A happy day has come and you have acquired reflex camera. There are many inspirations and plans, but only the power button is familiar. In fact, the camera is quite trainable and anyone can handle it. If you plan to shoot a little more than your friends for avatars, then all roads for learning are open to you. The article will help you understand the terminology and embark on a creative voyage.

The first steps

SLR photography basics

Let's start with some simple explanations about capturing your new camera. The right hand should lie on the handle, and the left hand below, as if supporting the lens. The position of the hand on the lens allows you to quickly change the zoom in case you use a lens with a variable focal length. The index finger of the right hand rests on the shutter button.

How to set up a SLR camera

For simplicity, we will use the “3 whales” theory. Only we will put on them not the planet Earth, but a photograph. For a good shot, you need to be able to use each of the “whales”. Let me introduce! Kit number one is the diaphragm. Kit number two - excerpt. Kit number three is ISO. And now, in turn, about each.

Diaphragm

Know that photography is drawing with light. And this light penetrates the camera matrix through a hole, which is called the aperture (F). You can adjust its size. Possible options are from F-1.2 to F-22 (sometimes higher). This pattern works: the smaller the number F, the larger the hole. It is clear that with a value of F-2.8, the hole will be larger than with F-8, which means there will also be more light. practical method it is necessary to set the desired aperture value for a high-quality frame without overexposure. You need to set the aperture so that the right amount of light enters the camera.

Excerpt

Another tool in the management of light. Shutter speed (t) is the time the aperture is open. Everything is simple. The longer the hole is open, the more light hit the matrix. Therefore, the brighter the frame turned out.

ISO

These three letters indicate the sensitivity of the matrix of your camera. Light sensitivity - the ability of the matrix to change its parameters under the influence of light. The ISO value can range from 100 to 6400. If you set the ISO to 400, then in this case the matrix will receive less light than in an equal period of time, but at a value of 1600. on health. Oh, if everything were so simple... Only now, if you strongly "raise" the level of sensitivity, noise (graininess) will appear in the photo, and if this gave a certain charm to the film photo, then there is nothing particularly aesthetic here on the "digit" . On modern cameras, you can set the ISO automatically. At first, you can use this option, but, with the advent of experience, try to set the sensitivity level yourself, relying on your own knowledge and intuition.

Tip: Most importantly, practice a lot by changing these three camera settings. Then you will understand what and when to switch.

Shooting modes

If you want to get high-quality pictures, forget about modes like "Portrait", "Landscape", "Flower" and so on. The camera has 4 main modes, we will talk about them in more detail. Note: Camera manufacturers use different designations. What letter denotes a particular mode, the instruction will help you determine. This is a very useful book that was sold to you with the equipment. We advise you to read it. Find a lot of useful information.

A (Av) Aperture priority mode

Under such conditions, a person sets the aperture value, and the camera independently chooses the shutter speed.

Aperture is one of the main parameters in the settings, it is indicated in the camera by the letter F. This shooting mode is suitable for portraits. You open the aperture as much as possible and get beautiful bokeh (Bokeh is an artistic background blur).

S (Tv) Shutter priority mode

In this case, the photographer sets the shutter speed, and the camera itself chooses the aperture value. We remember that shutter speed is the time for which the aperture is opened to let the light through. Time is measured in fractions (for example, 1/1000 - 0.001 seconds, 1/100 - 0.01 seconds, 1/10 - 0.1 seconds, and so on). If you want to “freeze” an object in motion, you should set a fast shutter speed, if, according to the artistic idea, it is necessary to blur an object, for example, water, then increase the time and the moving object will be blurred.

M Manual mode

This is the standalone mode. You choose aperture and shutter speed settings. Photographers - professionals shoot only in manual mode, as the camera is not able to fully understand your idea and realize it. But if you're just starting out on your creative journey, practice on A and S modes. As you gain experience, switch to manual.

And a few more important points that will come in handy.

Focusing

In photography, quality matters. One of the indicators is the correct focus. Focus is the sharpest part of the frame. When you look through the viewfinder, you see the focus points. Depending on the camera model, their number may vary. When you lightly press the shutter button, one (or more, depending on the settings) dot will glow red. This means that it is in this place of the frame that the focus will work.

