Now is the time to get to know your lens. Instead of buying another one, get to know how to use the one or ones you have.

You might think that the lens is just attached to your camera to allow a bit of light in and that the camera does most of the work. But if you get to know your lens better then you can be even more accomplished. The following applies mostly to SLR lenses.

Start at the front:

The rim of the lens is a certain size. It will vary for different lenses but it is there to take a lens cap. This will protect your lens from dust, dirt and damage.

Around that rim you should be able to see a thread. This is the filter thread – get a skylight filter on there as soon as possible. This will protect the lens whilst in use and reduce the blue effect caused by haze in the distance. You should also consider using other filters – especially a polarising filter.

The end of the lens can also accommodate a lens hood – this will help to cut out stray light in adverse conditions. Consider also using close up lenses which also attach to the filter thread.

On the barrel of the lens you will see various other features. You will be able to zoom (if you have a zoom lens). This, obviously gets you closer or further away from the action. One simple thing you can use this for is to fill the frame when composing.

Also, you should see the aperture ring. Or perhaps your lens aperture is controlled from the camera. Using a small aperture will increase your depth of field and using a larger aperture will decrease it. Use this to complement your subject most effectively.

Finally, the lens mount. Make sure you know how to release it especially in the dark. And attach a rear lens cap, just as you would at the front.

Have I forgotten anything?

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com

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