Turn it On and Share

So where do we begin our journey? That’s easy, at the beginning. Of course, that in itself is not very descriptive nor does it truly define a starting point. So let’s keep it simple and focus on four tasks: turning on the camera, selecting the auto focus or “auto” mode, reviewing a picture, and using the zoom feature.

Turning on the camera.

Grab your camera, insert batteries if you haven’t, make sure you have access to a copy of the user’s guide for the camera, and turn the camera on. Typically cameras have a button on the top of the camera, usually on the right hand side; however, on a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera it may be on the left side. If you cannot find the button or lever, consult the user’s guide. Also, if you have a lens cap on, remove it otherwise things are going to look awfully dark.

Selecting Auto Mode

Next let’s look at setting the camera to use the auto focus or “auto” mode. Since we are looking to include all cameras, this is a generic or camera neutral blog. The auto focus is usually designated with a “A”. Some of the typical methods for setting the camera to auto include the setting the mode dial to Auto Shooting mode (A), pressing a mode button, configured through the use of a touch screen, or even through the setup menu. Regardless of the method be careful to not select the Aperture Priority Shooting mode (Av), which is entirely different.

Once you have selected the auto mode, you are almost ready to begin taking pictures. However, before you run off, let’s have a brief, non-technical, discussion on how to engage the auto focus. On DSLR and point and shoot style cameras the auto focus feature is enabled by use of the shutter button. As the shutter button is depressed, approximately half way down, the camera will auto focus on what it believes is your subject and will typically beep when the image is in focus. Other cameras are in perpetual auto focus mode and automatically focus; thereby requiring the photographer to do nothing but aim and shoot. During the auto focus process, and while in auto mode, the camera will select the best shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. We will address changing the shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and the direct relation these have on each other in a future blog but for now leave the camera on auto. So select something to photograph, preferable a stationary object with bright sunlight behind you, focus using the shutter button if necessary, and then depress the shutter button the rest of the way. Click… done… congrats.

Reviewing a picture

Congratulations, you’ve taken a picture. Most cameras will display the picture, also called an image, on the screen on the rear of the camera. However, some cameras have a button to change where the image is displayed. For these cameras the image may be displayed on either the rear screen or through the viewfinder. If you cannot determine where your camera displays the image, consult your owner’s manual.

As you start to review your photos, pay attention to what is on the screen. Is the image to light, to dark, blurry or crisp? Did you happen to notice if the flash went off? Depending on the amount of light available to the camera the flash may have gone off. Here again since we are in auto, the camera handled the selection and use of the flash. If the flash did not go off and the picture looks dark, consult your user’s guide and check to see that the flash is also set for auto. Take a few more photographs.

Playing with the Zoom

If you already haven’t played with the zoom feature, let’s just touch on the subject. Here again depending on the camera you may see a Wide / Telephone (W/T) rocker style button, separate W and T buttons, or you may have the ability to manually twist the zoom ring on the lens. If you are using a cell phone you may also a sliding bar that is marked as 1X, 2X, 3X, etc. So take some pictures, zoom in, zoom out, and experiment. Here again, pay attention. Did the flash go off? Does the image fill the picture or is it a small dot in the middle of the image. Take some more photos. We will discuss more on the zoom feature in a later blog.

Sharing Your Photos

Finally, sharing your photos. If you have been using a cell phone, you can email them, or post them directly from your phone. However, if you are not using a cell phone then we need to get the pictures off of the camera. There are two typical methods for getting a picture off of a camera, with an emerging third. The first one is via a connection cable that attaches between the camera and a computer, laptop, or tablet. The second method is by removing, assuming you have one, the memory card from the camera and using a card reader on a computer, laptop, or tablet to read the memory card. Check your owner’s manual for the type of connections your camera supports. If you do have a memory card you may be able to directly insert the memory card into a slot on a computer. Some computers have built in slots on the front of the computer to accommodate the various styles of media. If not, you can purchase a USB card reader for your specific style of card. The third and emerging technology is via a Wi-Fi connection from the camera to a computer, laptop, or tablet. Please consult your user’s guide to see if your camera supports this feature. If so follow the directions on how to accomplish this task. Once you have the images off the camera find a shot or two you like, come back to www.shutterwalker.com and upload an image and tells us something about them.

Final Thoughts

Photography is a fun hobby. So go take some more photos, preferably in bright sunlight, and play with the zoom feature. Next we are going to look at the addition setting on the mode dial, and take about getting out of auto mode and moving into manual mode.