Search Results for: blog using the macro mode

A New Little Model

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I’ve taken an unusually large amount of photos recently. You see, I have a brand new model to photograph, and I can’t help but want to capture her in all her newborn glory. And with all the funny little faces she’s pulling, it’s hard to stop taking photos even when you’ve got some good ones. Part of what makes taking these baby photos so satisfying is the nuances in her facial expressions. They change so quickly, and I don’t know that she even knows what emotions go with what faces, but as she learns to use the muscles in her … Continue reading →

The Need for Speed: Using the Sports Mode

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In my last post I wrote about going to a car show, but what I failed to mention was that the show featured drag races and tire burnouts. So how do you capture a 9.8-second quarter mile finish on film? Your best bet is the sports mode. This setting does several things to speed up the function of the camera and somehow freeze the action your eyes processes. One of the cool things about the sports mode (which is featured on most modern digital cameras) is that it can be used to capture any kind of action. What the Sports … Continue reading →

Using the Macro Mode

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I recently got a new camera, and I’ve been taking more pictures than ever. It’s amazing to me what a difference a quality camera makes. It definitely doesn’t make me a better photographer automatically, but it’s inspired me to learn more and experiment with the capabilities of the camera. For instance, I’ve been taking a lot of photos of crafts I’ve made recently, and I’ve been using the macro setting (also called the close-up mode on some cameras). This setting, most often indicated by a flower, allows you to get up close and personal with the subject of the shot. … Continue reading →

Taking Your Camera to the Beach… and Using It

Summer is here… a time when millions of families head to the sun, sand, and surf. And along with the sunscreen, water and towels most will tote along their cameras to capture the sun-filled memories of children splashing in waves or building monster sand castles. Only not every shutterbug readily whips out his or her camera in the heat of the moment for fear that the elements (water, sand, etc.) will damage their expensive digital devices. Meanwhile, others simply forget that their cameras are sitting in their beach bags waiting to be used. As you head out on your family … Continue reading →

Gearing Up for a Plethora of Photo Ops

Dads, grads, and new pads. The coming weeks bring an avalanche of special photo opportunities, from graduation ceremonies to Father’s Day, weddings and summer moves. If your camera has been hibernating for the winter, now is the time to wipe off the cobwebs and get shooting. For those of you who received a new camera for Christmas but have been putting off using it, the upcoming holidays and special events are prime opportunities to experiment. However, before you get snapping, it’s a good idea to acquaint yourself with your camera’s many modes. For example, even if you don’t have an … Continue reading →

Inspiration in Bloom

In a few short weeks the price of flowers will increase exponentially. Roses that are selling for $10 a dozen today will cost you five times that amount as we creep closer to Valentine’s Day. If you are pinching pennies, but still want to impress your sweetheart with some beautiful blossoms, then consider snapping stunning pictures of flowers. Mastering flower photography is not too difficult once you get some experience under your belt. If you are serious about snapping an awe-inspiring flower photo that you can frame and gift to your beloved this Valentine’s Day, then now is the time … Continue reading →

It’s Time to Meet the Muppets in “The Muppet Movie”

Can “The Muppets” really ever come back? Or more to the point, can they ever be really what they were without Jim Henson? Although I enjoyed “Muppet Treasure Island” and to a lesser extent “The Muppet Christmas Carol,” these movies came out when I was a kid and thus I loved them automatically. I agree with many that The Muppets’ heyday was when Jim Henson was still alive. Sure, The Muppets have been carving out their own space in current popular culture with their YouTube shorts. Perhaps that’s the best way to be relevant in the modern era, but short … Continue reading →

Taking Scrapbook-worthy Photos

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Scrapbooking is a hugely popular hobby. And it’s rewarding to come away from your creative space with something that both preserves memories and was fun to create. While I enjoy scrapbooking, one of the challenges I face is finding scrapbook-worthy photos. I spend a lot of time taking photos of nature and architecture. Trees, flowers, symmetry, lines, and other abstract things. I don’t take a lot of time to photograph people. And while a few photos of some of these other things are nice in a scrapbook, they’re not what you generally are looking for in a scrapbook. I’m not … Continue reading →

Getting Distractions Out of Your Shots

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Don’t you hate it when you think you’ve taken the best shot ever only to find that there’s a random person in the background or that there’s a plant growing out of someone’s head? It happens, but there are some simple things you can do to get the “stuff” out of your photos. The first is to be aware of the background while taking the photo. Can you wait a couple of seconds for the tourist in the background to move? Sometimes this is easier said than done, granted, but often a little patience goes a long way. Other times, … Continue reading →

Spring Has Sprung

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In many places, spring is on its way, if it’s not already here. Spring is a beautiful time to head outside to take photos of all the miraculous things that are happening. Perhaps there are baby ducks in your local park or spring bulbs starting to bloom. Trees may be beginning to bud and the dirt is a deep brown. At my house, the bulbs are peeking out of the ground, but not yet blooming. I am amazed at all the tiny beautiful things just waiting to be photographed. So let’s get moving! Since so many of the wondrous things … Continue reading →