This past Sunday, I got a chance to tag along on Kellie’s photography crash course with her friend Susan. Susan photographed our wedding ages ago, and I knew she’d give great tips and tricks.
Her photos are beyond amazing! She’s got a great eye for capturing moments and more importantly…emotions.
During our { lesson } Kellie wanted to focus more on how to properly take product photos for her new stationery line, Floof Bug. I just wanted to know how the heck to use my DSLR properly! hahaha!
This is my camera – Canon Rebel XS
and for reference…
* mode dial is set to Av
Here’s what we learned….
[ Aperture ]
The aperture is the size of your lens opening, which determines how much light enters your camera. The higher your aperture, the smaller the lens opening…thus, less light. It’s a lil’ confusing cuz you automatically think…well, a large number should coincide with more light, but it’s the opposite.
You want to use a higher aperture value if you’re in a dimly lit room, and a lower value for when you’re outdoors in the sun. But as Susan pointed out, sometimes that may not be the case. For the most part, that’s the rule of thumb…that, and just playing around with the aperture when you’re taking pictures, til you get the photo you’re happy with.
Also, you want to use a large aperture value if you want the background to blur and keep your subject separate/isolated. Sorta like when you are driving down a road and the sun is in your face and the road ahead of you becomes blurry from too much sunlight in your eyes….along that kind of thinking.
[ White Balance ]
I took these pictures during our session:
The left pic was taken before Susan adjusted the White Balance (it’s got a very blue hue) And the right pic was taken after she adjusted my white balance to the “Tungsten Light” setting. I can’t remember what setting I had it on before…but honestly, I didn’t even know what the heck it was, and that it was even there….eeep!
I did a lil’ more research online about white balance, and basically, it helps to keep your photos at the correct hue temperature. Keeping it from looking too warm (red) or too cold (blue).
For the most part, you can keep the setting on AWB (Automatic White Balance). But since Susan put my setting on the “Tungsten Light” setting, I’ll keep it there, hehe. Once I learn more, I’ll def. share with you guys!
[ Focal Point ]
When you point your camera towards a subject and press your shutter button halfway down, do you see that red light blinking?
That’s your focal point.
You can move that around!! I didn’t know that! What the heck! hehe
Just press this button, while you’re dial mode is either P or AV, and use the arrows to move your focal point. Easy!
[ Tidbits ]
We didn’t really touch on ISO this time around. But we did also talk about how to take vignette photos, product photos and some photoshop editing tips.
When taking product photos or lifestyle/vignette photos…use these white foam boards…
They reflect the natural light and help to make your photos brighter and more crisp.
If you find yourself taking a lot of arranged lifestyle shots, food shots or DIY photos, like myself, the foam boards are a must. I got mine at Michael’s for $1.50 each. Not bad at all.
There’s definitely a lot to learn when it comes to using a dslr, and I can’t believe I didn’t take a class sooner…especially since we’ve had this camera for 3 years now!
I’m still learning as I go, but I feel like I’ve got a better grasp on things now.
Editing photos on photoshop is a whole other big topic. One, that I want to devote a whole post to, so that I can show you how I edit my photos, and give you guys tips. So I’ll save that for later.
But so far, how’d my photog lesson work for you? Good? Confusing? Did I totally mess it up? Should I do more?
I wanna know your thoughts!
MORE Photography Posts:
Great 101. Aperture is always confusing especially when using the terms larger number or higher setting. I’d love to see a Photoshop 101 too. I’m using Aperture right now on my Mac. Good stuff on the foam boards too!
So glad u liked it EJ! I was worried I’d just confuse everyone! I was soo confused w/ aperture…but I’m slowly getting it now. I’m def gonna do a photoshop tutorial…basics to start with. I used to teach Photoshop and Illustrator, so I have lots of resources for all of you! =) XO
Great info! I have a DSLR also and have been so lazy to learn how to use it properly. I just want to press a button and be done lol….Love the tip on the foam board!
You bought it!! Yay! I know right?!! I just wanna press ONE button and be done, but it’s not gonna happen, hehe!! Good luck with it Faye!! XO
Great tips, Louise! Looking forward to more of these posts. I am slowly trying to figure out my DSLR, but there is so much to learn!
Glad you learned something from it Steph! Def gonna do more posts like this! It’s helping you guys out and me at the same time! XO
Great 101 tutorial!!! Thanks for sharing!
Thx Kristy! Always happy to share! I’m in the same boat as many of u ;P Glad to see you here! =) XO
Thank you for “dumming” this stuff down! I guess it would be easier to explain things to a newbie when you’re a newbie yourself, right?
I’ve read a lot of things on DSLR, and this is definitely on of the easier ones to understand!
Oh my goodness, yer so welcome Cassie! I seriously needed to dumb it down for myself hehe. I just can’t believe that I didn’t take a class sooner. I would be pro right now, if I had =P! Glad you found the post informative and easy to understand. Also, glad to see you here! =) XO
I am so lost when it comes to white balance, I always forget its on my camera!
