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Whether you’ve been in the field of photography for a while or you’re a complete beginner, a DSLR camera is something you must have already come across.
Considered as the ultimate camera to begin your photography journey with, a DSLR is every photographer’s favourite camera.
If you’ve already gone ahead and bought yourself one, the many buttons and settings may be confusing you. This can leave you overwhelmed; you may just want to put down the manual and go ahead and try your hand at taking pictures.
However, learning the basics of DSLR cameras can help you understand the right way to use them, enabling you to get stunning product photos or event photos.
If you’re looking for information on DSLR camera basics to help you understand the right way to use these cameras, we’ve got you covered.
We’ve put together a few basics about DSLR cameras that will help you to get started on your photography journey.
So, let’s get started!
What Are DSLR Cameras?
DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex. This type of camera has an internal mirror and prism system, which directs light from the lens, up to the viewfinder that you look through on your camera, which composes your image.
When you press the shutter button, this flips inside the camera for the light to pass through and record the image. This is why the screen goes dark for a few seconds before the image appears.
Since this camera is quite different from the usual ones, making sure you understand how the different controls work is essential so that you’re able to use your camera correctly.
Understanding The Camera Controls
While different cameras will have different controls, there are a few basics that should be standard across all cameras and will usually have the same controls.
1. Mode Dial
The mode dial essentially tells the camera how much control you want over its various settings. Since this can be controlled by simply rotating the dial, this is the first button you’ll want to locate.
From auto to full automatic, to manual, there are a variety of options on each dial. These will impact the type of picture you take, which is why each dial has several options.
2. Exposure Compensation
Exposure compensation is a feature that is on nearly every device with a camera. This feature lets you increase or decrease the brightness or darkness of the image. Most DSLR cameras have either a button, dial, or a setting specifically designed for this, so you’ll have to locate that.
When you take a picture, the process a camera goes through is exposure, since the sensor inside the camera is exposed to light. Depending on the mode you’ve set your camera to, the correct setting will be calculated to get an image that is not too bright or too dark.
Keep in mind that the settings can be overridden according to your preference, despite the mode the camera is in, so make sure to familiarise yourself with this.
3. Control Wheel For Shutter And Aperture
If you’re shooting with shutter or aperture priority, finding the right control for this will be necessary. Almost every camera has a control wheel, which has these settings so you can increase or decrease them accordingly.
With shutter priority mode, the same wheel will be required to move to increase or decrease it accordingly. However, if you’re on manual, you’ll have to adjust both accordingly. This can be done correctly after checking the correct setting or location on the manual, so make sure to read up well.
4. ISO Setting
ISO is another control option that you have over the exposure of an image. Since increasing the ISO makes the camera more sensitive to light and decreasing similarly decreases the light sensitivity, understanding this well can help you capture perfect images.
However, increasing the ISO also makes the image more grainy, with ‘digital noise’, so you’ll want to make sure you find the perfect setting for the image. The ideal range to produce nice clean images is around ISO 100 and ISO 400, so make sure to check this before you take the image.
Aside from the above mentioned, the focus mode and metering mode are two other elements that you need to check up on, so make sure to read up on the basics of these too.
Contact DW Images For Professional Photography Services
Now that you know the DSLR camera basics, you’re prepared to begin your photography journey. If you’re looking for a professional service for your business, DW Images is the perfect place for you!
With our vast experience in commercial photography, including business headshots and event photography, we can help you with all your photography and visual needs.
To find out more about how we can help, give us a call right away!
WE PROVIDE A RANGE OF PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES
DW Images photography, working with clients across Milton Keynes, the rest of the Midlands and London. At our Milton Keynes based photography studio we specialise in product photography for ecommerce retailers. This includes Packshots, 360 Degree, Lifestyle, Ghost Mannequin and Flat Lay Photography. We also offer corporate headshot photography for your company website meet the team page, and your business social media.
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