Discover Your DSLR | say goodbye to auto for good

The first couple of lectures are brief overviews of key DSLR functions. You must download and work through the accompanying Worksheet.

1. Print out the PDF page
2. Tick off each camera function once you understand how it works, where it is, etc.
3. Refer to your camera's manual for specific instructions
4. Once you have checked off this list, you are ready for the meaty stuff in Module 2!

The first couple of lectures are brief overviews of key DSLR functions. You must download and work through the accompanying Worksheet.

1. Print out the PDF page
2. Tick off each camera function once you understand how it works, where it is, etc.
3. Refer to your camera's manual for specific instructions
4. Once you have checked off this list, you are ready for the meaty stuff in Module 2!

Download the full-colour PDF guide on Histograms - it's your free bonus, & there's a tonne more coming!

EXERCISE ONE: METERING

• Download the PDF Worksheet
• Allow 20+ minutes to complete this practical exercise
• Work through the steps, in order. If you get stuck, rewind the video, or ask the tutor.
• Part 1 deals gets you usng the 3 main metering modes.
• Part 2 gets you using the humble Exposure Compensation feature.

EXERCISE TWO: APERTURES

• Download the PDF Worksheet
• Allow 5+ minutes to complete
• This quick exercise is to familiarize you with your camera
• You will discover the aperture range on your specific lens / lenses.
• Work through the steps, in order. If you get stuck, rewind the video, or ask the tutor.

EXERCISE THREE: DEPTH OF FIELD

• Download the PDF Worksheet
• Allow 30+ minutes to complete
• This exercise is to help you understand how changing the lens opening affects what’s in focus
• Download the bigger PDF on the Depth of Field for reference.
• Work through the steps methodically. If you do get stuck, rewind the video, or ask the tutor.

EXERCISE FOUR: SHUTTER SPEEDS

• Download the PDF Worksheet
• Allow 20+ minutes to complete this practical exercise
• In this exercise you will experiment using Shutter Priority
• If you cannot find a suitable moving object (e.g. wind-up toy) shoot moving traffic.
• Work through the steps, in order. If you get stuck, rewind the video, or ask the tutor
  
• Download & read through the complimentary PDF guide for reference

Download the free PDF guide on the Exposure Triangle - so you have something to keep for reference.

EXERCISE FIVE: AUTO FOCUS POINTS

• Download the PDF Worksheet
• Allow 20+ minutes to complete this practical exercise
• This exercise should help you choose an Auto Focus point, so you can control what’s in focus.
• Arrange for someone to pose for you - remember to focus on the leading (closest) eye
• If you cannot find a real human being, any solid, inanimate object will suffice.
• Work through the steps, in order. If you get stuck, rewind the video, or ask the tutor
  

NOTE: You may need to refer to your camera's manual for specific instructions.
The Auto Focus systems on recent-model DSLRs are extremely complex!

EXERCISE SIX: SWEET SPOTS

This optional exercise will help you choose the best apertures so your shots are sharp.
While the exercise is almost the same as Exercise 2, this time we are testing the sharpness of our
lenses, looking for the optimum ‘sweet spots’ that are free from lens diffraction.

• Download the PDF Worksheet
• Allow 30+ minutes to complete this practical exercise
• Work through the steps, in order. If you get stuck, rewind the video, or ask the tutor

This is an optional exercise, but will assist you in getting sharper shots. It may save you years of wondering why your photos looked a bit 'soft'.

Here's the last of the freebies to download - so you don't forget what you've learned. Enjoy!