It is indicated by some numbers like 1/10, 1/200, 1/4000, 1/2 etc. Basically it is always calculated by the fraction of a second, which means, 1/2000 shutter speed indicates the single unit of the time which we will get if we break 1 second into 2000 equal units.

• Faster the speed of shutter, the sensor will be less exposed to the light. Faster shutter speeds are often required to capture very fast moving subjects like a panther chasing a deer or a formula one car at its top speed.
• Fast shutter speed is one of the key things to freeze a subject which is a quintessential part of Sports Photography or Wildlife Photography.
• Typically, a highest shutter speed in an entry level to mid-level DSLR camera is 1/4000 which extends to 1/8000 in the professional DSLR bodies.
• A slow speed is also a very much handy tool for creative photography. When you are at a place with low light, it is necessary that the image sensor is exposed for a long time to capture your picture perfect image. Suppose you are eager to capture the Taj Mahal on a moonlit night, then the slow speed is the main thing which is going to help you to get your dream image.
• It is treated as a slow one when it became 1/10 or slower than that though there is no hard and fast rule for defining slow ones.
• Main obstacle often photographers face while handling a low light environment with a slow speed is the blurred effect in image known as motion blur and camera shake.
• The motion blur is caused by anything (a car or a person) which was in motion during the exposure time. A slightest movement in someone’s body can also cause a motion blur when you are capturing images in slow shutter speeds. So, be aware of movement during shooting. But this motion blur could be interesting and an effective tool for creativity if you can handle it efficiently and intelligently.
• The camera shake is caused by the movement of body or parts of the body of the photographer. Though you might think that it is very little and nominal, but your high precision DSLR treats it huge like you treat the earthquake. To eliminate this problem, a sturdy tripod must be used.
• A remote shutter release cable with a sturdy tripod is the best combination when you are planning to capture photographs at night with slow and long shutter speeds.
• The slowest one in almost every DSLR camera is 30secs, after which it gives an option known as “BULB”, in which the shutter remains open as long as the shutter release button is pressed.

Find out how to play with the shutter speed. You may choose to snap a quick picture or choose a slower exposure to capture a flow or movement in its entirety. You’ll have to experiment with this and discover what type of speed matches specific situations. This is a question of personal style instead of a general rule to follow.

It is possible to allow the camera pick the proper white balance for any particular environment, but sometimes the camera will get it wrong and the photo will look washed out.

If you’re having difficulty holding your camera straight, purchase a tripod. A tripod will go a long way in helping to keep your camera in position, so that you can focus on other variables aside from balance. Tripods work great if you’re in the wilderness or in an irregular terrain.

Use a fantastic lens to have a better image quality. It is possible to make artistic pictures with any sort of equipment if you work hard and adapt your style to your gear. But getting a fantastic lens opens up more possibilities.

Make use of lines to draw the viewer’s eye to the photograph. If done properly, the lines themselves may even be an interesting subject themselves. The use of lines in photography is a complex topic, but the most important issue to consider is they should draw you in, not push you apart.

You can do a lot to change the quality of your pictures by adjusting the focus of this shot. This doesn’t always need to be in the middle of the photo. Getting your subject in the lower right hand or left hand corner, as an instance, can increase dramatic aspects of your picture.

You may move the subject around so you can get a shot you find interesting. Depending upon the impression you wish to convey, try shooting your subject from different sides or from above and below.

Patterns can be an excellent design motif if you use them properly. You will find patterns on almost anything. You can locate them on lots of clothes, in design, and even in character.

Camera Bag

Hauling your camera and its accessories around can be quite distressing if you lack the proper way to carry it. A camera bag eliminates all the hassle. Acquiring one should be based on how much equipment you have. Shoulder bags are the go-to choice for most as they offer easy access to the camera. It is likely that you will buy filters, flashes and lenses down the road and having a safe place to keep these will matter. Besides, a bag will shelter your camera from dust and rain.

