Working with SLRs (Single Lens Reflex cameras) for the first time, there are some basic settings to handle for taking photographs. It's all about the focus and brightness of the shot (plus the content of course). There are tons of camera models available from Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Olympus and the like, but the elements to consider are all the same, only differing in minor details.
BRIGHTNESS
This is determined but two main factors:
Shutter Speed - speed that the shutter shuts and reopens (1/x sec).
Aperture - size of hole in the shutter (f-number).
Manually adjusting these two settings, the light meter displayed alters to indicate the picture's brightness, on a scale from -2 (too dark) to 2 (too bright). Easy.
Two more things to consider are ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation, or ASA) and White Balance. ISO measures the sensitivity to light, higher ISO (1600) in darker conditions and lower ISO (100) in brighter conditions. Note that higher ISO also means shots are more grainy and dusty.
