7 Tips for Shooting Great Digital Photos
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.
So how do you begin to take good photos? Well, the first thing to remember is this: It’s the photographer that takes great photos, not the camera. Think about that for a minute. It’s true isn’t it? I’ve seen some people take great photos with a simple point-and-shoot camera, while some take lousy shots with the most expensive SLR.
Take the time to read over these tips on taking digital photos and incorporate them the next time you have the opportunity. In no time at all, you can be an expert.
1. Know Your Camera Does this sound familiar? You buy the latest digital camera out there, come home, rip off the box, then proceed to fiddle with the device. You briefly flick through the hundred page camera manual and then never look at it again. Not a good idea! If you buy a digital camera, you owe it to yourself to understand its ins and outs. Learn how to control exposure, how to use different camera modes and how to use the flash. The knowledge you gain about the camera will be invaluable when you’re out in the field taking those special photos.
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
As an example, some indoor photos are best if the flash is left off. Sometimes the flash can create an unnatural skin tone or a harsh glare in your photos. On the flip side, some outdoor photos might need the flash to be on in order to light up the subject especially if they are in the shade.
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 A basic rule of photography is to hold the camera level. Since most digital cameras come with a LCD, you can use it to properly frame your shots. Next time you’re taking a shot, try to look for the horizontal lines and use them as guides. A good example is to make use of the horizon when you’re taking a photo of a sunset.
5. Use The Tripod I recommend this tip to all budding photographers - camera tripods are an essential tool in your photography arsenal. When will you need a tripod? Well, it’s useful if you’re taking shots under low-light conditions or trying to capture fast moving objects. I like to use a tripod when taking night shots city streets, for example. Always try to look for a tripod that’s convenient to carry around. For personal use, you don’t need a huge one - just a simple compact one that’s easy to pack.
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. Make Sure to Have Enough Memory Capacity Although with digital cameras you don’t have to worry about extra rolls of film, the pictures you take still have to be stored somewhere. Make certain that you have enough memory capacity in your digital camera available to you. Nothing is worse than discovering you are out of memory space only halfway through an important event. Here are some basic guidelines for digital memory storage.
2 megapixel cameras - have at least a 64MB card 3 megapixel camera - have at least a 128MB card 4 megapixel camera - have at least a 256MB card 5 megapixel camera and above - have 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!
