Working with digital images

[poohster]

Hi im new and am realy glad ive found this forum.
ive been trying to take close up photos for months and just cant get them right, eith blurry too dark too bright.
i use a sony cuber-shot 3.2 MB which hasnt got the macro feature on it  , ive played around with different settings on my camera and they just dont come out clear enough. I make wedidng stationery and its close up photos im trying to take of my stationery. Any advice would be greatly recieved.

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi poohster,

Welcome to the Q&A Board. We're glad you found us too.

You didn't say which model Sony digital camera you have. We try to look up the specs then give suggestions based on that. But here are some general suggestions.

First, you need to check the camera specifications about the closest you can get to a subject, then shoot at the closest range. If you get too close, you will not be able to focus.

You should use a tripod or other camera support. If not, you may have camera shake if you hand-hold the shot, and that will blur images.

You should also experiment with exposure. If your camera has an LCD, you should be able to see the exposure changes before you take the photo.

If it's possible to select the aperture, use it to control depth of field...the range a subject is in sharp focus. In a few minutes, I'll list some links to help explain some of these techniques.

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi again poohster,

Just wanted to point out that the method I mentioned above, will require that you crop a photo with image editing software to give it a macro look (since you don't have a macro feature on your camera). But try to take the photos as close as you can, so you don't have to crop too much.

Here are the links I promised:

Depth of field
http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-pictures/depth-of-field.htm

Aperture
http://www.digicamhelp.com/advanced-digital-camera-settings/aperture.htm

Here's an excellent tutorial on taking close-up photos with a digital camera, written by Q&A Board moderator Deb:

Macro photography
http://www.digicamhelp.com/learn/camera-techniques/macro-photography.htm

[poohster]

hi ShutterbugGail

my camera is a sony cyber shot 3.2 mega pixels

thanks for the links will check them out

[ShutterbugGail]

You're very welcome.  

We'd need to know the model number in order to possibly provide more help. When someone provides the model, we do a quick look-up of the specifications.

Still, since your camera doesn't have a macro feature, the suggestions provided should help. Let us know if they do, or if you have additional questions.