It is possible to focus on several points at once, but we advise you to choose one. As a big secret, we tell you that the central focus point has the best quality. Always work with her. But what if the subject is on the side, for example? There is an exit. Focus on the center point and, without releasing the shutter button, build the desired composition. That is, even if you take the focus away, but do not release the button, the place where you initially focused will remain sharp.

The lens can focus in automatic and manual modes. It is clear that it is easier to work with automation. If shooting requires taking pictures quickly, then there is no time to focus. So, for example, it happens in reportage work. When 5 frames are taken per second. But for the experiment and to get a good feel for your workhorse, it is better to be friends with manual focus. By the way, some cameras only have it. But this is more of an exception.

File type

The photographer can work with two types of files, these are JPEG and RAW.

JPEG is a compressed file type. Such a photo will be ready for printing directly from the camera and its weight is much less, unlike RAW.

RAW (raw) is a file type that necessarily requires post-processing in special programs. It contains more information about the photo, so it weighs a lot more.

If you have just picked up a SLR camera, it is better to start working with JPEG. As soon as you practice photography, switch to RAW. All professional photographers shoot only in this format, as it allows you to make more corrections, while not losing image quality.

white balance

This is one of the parameters of the color image temperature transfer method, which determines whether the color gamut of the image matches. The human eye automatically adjusts the white balance, so we perceive the color of an object correctly in any light. It doesn't work that way with a camera. He needs a hint what type of light you are currently working with. It can be the sun or an incandescent lamp. Then the camera will not lie in the colors.

In a bad case, you will just get a very yellow or very blue photo, which is not a repetition of reality. At the beginning of your journey as a photographer, you can set this parameter to “auto” mode, but it does not always guess. Therefore, we do not recommend using it all the time, the camera is just a device that can make mistakes and thereby spoil your picture.

Having a SLR camera, you open up a lot of new opportunities for creating high-quality photographs. Become a pro and don't shoot in automatic modes. This is convenient, but then do not be surprised why the result does not please you at all. Why didn't it work out the way you wanted. Once you understand all the settings and learn how to manage them with your eyes closed, things will go uphill.

Then you can think about the artistic side of photography. But it shouldn't take you long to find a mode switch or an aperture increase. Risk of missing out important point. We hope that our answers to the question “How to use a DSLR” will be useful to you.

7 024 look.

Have you just bought or been given as a gift? digital camera and don't know which way to approach it? Start with us from the first lesson! (This page contains ALL eight lessons of the World digital photography».)

By the end of the photography course, you may not become a Photographer with a capital letter with your own photo studio filled with professional expensive light, but you will definitely be able to take a competent photo. Everyone can now study, if not all the facets of photography, but its fundamentals, basic principles and realize their hidden potential as a photographer!

Photography from scratch Lesson #1. Digital camera device

In this lesson you will learn: The principle of operation of the camera. What are the basic elements of a camera?

This will be our first lesson...

(The article is very detailed, long and voluminous, therefore it is placed on a separate page of the site)

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

I want to note right away that this article does not claim to be a complete presentation of the basics of photography. This is more of a beginner's guide to photography, aimed at enthusiastic beginners who want to learn the basics of photography and learn how to take technically competent pictures, but at the same time do not know where they should start.

The main and most essential setting on your camera is exposure. In the process of learning exposure, you will learn how to properly use your camera, and as a result, get more high quality photos. Once you understand the concepts of shutter speed, aperture and ISO sensitivity, and understand the essence of determining the right exposure, you can move away from full automatic mode and understand what your camera is capable of in various conditions.

If you only have time to study one of the aspects of photography, then, undoubtedly, you should start with exposure, or rather, with acquaintance with its three parameters: aperture, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity, which in different ways affect both the exposure itself and other properties of the image.

If we consider the exposure in the order in which the light hits the camera's sensor, then the aperture is the first in its path. The principle of operation of the diaphragm is very similar to the work of the pupil of the eye - the more it expands, the more light it lets in. That is, the aperture controls the amount of light passing through the lens by increasing or decreasing the aperture diameter. In addition, aperture values ​​also affect other important indicators, the main of which is the depth of field, but we will return to its consideration a little later. I considered exposure something complicated and incomprehensible, but only until I figured out the scale of standard aperture values. Therefore, I advise you to first of all study this scale, understand the dependence of aperture values ​​on its diameter, and try to remember all this.

