Got a Digital Camera for Christmas? Learn How to Use it Here
Digital camera sales look like reaching record levels this Christmas so with millions of new cameras in the hands of their new owners I thought it might be helpful to put together a series of tutorials that help new digital camera owners to get the most of their cameras.
Also keep in mind that our forums are a great place for beginners through to more advanced users to both learn about their cameras but also show off the photos that they take with them.
Also subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter to get digital camera tips sent to your inbox each Friday.
Here are some of our most popular tips for new digital camera owners:
Using Your Camera
- Using Fill Flash
- Continuous Shooting Mode
- Shutter Release Technique
- How to Hold a Digital Camera
- Using Flash Diffusers and Relectors
- Digital Camera Maintenance
- Explaining Digital Camera Modes
- Should You use the LCD or Viewfinder?
- Introduction to White Balance
- RAW vs JPEG?
- 7 Digital Camera Predators and How to Keep them at Bay
- How to Take Sharp Digital Images
- Avoiding Dirty DSLR Image Sensors
- How to Use Focal Lock
- How to Get Shallow Depth of Field
Introduction to Exposure – How to Get Out of Auto Mode
- Learning about Exposure – The Exposure Triangle
- Introduction to ISO Settings
- Introduction to Shutter Speed
- Introduction to Aperture
- Aperture and Shutter Priority Modes
- How to Control Aperture and Shutter Speed on an Entry Level Point and Shoot Camera
Composition
- The Rule of Thirds
- Finding Fresh Angles to Shoot From
- Photographing Children
- Getting Horizons Horizontal
- Fill Your Frame
- Give Your Subject Space to Look Into
- 10 Ways to Add Variety to Your Digital Photography
- Create Active Space in Your Photography
- Getting Backgrounds Right
Techniques and How To’s
- 11 Tips for Better Candid Photography
- 10 Beach Photography Tips
- How to Photograph Sunrises and Sunsets
- How to Crop Images
- How to Take Great Group Photos
- Black and White Digital Photography – In Camera or Post Production?
- How to Photography Fireworks
- 10 Questions to Ask When Taking a Photo
- Panning Techniques
- Pre-Focussing
- Macro Photography Tips for Point and Shoot Compact Digital Cameras
Equipment
- Prime vs Zoom Lenses – Which are Best?
- Introduction to type of DSLR Lenses
- Introduction to Tripods
- Polarizing Filters
Of course our archives are full of hundreds of tips and tutorials so once you’ve finished with these there are plenty of others to keep you busy for the next few days! If you can’t find a tip or tutorial to help you with your questions feel free to ask them in our forums



25 Responses to “Got a Digital Camera for Christmas? Learn How to Use it Here” - Add Yours
November 4th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
Dear Sir,
Your website is very useful. Recently i bought a Canon Powershot G7. The problem is that i can’t take macro photos when i use macro mode. Could you please send me a personal email giving tips to set my camera in macro mode.
November 24th, 2007 at 4:01 am
Hi,
You have a very helpful and useful guide on digital cameras. I would just like to know if you have any advice on how to get a great shot of swarovski jewelry using a polaroid i834? Thanks so much!
December 28th, 2007 at 9:29 am
Hi, I am new to digital slr cameras. I was wondering if you knew of anywhere that I can download tutorials for using and taking pictures with a digital slr in a pdf format?
February 15th, 2008 at 10:47 am
my new camera-Polaroid i834, keeps beeping at me. It won’t turn on. it only flashes a green light and beeps three times. It has new bateries and i tried changing the memory card. What’s wrong?
February 25th, 2008 at 9:37 am
My polarioid does the same thing, it beeps 3 times and shuts off. I am starting to think its a manufacturer error and regret getting this camera.
April 13th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Hi
I am taking a joy flight on a tiger moth aeroplane.
I’m not sure what setting on need on my CANNON EOS 20D.I have a couple of different lenses eg. Cannon EF 75-300mm and Tamron 18-200mm. Suggestions for which lens to use and the correct setting for best results.
May 1st, 2008 at 5:02 am
Definitely a good guide for newbie like me
June 1st, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I just recentley got a polaroid 634 and tried to download my pix from my office computor but it said card error now my camera makes a funny noise and won’t let me take any pix are they lost to me? answer ASAP.
Thank You
Pati
June 8th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Hey my i834 beeps at me too. the lens is out and im not sure what to do. i will take it to a camera shop tomorrow but this is insane….
July 8th, 2008 at 6:46 am
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September 2nd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Hi,
I’m looking for info on actual Digital SLR settings for photos such as high speed sports.
Fred
September 17th, 2008 at 1:48 am
hi i think you website is very helpful…..i used it to help me learn mi new camers thanks…somuck
September 19th, 2008 at 7:26 am
i got a phillips digital camera and when i go to take a picture it says lock?? what do i do?
November 30th, 2008 at 3:28 am
My Polaroid i834 wont turn on. the green light flashs and the blue screen pops up and it beeps 3x and turns off… can u help me fix it?
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:56 am
wow..very good info.thanx for those info :)
December 17th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Thanks for the post, I have been having the same problems.
December 24th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Have any of you gotten a response to your demands? I hope not You’re all so rude… “send me a personal email”, “help me asap” etc. Google is your friend. Use it.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
After many years of admiring photography by other people, my favourite being Christian Fletcher I have finally been able to buy myself my very own DSLR Camera (Canon EOS 1000D) your website is really helpful and has already taught me a lot of things that i never knew existed on my camera. I will be a regular visitor!
January 13th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Your article is very comprehensive, but i want to know some thing about camera batteries
January 14th, 2009 at 4:43 am
Way to go Horace! I was thinking the same thing as I read through the comments. The author of this site has taken the time to give a TON of AWESOME and VERY helpful information and yet it seems people don’t want to take the time to read it.
January 29th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I have a BENQ DC C-700 but i have a problem that when i take photographs in indoor it will turns the image to black
plz help me
April 5th, 2009 at 3:35 am
great site. i particularly like the tutorials. i recommend everyone to go for a prime lens!!
May 28th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Same here about the i834. This is lame. Definitely a manufacturing error. Never getting a P camera again.
August 27th, 2009 at 1:10 am
I always recommend this site to my friends for the great tutorials on how to use their digital camera wisely.
September 22nd, 2009 at 11:17 am
wow, ur articles are really helpful. im new to using slrs and the layman style is a real relief. thanx… and keep up the excellent work.
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