8 TIPS FOR BETTER DIGITAL PHOTOS
 

While the basic principles of photography still apply, digital cameras have their own unique characteristics that differ from traditional film cameras.

1. Move in closer. Most pictures will benefit if you take a few steps forward. Having your subject fill most the frame helps your viewer understand your photo and provides details that are often more interesting than an overall view. To get the clearest picture, use the camera's optical zoom if you can't move closer to your subject.

2. Use your viewfinder. A digital camera's LCD screen uses lots of battery power so to maximize battery life, use the camera's viewfinder.

3. Anticipate the moment. Digital cameras have an inherent delay between pressing the shutter button and when the camera records the image on the memory card. Anticipate the action and press the shutter button just before the peak of the action.

4. Use available light when possible. Digital cameras are much more sensitive to light than film cameras. This enables you to shoot without flash in about 85 percent of the time.

5. Shoot at your camera’s highest resolution. If you want to print your images, you'll get the best results from a larger file. You can always decrease the resolution of the image on your computer to email them, but starting off with a low-resolution image does not give you the flexibility to print your photo.

6. Shoot as many photos as possible. The more images you shoot, the better your chances are of getting that special shot. Because you don't incur any costs until you print your images, if you so desire, so take as many shots as you can.

7. Delete unwanted images as you go. Immediately delete images you don't want to minimize the task of deleting images because you're running out of room on your memory card. When in doubt, save the image until you can view it on your computer monitor.

8. Buy moderately sized memory cards. Avoid purchasing overly large memory cards. The chances of losing all your images are much greater should a larger card fail. Instead, use memory cards that hold about 200-300 images.

Whether you're new to photography or an experienced picture taker, the important thing to remember is that digital cameras offer shooting freedom and flexibility. Experiment with your camera. Try new techniques. And above all, remember to have fun.