Have You Read Your Digital Camera Manual?

Have you read the manual that came with your digital camera? If not you are in good company, the majority of digital camera owners never get past the *Basic Operations* section.

If you didn*t read the manual why not? Was it the obscure photographic terms? The numerous cross references ? The complicated diagrams? The myriad uses for each dial and button? The convoluted English? Maybe all of the above. The fact is that most digital camera manuals are neither user friendly nor written with beginners in mind. If you aren*t already familiar with photographic terms then White Balance, AE Lock, AF Illuminator, and so on, aren*t much help and it can seem like very hard work to figure it all out.

But if you haven*t read the manual you aren*t getting the most from your digital camera. Digital cameras are loaded with options that let you do really cool things. If all you do is point and shoot you are missing out on a whole lot of fun and some great photos.

We are visual learners, and we like our information in manageable chunks. When we are learning a new skill we learn more by seeing and doing than by reading. Don*t you find that you remember a name more easily if the owner is wearing a name badge when you are introduced? Isn*t a map easier to follow than listed directions? Did you learn to drive by reading about it? Figuring out a digital camera is no different- we need to practice. Let*s go back to the manual and pick up from where you got stuck. In the first few pages of the manual there will be diagrams identifying each function. Don*t start there. It*s too much to learn all at once, and if you don*t know what it all means you won*t remember it. It*s much easier to learn each function as you need it. Try this: get your camera and the manual out. Choose a topic that you are unfamiliar with and learn about that one feature. It might be the basic operation or it may be something more advanced, such as white balance or aperture priority mode. The manual may not be very clear about what each feature does but you can check all the terms out here: http://www.digital-cameras-and-accessories.com/glossary.html

As you read the instructions in the manual explore the settings on your camera and try them out. Then stop and practice using this setting. Go and take some pictures around your home or neighbourhood. You don*t have to worry about wasting film any more, so you can snap happily away and then delete the duds. Only go on to the next topic when you feel that you have thoroughly absorbed the first.

This way you will get through all the features in a month at most. In good time to take some fabulous photos at Thanksgiving and Christmas!

That*s it! You are on your way to becoming an expert.

About The Author

Liz Beresford is a writer who owns and operates the web site Digital Cameras & Accessories. Its an information resource for those who are new to digital cameras and photography. If your camera manual is particularly obscure and you need more information you can find it there: http://www.digital-cameras-and-accessories.com/

---

Infrared Photography and Big City Crime

One of the major problems of the larger cities of... Read More

10 MORE Ways to Make Money with Your Digital Cameras

1. Pet photos - advertise a Pet Photography business where... Read More

Tips for Better Vacation Photos

Photos are a great way to share your travel experiences... Read More

Removing a Textured Pattern from a Scanned Photo ? 5 Minute Digital Fix

One of the most common problems when dealing with scanned... Read More

Your Mobile Digital Darkroom ? Five Tools of the Trade

While digital photography offers you the ability to review photograph... Read More

Is Film Better than Digital for Weddings?

As a professional wedding photographer I get this question asked... Read More

How to Photograph Your Baby

Babies make the best and the worst subjects to photograph.... Read More

How to Take Great Photos of Your Child

Children are naturally photogenic. Ive worked in studios and children... Read More

What Should You Look for in a New Camera?

These parameters are discussed at 2 levels: -Based on... Read More

Digital Camera Interpolation Explained

In a device such as a digital camera it is... Read More

Picture Framing for Photographers - Part 1

Imagine being able to frame all your own photographs just... Read More

Digital Camera Macro Mode

The digital camera is a wonderful device that allows a... Read More

A Guide to Underwater Cameras

There are two types of underwater camera systems: an ""amphibious""... Read More

Making Money With Digital Photography And Live Events

A few years ago I became interested in digital photography,... Read More

Video Camcorder Formats and Media

There are way too many tape, disk and stick formats... Read More

How To Avoid Or Reduce Red-Eye

Photography with the aid of a digital camera is beyond... Read More

Magic and the Photograph

It was widely reported in the press (15 September 1997)... Read More

Panasonic Digital Cameras - The History Behind Their Cameras

Panasonic is a world-renowned consumer electronics company today. Its digital... Read More

Inspired Vision

A picture is worth a thousand words, so goes a... Read More

Freelance Photography: How to Begin Your Career

Photography is a vast world. There are many different types... Read More

Safari Wildlife Photography Top Four Tips

I've been practising wildlife photography on safari for over twenty... Read More

Who Had The Better Brushes Leonardo or Michelangelo?

Ordinary photos of dull subjects do actually sell, but the... Read More

Digital Wedding Photography: Myth Vs. Reality

1. Myth: Digital photos are pixilated or fuzzy. Reality: most... Read More

How Many Megapixels Do We Need?

Are you having megapixel envy each time you walk by... Read More

Review of the Photek Product Shooting Tent

Here's the challenge. You have to photograph small items for... Read More

Camcorder Techniques: How To Make Home Movies Your Family And Friends Will Be Excited To Watch

Pre-Production:It's all got to start somewhere, so before you even... Read More

Photography Business: Taking Baby Photos - for Professionals & Families

Babies make the best and the worst subjects to photograph.... Read More

Digital Camera Disc Formats

As it is a fact that digital cameras are comprised... Read More

Digital Camera Printers

The digital camera is not meant only for capturing images... Read More

Take Spectacular Nighttime Photos with Your Digital Camera - Part II

Night photos can take on a somewhat magical quality you... Read More

Photography 101 Part 1

Photography 101 Part One Equipment: camera, meter, flash, tripod This... Read More

Make Your Digital Camera Batteries Last Longer

One technology that hasn't kept up with the rapid pace... Read More

Digital Cameras & Resolution

While analyzing any camera, one of the most important qualities... Read More