How To Master Digital Photography
Basics
With the advent of digital cameras, the cost of photography has
plummeted considerably, with the result that there has been a surge
of interest in the field. Greenhorns in this area however, need not
fret. Sharpening up on your digital photography skills is easy,
provided you have the basics at the tip of your tongues, or is it,
at the tip of your lenses!
Mastering the basics of digital photography, first and foremost
involves knowing all about pixels and resolutions. These are the
parameters that have a direct bearing, and quite a lion's share on
the quality of the images being generated. The more the pixel
count, the better the resolution or clarity of the picture and the
better it turns out when enlarged. So it is obvious that the
fastidious photographers prefer robust pixel values. However, with
the market flooded with digital cameras of various makes, you can
hope for a good bargain. Let us discuss a few basics of digital
photography.
Zoom And Tele Lenses
Going digital has also meant that you can click
away merrily at anything and everything under the sun. This will
only help you get well up on the nitty-gritty of the zoom modes.
The Optical Zoom of a camera is worth tinkering with. The
"Telephoto" mode makes your subject appear larger while the "Wide
Angle" mode is all about cramming a lot of a scene into your
picture and hence the elements of the picture appear
smaller.
Focusing
Toying with the controls of your digital camera
is a good way of getting a hang about the different picture modes
and hence be able to put them to good use. For instance, instead of
relying on the instruction manual, see for yourself that the
Portrait Mode actually sharpens your subject and de-focuses the
background. For those who are not yet comfortable with the
exposure, focus and flash parameters can take the help of the Auto
Mode in the awkward initial stages.
Lighting
There is no such thing as a photography gene.
Good photographers weave magic with their cameras, but this magic
is all about getting the lighting and flash issues straightened in
their photographs. Shooting in the early morning light is advisable
if you want to avoid the harsh glare of the midday sun and in case
of night photography, filming during the twilight hours or just as
the moon is rising gives you the best results. You should not shoot
with the sun directly in front of the lens.
Using the Flash
The flash is quite a lure for the novice
photographer but results are not always satisfactory. This is
because improper use of the flash function leads to the marring of
good photos. In fact, the flash really leads to underexposure, and
thus ungainly shadows in night photography. While you are using
this feature, inch closer to your subject and thus make sure that
all the areas of the picture are equally lighted up.
Shutter Speed
The shutter speed is one area that many newcomers
to digital photography is quite oblivious to. But you will be
amazed at the dramatic results that mere varying the speeds can
bring about. The rule of thumb: fast shutter speeds "freeze" the
action, while slow values will result in a blur. Slow shutter speed
also let more light enter into the camera, so this is an option
worth considering when you need to shoot in low light conditions.
The basics of digital photography are not hard to master. And being
well versed in them will help you capture reality in all its
essence.
Connie Fillmore is a successful writer
and publisher of photography related issues, for more informative
articles go to
www.digitalphotographyguy.com |