April 23, 2009 Archive

23Apr
3

Digital Photography – 2 Tips You Must Know For Taking Great Pictures

Using the off-center technique with your subject

Using the off-center technique with your subject

Before I got my first digital camera, I didn’t know a megapixle from a JPEG. That is all a thing of the past for me and for you as well. The technology is changing so fast, it has really been difficult to keep up.

But I am trying. I am also able to get good results with a pretty basic aim and shoot model, but you could certainly go more advanced if you like.

Let’s dive into 2 basic tips for taking pictures using your digital camera. After all, if you want to post those great pictures on eBay or twitter, not to mention your own business website, you need to know how to get the best shot into your camera.

Furthermore, you need to get that great shot uploaded to your computer.  But more on that later.

Proper use of your digital camera is the next important step in your journey to becoming a proficient digital photographer. Your success depends on you output; the key to achieving quality photos starts in the way you use your digital camera.

1. Pay attention to the subject that you are photographing and how you frame it.

This is one of the most fundamental digital photography tips. You should be able to compose carefully by working in the frame of your digital camera. Play with your camera, and explore the different shots.

Avoid positioning your object at the center of the photo, as it may result in a dead center image. Instead, position your camera so your subject is off center. Do not leave too much space above the object as this will leave a great deal of empty space overhead.

Likewise, do not cut off the top of your object but positioning the frame-shot too low.

2. Capture Close Up Photos.

Take digital images by capturing them in extreme close up. Close up photos add a little creativity and excitement to your digital photographs. In addition, this feature is one of the many different ways to enhance you photo.

If you are posting an item on eBay, close-up images allow your potential buyers to see minute details and can use that information in their buying decision.

Set up the item so that nothing of the background appears in the frame. If necessary, lay the item on a plain towel or sheet to cover up background features. This will enhance the item being photographed and focus all attention on the item.

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Posted by Heather Trimmer in Digital Photography Essentials
23Apr
0

Digital Photography–7 Basic Terms You Must Know To Upload Great Pictures

DictionaryWithout a doubt, digital photography is the most popular photographic platform in both the business industry as well as for personal use. I love snapping shots of family and friends with my digital camera.  The best part is, I can delete the pictures that I don’t like and keep the rest, editing when needed.  Information on the editing part I will save for another time.

In the online realm from your own website to Ebay to Facebook, you must know the basics of taking and uploading photographs with your digital camera if you are going to see real success in your business. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Here are the 7 basic terms you need to know before handling a digital camera:

1. Pixel refers to the tiniest part of the digital photo. A photo image is composed of millions of pixels. The higher pixels your digital camera is capable of, the clearer your digital photograph will be. The down side being that your picture file size has the potential to be enormous.

2. Resolution is the over all quantity of pixels in a photo. Increasing the resolution would make the digital image become sharper. Thus more pixels are needed to achieve a better photo image quality.

3. Mega pixel, according to wikipedia, is “one million pixels, and is a term used not only for the number of pixels in an image, but also to express the number of image sensor elements of digital cameras”. When a digital photograph is composed of three to four mega pixels, it will be much sharper than an image with only one mega pixel.

4. Dots Per Inch (DPI) is used to describe the quality of the computer monitor and printer. Specifically, this refers to the amount of dots per linear inch when your digital photograph is displayed on your screen. Therefore, the higher the concentration of dots, the clearer the picture is. Keep in mind that laser printers have more dpi resolution than monitors, so your digital photo will be likely be more clear once printed then it seemed on your screen.

5. JPEG (joint photographic experts group) refers to the compression or smashing down of a picture into a particular file size. Being able to adjust the size helps dramatically when you are putting photos on the Internet. A little known fact: JPEG originally referred to the group who created the photographic jpeg standards. JPEG works in coloration with the format for saving images in the digital camera.

6. Memory Card is where the digital photograph files are stored inside your digital camera. Memory cards consist of different sizes and capacities. A memory card with higher storage capacity would be more convenient to purchase and will store more digital photographs before it is necessary to move them to your computer.

7. LCD (liquid crystal display) Almost all digital cameras have this specification. It is basically a tiny screen on the back of your camera that acts like the view finder of old. The purpose of LCD is for the photographer to be able to view the scene first before capturing the photo.

With these basic terms firmly ingrained, you are well prepared to forge ahead in the realm of digital photography. Welcome to the digital age.

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Posted by Heather Trimmer in Digital Photography Essentials, Uncategorized and tagged with ,