Learning to use my camera

[123SA]

Last July I got a Pentax *istD camera, sigma 18-125mm lens and for Christmas a sigma 70-300mm lens. I only know how to use the auto modes.

Can you recommend a book or other reading material to teach me how to use the manual settings?

 

[tigger795]

First off I would suggest reading the manual. Many books can tell you what settings to adjust and why, you will have to depend on your manual to tell you how to do this with your specific make and model camera.

After that I suggest the book "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.

Happy shooting

 

[123SA]

Thank you for your suggestions. I did try to read the manual -- but I am seriously uneducated when it comes to photography. It was like trying to read a foreign language. I don't know what the terms mean -- aperture,
F-???, depth of field etc.

 

[jann1033]

then maybe get one of the "dummies" books...they are very basic...i have the idiots guide to photography that is for film mostly( mine is really old so probably have updates for digital) but has all the basic info presented in an easy to understand way...also you can find lots of stuff just by googling the thing ie aperture you don't understand. wikipedia.com has some really good definitions of photographic terms and might go into more details than you want but good basic info.

 

[Jeanne B]

I see Understanding Exposure recommended often. I'm embarrassed to say that I bought it last year but have yet made the time to read it!!

 

[boBQuincy]

As usual, I will take another approach and recommend Ansel Adam's "The Negative" for understanding exposure. "The Camera" is the one to read for understanding the camera's controls.

I am boycotting any photo book with the word "digital" in it!


curmudgeonly,

boB

 

[MassJester]

I re-read Understanding Exposure over and over (at least in part). There is a lot of good stuff in there, and it makes more sense after you go and try your understanding out in practice.

 

[ukcatfan]

Wikipedia is a decent source for info. The main page on exposure has links to more specific articles on things like aperture, shutter, ISO, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_%28photography%29

Also, it does not hurt to just go out and play with it in manual mode to just get a feel for what it is doing. The pictures do not cost anything to take, so fire away. It does not even matter if you trash every single one.

Kevin

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I have read Understanding Exposure a couple of times. I have that open along with the manual and my camera. It helps to understand more if you actually do what the book is saying, instead of just reading and trying to remember.

Good luck. I just got my K100d in Jan and I am still learning, but I LOVE my camera. I do spend most of my time in Program though.

 

[handicap18]

I re-read Understanding Exposure over and over (at least in part). There is a lot of good stuff in there, and it makes more sense after you go and try your understanding out in practice.

Rather than typing the exact same thing I'll just quote Paul and say ditto for me.

 

[photo_chick]

I had to buy Photography by Upton and London way back in my Photo 1 class (will I ever finish that degree?) While it is big, thick, heavy, and can be intimidating at first glance ....it does have what you need in it.

You can pick it up used many places.

 

[Master Mason]

Most of the digital photo books I have looked at spend most of their time talking about post processing, instead of actually capturing the shot... So take a look before you purchase.

 

[jonestavern]

The manuals are great for understanding the mechanics of your camera and are a great start. In addition, I don't know if they do one for your camera, but I bought a video by Blue Crane Digital for my Nikon D50 and have found it extremely useful. The first time I watched I thought I might be in over my head but I found after playing with the camera for a while and subsequently watching again (a couple of times), I found that I understood and retained more and got more out of it with each subsequent watching.

Good luck,

Chris

 

[RitchG]

I'd see if there's an intro course available at a nearby university "adult education" center or community center. (Of course, since I teach at one of those "adult education" places, my answer might be a little biased.) It's great to have someone who knows about this stuff right in front of you; and it's also good to chat with other beginners.
---Ritch

 

[Groucho]

I would second a photo class. Your local community college probably has a Photography 101 class that will teach you the basics of apertures, F-stops, etc. There may also be other places locally that have classes - for example, locally we have a place called the "Community Darkroom" that has photography classes.

An advantage of a photography class is that you'll pretty much have to go out and practice the different techniques, and get some feedback from an instructor. Plus you'll be able to ask specific questions.

 

[123SA]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I would love to take a class -- anyone from South Jersey that can recommend one?

 

[donaldduck1967]

Bryan Peterson has a few good books out. Also National Geographic has a whole line of photography books available.