Understanding Digital Photography: Techniques in Getting a Great Picture

Have you heard of, “There is more than meets the eye?”

We use our eyes to view things in our environment. However, through time, man has devised ways on how to preserve the things normally seen and thus treasured, whether these are beautiful or not, and one of which is by using cameras.

The images that are captured by cameras can make our eyes see things that have happened before. Moreover, it enables the heart to wish for beautiful things to happen in the future.

These days, the biggest sellers in the camera market are the so-called digital SLR cameras. These are the modern gadgets that can trigger our creativity and seats of emotion.

Though relatively new, most people choose digital SLRs because it can be easily manipulated. However, having these cameras does not completely guarantee that the every captured image is great and perfect.

Following are some point by point guidelines that should be considered to maximize the expense of your digital cameras:

1.    Simplicity

Zoom in to capture the part you want to emphasize. Thus, irrelevant objects or areas can be taken away or just allow them to soften.

2.    Rule of thirds

When capturing a moving object, it is advisable to capture them moving into the imaginary tic-tac-toe frame from one of the two sides.

3.    Shapes and lines

Capture a straight line at an angle by moving five to ten feet away to the side to capture at an angle.

4.    Vantage point

To add significance or emphasis to an object, take a picture at a lower vantage point. Increasing the height away from the object can reduce its significance.

5.    Balance

Pick out the dominant objects and arrange them so that they complement each other. However, unbalanced or asymmetrical objects are often more visually stimulating than balanced objects.

6.    Framing

You can use the frames of your windows to capture an outdoor scene. You can also use doors and walls of a building to capture a person a walking person.

7.    Indoor photographs

You can use natural lighting when you are taking candid shots so that the subjects will not be bothered by the flash coming out of the camera.

8.    Camera adjustments

The aperture allows light to enter. You must learn how to adjust this properly and appropriately so that images will not appear as either very bright or very dim.

Lowering the shutter speed allows the image to be more exposed to light. You must learn the proper length of exposure so that images will not appear as blurry.

9.    ISO speeds

Digital cameras have ISO speeds ranging from 100 to 800. The higher the ISO, the higher the camera’s sensitivity to light’s exposure. Be sure to master using this element along with the camera’s aperture and shutter speeds.
   
10.     Lens/Filters

There are digital cameras that allow additional lenses to be attached to the main lens, or the lenses can be completely interchangeable.
 
Lenses can be categorized as follows:

a.     macro lens – allows you to get closer to objects like insects and flowers

b.     wide-angle lens – used for capturing landmarks, and large and wide sceneries

c.     telephoto lens – allows longer zooms that let you get close to objects that are rather unsafe

Filters, on the other hand are used to:

a.     soften the effect of the image
b.     provide blurring on the edges for portraits that have sensitive moods
c.     add light flares for the image to be more dramatic
d.     to reduce glare so that pictures appear more saturated, crisp, and vivid.

However, if you still want to improve on the images that you have taken, the following list of software can allow touch-ups:

•    Adobe Photoshop
•    Apple’s iPhoto
•    Corel Paint Shop Pro
•    Google Picasa
•    LView

Once you have understood and mastered the important points on digital photography and capturing pictures, you will soon realize that the keys in getting great pictures are: “Even a simple aim and shoot camera” and “Creative ME.”