DSLR News

If you're like most outdoor photographers you often shoot in dirty environments in which dust can enter your camera and wreak havoc on the sensor, especially on windy days. And every time you switch lenses the odds of contamination will increase.

Smart photographers do a lot of research and scrutinize a variety of specs before investing in a new camera. And that's a good thing because we all want to make an informed purchasing decision so the camera we buy best suits our specific needs.

At some point along their journey most photographers think about leaving the comfort of shooting in Auto and experimenting with Manual mode—even if they decide to revert to Aperture or Shutter Priority after giving Manual a try. The beginners guide below explains all the basics for switching your camera's mode dial to "M."

If you never venture out with a camera after dark, you're missing out on a bunch of great photo opportunities. Landscapes can take on an awe-inspiring look, and urban scenes that appear boring during the day transform into magical tableaus full of sparking lights, interesting reflections, and vivid colors.

Getting proper exposures when shooting in the field can be a real challenge, especially when shooting under uneven and ever-changing light. The result can be blown-out highlights, crushed shadows, or a combination of both.

Show your best images to the world and earn bragging rights when your photograph is selected to join the Shutterbug Photo of the Day gallery. It doesn't matter whether you shoot with a smartphone or a Hasselblad—if you have the talent, let it be recognized.

It's so exciting to get a new camera that many photographers can't resist pulling it out of the box, setting the manual aside, leaving the default settings as they are, and heading out for a day of shooting. If that sounds familiar pay close attention to the video below, in which an accomplished explains what to do first so the new camera performs as intended.