They should start the tutorial with Av and Tv modes and explain the best usage for both of those..

my 2c and I'm a pro tog, so please forgive my hoity toightiness ;)
 
schitz011 said:
umm, program mode is auto mode... :P
Click to expand...
I disagree - on my camera there's several differences including, but not limited to, no auto pop up flash (thankfully) and the ability to shoot raw.

Course as you're a pro tog haw about writing a better beginner's guide? :)
 
yea, nikons program mode is not auto - there are a few other things that can be done in program mode compared to auto - as mentioned no popup flash as well as enabling commander mode for off camera flash. i must admit, mine is generally always on full manual, and if a quick photo is needed then i'll pop onto program
 
bwana said:
I disagree - on my camera there's several differences including, but not limited to, no auto pop up flash (thankfully) and the ability to shoot raw.

Course as you're a pro tog haw about writing a better beginner's guide? :)
Click to expand...

Was actually thinking about it as I love photography and would love to teach people better photography. Just a question of time to find.

I think that if you're going to shoot RAW then using Av or Tv or full manual would be the best option, but then again using those modes requires a basic understanding of exposure and the fundamentals of how it's achieved.

I guess ultimately all the general hobbyist wants to do is create correctly exposed images to being with and then move onto a deeper understanding of shutter speeds and depth of field.

Having learnt my craft on a full manual camera I guess it put me on a different footing as you had to work out exposures by hand as it were.

Using P or A modes I guess is enough for hobbyists, but it can be a crutch. I would like to see more people learn about exposure and how to manipulate it as that for me at least is the basis of good photography.

I agree that for the beginner it can be quite daunting to be confronted with all this new info, but i don't think the step from Auto to Program mode is wortwhile. Rather move from Auto to Av, Tv and learn to use the histogram to help you learn exposure. A big leap to start with, but one I think is more beneficial in the long run.

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/learning-exposure-in-digital-photography/

Seems like a good article
 
I like to use program shift mode. Program mode metering done, but then allows to to adjust it to the same exposure use different values of shutter or aperture according what you have set the camera to adjust to achieve the same exposure value. Easy to use and quick to do. This combined with Aperture mode and a dedicated spot metering button make probably 80 -90 of my shooting. I am not a pro, just a guy who likes shooting.
 
I've been playing around with full manual again today on my 400d and what a pain in the butt.

Adjusting the aperture means almost having to poke myself in the eye with my thumb trying to keep the AV button depressed. :eek:

Think I'll stick to TV and AV unless I really find myself needing manual.
 
schitz011 said:
Was actually thinking about it as I love photography and would love to teach people better photography. Just a question of time to find.

I think that if you're going to shoot RAW then using Av or Tv or full manual would be the best option, but then again using those modes requires a basic understanding of exposure and the fundamentals of how it's achieved.

I guess ultimately all the general hobbyist wants to do is create correctly exposed images to being with and then move onto a deeper understanding of shutter speeds and depth of field.

Having learnt my craft on a full manual camera I guess it put me on a different footing as you had to work out exposures by hand as it were.

Using P or A modes I guess is enough for hobbyists, but it can be a crutch. I would like to see more people learn about exposure and how to manipulate it as that for me at least is the basis of good photography.

I agree that for the beginner it can be quite daunting to be confronted with all this new info, but i don't think the step from Auto to Program mode is wortwhile. Rather move from Auto to Av, Tv and learn to use the histogram to help you learn exposure. A big leap to start with, but one I think is more beneficial in the long run.

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/learning-exposure-in-digital-photography/

Seems like a good article
Click to expand...

yea, i have the histogram on and basically just check that instead of even looking at the pic. obviously when i take gig photos it's harder to judge exposure as everything is darker anyways, and the histogram is always bunched up on the left - so i generally play that one by experience. before a gig i can now sorta guess the aperture/iso/shutter speed i'll be needing based on the lights on stage.
 
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