Camera Settings

Camera Settings-Digital cameras come with basic settings which are great for most photographers when starting out. As you become more experienced and want to try experimenting you will probably want more from your camera. This means learning more about the different settings your camera has to offer.

The fully automatic mode, usually a green symbol, will completely take control of your camera settings. So it is better to use it for only the most straight forward point-and-shoot pictures. Here are 10 tips for using your camera settings to great effect.

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The first one to look at is the "P" or Program mode. This will give a high level of automation, but still allows for some alterations to the basic settings.

* The SCENE mode, designed for situations such as landscapes, close-ups or sport, save a lot of hassle, so use them if your camera has them.

* Use the highest image quality your camera has to offer. The RAW format gives the highest quality, but uses a lot of storage. JPEG loses a bit of quality, but is easier to work with on your computer. You can always reduce the size of the image, but you can't put in quality that wasn't there in the first place.

* If you have one, the BRACKETING setting is useful to make sure you get the right exposure. This will allow you to take - usually three - slightly different exposures. Hopefully, one of them will be correct.

* Use the A (Aperture) priority setting to control the depth of field. That is the band of the image which is in sharp focus. This setting allows you to set the aperture of the lens, letting the camera control the shutter speed. A low AV will give a shallow depth of field. Very useful for throwing the background out of focus for example. A high AV will allow everything from foreground to distant objects to be sharply focused.

* The T (Time) or S (Shutter) priority setting allows you to set the shutter speed while letting the camera control the aperture. This is needed when shutter speed is important. For example, an action shot will require a very short shutter speed. For low light conditions a long exposure may be necessary.

* On the subject of lighting conditions, try altering the ISO setting. This is the equivalent of the film speed in old technology! Raising the ISO number makes your camera more sensitive to light so you can use a higher shutter speed. Useful to freeze the action or avoid camera shake.

* Another setting you can use is MACRO. This lets you get some really great close-up shots of objects. It used to require special lenses for these photographs and was beyond the reach of most amateurs. Now all it needs is an automatic setting on your camera.

* Set the camera to SERIES or CONTINUOUS exposure and be ready to make a number of exposures in rapid succession. If the action is unfolding in front of your eyes you don't want to miss that vital shot.

* The default WHITE BALANCE on you digital camera will be auto, which is fine, but can sometimes give a cold feel to your photographs. When you are shooting landscapes or outdoor portraits try changing the setting to cloudy. This will give a warmer, richer tone.

Get to know your camera settings and experiment to find out what effect they have. You will find that your camera is more versatile than you think. Your photography will improve and become far more rewarding.