There are a lot of amateur as well as professional camera users who are making the shift to digital. Digital cameras are known for their ease and convenience when taking initial pictures. Then, you can quickly review pictures as soon as you take them, and delete the ones you don’t want. This conveniently frees up your memory card for more pictures. Finally, it is easy to transfer your pictures into your computer’s memory and share them with friends.
Camera users are normally classified as hobbyists, novices, and professionals. To whichever category you belong, the following basic information about digital cameras will be useful:
1.) Camera Categories
Cameras can be grouped into:
a. ultra compact with no flash mode
b. prosumer or compact for hobbyists
c. digital SLR cameras which have extra lenses, tripod attachments, and external flash capability
If you want to master the art of photography, it is suggested that you master using the third category. Models that fall under this category are priced for their resolution, among other things.
2.) Mega pixels
Mega pixels can be classified into:
a. 3 mega pixels for basic snapshots
b. between 3 and 5 mega pixels images have good print quality
c. anything above mega pixel images can be easily manipulated and also made into much larger print sizes
3.) Zoom
A camera’s zoom has two basic types:
a. the best is optical zoom which magnifies the image entering through the main lens
b. digital zoom which simply makes the existing image bigger by sacrificing image quality
Quality photographs depend mostly on the optical zoom factor.
4.) Storage media
These are the some common storage formats:
a. Compact Flash (for compact and DSLRs)
b. Sony Memory Stick (compatible with other Sony appliances)
c. Smart Media
Storage sizes normally range from a very basic 64 K, (which can store only a few high quality images) to 4 GB and higher cards which can store hundreds of high quality images.
5.) Carrying case
You should keep the camera and its accessories in a sturdy case to avoid anything from minor scratches to more extensive damage if the camera is accidently dropped.
6.) Tripod
Tripods can be used in low light situations when a longer exposure and steady focus is needed, and also when setting up a delayed shutter release so you can get in the picture yourself.
7.) Lenses and 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 which allows you to get closer to objects like insects and flowers
b. wide-angle lens which are used for capturing landmarks, and large and wide sceneries
c. telephoto lens which allows you get close to objects that are distant or dangerous to get too close to
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. reduce glare so that pictures appear more saturated, crisp, and vivid.
Here are some basic strategies on how to capture an image:
1. Holding the camera
You should hold the camera steadily and keep your spare fingers from interfering with the lens. This skill usually takes a little practice.
2.) Focusing
To auto focus, you can usually press the shutter half way down to lock in the focus, then complete pressing all the way down to take the picture.
You may also use a tripod for better focusing.
3.) Previewing
Take and retake pictures if necessary after previewing them in your LCD screen.
4.) Archiving
Keep an album of your best photographs so that you can refer to them as you keep on working your way to becoming a great photographer.
