.
Maybe you have heard something like this before: “The better the cameras, the better the photos.”
In this effect, you might have thought of digital cameras. Many believe that these models are just a one-click away for great
photos. Do you also believe on this? Ponder on the following article and the appropriate answer
will be revealed to you.
The rivalry between film cameras and digital cameras or digital photography
is relatively fresh. How come? Three mega pixels digital cameras have an array of choices for consumers, which is already
comparable to a high quality point and shoot models. Nowadays, the same thing goes with five mega pixels digital models for
excellent quality photographs. The thing is, quality photographs can be taken with ease using digital cameras.
Some of the main advantages to digital photography are:
• pictures can
be previewed immediately on the built-in LCD screen
• costs of installing films are replaced with memory sticks
or cards that are primarily reusable and can store thousands of pictures
• the stored photographs can easily
be shared by copying off the images and/or sharing the memory stick or card
• images can easily be transformed
into black and white and/or sepia and can also be cropped after the picture has been taken
However,
photos under low light and taken using film and digital models are both susceptible to artifacts or granularity. Images taken
by both cameras appear to be very similar can be further improved with the advent of software that can improve and manipulate
the quality and details of images.
Furthermore, you can take lousy shots with the most expensive
Nikon models and make great photos with the passé point and shoot cameras. It suffices to say that it is not the camera
that solely makes great and even picture-perfect images. The man behind the camera can squeeze or miss a big time out of the
gadget that he has.
The following presents a ten-point aid that will enable you to
take photos like a pro using your digital cameras. Practice on these tips so you can maximize the expense of your gadget.
1. Those Tones Should Warm Up
Change your white balance setting from auto to cloudy
when shooting sunny landscapes and outdoor portraits. This increases the yellow and red tones, thus resulting in warmer and
richer pictures.
2. Use a [Sunglass] Polarizer
A polarizer
should always come in handy when taking those general outdoor shooting. Polarized shots have more saturated and richer colors
because unwanted reflections and glare are minimized or even removed.
If your digital camera
can not accommodate a polarizer, simply place a sunglass as close to the camera lens as possible making sure that the rims
of the glass will not be taken along with the image. The effect of a polarizer can be maximized when the light source is perpendicular
to the object.
3. Shining Outdoor Portraits
One of the most
useful and amazing features of digital cameras is the flash on or fill flash mode. This feature allows you to take control
when to use the flash. It simply goes on whenever you want it available. This helps in capturing great outdoor photographs.
The camera exposes for the background first then adds enough flash to illuminate the subject
when you are using the flash on option. Wedding photographers have been using this technique for many years to create professional
looking portraits where everything in the composition is simply excellent.
To come up with a more relaxed
photograph, try putting the subject under the shade and use the flash to add illumination.
You
can also practice on using rim lighting where the sun illuminates the hair of the subject from the side or the back.
However, you should not stand that far away when using the fill flash since most built-in models have a range of
10 feet or even less.
4. Macro Mode Frenzy
I am quite sure
that you would want to look at the fine details of your surroundings but would not be willing to crouch down and lie on the
ground with your belly.
In that case, you just have to look for the macro made or close up
symbol, usually a flower icon, and get as close to an object as possible. Once the confirmation light signals you to shoot,
just press the shutter down to record the portrait.
However, using the close up mode allows you to have a
shallow depth so you can concentrate on the part of the subject that you want to emphasize and let the rest go soft.
5. Chaos of the Horizon Line
There are still photographers who become disoriented
when lining up their shoots. In other words, once they look at their cameras monitor, images that are erect seem to be a little
tilted or bowed inward.
The most appropriate way to take care of this matter is to take your
best shot at a straight picture, then take another picture after repositioning the camera. Afterwards, you can delete the
others once you feel you captured a perfectly aligned image.
Also, just practice level framing
your shots until you become acquainted with the process.
