I need help learning photography

[ali_squidz]

Hey y'all. Im pretty new to the DSLR and I dont really know how to use it. I do know that my point and shoot wasnt keeping up with what I wanted. So that being said, how do I learn this stuff? Is there a good site to go to? Or maybe y'all have some pointers? Im just figuring out aperture and I think I have that understood. I want to be able to go fully manual and know what to start with settings and how I can fine tune it. Right now I dont really even know where to start. I have the camera figured out menu and button wise (Canon XSi) but I need to learn the settings and where to put them to get a picture in any environment I may want to use it in.

[SusanH1970]

Hi and welcome to DPS!

1. Read your manual.
2. Is there a good site to learn? Um, you're ON it!
3. Use the search feature here for specific questions; if you can't find an answer, ask in the correct section.
4. Check this link out. It's got all the basics covered.
5. Keep in mind that learning photography is a never-ending journey. Just owning a DSLR won't make you a great photographer - education and experience will. Read, educate yourself, and shoot, and shoot, and shoot some more!

Again, welcome aboard. This forum is an amazing source of information! Be sure and read the rules before posting in particular sections.

[kencaleno]

Originally Posted by ali_squidz

Hey y'all. Im pretty new to the DSLR and I dont really know how to use it. I do know that my point and shoot wasnt keeping up with what I wanted. So that being said, how do I learn this stuff? Is there a good site to go to? Or maybe y'all have some pointers? Im just figuring out aperture and I think I have that understood. I want to be able to go fully manual and know what to start with settings and how I can fine tune it. Right now I dont really even know where to start. I have the camera figured out menu and button wise (Canon XSi) but I need to learn the settings and where to put them to get a picture in any environment I may want to use it in.

e-mail me, Ken

[dcclark]

Go to the Digital Photography School homepage (not the forums -- you can get to the right place by clicking on the DPS logo at the top) and click "Popular" in each of the three colored boxes. Read those articles -- you'll learn a lot!

Also, ask here. Enjoy!

[inkista]

Originally Posted by ali_squidz

H...How do I learn this stuff? Is there a good site to go to? Or maybe y'all have some pointers?

Someone said everybody's got a million bad pictures in 'em. The only way to get to the good ones is to get the bad ones out, first. Go, and shoot a lot. That will help. Then, when you have a question, come back here and post it. That'll help, too.

I want to be able to go fully manual and know what to start with settings and how I can fine tune it.

That's what your meter's for. In full manual, adjusting your settings so that your meter reads "0" pretty much puts your exposure where your automatic exposure system thinks it ought to sit. After that, it's up to you to think through the scene and which way you want to go.

One topic you might want to learn about would be the histogram. And my personal "Lesson 0" reading for newbies is how to hold your camera.

[ali_squidz]

I have read the manual cover to cover.
I have taken over 4000 shots since I got my camera at the end of June. Most of those I have taken in aperture priority mode. I cant seem to dial in the exposure or light in full manual. It's super frustrating. If I adjust the aperture, it seems the exposure or shutter speed isnt right or something. If I go full manual and dial in what I think is the best, usually it's too bright or too dark and doesnt turn out.

[Penary]

Originally Posted by ali_squidz

I have read the manual cover to cover.
I have taken over 4000 shots since I got my camera at the end of June. Most of those I have taken in aperture priority mode. I cant seem to dial in the exposure or light in full manual. It's super frustrating. If I adjust the aperture, it seems the exposure or shutter speed isnt right or something. If I go full manual and dial in what I think is the best, usually it's too bright or too dark and doesnt turn out.

Canon has a web site "How To" for the XSi Canon Digital Learning Center - EOS Rebel XSi: Fun with Photography

[inkista]

Ok, when you look through the viewfinder you see this:


(If you click on it, you'll get to a bigger version of it, and it's the bit labelled "Exposure Level Indicator" that I'm talking about).

You see that horizontal scale with all the lines? That's where you dial in exposure compensation if you're in Av, Tv, or P modes, right? Well, in M mode, that's your light meter. Where the "needle" points is where the camera thinks your exposure is. To the left of the center (0) and negative numbers is darker, to the right of the center, and + numbers is lighter.

If the needle's to the left, you most likely want to add light, either by increasing the iso, opening up the aperture (using a smaller f-number), or using a slower shutter speed. If the needle's to the right, you most likely want to decrease the light, either by decreasing the iso, stopping down the aperture, or using a faster shutter speed.

Where the "1" and "2" are on the scale marks off the light by "stops" or EV, which is a doubling of the light. To move one stop, you double/halve the iso or shutter speed, or move one stop on the full f-number scale.

The center (0) is where the auto-exposure system thinks you ought to be. It may not be exactly right, but it will often be "close enough" for you to get a decent exposure if not a perfect one.

[ali_squidz]

Originally Posted by inkista

Ok, when you look through the viewfinder you see this:


(If you click on it, you'll get to a bigger version of it, and it's the bit labelled "Exposure Level Indicator" that I'm talking about).

You see that horizontal scale with all the lines? That's where you dial in exposure compensation if you're in Av, Tv, or P modes, right? Well, in M mode, that's your light meter. Where the "needle" points is where the camera thinks your exposure is. To the left of the center (0) and negative numbers is darker, to the right of the center, and + numbers is lighter.

If the needle's to the left, you most likely want to add light, either by increasing the iso, opening up the aperture (using a smaller f-number), or using a slower shutter speed. If the needle's to the right, you most likely want to decrease the light, either by decreasing the iso, stopping down the aperture, or using a faster shutter speed.

Where the "1" and "2" are on the scale marks off the light by "stops" or EV, which is a doubling of the light. To move one stop, you double/halve the iso or shutter speed, or move one stop on the full f-number scale.

The center (0) is where the auto-exposure system thinks you ought to be. It may not be exactly right, but it will often be "close enough" for you to get a decent exposure if not a perfect one.

You are my new hero! Thank you so much! Definitely something to work for!!!

[Stella_Bella]

You should try a book called, "Understanding Exposure". It does a GREAT job explaining the basics. You might find it at your library.