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Course Sample — Digital Photography Made Simple — Lesson 1

Beyond fully automatic (auto adjustment) shooting, most cameras offer at least some preset and manual features that enable the camera to compensate for various picture-shooting circumstances. However, different manufacturers sometimes use different names for essentially the same features. Even if it's as dry as crackers, get your camera's manual out so you can read and review it to learn feature names.

Good basic knowledge of your camera will come right out of your owner's manual. Most manufacturers also offer addition online help that's specific to a particular camera model.

The rest of this section presents a fairly comprehensive but not exhaustive list of common digital camera features and functions, with some brief notes on how or when to use each one.

Shooting Modes

Selecting a shooting mode or scene selection mode tells the camera to select settings for particular conditions automatically. For example, a camera may offer shooting modes for portraits, night scenes, or sports action. Better cameras offer semi-automatic modes such as program auto (P), aperture priority (A), or shutter priority (S). When selecting a camera, make sure it offers the modes you envision using. The semi-automatic modes usually appeal to serious hobbyists and pros, so consider a camera with those modes if you plan to expand your skills.

Flash

Nearly every digital camera that includes a built-in flash — and that's most of them — enables you to choose among various flash settings, including turning the flash off. Many cameras also offer a setting for reducing or eliminating red-eye, that annoying red or green glow that appears in the eyes of a person or pet you've photographed using flash.

Optical Zoom

Optical zoom refers to the physical lens' capability to extend to optically magnify the subject(s). Use optical zoom in situations where you can't physically get closer to your subject or where you as the photographer must remain unobtrusive, as shown in Demo 1-4.

Demo 1-4: Using the optical zoom on an object that's far away.

Digital Zoom

This feature digitally and mathematically enlarges the image, giving the impression of an optical zoom. Because digital zoom can reduce image quality, more seasoned photographers tend to discount this feature. However, image quality can still be acceptable at smaller print sizes.

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