learning the manual functions of cameras

bismarck SG

all the while..i have been taking shots where the aperture,shutter and ISO have been taken care off by the camera.
so how do i start learning?

i dun want to waste excellent photo opportunites because of lousy photo-taking.

jOhO SG

hmm.. how ar?

there's no sure and fast way to learn, except to get out there and shoot.

know a bit of ur theory first.. for example, most know that big apertures (small f number) produces a shallower DOF, but do u know why?

then u will slowly pick up things like when shooting (still) humans, 1/60 is good to freeze them, unless they are moving very vigorously u might wanna go up to 1/125.

then u might wanna throw a flash in some time or other, and then there's a whole new ball game, foreground bright, back dark, shadows too harsh, etc etc.

basically.. just shoot lar. and learn from mistakes.

jnifur SG

If ur camera allows aperture piority
use that
just remember, when u want to take close up, or when u want ur subject to be clear at the foreground, and the background blur, use a big aperture (bigger hole, smaller number)
At nite, use a smaller aperture..so that ur light can turn out nice nice.
Basically, if u got a digicam which allows u to control all that, just try to alter and turn all the things u can control. Go out to places like shopping centre...gardens, parks...just shoot anything u think is worth shooting. Not nice at most delete loh. But best to keep a few buang wans. To remind urself wat mistake u make and never make the mistake again.
Trial and error..then u will know.

Dun use film to experiment....very expensive
Like wat I am doing now...can feel the pinch in my pocket.