Archive for the ‘Photo Tips’ Category

WORKSHOP ANNOUNCMENT!!!!

Author: Jamie

If you are an Auburn, AL resident or nearby, we are offering a free workshop for Moms wanting to take better pictures.  You can sign up to be notified of the workshop by going to:  http://burnettphotography.com/blog/workshops/

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So what does that flower setting stand for?

The flower icon on most digital cameras is the macro setting.  The macro setting is used for taking better detail pictures or things cose up.  For instance, you might want to take a picture of your engagement ring or some tiny baby hands or even a flower.

Say you turn on your camera  to take a close up picture and it comes out blurry, or it focuses on something in the distance, or won’t lock focus at all.  This is the perfect opportunity to try out your macro setting.   Ideally, the macro setting allows you to focus on objects at close distances to reveal better detail.

For the best results, hold your camera very still and you may need to turn off your flash if it washes out your image.  Watch your LCD screen to make sure your focus is actually locking the object you are photographing.

macro_settings

Using my Olympus Point and shoot camera I set the camera to Auto and tried to take a picture of a pink highlighter on the kitchen counter…

auto

Then I set the camera to macro and turned off the flash…  Voila!

macro

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I must admit I go through batteries like nobodies business.  I have tried numerous brands of batteries and until a couple months ago, I wasn’t sold on any one brand.  Then a package caught my eye, Duracell Rechargebale batteries with the copper top, the older version does not have the copper top.   They say pre-charged, NiMH (DX1500) and are usually located in the photo department or with the specialty batteries.  I literally shot for almost 2 hours and never once had to replace my flash batteries, which my flash tends to suck the life out of a set of rechargeable batteries in a mere 20 minutes.  So I have been scooping up these up whenever I see them.

Check your camera instructions to see if your camera will support rechargeable batteries, and if so, these may be the batteries for you!

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Background Check

Author: Jamie

Your background can enhance or detract from your image.  Photographs, unlike real life are flat. So if you snap an image and there is a tree branch behind your subject, more than likely, it will look like the tree is actually growing out of your subjects head!  Also check for stray objects in your background, like people or anything that would distract from your subject, such as trash, a brightly colored object, cars or anything that would draw your attention away from your subject.

The background can also enhance your photo.  To choose the best background for you picture, look for a location free of clutter and debris.  Look for even lighting and an overall distraction free environment.

For advanced SLR users, you can eliminate the background by blurring it out with a low aperture #. More about that next week!  :)

Happy Shooting!

-Jamie

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Just say NO to cheese!

say_no_cheese1

OK…. Not the dairy product, but the phrase… “Say Cheese”.

I don’t know how your kids react, but mine will say cheese and flash the fakest smile possible, teeth gritted & eyes rolled.  Is that really the look you want to capture?

I didn’t think so… Instead of asking them to say “cheese” try telling them a knock knock joke or a funny phrase, or just capture them as they are.  Laughing, pouting, crying, being a superhero or a princess will be a memory you want to cherish, more so than a fake cheese smile.  So pay attention to what makes your kiddos giggle and use that to your advantage when you are clicking the shutter!

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