I didn’t even know it was on there! hehe! Always nice to see u come by Kristina! =)
Fantastic notes, L! I’m currently learning how to use my camera too, and I’m really interested in doing more styling for my food photography (I tried a bit harder than usual on my cornbread post). It’s so much fun! The foam core boards are definitely on my list of products to purchase, especially since we don’t have great light in our condo. Thanks for giving me the reminder about those — I’ve been dragging my feet! xo
Thx J! I’ve been wanting to learn how to use it properly FOREVER! And yes!! I totally noticed your photog skills on that post! I’m no photographer, but I really liked the juxtaposition a, the shadow and the colors in your pics! I used to think that it’s better if you include the whole object in a pic..but I like the effect that cropping has on pics…artistic almost! Isn’t it fun!!! I tried the foam boards today, and they are wonderful!! Totally makes a diff!! Now you DEF gotta go to Michael’s!! hehe! Glad this post was useful J! It was useful to me, just typing it up…helped me to remember what I learned! =) XO
I always love a photography lesson, we can never stop learning; there’s so much to know!
Coming from a FAB photographer like you, I guess the advice I gave was correct! hehe Thx Smita!! There is a lot to know!! Crazy! I don’t know how u guys do it!! XO
Great post! I’m new to photography too!
Thx lady! So much too learn! XO
I am so happy I found this
I stumbled upon it on Pinterest and JUST got my new DSLR camera yesterday for Christmas. 
very helpful for a newbie!
And I’m so happy that it is very useful for you! So glad you stumbled upon my blog…looking forward to chatting w/ you more Chrissy! And congrats on that new camera of yours…you’re one lucky lady!! XO
This was so great! Thanks so much. I just got my first DSLR and I am dying to learn all that I can about how to use it. I’d love to see some more posts from you. Photoshop 101 would be fantastic!
Hi Angela, so glad this post was very useful for you! I’ve gotten several requests to continue these 101 lessons, so I’ll def keep doing them! I’ve been learning more about my camera recently, so I’ll share all that info also! Thanks for taking the time to look around! Looking fwd to chatting w/ u more =) XO
thanks for the wonderful blog I bought cannon t3i a few months ago and love it. I can’t wait to learn all the things it will do.
Hi Penni, thanks for stopping by! So glad that this post is useful for you! I’ll def be adding more informative posts about photography & photoshop! Lookin fwd to seeing you around here more often! XO
No kidding I just got this same camera for Christmas!!(Canon Rebel)And I didn’t know what the heck I’m doing. SOOO happy I stumbled on your basic 101 help. Thanks so much!Love your web-page!
I’m so glad this post could help you Lydia! I’m gonna be adding more photog how to’s, i’ll keep ya posted! Thx for the love =) XO
another great post can’t wait to see what all you have for us.
hehe, u gonna join us in one of the following months?! It’ll be great to have u as a Project Brown Bag contributor Penni!! XO
Definitly do more post like this! I have the exact same camera as what is in the picture & I have had mine for a little over 2 years & I still don’t know how to use everything on it. Your post was most definitly helpful! Please do more(:
Hi Sheila! Will do! Cuz I’m actually learning while I’m teaching u guys too =) There’s a link about ISO, at the bottom of this post I did recently…it sheds some light on the subject. So glad u stopped by! Look forward to seeing u around!! XO
Thanks for this! It’s great information. I cannot hear this enough times. Maybe now I’ll actually remember this stuff! (Saw this on pinterest and am re-pinning!)
Hi Martha, so glad you enjoyed this post! Isn’t it funny how we hear the info all the time, but it doesn’t sink in, til much later?! I had my camera for 3 years til I actually sat down and started learning how to properly use it! hehe So happy u stopped by! Looking forward to seeing u around more often! XO
thanks for this! was super easy to read too! i loved how you laid it out! look forward to learning about editing. i know nothing about “sizing” photos!
That is great to hear! I’m happy that it was easy to understand! That might just be my next photography 101 post…editing. It’s so easy, it’ll blow your mind! Stay posted! So glad you stopped by Shef! XO
love it when someone explains something i can understand lets see more
Thx Connie! I’m glad you’re able to use this tutorial! There’s a link about ISO at the bottom of this post. Enjoy! xo
OMG! Louise, I cannot thank you enough for posting this! I just happened to see it on PInterest and what a blessing! I have had my Canon Rebel for 3 years now and have taken a million pics. I love it! Always wanted to learn more, just too lazy I suppose. With 2 new grand-babies I have become the paparazzi G-Ma! Your simple tips are incredible. Did you post any more? I would love to read them. Short and sweet yet full of great info, thanks again.
Grateful new grandma!
I’m so glad this post has been so useful for you Sara! I’ll continue to post more tips! It’s helping me at the same time too!=) xo
I have a Nikon D5100 – anyone know what the equivalent of the “Tungsten” is on a Nikon??
I have a Nikon D3100, on mine it says WB and it’s just a picture of a lightbulb hanging with what seems to be ‘light’ coming out of it. Small lines like if a child drew a picture of the sun and put the rays coming out of it. Hope that helps.
