Top 5 Beginner DLSR Tips

Calling all aspiring photographers that wish to boost their picture taking skills! First leap into the digital world is with a DSLR purchase. Although Point & Shoot cameras are simple and offer a descent photo, you just can’t dial in the proper settings to get the effects of a great created moments. From HDR, Slow Shutter, Advanced Lighting, and Lens Addiction (read the 3 below) the DSLR really offers candy for everyone! Although I’ve yet to hit prestigious recognition status, this is a compiled top 5 list for what I have learnt along my photography journey thus far.

Tip 1: Nikon vs. Canon

In comparison there isn’t really too much difference of these two brands. Surprisingly, the bottom line is of personal preference. I fought with this question for about 2 months… until there was a good buy in price with additional goodies at Best Buy that swayed my choice. No regrets, no what ifs, and no going back — I am Canon. Now the real difference comes into view when you decide your brand and the budget you assign to it. Entry level DSLRs are quite rewarding and capable of glorious output, more can be said for the higher end models that offer advanced specs, quality, and functionality. There are other brands to choose from: Pentax, Sony, Olympus, and others but Canon and Nikon are two top dogs in the DSLR fight. When choosing take into consideration if you have any friends that may have a DSLR, purchasing the same brand could allow for lens sharing and their gained knowledge of the brand!

My ideal suggestion is to analyze yourself, then determine  a few key choices. Avenue or purpose in photography? — What type of photography is most intriguing: HDR, Macro Portrait, Landscapes, Action, Wildlife, etc… then from there you can research the lenses that will be beneficial to your style of shooting. Having this knowledge before hand can and will guide you in the proper decision to which brand you may choose.

Tip 2: Study, Learn, Experiment!

After diving into your purchase and going into kid mode as if it were your 8th year Christmas all over again for toys, you now dedicate yourself into learning absolutely everything about photography. The fundamentals such as: Composition, lighting, ISO, shutter, and aperture will be the building blocks. Hit the bookstore or jump online to acquire photography nirvana; seek out your style of photography and find out how the pros do it, what gear they’re using, and which methods they’re utilizing. A DSLR’s auto mode is acceptable if you prefer a fancy Point and Shoot, however, if you’re looking to flourish and grow your artistic touch of photography then learning every aspect of your DSLR is mandatory; plus it’s fun! Two of my favorite sources of info are DPS and just about any forum to get like minded help and expertise. A book series that is extremely helpful, concise, and amusing to read is The Digital Photography Book Volumes 1, 2, and 3 from Scott Kelby.

After reading and learning… put it all into gear by experimenting. Walk through that tutorial you just read and attempt your hand at it; this learning by doing is the remarkable stepping stone to grasping the abilities of your new camera. With every practice shot you’re building experience and knowledge. Best of all with DSLRs you get instant feedback from the camera’s LCD, allowing you to tweak your settings to gain the desired results. Another great benefit is not having to develop a roll of film in hopes of grabbing a good shot; just delete what you don’t like and fire the camera back up to take more. The one down side is filling up your memory card; so, investing in a few will save that issue and keep your finger on the shutter button.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. ~ Confucius

Tips 3: Dedication, Determination, and Never Giving Up

This tip should apply to any feat in life; however, it’s always great to stress its importance. There will be bad shots, shots you failed to hit, and shots you just couldn’t capture the way you envisioned. Although, learning as to why you weren’t able to achieve what you wanted is where wisdom will develop; stepping up and correcting the mistakes and working to not replicate those mistakes is how we progress and become better in life. Correcting the shutter speed because it didn’t freeze the motion or slowing it down so that it could express action are the learning curves. Determination will go a long way in this journey of photography. It shows too, the passion you feed into your shots will show the discipline you used to build your photographic story.

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. ~ Confucius

Frustration and puzzling shots can lead to dementia and schizophrenia (no, not really, maybe?), but sticking with it will out shine the rest and bring your picture skills to the table above your Point and Shooters! A couple of motivated ways to keep shooting is to participate in the Daily Photo Shots of Project 365 or Photo Assignments; they guide you on an assignment and allow you to creatively think daily of finding a photo worth creating. With the Project 365 successfully completed, an entire year will unfold and provide you with a collective visual album of your life; looking at it and recalling those photos, memories, and changes in a new exciting way. As with the Photo Assignments it gives purpose and allows you to become a part of a huge community to see their perspectives on a given assignment.

 

Tip 4: Photograph Everyday and Everything

Does this tip sound pretty silly? Chances are it does… however, don’t be fooled by it’s suggestion. This tip is to encourage you to always having your camera at your side and anticipating the next amazing shot. The majority of great shots in magazines, Flickr, 500px and other sources were either carefully set-up in a controlled environment or the raw act of anticipating the action. Either way it’s all about being prepared and what better way than to always have your camera on you.

If you’re aspiring to reach new levels of photography, shooting everything allows you to gain new perspectives. Respectively, angles, shutter, light, and composition can take a common daily item and create a stunning new look. Be creative, move around, drop low, find a step or two to get higher — all these to gain a new perspective. Example:

Out of the above two stop signs which photo has better appeal? It may only seem like a sign that we drive by hundreds of times a day, however being creative can take a bland dull photo to the next level of expression. Simply applying a different perspective, your view, will give photos your own touch! One thing that will really help is to focus on defining your own style and look of photography. Looking at the great photos are inspiring and can lead us into a path of attempting to mimic some of the Pros, in short — just don’t do it (Nike opposite if you will). They became well known for what, creating their own style; so likewise, you work on you. Be you. Create you.

 

Tip 5: Share, Participate, and Establish You Online

If you were born within the last 75 years then you should be familiar with computers. Amazingly, new technology is developed and introduced at a surprising pace. Whether it’s hardware upgrades, software development, or design concepts, technology has expanded to reach about every nook or cranny of our lives. Social interaction with computers is very popular; via Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, Foursquare, and the new Google+ all offer social place holders to share thoughts, photos, and ideas. Create accounts at these social websites, add great like minded people, and share your journeys along the way as well. Always be active and helpful, participating, commenting, and sharing all help to establish just who you are. Twitter, one of my favorites, is essentially a public SMS; Facebook and Google+ are more or less like a digital hub offering various functions to link and communicate; Foursquare is a geo-tracking app, allowing you to give real world GPS location of you, your photos, or your current activity. Combining these sources are simple and offer a broad audience to share with.

In then end it’s your work and contributions that people will become to know you. Always stay focused, have fun, and experiment!