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Digital Photography Tips for Pentax DSLR

Pentax, a reputable name in the photography world since its founding in 1919, has produced a number of entry-level and professional digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras within the past several years. Designed with both ease-of-use and high-performance in mind, a Pentax DSLR is capable of capturing your subject faithfully, without sending you diving into the owner's manual. Using the tips that follow will allow you to become one with your camera, resulting in better pictures and providing a more satisfying photographic experience.

Switch to Manual Focus
- The focus ring is your friend; use it more often.
  
  While the Auto-Focus function on your camera's lens may be useful when shooting a static subject in good lighting, it offers little help when attempting to capture a rapidly-moving subject or a dim scene. Clearly-defined lines and hard edges are required for accurate focus. When no acceptable focus point can be found, your lens will continuously extend and retract, wasting time, as well as photographic opportunities. Adjusting the lens manually allows you to select and lock your point of focus, resulting in a sharp shot every time. While manually focusing your lens may require a bit more time, the results tend to be worth it.
Avoid Auto Exposure Mode
- Customize your DSLR's exposure settings for unique effects.
  
  Shooting exclusively in "Auto" or "Program" mode is a sure way to become lazy behind the lens. These modes allow the camera to make all of the important decisions: aperture (size of lens opening), shutter speed, white balance and ISO rating (sensor sensitivity). As with Auto-Focus, these modes may produce excellent results, when shooting an average subject in average lighting. However, when photographing more challenging scenes (areas of highly-contrasted lighting or color), customization of the camera's settings may be required. Try shooting in aperture-priority mode ("A" on your mode selector dial) to get more comfortable with manual operation. This allows you to pick the size of the lens opening, while leaving the rest up to the camera. Once you get a handle on how your camera's settings interrelate, try switching to full manual mode ("M").
Experiment with Focal Length
- Switching focal lengths can radically alter your approach to a subject.
  
  Most Pentax DSLRs are available as kits---meaning the camera body arrives bundled with a lens, typically a zoom. This included lens, usually with a range from wide to normal length (18-55mm is a common range for kit lenses), is an excellent way to acquaint yourself with the effect of focal length on an image. Notice the difference between subjects shot at 18mm and those shot at 55mm. At a wide setting, the field of view is sprawling and vast; lines may bulge and interesting patterns of distortion may emerge. At a normal setting, the frame is compressed and personal; close details are apparent and the eye's field of vision is closely replicated. Once you find a focal length that best suits your shooting style, you may wish to invest in a prime lens (non-zoom, single focal length). Primes offer a broader range of usable apertures, allowing you to shoot at your favorite focal length in all lighting conditions.
Shoot in JPEG and RAW Formats
- JPEG conserves space while RAW preserves detail; choose wisely.
  
  All images captured by your Pentax DSLR will be written to the memory card in either RAW (uncompressed) or JPEG (compressed) format. Although touted as the most professional format to shoot in by many DSLR enthusiasts, the high file size and intense detail provided by RAW is not necessary for every picture you take. Your choice of format should be dictated by your subject. If you are shooting an important series of portraits, which you hope to include in your portfolio, choose RAW, as it will preserve maximum optical quality. If you are taking a few snapshots of friends at a backyard barbecue, select JPEG, for acceptable quality at a minimal file size.

Photography