Your DSLR Camera

There is a manual that comes with every camera. Your first chore should be to read that thing. It is loaded with more information than you need (which is why most people do not read it... it will get the most hyperactive person ready for a nap).

The first thing you should pay attention to are the most basic of settings - Basic Zone Modes.

* Full Auto -- this isn't really a basic mode setting. It is, however, THE basic setting. The photographer allows the camera to use its artificial intelligence to make all the settings to produce the final photo. It's OK if you are in a real hurry, but it takes all the fun and creativity out of the photography experience.
* Landscape Mode -- produces vivid, contrasty colors. It is best used with a wide angle lens and a tripod. Flash is disabled (the flash would be useless in a true landscape shot because the main focus area is usually too far away for the flash to be effective).
* Portrait Mode -- the camera will set itself at a very wide aperture causing blurry backgrounds. Try to focus on the eyes of your subject because there is a very limited depth of field in portrait mode. Also use a semi-telephoto lens, say somewhere between 50 and 200 mm to get the right background blur. Skin tones are rendered smooth and flattering.
* Sports Mode -- your camera goes into A-1 Servo, or continuous focus, when in Sports mode. As you move the camera to follow the subject, the camera adjusts the focus to stay with your chosen subject.
* Macro (or Close-Up) Mode -- use the macro mode to get extremely short focal distance. It is good for photographing butterflies, solitaire flowers, and other small items of interest. The camera is usually very close to the subject.
* Night Portrait mode -- Useful for taking portrait images in very low light. Tripod is recommended because of slow shutter speeds necessary to let in enough light. Fill flash will activate to create a natural light look, as if the subject is lit by surrounding night lights.
* Flash Off Mode -- Great for getting more natural light photos. or when the use of a flash is prohibited. Tripods are definitely a must when taking night photos with the flash off.

Switching between Zone Modes can produce some spectacular images. Just keep in mind that when you dial in a Zone Mode, you are allowing the camera to have the final say in about what your image will look like. You have given up most of the control over the results produced by pressing the shutter button.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/