Do you find it difficult to take great digital photos? Many people can take digital photos for years without capturing the stunning image they wanted. I myself have been guilty of ruining photos of important moments like my son's baseball tournament or my own daughter's graduation. There is not a worse feeling in the world than when a photo of an important event is horrible.
That bring us to the question of how do you exactly take a great photo? While there is a bit of trial and error involved, there is a simple answer. A great photo begins with you and then extends through the camera. Think about it, every shot begins in your mine, not the camera lens. A super photo can be captured by the most basic point-and-click camera just as easy as the most expensive SLR.
Take the opportunity to check out these simple tips on shooting digital photos and use them the next time you pick up your camera. With these in mind, you will be successful in all of the photos you take!
1. Understand Your Camera I know this sounds elementary, but how many of us are guilty of buying a gadget only to never once look at the manual included? If you are going to make the investment in a digital camera, take the tine to learn about all of its features. The instruction manual is there to be your guide to all of the possibilities your camera contains. Learn how to control the exposure, what the different camera modes do and even the simple things such as the flash. You might find yourself surprised at how much your camera can do that you might have never know by only fiddling with the device. The information you gain will prove itself valuable while behind the lens.
2. Controlling the Flash One of the most essential things to learn in digital photography is how to control the flash. I myself don't like to depend on the automatic flash included with the digital camera. Certain situations might require the flash switch to be on or off
An example of manually controlling the flash can be found when photographing outdoors. It is helpful to actually turn on the flash in order to illuminate the photo subject, especially if in the shade. The reverse idea would be to turn the camera flash off while indoors to eliminate potentially unnatural skin color and harsh glare that can occur in your photo.
3. Using Macro Mode Most digital cameras now come equipped with a macro mode. This is an ideal setting for shooting close up photos of objects like insects or flowers. Depending on your model camera, it can have different symbols. My Canon PowerShot symbol is a flower. Turn your camera to macro mode and get as close as possible to your chosen subject. Make sure you allow the camera to focus correctly before depressing the shutter button completely.
4. Hold the Camera Level One of the most basic photography rules is to hold the camera level. Most digital cameras come with an LCD that can be used to accurately frame your shots. Utilize the horizontal lines as guides next time you are behind the lens. One such case is making use of the horizon when taking a photo of the sunrise.
5. Using a Tripod I would recommend this to all photographers of any level. You will find camera tripods an invaluable tool in your photography cache. When do you need a tripod you might ask? It becomes useful when taking a shot in low-light conditions or when your subject includes fast moving objects. I use a tripod while taking pictures of city streets at night to capture all of the elements. You don't have to invest in the largest or heaviest tripod for personal use. Choose a tripod that is compact and easy to carry with you.
6. Experiment with the ISO Setting I have found the ISO setting in digital cameras very helpful. The ISO setting of a camera essentially controls the camera's sensitivity to light. Use a low ISO setting if you're taking a photo of a still object, like a flower. This allows for a longer shutter speed and creates a cleaner image. A higher ISO setting of about 400 would be appropriate while taking a photo of a moving subject such as a baby in a swing. Keep in mind that a higher ISO setting results in a faster shutter speed and needs less light
7. Memory Capacity Needed While traditional cameras need film, your digital camera needs memory to store the photos you take. Just imagine being on that perfect vacation only to discover that your memory card in your camera is full. Some guidelines for digital camera memory are helpful:
2 megapixel cameras - get at least a 64MB card 3 megapixel camera - get at least a 128MB card 4 megapixel camera - get at least a 256MB card 5 megapixel camera and above - get at least a 512MB or 1GB card
Wrapping Things Up While it seems like a lot of information to learn, they are all pretty simple with just a little practice. I hope these tips help you to produce the best digital photos possible. Even though the camera plays an important role in your photography, remember that your role as the photographer is the most important of all. Utilize the features that your digital camera offers to make the most of every picture and with incorporating the above tips, you will be shooting photos like a pro in no time!
About the Author:
FREE Book: Reveals Professional, "Insider" Tips And Tricks For Taking Amazing Digital Photos With Your Digital Camera... (Even If You're A Complete Beginner To Photography!) Click here to access "How To Take Photos Like The Pros" We teach digital photography and suggest you get started with the free report, and then Watch this Youtube video channel "Free Digital Photo Tips"
