TechLife Australia

Get more from your DSLR

DISCOVER UNUSED POTENTIAL IN YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA AND LEARN TO CAPTURE IMAGES YOU MAY NEVER HAVE THOUGHT POSSIBLE.

- [ CHRIS RUTTER ]

WHEN YOU PURCHASE a new camera, are you doing it for a specific purpose and with a clear idea of how it will benefit your photograph­y? Whether you’re upgrading to a DSLR from a compact or bridge camera, or moving up to a model with a more profession­al specificat­ion, you’ll undoubtedl­y be excited by those features that are most obviously dedicated to your main photograph­ic interests. While this might help you make informed decisions about which camera model is best suited to your needs, there is a notable downside. While focusing on utilising those tools, it’s easy to overlook the many other advanced features found on your DSLR, meaning there is potential for missing out on taking unique images. Successive cameras often build on the specificat­ion of their predecesso­rs, so that latest-generation iterations have extensive menus and custom functions. This is most often the case in enthusiast-level cameras, which are pitched to appeal to photograph­ers experiment­ing with numerous genres, and it is easy for features to get lost and underused. Aside from the obvious negative impact this has on your portfolio, it also means you might not be efficientl­y operating your equipment — that is, paying for components that you may never use! It is good practice to revisit the camera (or cameras) you have in your fleet, even after several years of ownership, to discover which aspects you may have been missing out on. Once you have discovered a ‘new’ feature, you can try to work it into your usual workflow, learning to use it in a novel or unconventi­onal way for a more creative outlook.

The advantages of knowing your own camera well are wide reaching. Firstly, understand­ing how every feature works and how these are laid out across the controls, ie. the manufactur­er’s design philosophy, will make your shooting experience feel more intuitive. You will then be better prepared for whatever challenges your shoot raises. Secondly, discoverin­g a new tool at your disposal is a guaranteed way to ignite your creative motivation, encouragin­g you to try new techniques and learn new skills. Read the following guide to find out how to start using your DSLR like never before.

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