So, You Bought a Digital Camera - Now What?

So, you just bought a digital camera, now what? Well honestly, the possibilities are endless. The world of digital photography for beginners is vast. You can start by taking pictures of clouds, a tree, your dog, it really doesn't matter just get used to your camera.

You'll see lots of different settings on the top of your digital camera, for now though, just ignore them. Set the dial to "auto" and start shooting. The effects you'll get from allowing the camera to make the decisions will be fun. The best part about digital photography for beginners is that you can take a bad picture and because it's digital you can erase it and no one will ever need to know, so experiment.

Now that you have a few shots take a look and see what you like the best. If you have a shot, for instance, that is too dark, erase it and remember not to take that shot again.

HOW TO AVOID BLURRY PICTURES

Most beginning digital photographers shoot landscapes, mostly because they are wide shots and they show pretty scenery. That's fine, but eventually you will want to shoot something close up, like your little girl's first steps or the dent on your car where the guy just hit you. Here are a few tips to help you avoid getting blurry shots.

1. Stand still - plant your feet solidly about 12 inches apart.
2. Move with the action - if your subject is moving left to right follow the subject with your upper body left to right.
3. Only zoom as much as you need - If the subject requires you to be zoomed the whole way in then by all means do so, but remember, the more zoom the less clarity.

SOME CARDINAL RULES OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Although there are many things you can do with a digital camera that you never could do with a regular point and shoot there are still a few things you should never do as a photographer.

1. Don't take a picture of a subject with his or her back to the sun. You as the photographer should ALWAYS have your back to the sun. If you don't, the iris on the camera will pick up all that light and make your subject dark.
2. There is no need to always use your flash. If you have a side light situation that makes the other side of a subject dark, then kick on the flash and brighten it, but basically you don't need it all the time. And, if you're shooting landscapes don't bother with a flash at all. Let the natural light brighten your picture. You'll get much better results.
3. Make sure your optics are clean. There is nothing worse than taking that perfect shot only to have half the sky smudged because of a thumb print on your lens.

Digital photography for beginners can be fun filled. Armed with the proper tools, you'll take beautiful pictures you'll love to show your friends.

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about digital photography visit Digital Photography Classes for current articles and discussions.

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