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The art of photography has indeed undergone a dramatic transformation with the introduction of digital cameras. These cameras, which make use of electronic devices to capture images in binary data, have made photography a much easier and affordable option for amateurs and professionals alike. Digital cameras allow photographers to view the images, even before they are printed, thus enabling them to sift through the images and sort out the ones they choose to print and discard the rest. These images can be uploaded directly to the computer, without having to undergo the painstaking task of scanning every single photograph separately, and also lets the photographer store these images indefinitely in the computer memory. Also, the user can explore his creativity to the zenith, with the array of image and light enhancements that digital cameras offer.

But before you learn how to shoot exceptional pictures on your digi-cam, it is vital that you first understand how exactly a camera works. Most digital cameras boast of a Liquid Crystal Display on the back, which functions quite like the viewfinder. In fact, it allows the user a preview of the picture, even before it is shot, to make the requisite adjustments and review the picture right after it is taken. Images shot with digital technology, comprise of thousand of mega pixels, each of which is the equivalent of one million pixels or picture elements. Digital cameras are also equipped with, what is known as a Shutter-release button, which must be pressed in two steps, once to lock the exposure and adjust the focus and then to actually take the photograph. Also, digital cameras are more susceptible to ‘Camera Shake’ which may result in the image being blurred and hazy.

Most cameras are preset to the automatic ISO mode where the ISO adjusts itself in keeping with the light conditions of your surroundings. You can even create your signature effect by deciding to adjust the ISO for yourself. Should you choose to do so, bear in mind that the higher the brightness in the surroundings, the lower the ISO needs to be. The converse applies with dim lighting, where you need to set the ISO higher than you normally would. Many digital photographers are plagued by what is known as ‘Noise’ in the photographs. This means that their images have random speckles or pixels all over them, thus undermining the clarity of the photograph. To counter this, you can apply the noise reduction feature, but your photograph will not be as minutely detailed as you would want it to be. The larger the photograph, the more prominent the noise in it will be. Hence, a compressed image will not reveal any traces of noise.

Many digital cameras will adapt the flash settings as per the light conditions. However, you can even do away with the flash completely and simply increase the room lighting for a more natural effect. An external flash unit, which you can either attach to your camera or use by itself as a separate entity, lets you be a lot more flexible in the way you present your image. For a more subtle result, you can also point the flash upwards to allow the light to bounce off the walls and ceiling instead of directly on the subject. Backlighting should be avoided, unless you are looking to silhouette the subject of your photograph. What’s more, you can even vary the level of illumination within the same picture by first illuminating the surroundings and then using an additional fill-in flash to highlight the subject in the foreground.

To capture images of objects which are moving at a high speed, simply activate the ‘Burst Mode’ which lets you take multiple images of the object by just holding down the Shutter Release Button. You can also modulate the vibrancy of your image by adjusting the color intensity. Close ups can be hard to capture because the subject, very often shifts out of focus as you close in. here, you can enable the Macro mode which lets you capture the finer nuances of the subject without losing out on the resolution. For distant pictures, the Optical Zoom in the camera lens leads it to extend and retract to enlarge the image, in all its clarity.

For best results, you need to learn how to hold your camera in the correct manner. If your camera offers you only an LCD screen without a viewfinder, then you will be forced to hold the camera at an arm’s length instead of near your face as you would have with a conventional viewfinder. This increases the chances of an unsteady hand and hence, an unclear image. So, the next time you decide to buy yourself a digital camera, this is one of the vital criteria you need to make a note of.

However, irrespective of how many pointers you may commit to memory or pages on in-depth analysis you master, the only way you can actually learn how to master your digital camera is by using it as often as you can. However, this is not to imply that you don’t refer to the manual at all. In fact, this is just what you need to do refer to the complete, detailed manual and not just the Quick Start Guide. Though it may seem a daunting task to plow through all those pages, it is essential that you start with the guide, simply because it explains what your camera is capable of and hence allows you to determine what you can achieve. Also, it does help to keep referring to the guide even while you’re practicing your photography skills to help to fine tune your expertise. You can even save the pictures you seem to have developed your technique on for reference, within the camera itself, or your computer. And every time you step out on a picnic or a hike, don’t forget to carry your camera along. Its practical size ensures that you don’t have to bother with bags of equipment, every time you set out on a foray into the world of photography. So go out there and capture your first master piece for all you know, there will be many more to follow.

Last 5 posts by Dan Feildman

• Creative Compact Cameras - A word of Advice - November 20th, 2008
• A Word of Advice on Purchasing Creative Compact Cameras - November 20th, 2008
• Night photography - capturing cityscapes - November 5th, 2008
• Sending Out Your Digital Photos to Friends and Family - October 28th, 2008
• Share Your Digital Photos with Friends and Family - October 21st, 2008

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