Learning how to use a Manual Camera?

[onedownfiveup]

I'm getting a Canon PowerShot A520 for Christmas. I'm wanting to find where I can read about how to use White Balance, Manual Exposure, Adjusting Aperature and such. I don't really know what does what and what would look better in different shots. Please help me out here.

[condyk]

Read the manual and then put it on a tripod and take lots of shots. At some point, after having studied and learnt from your test shots, then take real world shot. Study and learn. Then take proper shots. No substitue to learning the theory, practicing it and then having a go in real world conditions.

[PsychProf]

Condyk is correct: Read, Play and Perform!! I have the Powershot A95 and the manual that comes with the camera will help you understand the manual settings. But trying them will help you know what effects you prefer in your photographs. If you have experience with 35 mm you will be able to adapt quickly. You will also find that the Automatic setting on the camera will give you pretty good shots under many conditions.
Good luck and enjoy the practice--let us see some of your work when you get the camera.

[Pixel9ine]

Study and learn. Then take proper shots. No substitue to learning the theory, practicing it and then having a go in real world conditions.Amen.

I usually teach myself by trying the extremes - how W/B affects images and how it can ruin them, what a 30 sec handheld exposure looks like and why, and what difference the Aperture can make. It's all great fun as long as you keep track of what you're doing and why.

Study and learn.