TIPS FOR TAKING BETTER PHOTOS ON THE WATER – – - – - Part # 1 -Digital Point & shoot Cameras

June 25, 2012 7:53 pm Published by admin 2 Comments

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            There are a large number of good waterproof point-and-shoot cameras on the market today, and they are the better choice for the photographer who is boating or doing a lot of near- water photography.  A quick fact to remember: any camera with over eight mega pixels will make fine 8×10 enlargements.

            Now, how do you get that little inexpensive camera to think it’s an expensive DSLR?  The answer is you trick it to work harder and smarter.  Here are a few tips to help make your water-related and other pictures jump right off the paper.

• Set the ISO setting on your camera at either to auto or 400. (The ISO governs sensitivity to light)
• If possible, resist the temptation to use the camera’s digital zoom. (This is handy, but reduces the quality of your image.  You can enlarge, crop and correct on the computer later)
• Set your JPEG (resolution/quality setting on your camera) to the highest possible.  You will get fewer shots on your memory cards, but the quality will be much better.    
• If you follow the above JPEG instructions, it might be smart to have an extra memory card in your camera bag.
• Even in excellent light, it may be smart to use the flash on the camera to light up the areas of the subject that might not be getting good light. A flash gives nice even lighting.
• Take more than one shot. Bracket the shots by using flash and not using flash.
• Make sure you take the same picture from a number of different angles. For example, shoot off to one side, higher or lower.
• Don’t make the mistake of erasing photos while you are at the scene.  You cannot judge the quality of a shot from the small camera screen.  You should wait and do this on your computer. (This is still another reason for that extra memory card.)
• Usually these cameras have a number of “scene” settings.  Experiment and find which works best with your particular habits. In other words, take the time to know your camera. Besides, playing around with it is fun.
•  If you are shooting a landscape or seascape photograph, be sure to add interest by including something else to the picture to add perspective.  For example, a sunset with nothing in the picture except the sunset is boring.  Add a tree limb and a picnic table edge to add interest. The sunset is your stage; you just need to add scenery and subjects.
• If you are using flash and the subject includes a person, you need to remind them that there is a delay between pressing the shutter and the flash.  Make sure they stay in place until the flash. I have found that this is a frustrating problem with almost all point-and-shoot cameras.

         I have found that DSLRs always take the best photographs. However, the convenience of a good point-and-shoot makes them the choice of many people.  I have both, and use both all the time.  If I am just walking on Presque Isle, my point-and-shoot is perfect.  The key, as I found out the hard way, is knowing the settings and how to use the many features of the new ones on the market. Experiment with your equipment; it can most likely do a lot more than you think.

 

See you on the park!!

 

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