Meeting Your Camera

They are often smaller than SLR cameras, and their lenses usually can't be removed from the camera. They may have a viewfinder that doesn't look through the lens of the camera. They use multiple lenses in the camera, rather than one lens like the SLR. Using multiple lens makes the image look slightly different int he viewfinder than the image that is created in the camera. They also have fixed focus lenses which cannot be changed to focus on items closer or father away. They also have Autofocus (AF) lenses which use sensor to determine the correct focus. Many point-and-shoot cameras have a flash unit that will go off to light up a dark scene.

What are the basic functions and features of point-and-shoot cameras?

They may have a viewfinder that doesn't look through the lens of the camera. They use multiple lenses in the camera, rather than one lens like the SLR. Using multiple lens makes the image look slightly different int he viewfinder than the image that is created in the camera.

What do Non-SLR cameras, including point-and-shoot cameras have?

skill and patience to achieve greatness

What does photography require?

The size of the opening in the camera that the light passes through

What is Aperture?

With SLR cameras, the photographer looks directly into the view finder and through the lens. They use a series of mirrors to project the image through the lens to the viewfinder of the camera.

What is an SLR or Single Lens Reflux camera?

The amount of time that the shutter remains open, letting light into the camera

What is shutter speed?

Henri Cartier-Bresson and he said "Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst."

Who is the father of photojournalisms?

Most digital cameras have a USB or other port that allows you to connect the camera to a computer. Often, this port will be located on the side of the camera. It may be behind a protective covering or flap. A cord is usually included with the camera to connect it to the computer.

A/V or Data port

This is the place where your camera's battery goes. Most of the time, you'll use battery power when using your camera. In order to charge your battery, you will need to take it out of your camera. Your owner's manual will have more information on where your battery port is located and how to charge your camera's battery.

Battery port

Most digital cameras sold today come with a memory card, but many of these cards will not hold a large number of photographs. The exact number of images that you can record on your memory card will differ depending on the digital quality of photographs that you are taking. If you stay with the original memory card, you may not ever need to remove it. However, many people choose to buy an additional memory card that is able to record and store more images than the original card.

Memory Card Slot

The shutter release is the button that you push to take a photograph.

Shutter release