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[caoran9238]

(no flash) Of course, we all know to use a tripod or a monopod, right? But when those are not convenient or available, you need a higher shutter speed in order to get blur free images. But how do you ensure that it's also properly exposed?

Use APERTURE PRIORITY mode:

1. Set the f-number to the minimum, this will open up your lens aperture. We need as much light in as possible to ensure a fast shutter speed, thus avoiding blur.
2. Half press the shutter button and see what your shutter speed is. Shutter speed required for a blur free hand hold shot is usually the reciprocal of your 35mm equivalent focal length.
3. Tweak ISO according to the shutter speed. If it’s too slow, tune ISO up. For indoor it should be at least 400. I often use 800 or 1600 in school. Why don’t just tune it all the way up? Because as the ISO gets higher, image quality decreases. But if it is way too dark or you are shaky, or you want to freeze actions, sure, tune it up more!
4. Brace yourself! Hold the camera close to your body. Spread your legs up a little bit. Get down low. Lean on something for support. You will actually look like a Pro as you take sharp and well exposed images.

Once you got the right setting, just shoot like when you are shooting with Auto mode. You might have to tweak the settings again if you change locations. But that’s not usually necessary if you stay in the same room, or most of the time, the same building.

Why don’t we just use Auto (which includes so-called Creative) or Program Mode? Because they won’t get you the fastest shutter speed as possible. Auto modes from most manufactures won’t turn the ISO all the way up. Also most of the time, they will set a small aperture, thus increases the required exposure time. Once you are set up in APERTURE PRIORITY mode, you will be able to shoot just like in Auto or Program mode.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/caoran9238

[livia]

..... go out shooting with your friend(s). this is great for a number of reasons,

1. you won't feel so self conscious (okay, maybe not everybody feels self conscious when shooting alone, but i do! firstly because i am a teenager (17 years) and secondly because i am a girl (not really a valid reason, i know, but still.) and if you feel too self conscious, it will compromise your shot. i usually end up shooting less, just quickly grabbing a shot and leaving.

2. you'll have someone to throw around ideas with. two heads are better than one.

3. you'll have a model to use! (and vice versa)


4. someone will be there to help you with setting up shots etc.

5. you can compare your shots and see what works. (and you may learn some things too!)

6. and you'll have some fun and laughs in the process!


--------

i know that some people prefer shooting alone. however, i believe that these are mostly professional photographers? for me, as an amateur, i feel the need for the security of someone else who is equally amateurish to shoot with.

this is just my idea. also, i am a newbie on the forums. hi everyone!

[Kurt]

This is something that many of you, especially beginners, may have thought about before. I know I have lost a little sleep over it myself. As you view and study more and more photography in all different styles and forms, sometimes it may seem as though everything has been done before. You may feel like you will never have a good idea that has not already been done by someone else before you and there is just no room to be original.
Don’t worry. That’s not the case. Even if you are shooting something that has been photographed a thousand times before by a thousand different people, what matters is that you have your own interpretation of the subject, your own idea of how it should be photographed. Ten photographers could be given the same subject, and they would shoot it in ten entirely different ways. There are some subjects (famous historical landmarks, places, people, etc.) that everyone and their mother has photographed, yet people still photograph them, and we are still surprised and amazed by what some of these people come up with. So get out there and keep shooting. You never know, maybe someday you’ll be the one they’re talking about when they say “It’s been done before”.

[keys_to_imagination]

Photo safety tips

Digital cameras and third party photo software may store metadata (Information about a photo that's stored as part of the photo file. May include who the photo was taken by, when it was taken, and where. Metadata is not always easy to access, and it is not always obvious what and how much metadata is stored as part of a photo file.) about each photo as part of the photo file. The metadata stored varies by camera manufacturer and software application, but could include your name, camera serial number, or other details like GPS coordinates of where the picture was taken. If you share your photos online, people who view and download your photos may be able to access any metadata stored in the photo file.

What do the photos show about you? Will they attract the wrong kind of attention or help someone find you?
What's in the background? Do the photos show your house number, a street sign, a license plate, a local mall, your school, or other landmarks?
Did you label the photos with full names or other identifying details?
What's on your shirt? The name of your school, sports team, or club? Your name?
Who's in the photos? If they show friends or family members, you may be putting them at risk, too.

Just be caerful

[Clemens Roether]

Before you bring the camera to your eye, finish this sentence:
"WHAT I WANT TO SHOW IS ------------------------------------------.

