Digital cameras 101

[jude]

Hi everyone

I'm thrilled to find this message board. I've been taking photos for years - I'm one of those people who love taking photos but aren't very good at it   so its great to find somewhere I can get help and advice.

I had a Canon A20 for ages and enjoyed it but was always a bit disappointed with the results. My problems are mainly focus because I have a tremor in my hands.

I brought a monopod with the s2is because I need something that is quick and easy to use when we are travelling - I tend to stop the car and leap out for photos regularly!!!

I've been reading up on focus issues and found it all very useful but I have one question that hasn't been answered yet.  Yesterday I was zooming in on animals at the zoo and the results weren't as good as I expected.  I checked the camera and found I had it on the landscapte setting.  So I am wondering if this mode is more for wide angle landscapes then for using with the optical zoom?

Cheers
Jude

[Deb]

Hi there Jude!

I haven't shot with an S2 but I think I can give you a general answer. Here it goes: Landscape mode typically sets your camera with a small aperture (for maximum depth-of-field) and focus is set at distance or infinity. The consequence of this is that the corresponding shutterspeed needed for correct exposure may be a bit slow to freeze action and you won't be focused on near objects.

Since you were shooting animals at the zoo and were zoomed in on them, their movement would be somewhat exaggerated. If the action is too fast for the shutterspeed, the animals will look soft or blurred. Also if they were near, the lens wouldn't have been focused on that nearer point.

Were your images soft (out of focus and/or blurred)?

[ShutterbugGail]

While I've been typing a reply, seems Deb already replied.   She made almost the exact same points I was planning to make. I'll add a few related thoughts.

Cameras like the S2 have so many buttons, menus and features that it's easy to forget to change back a setting. That's why I always have the display set so I can see my settings on the LCD or viewfinder.  This doesn't ensure that I'll never shoot with a wrong setting, but it does help a bit.

If you have the camera still on the default factory settings you should consider using these:

Switch Continuous Autofocus to Single Area Autofocus. You'll have much more control over where and when the camera focuses.

For general photo-taking, use Shoot Only Image Stabilization.  It is more accurate than Continuous IS. If you pan when photographing animals, switch to Panning IS.

Here are more S2 tips:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/canon-s2-blog/index.htm

[jude]

Thanks for the answers, its much appreciated.

I am still coming to grips with photographic jargon but I will learn  I asked my son (who knows a lot more than me) about the blurred vs soft question and he said that the photos were focused - just not focused in the right place!!!  Which proves your opinions were correct.

Basically the camera is focusing on the background rather than the animals so taking it off landscape would improve things straight away.

I have now switched to Single Area Autofocus and Shoot Only Image Stabilisation and can't wait to test it out again.  

Thanks again
Jude

[ShutterbugGail]

Here are some tips about focusing with the S2. A lot of it applies to using other digital cameras:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/canon-s2-blog/canon-s2-focusing.htm

Digicamhelp has a glossary for those new to digital photography. You can find it here:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-photography-terms-for-the-beginner/index.htm

Also, the Taking Pictures section at the main site should give you lots of help for learning how to use a digital camera. Go to the page and check out the links in the left-hand column:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-pictures/index.htm

If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

[jude]

Thanks Gail

Thanks. I've been browsing through those sites and have found them very helpful.  Sometimes it feels like information overload when I am looking for the answer to a specific question but I just keep returning until my tiny brain has got it sorted out    

Cheers Jude

[ShutterbugGail]

Sometimes it feels like information overload when I am looking for the answer to a specific question  

That is not an uncommon feeling. I always feel that when I get a new camera...and I've been into photography for quite some time.

What I usually recommend is that you learn a little at a time, only what you need. Then when you feel comfortable about that, go on to the next thing. I still must check my manual every now an then.

Here are some suggestions getting to most out of the manual as you learn how to use your camera:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/digital-camera-manuals/index.htm

[jude]

Cool, I will check that out soon.

We went out last night and I took more photos with the setting changes to IS and the focus that were suggested. I was thrilled with the results.  Some were still out of focus but that was because I moved. I tried taking some landscape shots without using the landscape setting and the depth of field (I think thats what its called) was amazing. Everything was in focus from the seaweed on the beach to the end of the wharf. I can't wait to try more.

Cheers
Jude

[ShutterbugGail]

We went out last night and I took more photos with the setting changes to IS and the focus that were suggested. I was thrilled with the results.  Some were still out of focus but that was because I moved. I tried taking some landscape shots without using the landscape setting and the depth of field (I think thats what its called) was amazing. Everything was in focus from the seaweed on the beach to the end of the wharf. I can't wait to try more.

Cheers
Jude

Jude,

I'm thrilled about your successes... and perseverance. Many people "blame" the camera, rather than take time to examine some of the reasons why they may get poor images. A digital camera is no more perfect than you or I (well, I probably shouldn't speak for others, only myself   )

Keep up the good work and, don't forget, if you have additional questions, we're here to help the best we can.

btw, for others who may read this post, a lot of people who own the S2 ask questions about it here because I have an S2 blog and they find the Q&A Board through internet searches. Please know that a good of information we share about the S2, or any other specific digital camera,  if often applicable to other digital cameras.

[jude]

Hi Gail

Thanks for the  feedback.  I probably should confess that my partner and I each bought the same camera. We figured we would fight over it otherwise and that he would automatically claim the best shots were his !!!!

I couldn't claim it was the camera's fault even if I wanted to because he seems to instinctively be able to take superb photos  and none of his were out of focus.  His composition is always spot on too.  I never seem to be able to get the same results as he does but I guess it gives me something to aim for - its nice that you call it perserverance, the rest of my family call it stubborness


Cheers
Jude

[ShutterbugGail]

lol, Jude.

I'm sure you'll catch up with your partner. Here are a few principles of composition. That's what they're called but they really are guidelines...so let your creativity soar!

http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-pictures/composition.htm