Digital Photography For Beginners – Understanding The Key Features Of Your Digital Camera!

When you first encounter digital photography, there can be much to learn. Your new camera will contain many buttons and other features that can seem confusing. In this digital photography for beginners article, we provide a basic explanation of the key features and functions of the digital camera.

Lenses – Depending on your camera you will have either a fixed or zoom lens. A digital SLR (or DSLR) will provide the option of interchangeable lenses, which gives you much more control and the ability to vary the lens for the type of situation you are shooting (such as a macro lens for specific close ups of plants or small insects). Compact cameras have fixed lenses, but usually with a zoom option to allow you to take various types of pictures with the one lens.

Sensor – This is inside the camera and can be referred to as the CCD (or charge coupled device). Its function is to record the taken image, which it does as a series of tiny square dots called pixels (i.e. picture element). The software within the camera converts this data and stores it on the camera’s memory card.

Shutter Release – This button sits on the top right of the camera and is used to take your picture. A gentle press of the button halfway down will focus your lens, the full press will complete your shot.

Mode Dial – This usually appears on the top left of the camera and will provide choices for the control you have over your photograph. Automatic Modes give you the option to simply point and shoot (e.g. use Portrait Mode for shots of people, Landscape Mode for views, Sports Mode for speeding cars etc.). Semi Automatic Modes allow you control over aspects of shutter speed or aperture and Manual Mode allows you to set both shutter and aperture, for ultimate control. Usually, digital photography for beginners means using fully Automatic Modes to begin with, progressing to Semi Automatic after some experience has been gained.

Other Multi Selector Buttons / Dials – These vary according to camera, but usually include a control dial behind the shutter release which enables you to alter variables (e.g. changing the shutter speed once you have selected the Shutter Priority Semi Automatic Mode).

Viewfinder and LCD screen – The viewfinder is used for looking through when composing your shot. Once the photograph has been taken, the results can be seen immediately using the LCD screen on the back of the camera. Some cameras also allow the LCD screen to be used as an alternative to the viewfinder.

Output Sockets – Your camera will have sockets that allow you to link the camera to your PC in order to download, view and edit your photographs. Depending on your camera, you can also link to a TV screen to view your images. You could also fit a remote shutter release cable (handy for shots where a slow shutter speed is used, reducing risk of camera shake).

Hopefully this digital photography for beginners article has helped give you a basic understanding of the function of the key features of your digital camera.