Lenses may vary based on the manufacturer. For more instructions on how to attach a lens to your specific camera, read the manual that came with your camera.

Once you are in manual mode, the screen of your camera should allow you to select both shutter and aperture settings. Refer to your camera’s manual for more instructions.

Use a faster shutter speed, such as 1/125 or 1/250, to catch fast moving objects like cars or birds. If you want more blurred movement in your photograph, choose a slower speed, like 1/60. If you’re in a dark or low-light area, choose a shutter speed of 1/250 or faster.

Apertures are measured as “f stops. " The smaller the number, the larger the aperture is. For objects that are far away in normal light conditions (such as landscapes, architectural photos, or group pictures), select an aperture of f4 or f5. 6. If you’re working in low-light conditions or close up (such as portraits or still life), use a f1. 4, f1. 8, or f2. 8 setting.

For full-frame cameras, normal lenses like the 50mm create a field of view similar to your natural eyesight. You can use this lens’s versatility to your advantage to create a variety of compositions.

Landscape shots where everything is an equal distance away from the lens may not work as well with a 50 mm lens. Don’t clutter the shot with too many objects. A 50 mm lens works well with a few prominent objects, not a ton of detail. If you are taking a portrait, make sure that the subject is facing straight towards the camera, not turned off to the side. If you don’t, the camera may focus on whatever body part is closest to the camera and blur out the rest.

You can buy diffusers from any of the major camera manufacturers and at electronic stores.