Use your camera instruction manual effectively. Don’t lose a great shot and valuable time trying to remember or figure out what your camera can do at a scene.
Do you recognize this situation? You are looking at the package containing your newly purchased digital camera, you unpack it, maybe take a look at the quick start guide, and after charging the battery immediately start playing with it without a second thought to the camera instruction manual.
It is clear that for many photographers reading the manual is not top priority and this is a big mistake.
Becoming familiar with it and learning to set your camera the way you want it instantly will make a big difference.
So if you have just bought a new camera or you have owned a camera for a while it’s time to take a closer look to the camera manual….
Typically the camera manual contains the following information with the appropriate illustrations:
Accessories supplied
Basic camera setup procedures like charging and inserting the battery pack, inserting memory card, setting the clock, attaching the camera strap, lens attachment….
Camera settings (from the simple to the more advanced and complex)
Troubleshooting procedures and precautions
There is no doubt; it can be quite confusing to digest all this information in one shot, especially the more technical stuff."
My suggestions:
1. Accessories
It seems like a logical step to make sure that all accessories have been supplied as specified, but you will be surprised how many in their enthusiasm just head right away to the shooting mode section only to find out later to their surprise that some vital parts are missing. Take time to confirm that all the bits and pieces that are mentioned in your camera manual are indeed present.
2. Basic setup
After charging the battery concentrate on the sections regarding basic set-up with the camera next to you. Try out all the basic setup functions on your camera. Pay special attention to the correct procedures to prevent any damage to your camera or missing precious shooting opportunities.
Basic setup procedures consist typically of:
Learning to insert your memory card (what is your memory capacity?)
Learning how to insert the battery, to charge the battery and to check the remaining battery charge
Learning how to attach the lenses
Learning how to set the clock, use the buttons, dials and other accessories
3. Camera settings and shooting modes
Now it’s now time for fun with a thorough review of the features.
With a digital camera you can take an unlimited number of pictures and delete those you don't like at the touch of a button. So take as many pictures as you consider necessary and become thoroughly familiar with your camera. You will be guided intuitively and fast to the right camera feature when required.
Start with an overview of all the features (don’t go into details yet).
Then decide which one you would like to explore. Read the entire information and find out how the settings change the appearance of your photos. Mark your manual's page(s) with a note for future reference (which will make it easier to find the exact information you need later on).
Whenever you feel comfortable with the feature it’s time to move on to the next one that interests you. Just follow the same procedures.
Practice every feature even if you are not going to use them with the same frequency, the important thing to remember is that when you need a particular feature you know where to find it instantly and how to use it.
After you have mastered all the features go out and start taking awesome pictures with your digital camera and have fun.
Note: If any particular digital photography term is not clear, do some research on the internet first.
4. Troubleshooting procedures and precautions
Although our main focus is taking pictures (after all that’s what bought our camera for) it is advisable to know at least where to find the troubleshooting information quickly and intuitively in our camera instruction manual. Do you know what to do when you are about to take a great shot and the camera power suddenly turns off?
And proper care of your camera is important as well. A dirty lens will certainly affect the quality of your image.
Keep the following in mind:
Using the Quick Setup Guide, although an easy way to get started, does not tell all the things you need to get the most out of the camera.
Don’t get stuck in this learning process. If something is not clear right away get back to it later on.
Some additional tips:
Take notes
Take notes as you advance as new ideas might emerge.
Knowledge and experience
Don’t forget to try out what you have already learned from courses, workshops, articles, and so on but also knowledge obtained from your own experience.
Additional information
Besides features and settings the instruction manual comes with a wealth of additional information about taking properly exposed photos.
Manufacturer’s website
Visit the manufacturer’s website for some additional and useful tips.
Laptop / Desktop computer
Keep a copy of the camera's manual right in your camera bag all the time. Have the electronic version of your manual saved on your desktop computer or laptop.
Have lost your manual or need information for any particular camera. No problem, almost every camera manufacturer has excellent online sources for camera manuals.
In addition take a look at some excellent free resources like:
Or "google" (or another search engine) with keyword "camera manual" and you are on your way.
Finally don’t be surprised if in this process you develop new ways of seeing the world around you through the viewfinder and this is definitely a good thing.
