Digital Photography Tips

More and more people are discovering the fun and convenience of digital photography. Taking digital photographs is certainly inexpensive compared to using film, especially if you are shooting a lot of pictures. Instead of shooting and developing roll after roll of film, and keeping only your favorite prints from each, with a digital camera you can instantly see all your images, and print only the ones you like best.

Even though digital photography has many advantages, it is important to understand how to get the most out of this great new technology. This article showcases a few of our favorite tips for making your digital photographs the best they can be.

One of the most frequently asked questions from digital photographers is whether to use the viewfinder or the LCD screen. Most digital cameras come with an LCD screen, and that screen generally provides a more accurate frame for your shots.

It is important to remember, however, that the LCD screen is a big drain on battery life, so if you will be taking a lot of shots, or if you are short on spare batteries, you may want to turn the LCD screen off and use the viewfinder instead. Note that the viewfinder will be difficult to see in bright sunlight.

Another important tip, especially with the more expensive digital cameras, is to pay attention to the resolution, and to only use the resolution you need. While a resolution of 5 or 6 megapixels may be great if you plan to make posters of your prints, if all you want to do is print a 4"x6" or 5"x7" print, you probably will not need a resolution of more than 3 megapixels. It is important to set the default resolution properly, since a higher resolution will mean each picture will take up more space on your memory card. The higher the resolution, the fewer pictures you will be able to store.

One of the best things about digital photography is the ability to tweak the images after they have been captured. Unlike traditional photography, it is possible to change the colors, background and many other aspects of the digital image. You can even add captions, dates and other personalization to make the images even more memorable.

This magic happens through photo editing software, and most digital cameras will have some sort of basic photo editing software package included. In addition, there are a number of standalone photo editing packages, from very inexpensive packages for home users to very expensive ones geared to the professional photographer.

The exact features of these photo-editing packages vary widely from manufacturer to manufacturer, but most allow you to reduce or eliminate red-eye, zoom in on your images, alter the appearance of the background and adjust the color balance. All of these software packages take some time to learn, so it is important to experiment with them and learn how to use them.

After you have learned how to use your photo editing software to make the perfect images, the next question is how to print them. There are a number of options, from printing the images on your own printer, to uploading them to the internet and receiving them by mail, to having them printed at a kiosk.

In general, it is less costly to have the photographs printed elsewhere, as the high cost of ink can make home printing rather costly. However, there is nothing like printing your own photographs for the feeling of instant gratification.

Like any new technology, digital photography takes awhile to learn and get comfortable with. However, the relative ease of use of today's digital cameras, coupled with their increasingly low prices, makes them a great choice for almost any photographer.