Get the Picture

Book excerpt: This illustrated handbook from the experts at Popular Photography covers everything you need to know about your new digital camera. Today’s technology has made DSLR/ILC cameras more powerful (and more reasonably priced) than ever. Getting the perfect shot has never been easier—if you know how to get the most out of your machine. Get the Picture walks you through all the functions, modes, buttons, and dials on the latest standard models, providing solid technical advice in handy tips paired with beautiful imagery that demonstrates each tactic. You’ll find sections on: DSLR Fundamentals Your go-to guide for basic camera functionality, including exposure, (aperture, ISO, and shutter speed, focus), and white balance. Next-Level Settings Once you’ve mastered the essentials, take a tour through your camera’s various shooting modes (aperture-priority, shutter-priority, portrait, macro, and more) and experiment with its on-camera flash, bracketing functions, and shooting RAW. Explore your lens’s zoom, image stabilization, and other capabilities, too. Bonus Gear If you’re looking to build a photography kit beyond your basic camera body, study up on accessory flash units, lenses, release triggers, and simple, inexpensive lighting modifiers.