LIFETIME Photography - newsletter lpnews

You Don’t Need A Time Stamp On Your Photo: Some manufactures give you a feature that allows you to imprint the current date and time ( and sometimes other data information) onto your image. Turn these off!

You don’t want anything to distract you or your viewer from the subject of your photo. The date and the time really aren’t relevant to the image you are creating. When you have it displayed in the bottom corner, it just creates more clutter and takes away from the impact of your image.

Use The EXIF Information: Modern digital cameras record the time and date the shot was taken in a separate part of the image file. This is called the EXIF information (I’ll explain more about EXIF in the June Newsletter).

EXIF information is handy to know when looking at images or printed photos years from now. You can ask your photo lab to stamp the EXIF information (like the time and date the shot was taken) on the back of our photos where it doesn’t detract from your subject.

Image Filters / Modifiers: Some cameras also have a mode that changes your photos using various filters like into a negative, or a 1970-s type shot, or an ‘Andy Warhol’ portrait. Don’t use these either – at least not on your camera. If you like these kinds of image, use your photo editing or paint program to create them instead. You will get a better result and have more control over the final image. Besides you will always have the original image in case in case you do not like the resultant image done in-camera.

Frills you SHOULD consider using: There are a few frills you SHOULD enable, if your camera supports it. The first is EXIF as described above. Most cameras do this by default now.

Also, if your camera (or camera phone) has an inbuilt GPS, you may like to use it to ensure it records the location of your image. That way when you look at it later, you’ll know exactly where you took it. A real asset for travel photography.

Using Your LCD Monitor

The LCD monitor will show you what your final image will look like. Use it to adjust your final image.When Reviewing Images On Your LCD, there are few things you can check .

Framing: Can you see your subject clearly and does it follow the rules of composition where you make sure you place your subject in one of the four thirds?
Exposure: How light or dark is your image? If it’s too light choose a faster shutter speed or a smaller aperture. If it’s too dark, choose a slower shutter speed or a more open aperture. Or try a different Predefined Mode for your camera.
Blurred Image: Your LCD will tell you if you have taken a blurry shot by zooming into the image.

A Nice Feature For Digital compact Cameras. If your camera can show you a half second freeze of your shot after capture, turn this feature on. The half second will give you enough time to see if the image is well framed, and has the correct exposure or if you need to take another one.

If you have a Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera, you normally can’t see the image in the LCD while you are composing the shot, so it’s even more important to check the image after you have taken it.

Digital SLRs also let you see your image’s light histogram from the same menu. This can help you figure out if you’ve got an evenly lit exposure.

Other little known features that make a huge difference. Some cameras have modes that show you which parts of your photo are overexposed or underexposed. This can be really helpful when you are contemplating taking that next shot.

These cameras usually show the image’s light histogram as well. This can tell you exactly where your photo needs more or less light.

Some photographers prefer to read the histogram instead of looking at the image because it’s a little more accurate. As you get better at reading histograms, you will probably feel the same way.

I will explain more about histograms in the June Newsletter

FREE -Photography BASIC NOTES

If you would like a FREE copy of my Basic notes please email request with Subject "Basic Notes". See details

LATEST TIPs for Digital Photographers gives you advice on How to Use your Digital Camera. Gives you a kick-start to using your camera. This has been shared FREE to our Network members.

Available TIPs:

TDP-0005
How to use your Digital Camera
TDP-0004
Photographing Motor Sports
TDP-0003
Capturing Movement with Shutter Speed
TDP-0002
Commonsense Colour Management
TDP-0001
Relationship of Shutter Speed and Aperture

If you would like a copy of any of these or to receive my regular TIPs please send me an email and I will place your contact on my email network group.

Samples of TIPS can be found in past Newsletters (see left column this Newsletter)

Brisbane Seminars in the Library

Our popular monthly Seminars on BASIC digital photography are held on the third Thursday of every month at the Everton Park Library, BRISBANE
from 6-7.45pm.

MAY seminar will be THURSDAY 17th

This month's Seminar will include discussions on digital photography, Digital Photography TIPs, and general discussion. ALL welcome

These Seminars are FREE and are part of our studio community program with the BCC Everton Park Library.

Bookings are essential

Please call the Everton Park Library on

07 3403 7400

to reserve your place.

Local Photographers' Email Network

You can be a member of our email network receiving these Newsletters each month and advice of library seminars and discussion groups?

Contact me to get your name on the list (FREE) and receive my regular TIPs For Digital Photographers.

Lifetime Saturday or Sunday Workshops

Our workshops are offered to assist you to learn the basics of digital photography by practical use of your camera.

By gaining a better understanding you will become more competent and creative. You will marvel at the improvement of your images and be encouraged by your newfound skills.

Next workshop will be on portraiture and people photography and will be located in Fallon Park at the rear of the Library.

Please contact me for an enrolment form.

Workshop page