How to Take a Quality Picture With a DSLR

A guide to beginner photography.

Step 1: Subject

The first step in producing a good picture is finding a subject to actually take a picture of. Without the subject, a picture is nothing.

Step 2: ISO

know your camera. Regardless of composition, knowing your editing software, or even the environment in which you’re taking the picture, knowing the functions and capability of your camera is crucial in the personal manipulation of your photography.

Before you actually take the picture, you must adjust the exposure. Different brands of cameras have different buttons to access the three main exposures: Aperture, ISO, and white balance. ISO changes the lens' sensitivity to the light. If you're shooting in very bright light, you would use a low ISO, a dark area would require a higher number.

Step 3: White Balance

The second exposure change is White Balance. Manipulate your White Balance in correlation to what kind of light you're shooting in.

Step 4: Aperture

Aperture is the opening of your lens, and the last manipulation of exposure. Low aperture creates less depth of field, whereas a higher aperture creates a broader view. Adjust to your liking.

Step 5: Shutter Button

After all of your exposures are set, hold the shutter button to focus on your subject.

Step 6: Take the Picture

After focusing on your subject, take numerous pictures for a variety of options. This is the most important part of taking a quality photograph. Make sure your composition is what you want, because once you're finished taking the picture you can't go back, don't waste your subject's time.

Step 7: Memory Card

Take your memory card out of your camera, plug it into your computer, and begin uploading your images to your computer.

Step 8: Edit

Find an editing software that works for you. Preferably, I would use Lightroom. However, any editing software is ideal in producing a professional and good-looking image.

Step 9: Upload

Upload the picture into the editing software.

Step 10: Edit

There are several different aspects of editing software in which you can begin editing with. Whether it be creating a lighter more vibrant picture with the highlight tool, or maybe bring more color into the picture with the saturation slider, there's a variety of different tools for your amusement.

Step 11: Final

Do your final touch ups and your finishing edits to create the final product: a good quality image using a DSLR.