Creativity using camera controls
Mastery over camera controls is necessary. You just cannot
do without that. You need to first read the guidebook that most camera
manufacturing companies provide with the camera. You need to know the various
modes your camera offers from macro to panoramic, back lighting and others.
If you have bought a DSLR then there are several elements
that you will have to master and understand to bring out the best composition.
A serious digital camera has the ability to provide you with a creative control
over the images that you shoot. A digital camera can do this by allowing you
the luxury to control both motion and light in all your photographs and at the
same time it can demarcate between sharpness and softness. Most of the commonly
available consumer digital cameras are completely automatic and hence you will
not have to make too many adjustments. But high-end cameras like the DSLR offer
the ability to work upon a wider range of controls. So before, you can even
think of clicking away to glory; check the automatic exposure as well as the
focusing systems, which is a key to achieving a good composition.
The automatic mode
Most of the digital cameras work on an automatic mode. The
automatic mode can set the focus as well as the exposure for you and all you
have to do is click the subject. The automatic mode will help you in situations
where you do not have the luxury of changing lenses or manually focusing
especially when you are taking shot of a moving subject. But in spite of the
automatic mode, you should choose a sub-mode like the night mode for taking pictures
at night, so that according to the sub-mode the camera can adjust itself.
Some key areas
Some of the key areas that most amateurs miss are too basic
to be noticed and yet hold a lot of importance. For instance, you should always
check in advance if the battery is full or not. You should not be in a
situation where you get a great opportunity for a classic composition and the
camera battery dies. Check all the minute things and then turn your camera on
and set it to the automatic mode. Most digital cameras have an icon that says
Auto mode.
Another key area is lighting, which is something that you
will need to understand and feel to become a professional photographer. Here
are some of the most important lighting conditions that assist photography composition:
Backlighting: This kind of lighting comes from behind the
subject. If you are unable to control the requirement of backlighting then it
can turn your photography session into a disaster. Most of your pictures will
either be over-exposed or burnt. The best way to take pictures with high amount
of backlight like the sun behind your subject is by using a fill-flash.
Diffused lighting: As you will learn on the way that
sometimes whether the lighting is through an artificial source or a natural
source, it can be quite harsh. When the lighting is harsh, you will need to
soften it and try to minimize the contrast. Normally, it is advised not to take
pictures in such a lighting condition. It is extensively encountered in
landscape or nature photography and the best you can do is come back at a
different time when the lighting conditions are better.
Framing
This is an important aspect and you need to frame your
subject before you can push the camera button to take the picture. The
automatic mode gives you a well-prepared platform but if you are unable to
frame the primary subject then the final outcome will not be to your liking.
Images can become hazy, blur or even distorted. You can frame the subject by
using the viewfinder or the LCD monitor. Digital cameras have the zoom view
also. So if you need to bring the subject closer then press the optical zoom or
digital zoom as necessary. Once all your elements are in place, then go ahead
and click the picture.
There will be times when you might not be satisfied with the
outcome in spite of having framed the subject and following the guidelines. Do
not be disheartened! The best way to move ahead is by experimenting with
controls and through improvisations!
Author Resource:- Susan is a contributing editor to Fuzing.com. This viewpoint is brought to you by trade leads from the Digital Video Cameras section of our portal.
Article Source: DesireToRetire.com
