Tips for Using a Digital Camera
This
page will provide six basic tips to get you started using a digital camera. If
you are new to photography, you may find Kodak's Guide to Taking Better Pictures useful as an introduction to photography basics, most of which can also be applied to digital photography.
In addition to photography basics such as lighting, contrast, composition, and
movement, consider the following six tips. (To get the best results, make yourself familiar with the different features and
settings for your digital camera).
1. Press the shutter button halfway down before taking the picture,
then press all the way down to take the picture.
According to the Kodak Digital Learning Center, "The shutter button actually does two things for you. When pressed halfway it sets the focus position and exposure
level, when fully pressed it takes the final picture. As you fully press the shutter button the mechanical shutter opens.
The reflected light passes through the lens and filters and is focused on the CCD image sensor."
2. Don't over-use the LCD display.
Use the LCD display to
preview or view a picture, and to delete bad pictures. Do not leave the LCD display on more than necessary: it will quickly
run down the batteries.
3. Use the right type of batteries for your camera.
Consider buying rechargeable
nickel-metal hydride batteries. These batteries are designed to last longer when working with digital electronics. See MSN
Photo's Best Ways to Charge up Your Digicam article to find out more about the different battery types available.
4. Don't rely on your
camera's digital zoom. Use optical zoom or an image editing program instead.
If
your camera has an optical zoom, you will be able to zoom in or out on a subject before taking a picture. Optical
zoom adjusts the camera's lens (not all digital cameras will have this feature). Digital photos can always be cropped later,
so zooming in as close as possible isn't always necessary.
If your camera has a digital zoom, it can only be used after a picture
has been taken to zoom in digitally. Using an image-editing program (such as Adobe Photoshop) instead of your camera's digital
zoom will generally allow you more control over how the image looks while performing the same digital zooming task.
5. Avoid using too much contrast in your photo.
Digital images will show
less of a gradient between lights and darks than film photography. When choosing a subject for your photos, keep this in mind.
For example, when shooting on a sunny day, avoid photos that show one person standing in the sun and one in the shade. See
MSN Photo's Top Five Digital Photography Mistakes and How to Prevent Them article for more information about this type of problem.
6. Be prepared: always bring extra memory cards and batteries.
Additional memory cards can be very helpful when you run out
of room for more pictures, and additional (charged) batteries are a necessity when using a digital camera.
Additional Resources:
If you need an introduction to digital cameras, see How Stuff Works: How Digital Cameras Work. For additional tips and tutorials, visit the Kodak Digital Learning Center.