Introduction to
DSLRs

Meet and greet

Get to know your mentor, and they’ll get to know you!

Introduction to DSLRs & Mirrorless Cameras

The course commences with an introduction to DSLR and mirrorless cameras. In this lesson you will develop an understanding of the basics of how DSLR’s and mirrorless cameras operate, and if available you will have access to both types of cameras. You will also be introduced to interchangeable lenses and we’ll discuss how lenses work.

It is through understanding the mechanics of cameras and lenses that you will work toward developing an understanding of exposure.

Getting exposed: The Exposure Triangle

The foundation of digital photography rests on the exposure triangle, and it is in this lesson you will be introduced to all three. This introduction will develop into an understanding of the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and ISO.

Exercise: Your exercise at the end of this lesson will be to photograph subjects modifying aperture, shutter speed and ISO, and visually learning how these change the image.

Lenses: Focal Range and Focal Length

In this lesson you will learn the terms focal range and focal length and how these relate to lenses and in turn depth of field. You will also be introduced to focal length dependent composition – choosing compositions with the lens you have at hand.

Exercise: Your exercise for this lesson will be to observe how the focal range of a lens enhances and limits your creativity. You will also be quizzed on lens selection for differing types of photography (we’ll go easy on you!).

Focal Plane and Depth of Field

You’re understanding of the exposure triangle will progress into understanding the focal plane, and most importantly depth of field. Modifying aperture, adjusting focal length and your relative position to the subject you’ll see how the focal plane changes and how the depth of field increases and narrows.

Exercise: You’re exercise here will be two-fold. Firstly you’ll shoot a series of photos adjusting aperture to modify the depth of field. You’ll also experiment with recomposing your shots, a topic that will be discussed further on in more detail.

Camera Modes: Manual, Shutter and Aperture

The camera modes lesson plan is a direct step forward from understanding the exposure triangle. Taking what you’ve learned about aperture, shutter speed and ISO, you will learn to identify which of these your camera is capable of shooting, and how you differentiate when one mode might be selected over another.

White Balance

Light is a tricky thing for a camera that lacks the complexity of how humans perceive light and colour. 

In this lesson you will develop an understanding of white balance, how this is determined by your camera, and when manual selection is preferred. We will also introduce you to the Kelvin scale of colour temperature. 

Exercise: In this exercise you will experiment with your cameras white balance,modifying the white balance options available and visually observing how this affects your image.