There are two main types of camera: Point and shoot (P&S) and Single-lens reflex (SLR)
A point and shoot is the compact camera without too many manual controls for everyday use.
An SLR tends to be larger and offers much more control of the shot.
An SLR can use a large variety of lenses which can be bought separately, with various focal lengths and aperture ranges.
Focal length determines the magnification of a lens. A short focal length, such as 18mm, leads to a wide angle, and a longer focal length, such as 200, leads to "zoomed in" magnification. A length of 17mm is approximately what your eyes see when relaxed, a wide angle.
There are three main factors in determining how the light enters your camera and eventually becomes the final shot:shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.
Shutter speed is the amount of time light is given to reach the sensor or film through the lens. A longer shutter speed means more light, but can also lead to blurring due to movement, from either hand shake or movement in the scene being shot. The most effective way to prevent blurring from hand shake is the use of a tripod. Every professional photographer will tell you: if it's possible to use a tripod, use one. Even in the brightest situation, a shot taken on a tripod will always come out sharper. You can also use a larger aperture or higher ISO.
Aperture is the size of the opening in the lens through which light passes. A larger aperture allows more light to pass through the lens and a smaller aperture allows less. A larger aperture lets you use a faster shutter speed when taking the shot. Aperture also determines the Depth of Field. A large aperture leads to a shallow depth of field, where a smaller aperture leads to a deeper depth of field. Aperture is measured in a standard notation, known as its F-number. An F-number, or aperture diameter, is simply the focal length divided by a set value, and is written as an F-stop: say, F/5.6 for example. The larger the denominator (the 5.6), the smaller the aperture. F-stops are multiples of 1.4, or the square root of 2. The order of F-stops goes as follows: 1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32, 45, 64. Memorizing this order is not absolutely essential.
ISO is the sensitivity of the camera sensor. A higher ISO means higher sensitivity. Using a higher ISO allows the use of a faster shutter speed, mainly to prevent blurry shots in low light. The downside of using a higher ISO is grain or digital noise, more prominent in higher ISOs. However, generally speaking, a grainy or noisy image is usually better than a blurry one. Noise-reducing software is available but it's hard to salvage a blurry shot.
Shutter speed, aperture and ISO, are all related in terms of exposure stops. Increasing the exposure by one stop is like allowing twice as much light pass through to the sensor. Increasing by two stops is like allowing four times the amount of light through the sensor. Decreasing it by one stop is like cutting the amount of light in half. For example, say we set our default settings at 1/250th of a second, F/5.6, ISO 200. Using a longer shutter speed, 1/125th of a second instead of 1/250th, will increase the exposure by one stop. Similarly, increasing the size of the aperture from F/5.6 to F/4 will allow twice as much light pass through the lens. Increasing the ISO to 400 from 200 will raise the exposure by one stop, as if twice as much light entered the lens.
Fully understanding all of these concepts is essential to shooting photos with an SLR and the ability to change these variables is what makes SLRs open to endless creativity and fun.
In the world of digital SLRs, the two most well-known brands are Canon and Nikon. There are endless debates about who makes the best cameras, lenses, etc, but regardless of your choice of brand, you will get amazing results. The differences are negligible and both are very capable of taking stunning photos. There are third-party lens companies whose lenses fit both Canon and Nikon bodies. Here is a list of items you will need starting off with SLR photography. Photography isn't a cheap hobby, but it is one of the most fun and rewarding ones out there.
-A camera body
-At least one lens with a lens cap
-An ultraviolet (UV) filter for every lens
-A tripod
-A carrying case
-Microfiber cloths / cleaning kit for cleaning
-Image editing software (photoshop)
Links for further info:
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials.htm
http://www.fredmiranda.com/
http://www.flickr.com/
http://www.pbase.com/galleries
Anyway, I hope this will help some beginners out there. If anyone has something to add or change, feel free. There are endless extra pointers, tricks and techniques that help to get the shot you want. Happy shooting
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