I so wish I could find a way to print this and keep it in my camera case. I couldn’t have asked for better written instructions. Thank you so much!
You are soo welcome Amy!! I think you can do a screen print…if not, let me know I’ll email you a .pdf file
xo
I have a Canon T2i and I feel that it’s almost a crime to have such a great camera and not know how to work/understand it. Thank you for this post! It provided me with insight on photography basics. I love your helpful hints that are practically “instructions” that are so simple to understand. Great use of photos to help the learner understand these concepts
Thank you much!
haha, it is such a crime Jessika! Glad you are enjoying my “instructions”!! you are very welcome! xo
Love your post. I’m shopping for a new camera but not sure what to buy. Want a DSLR with a good lens. I don’t need video if that’s possible. I’m just starting out and your information was extremely helpful. Thanks lana
You are so very welcome Lana! Did you end up buying the same Canon? xo
You should adjust your white balance setting every time you’re in a new location. Tungsten will only work for some kinds of indoor light. If you use Tungsten outside, your pictures will be really blue.
For outside shots, you could set it to either “sunny” or “shade.”
Unless you’re using auto white balance, then you should be adjusting your WB a lot– or your pictures are going to look either too cool or too warm.
Thanks for this Katie! I’ve been learning WB as I go. It’s definitely a setting you need to adjust regularly. I think I’ll do a tutorial on that next! xo
when i changed my white balance to“Tungsten Light” it made my pictures look blue like your before.. anything im doing wrong??
Hi Karlie, you’re not doing anything wrong! =) You just have to play with your white balance settings depending on your surroundings. There are settings specifically for shade, daylight, cloudy, white fluorescent, tungsten, flash and custom. Play with each setting til you find the one that gives you the look you want. I’m thinking “white balance” might be my next tutorial. Since this post, I’ve learned quite a bit about white balance. Let me know if you have more questions! Always happy to help! xo
Helpful. Thx. Will be following.
Happy this post helped Shelley! Thx for following! xo
Finally…a tutorial that makes perfect sense! Thank you so much for this. I am very much self taught and found my way around my camera “winging it” for the most part and finding what worked, but this has really helped confirm a lot of what I’ve been doing as correct and showed me exactly where I’ve been going wrong.
So appreciate the post. Thank you for sharing.
I’m soo happy this post is very helpful for you Carla! You are very welcome! Hope to see you around more! I’m planning more tutorials similar to this one =) xo
this is fantastic thank you and keep them coming! ive had my cannon rebel t21 since the fall and still cant even figure out how to get it to record vids for longer then 4 seconds without auto shutting off and my pics leave a lot to be desired for such a magnificent piece of equipment. thank you for this!
You are most welcome Tamrissa! Have fun w/ yer camera!
Teaching is a great way to learn and a sweet way to give.
Both Aperture and Shutter Speed are expressed in terms of fractions. Both control how light enters the camera. An aperture (f/stop) of 2 is bigger than 8 because 1/2 is bigger than 1/8. Aperture controls Depth of Field. With Shutter Speeds, 1000 is faster than 30 because 1/000 of a second is faster than 1/30 of a second. Shutter Speed controls Motion.
Julie, u are so awesome! Thank you for this mini tutorial! I thank you, and I’m sure everyone else does too! xo
We just bought our camera Dec. 2013, I think the key to learning about your camera is to play,play,play with it. Ive read a lot of tutorials on pinterest along with yours and they are all very helpful and much simpler to understand. Im constantly taking pictures, I drive my family crazy!! Its all in fun and im learning.
oops I meant to say Dec. 2012
hehe, I didn’t even notice! xo
Yess…doing is learning! I’m glad my post was helpful for you! Shoot away Tracy! xo
Just got my Canon DSLR last weekend and I really enjoyed your 101! I hate reading manuals, and your tips were just what I needed
Thank you for posting that, it has helped me alot.
Thanks for the info! You made a lot of sense for such a beginner like me. I have just decided to try my hand at photography! I have a very basic camera. I have a Nikon Coolpix L120. I have a lot to learn so any info you provide will most definitely be helpful : )
Very helpful! As a baby, brand new blogger, I just got my Cannon Rebel Ti a few months ago. I love it and am loving learning how to use it better every day! Great tips here in easy language. Thank you!
I finally read this after pinning it a few weeks ago. This was a much needed break down. And I’m feeling like a big dork for buying such a nice camera and not knowing any of this. Thanks for the much needed 101!
Thanks for sharing, very informative…….
These are really great TIPS! thanks for posting, I will start applying. Keep posting, love your post. Very clear for beginners like me!!
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I’ve taken pics all my life & continue to learn daily. And I’ve learned again today! Thx so much for this info! Great post & thx for breaking it down so easily that I, and many others can understand it! I look forward to seeing more!
Thx Melissa! I’m happy to hear that it was very helpful for u! Will do more photo tutorials in the future…definitely! xo