Discover Your DSLR | say goodbye to auto for good

Name: Discover Your DSLR | say goodbye to auto for good
Rating: 4.1 (35 reviews)

Fast-track your photography with practical exercises & printable worksheets

Created byRay Salisbury

Last updated 11/2017

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Feel empowered to take control of your camera
Make stunning photos that impress your friends & family
Become a confident photographer & realise your potential!

Course content

6 sections • 24 lectures • 1h 26m total length

Introduction3:56
Discover how a dslr works to take control of your photography, say goodbye to auto, through a beginner-friendly, structured, practice-driven course with step-by-step lessons and downloadable guides.

FEATURES | Canon DSLRs5:15
The first couple of lectures are brief overviews of key DSLR functions. You must download and work through the accompanying Worksheet.

Print out the PDF page
Tick off each camera function once you understand how it works, where it is, etc.
Refer to your camera's manual for specific instructions
Once you have checked off this list, you are ready for the meaty stuff in Module 2!
FEATURES | Nikon DSLRs4:54
The first couple of lectures are brief overviews of key DSLR functions. You must download and work through the accompanying Worksheet.

Print out the PDF page
Tick off each camera function once you understand how it works, where it is, etc.
Refer to your camera's manual for specific instructions
Once you have checked off this list, you are ready for the meaty stuff in Module 2!
FEATURES | Sony mirror-less models4:49
Explore essential Sony mirrorless camera basics with the alpha 6000, identify key dials and buttons, learn modes, focus, viewfinder use, live view, histograms, and memory card maintenance for confident shooting.
CAMERA SET-UP | Canon DSLRs7:05
Learn to customize Canon DSLR settings, including image quality, resolution, and file types (JPEG vs RAW), plus metadata like file naming and copyright.
CAMERA SET-UP | Nikon DSLRs7:04
Configure image resolution and size on Nikon DSLRs, and choose JPEG or RAW to balance detail and storage. Learn about memory cards, file naming, time and date, and copyright metadata.
CAMERA SET-UP | Sony mirror-less models6:03
Set image size to the largest on Sony mirror-less cameras and use fine quality. Choose JPEG or RAW for quality and flexibility, and note memory cards and creative styles.
QUIZ 1 | Setting up your Camera

EXPOSURE | How to measure light using a Histogram1:44
Download the full-colour PDF guide on Histograms - it's your free bonus, & there's a tonne more coming!
QUIZ 2 | Exposure
METERING | How to get a correct exposure2:58
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.
APERTURES | Understand how apertures work on your camera4:01
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.
QUIZ 3 | Aperture
DEPTH OF FIELD | How to get blurry backgrounds3:57
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.
QUIZ 4 | Depth of Field
SHUTTER SPEEDS | How to blur & freeze movement3:58
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
I.S.O. | How to make your sensor more sensitive1:54
Learn how ISO controls sensor sensitivity and digital noise, and why keeping ISO near 100 reduces grain while the exposure triangle shapes daylight and low-light photography.
EXPOSURE TRIANGLE | How aperture, shutter speed & I.S.O. all work together5:15
Download the free PDF guide on the Exposure Triangle - so you have something to keep for reference.
QUIZ 5 | Exposure Triangle
MANUAL & BULB MODES | Taking full control1:21
Master manual and bulb modes to take full control of exposure, adjusting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO; use bulb mode for extended exposures with a remote for astrophotography.
WHITE BALANCE | Definition & best settings2:04
Balance white by correcting color temperature so whites stay white under varied lighting, including daylight, shade, tungsten, fluorescent, or flash.

FOCUS MODES | Al Servo, Spot Focus & Manual1:32
Learn continuous focus (servo) for moving subjects, single focus for a one-shot lock, and manual focus when autofocus won't work, and spot focus for static subjects like portraits and landscapes.
AUTO FOCUS POINTS | How to control what's in focus2:30
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!
LENSES | Sweet spots, focal lengths & the Reciprocal Rule6:12
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
NOTE:
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'.
QUIZ 6 | Lenses
CROP FACTORS | The difference between APS-C & Full-frame DSLR cameras2:06
Understand crop factors and the difference between APS-C and full-frame sensors, and how a 20 mm lens changes the angle of view.

CAMERA SUPPORT | How to hold, stabilise & carry your DSLR4:07
Here's the last of the freebies to download - so you don't forget what you've learned. Enjoy!
TRIPODS | Brief look at tripods1:22
Discover when to use a tripod for macro and landscape photography, avoid cheap flimsy models, and learn how a solid tripod enables slow shutter speeds in low-light shots.
QUIZ 7 | Camera Support
CONCLUSION | Ray wraps up1:32
Prioritize hands-on practice to master your camera; head outside, dedicate time this year, and seek constructive critique from the hot pixel's community on Facebook.

Requirements

You need either a DSLR camera (e.g. Canon or Nikon) or a mirror-less model (e.g. Sony A6000).

Description

Quickly get to grips with your camera, be it a DSLR or mirror-less model.

In this course, you will learn:

How your camera works, plus fundamentals such as how to hold and carry a DSLR.
Photography basics, such as the Exposure Triangle, Depth of Field & Exposure Reprocity.
When to use your Viewfinder, LCD Display, or Live View
How to customize your camera settings

Warning: this course isn't just a Talking Head monologue - YOU are required to apply what you've learned in 6 practical exercises.

Good News: the videos are illustrated with sample photos, digital animations of key concepts, and closeups of a range of DSLRs. [Canon, Nikon & Sony models are shown.]

These practice shoots will teach you:

How to use Exposure Compensation, as well as the Metering Modes
What Aperture range is available on your lenses
How to use a narrow Depth of Field to blur the background of your shots
How to freeze and blur movement using Shutter Priority
How to use Auto-Focus Points to determine what's in focus
How to find the Sweet Spot on your lens

Plus... you get BONUS PDFs to download for reference:

12 X Cheat Sheets for each Exercise - designed so you can print out instructions.
6 X Professionally-designed PDF guides on each topic.
7 X Quizzes to test your new-found knowledge

Note: This is a serious course for serious-minded enthusiasts. It requires some dedication and practical application on your behalf, if you wish to succeed, and say goodbye to Auto - for good.

Who this course is for:

Beginning photographers, or those new to using DSLRs.
Those who are serious about improving their photography

Discover Your DSLR | say goodbye to auto for good

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

INTRODUCTION | how to get the best out of this course1 lecture • 4min

FUNCTIONS & FEATURES | Discovering Your DSLR6 lectures • 35min

LIMITING LIGHT | How to control your exposures9 lectures • 27min

SHOOTING SHARPER | How to focus your DSLR4 lectures • 12min

STAYING STILL | How to stabilise your shots3 lectures • 7min

RESOURCES & COURSES | Free stuff1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: