6 Free E-Books That Will Help You Understand Your Camera Better

Do you own a DSLR or an advanced camera but haven't figured out how to best use the different camera controls and settings available to you? The camera manual is usually a good place to start but we all know reading through a manual can get boring very quickly. If you're looking to get a better understanding of your camera, we are here to help.

This post is a collection of six free guides from Photzy on certain camera settings and functions. Having a knowledge of these functionalities will help you understand your camera better and make you a more confident photographer. Do check them out!

(Note: Capturing a good photo is only the starting point towards creating a great image. Post-processing is the next obvious step that can bring out the best in a photo. If you'd like to learn how to use a dedicated workflow to edit your photos, then check out Kent DuFault's guide on fundamental editing.)

1. DSLR Auto Focus Modes Explained

An understanding of the different focus modes on your camera goes a long way in making sure that your focus is perfect and the image sharp. In this guide, photographer Jason D. Little will teach you everything you need to know about DSLR autofocus modes.

2. 10 Camera Controls Every Photographer Should Know

With all its settings and dials, a DSLR camera can be quite intimidating at first. There may be a steep learning curve, to understand everything that your camera is capable of doing and then putting it to practice. Photographer David Veldman lists ten important camera controls that you should know.

3. Understanding Metering Modes

Are your photographs coming out too dark or too bright for your liking? If so, you need to understand your camera's metering modes better. This guide will take you through the different metering modes – spot, center-weighted, evaluative, and partial – and tell you when to utilize which one.

4. Differences Between a DSLR and a Mirrorless Camera

In this guide, Jason D. Little compares a DSLR with a mirrorless camera based on different parameters and how each system has its own set of advantages and disadvantages over the other. Keeping these factors in mind can help you choose between the two technologies, if you need to.

5. Understanding Shooting Modes

A variety of different shooting modes are available on an advanced camera. The automatic modes offer no control over the picture taking process while the other modes allow you certain control. Which modes should you use and when? Kent DuFault answers the question in this guide.

6. Quick Guide to Exposure

This guide by photographer Jason D. Little will help you understand the exposure triangle- the triad of shutter speed, aperture and ISO- which are the core settings that determine the exposure when you press the shutter button to capture a photograph.

Learn a Post-Processing Workflow

If you want to get the most out of your photos by utilizing the power of post-processing but do not know where to start, we have a solution for you – The Ultimate Guide to Fundamental Editing. This best-selling guide gives you a step-by-step post-processing workflow to help you create great-looking photos efficiently and consistently, using popular programs like Lightroom, Elements and Photoshop. Click here now to check it out.