New to Photography

[Erick]

I have been experimenting with my new DSLR (Rebel XT). Does anyone have suggestions how I can learn more about this cameras features?

Thanks,
Erickr123@yahoo.com

[mjs1973]

Welcome to the Forum Erick. My first suggestion, if you haven't already done so, is to read the manual. If you have already done this, read it again. Keep the camera handy, and go thru everything that the manual has in it and play around. I have had my DRebel for over a year now, and I still use the manual quite often. Take it with you when you go out, and just play with the camera and all the settings. One of the great things about digital is that you can shoot and shoot and shoot and you don't have to pay for your prints to see your results. Basically what I'm saying is practice and experiment with all the settings. It will take a little time to figure them all out, but it sure is fun.

Good luck, and welcome again!

[Lava Lamp]

I have been experimenting with my new DSLR (Rebel XT). Does anyone have suggestions how I can learn more about this cameras features?

Thanks,
Erickr123@yahoo.com

I'll be a little contrarian and say go get a book or two on photography and don't worry about your camera's features yet -- just set it to "P" or auto or whatever they call it on the Rebel. As you learn what you want out of a good photo, then you'll start changing the settings.

[Bajan]

Experiment, look at pictures you like and ask yourself, how did they do that?

I've been shooting for a while but learn new things quite often.

J

[dbutler]

You're already off to a great start. I love the pic of the baby. Very sweet.

[readingr]

Whoever said leave it on auto gave you good advice to start with.

Concentrate on composition to start with and leave the camera sort out the exposure and stuff for you to start with.

The picture you posted is okay but you need to remember the rule of thirds. The child is too centred in the picture and she would have been better placed to the left of the photo (on my monitor abour an inch). Once you cracked the composition and understand the rules then start playing with the exposures and stuff.

Cameras today are pretty good in auto so don't worry about that bit yet. I still sometimes shoot in auto if its a quick snap.

Roger