Louis Assoulin Explains A Dslr Camera’s Three Most Important Settings

By Author: Dean Phillips
Total Articles: 8
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Many people buy a DSLR camera because they want to take better pictures. When they snap test photos, though—well, it’s safe to say that the results won’t give Annie Leibovitz a run for her money.

The truth of the matter is, DSLRs produce better photos because they allow for greater customization of shots. This also means that your digital single-lens reflex camera is considerably more complex than the point-and-shoot one you replaced it with. If you want to take exhibit-worthy pictures, you have to master all the settings, modes, and dials your new camera has. Luckily, retailer Louis Assoulin explains the three most important settings of DSLR cameras: ISO, aperture, and shutter speed:

ISO

The ISO setting determines the image sensor’s sensitivity to light. Most cameras come with ISOs of 100, 200, 400, and 800, though some reach as high as 1,600. Generally speaking, the brighter the shot, the lower your ISO setting should be. For instance, if you’re taking an outdoor photo on a clear summer day, the ideal ISO should be around 100 or 200. On the other ...
... hand, if the weather is overcast or if you’re taking a night shot, a higher ISO of about 800-1600 will be necessary. It’s not uncommon for grainy pictures to result at these levels, though, but they can be cleaned up during post-processing.

Aperture

Do you want to create an image wherein the foreground is sharp but the background is blurry? Or do you want a shot where both the foreground and the background are crisp and clear? Whichever effect you’re going for, you’ll have to adjust your camera’s aperture setting to achieve it. For quick reference, the higher the aperture (indicated as “F” on your camera), the more focused the image will be, and vice versa.

Shutter Speed

The shutter speed describes how long the shutter is held open so that light can reach the image sensor. Shutter speed is measured in fractions of seconds, as in 1/500 or 1/2, and experimenting with different speeds can yield interesting results. If you want to catch moving objects in detail (like rain drops, for example), increase the shutter speed so they appear frozen in time. Alternatively, if you want an image where the details merge (as with running river water), slow down the shutter speed.

Entrepreneur Louis Assoulin says that by taking these three principles to heart, you can immediately improve the quality of pictures you take with your new DSLR. For more tips, also read this helpful article from thephotographerblog.com/tips-for-dslr-beginners/.