Standard aperture scale: f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22

Excerpt

Aperture is followed by shutter speed. It determines for what period of time the camera shutter should be opened so that the right amount of light hits the matrix. Shutter speeds are directly related to what you are shooting and how much light you have available. Different extracts can have different uses. So, for night shooting from a tripod, the shutter speed is set longer, somewhere around 30 seconds, and, for example, at, as a rule, a short shutter speed is used, about 1/1000 second, which allows you to freeze the movement. But, as technical reception and in order to emphasize the dynamics of what is happening in the frame, they set the shutter speed to a second, and then the moving object leaves behind a blurry trail.

When I got my first SLR camera, then I started my acquaintance with its settings with shutter speed, because at that moment I really wanted to be able to freeze the movement in the frame and remove any potential blurs from it. Although now, looking back, I understand that I still should have started with the diaphragm.

Unfortunately, even with the correct shutter speed and aperture settings, it is not always possible to get enough light and not blurred image. This is due to lack of light. In such situations, you may find it useful to use an exposure setting such as increasing the ISO sensitivity of the sensor. The sensitivity value (ISO) characterizes the ability of your camera's sensor to perceive the light flux. So, at low ISO values, your camera is less sensitive to light and vice versa, the higher the ISO sensitivity of the sensor, the more sensitive it is, therefore, it needs less light to get a good picture. As a rule, ISO values ​​are increased in low light conditions or if you want to capture something unique. But be careful, increasing ISO values ​​increase sensor noise or film grain.

metering

Not every beginner is able to set the correct exposure even in a difficult situation. Therefore, I advise, at the very beginning of training, to actively use automatic system exposure meter. Exposure meter evaluates the degree of illumination of the subject in the frame and selects the desired aperture and shutter speed. You just have to look at the display and find out what aperture the desired shutter speed will correspond to.

There are 3 types of exposure metering: spot, matrix and center-weighted. In simple situations, when there are no sharp changes in brightness, all three measurements will give approximately the same readings. But under more difficult shooting conditions, their results can be completely different. My advice to you: practice more, experimenting with exposure metering, remember, draw conclusions and soon you will be able to understand and feel the connection between these parameters in your work, and setting the correct exposure will no longer be a difficult task for you.

Depth of field

When shooting in low light, you always have to increase the aperture size to get enough light into the lens. But wide open aperture has one rather impressive side effect - a shallow depth of field. And while the blurred background produced by a shallow depth of field makes the main subject stand out and can be used creatively, it's not always desirable in a shot. There are many situations, such as macro photography, landscape photography, or when you want everything to be in focus, and this requires a narrower aperture.

white balance

The white balance will set the main tone of the entire photo, and it depends on its settings which tones will prevail in your picture - warm or cold. Since in most cases auto tuning cameras are not effective, they mainly use manual white balance. This is especially true in situations where shooting is carried out with several light sources that have different color temperatures. Therefore, in order to avoid future disappointments and be guaranteed to get pictures with real color reproduction, I recommend that you learn how to set the correct white balance yourself as early as possible.

Focal length determines the angle of view of the lens, as well as the degree to which the subject is reduced or enlarged at a particular point of view. By reducing the focal length, we remove the image and at the same time increase the perspective, expanding the boundaries of the frame. And, conversely, with increasing focal length, we bring the subject closer without changing our location. Depending on the focal length, lenses are divided into wide-angle (10-20mm), standard (18-70mm) and telephoto (70-300mm), and each of them has its own typical application. So, wide-angle lenses are usually used for landscape and architectural photography, standard lenses for documentary and street photography, and telephoto lenses for shooting sports events, birds and wildlife.

crop factor

Sensor digital cameras captures a smaller portion of the projected image than a traditional 35mm film frame, resulting in a narrower lens angle resulting in an incomplete and slightly cropped image at the edges. In other words, the crop factor is the difference between your sensor size and a 35mm frame. This indicator is very important and is mainly used to determine the focal length of the lens when it is mounted on different cameras. The crop factor is one of those concepts in photography that needs to be understood. By understanding the crop factor, you will be able to make more informed choices when buying and using lenses.

"Half a ruble"

For those who do not know what a "fifty kopeck" is, I note that this is the name of a standard lens that has a focal length of 50 mm. Its angle of view is virtually the same as that of the human eye, so pictures taken with this lens look the most natural, even without any perspective changes. I would advise all beginners who want to master photography to start with a “fifty kopeck”, since, firstly, it is easy to use, and secondly, it has enough high quality at a relatively low price.