Utility Strap

Holding on to your camera for the entire length of your photography session can be quite tiresome. If you need to use your hands, you are compelled to lay down your camera, which exposes it to damage and theft. This conundrum can be solved by investing in a utility strap. It will ensure the camera is close to you at all times. It is especially recommended since it eliminates all risk of you accidentally dropping your expensive DSLR.

Tripod

Tripods are awkward to carry around, but their usefulness cannot be understated. It is a must have if you want to capture the most stead shots. You might not use it every time you are taking pictures, but it is very important that you have it with you. Aluminum tripods are good and sturdy, but also heavier to carry around. Carbon fibre ones are lighter, but also more expensive to buy.

These are the most important accessories to start out with. You might also want to think about lenses, density filters, flash diffusers and flashes as well if you want to make the most of your photography experience. The cumulative cost for a one-off purchase for all these can be quite high, so it makes sense to start out with what you will need for your kind of photography (nature, weddings, etc). The abundance of proprietary stores online should make it easier to find something that works with your needs, and budget.

Cleaning the lens

This is the first step to keeping the camera in good condition. Camera lenses are expensive accessories that need to be taken care of. A very soft cloth must be used to clean the surface of the lens to avoid scratches. Only use products that are specifically made for lens cleaning; never use a tissue or the bottom of your shirt to wipe the lens. It is better to stick to cleaning materials that are recommended by the manufacturer. These are available in a reliable camera shop or photography establishment.

Always make some time to clean the lens using a lens cleaning solution and special cleaning tissues. Make it a habit to apply the solution on the cleaning tissue instead of pouring it directly on the lens. This is to ensure that the solution does not drip inside the camera parts.

Cleaning the body of the camera

After cleaning the lens, work on the body of the camera using a soft dry cloth. Use a blower brush to remove grime in hard to reach parts. Never blow on your camera with your mouth; doing so will result to moisture accumulation and will be harder to clean.

Cleaning the filter on mirror lockup

There are times when tiny dust particles get trapped on the low pass filter covering the image sensor. When this happens, it is a must that you clean the filter as the dust will be seen in the images when they are left in there. You have to be extra careful when cleaning the filter for it is a very delicate part.

Although the process may sound tricky, you can do it at home. First, you have to set the camera on mirror lock. Ensure that the battery has full power to make it last till you are done cleaning the filter. This is to avoid the closing of the mirror when the battery goes dead while you are in the process of cleaning the filter.

Remove the lens of the camera. Make sure that a blower is nearby to blow off the dust. Go to the set up menu, select the mirror lock up option then follow the instructions displayed on the screen. The mirror will not close when you press the shutter release button. It will only close when the camera is switched off or loses power. Look for dirt that is clogging the filter by holding the camera under a bright light. If you see the dirt, turn the device downwards and use the blower to remove the dirt. Never touch the filter nor try to clean it with a cloth. If the dirt cannot be removed by blowing, you are left with no option but to bring the camera to a service station.

Read the manual. I know this is not fun… but actually, it kinda is. Try it!Visual learner? Hit YouTube. There are LOADS of videos on your new camera I’m certain. Surely you will learn all kinds of new stuff about your new gear there.Pick up a book that specifically your new camera. I own these two for my bodies.

• David Busch’s Nikon D800
• David Busch’s Nikon D4

After you have a good grasp of how your camera operates get out and shoot. Assign yourself some basic assignments. Create a list of photography projects that you have a specific interest in. Make sure you set a time frame and limit as well. Set deadlines. I have no idea why, but it makes all the difference. Join and participate in photography forums and especially ones that will offer member feedback and critiques. Get some think skin, and take the harsh comments for what they are. Submit your best work to photography contests. You can literally do this everyday and not run out of contests to submit to. Ask friends and family to let you give them a “professional” photo session. Take them out to a local, scenic location, preferably in late afternoon.

Stop by our blog to read our super short but helpful daily blog and archives of DSLR photography tips, tricks and lessons learned from a professional wedding and event photographer. I literally blog from my iPhone. Ensures I keep it short and sweet. Are you a Pro? Great! You’ll still get some useful and applicable nuggets. Promise!