New Camera Anatomy: 12 key camera settings to get you started right

jmeyer | Beginner | 26/12/2012 01:00am

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3. Image Size: Large

Most camera menus provide the option to shoot images at a range of sizes, or pixel counts. Smaller images take up less space on your memory card and are quicker to upload to Facebook etc, but to get the maximum benefit from your camera’s sensor you should select to shoot the largest images possible.

4. Exposure mode: Auto

Compact system cameras, DSLRs and high-end compacts offer a range of exposure modes – the method by which the correct exposure is set.

If you choose the Automatic option your camera will make the decisions for you so you can get shooting. If you would like to take a bit more control, however, try using one of the Scene mode options (Portrait, Landscape etc) that tailors the camera’s exposure and colour settings to suit the subject.

When you gain a bit more experience and confidence you may like to try using more advanced options like aperture priority and shutter priority.

In aperture priority mode you set the size of the aperture depending upon how big you want the area of the image that is in focus to be and the camera sets the shutter speed.

In shutter priority mode you set the shutter speed to freeze or blur, movement and the camera sets the aperture.

PAGE 1: Best settings for your new camera – format the card
PAGE 2: Best settings for your new camera – image quality
PAGE 3: Best settings for your new camera – image size and exposure mode
PAGE 4: Best settings for your new camera – sensitivity, white balance and metering
PAGE 5: Best settings for your new camera – focus mode
PAGE 6: Best settings for your new camera – drive mode and image stabilisation
PAGE 7: Best settings for your new camera – Picture Style/Control and colourspace