The Super Beginner’s Guide To DSLR Cameras

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This post is part of the #BetterBlogging series.

Do you have a blog that you want to spice up with some amazing blog photography? Professional photos can make your blog draw traffic faster than the very best written work can.  You can take some spectacular pictures all by yourself, but you will need some specific equipment to complete the task. For example, you need to have a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera.

A few years ago, I ditched my point and shoot camera for a DSLR and it was the best investment I ever made. My photos are now more life-like and extraordinary because they contain elements, lighting and positions that captures my photos beautifully. I learned the best photography tips throughout my blogging years and today, I would like to share what I’ve learned with all you novices out there.

A DL What?

If you’re a complete newbie who knows nothing about regular cameras or DSLR cameras, you can still learn how to take some unbelievable blog photography. A DSLR camera is different from a regular digital camera in that it is more customizable and advanced in its technology. With a DSLR, you can change lenses and adjust features such as shutter speed, aperture and more. DSLR cameras are known for having faster response times than other types of DSLRs, too. The first thing you will need to start your blog photography journey is a good DSLR such as the Canon Rebel T6i.

The Canon Rebel T6i for a Perfect Start

The Canon Rebel T3i was my first starter camera and it was great. Very simple to use, took some amazing photography (examples here and here), and it was inexpensive compared to others. As much as I love the Canon Rebel T3i, it’s an older, discontinued model from the Canon Rebel series. If you’re looking to buy your first DSLR, I would recommend the Canon Rebel T6i as an excellent starter camera for several reasons. First, it’s not so expensive that it’s going to break your wallet in half. Some DSLRs will, but this unit is a fair one. Second, you may be able to grab one for an amazing deal if you get it from an auction site. If you look in the right place, like this deal on Amazon, you can purchase one that comes with a bag, tripod, memory card, screen protector, various lenses and more. Third, it has more features than the Canon Rebel T3i such as autofocus, higher resolution, faster RAW and JPG shooting, touchscreen, lighter weight, built-in wifi and more.

The following are some tips that can help you to get better with blog photography once you are ready to start snapping to your heart’s content:

1. Start Snapping Immediately

You can start taking pictures this instant if you want to. All you need to know to get started is the basic rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is a rule that will help you in the area of photographic composition. What you want do is try to imagine the image in your viewfinder as if it is in thirds horizontally and vertically. You should be able to see the picture as if it has nine parts to it, and you should be able to visualize some intersections that will help you to balance your picture. Place the points of interests in your intersection area when you go to shoot your picture, and you will have a better chance of ending up with something precise.

2. Shoot in Natural Light

Natural light is one of the best sources that you can use for your pictures. Once you learn how to manipulate it to your advantage and avoid glare, you will be well on your way to wowing people with some of the pictures you take. One of the beginner’s biggest problems with using natural light is that they fear the glare. Practice makes perfect in this area. You can have a beautiful and balanced picture in no time, and it will not have an artificial feel to it at all. When you start practicing more, you will learn how to use shadows to your advantage, as well.

3. Invest in a Lens

You will want to eventually invest in a good lens for your DSLR. Have you ever noticed a recipe photo on Pinterest or a well-known food blog where the food is in focus and everything else is blurred out? That’s called a “bokeh effect” and this 50 mm lens is what I use to get that. Lenses also give your unit additional dimensions of versatility. Some of the things that a good lens can give you are better image quality, faster frame rates, faster turn on and turn off times, functional design and additional creativity. You can invest in additional lenses as you grow financially. You may be able to acquire a vast amount of lenses within a bundle if you buy your camera from an establishment that offers a lot of bargains.

4. Shoot in RAW Instead of JPG

Use the RAW setting instead of JPG when you first start taking pictures. You can gain control over how your image appears if you take it in the raw form. You will have to process it with some software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, but it will be worth it for sure.

5. Get a Tripod

A tripod is another important piece of equipment for blog photography because it can give you a sense of stability when you are taking professional pictures. A tripod is good for those situations that involve moving objects, as well. The tripod will brace the camera so that you get no slack when you want to stay firm. If you still have some reservation about using a tripod, think of it this way: You can get some great sunset shots with a tripod. As mentioned earlier, you may be able to get your tripod in a bundle with your camera if you shop smart.

6. Use Manual Mode Instead of Auto

Your camera should have settings that allow you to choose the manual mode for taking pictures instead of using the automatic mode. The reason that you will want to use the manual mode is so that you can tweak the settings to your perfection. You can change the settings for aperture, shutter speed and ISO to your liking. All those settings will allow you to get a good shutter speed for taking your picture. The aperture is the way light passes through the camera. It can make your background blurry or sharp. The shutter speed is, of course, how fast the shutters open and close. For a detailed explanation on ISO, aperture, and shutter speed, check out this post.

7. Get a Headstart with the Ultimate Photography Bundle 2018 Kit

Alright, one last thing, I promise! If you really want a helping hand when it comes to photography and taking it to the next level, then I’d definitely recommend the Ultimate Photography Bundle 2018 Kit. It’s great for beginners, hobbyists, and momtographers and will give you the guidance you want and need so you’re not struggling for months on end.

As you can see, there is a LOT to learn about your camera. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of this, you are one of those that will benefit most from this bundle! You’ll learn how to master your camera, take better photos, edit and organize your photos, earn money with your photography, and there’s many cool bonuses too!

Here’s a quick overview of what’s included in this brilliant bundle that’s valued at: $5,030.63:

• 26 ebooks
• 21 ecourses
• 1 membership site
• and 10 tools (like presets and templates)!

I’m excited about this bundle and getting it into people’s hands to help them learn the skills they need to take photos they’re proud of! The launch date is February 26th, 2018 to March 2nd, 2018. Once it closes, you’ll have to wait another year before it opens again and at $97, it’s far less expensive than taking photography classes.

Click here if you like to check out the Ultimate Photography Bundle and become a better photographer. It’s so worth it!

Conclusion

You will be well on your way to becoming an awesome blog photographer by trying the above-mentioned tips. Remember that practice makes perfect in any situation. All you need to do is keep practicing, and you will become an expert very soon. Have a wonderful time shooting your pictures and jazzing up your blog.