You’ve got a Digital Camera ...What now?

by Karlana Kulseth of Kar’s Kreations & Photos

The big ticket item with Moms this last holiday season was the digital camera. And why not? Moms are super busy these days compared to the Moms of twenty years ago. We are always on the run, and we really don’t have the time, or the extra funds, to go developing film only to find out that half the pictures we took were not what we really expected.

The art of Digital Photography is simple: point and shoot. And if you don’t like it, delete it and try again. This popular item has even dipped down to the younger crowds of the twenty-first century with many shutterbugs in the midst of us Moms. If you are like me, you have at least one shutterbug toddling behind you, attempting to concentrate on your every move to learn how to do it. But many of you are probably wondering that same question: How do we do it?

I have been a photographer since I was ten years old. I have always been told I have a knack for photography. I’d pick the oddest things to photograph, as well as the normal things. Nowadays, I take this creativity and spread my wings with it with my digital camera. Working with your digital camera is very easy to do, as long as you follow along with me through the journey of becoming a Digital Photographer.

First off, please do read your manual. If you are like me, once you get a new “toy”, you just want to charge up those batteries and get cracking! But think about it. While you are waiting for those batteries to charge, take time out to get to know your camera. I call this the Meet & Greet with your new friend. After all, this camera will probably never leave your side now, considering all the wonderful pictures you can take and save on your computer! Read up on what your camera can actually do. Can it take videos? Does your camera have different color modes (sepia, black and white, natural color, high color, low color, tungsten)? How far does your zoom go? Does this zoom just work with the main lens, or is there also digital zoom? Mind you, digital zoom is way different from regular zoom, which will give you a different turn out of photos. Does your camera have different modes for different landscapes and views that may be in front of you? What different flashes are provided? All these are important to know because you will want to get the best photos out of your new companion.

Of course, this won’t be the first article I write and share little secrets to making those photos “pop” from your camera. But for now, it will be the basics. Now that I have stressed getting to know your camera with a simple Meet & Greet, the next step is to take some photos!

When you go out and about with your camera, don’t just snap pictures of those adorable children you have. Granted, they will be the main focus of your photos, but look at the world around you. I am sure everyone has some type of landscaping that would be a great scene to capture! Try taking close ups of flowers, leaves, and other different objects. After you have gone out and snapped some pictures, come back and upload them to your computer. Check out what you have done! It is okay to see blurs behind objects you took close ups of, that is intended and will be covered in another article. It is okay if the lighting was a bit off or not of your expectations. The whole point is to build a relationship with your camera.

The last step, for today’s article, is to share your photos. Sign up for an online housing account for your photos such as Photo Bucket or Flickr. I suggest these two because they are easy to use and very popular. Once you sign up for your account, start uploading pictures into your account. After that task is completed, post a link to your pictures in the comments to this article.

The most important part is to HAVE FUN! If you have other intentions other than to have fun with photography, it will never turn out the way you want it to.

Links to Sites:

Photo Bucket http://www.photobucket.com

Flickr http://www.flickr.com

Labels: digital camera, photography, pictures

posted at 10:32 PM