and as I browsed through her website
I remember thinking,
Wow, I want to take photos like this chic.
If only I could get up the nerve to take my camera off auto.
And if you read this post, then you know my picture taking methods are a bit…well, elementary {for lack of a better word}.
So after chatting with Kellie a bit about my
ridiculous fears of the “manual” setting,
she decided to put together this amazing post
to help us all take the plunge.
Seriously, this post is like GOLD! Thank you Kellie!
****************************
10 Steps to Ditching Full-Auto
(and improving your photos)
Do you own a nice,
expensive camera,
yet still shoot in Full-Auto?
If so, you’re possibly feeling overwhelmed by all of the settings and buttons on your camera. Or maybe it is because you don’t see the point in taking your camera off of Auto Mode since your camera must know more than you, right?
Wrong!
I wrote this tutorial in hopes of making you feel empowered. I’m giving you 10 tips to help you to learn to use your DSLR and improve your photography skills. You are smarter than your camera and with some work the quality of your photos will improve greatly!
They’re a year apart and so much fun!
I wouldn’t change a thing.
who just so happens to be my best friend and such a good dad!
We also love a relaxing day at home.
But mostly we just like to be together.
Aperture (Av): Controls the how blurry or clear your background and foreground are. If you want to control the amount of blur-effect then set your camera to Av Mode. The lower your f-number, the more blurry your background and foreground will be. The left photo was taken with a low f-number (F1.8). The right photo was taken with a high f-number (F20).
Shutter Speed (Tv): Controls the motion blur of your subject. If you want to control the amount of motion blur then set your camera to Tv Mode. The Shutter Speed is measured in seconds. 1/500 means 1/500th of a second is how long the shutter will be open. Most shutter speeds range from 1/4000 to 30 seconds. The longer your shutter is open, the more motion blur you will get. The left photo was taken with a longer shutter speed (1/25). The right photo was taken with a shorter shutter speed (1/3200). You might need a tripod for longer shutter speeds to avoid unwanted blur due to camera shake. Also, if your photos come out too exposed (too bright) then shorten your shutter speed.
Manual Mode (M): Play with it if you want but I stick with Av and Tv most of the time.
In Auto mode your camera will focus on the closest subject. Because you may not always want this you can change your camera’s Auto Focus Mode to focus where you want. Refer to your instruction manual under Focusing\AF-mode. Follow the instructions to have it focus on the center square. Now you can look through your viewfinder and choose what you want to focus on.
Place the center square over your subject, press and hold the shutter button halfway (the button you use to take the picture), then press the button the rest of the way. As long as the shutter is held halfway the focus will stay the same.
The best philosophy when it comes to the flash is: use it when you have to, avoid it when you can. Your photos will look so much better in natural light. Sometimes the flash can be your friend but, for the most part, a flash creates unflattering and unnatural shadows. If you are in a low-light situation, first try lowering your f-stop or increasing your shutter speed OR bumping up your ISO. If you need to use your flash then use it, but only as a last resort.
4. Shade
Girl of The Grove
THANK YOU for this post! I can't wait to take my dslr outside this weekend to play around. : )
LuLu
Love this post! I am taking a photography class right now and this was a great recap of all the biggest things about photography that I WISH I had known a long time ago when I got my nice camera!
Thanks for the post and the tutorial!
A Candid Life
Jen
Thanks you so much for this post. I am getting my first dslr camera today for my birthday and these tips will make me look like I know what I'm doing a lot faster:)
LifeCreatively
This is great information! I'm so excited to practice. 🙂
LuLu
I am posting about this on my blog today since I found it so helpful!
Feel free to stop by!
A Candid Life
Andrea
Thank you! What a great post -such great info. You're great!
pics-o-andrea
Chrissy @ Boerman Ramblings
that was awesome thanks so much for sharing!
Kara
Super duper post. Thanks so much. I can't wait to start fiddling and practicing.
The Other Mary
Now I want a new camera! Still, some of these settings are adjustable even on my Sony Cybershot! Thanks!
I BLEED PINK
I have my "big girl" camera for almost 2 years and never had the nerve to shoot it outside of auto. I am going to save these instructions and get brave!
Shelley
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! These are such great tips! Now I just need it to stop raining so I can go outside and practice 😀
Kelsey
Thank you so much! I got a Canon Rebel a few months ago and have been too scared to take it off of auto. I can't wait to try some new things!!! Maybe in the future Kellie can explain what each lens size can do or means!!! 🙂
Valerie {Next to Heaven}
GREAT post!
Gallamore West
I love this! Fabulous tips given in easy to understand directions! I've been NEEDING this!
Hilary Mae
I don't think you understand HOW MUCH I needed this! Thank you thank you thank you!!!
Hilary
theyoungandthenaive.blogspot.com
Lindsey @ Inspiring Creations
I ditched auto a few months ago when I finally learned how to use my camera! I can't believe the difference in my photos! Thanks for the awesome tips! 🙂
Hayley
This is great post. I'd like to add that after getting used to the Av and Tv modes, it is a great idea to use the manual setting. I shoot every picture manually (even when it is terribly inconvenient) and only learned because I FORCED myself to shoot that way. Now I wouldn't have it any other way!
Kara Rush
Great Post Kellie!! You are the bomb 🙂
PeaceLoveApplesauce
Thanks so much for the awesome tips!!
Heather Mullin
Love this post even though I am a photographer. We can always use some refreshing! LOVE IT!!!!
Heather
kBr
this was INCREDIBLE…thank you for posting it!
Katie
Thank you so much for sharing!!!!! I really needed this!
Meredith Carlile
Thanks for sharing, this really helps me understand my DSLR better. For a long time I was too focused on shooting with my film SLR and I didn't expect there to be such a difference when I transitioned over to digital.
One thing I'd like you to know Kellie, it's called an f-stop not an f-number 🙂
photos by moe
Kellie,
I just wanted to thank you for this information! I am only 17, but I love taking pictures, I have been so "scared" of my camera! The pictures I have been taking are not bad, but I think they will now be better! Thank you so much for putting all the technological terms into laymans terms! Thanks again! Check out my photography at http://www.facebook.com/PhotosByMoe and leave me some advice 😉
Kellie
Thank you all for your nice comments & for visiting my blog/fb page! I'm so glad his helped so many of you! And don't worry Meredith, I know it's called an F-stop, but to make it clear to the readers I said # so there was no confusion. You all are the best!
Lindsay
Great Great Tutorial!! Soo helpful! Thank you!! I have an awesome new camera and am so scared of the Manual setting haha!..but I am going to take your expert advice and try these techniques out.
Delighted momma
Lauren
It's important to note that aperture and shutter speed alone do not determine exposure. It's a triangle and also includes ISO. This is very important to understand when trying to learn how to shoot in manual.
becky v
So helpful! I'm using these tips already. The writer
made it so simple!
Emily
Thank you! I’m figuring out how to use my recently purchased a DSLR. I’ve always shot in TV or AV mode but I didn’t exactly understand what I was doing when I changed the numbers on my screen. After I read this, I tried it out a bit and my pictures already improved!
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Ten Steps To Better Dslr Photography
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Ten Steps To Better Dslr Photography
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