Holiday Digital Photography

Submitted by HelpMeRick.com on December 30, 2005 - 1:53pm.

Nearly one out of every four homes in the United States own at least one digital camera. Chances are you are one of those households. And if you are one of those digital camera owners, you will probably be taking a few pictures this month.

Following are some tips on how to take some interesting and fun photos during the holidays.

* Keep your batteries charged or have extras available. "Kodak moments" don't wait for battery changes.

* If you are headed out of town, make sure that you have enough memory cards to take at least 100 photos. I usually travel with three memory cards allowing me to shoot nearly 500 pictures.

* Become familiar with your camera's features. In particular, make sure you know how to use the red-eye reduction mode, the timer mode to capture everyone under the tree or at the dinner table, and of course your zoom lens.

* Keep in mind that using the digital portion of your zoom lens will decrease the quality of your pictures, so stick with the optical zoom only.

* Bring along the video cable that came with your camera so that you can hook your camera up to a TV and review your photos or do an impromptu slide show.

* Have your camera ready for those after dinner naps by Grandpa or Uncle Ed. People sleeping make for some fun shots.

* Your subject doesn't always have to be looking straight into your lens. In fact, candid shots where you subject is not 'posing' make for more interesting viewing. Plus you will have less red eye to deal with later.

* For your posed shots, fill as much of the frame of your camera as possible. Too much wall, sky, floor, or other picture filler will detract from your shot.

Remember that you are using a 'digital' camera and don't be shy about snapping shot after shot. Many professional photographers feel that they need to take at least six to ten shots in order to produce one great shot.

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