Brown - Photography: DSLR Photography Made Easy: Simple Tips on How You Can Get Visually Stunning Images Using Your DSLR

Its the man that makes the clothes and not the other way around.

The same thing can be said about cameras. No matter how technologically-advanced your equipment may be, your shots will only be as good as how well you handle the camera and composed your photographs.

Unfortunately, cameras are slightly more complex than clothes. And understanding how your new DSLR works is one of the most important steps you should take before getting those studio-quality shots.

THE BASICS

The acronym DSLR stands for Digital Single-Lens Reflex. Understanding this term will help you better appreciate what makes a DSLR camera different from anything else.

As opposed to thinking of a camera with a complex array of lenses, the term single-lens refers to the notion that both the photographer and film (or digital image capturing surface) are looking through the same lens. There is no distortion between what the photographer sees and what will appear on the picture.

As compared to earlier cameras that have a separate set of lenses for the eyepiece and the film, SLR cameras allow photographers to see exactly how the picture will turn out before hitting the shutter! Older cameras do not have this function because the eyepiece is separate from the camera lens.

This feature allows photographers to judge the quality of their images even before calling the shot. They can adjust the light, change the lens, re-adjust the focus and anything else they feel that will help make a better shot.

That explains the SLR part.

Take note that there are non-digital SLR cameras that still use film. Thats why they are simply called SLRs. The difference between SLR cameras and DSLR cameras is how the cameras capture the image.

Both SLR and DSLR cameras host a single lens through which the light rays pass through. While the shot hasnt been taken, the light rays from the primary lens hit a mirror tilted at a 45 degree angle. This will cause the light rays to go upward instead of hitting the rear portion of the camera.

When the now-vertical light rays bounce upward, they encounter a small system of prisms that direct the light rays to a smaller outlet known as the eyepiece. This is where the photographer sees the image before being shot. Since the user is being fed the light rays directly from the main lens, they get an exact preview of how the image is going to come out.

When the user hits the shutter, the mirror that bended the light at 45 degrees flips upward, blocking the prism system at the top which allows the light to pass right on through to the rear portion of the camera.

This is where the difference between SLRs and DSLRs come in. Instead of having the light rays hit a sheet of film to capture the image, DSLRs host a digital-imaging sensor that captures the image and translates it into a digital image to be saved unto a storage device. Once the shot has been taken, the mirror slips back into original 45 degree angle spot to once again redirect light back to the eyepiece.

The combination of these mechanisms makes DSLR and SLR cameras a really good option for the professional photographer. It saves them time and film because they get a preview before getting the image. As a hobbyist, you stand to gain a lot of convenience from using a DSLR camera.

A good step for any beginner would be to take a look at the manual. Although the mechanisms behind a DSLR camera are common for all models, different manufacturers have different blueprints for production. Find out how to switch in between modes and adjust the various settings on it.

Another important thing to look out for is the interface. Most digital cameras will now come with a user interface found underneath the eyepiece. This interface comes in the form of a digital screen from which you can toggle the different settings on your DSLR. Based on your manufacturer, your interface will also differ. Try to get acquainted with it first so that you can navigate through your camera with ease.