Aperture, ISO, Complex Pile of Tech… Light Settings, AF-P, Oh My God, By Eck!

Here is my new snazzy camera. I’ve not really ventured to use it yet although I did go out about a week ago to take some sunset shots. They didn’t come out so well, mostly because I’m finding the more complex issues of camera use slightly confusing. I never believed for one moment it would be as simple as using a point and click camera or a smartphone and I’m determined to learn the craft.

I guess what some people might do in this situation is to stick with the safe AUTO options, but a DSLR is too expensive and too complex to keep it as a point and click. It also seems a massive waste of resources. That’s why I understand that it’s going to be a long time before I’m at the ability level that I can sell photographs or imaging licenses. I’m determined to become a better photographer for personal development purposes, but I want my freelancing to expand into similar and complementary creative outlets too.

Plus, I enjoy taking photographs.

The first time I took it out of its box left me wide-eyed in confusion. So many dials and buttons! I’m completely new to this so before I go snapping away and putting them on Instagram and / or Facebook (I’m leaning towards the latter right now and I already have some of my favourite images up taken using my smartphone), I want to ensure I get the camera basics right. That’s why I (as you can see in the image above) purchased the relevant book in the wonderful For Dummies series. I’ve worked through a couple of chapters already and learnt some stuff about the camera I didn’t already know (like fine tuning the viewfinder to tailor it to my eyesight).

I have a UK holiday booked for June and I hope to be proficient with it to the point that I feel comfortable adjusting some of the basic controls by then – thanks to bloody-mindedness and the D3400 For Dummies guide. This is the start of my journey and I intend in the autumn to take a photography class at a local college.