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Canon T3i Experience
5
Take Control of Your Camera
Since the camera is a tool to take the images you want to take, you can’t always allow
the camera to make decisions for you. You have to take control of the camera to
ensure that you capture exactly the images you intend - by autofocusing where you
want, setting the aperture or shutter speed that you want, and obtaining the exposure
you want. While the T3i is an intelligent camera, it cannot read your mind and your
intentions and does not know that you wish to focus on and properly expose the small
blossoms in the foreground, while making the background appear out of focus, and the
branches to be caught still and not be blurred from the motion of the wind, on this bright,
sunny day (see Figure 2). You have to tell the camera to do all of this, through the
various controls and settings, such as the autofocus AF Mode (focus on the blossoms),
the Exposure Metering Mode (properly expose the blossoms), the Aperture setting (the
out-of-focus background), the Shutter Speed (freezing the motion of the branches), the
ISO (bright day) and the White Balance (sunny day).
Figure 2 - Japanese Garden, Brooklyn, NY - Autofocus, exposure metering mode,
aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance all considered in creating this image.
Shutter speed 1/125, aperture f/6.3, ISO 200
One has to think about all this stuff for every photo? Well, yes, that is what digital SLR
photography is all about. At least if you wish to consistently create dramatic and
compelling images. That is why the T3i has all these controls and features for you to
make use of. You’re not in the realm of point-and-shoots anymore!