Beginner’s Guide to Operating a DSLR

Eager to be a Pro in DSLR Photography? We are here to help!

Those who are just starting to learn the functioning of a DSLR, here’s a ready reckoner for you. If you are a novice skeptical about how to work things in your favour, this information will be very helpful to you for better understanding of your first DSLR, its parts, functions, properties, and so on. Let us walk you through everything you need to know about DSLR photography.

First of all, there are certain fundamental terms (the elements have different icons on Canon camera and Nikon camera) that you must be aware of. Let us have a look at them here:

• ISO ADJUSTMENTS

You must know before-hand what ISO is. It basically is a measure to determine how sensitive the sensor of your DSLR camera is to light. Choose a higher ISO number only if you want your pics to be grainy. The lower the ISO, the more will be the visibility or light.

ISO differs from model to model and brand to brand. You must look out for the lowest ISO number to get more light, clarity, exposure and in turn high quality, crispy pictures indeed. Choosing a DSLR set to its lowest possible ISO number will do the trick. Auto-ISO is another function you can eye on.

( Photo above taken from Nikon D3S with ISO 6400)

• APERTURE

The size of the opening of the lens which you see when the shutter of the DSLR camera is opened and light passes through while you take a picture or shoot a video, is referred to as Aperture. Larger the aperture, wider will be the passage of light passing through it, and hence a high image and video quality for you to admire. However, lower the aperture number, lesser will be the light reaching the sensor and hence a shallow depth implying a low quality image or video. Measured in f-stops, aperture controls where you want to focus a picture on. So choose a larger aperture and you are good to go!

• SHUTTER SPEED

The Shutter Speed is measured in seconds (or fraction of seconds) and is known to be the amount of time the shutter remains open when clicking a photo or shooting a video. The longer the duration it is opened, the more light will pass through it to capture and give a more clearer, sharper and high-quality images and videos.

You will need a steady camera to shoot a waterfall or a flying bird, and for that you must use slower shutter speed. Faster shutter speed must be used if you want to freeze a moment, for example, a bird in flight.

You also have a feature of Shooting Modes viz. Program (P) and Manual (M), which you can use to suit yourself. Setting the shutter speed will automatically set the aperture (semi-automatic).

( Photo on the left is taken with a faster shutter speed than that on the right )

All the above 3 elements work together to give you the best quality photos and videos. So it’s time to remove that ‘Auto’ settings from your DSLR camera, and explore all the Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO settings and achieve perfection in DSLR photography. Have fun operating your new DSLR and play with the colours even more. After all, exploring is the essence of learning.

Whether you are a beginner or an amateur, this beginner’s guide will be extremely helpful in enlightening you about various aspects of operating a DSLR. Rightly said, ‘Practice makes a man perfect’.

For more clearer understanding you must visit our camera shop in Singapore to have a detailed insight as to how to operate a DSLR by taking hold of the DSLR by yourself!

Good luck and keep learning!