So You Got Your First DSLR For Christmas--Now What? • RI Family Photographer
After days or weeks of staring at those packages under the Christmas tree, they’ve finally been opened. Some of you got your very first DSLR camera. Maybe it’s an upgrade from a point and shoot or bridge camera, or maybe you’ve been using your phone for snaps until now.
Either way, getting a DSLR is super exciting. The possibilities and options that it offers you are many (and can seem overwhelming at times!) I remember my first DSLR, long before I was a RI family photographer. Even though I was familiar with film cameras, this was a whole new world! Each and every day since then has provided a new learning opportunity.
READ YOUR MANUAL (OR AT LEAST HAVE IT AVAILABLE IF YOU NEED IT)
Some people read manuals like they’re on the New York Times Bestseller list. Others learn better by doing, and may rarely even crack the manual. Even if you’re one of the second types, always have the manual available. DSLRs have so many functions, and you never know when you might want to use that function that you just can’t figure out. They’re a great resource. Keep in mind that many newer DSLRs come without a hard copy manual, or have just a short version in the box; the full manual is online. Make sure to bookmark that manual on your computer and phone for easy reference and access.
GET THE BOOK “UNDERSTANDING EXPOSURE” BY BRYAN PETERSON.
I recommend this book at least once a week. It is a FABULOUS tool for anyone who’s trying to, well, understand exposure. You’ll soon learn that in photography, there’s this thing called the “exposure triangle”. It can seem TOTALLY confusing. You may feel like there’s no possible way you can ever put it all together. Until you get this book. It’s helped so many students and friends, and it is so easy to understand. Even if you’re not going straight to manual mode, it is SUCH a great resource.
GET A 50MM PRIME LENS.
You don’t have to get it tomorrow, but getting a 50mm prime lens (a prime lens is one that is always one focal length…you can’t zoom in or out) early in your learning process will be SUCH a good investment and help advance your photography game. While there are various 50mm lenses, a 50mm 1.8 lens can be purchased new for around $125 and used for less. The “kit lens” that came with your camera is good for learning lots of things, but a 50mm lens is even better in so many ways.
LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. AND PRACTICE.
Photography is all about light. It can take awhile to figure that out (it did for me). You may know that there is something that makes certain photos look good or bad, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. Light. That’s what it is. It’s the most important thing in photography, and you’ll always be looking for it and tweaking it. Once you know to look FOR it, you can start practicing it. One of the ways I did (and still do) work and play and practice with light is by using fruits and vegetables. You’ve usually always got some in the house, and you can practice at home in different areas and different times of day, to see what effect it has on your “subject”. Learning, understanding, and practicing light is one of the biggest things (if not THE biggest thing) that will make your photos look the way you want them to.
Happy shooting!