Basics for Using an SLR Camera
In today's world of digital photography SLR cameras are top of the line, but they were once only available to professional photographers. What makes them so popular is that any amateur can achieve professional results with a user manual, a minimum of practice and a maximum of enthusiasm. Despite that SLR cameras come with a large number of features, using them properly requires just a few basic skills that anyone can learn.
Function
SLR cameras, an acronym meaning single lens reflex, function by using a mirror positioned behind the lens to reflect light into the viewfinder as you're composing your shot.
Settings
Even though digital SLR cameras provide a multitude of advanced manual settings, you can also set your controls to the automatic setting so that you only need point your camera and shoot. Your user manual will tell you exactly how this works.
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed refers to how long the image sensor is exposed to light. Fast shutter speed can freeze your subject in mid-action while slow shutter speed can apply blurring to action to indicate movement; both speeds are useful for any kind of photography and can often give your photos a polished, professional appearance.
Aperture
Adjusting your aperture, or F/stop, will change your depth of field in order to focus on only the elements you wish. Shallow depth of field---low "F" numbers---will render a photo in which your main subject is clearly in focus while blurring out the background; deep depth of field---high "F" numbers---will bring all elements of your composition sharply into focus.
Exposure
Both shutter speed and aperture are crucial to getting the right exposure for your images, which means the total amount of light that the image sensor inside an SLR camera gathers. Your user manual and experimentation will help you learn the best ways to achieve perfect exposure.
ISO
ISO, an acronym for International Organization for Standardization, refers to the sensitivity of the image sensor to the light that is present. A high ISO allows you to take photos in low light settings, but can also apply more "noise" or "graininess" to your images. Read your user manual and practice to get the best results.
Composition
Experiment with atypical compositions, distances and angles as you practice with your camera. Despite all the fancy settings available in SLR cameras, nothing beats the element of human contribution.
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