I'm not saying that all without exception nice photos include compositional rules. It may sound silly, but in fact these rules are only guides that you don't have to follow at all, but the more you know about them, the better understanding you will have about photography, the more competently you will be able to break all these rules.

This is probably the very first compositional rule that any photographer will encounter, and there is a good reason for this - it's simple enough, and it works flawlessly. The rule is that by dividing the frame vertically and horizontally into three equal parts, you can easily find the intersection points of these conditional lines, which will be the most spectacular areas where the main subject should be located.

visual weight

Visual weight is a fairly powerful tool in building a composition, it allows you to create visual symmetry, harmony and balance in the frame. It is assumed that each object in the frame has a certain weight in relation to everything else. Often the visual weight is obvious, for example, between small and large objects, because we always think that the larger the object, the heavier it is. If the dimensions are the same, the weight can be affected by the color of the item. Using weight correctly, you can more effectively draw the viewer's attention to a particular subject in the picture.

Balance principle

The principle of balance is that objects that are located in different parts of the frame must be balanced, that is, match each other in size and color. Balance has a big impact on how we feel when we look at a photograph. So, an unbalanced photo makes us feel some discomfort, so everything in the frame should be balanced. It really doesn't matter if you're shooting symmetrical or asymmetrical photos, as long as you understand why you chose one or the other, and if there are reasons to justify that choice. And again, this is one of those situations where the more you know about it, the easier it will be for you to achieve the desired effect.

I hope you've found my tips on photography basics for beginners useful and now you know where to start your photography journey. Thank you for reading.

Many people think that the art of photography is simple. It is enough to buy a SLR camera - and you can conduct photo shoots. But how wrong this opinion is, we will find out almost immediately after the purchase. A lot of buttons drive us into a dead end, and the word "diaphragm" makes us open a biology textbook. As a result, everything ends up looking for a course or photography schools, which often require a decent amount and long-term training. Is there any other option? Try learning the basics of photography with free photography lessons for beginners. Will they help - check for yourself. Lessons for beginner photographers are free of charge, i.е. you still have nothing to lose. What are the benefits of free lessons? Yes, there are a lot of them!

1. You get the same knowledge as in paid photography schools, but at a minimal cost.
2. You yourself determine the time and place of the classes - you are not tied to any transport, time or place.
3. You determine the type of activity - whether it be electronic books or video. And you can just ask all your questions.
4. No need to start notebooks and make notes in notebooks - you can listen to everything again.
5. The theory is accompanied by practice, and this allows you to quickly understand the device of the camera and learn the art of photography.

Are there any downsides? Yes, I have. You will have to force yourself to study on your own - no lessons from beginner photographers (even if it's free) will make you get up from the couch and pick up a camera. What will they teach free lessons beginner photographers? Everything that is in paid schools of photography. It's just that the pace of learning depends only on the efforts you apply.

1. How to use the camera. The position of the camera, the correct pressing of the shutter button (yes, even this is important to know!), what is the priority of shutter speed, aperture? How to set up the camera correctly? It's just small part what we explain and what we teach.
2. The concept of composition in photography. Sometimes it is difficult for a person, especially a non-photographer, to explain why he likes this or that picture. A well-constructed frame attracts our attention on a subconscious level. And all thanks to the composition - it is with its help that photos are bright, noticeable and interesting. Ignorance of the basics will lead directly to the opposite result.
3. Portrait photography. It's not as easy to make portraits as it seems. If you photograph a face close up without knowing the main laws, get ready for the fact that you will see some freaks in the photo (never show such photos to models!). From what angle to shoot if the head is lowered down or raised up? If the face in the frame is in a semi-tilt, make sure that the nose does not extend beyond the cheek. And in direct proportion, cropped hands in the photo add several kilograms. And that's not all the secrets of portrait photography!
4. Panoramic photography. This is a new and interesting direction that will definitely capture you. Give it a try and we'll guide you in the right direction.
5. We take pictures in unusual conditions– break the rules, experiment, try! We can photograph water in motion so that the photo is clear, photograph bright fireworks and moving cars. How? And this is what we will teach you.

This is just a small part of the knowledge that you need to know. Don't be scared - it's not scary at all. With a camera in hand, we always learn something new, and each time we get new impressions and knowledge. The first steps are the most indecisive, difficult and important. But we will help you to overcome them.

