DSLR Users

ishka338 · May 2012

I just got my 1st DSLR on Sunday for my early birthday present. My question is, how long did it take you to "figure it out," if you did it on your own? Do you have any tips or tricks for getting quick shots in the house of my LO? On Sunday when I started using it, I got some really cute shots, but since then they have been all over the place. I'm hoping to have a little better idea by M's party next Saturday...we'll see. Embarrassed

lovebugkim · May 2012

I bought one months ago & still have yet to find the time to use it or even read up on it. I just figure it out as I go & take tons of pics. You're bound to get a good one somewhere right? LOL For certain things I'll do a google search to try & figure it out, but most people recommend taking a class.

AlyciaandRich · May 2012

I spend most of my time in av mode with my camera set to the smallest aperture number (largest aperture is smaller number go figure) with flash off, I get some great pics this way. A 50mm lense is wonderful for taking shots of kids, love mine.

Telly21182 · May 2012

I admit that I still don't totally know how to use mine (and I've had it since 2005), but I lost the manual a few years ago.

I know how to use a fully manual film camera, but for some reason the digital aspect confuses me!

chuicafina · May 2012

I've been using a dSLR for about 3 years now and I'd say it took me 6 months of shooting only on Aperture priority to really be able to set up the settings just based on what I think will work for that light, what I'm shooting, etc.

I almost always recommend shooting on aperture priority while you're learning, but for the birthday party, I'd go with automatic. It's too important to risk trying to choose the right settings yourself, and I often think something looks pretty good on my camera screen, only to realize that it's not great when I put it on the computer. DH doesn't know how to use my camera and doesn't want to take a class. He took pictures right after DS was born and they're all terrible. It makes me so sad that he didn't just switch to auto. The good thing with a dSLR, even when you're using auto, is that you can shoot so fast and get tons of consecutive shots. It makes it so much easier to get good pictures of kids. Hopefully that will help you get great shots at the party.

I didn't take a class initially, just read a lot of photography blogs and practiced a lot. Have fun! I love my camera.

ishka338 · May 2012

chuicafina:

I've been using a dSLR for about 3 years now and I'd say it took me 6 months of shooting only on Aperture priority to really be able to set up the settings just based on what I think will work for that light, what I'm shooting, etc.

I almost always recommend shooting on aperture priority while you're learning, but for the birthday party, I'd go with automatic. It's too important to risk trying to choose the right settings yourself, and I often think something looks pretty good on my camera screen, only to realize that it's not great when I put it on the computer. DH doesn't know how to use my camera and doesn't want to take a class. He took pictures right after DS was born and they're all terrible. It makes me so sad that he didn't just switch to auto. The good thing with a dSLR, even when you're using auto, is that you can shoot so fast and get tons of consecutive shots. It makes it so much easier to get good pictures of kids. Hopefully that will help you get great shots at the party.

I didn't take a class initially, just read a lot of photography blogs and practiced a lot. Have fun! I love my camera.

This is exactly my concern. I am thinking, as of right now, I'll probably just use my point & shoot for the party, or both Wink . I'd hate to not get good pictures on a day like that.

MrsCodeMonkey · May 2012

Telly21182:
I admit that I still don't totally know how to use mine (and I've had it since 2005), but I lost the manual a few years ago.
I know how to use a fully manual film camera, but for some reason the digital aspect confuses me!

This, except I still have my manual. I really need to open it. I took a B&W photography class in college and know how to use the manual one and even develop film, but I haven't explored many modes on my digital one. I blame laziness....

mesr · May 2012

i've had mine for three years. i did read the manual when i first got the camera, but i could benefit from reading it again. i mostly shoot in the no flash auto mode. sometimes in sports mode if dd1 is really moving. and sometimes in aperature priority or in manual focus (especially with the macro lens). like pp, the lens most often on my camera is the 50mm.

i say use the dslr for the birthday party on auto mode. the shots you get will still be better than those with your old point and shoot. much, much better.

Tellyb0228 · May 2012

I'm still figuring mine out. Something I always remember setting up the shot is the rule of thirds. When you are about to take a shot seperate your shot into a grid with nine equal parts. Like a big tic tac toe board. Put your subject or other items you want the eye drawn to on the intersections. Have fun

AshleyPT · May 2012

Some good advice so far. Really the best way to learn is to take a TON of pictures on different settings. Aperture mode is the way to go since you can control your depth of field, but for the first year I used my camera I would take some shots on that mode and then switch to auto to make sure I got some shots in focus. Maybe they weren't the best pictures ever, but at least I got the moment.

When you have the time. Pick a setting - say put it in aperture mode on the widest aperture (smallest number) and take pictures in that mode for a week. Then sit down and see what is wrong with them. Then sit in front of something and start with the widest aperture and take a picture at every fStop. When does it get too dark? (the higher the aperture number). You learn the most from the terrible pictures.

Once you know what you are struggling with when taking pictures, that is the best time to go to a class.

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