PHOTOGRAPHY: Tips for the New Enthusiast
Okay where to start, since in the beginning everyone is excited to go tryout there new found friend. Or perhaps, you have had it just a little while but your still getting used to it. Most people are yet struggling to read and understand the dang manual on the gadget. Yes that includes the snikering one who says their’s is built in to the camera. See most the manuals are for looking up something you are having trouble figuring out. Not there to show you the actual application of those buttons and settings. You can find out what it does and what it is, however it’s pretty much up to you to explore its use. Get used to the idea, it’s trail and error!
Okay for starters, most have already figured out they need a charged battery and a memory card installed in their camera for it to work. Secondly, they should have a good perception of how to turn-on the camera and push the shutter release button. From there it is a matter of the type of system you got, point-n-shoot the lens is fixed, doesnt have a lens release mechanism. Interchangable lens camera; incliding mirror and mirrorless systems. Lens can be swapped for different focal distances or estetic effects towards photography. If your camer is of the first variety then your off to shooting photos for effect. Remember, its digital to there are no real limits other than your memory card size and how well you battery holds up. Now, if your cameta fits into the digital SLR type catagory (removable lenses, etc) then, you must assure you have a lens attatched to your camera if purchased with a kit lens, put it on try it out. Most kit lenses are okay, definetly not the best. Most kit lenses get you in the range of wide angle to medium or standard angle of view. Say 18mm to 55mm, for example. Othet camera deals give two lenses, which may give you 70-200mm. Will say up front, if your just deciding on a camera to get and have the extra money; purchase just the body of the camera if cheaper and buy your first good lens in the 24-70mm range with a focal aperture value of f/2.8. This will not be so apparent to you as a new camera owner what benefit your getting, untill you have shot hundreds of photos and have gotten expetience with shooting. The better lens makes a bug difference in how and what your camera will produce photos. Each lens is different and adds a quality to photos much differently than the next. Once you have a lens to attach line up the red or white dots in the lens snd camera, push snd turn, locked in, turn on camera, glance at live view screen or LCD make sure you are getting sn image. If no image make sure battery is charged and/or lens cap is removed from lens. Shoot.
Okay, tips: 1. Make sure you have a memory card in the camera and spare ones handy.
2. Make sure you have batteries; regardless if you have a point-n-shoot or a system that takes a long ladting lithium cell. That means having at least two or three spares. If using AA batteries then enough for two or three times of use.
3. Charger; it’s sad to get some place on vaction or on a field shoot, to find out you don’t have a charger for those batteries. So a week becomes a day of getting good photos.
4. Protective case or bag for your gear. If your going to pay that much for a camera, extend its life and buy something to protect camera and hold those spare batteries and memory cards.
5. Camera strap, you can always be in the tourest mode with the around the neck strap or you can opt to purchase a side strap system (long strap that sllows carrying camera on hip or waist area). Saves on the back and less irritating for long hikes, walks, tours of zoos, etc.
6. Lens cloth, or lens cleaner towlette, sweet on camera adds salts and oil to camera surface, which attracts dust and debris.
7. Optional; carry a gallon size ziplock style bag in you camera gear, you never know when you may need it to protect the camera or a lens from rain or wading high waters if going in mountainous terrains like Zion or Bryce areas of Utah.
8. SHOTS; always take the shot, do not second guess, this is more true for those who came from a film camera to digital cameta system. Tendancy has been to capture what is necessary and inly what is absolutly good and/or works. Still is true with pro level shooters, but you have a digital camera...it don’t cost any more to shoot 100 as it does to shoot 1 photo. Shoot, if you don’t need it delete it later. You will be amazed how much more you’ll enjoy the photos after its all done.
9. Pick up that camera and go shoot something, shoot daily. It don’t matter what the subject is. You will not get proficient using a camera unless you shoot with it. That includes learning setting snd buttons on camera, so much so you do not need to look at the button to know where and what it is. Menues are indexed in your memory, so you should badically know exactly where to ho to each function.
10. Go yo have fun, remember those around you. It is real easy to go to get photo, but bassically spend most your time behind the camera. It is better to go on your own if only going for photos. You will ne happy and so will everyone else.
Those who buy into larger camera setups right off the bat, you should prepair for some inconveniences along the way, like wieght of system, camera bags to haul with, space it takes while traveling and what insurance is needed when checking in baggage through airports.
One last thought, if you are taking photos in questionable areas where the camera ma be required to be surrendered, always get the memory card out first. Back up work each day, start with empty card in camera. Don’t save all your work in one place. Good habit to keep if you do photo journalism or have much time and expense tied into a shoot, might back up photos in s couple lications where possible.
Good luck shooting.
Comments
Post a Comment