Digital Slr Photography Basics

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Digital Photography Basics - Selecting A Camera That Is Best For You

If you want to learn the basics of digital photography, it really doesn't matter whether you're using a digital compact or a DSLR with the exception of these few important differences.

Digital Compacts

One of the biggest benefits of digital compacts is the low cost. Also when you purchase a DSLR you will also need to purchase at least one lens, and if you want to take pictures from afar, you'll also need a good telephoto lens. Digital compacts always come with a built in lens and sometimes even come with a zoom.

If you do have an optical zoom on your digital compact then you'll also be able to take some good quality telephoto pictures. An Optical zoom is always better than digital zoom because a digital zoom works like cropping and takes away pixels. The more you zoom with a digital zoom the lower the image quality. Unlike regular zooms, an optical zoom maintains the quality of your picture.

Some compacts produce such high quality photographs that many a pro will grab the compact if they dont' want to carry all their DSLR gear. The quality of the photo depends largely on the photographer's skill.

While digital compacts don't have as many megapixels as DSLRs, with only 5 megapixels, you can produce an 8x10 print of the type of quality you'd be proud to frame and hang on your wall.

Finally, learning the digital photography basics of a compact is far easier then learning how to use a DSLR to its full advantage.

Digital Single Lens Reflexes (DSLRs)

A Digital SLR is the digital version of a single lens reflex camera or SLR. DSLR's are also called SLRs but never the other way around. With the release of cameras like the Canon Rebel and other moderately priced DSLRs, more photography enthusiasts are enjoying the benefits of using a DSLR.

One of the big benefits of a DSLR is its versatility and creativity.

For example, by using a long telephoto lens you can take a close up of an eagle on the top of a tree and you'll never be able to tell from the picture that he was so far away. With a DSLR, you can find a lens or filter to suit almost any photographic need.

Another benefit of DSLRs is their ability to take sharp pictures of sports or action photos in low light situations where a flash won't work. The larger sensor on a DSLR allows you to adjust the ISO and get a good picture, whereas with a compact it usually creates an image with a lot of grain called digital noise.  If you are taking still photos, it's not a problem. The problem with Sports mode in a low light setting is that the shutter must close so fast that in spite of a larger aperture setting, there's just not enough light hitting the image sensor. The only way this can be overcome is with a flash or a higher ISO setting.

However, there are software programs that once learned can often can work wonders in eliminating digital noise created with compacts in these settings.

Another DSLR advantage is that you can use an external flash which can make a huge difference.

Another benefit of DSLRs is that they have more megapixels than even the best digital compacts so you can take and print high quality big pictures. Finally, digital cameras are slower to take the picture, but DSLRs are far faster than compacts.

Remember, digital photography basics start with choosing a camera, but the quality of the photographs largely depend on the skill of the photographer. So no matter what type of camera you have or will be buying, it pays to practice.

About the Author

Autumn Lockwood is a writer for Your Picture Frames and loves taking pictures. Shop online and see our large picture frame selection in a wide variety of styles, colors and types like our popular floating picture frames and cool magnetic picture frames.

The Basics of Photography : How to Blur the Background With a Digital SLR


digital slr photography basics5
digital slr photography basics5
digital slr photography basics5

Digital Slr Photography Basics

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Suggestions for a D-SLR camera?

I am a beginner - intermediate photographer and I would like to improve. I have multiple books, magazines, etc. on the art of photography, thus I know the basics and a little more. At the moment I have the Polaroid i834 8.0 Megapixel Digital Camera, and it worked for me for awhile. However, since I want to improve my photography and the pictures I take, I am considering purchasing a D-SLR camera. Does anyone have any suggestions for a camera that would be good for the level I am at and leaves me some room to improve, as well as one that does not cost too much? Thanks! :)

I can't say enough good things about my experience with my Rebel XT. The auto-focus is quick, it has a very sharp image, and it's easy to use... and it's cheap. Right now the current model is called the Rebel T1i, and for the money I'd say it's a steal.

What I've found is that all current-generation Canon D-SLR cameras will provide a great image. The differences between the models largely won't be found in the image itself, but the build-quality of the body. Higher end models use a magnesium alloy that will withstand some harsh conditions like being dropped, etc. Higher end models also include a more advanced and faster auto-focus. The T1i uses a metal frame, but is covered in plastic. That's not to say it's bad quality, but that's where they're cutting the costs.

As far as leaving room for improvement, I made a living using this camera. I'd say that speaks volumes about what it's capable of. With that being said, it's not about the camera you use... it's about the person using it. You can do anything given the right tools. And I'll also stress the importance of using a nice lens. That is something you'll want to consider down the road.

Good luck!

Sunshine coast Digital SLR basics course.wmv


digital slr photography basics5
digital slr photography basics5

Digital Slr Photography

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Beginners Digital SLR Cameras - 4 Entry Level DSLRs Top The List

The best digital SLR cameras for beginners may also be the least expensive ones. Even if the prospective buyer has deep pockets, the cheaper models also are the most user friendly.

Recommendations include models from Canon and Nikon, the two most popular digital slr manufacturers, but Pentax and Olympus are also make great beginner DSLRs.

Criteria for beginners' models include great image quality, an easy to use menu, fast response of the camera to the photographer's actions, a decent assortment of available lenses, and good support.

Choosing one of the more popular brands will necessarily lend itself to the support issue. You can go on numerous websites and forums to find the answers to your questions from like-minded photographers who are willing and able to give you the information you need.

Since Canon and Nikon are the best sellers, there will be more resources, but that does not mean there isn't support for the others. The Internet is an awesome resource tool. Even though you may not have a friend or neighbor who owns the same type of camera as you, the Internet is not limited to your neighborhood or your city. It is world-wide and comprehensive.

With that in mind, here is a short list of digital SLR cameras that are good for folks just getting into digital SLR photography:

1. Canon Rebel T2i (aka 55oD)


2. Nikon D3100


3. Pentax K-x


4. Olympus E-620

If you look at the user ratings online at Amazon, you will see that these 4 models have pretty much identical high ratings at about 4.6 stars out of 5 possible. That is quite impressive.

The features and benefits are close with the exception of the Olympus E-620 which does not have video (all the other models have HD video). But the Oly does have a tilt LCD screen which is not present on the other models.

The price tags are not identical, with the Pentax coming in more than $100 less than any of the others, and the Canon at the top of the list.

Now the fun begins. You have to decide which entry level DSLR is right for you. Just a little hint here.. Any one of them will be great. As mentioned already, just check the user ratings on any one of these models. They are the highest rated cameras on the market.

About the Author

I love photography and all things related to it. Cameras, camera gear, and image editing software fascinate me, so I am either buying the newest piece of equipment (or software) or researching my next purchase.

Cut to the chase by finding a side-by-side comparison of excellent beginners' dslr cameras. Click on www.digital-photographic-resources.com/.

Digital SLR Photography Guide


digital slr photography5
digital slr photography5