[Drew84]

Here are some basic terms for those who may be new to photography.

Some terms for people who may not be familiar with the more advanced techniques.
P&S: Point and Shoot Camera, the most common everyman Camera. These can be very simple or packed to the gills with options, but do not allow for Lens changeability.

DSLR: Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera. These cameras are know for their high level of control over exposure. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_single-lens_reflex_camera

Depth Of Field: What is in focus in front of and behind the Subject. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field

F/Stop: Related to Depth of Field, this is your camera Aperture opening. It works much like your eye's pupil controlling the amount of light that enters the camera. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F/stop

Shutter speed:This is the other component used to control the light entering the camera. F/stops and Shutter speeds are very important to taking a picture and getting the correct exposure. It also controls whether or not the picture is sharp or blurry.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shutter_speed

Exposure: Is the picture too light or too dark? Too blurry or perfectly sharp? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_(photography)

Hopefully those are some basic terms that will help people take better pictures. Remember the most important rule, it is not the about the Camera you use, its about the Photographer. Be creative and take control of whatever camera you use and the results will be stunning.

 

[Drew84]

Some more tips, Rule of 1/3rds. This is important because composition can make or break a photograph.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds

Use the lowest ISO setting possible and a tripod if there is too little light to expose the picture properly and avoid camera shake. You've all seen pictures that look super grainy, that is know as noise in the digital world and it can make a good photo go bad. Use the lowest ISO setting possible in the Camera to avoid this.

What is ISO, ISO speed used to and still is a measurement of films sensitivity to light. Now in a digital age camera sensor emulate the effect of this. The higher the ISO number the more sensitive to light the sensor becomes. Some image sensors are very good at reducing noise at high ISOs, others are not, your results will vary.

ISO Speed and Digital Noise: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_speed

As I think of more I'll add them, so if anybody else has any helpful info to add feel free.

 

[Rosshole]

Depth of Field Calculator:

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Off Camera flash info:

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

 

[Drew84]

Strobist will quickly get you addicted to buying off camera flash equipment.