Top 5 Digital Photography Tips by Jane Hester
1. Check the tone settings
Whether you have noticed it or not, most of your digital shots will have a ‘cool’ look to them, ie very sharp and cold looking. This is due to the white balance setting that is the default for digital cameras when on the “auto” setting. This probably doesn’t bother you because you haven’t really noticed it before, but once you try other settings, it makes a big difference!
If you are shooting outdoor photos and there is a lot of sunshine, try changing your white balance setting to manual and choose a setting such as shade or cloudy. This will increase the reds and yellows of the photo, giving you a warmer picture.
Test this for yourself – take a photo on auto then switch the white balance to shade or cloudy and take the exact same photo. Upload them to your computer and compare them side by side… warmer huh?!
2. Sneaky trick for Polarizing Filter
If you want to get even more serious about your outdoor shots, then you need to get your hands on a polarizing filter. This filter is the one you need if you want to be a serious photographer and love to shoot outdoor landscapes and portraits. This reduces the glare and unwanted reflections and colors are more saturated.
But, these filters are expensive and most point and click cameras don’t accept them… so what to do? Take those sunglasses off your head and put them in front of the camera lens! Get them as close to the viewfinder as possible and make sure you can’t see the rims in the shot. To enhance the shot even more, make sure the sun is over either your right or left shoulder.
3. Outdoor Portraits with Flash, what?!
I know this is contrary to what we are told when taking outdoor portraits, especially if the sun is out, but this will illuminate your subject and give that professional look we all want from our photos!
Do this by ensuring the flash is on, not on auto. Next try different options of positioning – get the subject to sit with the sun behind them or to the side of them so their hair is illuminated or try getting the subject to sit in the shade and use the flash to illuminate them and avoid squinty eye – not very attractive!
4. Perfect Close Ups
Want to get every line, hair, wrinkle on that person you’ve been watching all night or just want to try your hand at some outdoor closeups – especially on those little ants running around on the ground?!
Did you know there was a close up mode on your camera, cleverly disguised as a “flower” in your manual settings?! Thought so, neither did I until a photographer friend told me about it! It’s brilliant! Just make sure you are using a tripod or are very stable with your hands and when taking the photo, hold the shutter button down halfway first to allow the camera to focus then follow through.
Remember that when you are in this mode that you have a shallow depth of field, so focus on the part of the subject that you really want to get up close and personal with!
5. Lining up the Horizon
How often have you taken a landscape photo only to view it and find that the horizon is a little off balance? But when you were looking through your viewfinder, you swore it was level?!
The easiest way to solve this problem is to use a tripod and make sure it’s on level ground… failing the tripod, make sure you are on level ground and keep your hands steady by bringing your elbows into the side of your chest and anchor them there – now don’t move! Take the shot. Move slightly to make a slight adjustment and take the shot again. View them on the computer and you will find you have at least one level horizon in there!
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