Manual labor, By Robert De Gast

My dictionary insists that "manual" means "of or pertaining to the hand or hands." We know that it really pertains to that little booklet that came with our camera that we don't want to look at. Still, we need to get our hands on it.

"Manual," of course, has come to mean "handbook" or "instruction book." And we avoid it. My students sometimes lose them, I think on purpose.

But few among us are so skilled or knowledgeable that we never need to refer to our manual. Kodak's original "Brownie" had only a button for the shutter and a key to advance the film. Instructions were contained on one page. Until the late 1970s most cameras came without any instructions whatsoever.

Today, cameras (especially the digital variety) have become more complicated, and the manuals have grown thicker and sometimes more obtuse and confusing. Even the least complex point-and-shoot camera now comes bundled with at least a hundred-page booklet. Sometimes three or four languages are presented in the same publication, making the problem of deciphering the information even more daunting.

Still, there's some good news: not all the information needs to be acquired. For example, the first five or six pages of every manual contain nothing but "legalese": Don't take the camera into the shower; be careful not to strangle yourself with the strap; etc. The last bunch of pages contain nothing but specifications or merchandising suggestions. And once you know how to put in the memory card or the film, and once you've installed the batteries, you don't have to look up anything on those pages anymore. Suddenly, the booklet is a couple of dozen pages slimmer. Nevertheless, some things need to be looked up, and I have some suggestions that may help you get through some of that information.

First, tear out the pages of the instruction booklet that are written in a language you don't understand. Suddenly, the manual may be one-half or one-fourth the size it was. Scan the booklet, one page at the time. Don't try to study it, just scan each page. The object of this exercise is simply to acquaint yourself with the information.

Next, study one section at a time and play with the controls it refers to. It's comforting to know you can't do anything wrong, you can't make a mistake and the camera won't self-destruct. With a digital camera, the results will instantly appear on your LCD screen. This is a good thing, as Martha Stewart would say. Play with all the buttons and see what happens! With a digital camera, taking pictures in the process of getting acquainted won't cost you a thing.

Use the index! There's nothing more intimidating than thumbing through the entire tome in your search for information. Look up what you need to know, and only that. Leave other questions for the next day.

Finally, revisit the manual from time to time, and carry it with you when you travel! Some of the information is counter-intuitive. There is little doubt that the answers to most of your (technical) picture-taking problems can be found in the manual, and thus better pictures will be in your future, rest assured.

One more thing: If you lose the manual, all of the major camera manufacturers have websites or 800 numbers you can call to talk to a customer service representative. Some manuals can be downloaded directly from their websites.

When all else fails, an outfit in Connecticut called Craig Camera claims to have more than 10,000 instruction manuals. They'll photocopy the one you need and send it to you for a nominal fee. You can reach them at 860-496-9791 or log onto www.craigcamera.com. Another possibility is to check out the website Manuals R Us (www.manualsrus.com). In the meantime, keep shooting!

Robert de Gast is a professional photographer and the author of nine books. He offers short photography tutorials and conducts workshops and tours. He can be reached at 152-7396 or at robertdegast@hotmail.com