Netpond ™ - View Single Post - making photos with compact digital camera

thebes · 07-02-2008, 05:01 PM

I don't know what the capabilities of your camera are, but generally I am under-impressed with point-and-shoots. They have a smaller sensor, so they get more noise, more of certain kinds of artifacts, and the depth-of-field is generally very deep except in extreme circumstances. Megapixels really aren't all that when you compare pixel quality and sensor size and quality.They are slow to operate, often taking only a picture ever 10 seconds or so. Also, normally they lack any means of syncing an external flash.... you will rarely get good pictures with direct flash.

Learn how to use natural light and maybe a reflector (try aluminum foil taped to some cardboard - cheep and functional).

Also learn composition techniques, like leading lines, the rule of thirds, symmetrical and asymmetrical composition, spot of vivid color, etc. Google some of this stuff.

Another good, general, bit of advice which I learned from a former National Geographic photojournalist and editor- "If its not good enough, you're not close enough". Get INTO the picture, see how lines and forms interact.

Shoot a lot. When I shot film for a couple of newspapers I would shoot 2 or 3 rolls for 1 picture that was published. I would shoot 5-10 rolls for a 3-5 picture photo story. Now with adult I shoot around 3x the number of images I intend to end up in the final set, much more if the content is just for ads. There are different styles of shooting, slow and contemplative with a 4x5 field camera gets you 5 good pictures a day (out of 5-10), but shooting fast is better for most situations.

Lastly, get a real camera when you can make some decent pictures. A dslr seems really expensive. They are much cheaper than film cameras ever were, if you use them... even a d300 will pay for itself vs a free film slr after about 120 rolls of film, which is nothing over a couple years.

07-02-2008, 05:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
thebes Getting back into the biz Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Back in the Belly of the Beast Posts: 2,172 Points: 2,540	I don't know what the capabilities of your camera are, but generally I am under-impressed with point-and-shoots. They have a smaller sensor, so they get more noise, more of certain kinds of artifacts, and the depth-of-field is generally very deep except in extreme circumstances. Megapixels really aren't all that when you compare pixel quality and sensor size and quality.They are slow to operate, often taking only a picture ever 10 seconds or so. Also, normally they lack any means of syncing an external flash.... you will rarely get good pictures with direct flash. Learn how to use natural light and maybe a reflector (try aluminum foil taped to some cardboard - cheep and functional). Also learn composition techniques, like leading lines, the rule of thirds, symmetrical and asymmetrical composition, spot of vivid color, etc. Google some of this stuff. Another good, general, bit of advice which I learned from a former National Geographic photojournalist and editor- "If its not good enough, you're not close enough". Get INTO the picture, see how lines and forms interact. Shoot a lot. When I shot film for a couple of newspapers I would shoot 2 or 3 rolls for 1 picture that was published. I would shoot 5-10 rolls for a 3-5 picture photo story. Now with adult I shoot around 3x the number of images I intend to end up in the final set, much more if the content is just for ads. There are different styles of shooting, slow and contemplative with a 4x5 field camera gets you 5 good pictures a day (out of 5-10), but shooting fast is better for most situations. Lastly, get a real camera when you can make some decent pictures. A dslr seems really expensive. They are much cheaper than film cameras ever were, if you use them... even a d300 will pay for itself vs a free film slr after about 120 rolls of film, which is nothing over a couple years.