A collection of photography “how to” links that will make learning to use your DSLR camera in manual mode less intimidating.
I bought my first DSLR camera almost a year ago. It cost a pretty penny, and yet I did not take full advantage of all that it had to offer until a couple of months ago. A lot of people will say that using a DSLR in “auto” mode is essentially like paying for a very expensive point and shoot camera. While I definitely saw the benefit of switching from my $100 Kodak digital camera and my smart phone, I was fooling myself by thinking that I was becoming a “food photographer.”
It finally took me getting a new “fancier” camera lens for Christmas to push me into the land of manual mode. If I was going to own a $225 lens, I was darn well determined to get the most out of it! <– How in the world a $600 camera body and lens kit didn’t push me to that, sure beats me 😉
When the beginning of January rolled around, I had a camera body, a new camera lens, and a new tripod. The question then became, “how in the world do I use this thing in any mode other than “auto” mode?” I started by taking an entire morning and afternoon to work on it. I learned a ton within just that one day. And while I am still not an expert photographer, I feel my knowledge and ability are both growing the more and more that I practice. Baby steps, right?
That first day of manual mode was certainly not easy. At times, it was frustrating. I also had my fair share of “huh?” moments. But along the way, I found some terrific resources that truly helped me to better understand the camera that I was working with. I know that some greatly benefit from reading their camera’s manual, and while I do not discourage this, I did not particularly find it to be overly helpful. Instead, I turned to my second home: the internet and other bloggers.
I know that many of you are in the same boat as I was. You have a DSLR, you have been stuck in “auto” mode for a while now, and yet you want to branch out and give manual mode a try. I feel fortunate to have found so many great online photography resources, and I want to share them with you! I hope the links below will start you on the journey towards using your DSLR camera in manual mode. I am by no means an expert photographer, but I now feel confident enough in my photography knowledge to no longer be intimidated. I swear, learning the language is half the battle!
How to Learn to Use Your DSLR Camera in Manual Mode
First, START HERE. This is the first post that I read that made me feel like I could learn to use my camera in manual mode. The basics of manual mode are explained in a way that is far from intimidating. If you find that you are still a bit uneasy after the first post, here is a second one that I like. If you are a manual reader, now would also be the time to read your camera’s manual. You may also find it helpful to read the manual of the specific lens you will be using. My preference is to do a quick Google search of the lens.
Once you have read these initial posts, I recommend reading several others that are each dedicated to the more specific aspects of manual photography: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Feel free to “bookmark” these on your computer and/or take notes. Sometimes writing things down helps to make sense of something new or foreign to us!
aperture (also called “f-stop”)
Food Photography Basics: Aperture and Depth of Field <– This is also a great explanation of depth of field
Photography 101 {aperture} <– This contains several helpful diagrams and sample pictures
Aperture- The Basics
Understanding Aperture: A Beginner’s Guide <– This also presents a great explanation on lens aperture. It will help you make sense of what a 50mm f1.8 (or any other, for that matter) lens can do.
shutter speed
Photography 101 {shutter speed} <– The sample pictures in this are great!
Understanding Shutter Speed: A Beginner’s Guide
ISO
Photography 101 {iso}
Understanding ISO: A Beginner’s Guide <– This provides a great explanation of when to use low or high ISO
ISO- Noise <– I love how this series of pictures depicts how your ISO level will affect the amount of “noise” in your photos
Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are the triangle (if you will) of manual mode photography. Once I began playing around with my camera, I also found this post on Changing Your Focal Point helpful. This process may vary depending on the brand of camera that you use, but a glance in your manual or a quick YouTube video should do the trick to help you! I also found that searching for YouTube videos on “how to change the…” on my specific camera body was helpful. For example, I searched for “how to change the ISO on a Nikon D3200.” You, of course, will want to search for whichever specific camera body you are using.
Finally, for those wanting to learn a bit more about how DSLR camera’s work, here is a great simplistic description.
I hope you find these links helpful. I promise that manual mode photography does not have to be intimidating. Dedicate a morning or an afternoon to just you, your camera, and your computer, and you will be well on your way! Please also remember, though, that simply knowing the language will not make you an amazing photographer right away. I think my pictures are proof of that. There are so many things that I would like to improve upon, including lighting, choosing the proper ISO, and the clarity of my photos. I know that practice makes progress (not perfection), and that is something that you must also keep in mind. Finally, once you start in manual mode, STAY in manual mode. It is tempting to switch back to “auto” when you get frustrated, but sticking with manual mode is the only way you will make progress.
Happy clicking!
Okay, food photographers… I want to hear what resources you have found that have helped along your photography journey! Please share the links in the comments.
