Improve Your Digital Photos With These Easy Basics

How many times have you seen someone else's photographs and wondered why they are so much better than yours are, even though you may even have a better camera? The truth is that most of the time it's not the camera, but the way it's used that makes a great photo. By learning about your camera and practicing basic photography techniques, you can greatly enhance your digital photography surprisingly quickly. Here are some basic tips to help you get quick improvement in your work.

Learn how your camera operates.

Even though most cameras come with a "Point and Shoot" or "Auto" mode, by relying on this for all of your shots, you are seriously limiting your ability to take excellent photos. Most cameras have many modes, and by analyzing the shot and choosing the proper mode, youll find your photographs will be much improved. Modes most often found are: "Portrait" use this when taking people shots if you would like to have the subject in focus and the background (if it's far off) slightly indistinct; "Action" for fast-moving objects, or if you are in a low-light situation and don't want to use the flash, choose this mode to have the camera pick a fast shutter speed, which will stop the motion; "Scenery" this mode provides settings for distance shots; "Nighttime" choose this for low-light conditions, using a tripod if possible, since it uses a slow shutter speed to capture the greatest possible light; "Macro" this allows for extreme close-ups, great for flowers, bugs and such. When you choose the proper mode, the camera works with you to capture your subject in the best possible way. You may also have manual settings available on your camera, but the use of these is not covered in this article, as they require more advanced technique.

Pay attention to the elements in your picture.

By and large, when shooting a picture, people look only at the object in the middle and then are surprised when they look at the picture and see a flagpole coming out of their fathers head! Radically improve the quality of your photographs by just imagining what the camera is seeing - the entire shot. Notice some ugly wires across the top, any busy or distracting background, and if so, try to change the shot to remove these things. When taking shots of people, consider having them fill most of the frame. Faces make appealing photos, much more so than whole bodies, for the most part. Chose what the point of the picture is, and then shoot with that as your goal. Taking care in the setting up phase will be more than amply rewarded.

Carefully choose your camera angle.

In horror films, you may have noticed that when a malevolent person is filmed, it is often from a lower angle looking up, which alters the subject and makes him look ominous. When taking still photographs, it is also true that angling your shot will create a distortion, creating a point of view, often not one you intended. Be certain that you are level with your subject unless you desire to generate a precise effect. Adjusting your camera angle can have a dramatic improvement on photos of children and animals. When you become level with them, you correct the unintentional distortion that results when taking the shot from above. For these subjects, lying on the floor can help to take better photos.

Rely on natural lighting whenever you possibly can.

Flash, particularly the typical camera-mounted flash, can create a host of woes with your photos, such as unforgiving shadows, color loss, red-eye, and over- and under-exposure. There are times when it is essential to use a flash, like at an indoor party where everyone is moving about, but normally you will achieve the best outcome by using existing light, including indoor lamps. You can take eye-catching indoor portraits by setting up lamps around your subject, being sure to illuminate one side of your subject more brightly than the other, creating soft, attractive shadows. Experiment with different lighting - you'll be amazed at the attractiveness of shots taken in this manner.

Be sure to hold the camera steady.

Even though this point is fairly obvious, it is good to be reminded of it. If you move the camera while shooting, you will get a blurry picture, period. Squeeze the shutter button rather than push it. In dim lighting, use a tripod or find some other way to support the camera.

Take lots of pictures.

Now that we have the digital camera, there is no longer any reason to be stingy about shooting pictures. You have no film, no processing, and you only print what you like, so go to town and take loads of shots. Professional photographers take many shots of each scene, since they know that each one is at least a tiny bit different, and taking more improves the chance of a great shot. Play around with lighting, angles and composition. If youre taking moving subjects, you should use the "Burst" setting if your camera has one, to take many pictures in quick succession. When the session is over, you'll find you have lots more "keepers".

Take batteries and a spare memory card along.

There's nothing worse than getting ready to take the most important shot of the day, and finding that your battery has just given out. Act like the pros and be prepared. Have a spare charged battery, or a new pack if your camera uses alkaline batteries, and take a spare unused memory card. Someday you'll be thankful you did.

The difference between a snapshot taker and a photographer lies not so much in the camera, but in the way the camera is employed. Apply the points described here, and you will be using the techniques of professional photographers - knowing how your camera operates and choosing settings for the proper conditions, carefully setting up the shot, taking notice of your camera angle, using flash sparingly and with care, correctly supporting the camera, taking lots and lots of pictures, and being prepared.

So, spend a little time getting to know your camera, and go out and take pictures. Soon you will be shooting photographs that you can proudly cherish for a lifetime.

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