You have just purchased a state of the art digital SLR camera, or maybe you have owned one for a short time and feel a little uncomfortable with the multitude of controls and settings that present themselves to you. Maybe you are also a novice in the field of photography anyway. It is said that photography is one of the most difficult and demanding hobbies. It can also be one of the most expensive too. Therefore it is essential that you know the equipment in your hands thoroughly before doing anything else. Now when I say thoroughly, I don't mean knowing about every single setting in depth, but what I do mean is knowing what you are doing when you are pointing that thing at whatever you are pointing it at.
First Step - explore the camera.
Sit down somewhere quiet and just look at it. Turn it over in your hands examining every side of the camera so that you get an idea of where controls are - not necessarily what they do, but where they are located on the camera body. Ask yourself questions. "Where is the on/off switch? " "Where is the shutter release? " "Does the LDC preview screen flip out? " Find out where the battery compartment is, and locate where the memory card is inserted. Check out the lens and identify the auto/manual focus mode switch. Does the lens have image stabilization? All of these questions may sound quite elementary but they are important to get familiar with your photographic companion.
Second Step - Read the Manual.
I am not saying read the manual from cover to cover before expecting to be tested on its contents! Your camera manual though is a valuable item that should be carried wherever your camera goes. It is a reference book. One that helps you out of trouble in the field when you ask yourself, "Now how do I do that again? " I carry mine in my camera bag all the time and no matter how long I have had the camera, or how much I think I know, I still find my|healthcare professional|personal|my own, personal|search terms|my own , personal|medical professional|published|health care provider|my business|all of my|of my|excellent|my own personal|keyword phrases|a|offered|economical|day-to-day|web page} self referring to it.