1. Setting the exposure using the histogram.

• The histogram is the screen on your camera that gives you an overall view of your camera system.  The best way to figure out your exposure is to look at the histogram rather than the LCD screen.

2. RAW

• Pictures can come in two forms, jpgs and a RAW file. Raw files are far better in quality than jpgs because a jpg is a compressed file of the photo and the RAW file gives you access to the full capabilities of your camera.

3. Selecting focusing points manually

• The camera will usually have automated focus points but they cant always be correct. learning how to change AF points will will improve the accuracy of your focusing points and help you take better shots.

4.  Learn all AF modes

• There is mainly three different AF modes which includes One-shot AF, Servo AF, and AI Autofocus. One-shot AF will stop refocusing after just one shot is taken. Servo AF will constantly be refocusing and amazing for taking candid photos of people moving quick.  AI focus will automatically switch one-shot to servo if it detects movement in frame.

5. Aperture Priority

• Aperture Priority gives you full control over the Aperture setting on your camera. this control is perfect for getting amazing depth in your shots.

6. Shutter Priority

• This mode is similar to Aperture Priority in the sense that it gives you full control of the shutter speed. This mode can be useful in low-light situations.

7. Control motion blur

• Motion blur occurs when you hold your camera and use to slow of a shutter speed. The max low speed to get a clear photo varies from photographer to photographer. Its good to find out what your lowest speed is.

8. Manual white balance

• Most cameras come with a preset white balance. It can do a good job but its better to look further into the white balance feature to get better photos for different lighting situations.

9. Drive modes

• There are three types of drive modes, Single-shot, Continuous Low, and Continuous High. Single-shot lets you take one shot at a time which is great for studio shoots and shoots you have complete control over. Continuous Low is good for portraits, its amazing for showing emotion. Finally Continuous High is for shooting sports, wildlife and anything that takes quick sudden moves.

10.  ISO

• ISO tells the camera about how much light to let into the lens. Low ISO is great when there’s a lot of light in an area. High ISO is good when there’s low levels of light.

11. Auto-ISO

• Most photographers don’t like using the Auto-ISO setting. Although it does help when shooting hand held it will increase or decrease the value in order to allow you to shoot with a shutter speed fast enough for hand held operation.

12. Exposure compensation

• Its a +/- scale that tells your camera to increase or decrease your exposure. Be cautious not to set it too high or low at first attempt. Its better to correct exposure gradually.

13.  Manual exposure

• The last step in being a photographer is learning how to use and have full manual control of your camera and each setting within your camera. Only then will you be able to use your cameras full potential.