Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, heard every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.
Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, Rick AD8KN, and Dave N8SBE, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick and Dave add deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here!
Previous and upcoming Photography Discussion Roundtable topics:
| Date | Topic |
| 8/11/2025 | What is Aperture in photography |
| 8/18/2025 | What is the Golden Triangle? |
| 8/25/2025 | Top photo editing software available in 2025 |
| 9/1/2025 | What is Depth of Field? |
| 9/8/2025 | What is Bokeh in photography? |
| 9/15/2025 | Understanding Lens Focal Length |
| 9/22/2025 | What are leading lines? |
| 9/29/2025 | What is Back-Button Focus? |
| 10/6/2025 | 5 important photography facts that I didn’t know when I started |
| 10/13/2025 | How to shoot in manual mode |
| 10/20/2025 | The different types of lenses |
| 10/27/2025 | All about camera filters |
| 11/3/2025 | On-camera flash vs off-camera flash |
| 11/10/2025 | How to use tripods and stabilizers |
| 11/17/2025 | What is ISO? |
| 11/24/2025 | Film vs digital? |
| 12/1/2025 | How to find and organize your photos in a logical manner |
| 12/8/2025 | Understanding long-exposure photography |
| 12/15/2025 | Enhancing the sky in your photos |
| 12/22/2025 | Where and how to learn more about photography techniques |
| 12/29/2025 | DSLR vs mirrorless cameras |
| 1/5/2026 | The exposure triangle |
| 1/12/2026 | How to develop your own personal photography style |
| 1/19/2026 | Color theory (histograms) in photography |
| 1/26/2026 | Photography ethics in the digital age |
| 2/2/2026 | The future of film and where the analog industry is going |
| 2/9/2026 | How to build a portfolio |
| 2/16/2026 | Photography hints and tips |
| 2/23/2026 | How to take action/motion photo |
| 3/2/2026 | Explaining photography terms |
| 3/9/2026 | Macro photography hints and tips |
| 3/16/2026 | Landscape photography hints and tips |
| 3/23/2026 | Portrait photography hints and tips |
| 3/30/2026 | Portrait photography, part two hints and tips |
| 4/6/2026 | Night photography hints and tips |
| 4/13/2026 | F-stops and how to use them |
| 4/20/2026 | What are the AE-L, AF-L, and *-buttons? What do they do? |
| 4/27/2026 | White balance explained |
| 5/4/2026 | Open forum about photography terms, cameras, and techniques |
| 5/11/2026 | What is Aperture in photography |
| 5/18/2026 | What is Depth of Field? |
| 5/25/2026 | What is the Golden Triangle? |
| 6/1/2026 | How to build a portfolio |
| 6/8/2026 | Understanding Lens Focal Length |
| 6/15/2026 | What is the Golden Triangle? |
| 6/22/206 | |
| 6/29/2026 | |
| 7/6/2026 | |
| 7/13/2026 | |
| 7/20/2026 | |
| 7/27/2026 |
https://thediabeticham.com/previous-and-upcoming-photography-discussion-roundtable-topics/
Last Week’s Topic: F-Stops and How to Use Them
Last week we discussed f-stops and how they affect both exposure and depth of field. F-stops are one of the most important controls in photography because they help determine how much light enters the lens and how much of the scene appears sharp. We talked about using wide apertures for portraits and low-light situations, and smaller apertures for landscapes, groups, and scenes where front-to-back sharpness is important.
We also covered some of the common challenges photographers run into when working with f-stops. A wide aperture can make it hard to keep multiple subjects sharp, while a very small aperture can lead to slower shutter speeds or reduced sharpness from diffraction. The key takeaway was that aperture works best when it is chosen with a clear purpose, not just set by habit.
This Week’s Topic: AE-L, AF-L, and *-Buttons
This week we continue with camera controls and take a closer look at the AE-L, AF-L, and -buttons. These buttons are often found on DSLR and mirrorless cameras, and they give photographers more control over exposure and focus. Once you understand what they do, they can make shooting faster, more consistent, and more flexible.
AE-L stands for auto exposure lock. It lets you lock in the camera’s exposure reading so it does not change when you recompose the shot. This is especially helpful when the subject is in one part of the frame but you want to place it somewhere else for a better composition.
AF-L stands for auto focus lock. It lets you lock focus on a subject so the camera does not refocus when you move the framing or if something else passes through the scene. This can be very useful when photographing moving subjects or when you want to focus once and then recompose.
The * button on many cameras is often used as the back-button focus control, though on some models it may also serve another custom function. When assigned to focus, it separates focusing from the shutter button. That means you can focus with your thumb on the * button and take the picture with the shutter button without the camera trying to refocus every time you press it.
Why Use These Buttons
These controls are useful because they give the photographer more consistency and control. Instead of relying on the camera to constantly decide when to focus or meter again, you can choose when to lock exposure or focus. That is especially helpful in changing light, portrait work, sports, wildlife, and any situation where recomposing the image would otherwise change the camera’s settings.
They also help create a smoother shooting workflow. For example, you can focus once on a subject, lock that focus, and then recompose several shots without having to start over each time. In fast-paced situations, that can save valuable seconds and reduce frustration.
Good Ways to Use Them
A practical way to start is by learning one button at a time. Many photographers begin with AF-L or back-button focus, since separating focus from the shutter can make the camera feel more responsive. Others prefer AE-L when shooting in tricky lighting, such as a subject against a bright sky or a dark background.
A few helpful tips include:
- Use AE-L when the subject is lit differently from the background and you want a consistent exposure.
- Use AF-L when you want to lock focus after the camera has found the subject.
- Try back-button focus if you want more control over when the camera focuses.
- Practice in a simple setting before using these controls in fast or difficult situations.
- Check your camera manual, because button behavior can vary by brand and model.
Common Problems and Solutions
One common problem is forgetting which button does what. That can be solved by practicing one function at a time until it becomes automatic. Another issue is accidentally locking focus or exposure when you did not mean to, which can lead to missed shots or inconsistent results.
If that happens, it helps to slow down and confirm your settings before pressing the shutter. Some photographers also customize their buttons differently depending on the kind of work they do, so the layout matches their shooting style. The more often you use these controls, the more natural they become.
Next Week’s Topic: White Balance Explained
Next week we’ll continue in this vein with white balance explained. That discussion will cover how white balance affects color, why different light sources make colors look different, and how to correct or creatively use those differences in your images. It should be a very useful follow-up to this week’s camera-control discussion.
Join Us On the Air
Whether you shoot with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone, you’re welcome to check in, share your thoughts, and join the conversation. The Photography Discussion Roundtable Net meets every Monday evening on the BrandMeister DMR network, Talkgroup 31266, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM Eastern.
73 and happy shooting!
Photography Discussion Roundtable Net
