Photography for Beginners: The Ultimate Photography Guide for Mastering DSLR Photography

Introduction

DSLR photography has gained widespread popularity in the past decade or so - chances are, you may know some people who claim to be ‘DSLR photographers’, and you may have even ran into a Facebook page where photographers showcase their shots.

You may have been impressed by their works - the sharp focus and contrast, the lighting and the sheer quality of the image itself. But if you think this is the limit for a DSLR camera, you’ve got another think coming! Many of the people who own DSLR cameras never bother to switch from Auto to Manual (the results are so good with Auto, why would they need to bother!), but this is what differentiates them from the true photographers:

This book has been written to help you master of DSLR photography, so that you’re able to capture memories and moments the way you want to and take stunning photos.

This book aims to be a complete guide to DSLR photography - we’ll start with the very basics (and include helpful images wherever needed) so even those who have no prior experience (and in fact, haven’t even handled a DSLR before in their life) can use it as a stepping stone towards becoming an amazing photographer.

Getting familiar with a technology is one thing, knowing all its ins and outs is quite another. The best way to understand the complex workings of a DSLR camera is to have a firm grasp on its components, and for this purpose, we’ll begin by taking a close look at the various parts which go together to create the DSLR camera. Once done, you’ll be confidently able to link the various functions of a DSLR camera to its various parts, and this will serve as a foundation for understanding the advanced techniques you’ll learn through this book.

Obviously, reading the book alone won’t be enough - you’ll need to try the techniques discussed here hands-on in order to become a master photographer, and for that you’ll need a DSLR camera. This book will cover some of the more popular cameras in the market, and will discuss the pros and cons of each so that you’re able to find one to suit your budget and requirements.

The biggest advantage of DSLR cameras is their versatility. What makes them versatile is the fact that they can accept a wide range of lenses that are designed to work with different scenarios. Being able to identify various lenses that go with a camera and being able to choose the best one for a situation is the signature of a skilled photographer, which is why this book will teach you all you need to know about the various types of lenses and their applications, so that you’re able to leverage the most out of your camera regardless of the scenario you find yourself in.

There are certain technical terms pertaining to DSLR photography - DOF (depth of field), exposure, lighting, framing and so on. Without being completely clear on the effect each has on the overall result of the photograph, and being experienced in their adjustments / calibrations, you will not be able to get the most out of your camera. In fact, this is an essential difference between real photographers who use manual settings for optimizing their picture, and point-and-click photographers who set it on Auto and end up with a generic picture. To the unaccustomed eye, even photographs taken on Auto seem good, but once you’re able to fine tune each setting on your own, you’ll never look back - every photograph you take will be uniquely attractive.

As a beginner, you’ll make quite a few mistakes when taking photographs using your fancy new DSLR; it is only natural. However, this book will make sure that you are able to recognize these mistakes early on and remove them from your practices. Many photographers who learn on their own, instead of learning through a proper guide, often go on making these