DSLR Camera Features & Settings: Beyond Auto Mode

Thank you for your interest in photography and commitment to learning more about your digital camera. We've put together several different kinds of resources for your review - slideshows, articles, and videos - so please make use of them at your convenience.

It is our pleasure to bring this information to you.

Dan and Deborah Tual

P.S. We'd like to hear from you and get your feedback about the course so please take a minute and complete the brief survey. Thanks!

Session 1

Exposure Triangle
Aperture Priority
Shutter Priority
Internal Light Meter

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Additional Resources Including Practice Exercises

DSLR Photography

Dinner Party

It's not the camera you use but how you use it and the photographer's vision.

Exposure Triangle Explained

Camera Shooting Modes

Aperture Priority Setting

You select the apeture, the camera selects the appropriate shutter speed for a properly exposed image.

Aperture and Depth of Field

Changes in the aperture affect the amount of depth of field - how much is in focus.

Depth of Field Example

f/2 (larger lens opening) vs f/22 (smaller lens opening)

Aperture Basics

Depth of Field Example

f/4 aperture (larger lens opening) vs f/22 aperture (smaller lens opening)

Depth of Field

Narrow depth of field is achieved by using a larger aperture (i.e. f3.5, f5.6) and a wider depth of field is achieved with a smaller aperture (i.e. f16, f22)

Depth of field

Same Exposure on Each Frame

Changes in depth of field by changing aperture and corresponding shutter speed. ISO stays the same.

Shutter Priority Setting

You set the shutter speed, and the camera selects the correct aperture for a properly exposed image.

Shutter Speed & Movement

Faster shutter speeds freeze movement while slower shutter speeds blur movement.

Shutter Speed: Freeze vs Blur Action

Motion Blur Settings

Shutter Speed and Motion Blur

Shutter Speed Reference Table

Effects of Shutter Speed on motion blur

ISO chart

ISO Sensitivity to Light Example

ISO at 100 is the least sensitive to light so it's contributing very little to the brightness of the image. As the ISO number increases, it become more sensitive to light and affects the brightness more and more.

ISO and Noise/Grain

Higher ISO settings affect the quality of the image.

ISO cheat sheet

Internal Light Meter Setting

Light Meter Settings

When the internal light meter shows the image is over or under exposed, you need to adjust the aperture, shutter speed or ISO to get a properly exposed image. The goal is to have the meter show zero.

Exposure Triangle

Chart shows how changes in Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO affect Depth of Field, Grain, and Sharpnes

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RESOURCES

SESSION 1

Articles / Blogs

The Exposure Triangle: A Beginner's Guide (PhotographyLife)

Aperture Versus Shutter Priority – Which Shooting Mode to Use and When

(Digital Photography School)

Aperture and Priority Modes (Digital Photography School)

What is ISO? A Complete Guide for Beginners (PhotographyLife)

Practice Exercises

A 10 Minute Aperture Exercise (Audrey Ann Photo)

An Exercise For You to Practice Depth of Field Without Going Outside

(Digital Photography School

An Exercise to Learn and Practice Shutter Speed at Home (Digital Photography School)

Videos

Intro to Shutter Speed by PhotographyTV

During this photo lesson we discuss shutter speed. We explain how shutter speed is a part of the exposure triangle and show you real life examples of the effect that shutter speed has on your photographs.

Intro to Aperture by PhotographyTV

During this photo lesson we discuss aperture. We discuss what aperture is, and how it benefits your photographs. We will show you examples of different aperture settings so that you understand how aperture works.

Aperture Priority Mode - EASIER than Manual Mode by James Lavash

In this video, I show you what aperture priority mode is and how it's sometimes better and easier than manual mode, especially for beginners! We talk about camera settings and how to use exposure compensation, as well as a few other photography tricks. This aperture priority tutorial will help you understand aperture mode vs manual mode and the right way to use aperture priority mode, no matter what the situation!

Shutter Priority Mode by PhotographyTV

During this photo lesson we discuss how to take control of your camera by using Shutter Priority Mode. We will explain what shutter priority mode is, give you some real examples of how to use it, and give you the confidence to start practicing with shutter priority mode on your own.

Session 2

Focus Modes
Focus Area Modes
Metering Modes

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Additional Resources

RESOURCES

SESSION 2

Articles / Blogs

How to Easily Understand Your Camera Autofocus Modes (Expert Photography)

Metering Modes and How Your Camera Meter Works (Digital Photography School)

Photography Cheat Sheet: Meting Modes in a Nutshell (The Phlobographer)

Videos

How To Get Perfect Focus On Your Camera Every Time by Mark Hemmings

Watch this photography tutorial to discover how to correctly set focus on your digital camera so you never take a blurry photo again.

Best Metering Modes in Any Situation by Spyros Heniadis

What's the best metering mode to use? I get asked this question ALL THE TIME, so today I'm going to break it down and explain what I think the best metering mode to use is, and how to choose the best metering mode to use no matter what situation you're shooting in!

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