Digital SLR Photography All-in-One For Dummies

Robert Correll

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781119711728
• Edition: 4
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Digital Media
• Index: Computer Science

Click your way to stunning digital images with thisthoroughresource!

With thesix mini-guides in Digital SLR Photography All-in-OneForDummies, you've gotthe six ingredients you need to cook up some fantastic photos.This book willhelp you make friends withyourdSLRwhetherit'sthe latestmodeloran olderhand-me-down. Together, you'll find the perfect angles, exposure, and lightingtocapturemagical images.

It wouldn't be digital photography without a bit of tech—SD cards, file transfers, resolution, and a few other things you might have never encountered before you picked up adSLR. With this book, you canbecome acamera-wrangler extraordinaire, getting your shots and using digital editing tools to help them looktheir best.Now you havethe tools you needto start building your portfolio—including some friendly advice on which images to include! Get out there and get shooting!

• Explore your camera's featuresandsettings, then pick theperfect lenses for your photography style
• Learn how to make beautiful imagesby controlling thekey components ofexposure--aperture, shutter speed, and ISOsettings
• Light your shots perfectlywith or withouta flash or other lighting equipment
• Use digital tools to make your photos shine and create an outstanding portfolio

Upgrading to a digital SLR is a sign that you're serious about becoming a better photographer.Let this chummy Dummies guide, well, guideyou as you become an image maker!

Book 1

Pursuing Digital SLR Photography

Contents at a Glance

1. Chapter 1: Embracing Digital SLRs
   1. Introducing the Digital SLR
   2. Naming and Classifying Digital SLRs
   3. Pricing Digital SLRs
   4. Delving into Camera Specifications
   5. Following Recent dSLR Developments
   6. Shopping for a dSLR
   7. Embracing dSLRs
2. Chapter 2: Handling, Cleaning, and Protecting Your Camera
   1. Anatomy of a dSLR
   2. Working the Controls
   3. Gripping the Camera
   4. Providing Additional Support
   5. Handling an Articulated Monitor
   6. Using a Touchscreen
   7. Changing Batteries
   8. Inserting and Removing Memory Cards
   9. Cleaning Your Camera
   10. Protecting Your Camera
3. Chapter 3: Learning about Lenses
   1. Identifying and Naming Lenses
   2. Categorizing Lenses
   3. Looking at Lens Anatomy
   4. Working with Lenses
   5. Cleaning Lenses
4. Chapter 4: Exploring Menus and Camera Settings
   1. Understanding How Menus Are Organized
   2. Opening and Using the Menu
   3. Setting Up Your Camera
   4. Setting Typical Shooting Options
   5. Making Other Choices
   6. Controlling Playback
   7. Keeping Everything Running Smoothly
   8. Exploring Advanced Options
5. Chapter 5: Taking Pictures with Your dSLR
   1. Seeing the Big Picture
   2. Planning Ahead
   3. Unpacking and Readying Your Gear
   4. Setting Up Your Camera
   5. Taking and Reviewing Photos

Chapter 1

Embracing Digital SLRs

IN THIS CHAPTER

Learning about digital SLRs

Defining different dSLR types

Understanding camera specifications

Seeing what's new in the world of dSLRs

Buying a dSLR and accessories

What's so special about the digital SLR (dSLR)? The short answer: Lots! Digital SLRs are fantastic cameras. They take great still photos and movies. They are versatile, friendly to new and casual users, serious enough for more advanced and professional photographers, and have the potential to accompany you through a lifetime of photography.

Digital SLRs’ popularity powers a large industry composed of camera, lens, and accessory manufacturers who are all trying to support you. Think about that. There is enough variety that it’s pretty easy to find the right camera and lens combination that will fit you, no matter what your skill level, interests, or budget. After you begin, you’ll be able to learn and grow at your own pace. The sky is the limit!

In this chapter you learn the basics of dSLRs and their various types, get a sense of technical specifications, and discover recent developments in dSLRs. The chapter also guides you through purchasing your camera and accessories.

Introducing the Digital SLR

SLR stands for single-lens reflex, which identifies a class of camera with two unique characteristics: a single lens and a reflex mirror.

SLR cameras have a single lens that handles everything. You look through it to compose, meter, and focus before you shoot the scene. Although that doesn’t sound all that impressive now, there was a time when photographers had to resort to using additional lenses or other mechanical devices to accomplish these tasks. It’s better this way. What you see is what you’re going to get when you take the photo.

SLRs also use a reflex mirror. It’s a mirror that is hinged and can move. Normally, it stays down and bounces light from the lens up through the viewfinder so that you can see out of the camera. When you press the shutter button to take the photo, the mirror moves up and out of the way, exposing the film or image sensor when the shutter opens. The mirror makes a recognizable “clunking” sound when it flips up out of the way.

None of these aspects has anything to do with 0s, 1s, or computers; SLR cameras using 35mm film were invented before all that. But the design is so strong that SLRs have been updated as new technologies have been developed.

The digital SLR (also known as dSLR or DSLR) is the modern, digital descendant of the analog SLR. Both types of camera are shown in Figure 1-1. Instead of using film, a digital SLR uses a digital image sensor to collect light and store the resulting image file on a memory card. In many ways, dSLRs are mobile computers with an impressive amount of processing power.

FIGURE 1-1: Digital SLRs (left) have come a long way from their predecessor (right).

SLRs and dSLRs also feature an interchangeable lens design. Although this isn’t a unique property, it's often thought of as a defining characteristic. Lenses attach to the camera body and can be removed, enabling you to swap lenses with different qualities for different purposes. Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and digital single-lens translucent cameras (dSLTs), which have a translucent mirror that doesn’t move, also feature interchangable lenses.

Naming and Classifying Digital SLRs

This section explains the information you need to decode the names and understand the basic characteristics of different types of digital SLRs available today. For example, after flipping through this chapter, you will be able to grasp the essential characteristics of the Nikon D3500 24.2MP DX-format (APS-C) dSLR with 18-55mm lens and how the Sony A99II 42.4MP full-frame A-mount dSLT with electronic viewfinder differs from it just by reading the names.

Make and model

First, you need to understand the basic naming scheme of a camera. Each camera manufacturer has a method to its naming madness.

• Nikon starts its dSLRs with the letter D (think digital), followed by a number. In general, the smaller the number, the more advanced and expensive the camera. For example, the D6 is currently Nikon’s premier professional camera. The D3500, on the other hand, is an entry-level consumer camera.
• Canon uses the acronym EOS (electro-optical system) followed by a model number to identify its digital SLRs. For example, the Canon EOS 90D is a mid-range model. Canon uses the term Rebel to identify its consumer dSLRs. The Rebels sport one of two model numbers, depending on the market they are sold in. For example, the EOS Rebel T8i is also known as the 850D. You may see it written as the EOS Rebel T8i/850D. Canon often identifies improved models by adding the term Mark and then a number, su...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Book 1: Pursuing Digital SLR Photography
• Book 2: Looking through Lenses
• Book 3: Taking Creative Control
• Book 4: Lighting the Scene
• Book 5: Managing and Processing Your Shots
• Book 6: Showcasing Different Scenes
• Index
• About the Author
• Connect with Dummies
• End User License Agreement