I am sure some inspired individuals who purchased their first DSLR camera might say, “Why did they waste all that paper on an instruction manual?”
“They could have saved the trees. I don’t need to read it because the pictures are just fine with the camera set on Program mode. If the pictures don’t work, I’ll just delete and try again till they look good.”
I have written about this topic in the past, but I am continually disappointed that it still comes up while talking to amateur photographers and sometimes even with those who actually make claims like, “I’m a pro and I shoot weddings”.
After removing their new camera they likely toss the box with the instructions aside, fumble around looking for someplace to stick in the memory card, turn on the camera, select the letter P or A, and start pressing the shutter.
If lucky, the on-camera flash is default programmed to pop up and flashes in low light environments and the magical technology produces usable pictures with factory settings in spite of the photographer’s lack of knowledge.
These new DSLR-toting photographers are then satisfied and never move that dial off the P mode, and wonder what all the fuss is about for confusing modes like Aperture, Shutter, or Manual modes, and rationalize their opinion by saying, “My pictures look good to me and, anyway, the instructions are confusing.”
I hear stories about photographers that complained loudly that their new cameras aren’t working as they think they should, and angrily return their camera to the store they purchased it from, only to be shown by a patient sales clerk the section in the manual that solves the problem. Again as I wrote, “It’s disappointing that they hadn’t taken the time to read their manual”.
When a photographer comes to me asking for help with their new DSLR I begin with the suggestion, put the camera on P and shoot away, but only for one week. That’s right … only one week! And while that week passes, my advice is to start reading the instruction manual that came with the camera, it is the best way to change that new camera from an expensive point-and-shoot into an amazing tool, and will help those interested in transforming their personal photography from snap shots to art.
The instruction manual will have a chapter on “exposure modes” with details regarding Aperture priority – a good place to start. Do more reading, and select Aperture priority on the camera, focus on something and make the numbers change that appear in the viewfinder or LCD screen. The aperture controls the amount of light the lens is letting into the camera.
Practice with the new DSLR, read the manual and get used to it. Don’t be lazy, experiment with everything in its menu, and learning to control the exciting Aperture priority, Shutter priority and Manual mode.
I have to emphasize that new owners should read their instruction manuals, re-read, and read again!
Photographers that own a DSLR need to understand when and why to use different exposure modes and reading the manual that came with that new camera allows them to set the menu to their personal shooting priorities. My camera manuals are all dog-eared, full of post-its and notations on the edges.
That should be the norm for photographers that are serious enough about photography to learn about their camera.
These are my thoughts for this week. Contact me at www.enmanscamera.com or emcam@telus.net. Stop by Enman’s Camera at 423 Tranquille Road in Kamloops. I sell an interesting selection of used photographic equipment. Don’t hesitate to call me at 250-371-3069.
