Digital Photography Digital Field Guide

Chapter 1. Exploring the Digital Camera

In This Chapter

• Suitability to tasks

• Typical non-SLR controls

• Typical SLR controls

• Understanding zoom lenses

• Depth of field

• Understanding ISO

• Exposure modes

• Using automatic focusing

Welcome to the Digital Photography Digital Field Guide. This book will help you get the most out of your digital camera in field conditions. Digital cameras are used in field conditions for applications that range from action photography through architectural and nature photography. You'll also find information and tips about using your digital camera in a studio setting, as well as enhancing your digital photographs on the computer, but that's not what this book is primarily about. My goal is to help you get the most out of your digital camera when you take it somewhere outside — in the field — whether you are photographing clouds, flowers, rainbows, buildings, people, or anything else that grabs your attention.

If you are like me, you probably don't find the instruction manual that came with your camera very easy to read (or useful!). But you do need to know something about how your camera works before you bring it with you in the field. One of the biggest secrets to taking great pictures is preparation. This chapter helps you get prepared for your digital photography fieldwork by providing a quick and fun tour of digital camera anatomy.

Suitability to Tasks

Each kind of digital camera is more suitable for specific tasks than others. Table 1.1 looks at some specific kinds ...