subject: 3 Camera Zoom Tips - How To Get The Most Out Of Your Lens [print this page] Almost every good quality camera on the market comes with some type of zoom function. What's ironic about this gift of modern technology is that camera zoom is almost always used either incorrectly, or not at all. Many photographers starting out consider the zoom to be for "far away things" and never understand the impact using a zoom correctly can have on their images. Keeping that in mind, here are some ways to use your zoom the next time you're out taking pictures.
Don't Forget to Crop Your Picture
Ideally in a perfect photographic world, no piece of editing software would have to come with a "crop" feature. If you don't understand what "cropping" is, it refers to removing all of the unnecessary stuff in the image that the photographer should have avoided when shooting the picture. Rather than cropping the extra stuff out of the background after the fact, you should make use of your camera's zoom and fill the frame with only the important parts of the image. Photos of family get togethers are infamous for this as most photographers don't fill the frame with the subject and instead take a picture consisting mostly of the background.
Take a Step Back
Regardless of what camera you will, no lens will reflect the subject with 100% accuracy. With every type of lens there is a tiny bit of distortion, and this can and should inform your decisions with your camera zoom. For example, taking portraits with a zoom lens from a distance will give you more flattering results than shoving your regular lens in someone's face (and they'll probably be glad you opted with the zoom). Make sure to give it a try the next time you take a portrait. Take a few up close then take a few with the zoom and see which your subject likes more.
Be a Little Sneaky
To get a good picture sometimes it requires you to be a little sneaky. Obviously, it's not a good idea to invade the privacy of your friends and family, but candid pictures are a great way to capture people you care about as their natural selves. When you are far away with the camera, people tend to be more comfortable and act "normal" so you'll end up capturing some great images that you would have otherwise missed.
A zoom shouldn't just be used when you're far away. Your zoom is great for improving composition, getting great unplanned moments and getting shots of your subject in a more relaxed state. A zooms lens is a wonderful tool because it gives you new opportunities to shoot that you may not have otherwise had. You will love the results.
