How to Get the Most Out of Digital Photography

Digital cameras now outnumber traditional film cameras, but many consumers aren't sure how to make the most of this relatively new technology. From previewing and deleting unwanted images to printing at self-service kiosks, digital images give us possibilities we couldn't even imagine just a few years ago. FedEx Kinko's Office and Print Centers, which offer a wide range of digital photography services across the country, share these tips for getting the most out of your digital photography: * Take photos: For the best digital photos, plan to bring you will enclose the manual. That next big trip. Today's digital cameras offer a wide range of features that can help even beginners take great pictures with a little guidance. One of the keys to great digital photos is for both photographer and subject to stay still a little longer when taking a posed shot. A digital camera's shutter speed can be a little slower than traditional cameras, so holding the pose a little longer results in sharp photos. * Store: Digital cameras store photos on digital media. This electronic film holds dozens of images and can be used over and over again. However, avoid bugs can quickly find themselves with a full memory card or an overcrowded hard drive. Using the Sony Picture Station at FedEx Kinko's to burn CDs provides an inexpensive way to safely store your precious photos. * Share: Photo CDs are also great for sharing your entire photo album with family and friends. Other popular methods of sharing include email, online albums, home printing, and retail photo kiosks. For scrapbooks, picture frames, or other keepsakes, nothing beats actual photo lab-quality prints. Sony Picture Station offers a wide range of photo sizes and almost instant prints. It also has easy-to-use editing tools for cropping, zooming and red-eye removal. In addition to photo prints, FedEx Kinko's offers photo-related gifts and can even turn digital photos into canvas or watercolor enlargements suitable for framing.

Tripod: To successfully take a good photo, it is important to use a tripod. Tripods ensure a sharp and clear image. Photographers who don't use a tripod often have blurry pictures. Preparation: Take enough batteries and film for your camera. Don't rely on finding stores, it can be difficult to find stock locally. Even worse, you can waste valuable time searching for supplies or keep others waiting. Shoot: Take multiple shots to guarantee the result of your shots. Experiment: Adjust camera settings, different lighting, different camera angles. Try to find what works for you. Groups: If you're shooting a group indoors and the conditions are fairly dark, there's a risk that people near you will be overexposed and people further away will be a bit dark. If you can arrange the group so that everyone is the same distance from the camera. The light will thus spread evenly. Lighting: Avoid direct sunlight as this may change the natural coloration. A clear but overcast day is perfect. Get up early and photograph the sunrise at the best location. Explore the area the day before or during a dead time during the midday sun. During midday, if you must take pictures, try using a polarized lens. Use the filter only at an angle of 90 degrees from the sun. Sometimes you have to open up about 1 to 1 1/2 or more to compensate for the weakened light passing through the filter. Measure the gray card and open from that value. Also use a polarized lens at sunset for great landscape effects. The best time to take most night shots is shortly after sunset. This allows working with a small amount of natural light. Set camera resolution to the highest value or close (the largest file size). The last thing you want is a grainy photo. In most cases, it is usually best to have the sun behind you when taking pictures. But watch out for your shadows and the shadows of objects. Framing: Look for ways to naturally frame the shot. Framing emphasizes the main theme. Fill your frame! Close-ups: Zoom in. When you first start it up, you'll be surprised what a difference getting closer to the subject makes. Hand-held close-ups are often blurry or overexposed. A tripod is essential for taking good close-up shots, especially of smaller subjects. The built-in image stabilization is a huge bonus, as it means you can hand-hold the camera in low-light conditions without blurring the resulting image.