When I first heard the term, chimping, I have to admit I immediately thought of a cute furry animal in the jungle, swinging from tree to tree, eating a banana. Then I snapped into reality, and looked up exactly what the term meant and how it applied to digital photography.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when Michelle shared this sweet little photo of her 5 year old daughter learning how to use a DSLR camera. Some of you used the term “Chimping” in reference to what she was doing, so I thought I would explain the term here to avoid any confusion that Michelle’s little girl was turning into a little monkey!

So what is chimping anyway?

Basically, Chimping refers to the habit of checking the LCD after shooting a photo. And, while some may use this term in a negative way, I see it a bit differently. One of the advantages to shooting digitally is to have the ability to check your photo immediately in order to adjust settings. This is extremely handy when you’re shooting in a location where lighting situations may change on you frequently. Having the LCD screen there at your fingertips gives you the opportunity to evaluate your photo and make any necessary changes to the settings before you start shooting multiple photos. It also allows you to periodically check your settings without having to use a light meter over and over again.

Be cautious though, relying on the LCD for each and every photo you shoot could cause you to miss photo opportunities if you continually have your eyes glued to the screen. Use the LCD screen as a tool periodically. Then forget about it. Using the viewfinder and your own eye to judge composition will allow you come away with better photos, I guarantee it!

So tell me, was this helpful? If you enjoyed this little tip, share it with a friend or two who are also starting out in photography, using the social links below.