Whether you bought your SLR camera a while ago or it’s a hobby you’ve only lately become interested in, the fact is that most newbie photographers don’t use their camera to its maximum potential. While having a natural eye for a nice shot is advantageous, the best photographers are those who have taken the time to become thoroughly acquainted with their cameras and are fully comfortable and confident when tinkering with the camera’s settings. However, gaining the necessary expertise and confidence to use a camera does not happen quickly. In reality, years of practise may be required.
In this post, we’ll go over some of the most common mistakes that beginner photographers make when it comes to properly using their camera settings. We’ll also seek to find solutions to these problems so you can focus on using the settings more effectively and getting the most out of your camera every time. So here we go.
“Keeping Images in Focus”
Henri Cartier-Bresson
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One of the most common mistakes that new photographers make is failing to focus properly. The worst part about out-of-focus photographs is that they cannot be corrected throughout the photo editing process. When snapping away, any photographer should make it a point to keep the main subject of their photo sharp.
As a beginner, the best way to ensure your photographs are in focus is to use your camera’s auto-focus option. Before pushing the shutter button, the photographer can use this setting to pinpoint exactly where they want their focus to be. When you first start off, a single-point focus is preferable to a multi-point focus since it allows you to highlight a single part of the composition. A precise focus is especially critical when utilising very wide aperture settings with a shallow depth of field.
Recognize ISO
When researching ISO, you’ll learn that when using a digital camera, you should keep the ISO as low as possible. This is due to the fact that the first digital cameras produced horrendous noise in photographs when utilised at higher ISOs. However, ISO has come a long way, and sticking to low ISO values is simply taking the easy route rather than actually understanding your camera’s potential.
This is no longer the case, thanks to technological improvements. At ISO 800, 1600, and 3200, modern digital cameras can produce high-quality images. Even high-end camera models can shoot nicely at ISO 6400. So, these days, you should be able to use higher ISO settings without having to deal with as much unneeded noise in your images, so take advantage of this.
While it is still best to keep your ISO low while using a tripod, you will want to increase your ISO when shooting handheld. Unless your aperture is very huge, keep your ISO at 400 in direct sunlight, 800-1000 in the shade, and 3200 and 6400 while shooting in the dark or at dusk. Higher ISOs allow you to employ higher shutter speeds, which can be beneficial when attempting to compensate for camera shake and make your photos clearer.
So, unless you’re shooting in manual mode, it’s a good idea to turn off auto-ISO on your camera. It causes problems when the camera is forced to select between two of the three priorities, namely shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. If you want the best results, the camera should only have control over one of the three parts.
Getting a Glimpse of Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is the amount of time the camera shutter is open, exposing light to the camera sensor. In other words, this is related to how long it takes your camera to take the photo. The shutter speed settings you use have a significant impact on the appearance and quality of your photos.
Many novices make the error of having a shutter speed that is too slow because they do not completely understand how shutter speed works. In this case, the camera lets in too much light, resulting in a fuzzy shot. At the end of the day, the longer the shutter is open, the more motion is captured, even even the slightest movement on the photographer’s part, which might result in a fuzzy image.
Any photographer attempting to get a sharp image while hand holding the camera should ensure that the shutter speed equals or exceeds the focal length of the lens. This is due to the fact that longer lenses amplify camera shake. For example, if using a 200mm lens, the shutter speed should be at least 1/200 of a second, however if using a 50mm lens, a shutter speed of roughly 1/50 of a second would suffice. It is also important to consider whether or not you are capturing a moving subject. If you want to catch movement, you’ll need a slower shutter speed. It’s a good idea to experiment with the shutter speed priority option on a camera to acquire some practise using the shutter speed function. This allows the photographer to choose the shutter speed, while the camera determines what shutter speed is best for a given snap. You concentrate on regulating the ISO and aperture at the same time.
Effectively Using Aperture Settings
After discussing the common mistakes that beginning photographers make when it comes to ISO and shutter speeds, the third pillar of photography worth discussing today is aperture. Aperture is frequently best understood by considering how our eyes work. The iris extends and contracts to govern the size of the pupil as we navigate through varied dark and bright settings. The aperture of a lens is referred to in photography as the pupil. To allow varying amounts of light to reach the camera’s sensor, the aperture can be decreased or enlarged to the size of the aperture.
