Using Your Digital Camera

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Using Your Digital Camera
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Camera Modes

• Most of the time you will use your automatic
  mode, but be aware of other modes available on
  your camera.
• Many digital cameras have pre-set scene modes
  that you can select for particular situations,
  such as portrait, for shooting faces and sport,
  for capturing action. Scene modes adjust the
  camera's exposure settings for greater depth of
  field, faster shutter speeds, and so on. Scene
  modes can be helpful to beginning and casual
  photographers, but they're generally disdained by
  professionals and enthusiasts.

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Common Scene Modes

• Beach/Snow - photograph beach, snow and sunlit
  water scenes. Exposure and white balance are set
  to help prevent the scene from becoming washed
  out looking.Fireworks - shutter speed and
  exposure are set for shooting fireworks
  pre-focusing use of tripod recommended.Landsca
  pe - take photos of wide scenes. Camera
  automatically focuses on a distant object.Macro
  - take close-up shots of small objects, flowers
  and insects. Lens can be moved closer to the
  subject than in other modes. Hold the camera
  steady or use a tripod.Night Portrait - take
  photos of a subject against a night scene. The
  built-in flash and red-eye reduction are enabled
  shutter-speeds are low. Use of tripod
  recommended.Night Scene - photograph
  nightscapes. Preprogrammed to use slow shutter
  speeds. Use of tripod recommended.Party - take
  photos in a dim lit room exposure and shutter
  speed are automatically adjusted for room
  brightness. Captures indoor background lighting
  or candlelight. Hold the camera very steady when
  using this mode.Portrait - main subject is
  clearly focused and the background is out of
  focus (has less depth of field). Best when taking
  shots outside during the day. Shoot using a mid
  to long telephoto lens, stand close to your
  subject within the recommended camera range and,
  when possible, select an uncomplicated background
  that is far from the subject.Sports (also
  called Kids Pets)- take photos of a fast moving
  subject fast shutter speeds "freeze" the action.
  Best when shots are taken in bright light
  pre-focusing recommended.Sunset - take photos
  of sunsets and sunrises helps keep the deep hues
  in the scene.

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Basic Camera Instructions

• Use the shutter-release button correctly
• The shutter-release button must be pressed in two
  stages. The first step locks in exposure and
  focus. The second step takes the picture.
  Incorrect use of the shutter button may cause
  blurred images.
• Avoid camera shake
• Even slight camera movement causes blurred
  images. Movement can occurs when taking photos in
  low light, or when using a long telephoto lens.
  To help prevent camera shake, hold the camera
  very steady or use a camera support such as a
  tripod.
• Use fill-in flash outside
• Turn on the flash outside to fill in shadows when
  a nearby subject is back lit. Fill-in flash, also
  known as forced flash, provides a short burst of
  additional light.
• Reduce red-eye
• Red-eye can ruin an otherwise perfect picture.
  One of the main ways to help prevent red-eye when
  using a built-in camera flash is to ask subjects
  not to stare directly in the lens.
• Use macro mode for close-ups
• Macro mode is used to take close-up photos of
  small objects such as flowers, coins and insects.
  If you move the lens too close to an object
  without switching to macro mode, images will be
  out of focus.

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Holding Your Camera

• Many digital cameras no longer use a viewfinder
  for taking pictures and rely on an LCD instead.
  This means youre holding it at a distance and
  may have more camera shake.
• Smaller cameras are more difficult to hold steady
  than larger ones and you must be careful to not
  cover the lens or flash with your fingers.

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Hints for steadying your camera.

• Use both hands with fingers grasping both sides
• If using a viewfinder brace the camera against
  your face
• Whether using the viewfinder or LCD, keep your
  elbows against your body
• Lean against a wall or something to keep yourself
  steady
• When standing, spread your legs slightly to
  improve stability
• Take a deep breath and hold while you release the
  shutter button
• Another method is to hold it on a flat, steady
  surface while you take the shot or use a tripod
• When holding it vertically, hold camera in left
  hand and support it with your right
• Prop both elbows on your knees when sitting
• When crouching hold camera firmly with an elbow
  braced on a knee

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Using the Flash

• Most camera built in flashes have a limited range
  (20 feet or less)
• Try to use as much natural light as possible
• Learn your flash settings and practice with them

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Top Ten Picture Taking Tips
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1. Get on your subjects level

• Hold the camera at your subjects eye level
• They dont have to look directly in the camera
  the level itself will create a personal feeling.

