So, you’ve just unboxed your shiny new DSLR camera (or “digital single-lens reflex”), and you’re ready to take your photography skills from blurry birthday pics to frame-worthy masterpieces. You’re tired of feeling like a beginner every time you look at your photos, and you have dreams of capturing sunsets and special moments.
Well, the key to mastering your DSLR camera, which is the most popular type of digital camera in the world currently, is understanding its basic settings. In this article, we’ll break down the three most important camera settings every beginner photographer should understand in order to become professional. They are Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO.
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is like your camera’s eyelid—it determines how long your camera’s “eye” stays open to let in light. A fast shutter speed is perfect for freezing action (think sports or hyper toddlers), while a slower shutter speed lets you capture motion blur (like those dreamy waterfall shots that make you look like a pro).
Fast shutter speed (e.g., 1/1000s): Great for action shots and making sure your Aunty’s dance moves are forever captured in perfect clarity.
Slow shutter speed (e.g., 1/30s): Ideal for low-light conditions or creating artistic blur, like light trails from passing cars.
Pro Tip: Use a tripod with slow shutter speeds unless you want your photo to look like it’s auditioning for a modern art gallery.
The Speed of Light (or Close Enough)
The shutter in your camera operates at lightning-fast speeds, which are measured in fractions of a second. A typical DSLR can capture at speeds like 1/4000th of a second, which is so quick it makes a hummingbird’s wings look like they’re moving in slow motion. Some high-end cameras even reach 1/8000th of a second, practically freezing time itself. At these speeds, you’ll be able to catch every splash in a waterfall or every drop of sweat on an athlete’s brow.
How to Change the Shutter Speed
Most of the time, your camera is set to automatic mode, meaning it chooses the shutter speed for you. This is great for casual shooting, but if you want to unleash your inner Ansel Adams, it’s time to take the wheel. By the way, Ansel Adams was a notable American photographer in his time who developed innovative methods of photography.
Shutter Priority Mode (Tv or S): This semi-manual mode lets you set the shutter speed while your camera adjusts the aperture to get the right exposure. It’s perfect for when you want to control motion blur or freeze action.
Manual Mode (M): Here, you’re in full control of both the shutter speed and aperture. This mode is perfect for those who like to live dangerously—or at least take fully customized photos.
Even though modern cameras can automatically adjust shutter speed, taking control can lead to more creative shots. Use an extra-fast shutter to freeze motion or an extra-slow speed to capture artistic blurs.
As you can recall, a fast shutter speed does more than just capture a moment; it captures the moment with clarity and precision. Perfect for sports, wildlife, or any fast-moving subjects, a fast shutter speed lets you freeze action and focus on detail.
On the flip side, slow shutter speeds are your ticket to capturing motion blur, adding a sense of movement to your photos. This technique is fantastic for landscape photography, especially when you want to capture the silky flow of waterfalls or the movement of clouds across the sky.
Or, if you’re interested in photographing the night sky, a slow shutter speed is essential for capturing the faint light of stars and creating stunning images of the Milky Way. Just remember to use a tripod to avoid camera shake unless you’re going for that “abstract art” look.
Adjusting Brightness with Shutter Speed
Your camera’s shutter speed not only affects motion capture but also impacts the brightness of your photo. A fast shutter speed lets in less light, resulting in darker images, while a slow shutter speed allows more light, making the image brighter.
However, achieving the perfect exposure isn’t just about shutter speed. You also need to balance the aperture and ISO settings based on the natural light of the scene. Clouds, shadows, and even the time of day can affect how you set your shutter speed.
Finding Your Shutter Speed Settings
Locating your shutter speed setting is easy! Most cameras display it in the upper left corner of the top LCD screen (which is the usual camera screen for most digital cameras)
If you’re using the viewfinder, look at the bottom left. The display shows numbers like “500,” meaning 1/500th of a second. The higher the number, the faster the shutter speed. If your camera shows numbers without fractions (like “2”), it means you’re at a slower speed, around two seconds. So, remember: big numbers mean fast speeds, and quotation marks indicate seconds.
Here are some tips to leverage shutter speed creatively:
Motion Blur for Dynamic Shots
Intentional blur can inject a sense of movement into a still photograph. When shooting a race car, photographers often use a fast shutter speed to keep the car’s body sharp while allowing the tires to blur. This technique creates the impression of speed, making the car appear as though it’s racing down the track rather than parked.
Panning for Subject Sharpness
To make your subject stand out while the background blurs, try panning. This technique involves moving your camera along with the subject’s motion while using a slower shutter speed (around 1/30 to 1/60). With practice, panning can create striking images where the subject remains in focus against a streaked backdrop.
