MINI COURSE TOPIC 3: Camera and equipment tips
Understanding everything you can about your camera and the equipment that goes with it is another important factor of embarking on photography for money or even pleasure. After all, you need to know how to get the most out of your equipment.
Reading Is Fundamental
Read the manual. There will be many tips for settings adjustments or using things such as white balance, D-lighting, auto-focus, exposure, file type, and photo retouch. The cameras today have many features to master.
Manuals for any particular model can be found by searching on the manufacturers' websites and are often easier to read on larger computer screens.
Don't Toss that Viewfinder Cap
If you are using a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera) and are using the monitor rather than the viewfinder eyepiece to frame your photos, be sure to install the eyepiece cap that came with your camera to prevent light entering the viewfinder and interfering with exposure.
Charge Batteries until Ready and Not Any Longer
Wait for the low battery indicator light to come on before charging to allow the battery to discharge properly.
Don't overcharge your batteries. Instead, remove as soon as the indicator states they are full.
Your manual may give you some guidelines as to how long it takes to charge a battery.
Don't Just Leave Your Stabilisation Feature On
If your camera or its attached lens has an optical stabilisation feature, turn it off when using a tripod.
For one, it isn't needed when using a tripod and if it is on, you risk what is called a feedback loop.
This may fight against your efforts to prevent blur, however without a tripod, stabilisation helps a lot, as it allows you to shake less and gain extra stops of light when needed, especially in low light.
If Editing Is What You Like, Save Images in the Raw
For better photo-editing potential, save your images in raw format if your camera allows. You will sacrifice some memory space in your SD card due to the images not being compressed, but you will have a bit more flexibility in adjusting the images in photo-enhancing software such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom or Capture One.
These programs allow you to enhance your images and organise your digital negatives in a database without ever changing the original raw image file. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube to get you started with it.
Go Ahead and Splurge on Some Options
When getting a new camera, consider going ahead and purchasing optional equipment with it, such as remotes. Some cameras such as Nikon have extras that you have to buy separately.
It will be harder to find these items for your model if you wait too long and the options for it are no longer available.
These tips will help you avoid ruining your camera the first day out.
When something goes wrong, write it down; that way each outing becomes more professional and will run more smoothly because you use what you learn to get better.