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Use a plain background

• Check the area behind your subject
• Make sure that there are no trees or poles
  growing out of peoples heads
• A cluttered background will be distracting while
  a plain one will emphasize your subject

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Use the flash outdoors

• Even outdoors, the flash can improve your
  pictures
• Use it in bright sun to lighten dark shadows
  under eyes and nose
• Use it on cloudy days to brighten up your subject

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Move in Close

• Move in close and fill your picture with the
  subject
• Move a few steps closer or use the cameras zoom
  (optical) until it fills the frame
• For smaller objects, use the cameras macro
  feature

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Take some vertical shots

• Many pictures look better vertically, like the
  Eiffel Tower
• Make a conscious effort to turn your camera from
  time to time

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Take lots of pictures

• With storage cards increasing in size, you have
  the capability of taking numerous pictures
• You can always delete those that you dont like
• By taking lots of pictures you may capture a
  special moment

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Move away from the middle

• Use the Rule of Thirds
• Place your subject off center in one of the focal
  points on the grid
• Since most cameras lock focus on whatever is in
  the middle you may have to center, lock focus,
  then adjust the shot.

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Rule of Thirds

• Move horizon shots from the middle as well.
• Give people or moving things a place to go

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Know your flashs range

• Most flash ranges on built in camera flashes do
  not extend beyond about 10 feet (about 4 steps)
• Pictures taken beyond its range will be too dark

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Try different angles

• Be creative when it comes to pictures
• You have the flexibility to experiment with a
  digital camera
• Try horizontally, vertically, above, below,
  diagonally

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Get the shot in action

• Be ready to shoot
• Timing is critical so take lots of shots
• Use the sport or action mode on your camera
• Get close

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Action photos

• For a creative effect, follow the action - pan
  with your camera and press the shutter button
  while still moving the camera. Your subject will
  be sharp, but the background will blur indicating
  speed

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Things to avoid
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Things to avoid
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Things to Avoid
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Things to Avoid
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Uploading Photos
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Docking Stations

• Some cameras have docking stations that allow you
  upload photos each time you put the camera on it
• Docking stations cost extra
• Some have built in printers for printing
• Most programs save your pictures in your My
  Pictures folder

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Card Readers

• Most card readers today have multiple card slots
  for a variety of card types
• Many printers have card reader slots as well
• You insert the card from your camera and the
  computer recognizes it as another drive letter

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Direct from Camera

• Extra docks and card readers are not necessary,
  but may be more convenient
• Most cameras should come with a USB cable that
  allows you to directly upload images from your
  camera
• You can use your cameras software to upload and
  organize pictures or the camera itself will be
  recognized as a drive letter on your computer

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Organizing Your Photos

• Usually pictures are stored in the My Pictures
  folder on your computer
• Its a good idea to organize your pictures into
  subfolders
• There is software available for organizing and
  editing your photos

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Browser

• Much of what you can do in terms of organizing
  your photos can be done in your computer without
  additional software

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Editing and Printing Digital Photos
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Editing Photos

• Simple editing can be done in basic programs
• Microsoft photo editor is on most school
  computers
• Your cameras software may come with editing
  features
• For more advanced editing, you may have to buy
  software such as Adobe Photoshop Elements

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Printing

• You can print to photo printers but you must make
  sure you set your printer up for photo printing

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Photo Print Setup

• Make sure you choose both the correct kind of
  paper AND the size of paper

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What kind of printer?

• Usually printers that use 7 inks have better
  photo quality compared to 4 ink printers
• Epson, Canon, and HP tend to have good
  recommendations

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Other Print Options

• You can have prints made at other places like
  Walmart, Kinkos, or Walgreens
• You can have prints made from online sources as
  well
• Kodak
• Shutterfly
• Snapfish