Understanding the standard features of compact cameras is important to capturing great photos. You need to be able to work your way around your camera and become confident using each setting. Learn in this chapter what all the jargon means, from white balance to types of zoom to understanding megapixels.
Sometimes it’s hard to get consistently good photos, but it’s a whole lot easier when you have a good understanding composition and following some simple rules to make your photos generally more aesthetically pleasing. In this chapter Karl looks at ideas such as the rule of thirds, perspective, symmetry and balance.
From how to hold your camera to how to focus and expose your shots. In this chapter Karl shows you how to use both the manual and pre-set functions of your compact camera.
Even if the weather isn’t so great outside you can always take some great indoor portraits. All you need is a light source and a few little bits of economical and household kit to capture stunning portraits with a compact camera.
In this chapter Karl explains how you can produce striking artistic still life photographs that will be good enough to hang on your wall. Which mode is best? What kit do I need? In this chapter Karl shows you exactly how.
Karl takes a look into how you can take panoramic images using just the built in Panoramic mode on your compact camera if you want to capture a wide vista.
Especially when on holiday and when in unusual places you have some great opportunities to capture some great images whether they be of architecture, landscapes, groups and individual portraits. Here Karl explains some top tips that can help you take some great photos including using modes like landscape mode and adding flash – perfect for family holidays!
Group shots can be tricky to keep balanced and organized – here are some top tips from Karl about how to make them work and how a little bit of thought and planning can make a huge difference when it comes to your group shots. In this chapter Karl shows you some examples on posing and how simple adjustments can …
Sometimes using daylight alone doesn’t always cut it, here Karl takes a look into daylight fill-in flash and explains why and when it is useful. See Karl’s examples and comparisons with and without flash and find out how you can ensure that all of your image is exposed correctly.
Many compact cameras nowadays have a ‘Night mode’. In this chapter find out how to combine it with a fill in flash to create some beautiful nighttime images. Through both a portrait shot and a car trail shot in low light learn how to use night and manual modes to full effect and avoid blurry photos.
It can be really difficult to capture atmosphere and ambience in photos. Here Karl explains how to get memorable images from a night out with friends with just a few simple tricks that you can try next time you’re on a night out.
Some people think that you need professional equipment to take impressive close up shots, but that is certainly not the case. Learn in this chapter how to take detailed shots of wildlife and nature with a few handy techniques.
Photographing kids can be a challenging prospect but is something that is so much fun and very rewarding. With the tips learned in this chapter you see that capturing fantastic portraits of children (even the most energetic ones!) isn’t as daunting as you might first think. – here are Karl’s top tops for the best light and locations.
Discover how to take advantage of moving waves and motion and learn to use preset and manual settings to capture beautiful landscapes as the sun sets with just your camera and a table top tripod. Combining this knowledge with our tips on composition will allow you to take photos like none you have taken before.
Taking photos is one thing but storing them and the post production is something that you really have to think about when doing any sort of photography. Karl talks through all the photos that they’ve taken in the course and how exactly they were achieved as well as looking at some simple software that you can use to easily edit …
