Digital cameras: Getting the most from your digital camera Composing your shots
Rule of thirds
You can adjust images using photo-editing software, but you’ll get better results if you start off with a well-taken and well-composed shot.
Photographers compose shots using the ‘rule of thirds’ to get their pictures looking just right. When you look through the viewfinder, you should mentally divide up the image into thirds, both horizontal and vertical, click on the photo on the right to have a look.
Often you’ll get a better picture if the subject isn’t dead centre. For the best results, position the main focus of the picture where the lines intersect.
Candid shots
If you think your subjects wouldn't mind being photographed without them knowing, try taking a few candid, unposed shots.
These are more natural and often more interesting than those that are posed, as they show people going about their business normally without nervousness making them look awkward or pulling strange faces for the camera inadvertently.
Of course, it's only fair to your subjects to show them your pictures afterwards!
Close-ups
For close-ups, use the camera's macro mode, usually indicated by a small flower. Or if you have a digital SLR camera, look for lenses with good macro capabilities.
The macro mode helps you to focus on very close subjects like flowers or insects, for example, within about 30cm of the camera. This helps you to show great detail in the final photo.
Panning
The idea of panning is to show a sharp and frozen image of a fast-moving subject like a bike or car, with a blurry background.
Using shutter-speed priority mode to blur your subject, panning creates a sense of action in the photograph.
To try panning, set a slow shutter speed, around 1/15 of a second, for example. The idea then is to follow the bike or car as it passes across you, preferably in the viewfinder, and continue to follow it as you press the shutter button down and for a moment afterwards.
Keep the subject in the same position in the viewfinder as you twist your upper body round, and press the shutter button when you're facing your subject square on.
Before the subject approaches, focus on a point about the same distance from you, where your subject will pass, to ensure it is as sharp as possible in the final photo.
You can use manual focus for this, or normal autofocus. Using autofocus, press the shutter button halfway down to focus on a point around which your subject will pass, and keep it half pressed as you begin to pan.
When the sun goes down
The time of day can have a great influence on the way your photo will appear.
If you shoot outdoors at dawn, your picture will have a slight bluish colour cast. At noon, colours will appear the most natural, though it might be too bright. Just before sunset, pictures will take a lovely warm, orangey tone.
Of course, you can adjust these colour settings to your own preference by changing the camera's white balance settings. For more on this, see our advice to digital camera modes.
For more on using a compact digital camera, as well as editing and sharing your photos, see also our book Digital Photography Made Easy.
