Gone are the days when it was necessary to turn a bunch of chemicals and various devices to get a photograph - the world submitted to digital photography. This affordable and convenient way to get a static image on paper makes it easy to capture all the most important events in life or just beautiful moments. Today, almost everyone owns a digital camera. However, not all are familiar with the small tricks that allow you to take a picture of a simple photograph. Photography is the real world with your eyes.
How to choose a camera?
To begin with, which camera is best to choose. First of all, pay attention to the main parameter - the number of pixels on the matrix. On this depends the quality and size of the photo printed in the future. For example, for a good 10x15 image, you must have a camera size of at least 1200x1800 pixels, which is approximately 2.2 megapixels. To print a 13x18 photo, you need a camera with a size of at least 3.5 Megapixels (approximately 1600x2200 pixels). Many manufacturers of cameras indicate not the real size of the matrix, but the size that the camera is capable of increasing, using a special mode. In fact, there will not be much use from this size. A large number of Megapixels can not guarantee that the image will be of high quality. It depends on many other parameters, including the quality of the matrix.
No less important parameter is the possibility of digital zoom (Zoom). Its value is determined by the difference between the minimum and maximum focal length. The magnification can be optical (due to lenses) and digital (due to software processing). The best quality is obtained only with pictures with optical magnification.
Mirror.
Everybody heard about the so-called "mirrors". Such cameras allow you to see a snapshot not only of the matrix, it is also on a special screen, that is, with your own eyes. However, if you do not like manual focus and constantly use automatic mode, this is not an advantage for you. In addition, the "SLRs" allow you to take advantage of another plus - interchangeable lenses. But if you are limited in means and do not have the desire to delve into all the subtleties of professional photography, you can confine yourself to an ordinary camera.
Focal length.
The first thing that catches your eye on amateur photos is the wrong focal length. If in order to remove an object, you have to move away, this means that your camera has a large focal length. Such cameras are convenient to shoot only distant objects. With a focal length, this parameter is closely related to the camera, as the priority of the aperture. When setting this mode manually, it is necessary to know that to select an object in the foreground, choose a smaller aperture value. At the maximum aperture value, the sharpness will be applied to almost the whole frame. These parameters are most often used for shooting portraits or single objects, which you want to pay attention to.
The next parameter that has a value when retrieving the image is the shutter priority. It allows you to snatch one moving object from the total mass or give the subject a special dynamics of movement. In this case, you should experiment with a shutter speed of 60 and longer.
Another is ISO or the sensitivity of the matrix. The higher this number, the smaller the illumination of the subject for shooting. You can set a slower shutter speed. However, it should be borne in mind that with great sensitivity, the photos become "grainy", so do not get carried away with shooting at a large ISO.
Flash.
Not the latest assistant for obtaining high-quality photos in low light is the flash. Unfortunately, the flash makes the image in the photos more flat. In this case, you can try shooting at a small angle, which will allow you to notice the shadows. Many people when photographing with a flash by inexperience are closed by her hand, then you should always follow and avoid such mistakes.
Other settings.
There are a number of parameters, thanks to which you can a few enliven and improve the photo. For example, in modern digital cameras appeared such a function as the white balance. Thanks to it, you can improve the image quality under different shooting conditions, for example, outdoors, indoors with incandescent lamps or fluorescent lamps. Most often enough automatic mode. However, if you want to achieve special effects, try experimenting with this setting.
If you have not yet mastered the "manual" settings of your camera, you should pay attention to the fact that many of them have preset modes for shooting under certain conditions, for example "beach", "snow", "party", "plants". This allows you to make the most successful photo under pre-determined conditions. When you got acquainted, what is photography, and the world will play with new colors.
For a good photo it is important to choose the right composition of the frame, that is, what you will shoot, for example, the natural real world. For example, if the object of your admiration is a monument of architecture, try to arrange it so that all its interesting details can be seen, the object was either in the center of the frame or stood out well against the background of the adjacent territory. It is desirable that in the frame did not get strangers, you did not intend to shoot.
An experience.
Do not despair if the first pictures you received are not as desired. The real world in the images is not what it would be like. All the basic skills come with experience, so the main thing that you need to do is take pictures. Show pictures on forums, amateurs and professionals, you will certainly receive valuable advice and well-grounded comments. You can improve your skills not only on your own, but also on special courses. Experienced photographers will show you the basic techniques of photography and will learn to get high-quality pictures that will long please not only you, but your relatives and friends.