subject: So you want to get more from your camera? [print this page] Getting the best out of you camera Getting the best out of you camera
So you either have a new camera or want to buy one? It should be too hard to find a digital camera that you can afford
The internet has played a big part in changing how people store pictures, with most people having an online photo album so that there friends and family can see whats happening. this means that most people upload photos more ofter. Now you want your photos to look as professional as possible . I'm now going to give you the best tips to make your photos amazing
1 Theres a good reason why they supply a manual, take your time to go through it and look at the features available and how to navigate through the menues that way it you will save time when your taking your actual pictures The Canon Ixus electronic digital camera manual for instance is broken down into effortless to examine sections that will enable you to to master the adjustments
2 Turn off the date stamp! Unless you have a specific need to have the date on your picture you are better turning this off. Dont forget that you can easily just set the camera to store the files in date order Far better than losing a section of the photograph.
3 Theres a right and a wrong way to use the flash. You need to take pictures in the dark that are closer than normal, otherwise it wont be too good You are far better using the cameras built in night time settings. The flash is best used close up, less than 5 feet from the object preferably alot closer than this.
4. Lock the emphasis. make sure when you press the button that you press it down about half way first, as this will let the auto focus do its magic
5. Try out using the preset options. Alot of the better cameras have special settings, these arnt a gimic they are designed to help you get the most from particular scenes
6. Distance settings. They may be there for any explanation. If you want to take a picture of something close up use the macro settings function. The Canon Ixus digital camera range have one of the best auto focus settings on any compact camera, so in most cases you can just enable it and then point and shoot.. With some cameras its worth checking out photography forums for specific advice as no two cameras are the same. With most of the cameras that are currently on the market you should be careful trying to use the zoom and the macro setting at the same time as one is likely to interfere with the other, making truely awlful pictures. In which case you just need to get that bit closer to your subject.
7. Make sure your lens isnt dirty. There is no point in trying to take pictures if you have a ton of dirt on your lense. what I have found to be the easiest way to get my lens clean is to just breath on it then use a cloth (the type you use to clean glasses) I find that most of the time that is more than adequate. If its still not clean use some Isoproponol, again this can be purchased easily as glasses cleaner.
8. Use both hands to take the picture. To be clear if you dont do this your pictures will either suck, or never reach thier true potential.
9. Its worth resting your elbows against your chest when you take your photos that way it will help stabilise your camera, helping to remove the chance of a blurred image.
10. If your camera is fitted with a view finder, use it. Some of the new cameras like the Canon Ixus digital range are fitted with pure colour Lcd screens. this is so you can check what your picture looks like after you have taken them, unless of course yours doesnt have a view finder! Once more same cause as prior to it is going to steady your hands and boost the image, this becomes even much more significant when using slow shutter speeds (see ahead).
If your head hasnt already exploded then ive got more for you.
Having given you some quick tips to improve your photos I'm now going to cover some of the areas in a bit more detail.
Acquiring Photographs In Low Brightness Conditions
At sometime in your 'photograpy career' your going to need to take pictures when there isnt alot of light. Maybe its at a party or family outing etc and because of this many people stipulate that thier new camera must be good at this when they are considering purchasing a new camera. Unfortunately what can happen is that you get home and take your first photo and end up dissapointed with the results. Fortunately it isnt always the cameras fault, more what you are asking it to do, without setting it up correctly
Rather than just give you some settings that will improve the situation, what I would rather do is tell you how your camera works so you have a better idea what to do about the problem I'm sure you have noticed when you go to take a picture the shutter opens up. The reason that is does this is to allow light onto the sensor that is within the camera. How bright or dull your picture is, is dependant on how much light there is (not taking into consideration using the flash). If its getting dark or a cloody day you are going to have a problem. The lens must also gather lumination (aperture)
Its also improtant to consider how sensitive the sensor is to light (ISO) and for how long the shutter will be open for. If you what your camera to perform at its optimum what you have to make sure is that the settings on the camera are working in a way that will help the camera to see more light changing the ISO settings from its lowest which is usually ISO 64 towards one of its higher settings will make a difference, but the higher the ISO setting the more 'noise' in the photo which will make it look more grainy. You can of course sort this out in photoshop after you have taken the picture if you get it wrong The longer the shutter remains open for the more light it will let in. This is adjusted by changing shutter speed, which isnt a problem providing your not shooting moving objects as they may end up blurred ruining your picture. Should you can adjust the aperture you might have to widen it. Lastly you can sort the light problem out by either using the flash or using a light source to illuminate the subject. The closer you are to your subject the more likely the flash will be able to do the job for you If your over about 15 feet from your subject, I wouldnt bother using the flash as its not going to help that much. Far better to just get closer to the subject before taking the picture
Its worth noting which the far more you increase the ISO the much more grainy the snapshot can turn into so dont go overboard
Finally shooting in bright conditions. You should always try to have the sun behind you that way you will get the most vivid colours. If its too bright you may find that the shadows around the subject become too dark. With this you really need to judge this for yourself
Ok that wraps it up for this article, but if you would like much more it is possible to usually go through my other articles just goto http://www.squidoo.com/6-photography-tips
