Digital Imaging Basics

When you purchase a new digital camera it is important that some of the settings be made properly 'right out of the box'.  Here is my list of suggestions to those of you with new digital cameras:

1. Set the date and time.  I set the time on my cameras half way between standard and daylight savings time.  I'm alway half an hour wrong.  Others set their cameras to Greenwich time.  Some others set to standard and leave it that way.  And of course there are always those that change their clocks with the seasons.
2. Ensure that your images are numbering sequentially.  Many cameras come with the default being "start again at image 0001 each time a fresh card is inserted".  This will cause many problems in the years to come.  Change your setting to "Sequential".  This will cause your camera image count to continue from where it left off.
3. Set your image quality to high .jpeg.  Ensure that you are shooting with maximum pixels, minimum .jpeg compression.  This is very important!
4. Always reformat your media card in the camera when you place it back into the camera after transferring your images to your computer.
5. Own and carry a spare battery.
6. Shoot initially in Automatic mode but learn to shoot in the semi manual modes.
7. Understand the different exposure settings on your camera.  Understand how to change the settings on an image by image basis if needed.  For example...know how to change to spot metering mode.
8. Ensure that your White Balance setting is on automatic.  As time flows you will learn how and when to change the White Balance setting.
9. If your camera has a removable lens be sure to change lenses quickly and in a clean environment.  This will help keep dust off the sensor.
10. And speaking of dust on the sensor...it will happen.  Be prepared to clean it off...or to take it to be cleaned.  Minor dust spots can always be removed in Photoshop...however 'no dust spots' are easier to remove.