Understanding Digital Photography: Techniques in Getting a Great Picture

[rusd3]

Have you heard the saying, “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 captured by cameras can let us 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 they can be easily manipulated. However, having these cameras does not completely guarantee that the every
picture is a masterpiece.


Following just a few basic tips can go a long way in obtaining photographs that will become a treasure for many years to come.



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.*



If you still want to improve on the pictures that you have taken, the following list of software will allow you to touch them up:


• Adobe Photoshop

• Apple’s iPhoto

• Corel Paint Shop Pro

• Google Picasa

• LView

 

[dilloduck]

Have you heard the saying, “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 captured by cameras can let us 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 they can be easily manipulated. However, having these cameras does not completely guarantee that the every
picture is a masterpiece.


Following just a few basic tips can go a long way in obtaining photographs that will become a treasure for many years to come.



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.*



If you still want to improve on the pictures that you have taken, the following list of software will allow you to touch them up:


• Adobe Photoshop

• Apple’s iPhoto

• Corel Paint Shop Pro

• Google Picasa

• LView

How does the ISO effect the final print ? Any difference when enlarging 100 ISO and 800 ISO is digital photograghy ?

 

[rusd3]

At ISO 100, you'll be hard-pressed to see digital image noise. This is the setting of choice for landscape photographers who want to make large prints (the more you enlarge a print, the easier it is to see noise). At ISO 800, it will be easier to see some grain in your photos. The higher your ISO the more noise or grain you will see.

When enlarging you’re your pictures you have to bear in mind not all digital SLRs handle noise in the same way, and some are better at reducing it than others. Depending on your camera you may not see any noise at ISO 800, when enlarging a photo.

 

[dilloduck]

At ISO 100, you'll be hard-pressed to see digital image noise. This is the setting of choice for landscape photographers who want to make large prints (the more you enlarge a print, the easier it is to see noise). At ISO 800, it will be easier to see some grain in your photos. The higher your ISO the more noise or grain you will see.

When enlarging you’re your pictures you have to bear in mind not all digital SLRs handle noise in the same way, and some are better at reducing it than others. Depending on your camera you may not see any noise at ISO 800, when enlarging a photo.

thanks--having always been a film man and NOT a tech man, I needed somebody to explain it to me. I asume its the same effect when you try to enlarge a smaller digital image than a large one? More noise from enlarging a smaller image ?