There’s More to Digital Cameras Than Point and Click

There’s More to Digital Cameras Than Point and Click

Taking pictures has never been easier. Now you can simply hold up your cell phone, click, and get a high resolution picture. The iPhone 5 boast an 8 megapixel sensor, a higher aperture, and a 33% increase in light sensitivity. With the help of mobile digital cameras like these, people are taking more pictures worldwide than ever before.

The advantage of digital camera shooting is that you, as the photographer, do not have to do as much. When you look at a vintage 35mm camera vs digital cameras, it is fairly obvious that older cameras require more precision, manual focusing, and bulky external flashes. Most digital cameras now automatically adjust their focus and lighting to create the best picture possible.

But even with digital cameras, there is no substitute for crisp, clear pictures with great composition and perspective. Here are few ways to enhance your digital camera shooting.

The One Third Rule. One of the keys to capturing striking images is the position of your focal point. As you look out at your scene, you should imagine that the entire image is cut up into lines that create 9 small squares. Essentially, you are breaking the image up into a grid with two horizontal lines and three vertical ones that mentally make your picture look like a tic-tac-toe game. When you place your image in the center box, where a savvy player might put their “x” or “o”, your focus is on the object. But you can also place the image in another “box,” which can add depth to your entire picture. The rule of thirds gives you ample room to play around and find the right spot for your focal point.

Polarization. Remember when polarized sunglasses came out? They were snatched up by skiers and snow enthusiasts quickly, and the reason is because a polarized lens helps to filter out the glare from sunlight, and this can be helpful in your digital camera as well. When the sun’s light bounces off of horizontal surfaces, such as lakes, ponds, streets, and flat terrain, it tends to take the form of the shape it is reflecting. A polarized lens only lets in rays that do not match the orientation of the object being reflected. The result is a reduced glare, and the horizontal light is refracted, which can cut out unwanted sun splotches on your picture, and soften harsh lighting.

Shutter Flutter. Shutter speed has always been important, and this does not change with digital camera shooting. Most information about digital cameras will tell you about the different shutter settings you can use to create varying effects, so feel free to play around with them. Depending on the image you want to capture, distinct shutter speeds will apply. For example, try out a slow shutter if you are taking shots of the highway. When the shutter remains open for a longer period of time, it allows in more light in, and results in eye-popping lighting effects. A faster shutter speed can capture key moments, such as a bird’s wings as it lifts off, individual drops of water in a waterfall, and one moment in a dancer’s routine.

Regardless of which digital camera you buy in camera stores or online, each one will only be as good as your composition skills, and your knowledge of how the camera works. So do not be shy; take as many pictures as you can, and become an expert in your digital camera. As long as you keep basic camera shooting fundamentals in mind, you will always be happy with the results. More like this blog.