Being able to seek advice from professional photographer or to a photography tutor, most beginners ask about the “right” camera or the “best” lens, or the “top tip” on how to become 50 times better in one moment. Such questions seem quite logical when you pick up a camera for the first time.

But the aspiring amateur photographer should stay away from these questions... at least for a while. Photographic equipment is important and you will learn a lot from the pros useful tips, but it is necessary to keep paramount things in priority.

Follow these seven tips and start your photography journey with the right steps.

First train ride. Photo credit: Spragues

1. Education is primary, technology is secondary

You know what they say, "spend money on experiences, not things." Scientific research supports this statement. The fact is that even a fleeting experience will remain a part of your personality, and not just an object that you own.

This is not only great advice for life, but also a completely underrated recommendation for photographers. When choosing between a brand new camera or lens and a seminar or a trip to an amazing place, most beginners will prioritize technology. Don't make this mistake.

Attend good seminars or go on photo tours to unfamiliar places. Famed National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson once said, “If you want to be the best photographer“Be where something interesting happens.”

The Canon EOS-1D X won't do you any good if you don't know how to use it... and unless you have something in your yard that needs to be photographed at 14fps. Spend money on education, gain experience, forget about photographic equipment for a while.

New profile photo. Author of the photo: Valentin Kouba

2. Shoot for yourself, not for others

If you are shooting with the goal of creating something similar to other popular images, collecting likes or comments, then you are not on the right track. This applies to all art forms, especially when you are a beginner. Your main audience is yourself.

Shoot what you love. Focus on the things that inspire you. It should bring joy first of all to you. People will notice and appreciate your creativity and individuality.

Little photographer. Photo by: Jaromir Chalabala

3. Create artificial limits for yourself

One of better ways for a beginner to improve skills is to limit yourself. It is possible in the genre, but now we are talking about technology.

Try shooting solely on your smartphone for a month and see how your ability to visualize composition changes when you stop thinking about image quality. Or limit yourself to one lens for two or three months, and you will notice how your understanding of focal length grows by leaps and bounds.

Constraints are one of the best ways to grow. Intentional boundaries in the use of equipment, shooting only at certain times of the day, black and white photography for a month are great options for artificial boundaries.

An effective way to develop mastery in yourself is to master new facets of the craft by setting limits for yourself.

Take me, photographer! Author of the photo: Vadim Trunov

4. Find your niche

This is the first piece of advice I give to every newbie, although they rarely listen to it.

Every aspiring photographer dreams that Jimmy Chin, Steve McCurry, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Paul Nicklen will simultaneously be embodied in his face. But you can't master street and travel photography, portraiture and wildlife photography at the same time...or you can, but someday later, not right away.

Experiment with various directions photography, you do not need to make a choice momentarily. But once you find what you like best, focus on that. You will be surprised how much faster your growth will be when you get rid of the compulsive need to do everything.

Define your specialization. Find your own niche and focus on it. Get to know the depth of your genre instead of covering everything superficially.

Nothing to lose. Photo by: Pedro Quintela

5. Slow down

One of the things we've lost with the explosion of digital photography is the value of time spent. With up to 1,000 RAW images on a memory card, why not set it to burst mode and record at 14 frames per second, right? No, not right.

Yes, speed does sometimes help to capture a great shot, but this is reminiscent of the saying: “Even a blind squirrel can accidentally find an acorn.” Don't be a blind squirrel. Learn to breathe calmly, scout the area, carefully compose the frame, patiently shoot.

Pressing the shutter should be the culmination of thought and preparation. Are you planning a composition that you would like to capture? Do you scout the area in advance and determine the best time of day or even season to take a picture? Do you evaluate the filming potential of the scene you see, even without being on the set?

Digital photography has brought with it a lot of opportunities and we do not propose to refuse it. Just start shooting as if your camera were loaded with a 36-frame roll of film. Slow down, it's worth it.

Young Buddhist Monks. Author of the photo: Saravut Intarob

6. Join the community

Choose the community you like and join 500px or Facebook or Google+ or whatever.

Joining a group of amateur photographers has undeniable advantages. You are more likely to be pointed out to the mistakes that you made, or offered interesting perspectives that you yourself might not have guessed.

It's also incredibly rewarding to share your love of photography with other photographers and the whole world. Don't get bogged down in popularity competitions, keep shooting for yourself. But in the community, your professionalism will begin to grow faster.