shot with point and shoot camera

[tknapp84]

Hello, I'm working with a point and shoot 10.2 MP camera in natural lighting outside with the flash off. I edited it with the online photo editing site picnik. I turned the photo black and white. I left the headband pink and the flowers on the dress in full color. Then I added a vingette. The black spot on her arm is from a temp. tattoo. The subject is my daughter Lily who will be 2 next month. I took the pic around 11 a.m. on a sunny day, although, we were in the shade.

I would love a critique of the pic and possibly some advice about working with natural lighting and also the photo editing aspect of it. It's really hard getting "good" pictures with a point and shoot!

[BLU26]

Dear friend, having a point and shoot doesn't mean taking crummy shots. Anyone can shoot like a pro even with an entry-level, fully automatic camera. Though there’s no denying that cameras that offer advanced photographic options enable you to fine-tune focus, exposure, and color with more precision than a basic features camera, rest assured that lower priced
point-and- shoot models offer the same advanced imaging features found on an SLR, just without the lens flexibility. You’ve probably heard the axiom, “It’s a poor carpenter who blames his tools.” The same can be said for photographers. If a picture turns out poorly, the fault rarely lies with the camera, contrary to what those of us who pursue photography for a living would like to have you believe. In skilled hands, a cheap point-and-shoot camera can turn out images that are every bit as captivating as those that come from a studio camera costing thousands of dollars!
That being said I think you did a great job on your daughter's pic! The lighting conditions were compensated for by your keen eye! Shooting outdoors in full sunlight but in a shady area gave the right amount of lighting to your subject but without the glare. The angle is quite interesting too as you presented your subject in full-frame without a lot of clutter from the background, something that is important in portrait photography. Your choice of the selective color pink enhanced the mood of the capture and the light vignette you applied centered the viewer's eye on the child. Well done my friend and hoping to see more of your work soon! Cheers!

[Cllickzer]

Here's My pic of a flower. I'm Doing photography from the past couple of weeks on my canon powershot. This Photo was not edited using any photo editing sofware. Please help me to take nicer pics and some editing tips.

[BLU26]

Your image was a little small and hard to see but from what I could make out an overall well done shot! There is creative shooting on your part as seen from your point of view and the dof is excellent. Try getting in a little lower on your shots and experiment from different angles. There's no better way to develop your skills than by using a p&s. You can also experiment with different light sources. The secret to great photography after all, lies in understanding light and using it to your best advantage!!!

[tknapp84]

Originally Posted by BLU26

Dear friend, having a point and shoot doesn't mean taking crummy shots. Anyone can shoot like a pro even with an entry-level, fully automatic camera. Though there’s no denying that cameras that offer advanced photographic options enable you to fine-tune focus, exposure, and color with more precision than a basic features camera, rest assured that lower priced
point-and- shoot models offer the same advanced imaging features found on an SLR, just without the lens flexibility. You’ve probably heard the axiom, “It’s a poor carpenter who blames his tools.” The same can be said for photographers. If a picture turns out poorly, the fault rarely lies with the camera, contrary to what those of us who pursue photography for a living would like to have you believe. In skilled hands, a cheap point-and-shoot camera can turn out images that are every bit as captivating as those that come from a studio camera costing thousands of dollars!
That being said I think you did a great job on your daughter's pic! The lighting conditions were compensated for by your keen eye! Shooting outdoors in full sunlight but in a shady area gave the right amount of lighting to your subject but without the glare. The angle is quite interesting too as you presented your subject in full-frame without a lot of clutter from the background, something that is important in portrait photography. Your choice of the selective color pink enhanced the mood of the capture and the light vignette you applied centered the viewer's eye on the child. Well done my friend and hoping to see more of your work soon! Cheers!

Thank you very much! I believe what you said has alot of truth to it. Many of my friends have said the same to me about my camera. It's a wonderful little camera, but I would love to be able to change the focus and other things that DSLR cameras offer. I also dislike the fact that when I click the button it takes the camera a moment to take the image. It seems like I've lost too many good pics in that moment it took the camera to react. I used to have a 35 mm SLR and I LOVED it. I got so many good shots. When I clicked the shutter it took the picture. There was no delay. But, I agree with you. Even people with $10,000 camera can take bad photos if they don't get the shot. I have a few more photos that I'm going to upload and see what you think. I love outdoor pictures. The lighting and colors are so much different than standard indoor studio pictures. I like taking pictures and making them look creative rather than cookie cutter studio shots. But, I will gladly take critique because I would love to make my pictures even better. I have 2 more from that morning that I took of Lily from a different angle. She's very hard to shoot pics of because she doesn't sit still for very long and the delay in the camera. Sorry for the pics being small. I was afraid of them being too big to post on the forums.

[JohnT]

All of those shots are great. Wonderful compostion, clarity and very good post processing. Don't knock a point and shoot. I have a Canon SLR and what is called a bridge camera older Canon S5 IS, (higher end point and shoot with hot shoe for external flash) I can attach a teleconverter to it and get some nice closeups and I have gotten better macro shots with it than I have with a 100mm Macro lens for the SLR.
The main thought here is that I am more comfortable with the P&S thus I can do a lot more than I can with the SLR. I also get tired of setting up and changing lenses with the SLR. It may do a lot but as a amateur I want to enjoy my days out shooting not spend half the time lugging around equipment.
So it is something to think about. All the equipment and especially the more expensive lenses should produce great results, but to produce great results with your P&S is wonderful.

[tknapp84]

John T, Yep. I agree with you on lugging around equipment. Most of the times just the P&S camera is wonderful. It's light and easy to carry and I've gotten alot of wonderful pictures from it! My main complaint is not being able to focus the way the SLR can, and also the delay after I press the shutter button. But, most of the mistakes from the shot, I can fix with photo editing. Thank you for the compliments I enjoy shooting pictures so much! It's nice to hear that others feel that they're good too!