Using Your Digital Camera

1. Using Your Digital Camera

2. 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.

3. 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.Landscape - 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.

4. 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.

5. Holding Your Camera • Many digital cameras no longer use a viewfinder for taking pictures and rely on an LCD instead. This means you’re 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. Top Ten Picture Taking Tips

9. 1. Get on your subject’s level • Hold the camera at your subject’s eye level • They don’t have to look directly in the camera… the level itself will create a personal feeling.

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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 don’t like • By taking lots of pictures you may capture a special moment

15. 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.

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

17. Know your flash’s 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Things to avoid

22. Things to avoid

23. Things to Avoid

24. Things to Avoid

25. Uploading Photos

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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 camera’s software to upload and organize pictures or the camera itself will be recognized as a drive letter on your computer

29. Organizing Your Photos • Usually pictures are stored in the “My Pictures” folder on your computer • It’s a good idea to organize your pictures into subfolders • There is software available for organizing and editing your photos

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

31. Editing and Printing Digital Photos

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

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

34. Photo Print Setup • Make sure you choose both the correct kind of paper AND the size of paper

35. 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

36. 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