Have You Read Your Digital Camera Manual?

Have you read the manual that came with your digital camera? If not you are in good company, the majority of digital camera owners never get past the *Basic Operations* section.

If you didn*t read the manual why not? Was it the obscure photographic terms? The numerous cross references ? The complicated diagrams? The myriad uses for each dial and button? The convoluted English? Maybe all of the above. The fact is that most digital camera manuals are neither user friendly nor written with beginners in mind. If you aren*t already familiar with photographic terms then White Balance, AE Lock, AF Illuminator, and so on, aren*t much help and it can seem like very hard work to figure it all out.

But if you haven*t read the manual you aren*t getting the most from your digital camera. Digital cameras are loaded with options that let you do really cool things. If all you do is point and shoot you are missing out on a whole lot of fun and some great photos.

We are visual learners, and we like our information in manageable chunks. When we are learning a new skill we learn more by seeing and doing than by reading. Don*t you find that you remember a name more easily if the owner is wearing a name badge when you are introduced? Isn*t a map easier to follow than listed directions? Did you learn to drive by reading about it? Figuring out a digital camera is no different- we need to practice. Let*s go back to the manual and pick up from where you got stuck. In the first few pages of the manual there will be diagrams identifying each function. Don*t start there. It*s too much to learn all at once, and if you don*t know what it all means you won*t remember it. It*s much easier to learn each function as you need it. Try this: get your camera and the manual out. Choose a topic that you are unfamiliar with and learn about that one feature. It might be the basic operation or it may be something more advanced, such as white balance or aperture priority mode. The manual may not be very clear about what each feature does but you can check all the terms out here: http://www.digital-cameras-and-accessories.com/glossary.html

As you read the instructions in the manual explore the settings on your camera and try them out. Then stop and practice using this setting. Go and take some pictures around your home or neighbourhood. You don*t have to worry about wasting film any more, so you can snap happily away and then delete the duds. Only go on to the next topic when you feel that you have thoroughly absorbed the first.

This way you will get through all the features in a month at most. In good time to take some fabulous photos at Thanksgiving and Christmas!

That*s it! You are on your way to becoming an expert.

About The Author

Liz Beresford is a writer who owns and operates the web site Digital Cameras & Accessories. Its an information resource for those who are new to digital cameras and photography. If your camera manual is particularly obscure and you need more information you can find it there: http://www.digital-cameras-and-accessories.com/

---

Keep a Digital Photos Diary

Digital Photo Diary - memories that last a life timeThe... Read More

Better Photos with Your Digital Camera

Everyone has a digital camera today and we all take... Read More

Move Up to the World of the Digital SLR Camera

A digital SLR camera or a single lens reflex (SLR)... Read More

Magic and the Photograph

It was widely reported in the press (15 September 1997)... Read More

Choosing the Right Digital Camera

Choosing the right digital camera for general use can be... Read More

Getting the Most From Your Digital Camera Memory Card

Imagine taking your new digital camera on a vacation and... Read More

Extreme Digital Photography: Beyond Point-and-shoot

When my old Olympus digital camera got broke while caving... Read More

9 Tips For Taking Great Digital Photos

IntroductionModern cameras are highly automatic in operation. They have auto... Read More

Photography: The Basics

Photography comes from the Greek words meaning "light writing" and... Read More

Photography Has No Gender

Women photographers are fortunate. Unlike other titles, photographer has no... Read More

A Guide to Underwater Cameras

There are two types of underwater camera systems: an ""amphibious""... Read More

The Best Wildlife Camera To Take On Safari

Good wildlife camera equipment on safari can make the difference... Read More

Photography 101 Part 3

ContentEven if you feel that you already know what kind... Read More

How to Buy a Digital Camera

Are you buying your first digital camera? Well, you must... Read More

Entering the World of Digital Video Cameras

Gone are the days when you would need to employ... Read More

Photography Courses Online

There are also some excellent online courses available and some... Read More

Photographing Kids

Kids grow up so quickly and while we are often... Read More

Start a Photography Business from Home

Anyone with the right camera equipment, and the necessary skills... Read More

Basics of Photography

Understanding light is one of the very basic principles of... Read More

Inspired Vision

A picture is worth a thousand words, so goes a... Read More

Should You Print Your Digital Photos at Home or Use a Photo Printing Service?

There are lots of options available for getting your digital... Read More

Color Management, the Digital Darkroom, and Adobe Photoshop

PrefaceIn order to understand color management, it is important to... Read More

Applications of Underwater Video Cameras

There's so much you can do with an underwater video... Read More

Studio Photography and Digital Backgrounds

The article given here was written for Adobe Photoshop 5,6,7,CS,... Read More

Market Your Photography Business

Setting up your own photography business it easy, you don't... Read More

How To Avoid Or Reduce Red-Eye

Photography with the aid of a digital camera is beyond... Read More

Photography Contest - a fun and rewarding experience

Do you like to take photos? Are you always standing... Read More

Digital Camera Interpolation Explained

In a device such as a digital camera it is... Read More

Digital Camera Batteries

Every device needs a driving force to operate, just as... Read More

Portrait Photography: Tips and Methods

Portrait is defined as, "A likeness of a person, especially... Read More

How to Photograph Your Baby

Babies make the best and the worst subjects to photograph.... Read More

The Arizona Desert Museum

The vast beauty and richness of the desert can be... Read More

HP Digital Cameras - History and Beyond

HP has started making digital cameras only recently. However, the... Read More