• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Lasso The Moon
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Family Games
  • Travel
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Family Games
  • Travel
search icon
Homepage link
  • Welcome
  • Parenting
  • Recipes
  • Family Games
  • Travel
×

Home » Blog » Creativity » Photography

The One Tech Tip That Will Transform Your Photos Forever

Published: Jun 7, 2016 · Modified: Oct 28, 2020 by Beryl Ayn Young · Post may contain affiliate links

8.9K shares

INSIDE THIS POST: This one simple photography tip from our affiliate Beryl Ayn Young will transform your photos FOREVER. 

You want to be present for your family and capture everyday moments full of meaning. You want to create a snapshot of your life with all its beauty, mess, and realness right now without fumbling with your camera before the moment is lost. And you can. It’s not as hard as you think. Promise.

I remember what it was like to feel like I had all of the tools at my fingertips, only to produce photo recipes that always fell flat of my expectations. I was longing for photos that my family would rave about for years to come.

My good friend Beryl (who wrote the great tips below) created Momtography™, an online club that came out of her trial and error in the photographic kitchen. She's mentored and taught thousands of women how to love their photos and their life.

Check out some of the before & after examples from her class participants!

The One Tech Tip That Will Transform Your Photos Forever

I have an embarrassing secret to share with you about my photography journey:

It took me an astonishingly long time to understand how to use my fancy DSLR camera in manual mode.

I remember how excited I was the day I brought my new DSLR home. Before getting a DSLR I was trying to achieve professional results with a point and shoot camera but knew I had 'grown out of it' in that I wouldn't be able to use it to achieve the sharp focus and beautiful background blur that my professional photographer friends could.

So I took the leap and bought the DSLR. I thought the 'big girl' camera was the ticket to amazing photos. Only, when I took that camera out of the box and began snapping my photos were still falling short of my expectations and they weren't nearly as beautiful, vibrant, or crisp as I thought they would be. I knew a bit about technical photography. I had a basic grasp of settings like ISO and Aperture, and Shutter Speed. But, I had no clue how to put the settings together. I was guessing and then hoping the numbers I selected would equate to beautiful photos. (oftentimes they didn't..)

Then a friend showed me the light meter...

Just like that, a lightbulb went off. The meter was the missing link in my system for choosing settings.

It may be your missing link too, so today is all about giving you the knowledge I wish someone had shared with me a lot sooner on my technical photography journey.

DSC_0581edit

Where is the light meter on your camera?

First of all, you'll need your camera to be in M mode. (Not AUTO. Not A/Av. Not S/Tv.) You need to be in full manual mode. Next, look through your viewfinder, and then push the shutter button down halfway to activate your viewfinder display. Your meter probably looks like a series of vertical lines, with + on one end and – on the other.

Screen-Shot-2014-05-15-at-2.05.06-PM

What does the light meter telling me about my photos?

The +and – symbols that make up your light meter are extremely important. As you work with different types of light, the indicator light on the meter will move between + and – depending on your exposure settings (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed) and how bright or dark the light is.

  • Screen-Shot-2014-05-15-at-2.05.27-PM-211x300
    If your meter highlights a value towards the + sign, it’s telling you that your picture is going to be overexposed, or too bright.
  • If your meter highlights more toward the – symbol, then your meter is telling you that your image is going to be underexposed, or too dark.

How do I use the light meter?

The meter is there to support you in balancing your exposure settings. You need to know a bit about the other technical settings, setting your ISO, aperture based on the light, and your creative goals -- then observing the meter and moving it to the middle to set your shutter speed.

How do you adjust settings to achieve light meter balance?

When practicing in Manual mode you have the capability of setting your own ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. However, this is where momtographers often get stuck, because they aren’t quite sure where the right buttons or dials are or how to change them.

I’ve worked with a lot of moms and a lot of cameras and, unfortunately, the way to change each setting is different on just about every camera model.

Here are a few tips to get you started though:

First you’re going to want to locate the command dial on your camera (the one that scrolls). Some models have two command dials: one dial to control aperture, the other to control shutter speed. Other models have only one command dial. When the camera is in Manual mode, using that dial without pressing any other buttons will adjust one setting (typically shutter speed).

Screen-Shot-2014-05-15-at-2.18.18-PM

To adjust you aperture setting, you will have to simultaneously push a button on the camera and operate the command dial at the same time.

