Put away your tangled rolls of film and come out of the dark room. The days of film cameras are quickly flying by. In today’s electronic world, digital cameras have captured the imagination of amateur and professional photographers for their benefits of convenience and immediate gratification.

“It’s a great way for people to learn (how to take photos),” said Lisa Crayford, owner of Country Gallery, north of Dassel. “If they get a bad image, they can just hit the garbage can.”

Bob Wilde, of the Viewfinders Camera Club from the Cokato and Dassel areas, calls it “instant learning” since digital cameras offer immediate feedback on how to adjust your settings to capture the perfect photo. There’s also a versatility about digital cameras that make them easy to use in most situations, he added.

But there’s a dark world to digital cameras and a truth few owners would like to admit. Many first-time digital camera owners may find themselves at a loss for all those funny buttons and settings. With few people willing to actually read the manual, there’s a lot people might miss. And believe it or not, digital cameras speak a whole different language than film.

“The whole idea of photography and picture taking, whether digital or film, is to enjoy it and have fun,” said Cliff Schaefer, owner of Schaefer’s Photography in Litchfield.

The April 3 Independent Review breaks down digital cameras, including resolution, exposure and video, as well as what all those icons mean. Check it out for some tips before you snap away.