Basic Photography

This is the first course in the Basic Photography Tips series. By the end of the article,you'll know how to work a camera manually, and you'll be able to tell how each of thethree basic controls affects the photograph – a great start to becoming creative with yourphotography.Note: To start with, don't be afraid of your camera! It's safe to press any button youwant. At worst, you'll screw up some pictures. At best, you'll create an amazing piece ofart that will change people's lives for generations!Most cameras seem complicated at first, but there are really only three essential controlsthat will affect the look and feel of your photographs:Aperture: A hole that light passes through on its way through the lens. The photographer controls the size of this hole.Shutter Speed: The amount of time that the sensor (or film) is exposed tolight from the lens. The photographer controls this time.Focus: The distance at which the lens makes the subject appear sharp andclear. The photographer controls this distance.Almost all the buttons and dials on your camera are designed to control just these threethings! Modern cameras have automatic controls, which can be faster and easier thandoing it all yourself. However, no camera can tell how you want the photograph to look– learning how to work everything manually will let you be more creative! For thistutorial, set your camera's picture mode to "M" (manual).