Digital cameras 101

[mjmurphy]

Hi - new to digital cameras - which is why I'm here!
have a Nikon Coolpix7600
when taking shots of landscape scenes - on a clear blue sky, showing instead wavy lines within the blue background. hard to describe.  used the automatic settings, just point and shoot.
can anyone tell me what I'm doing wrong?  close up shots of people are fine/cloudy day shots are fine/it's the clear blue sky shots that have the wavy lines.
any help would be appreciated
thanks
Mary Jo

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi Mary Jo,

Welcome to the Q&A Board and the wonderful world of digital photography!

Let me begin by asking a very basic question. Have you checked the lens to see if there are any smudges? Even if you don't think there are any, clean the lens and take a few test shots.

A solid blue sky is unforgiving if you have any smudes and can cause lines to appear on image as you're experiencing. Another way to tell if they are smudges are if they are consistently in the same place.

Is this doesn't solve the problem please get back to us and we'll go from there.

Related reading: Cleaning a digital camera
http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-care/index.htm