Top 15 Features of Your DSLR Camera That You Should Know

Photography Tips

There’s a lot to learn when you first get a DSLR. The first things you need to know is how to get out of auto mode and start using your camera’s manual function. This tutorial will show you the 15 things you need to know when starting out:

The 15 Things You Should Know:

1. Shooting Modes – Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual Mode. Each has their own purpose.
2. Depth-of-Field – This is a measure of how much of the scene is in focus and is most easily controlled by changing the aperture.
3. ISO – This increases the camera sensor’s sensitivity to light, but also increases that amount of digital noise.
4. Focus Modes – There’s fixed focus and servo focus, as well as a hybrid mode. Which is best to use depends on the movement of your subject.
5. Focal Points – Selecting one or several focus points can help you fine-tune your focusing.
6. Back Focus – Using the button on the back to focus can help you snap photos faster.
7. Exposure Compensation – This is handy for tweaking the exposure values that the camera determines.
8. Custom White Balance – If you want perfect white balance, customizing it is you best option.
9. Highlight Control – Shows areas of the photo that have been blown out.
10. Metering Modes – This controls how your camera determines the exposure.
11. Live View Mode – This helps for previewing your exposure and fine-tuning your focus.
12. Flash Control – Knowing when and how to control your flash is important when lighting your image.
13. Image Stabilization – More importantly, when NOT to use this because it’s not always needed.
14. The Beep – That beep when you focus for the most part is unnecessary.
15. Customizable Menu –  For an easier time navigating your menus, you can make your own.

Depth-of-Field is a must know