Shooting with a digital camera is not really that different from film photography; at least as far as your thought process should go. Digital has many advantages over film, and the digital-film debate we can safely say is over, digital having found the edge. One of the clear advantages of the digital format is the preview feature, which allows you to see your photographs the minute after you shoot them, practically simultaneously. This has become a very useful learning tool for beginners, apart from its obvious advantages.

It goes without saying that digital images go through your computer for post processing and more often than not, their final usage. Again, you have a clear advantage here with dedicated software such as Photoshop and other simpler ones, which you can use to crop and edit your images. We strongly advise any serious photographer to learn Photoshop, as it is the accepted world standard image editing software for the professional. Almost any camera that you could buy comes with its own software to help you edit images, and this is a great start in the absence of Photoshop.

So you’ve just shot your first images with your new digital, and can’t wait to see them on your computer screen. You connect the camera to your computer with the provided USB cable. Yes? NO! NEVER connect your camera directly to the computer. Computers can infect your camera with viruses, and computers in certain geographic areas are prone to electrical fluctuations which can, well, fry your new digital camera. I was told by a repair technician recently, that he has tons of D80 bodies that were ruined because of a direct connection to the computer. In fact he spoke of a particular case where an IC had actually bounced out of its socket with the heat generated during the ‘frying’ process!!! The answer is a simple and inexpensive USB card reader. Remove your memory card from the camera, plug it into the card reader and download images. When this is done, ALWAYS format the card once from your computer, and once in-camera, to eliminate chances of viruses.

For prolonged storage, do not leave batteries in a digital camera, just as you wouldn’t leave batteries for months on end in a radio – for the same reason. Batteries that are not used for long durations tend to leak, and that can’t be the best thing for your new digital camera can it?

Cameras never did agree with moisture and dust particles too well, and with digital, the moisture factor is all the more important. Protect your camera while at the beach, and when you are out in the rain, unless you have a dedicated water-proof or underwater shell. A good camera bag that keeps the moisture out is an essential part of your kitty.

Finally, a bit on the lens... The lens is the most important part of your camera, and make sure you take utmost care not to scratch it. A lens cap should always remain on the lens when it is not in use. You could get a lens cleaning kit and follow its instructions to the T, to keep your lenses clean and grime-free.