Screen-Shot-2014-05-15-at-2.18.27-PM

Take a few minutes now to figure out how to change ISO, aperture, and shutter speed while in Manual mode for your specific camera model. Then go grab a subject to practice with, snap some photos, and give the light meter some practice!

10398673_10100516252637447_3829097667858503055_n

Want more support?

Using the light meter and mastering it for good takes time, patience, and practice. It also requires having a solid grasp of the technical foundation of photography: ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed. These are all topics covered in the Momtography Club.

LEARN MORE

signature
divider

beryl
Meet Beryl Ayn Young

Hi I’m Beryl. Mom, photographer, and teacher who wants to help you beautifully capture the life you love. I remember how excited I was the day I brought my first DSLR. I thought I’d take my camera out of the box and it would take amazing professional quality photos. After months of trying to figure out the camera on my own I was still frustrated with images that were blurry, dark, dull and out of focus.

Now, I’ve taken my expertise in teaching and my passion for photography to develop a system that breaks down technical photography in a way that will quickly build your confidence behind the lens. My goal with Momtography is to help as many women as possible learn to love using their DSLR cameras in manual mode and love the life they’re living too. Learn more about the course here!

divider

Pin it for later:

Mom 101 Tips: This one simple change will transform your DSLR photography forever *Must read photo tutorial

More Family Photography // Beginner Tips for Parents

  • How to Get a Terrific Puddle Action Photo + Printable Spring Photo Lists! #photography #photographytips #photographylist *Love this post on how to get a great water action photo when puddle jumping with kids!
    Saying YES To Spring Fun + Tips For How to Capture A Terrific Puddle Action Photo
  • This provocative piece on the lost of art of practice and how to be a good photographer is enlightening. #photography #DSLR #photographytip *Love the photo examples and the advice.
    How to Be a Good Photographer — The Lost Art of Practice
  • Pet photography - Cat portrait
    Pet Photography: How to Take Better Cat Portraits of Your Cutie
  • 3 Easter Photos of the Kids You Simply Must Take - Parent Photography 101 *Loving this free spring photography checklist too
    3 Easter Photos You Absolutely Can’t Miss
8.9K shares

Primary Sidebar

Portrait of Zina

Hi, I'm Zina! You know you’re in the right spot if — You believe in game nights. You believe in PJ movie parties. You believe in breakfast for dinner. And most importantly, you believe happiness is family.

Let me show you around →

Popular

  • A cat who is nervous about moving hiding under a couch.
    7 Astoundingly Helpful Tips for Moving With Cats into a New Home
  • Two woman sitting on the sidewalk talking about turning 40.
    5 Brutally Honest Things Every Woman Turning 40 Should Know
  • How to Maximize Space in Your Luggage: You'll be amazed at what's in this suitcase *10 packing tips and hacks for your next family vacation
    The Best Way To Pack a Suitcase: How to Travel With a Family + a Single Suitcase
  • How to Ensure Your Tween ROCKS the First Day of Middle School: Know what to wear on the first day ahead of time. If you’re daughter is like mine, she’ll likely have this picked out a week in advance. Recommend she picks a secondary outfit, “just incase she isn’t feeling it” on the first day. It is always good to have a back-up plan. *Great list of back-to-school tips for tweens
    How to Ensure Your Tween ROCKS the First Day of Middle School
  • Hidden Valley Ranch Chicken Marinade — THE BEST Chicken Recipe With Only 4-Ingredients!
  • This cheesy chicken pot pie biscuit casserole is SO GOOD. If you’re pinched for time, keep this 30-minute cheesy chicken biscuit casserole simple with ingredients from your pantry. This quick and easy chicken bake uses cream of chicken soup and sour cream, so it is amazingly creamy. *This is a keeper! My kids (and husband!) love it.
    Chicken Biscuit Casserole

Footer

↑ back to top

Lasso The Moon

  • About This Site
  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy

Slow Down In Life

  • Overwhelm and busy get in the way of finding time for what really matters in life. Ready to reset? Join me at Becoming UnBusy too!

Slow Living Movement

  • "She silently stepped out of the race she never wanted to be in, found her own lane, and proceeded to win."
    — Pam Lambert

Copyright © 2020 Lasso The Moon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

8.9K shares