Introduction to Digital Photography in Manual Mode

Meet Debbie Castro, a professional photographer and educator based in the UK. Learn about how she got her start, take a look at her work, and explore some of her references and influences.

Begin with a brief history of cameras, and learn the pros and cons of mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Debbie explains a range of lenses, from macro to telephoto, and shows how they are used to change the perspective of an image. Review how auto-focus works and discuss situations for different drive modes.

Dive into the exposure triangle and discuss the fundamental concepts of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. Learn how they work together and see how a light meter can be used during a photo shoot. Debbie then explains metering modes, white balance, and manual exposure—three key elements to capturing crisp and realistic images.

Learn how to fine-tune your eye by understanding how light falls on subjects, how it affects a final image, and how to make it work for your own style. Wrap things up by organizing a shoot, capturing some images, and practicing key concepts like composition, perspective, and exposure.