My gf wants me to teach her photography

My girlfriend has expressed interest in learning how to use my DSLR. In what order would I teach her stuff about the camera? I think if I could get her to understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, & ISO, and how those setting affect a shot, that would get her off to a good start.

Is there somewhere else I should start instead?

Has anyone taught their spouse, or any family member/friend photography? How well did it go?

Start with this DSLR basics... kharrodphotography.blogspot.com/2009/03/...eras-work-basic.html

Set it on P or Automatic and let her go take some pictures. As she gets better move your way to S, A and of course M. As questions come up teach it to her.
See if you can convince her to read the manual before she starts.
Don't over complicate it, make it fun.

Thanks for the advice.

Oh one more thing, never give up. Try to remember back to your beginner days. I am sure there was a time you couldn't get the exposure correct or understand how the fstop works etc.. Take your time in teaching her and have fun.

For me teaching anyone close to you can be a dangerous thing and requires a strong relationship, (memories of teaching my mother and brother to drive).

Best of look take notice of the people above and remain patient.

photobod wrote: For me teaching anyone close to you can be a dangerous thing and requires a strong relationship, (memories of teaching my mother and brother to drive).

Best of look take notice of the people above and remain patient.

Or better yet, if your girlfriend is also your avatar, send her over and I will teach her........

photobod wrote: For me teaching anyone close to you can be a dangerous thing and requires a strong relationship, (memories of teaching my mother and brother to drive).

Best of look take notice of the people above and remain patient.

Let the arguments ensue...

Same principal as working with friends, be careful lol. I would advise about getting anyone to start with P or Auto as old habits die hard, personally would get her startded with AV/TV but everyone is different

TheNissanMan wrote:

photobod wrote: For me teaching anyone close to you can be a dangerous thing and requires a strong relationship, (memories of teaching my mother and brother to drive).

Best of look take notice of the people above and remain patient.

Let the arguments ensue...

Same principal as working with friends, be careful lol. I would advise about getting anyone to start with P or Auto as old habits die hard, personally would get her startded with AV/TV but everyone is different

If you have not gone over the basics of A and S, Auto is the place to start. I used Auto for a couple of years and now can look at the EXIF data to better see how to set aperture and shutter speed. If you get "too deep" in to theory, you may lose them.
Some people would enjoy photography but never want to go past the snapshot phase, at least until they have a bit of success and learn some composition lessons.

ko98 wrote: My girlfriend has expressed interest in learning how to use my DSLR. In what order would I teach her stuff about the camera? I think if I could get her to understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, & ISO, and how those setting affect a shot, that would get her off to a good start.

Is there somewhere else I should start instead?

Has anyone taught their spouse, or any family member/friend photography? How well did it go?

Seriously, my wife isn't allowed to touch my camera gear, she has her own little point and shoot, she's happy, I'm happier..........

I'm touchy about anyone using my camera gear, including my wife or other family. I would have her watch a few getting started video's, take a online photography course and if still excited, buy her her own camera.

Besides the camera don't forget composition. Rule of Thirds Etc.

Nikonjan wrote: Besides the camera don't forget composition. Rule of Thirds Etc.

Composition is key to any successful photographer, oh and time.

It's only a camera, let her use it when you around. If she likes it, then you pick her up one. If she doesn't like it, you haven't spent any money you didn't have to.

My wife now uses a DSLR quite well after some coaching and takes wonderful pix of her flowers, the cats etc. She still needs help changing lenses and uploading from the memory cards and shoots almost always on Program but she is coming along nicely in her learning curve. It is possible to teach to someone close if you take your time and aren't too critical when things don't come out right