Digital cameras can produce amazing photographs when used properly.
Digital cameras provide many benefits to an aspiring photographer. You don't have to be an expert photographer or have an expensive camera to take good photographs, either. Style, technique and knowledge of your camera's features can turn an ordinary photograph into something truly amazing.
Instructions
Location and Subject
1. Choose an interesting location or subject. Don't limit yourself to postcard-perfect settings. Take pictures of things that interest you, as your interest in the subject will shine through in your photograph. For example, if you are more interested in a quaint Parisian cafe than you are in the Eiffel tower, then, by all means, take photographs of the cafe.
2. Move as close to the subject as possible. The closer you are to the subject, the less you will have to rely on camera features to achieve the shot you desire.
3. Utilize natural lighting. Take pictures during the "golden hours," or the hours around dawn and dusk, as natural lighting is at its best then. Take advantage of sunny days for bright pictures, and cloudy days for dark. Position yourself so that natural lighting falls on your subject.
4. Use the weather to your advantage. The weather can affect the mood of the photograph. A location can look entirely different on a sunny day than it looks on a stormy day. Cloud movement, wind and rain can also affect trees, plants and even people.
5. Take advantage of both background and foreground. A combination of the two can create a truly amazing photograph. For example, if you are taking a picture of a distant mountain, try to catch a nearby flower, tree or person in the photograph as well. Combining different aspects of background and foreground can add color, line and personality to your photograph.
Camera Features
6. Adjust your exposure settings. Shutter speeds control exposure. A high shutter speed allows less light to affect the picture, while a low shutter speed allows more light. If you are photographing a bright day, or a subject in motion, you probably want a high shutter speed. If you are photographing a night scape or a motionless subject in shadow, try a low shutter speed. Exposure, or shutter speed, settings are located in the "Settings" menu of your camera.
7. Use the flash, but remember that most stock digital camera flashes only work within 12 feet to 15 feet of the camera. If your target is out of that range, using the flash won't help you. Flash apertures can be purchased for digital cameras that will increase your flash range.
8. Use the zoom only when necessary. Zooming can affect the quality of the photograph by increasing the pixels used in capturing the image. This can lead to a grainy final image. Get as close to the subject as possible first, and use the zoom lens only as a last resort.
9. Utilize both still shot and video mode. Still shots are excellent for planned photographs, but videos can sometimes catch unexpected moments. Simply load the video onto your computer, open the viewing software that came with your camera, and play the video. When you come to a scene you like, pause the video and press the "Prt Sc," or print screen, button. Open "Paint," or your preferred photo-editing software, and press "Ctrl" and "V" at the same time, pasting your image to the program. Then edit and save the image however you desire.
Camera Attachments
10. Use a flash diffuser to negate the harsh effects of a flash. A flash diffuser softens the light of the flash, and generally leads to a more natural scene or subject. Complex flash diffusers are available as attachable apertures, or can be as simple as a piece of tissue paper held over the flash as the picture is taken. Take pictures with and without a flash diffuser, and you will immediately see the difference. Flash diffusers, and other add-ons, are available at most camera stores.
11. Experiment with different color filters. Color filters can add tone, such as sepia or gray, to your photograph. There is no right or wrong color filter to use in any given situation, so it is best to experiment with a few and decide which best suits your subject and your style.
12. Use a tripod if you are having difficulty achieving a clear shot, or if you are using a slow shutter speed and don't want to hold your camera for 10 to 30 seconds while the picture is taken. Tripods allow you to adjust the angle of your shot--and take multiple shots of the same subject over time--without the worry of holding the camera at the same angle for extended periods of time. Tripods are available in many shapes, sizes and weights. Lightweight tripods work well for travel, while heavier tripods grant stability to studio shots.
Photo Storage
13. Save your photographs in RAW format if you don't intend to do much editing, as RAW files tend to have a much higher resolution. JPEG or BMP formats are better if you do intend to do a lot of editing on your photograph. There are a multitude of file type conversation software programs available for download and purchase. Your local camera shop may have recommendations, or your digital camera software may have one built in.
14. Buy several memory cards. Don't rely on your camera's storage to hold all of your pictures, especially if you plan on traveling. Memory cards come in a variety of sizes and can be purchased at just about any electronics stores. The larger the memory card, the more pictures you will be able to store. Digital cameras generally use SD or MicroSD memory cards. Read your owner's manual to determine which variety of card you need. The more photographs you are able to take, the higher the chance you will end up with photographs you want to keep.
15. Organize your photographs so you can locate them easily. Your digital camera will generally include a photo organizing software along with the camera. Proper organization makes it easier to find, show, print and edit the photographs you take.
Tags: shutter speed, your camera, your photograph, digital camera, Digital cameras
