Better Photos with Your Digital Camera

Everyone has a digital camera today and we all take a lot of photos. But if your photos still have trees coming out of your father’s head, mom has red eye, and your beloved pet is never facing the camera then here are some tips to help you take better photos.

1. Always be aware of the background. I know this is the hard one but it is critical. If you’re setting up a shot take a quick look at what is behind the people in your shot. So many perfectly good photos are ruined by a tree seeming to grow out of a person’s head. It can be as simple as the person taking one full step to the right or left to move the obstacle that would ruin your photo.

2. Use available light. If your digital camera has an option to turn the flash off and it’s light enough outside to read a book then use the available light and turn the flash off. In general camera flashes are too harsh for human skin and make all of us look pale. (Even better if your camera has a fill flash use that indoors where there isn’t enough daylight, and place the person by a window as well.)

3. Use ambient soft light. The reason that so many of use pose people under trees, and end up with the ruined photo with a tree coming out of dad’s head, is that we all instinctively know that soft light is best. Sunlight filtered through a trees’ leave is beautiful and warm. It warms up the skin and puts a soft light to the features. Indoors near a window with drapes has a similar effect.

4. Aim your camera slightly down at the person’s face. Now I don’t mean climb a ladder but just don’t ever, and I mean ever, point your camera looking up to a person. We all look fat and bloated at that angle. Also don’t shoot just face on to the person, try a little to the side, a three quarter view, so that you see more of their face. Remember camera higher looking down and a three quarter view, it will slim your subject.

5. Remember your focus, are you taking a photo of mom and the tree, then take mom with the whole tree. But if you’re taking a photo of mom next to a tree do we really need to see the entire tree? Get closer to your subject. We can see some of the tree bark with mom leaning against it, but showing the whole tree is a waste. Remember this tip with children, many people take a shot of their dear child for an expression on the child’s face, but in the printed shot the child is lost next to another kid, the swing set, and the dog. Remember get closer.

6. Never put your subject dead center. All family photographers do this and it’s as hard of a habit to break as remembering to look at the background. But if you’ve moved closer to your subject remember to put them just sightly off center. Not a lot just a bit. When you’re shooting even groups of people this is especially easy but odd numbered groups is a little more difficult. Just find your imaginary center line of your group and put that line just a bit off center in your view through your lens or screen.

With these tips you can be on your way to taking better photos today.

How to Take Better Photos of Your Baby or Toddler

Every Mom wants to take great photos of their babies and toddlers. We all want professional looking photos for our children without paying a fortune!

We all wanted to capture every precious moment and every important milestone on film. I am sure you are just like me in wanting to take these same precious photos of your baby or toddler. These 5 tips will help you take better baby and toddler photos.

1.) The first tip I suggest is to be aware of the lighting. The best place to take photos is outside in a natural setting. You should take photos early in the morning or late in the evening right before the sun sets. Remember to use your flash for fill flash outside. This lighting produces stunning results!

2.) The second tip I suggest is to get closer to your baby or toddler and get down to their level. Never photograph your baby or toddler from above.

3.) The third tip I suggest is to make the setting/background simple. Try to place your child near a simple or plain background.

4.) The fourth tip I suggest is to take lots and lots of photos. The more photos you take, the more photos you will have to choose from. You may just get lucky with an adorable one of a kind photo of your baby! You may capture the perfect moment! So, never stop taking pictures!

5.) Invest in a good digital camera. It doesn’t have to be an expensive digital camera. But it should have a sports mode so that every time the baby or toddler will move, it will not destroy the image.

You are now on your way to taking better baby and toddler photos.

7 Things You Must Do If You Want To Make That Perfect Camera Shot

There is a saying: Saturate yourself with your subject and the camera will all but take you by the hand. Margaret Bourke-White

These tips should help you experience again those moments back where you've said "if only I had a camera." Now you will have it captured on film. These tips should help

1. Get closer to your Subject

Keep in mind, if you're using an instant camera a lot of them have a minimum shooting distance. This is usually about two meters.If you’re closer than that, your shots will be out of focus.Try to take shots with the viewer focused on the subject. The closer to the subject, it will look better for the viewer.

2. Photos will tell Stories

Photos of an occasion or activity such as birthdays, reunions and special occasions with family and friends tell a great story for all to experience again and reminisce.

3. Decide What It Is You Want and Don't Want in the Picture
It’s best to keep the background as uncluttered as you can. Background disorder will take out the focus from your subject.

4. Take Surprise Shots

You'll get some great shots if you take pictures when people least expect them. Just think of the facial expressions you'll get.

5. Make a Slide Show

Slide shows are great to have later when those involved in the activity can watch and laugh at themselves and find again the activity in their minds.

6. Liven Up Posed Shots

Try to avoid taking boring posed shots. Instead of using "Say Cheese" try have people say Rumplestilskin. That should help get a real smile. If people see you're going to take their picture, tell them you will click on four and then click on three. That should catch them in a more relaxed state.

7. Camera Hardware Tips

Does your camera have the correct options set up? Check your lens and make sure it’s clean. It could have a finger print on it. That would make it almost impossible to focus. Check to see if you have auto focus or manual focus. Test it to see if it will work as stated in your manual. Make sure you know how to control it.
If you are using slide film set the ISO button one spot ahead of the film. An example would be if you’re using ISO 64 slide film, set the ISO at 80.
The results will be deeper color saturation and more vibrant shades of yellow, red, and orange. This tip will not work with print film.

Using a digital camera, always make sure the battery is charged.

For more room on your memory card delete all pictures you don't want to keep. You’re now ready for some fun and games clicking away with your camera.

