Photography 101: Getting Familiar with the Basics of DSLR

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photographyOnce you buy your first DSLR, you will immediately notice the number of buttons and dials, and by the thickness of the manual. It can be tempting to just return everything from the box, take your camera, flick it onto “Auto” and start taking pictures. While some can live with that, others would only take a few days to put their stamp on shooting. That is the whole point of buying a DSLR in the first place, but where do you start?

Here is a brief guide that will help you take control of your DSLR.

Shooting modes

It is best to start with shooting modes. You will usually find this on a dial labelled with “Auto, TV, AV, P, or M.” Some DSLRs have more options, which allow users to completely modify the settings. Selecting a specific mode will determine how your device works when you press the shutter. For example, when you select “auto”, the camera sets everything, including the exposure of your subject, shutter speed, and aperture.


This is where you can measure the sensitivity of the sensor to light. Photography specialists note that many shooting veterans use this to put more effects when taking photos. You can adjust the sensitivity level from ISO 100 (low sensitivity) up to ISO 6400 or beyond (high sensitivity). It also controls the amount of light required by the sensor to achieve a given exposure.

Exposure triangle

Keep in mind that aperture, ISO, and shutter speed are all part of the exposure triangle. Each can control the amount of light entering the camera (shutter speed, aperture) or the amount of light you are aiming for (ISO) for a given subject or exposure.


Regardless of what shooting mode you are using, or what ISO you define, you cannot achieve the photo you want if you cannot define your subject. For beginners, you can use the autofocus mode. You can slightly press the “shoot” button to define or choose your subject.

Just like how every professional photographer would say, “Photography is an art of observation.”And having the right tools is a big advantage. Some of the latest products from different brands and camera accessories can ensure a better user experience.

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