Is your camera permanently locked in Auto mode? Whereas my camera has the ability to switch out of Auto and into Manual mode with a simple thumb flex, I rarely if ever remember to make the move. Each time I look at funky shots, it dawns on me that I had the ability to fix the images long before I hit the shutter button and sat for hours on end in front of the computer trying to edit out the mistakes.
Even if you own a point-and-shoot camera that has limited Manual features, it is a good idea to learn how to use them. This is especially true if you shoot in situations where your Auto mode has a bad performance track record. Fortunately, all the questions you might have about Manual mode should be addressed in the camera’s owner’s guide. If you tossed the camera’s manual, then these tips might come in handy:
For starters you’ll want to enable the Manual mode by switching your camera settings. Manual mode is typically indicated by the letter “M.” Once you enable the mode, then you will be asked to set the ISO. This setting determines light sensitivity. If you are shooting in bright light, you will need a lower setting, such as 100 or 200. Conversely, you’ll need a higher level if you are shooting in low light situations. Figure on 400, 800 or 1600. Just remember that a high ISO setting sometimes results in grainy shots.
Next, try experimenting with the manual shutter speed setting. This determines how fast the camera’s shutter opens and closes when taking a photo. Longer shutter speeds open the shutter for a longer time, which allows in more light.
Finally, fiddle with depth of field. You can control this feature by using the aperture/f-stop setting. A short depth of field, which is achieved with a wide f-stop setting, like f/2.8, brings the subject in the foreground into focus and blurs the background. To take a shot where the foreground and background are both in focus, try a narrow f-stop setting, like f/16.
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