Turning your camera on and off safely: try it yourself

There is no reason to invent a photography experiment for this subject. This practical is simply a short equipment check.

1. Find the power control

With the camera in front of you, find the ON/OFF control and switch it on normally. Wait for the display or viewfinder to become ready.

2. Recognise standby

Leave the camera untouched long enough for its screen or viewfinder to sleep, if it is configured to do so. Try a half-press of the shutter or the normal wake control. Notice the difference between standby and actually being switched off.

3. Find the card-access indicator

Take one photograph and look for any card-access light or on-screen writing indicator. Your camera may complete the write too quickly for it to be obvious. The important rule is not to open the card or battery door while the camera is still writing.

4. Put it away properly

Switch it off, wait for any activity to finish, then check that the card and battery doors are closed and the lens is protected as appropriate for your camera.