Digital Photography Pocket Guide, 3rd Edition

Who's in Charge?

When you first pick up a digital camera and hold it in your hands, many thoughts go through your head. Initially, you might simply wonder where the power button is, or how to turn on the LCD monitor.

Soon, you reach a crossroads with two options before you. The first is to just take what you've learned about your camera in the first few minutes, and use that knowledge to take the best pictures you can. If you go down this path, the camera is merely an acquaintance. It is in charge, and it does the best it can to help you capture snapshots on vacation or at birthday parties. In return, you try not to drop it and maybe even occasionally clean its lens.

The other path is much different. The first few steps are the steps that everyone takes with a new camera. "How do I make the lens zoom?" "Where's the battery compartment?" But after a short while, you find yourself in territories previously unknown. You begin to wonder, "How can I take a close-up of that flower?" or "Can I shoot a portrait at twilight?"

This book is a friendly guide for those who want to take the second path. If you go down this road, you and your camera will become close friends. You'll get to know every feature and learn how they can help you make outstanding images. In a sense, your camera will become an extension of your vision—and that means you're the one making the decisions, not the camera.

Chapter 1, What Is It?

The adventure begins like preparations for any vacation. You have to account for everything ...