Free Template Blogger Gym

Getting good photos with a digital compact / 2

In this second part we will see some tricks to pull out the best in compact cameras. Before you begin shooting, however, you must do two things. The first is to document a minimum on photographic technique, or read some articulate concerns that exposure, ISO, focal length, aperture, shutter speed, WB and all those useful information to the next step. I'm not saying to study the manual of photography, but at least get the basics of the technique. So, then you can approach more easily to the second stage: know your camera. Although many times this may seem obvious, get to know their compact camera is extremely important. In addition to knowing the various menu items, in order to make best use of all functions during shooting is also necessary to know how the machine works like in different lighting conditions. Try, for example, taking the same photo but varying:

• ISO;
• WB;
• AF points;
• exposure compensation;
• various parameters that depend on the machine.

In this way, after some tedious but essential test, you'll know exactly how the car behaves and will not have unpleasant surprises when you go to take seriously.

And now we move on to some practical advice. As mentioned in previous posts, these considerations apply particularly in the case of photos of landscapes, or still photos taken with the sunlight.

Depth of Field

The depth of field (DoF, Depth of Field) is a very important factor in landscape photography. Unlike the picture, where the DoF is pretty low, landscapes it must be adapted to the composition . For example, if framed in a mountain landscape with a rock in the foreground, the meadow and mountains in the background, you will need a DoF that both the rock and the mountains are in focus. To do this we must close the lens iris. Most of the compact does not allow this type of regulation, but is it a way to remedy the problem. In fact, although it has no way of so-called Av (Aperture value ), almost all machines should have a compact mode "Landscape." Take heed: you do not find this mode of styles photo - this will likely lead to a different WB combined with a higher contrast and colors a bit 'more saturated. No, there should be a real shooting mode called "Landscape" or "Panorama" or "Landscape" or something. In this mode the machine automatically maximizes the DoF and the result should be a picture in focus both the foreground and background. But if you have the ability to manually close the iris ... use it! Appropriate values \u200b\u200bare more focal ratio of f / 8, although this depends on the focal length using the shell (with a maximum wide angle, the DoF is reached already at f/10, and you have to close with a telephoto lens even more than f/20).

Sharpness

The sharpness of a photo is the result of some precautions to be taken during shooting.

1. First used as often as possible a tripod. It seems trivial, but even the smallest vibration can cause a loss of sharpness. In the photos at night, in addition, it is essential. There are tripods for all tastes and budgets. Obviously, more robust and more stable it will be. But this also leads to a weight and a compact footprint and weigh no more so much to take in carbon tripods. So, if I can afford to advice, forget the tripod 15-20 € made in China and seek the good stuff. Recommended brands are Benro and Manfrotto. Of this there are some economic models suitable for compact and cost around € 50. Alternatively I would recommend the excellent and very effective GorillaPod : a mini tripod with rubber and plastic jointed legs. I can put just about anywhere and women is also in her purse. A flaw? It 's small, so you have tangled with some light pole, for example, to bring it up to considerable height.
2. Second, along with the use of the tripod, turned on the self-timer . In this will prevent further risk of vibration and micro-motion.
3. Third focus . Focus on the subject properly and use the mode "Landscape" to maximize DoF (or if your machine allows it close the aperture as much as possible). Council to focus repeatedly pressing and releasing the shutter button half: in this way reduces the risk that the AF I fail.
4. Fourth used ISO values \u200b\u200bas low as possible . This will ensure a negligible noise. The sensors of the compact, in fact, being more dense than those of a reflex, they are practically unusable over ISO 400. Try always use the lowest available for your camera (values \u200b\u200bare likely to ISO 64, 80, 100).

In the next post will talk about: exposure, white balance and post production.

Stay tuned ...