6. Massive Media Card
You have to have an extra memory card especially when you want more moments to preserve. The following suggestions
should be considered before buying a memory card:
a. for 3 mega pixels – a 256 MB memory card
b. for
4 mega pixels – a 512 MB memory card
c. for 6 mega pixels – 1 gigabyte memory card
Then you do not have to miss another shot because your card is full.
7. Not High
Resolution All the Time
It is more advisable to squeeze more images by shooting a low quality
and resolution settings than taking shots with a high resolution all the time. This way you can reserve a space and a 2272
x 1704 resolution on the next great image of the century and enough for the portrait to be printed on a 8” x 10”
inch paper suitable for framing.
However, if you have enough memory (and you should), there
is no reason to shoot at a lower resolution and risk missing the chance to display your work the big way.
8. Tolerate that Tripod
Tripods are “unnecessarily bulky” for some so
seldom do people like to bring them around.
Nowadays, there is an ingenious way to settle
the dilemma whether to bring a tripod around or to do without it. The UltraPod II™ developed by Pedco fits in your back
pocket and holds your camera steady in various situations.
You can use the Velcro™ strap to attach
your camera on a tree limb or an available pole. Its legs can be opened on any flat surface or even on a boulder.
Now, you can be a real photographer without carrying a heavy burden.
9. The Fun with
Self Timer
Another under-used feature on almost every digital camera is the self timer. This
function can be used to save the photographer for missing the picture by delaying the firing of the shutter up to 10 seconds.
You can attach your UltraPod™ to ensure that your camera will not be taken away that easily by some strangers.
Of course, you need to aim at the subject and not at a distant background before setting up the timer. Also the depth of the
subject should be checked too.
By using self timers, you can also avoid accidentally jarring
the camera when you are interested in making long exposures of cars driving at dusk as you initiate the focus.
10. Slow Motions
Normally, you will use an exposure of one second or a bit longer
to create the flowing effect of water. In this case, you have to look for waterfalls or streams that are under the shade.
I often use a polarizer or sunglasses to darken the scene and create a longer exposure.
More so, this technique can also eliminate distractions from your portrait.A pair of polarized sunglasses can work quite well
when you dont have a filter.
For a really good photographer, which implies using creativity
and ingenuity, viewers often get curious and ask, “What sort of camera model do you have there?”
Would it be more humbling for them to hear that you are using a normal aim and shoot model?
Focusing On A Career In Photography
An article in a national magazine told about a famous fashion designer who went on location with the photographer
responsible for creating the special look of his ads. The fashion designer not only worked alongside the photographer but
actually appeared in some of the hundreds of pictures taken over a period of three days The fashion designer also helped edit
the pictures into an advertising campaign.
One of the popular photography magazines included an
article about a guitarist for one of the top British musical groups. Between performances on tour, this musician captured
abstract and surrealistic views of behind-the-scenes action with his 35 mm camera. His photographs, which mirror his personal
experiences as well as his musical taste, have been published in a book.
A feature newspaper article
about a major new restaurant included an extensive interview with the head chef. While this head chef acknowledged that he
grants complete creative freedom to his pastry chef, he admitted that he regularly uses color photographs of carefully designed
entrees as a quality-control guideline for those who must prepare them, day after day.
Every day,
you come in contact with newspapers (daily or weekly), magazines (mass-circulation or special-interest) and books (textbooks
and leisure-reading paperbacks and hardcovers). If you pick up the home remodeling magazine on the end table, you may notice
an article about an architect who shows potential customers slides of creative solutions to past clients' problems. Yes,
you can be a "photo in career" detective without leaving your living room. So, what are you waiting for?
EXERCISE: During the next month or so, make an effort to read articles about people
involved in different careers. Notice how they use photography in their work. If they make no mention of photography, try
to imagine how the photo skills you currently possess might make their jobs easier. Keep notes on your findings, and your
imaginings, for use in future presentations to other 4-H Club members. Select a career you have read about. Do a layout of
how photography could enhance that person's job.