Okay, so I have a basic digital (I think?); it is a Panasonic Lumix FX35 10.1 megapixel wide-angle. Or something like that. Hehe :) I primarily use the automatic setting, unless conditions require a change (low light, for example). I know every digital camera has its unique perks, but my question for all of you who are well versed in cameras and photography is this: what are some simple tips and tricks that can be applied when using a basic digital camera to give photos a professional feel, and to possibly lessen some of those aggravating low quality photos that occasionally occur?
I would recommend playing with the scene menu on your camera. Lots of people never venture out of automatic. It has lots of preset functions. One of my favorites on any point and shoot camera is the portrait setting. It will create crisp portraits with blurred background.
Here is a tutorial page for your camera. It should walk you through different settings that you camera has and it even has a section on taking better photographs. If the link does not work, copy and paste in your browser.
Your camera should have all of these settings within the scene mode: Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Self-Portrait,Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed.
Also, turn off the flash and try to use natural light.
I would break out your manual and play with all the features. The more photos you take the better pictures you will make! Good luck and I hope this helps.
Thank you Johnna! The portrait suggestion is a great one. I couldn't figure out for the life of me how to attain that effect unless it occurred by accident (on automatic).
Absolutely positively read through your manual! You'll find plenty of useful things you can do with your camera that you never thought you could've.
And I second taking photos with natural light. Flash is nice for a very specific scene, but not for the majority of situations. Natural light is just that - naturally awesome :D
well, that's because the flash gives you bright enough light to make shutter speed not matter, pretty much. when working with natural light, make sure it's bright enough, make your shutter speed faster, or get a tripod (or a sturdy surface :-p)
As well as camera shake (my first suggestion also) composition is very important. Now I'm not one to be talking about composition :-) but balancing dark and light elements and using the rule of thirds can really help.
I am a back to basics person. So I recommend for example, reading up on the Rule of thirds. (very good discussion just this on this site) I find it critical. I shoot a lot of landscapes, and all too many people put the horizon right in the middle. Shots are so much more interesting when the horizon is at 2/3 (higher) or1/3 (lower).
Also, when I shoot outdoors, and not people, I will dial up the saturation just a little bit. Brings out more color, but not too fake. I also use a Polarizer in the right situations, and once in awhile, a ND grad filter. I still contend that I get better shots from film, as you are at your own wits, and not necessarily what the camera can do for you, and all of the "digital" menus. So, I am old school, even with digital. Since film costs so much to shoot anymore (I will convert Velvia 50 slide film to disc), I try to keep my old school mentality about waiting for the right light, etc, versus just shooting aimlessly and deleting later. I don't even look at the screen after I shoot. It helps me learn, and challenges me.
I am not a professional by any shape of the word. Just a passion for this is all I have. I went to Art School (well, a long time ago), and quit because it was becoming more in the hands of technology, and less in the hands of he user. Be creative! Use your imagination! Like speaking to someone you love, do it from your heart. That is what makes a great image, to me.
I was more of less talking about the movement of the 1 year old I am often photographing. LoL. I haven't had too much of a problem with camera shake.
Since reading on the rule of thirds I no longer take photos without my grid visible. The rule of thirds truly is a great technique!
I have also shot aimlessly - as you mentioned, Chris - and some of my best shots are procured from those attempts. Funny how that works out some times!
I agree Chris. I think it's really important to try to get it right in the camera, rather than just shooting and waiting to fix it later in Photoshop. There's definitely a learning curve, but ive really seen my photography improve once I started paying attention to aperture, shutter speed, white balance, exposure, composition, rule of thirds, etc. And even if you don't always follow all the rules, just knowing what the rules are and when it makes sense to purposefully break them goes a long way to making a better photo.
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Here is a tutorial page for your camera. It should walk you through different settings that you camera has and it even has a section on taking better photographs. If the link does not work, copy and paste in your browser.
http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/support/Cameras-Camcorders/Digital-Cameras/Lumix-Digital-Cameras/How-To-Guides/model.DMC-FX35S.H#ts
Your camera should have all of these settings within the scene mode: Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Self-Portrait,Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, High sensitivity, Hi-Speed.
Also, turn off the flash and try to use natural light.
I would break out your manual and play with all the features. The more photos you take the better pictures you will make! Good luck and I hope this helps.
Excellent link too!
You're amazing :)
Aleshia
And I second taking photos with natural light. Flash is nice for a very specific scene, but not for the majority of situations. Natural light is just that - naturally awesome :D
I have been playing with natural light, but the quality of the photo goes down for some reason! And any movement ends up blurring. Ugh.
Also, when I shoot outdoors, and not people, I will dial up the saturation just a little bit. Brings out more color, but not too fake. I also use a Polarizer in the right situations, and once in awhile, a ND grad filter. I still contend that I get better shots from film, as you are at your own wits, and not necessarily what the camera can do for you, and all of the "digital" menus. So, I am old school, even with digital. Since film costs so much to shoot anymore (I will convert Velvia 50 slide film to disc), I try to keep my old school mentality about waiting for the right light, etc, versus just shooting aimlessly and deleting later. I don't even look at the screen after I shoot. It helps me learn, and challenges me.
I am not a professional by any shape of the word. Just a passion for this is all I have. I went to Art School (well, a long time ago), and quit because it was becoming more in the hands of technology, and less in the hands of he user. Be creative! Use your imagination! Like speaking to someone you love, do it from your heart. That is what makes a great image, to me.
Or, I am full of crap (always possible!)
Since reading on the rule of thirds I no longer take photos without my grid visible. The rule of thirds truly is a great technique!
I have also shot aimlessly - as you mentioned, Chris - and some of my best shots are procured from those attempts. Funny how that works out some times!
Thank you for all the suggestions!
Aleshia