The first step in learning to become a professional photographer is to know your equipment. Though the layout of the camera may differ from brand to brand, the basic features remain more or less the same across all cameras.
Lets begin by looking at different featuers of your camera and what they do. Understanding these key functions help you to take great pictures fast and with ease.
1. SHUTTER RELEASE
Press the shutter release button halfway down to activate the auto-focus and exposure systems then fully to take the picture.
2. EXPOSURE COMPENSATION
This is an important exposure override, usually designated with a +/- symbol. Use it to increase or decrease the exposure in 1/3 or 1/2-stop increments.
3. EXPOSURE MODE DIAL
The exposure mode determines how scenes are captured. Full auto is ideal for beginners, but you should aim to shoot using one of the semi-auto modes.
4. INTEGRAL FLASH
The range of the built-in-flash is limited to a few meters but is ideal when taking pictures of friends and family. Most models include a number of flash modes.
5. HOTSHOE
The integral flash is very useful for nearby subjects but, when extra power or features are required, the solution is to slip a flashgun on the hotshoe.
6. Fn BUTTON
Some cameras sport a Fn (Function) button for fast access to regularly selected functions, such as ISO rating, White Balance, AF modes or the drive function.
7. FLASH BUTTON
With most DSLRs, you press a flash button to pop up the integral flash while in one of the 'creative' modes, such as aperture or shutter-priority.
8.MAGNIFIER BUTTONS
When reviewing your stored photos, you can zoom into the image to check sharpness. By using the four- way control, you can move from one area of the magnified image to another.
9. MENU BUTTON
The on-screen menu system allows access to the majority of a camera's functions and is quickly activated by pressing the MENU button beside the LCD monitor.
10. LCD MONITOR
This is the information center of your digital SLR, allowing access to most of the camera's settings, as well as the chance to review and edit images and, with many models, shoot in Live View.
11. VIEWFINDER
The viewfinder image comes via the lens and the reflex mirror, which bounces the image up into the pentaprism. A hood cuts out stray light to provide a clearer, brighter image.
12. INPUT DIALS
Use these to change settings such as apertures and shutter speeds. They're usually found on the hand-grip, on the rear where your thumb rests or, on some models, in both positions.
13. FOUR-WAY CONTROL
This handy control, found on most DSLRs, offers an up, down, left and right control and allows you to quickly navigate through the various menu options that appear on the LCD monitor.
14. MEMORY CARD SLOT
DSLRs require memory cards boasting big capacities (you should aim for 2GB-8GB). CompactFlash. SD/SDHC and MemoryStick cards are able to hold several gigabytes of information.
Source: Digital SLR Photography
6. Fn BUTTON
Some cameras sport a Fn (Function) button for fast access to regularly selected functions, such as ISO rating, White Balance, AF modes or the drive function.
7. FLASH BUTTON
With most DSLRs, you press a flash button to pop up the integral flash while in one of the 'creative' modes, such as aperture or shutter-priority.
When reviewing your stored photos, you can zoom into the image to check sharpness. By using the four- way control, you can move from one area of the magnified image to another.
9. MENU BUTTON
The on-screen menu system allows access to the majority of a camera's functions and is quickly activated by pressing the MENU button beside the LCD monitor.
10. LCD MONITOR
This is the information center of your digital SLR, allowing access to most of the camera's settings, as well as the chance to review and edit images and, with many models, shoot in Live View.
11. VIEWFINDER
The viewfinder image comes via the lens and the reflex mirror, which bounces the image up into the pentaprism. A hood cuts out stray light to provide a clearer, brighter image.
12. INPUT DIALS
Use these to change settings such as apertures and shutter speeds. They're usually found on the hand-grip, on the rear where your thumb rests or, on some models, in both positions.
13. FOUR-WAY CONTROL
This handy control, found on most DSLRs, offers an up, down, left and right control and allows you to quickly navigate through the various menu options that appear on the LCD monitor.
14. MEMORY CARD SLOT
DSLRs require memory cards boasting big capacities (you should aim for 2GB-8GB). CompactFlash. SD/SDHC and MemoryStick cards are able to hold several gigabytes of information.
Source: Digital SLR Photography
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