Afraid

Don't Be Afraid!

The first time you pick up your digital camera (OK, the first 50 times!), you may feel overwhelmed and overcome by a deep-seated certainty that you are about to destroy this little black monster you are holding in your hands. You will also know, without a doubt, that it is much smarter than you are! Just taking a glance at the manual will reassure you of that fact. But, there is no reason to fear! Take the following list to heart and you should be best friends with that "sweet" little black (or pink, or red, or purple) piece of technology. It will open up a whole new world for you. In fact, you will start seeing old, familiar things in a totally different light. So, "buck up", "grin and bear it", "chin up" and read the list below.

1. Do not be afraid! You have a brain - it doesn't (not yet!). Your are bigger than it is. You hold it's ultimate destiny in your hands. You have the power to pack it up in it's little box and hide it away until your heirs dig it out of your deep, dark closet. By that time it will be an antique!

2. The camera manual is your friend. Yes, as confusing as it is, that little book of tables, diagrams and strange abbreviations can (and will) unlock the secrets to your camera - if you just study it. In this digital age, your manual may also come on a CD. In that case, install it. Otherwise, you DON'T have to install all of the programs that come on your CD to make your camera work. It will work perfectly fine even it never comes close to a computer.

3. Learn the lingo. Just like any other vocation or hobby, photography has its own special words, abbreviations and icons (those funny little pictures that show up on your camera screen). Many of these are not camera specific. You just need to know them in order to understand your camera. Research online or buy a good photography book. Spend some time digesting terms like aperture, shutter and exposure.

4. Get real friendly with your camera's menus. This can be one of the most confusing things about a good digital camera. You are inundated with choices you never even knew existed. It makes you think about what kind of light you are shooting in (light is light, right? No,.....there is fluorescent, tungsten, sunlight...you get the picture). It can even be difficult to get your camera to recognize what century it is, let alone what year or month or day it is. "Fiddle" with your menus until you know where each one lives and the consequences of saying "yes" or "no". If that frightens you, read item Number 5 below.

5. Find the "reset " option on your camera's menu. This will return your camera to the default setting that came with your camera when it appeared on your doorstep. This nifty choice allows you to "mess up" your camera time after time without you (or your camera) suffering the dire consequences. Hint: This option is usually found in your "settings" menu.(See Number 6.)

6. Realize that there are different types of menus. Once you get this straight, you will know which menu to head for to make any changes that you deem necessary. Manufacturers have tried to be helpful by listing options by groups. A very simple (or old) digital camera may have only two menus. "Settings" and "Shooting". (Sounds fatal, doesn't it?) It is pretty obvious that anything that has to do with dates, language, volume, power-saving, etc. is in the "Settings" menu. (remember that your nifty "reset" option usually resides here). Anything that has to do with how you want your camera to record your picture is in the "Shooting" menu. Of course, many cameras now have a "Playback" menu and a "Printing" menu (at least).

7. Start easy. If you have never worked with digital photography, start out on the "Auto" or "Heart" mode. This allows the camera to make all of the decisions for you - except for choosing and framing your picture. In most circumstances this will work out very well. Even experienced photographers may fall back on this option when shooting things like family reunions or the grandkids.

8. Don't try to digest everything all at once. Learn your camera one step at a time. When you have mastered taking photos in the "Auto" mode, move on to the "Aperture Priority" mode. Learn that well then move on to "Shutter Priority". Don't hurry. Enjoy the journey. Photography should be all about fun and enjoyment.

9. Explore your world. Take more than just the family on vacation. Look for unusual angles and items to shoot. Even familiar articles can look awesome if taken close up or from a totally different viewpoint. Start seeing great pictures as you drive down the road or walk in your backyard. Try to take a picture of a butterfly or a bee. Check out the historical buildings downtown. Just keep looking and keep shooting. Remember the old adage "practice makes perfect". Well, that applies to photography, too.

10. Most of all HAVE FUN! I can't say it enough, photography should be fun and fulfilling. So, pick up that camera, turn it on, and start shooting. What is there to lose?