Long Exposure for Artistic Effects
Long-exposure photography allows you to blur motion while keeping other elements sharp. This technique is perfect for capturing the serene flow of waterfalls or the mesmerizing path of stars across the night sky. A tripod is essential for eliminating camera shake during long exposures, and a neutral-density filter can help prevent overexposure in bright conditions.
In other words, a neutral-density (ND) filter is a type of filter that reduces the intensity of all light colors equally, without changing their tone or color appearance. Some beginner photographers are not familiar with filters, but they’re very helpful camera accessories.
Also, you should check out this YouTube video for mistakes to avoid in your photography business.
ISO
ISO sensitivity is a standard set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), where sensitivity to light is represented by numerical values.
ISO settings determine your camera’s sensitivity to light, impacting the exposure and quality of your images. Understanding how ISO works will help you take control of your camera settings for optimal results.
Lower ISO values mean less sensitivity, ideal for bright conditions, while higher ISO values increase sensitivity, useful for low-light situations.
Low ISO (e.g., 100) produces clearer images with less noise (graininess). Use it when there’s plenty of light, like at a beach on a sunny day.
High ISO (e.g., 3200) is useful in dim lighting, but be cautious, as it has the potential to introduce noise into your photo, which will reduce the quality of the image and make it look fuzzy and blurry.
Quick Tip: Keep your ISO as low as possible for the best image quality. Crank it up only when necessary.
ISO Values and Their Impact
Each camera has a range of ISO values, starting with the base ISO, usually around 100. The scale typically doubles, such as 100, 200, 400, 800, and so on. A lower ISO, like 100 or 200, results in higher-quality images with minimal noise, making it ideal for sunny days or landscape photography.
Changing ISO Settings
Changing ISO varies by camera, but here are some general steps:
Manual or Priority Modes: Exit Auto mode and switch to Manual, Shutter Priority, or Aperture Priority.
Menu Adjustments: For entry-level cameras, adjust ISO via the quick menu.
Dedicated ISO Button: Higher-end models might have an ISO button for quick changes.
ISO Dial: Some cameras have a dedicated dial for ISO adjustments.
Consult your camera manual if you’re unsure how to change ISO settings quickly, especially important when shooting in varying light conditions.
Time management is also important in using ISO; watch this YouTube video to find out more.
Aperture
Aperture is like the pupil of your camera lens, controlling how much light enters. It’s measured in f-stops (f/1.8, f/3.5, etc.), and it’s your best friend when it comes to controlling depth of field—the part of the photo that’s in focus.
Wide aperture (low f-stop, e.g., f/1.8): Lets in more light and creates a shallow depth of field, perfect for portraits where you want the background to blur away like your embarrassing middle school yearbook photo.
Narrow aperture (high f-stop, e.g., f/16): Less light enters, giving you a deeper depth of field, ideal for landscapes where you want everything from the flowers at your feet to the mountains in the distance to be sharp as a tack.
Remember: A wide aperture means a lower f-stop number but higher light and more blur. It can be confusing, but practice makes perfect.
Effects of Aperture on Photography
Depth of Field: Lower f-stops (e.g., f/2.8) produce a shallow depth of field, blurring the background and highlighting the subject, perfect for portraits. Higher f-stops (e.g., f/8) increase depth, ideal for landscape photography where you want everything in focus.
Aperture and Shutter Speed: A large aperture (low f-stop) allows more light, enabling faster shutter speeds. Conversely, a small aperture (high f-stop) requires longer shutter speeds.
Choosing the Right Aperture
Portraits: Use a large aperture to separate the subject from the background.
Landscapes: Opt for a small aperture for maximum detail throughout the frame.
Intermediate Depth: Choose a mid-range f-stop, like f/5.6, for controlled depth of field.
Mastering these settings lets you creatively capture the world around you, whether freezing action, capturing motion blur, or ensuring sharpness from foreground to background. As you grow more comfortable with your camera, experiment with these settings to discover your photographic style and enhance your storytelling abilities through stunning images.
Check out these images of our merch and discover how to create a special photographic style for business products.
Conclusion
Mastering the three fundamental camera settings of the DSLR camera, also known as the exposure triangle—shutter speed, ISO, and aperture—empowers you to take control of your photography and create images that tell captivating stories.
As a beginner photographer, remember that photography is as much about curiosity and exploration as it is about technical skill. Also, check out our blog post on how to overcome common challenges in using a DSLR camera.
What new techniques are you excited to try in your own photography adventures?