Aperture, in terms of photography, lends dimension to the image by adjusting the depth of field. On the one hand, the aperture can be used to generate a blurred backdrop for a shallow focus effect, while on the other hand, it can be used to create sharp images from the foreground to the background. Aside from that, the aperture setting can be used to modify the exposure of your photographs, making them darker or brighter.
For inexperienced photographers, mastering the notion of aperture in practise takes some time. When it comes to aperture settings, one common error that many amateur photographers make is setting it too wide. If you want to achieve a soft background, make sure the subject is completely in focus. When utilising fast f/1.8 lenses, you must also be extra cautious since you must ensure that everything you wish to focus on is in focus.
Another challenge comes when the photographer wishes to capture an action shot with a wide aperture. Because wide apertures let in a lot of light, it’s commonly considered that the widest aperture setting is preferable for capturing action because it allows you to keep the shutter speed as fast as possible. The issue here is that, while there is nothing wrong with capturing motion with a wide aperture, you will most certainly struggle to focus on a moving subject. So, at the end of the day, utilising a wide aperture merely leaves a lot more opportunity for error. In such cases, it’s a good idea to start with a slightly higher aperture until you’re able to focus swiftly and accurately on a subject.
When it comes to learning about aperture, novice photographers should start with aperture priority mode. Aperture priority allows the photographer to set the aperture manually while the camera determines the right shutter speed. Controlling the aperture with the aperture priority mode gives you complete control over one of the most important camera parameters. Some would argue that if you can master the concept of aperture, the rest of the elements will fall into place. Another advantage of utilising aperture mode is that it sits in a nice middle ground between automatic mode, in which the camera controls everything, and manual mode, which allows the photographer to manage everything but can be a little intimidating for a beginner.
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Choosing the Best White Balance
Another parameter that might cause problems for inexperienced photographers is white balance. White balance is a digital camera setting that modifies the colour balance of light while shooting so that the image looks to have been captured in a neutral white light. It can, for example, offset the orange hue of artificial light sources or the chilly brightness of the blue sky. Essentially, the white balance camera function’s objective is to ensure that the shot appears natural.
When the white balance is off or the settings are incorrect, the coloration of an image might look highly strange. The simplest solution would be to use the camera’s auto white balance option. Every digital camera has an automated white balance feature that analyses the colours in a scene and neutralises unnatural tones. Unlike most of the other auto-settings, which can be somewhat off, the auto-white balance is usually correct.
Many photographers utilise manual white balance settings since it is an easy element to overlook. Furthermore, even if you do, the setting you select may not always be the best, especially as the light changes. This is why, in many cases, using the auto white balance setting can be a simple means of avoiding this common photography error.
When it comes to white balance concerns, however, photographers who shoot in RAW format may swiftly resolve any errors in post-production. However, if you want to save time by getting a decent shot the first time, it is better to wrap your head around the notion of white balance quickly and make the necessary adjustments on the camera itself rather than waiting for post-production.
How to Use Image Stabilization Correctly
When it comes to decreasing camera shake, the image stabiliser found in the lens or camera is a terrific tool that truly helps improve image quality. That is, if it is used correctly. When used appropriately, image stabilisation counteracts even the smallest motions of the camera, reducing blurring and making it easier for the photographer to snap clean images even in low-light settings.
Naturally, this appears to be a fantastic feature, and one that most people would tough to get wrong. You’d be surprised, though. When utilising picture stabilisation with a tripod, this is where many inexperienced photographers get stuck. In such cases, this camera option may prove to be more of a problem than a help.
A digital camera put up properly on a tripod should be stable enough on its own; in these cases, with image stabilisation turned on, the camera often adjusts for the most minute of vibration, which would not normally make a difference. This actually increases blue rather than decreases it. As a result, it is critical to review your camera’s user manual to determine where to turn off the image stabilisation setting when using a tripod. This will result in considerably sharper photographs for time-lapse photos and the like.
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Conclusion
In short, getting started with a digital SLR camera might be a daunting undertaking. There is so much to learn. As a result, it is critical to devote as much time as possible to learning about photography and to not be hesitant to go deeply into your research. Hopefully, by avoiding the most common mistakes made by inexperienced photographers, you will be able to improve your skills and confidence in taking stunning photographs.