7 Tips to Perfect Pictures

It use to be a photographer had to take several photographs of their subject or scene and have the images developed to see the quality of the pictures. It was an exercise in trail and error.

But now, many photographers have switched over from film SLRs and point-and-shoot models. Now, with digital cameras, photographers have more time to concentrate on capturing great images because they can view and delete their poor pictures in the camera while they are shooting.

SLR is the acronym for Single Lens Reflex. As the name suggest, SLR cameras use lenses and mirrors. A mirror reflects light passing through the lens up to a pentaprism into the viewfinder. This way the photographer can see what the image will look like when it is printed, or displayed on a monitor. SLR cameras use interchangeable lenses depending on the focal length the photographer wants to use to achieve different depths.

DSLR (digital SLR) and SLR cameras both use lenses and mirrors, but digital cameras use a light sensing chip and a digital memory instead of film. So, DSLRs are computerized versions of traditional film SLR cameras.

Even so, digital cameras function differently than film cameras and the photographer should spend some time getting familiar with their new camera. Maybe even read the user’s manual. A new camera owner really should practice capturing a few images by trial and error and storing, or saving, their best shots. In no time the new photographer will be able to use their camera without even thinking about it and produce some very nice images.

Photographers who go with DSLRs should consider investing in memory cards and quality lenses. This way, they’ll be more prepared if they choose to pursue photography professionally, the cost of buying quality gear won’t prevent them from choosing photography as a career because they will already own it.

The 7 Tips to Perfect Pictures

Following are some helpful tips to assist new digital camera photographers in making the perfect photograph:

1. Instead of taking a full body shot try capturing an image of your subject from the shoulders up, or the upper body. The subject of a full body shot looks small, especially on a 5×7 or smaller print.
2. It does not matter if your using old or new, digital or film. Some things are the same. You will get a silhouette if the Sun is behind the subject, and your will squint if the Sun is in their eyes. So be mindful of you lighting.
3. In a pinch you can use your sunglasses as a neutral density filter, or a polarizer, to reduce reflections and glare from objects in your frame.
4. Polarizing filters work best when the Sun, or other light source, is perpendicular to your subject.
5. Set white balance to cloudy when you capturing a landscape or portrait on a bright day. It will put a slight warming color cast on your picture.
6. To emphasize a particular characteristic of your subject; zoom in. Zooming in is different that getting closer. A zoom or telephoto lens compresses the depth of field and makes your subject stand out more.
7. Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, practice, until you can’t stand it any more. Then keep practicing.

Clearly the techniques to for making the perfect shot are the same now as they were before digital photography. But digital cameras have simplified the photographic process and have made taking great pictures easier for everybody.

Now, before you go practice, take a look at some of the offers to help you improve you photography that on this site. I will get a small percentage of anything you purchase, without adding anything to your cost, and that will help keep this site going.

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