Almost any camera maker will release a new model or an improved version of an existing model, each with its own features, capabilities, and advantages. While a new camera may be a great upgrade, it can also cause confusion about how to operate it. A common complaint from new users is that the controls are too complex, too different from what they’ve used in the past, and take too long to understand. If you’re new to using a camera, there are a few things you can do to help ease the transition.
Here are some tips for using a new camera:
- Get to know more about your device by reading its manual. While you’re probably excited about your new camera, it’s perfectly normal to feel a little intimidated when you first use it. After all, photography is more complex than ever these days, so your camera’s manual can be confusing at first. But don’t worry; the more you use your camera, the more you will understand the contents of the manual, and therefore understand how everything works. And that includes how to use all of the camera’s features.
- Familiarize yourself with the basics of composition. Photography is a big part of the human experience and, with smartphones now offering high-quality cameras, more people than ever are learning how to take pictures. Once you’ve mastered the basics of composition, you can experiment with new aspects of photography like working with light, experimenting with focus and shutter speed, or trying out the video, if your camera has this feature.
- Learn more about your camera’s exposure triangle. When using a DSLR camera for the first time, it can be a little overwhelming. It’s tempting to jump right in and take photos, but your first photos likely won’t be your absolute best. That’s where “learning the exposure triangle” comes in. This refers to the three camera settings that control exposure: aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. All three settings are very important, and mastering them will give you better results when it comes to your photos.
- Study lighting. Whether you’re trying to capture the perfect sunrise, or have a photo contest to enter, one of the best ways to learn how to take a picture with a point-and-shoot camera is to study lighting. While you can study lighting techniques in many different photography classes, sometimes the simplest method of using light can be the most effective.
- Improve your photography skill by practicing. However, it isn’t enough to merely practice—you actually have to practice the right way. For example, many people just stick with the automatic setting on their camera. However, the automatic setting isn’t ideal for all situations. A photo in a moving car or at night can come out poorly if the camera’s settings haven’t been adjusted correctly. Before you practice taking photos of moving objects or at night, make sure you adjust both the shutter speed and ISO settings on your camera.
- Get yourself an affordable prime lens. Prime lenses are lenses that come with a camera, such as the 50mm Prime lens that comes with the iPhone 7 Plus. The prime lens is the highest quality lens you can get with a camera and is designed to prevent distortion around the edges of a photo. Prime lenses are expensive. However, there are other cheaper, more affordable prime lenses out there. This is one of the important parts that you should get for your new camera for beginners. It will help you hone your photography skills. Once you are a professional photographer and have the budget, then that will be the time to get the most expensive and high-quality prime lens.
New camera owners are often afraid of taking too many pictures. It’s understandable: getting to grips with the workings of a new camera is hard enough without the added stress of worrying about the camera being lost or stolen, or even breaking. However, the important thing to remember is that cameras don’t magically protect themselves—so you can take out insurance on your new camera to protect your camera and keep it safe. Regardless of what kind of camera you own, it’s always a good idea to have some basic photography skills under your belt, which is why learning how to use a new camera is so important.
