Tips on Digital Photography

When you get a new digital camera, read the manual. Many people don't, and so they aren't aware of all the options their camera offers. Experiment with your lenses, filters, and manual settings with a series of test shots of the same subject at different focal lengths and apertures to help you learn about your lens. The great thing about digital cameras is that you don't have to wait days for the developed photos to see the difference, and you can just erase mistakes without printing them out.

Keep it simple. Avoid having more than one subject of interest in the shot or a background that's too busy. Frame the subject with negative space. This helps your main subject to stand out better. If you're not happy with the results, try getting closer, on an eye level with the subject.

Digital cameras have a hard time handling the difference between shadow and harsh sunlight, so slightly overcast days are the best for landscape photography. Early morning and late afternoon are also favorite times to shoot photographs. Take lots of pictures of the same shot at different times and under different weather conditions to see what a difference these can make.

Join an online photo forum. Giving thoughtful critiques to others can help you gain a better perspective on your own techniques. Don't take negative comments to your published photos personally. This is a very subjective topic; if you think your photo is good, then it is.