Once you have a clear grasp off WHY you are making this picture, your mind can run a quick HOW TO technique checklist -- lens, exposure, ISO, white balance, etc, -- to help you achieve your idea.

Producing outstanding photography requires the skillful blending of art and technology. Your eye must learn to detect and isolate the essential and make it into a beautiful cmposition. To complete the job you must make the camera an extension of your eye and practice until you can operate the controls instinctively and automatically.

[rongibson]

When we used to shoot film we had to shoot for the highlights (underexpose) and re-adjust in the darkroom, now with digital the process has been reversed. When shooting in RAW I would always suggest shooting to the right (of the histogram) without overexposing or clipping the image. In your camera this will appear as an unpleasantly bright image. Instead of shooting with perfect exposure you can achieve an image with more information in the shadows by overexposing the image and reducing exposure in post process. Just avoid clipping the highlights (turning to pure white).

The reason to shoot to the right is due to the range and placement of information gathered by the sensor. Say your cameras dynamic range is 5 stops in a 12-bit RAW image which produces 4096 different tones across the spectrum of clipped white and black. The first stop contains 2048 tones, 2nd: 1024, 3rd: 512, 4th: 256, and 5th: 128 tones (pulled technical info from luminous landscape).

How do I do this? In manual you can slow your shutter speed, or increase your aperture. In Aperture or Shutter priority you can adjust with the +/- exposure button to slightly overexpose. Turn on your LCD histogram and take your shot, the more information on the right side of the histogram the better- just don't clip the right side.

So try shooting to the right and your images will have more variation of tones in the shadows in your finished product.

[genielamb]

The most important advice I can give is that you first read your manual and take the time to get to know your camera well, the knobs, dials and menu functions. You want to be able to change settings on the fly so as to not miss out on that perfect moment because you forgot how to change ISO settings.

Choose your favorite subject then photograph it from all angles with different settings until you are completely comfortable with your camera. Change lenses and get to know what each lens is capable of and which you will use under each circumstance.

Learn the rules then become confident enough to break them. You will be surprised at the outcome.

Frame your shot in camera but leave enough ‘wiggle’ room for cropping or printing later. Each print size has a different ratio and you may lose an important part of your image if you frame too tightly in camera

Read up on other photographers and study their work for stimulation and ideas.

Experiment and have fun as you slowly settle into your own style. Once you have found your niche and personal style, take time to perfect it. Not everyone will like your work so be prepared for criticism but know that those that do will love it as much as you do. This way you will build a steady flow of happy, satisfied customers who will confidently refer you to their friends or associates. If you try and please everyone you will become nothing more than a high priced, boring Wal-Mart photographer.

Your portfolio should reflect YOUR style with a little diversity thrown in to show potential customers that you can adapt to their needs and still maintain your individual flair and interpretation.

Be confident in who you are as a photographer. Display your work proudly, learn from others and continually try out new techniques and ideas. Above all, remember to ALWAYS REMAIN TRUE TO YOURSELF. You want to strive for that ideal where people instantly recognize a photograph as being one taken by you.

[Jessica Maier]

Apply Lighting Like You Would Makeup.

When I grew old enough to be interested in wearing makeup, my mother gave me one rule: Wear makeup so that it looks like you are not wearing makeup. This tip may not ring a bell to most of the males out there, but the logic still applies to your photography.

Use your artificial lighting techniques and tools in many creative ways, but don't leave your photo looking ghastly and offensive to the eye as a result. Multiple and creative sources of artificial lighting can create a beautiful image that looks as though it were lit completely by natural light.

Of course, when you've mastered artificial lighting, you can begin to create dramatic effects that purposefully do not look "natural," much like a professional makeup artist would.

[Guy With A Rebel]

My tip is probably aimed at the beginning photographer. Don't be afraid to take a photograph. I can't count the number of times I was somewhere with my camera but felt self conscious about taking a picture. Usually this happened in a public place such as a farmers market or tourist area. Now when I see a scene I think would make a great photo I take the picture and don't think twice about it. You'll end up with a better variety and quality of photo if you do the same.

[Mark.prescott]

If you have no tripod and the light is low - pressing the button shakes the camera -
Lean on something solid!
1. Use the sniper trick - breath in breathe out hold and then shoot
2. Use multi-shot - single button-push and hold down - shoot 4 images - one will be clear!!
3. Use timer - set to 2 secs - press the button and hold (remember the breathing!)

Check and repeat!

Mark