So I guess you’re very excited to use your camera. Have a posed full of memories.

Are photographs really an Art?

Why do some people desire a painting than a photograph? What’s the difference between having a canvass, brushes, and paints from having a camera? But for some reasons, there are three essential components of what we call art. First, is the artist; second, is the medium; and third is the artwork. All of these are interrelated according to Tad Beckman.

Photographic art has a lot of definitions. It will depend on how we understand it. Others say it’s about creating a stunning image that is an interpretation of the panorama that you saw in your mind captured on film, rather than just a recording of what is already there. It is playing with the lights, weather conditions and the colors. Timing is everything. The most challenging is that there are some things that you can control but the weather throws out surprises that can add that hint of drama to a picture. These hindrances will result creativeness.

A photographer will capture an image that delights their eye. They will create something that is close to their heart. That is why a photograph is more than just a piece of paper with a representation on it. Well, they are allowing you to see how they perceive the world to be, one moment at a time.

Does subject matters? I assume it’s not. There are a lot of subjects. It is in the heart of the photographer on what really his passion. As for me, I like landscapes and sunsets. Others prefer sports, portraits and flowers. The image you captured is subjective. Your approach is different from your viewer’s approach.

It is in the heart and hand of the creator behind the brush, camera or pen that executes the creative vision. Not the tools used. Then photography really is an Art.

Treasured Memories - Photos to Canvas

Printing your photos to canvas is an excellent method of recapturing treasured memories; with the technologies that are currently available there is a multitude of effects that can be used. A canvas print can be a fantastic addition to the artwork in your home; you can achieve a tasteful piece that will be unique and commented on by all your friends and family.

A printed piece can be a cost effective way of personalising your home with original art that does not cost the earth. Now that the festive season is over, recapturing a warming moment can lift the spirits when generally people are feeling a little flat. A photo printed onto canvas is a lovely idea for a thank you gift, say you have visited relations over the festive season and they have footed the expense of putting you up and laying on all the food, this type of gift will really say thank you and will be warmly received.

It is not difficult to obtain a photo canvas print; many companies offer a service on-line where you can post your photo or negative to be used to them. Many photo-shops also offer printing photos to canvas and will be able to advise you on what the effects available will look like. Some companies are able to digitally produce your photo onto roller blinds or a large wall mural which can dramatically change a room in the home or a workspace. This could be a viable alternative to completely redecorating and can totally alter the feel of the space.

Canvas is a good material to work with as so many effects can be created using it and if looked after correctly will last and last without fading. Printing onto canvas is not limited to purely photograph a Child's first drawing can be captured on canvas, holding onto that precious memory.

There are many occasions that could easily warrant the importance for being captured on canvas, such as, a birth, a marriage, a great holiday, Christmas and New Years. As well as this you could capture the family pet or favourite scenery that inspires a feeling of well being.

If wishing to transfer a photo to canvas it is possible to have red eye and blemishes that are in the photo removed from the image that will appear on the canvas. This enables a greater choice of which photo to use as we all have photos that would be great if not for some red eye or blemish that spoil it. Another option is to have a photo converted to either black and white or different tones of the same colour. These options can help create a piece of art in superb quality colour. It may be possible to pre-view these effects especially if visiting a photo-shop, which are normally extremely helpful. It is possible to create a collage of photos onto one canvas, using this method you can capture many memories in one or even tell a story.

One idea is to use photographs from each stage of a child's life, so a newborn picture, a photo of the child crawling, the child's first steps and so on, capturing each important hurdle in the child's life. Great gifts for grandparents or for parents to hang in their home as children are our pride and joy.

By Jenny Austin

Tips For Taking Better Photos With Your Digital Camera

Why are my photos so dark? Why are my pictures blown out? How do I get rid of red eye? Here are some simple tips that will produce better photos.

Lighting is extremely important when taking photos. Natural light is the best. Photos taken on a slightly overcast day will give the best results. If you are taking pictures on a sunny day, try to find some shade. Avoid having your subjects facing the sun because there will be a tendency to want to squint. Sunlight behind the subject will tend to produce a photo that is underexposed. If you are taking pictures indoors you will most like want to use a flash. Try to stay far enough away from the subject so the flash doesn't cause too much overexposure. Red eye is cause by the light from the flash reflecting off the retina in the back of the eye. Red eye is easily removed by using the software applications that are usually bundled with your digital camera. You can also use applications like iPhoto and Adobe Photoshop.

Most digital cameras also come with different settings to use in unique situations. Often called scene modes, you are able to select a mode that relates to the situation that the photo is being shot. Samples of these modes are beach, snow, fireworks, and kids and pets. These settings adjust the exposure of the camera to give the best results. It is best to test these and see which works for you. Take several photos of your subjects. The nice thing about digital cameras is that they come equipped with viewers and you can keep or delete the photos before you download them to your computer or printer.

Technology keeps advancing faster than you can keep up with. This case is true with digital cameras as well. Cameras keep getting smaller and the megapixels get higher. Don't be mislead, however, by a camera that has the capability of taking 12 megapixel images is better than a camera that only takes 8 megapixel images. Some of the newer 12 mp cameras are smaller than their predecessors and therefore have smaller CCD sensors (This is part takes the light that enters the lens and translates it into a digital signal). If your 8mp camera has a larger CCD sensor, it will be able to pickup a larger range of colors than your smaller 12mp camera creating a higher quality photo. The megapixel size of your camera doesn't have anything to do with the quality of photos that you take, only the size of photos you take. The higher megapixel size also allows you to crop photos and still maintain a decent resolution for printing purposes.

You will find that the more you use your digital camera and practice with the different settings the better pictures you will take.

By Matthew Swendseid