A rundown of the basics

[Coastal_Mandy]

So, I am a newbie. An excited one. I've been frustrated with the limitations of my point and shoot for months. Income tax return came- and I spent!

So I'd really love a rundown of the lingo...etc

Mainly- what does the ISO do? (LOL), white balance? when looking at lenses, are smaller numbers a better/faster lens?

Just anything and everything! Please and thank you!

[toverman]

ISO in digital photography more or less corresponds to film ratings. The lower the ISO number, the less sensitive a film was to light. For darker situations, film shooters would reach for ISO 800 or ISO 1600, 3200, etc. In daylight, ISO 100 or 200 works well. A digital camera lets you switch mid-stream. There are limitations, though, as a higher ISO number in digital can translate to more "noise," visible and kind of ugly pixelization.

White balance is a digital-only concept. It is how the digital sensor "sees" certain kinds of light. For example, florescent light can have a greenish tint. By setting your camera's white balance to the florescent setting, it will take out some of the greenish tint. The shade setting can add a little bit of warming (orange) tones to an otherwise cold (blue) scene.

"Fast" lenses have larger maximum apertures. The smaller the number, the bigger the aperture. Fast probably begins in the f/2.8 range, but not all f/2.8 lenses are "better." That's a complicated issue!

For more on these things, enjoy poking around the forum. There's a ton of info here!

[EyeBurn]

Mandy,

Also read the following discussion (at least the first few paragraphs):
http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=newbie+tips
Then go buy Scott Kelby's book "the Digital Photography Book" and his follow up book "the Digital Photography Book vol. 2"

-Benjamin

[venchka]

Welcome to our little Asylum, Mandy.

Before spending anymore money, I would suggest that you read the book that came with your camera. That combined with GOOGLE and this Forum will explain a lot for free.

Most importantly: Use your camera. Digital photos are free, right? Make a zillion of them. Learn from your mistakes. Try not to make the same mistake twice. Feel really proud when you get things right.

Start in Manual mode. You will have to learn in a hurry or you won't get any photos at all.

[Roadrnr]

Also, if you are looking into what books to read, Understanding Exposure is a great book at a great price

[CaptainTom]

If you can get to a Half Price Books store they will likely have some books on basic digital photography.