I would like to preface this post with a little chat about whether you need a DSLR as a blogger. A lot of bloggers use DSLRs because they have additional control when taking images, which allows a more professional finish. However with advancements in technology in phones and compact cameras, as well as easier access to editing programs, many other bloggers have just as high quality imagery without ever picking up a DSLR.

When talking about images, every blogger is just a little bit different in what they want their photos to look like. Some like bright and busy images, others are looking for a minimalist white space feel. But many bloggers do like to try different things, and it’s not always the easiest to pick one look for your photos. Especially if you’re using stock imagery instead of taking them yourself. I personally prefer to take all my own photos, as this means I fully own the images and I never need to worry about copyright or licensing. Plus I know exactly what image I want for each of my posts, and I can work on getting the vision in my head onto my laptop screen.

If you have bought (or are thinking of buying) a DSLR, it’s important that you understand how to use one. Before I was blogging I was extremely into photography, and even took A-Level Photography in school, so I was taught a few years ago now how to really make the most out of photos. I currently use the Nikon D3200, which is a fairly old model as it was purchase second hand over 5 years ago.

There’s multiple settings which work with one another, and honestly if you have the time I would recommend just playing around with your specific camera. But my tips are going to be broader than the camera I use, and by using the manuals (which if needed you can find online) you’ll be able to utilise them with any DSLR. Although I have put together a ‘beginners guide’ for DSLR’s below, a lot of these settings are now available on phones too.

RAW format

I always recommend shooting in a RAW format because it allows for easier editing at the end of your photoshoot. This is because RAW format means the camera doesn’t process the image completely like it would with jpgs, allowing more control once you put your images in Photoshop or Lightroom.

Manual Settings

To best learn manual settings, it’s best to play around with them in your spare time and get the hang of how changing each setting can change the look of your images. The settings of your camera are mostly about how much light you allow into your image (also called exposure) and depth of field.

Aperture

Aperture is measure in F-stops on your camera, where the larger the number the less exposed to light your image will be. If you want more light then you use a lower F-number. Aperture also affects the depth of field, which is when the background or foreground is more or less blurred.

Shutter Speed

The length of time the camera shutter is open dictates how much light the image is exposed to, which is where shutter speed settings come in. It also can create blur or sharpness of images when the subject is moving. A faster shutter speed is needed in, for example, sports photography whereas night photos of the sky often use slow shutter speeds to gain more light from the stars.

Shutter speeds are measured in seconds (fractions of seconds), and this needs to work with and balance with your aperture in order to get the right brightness for your images.

ISO

The higher the ISO the more light is in the photo taken. A higher ISO has more light, but can also create noise which is that grainy affect so it can be a trade-off. This is most often used when you cannot alter aperture or shutter speed any more. If you don’t have any issues with changing the shutter speed and aperture, then you should alter them first before using ISO to adjust for brightness.

Focus

On top of being able to manually change the exposure of images, you can switch your lens into a manual focus mode too. If you have a busy image to take, that includes multiple items and different levels of background and foreground it’s easier to use manual focus. This allows you to choose exactly what you want your image to focus on. For example, your face in a portrait, the product in a flat lay etc.

Tripod and Remote

Ever wonder how bloggers always have someone around to take photos of them? Well here’s the secret. A lot of bloggers have learnt how to use a tripod and remote to take photos of themselves. Meaning they’re both in front of and behind the camera. Similar to my advice for settings – you’re going to need to try trial and error for getting your photos how you want. Learning how to pose for a tripod is much harder than someone else taking a photo. 

Lighting

It’s advice you’ve definitely heard before, but good lighting is key. I know it’s hard, especially if you work in the day and you live in the UK where we have dull days even in summer. But good natural light does help lift your images to a higher quality, and it gives you more to work with. You can change lighting during the editing process, but it’s a lot easier to darken images to fit an aesthetic than it is to lighten dull and dark imagery.

You can also purchase lighting equipment, which can be fairly affordable. I use this light currently for filming videos, and for most of my product images. However I recommend learning to use natural light from windows if you’re unsure about investing any more into your blog photography.