Quote from: girl you look fierce on May 15, 2013, 12:55:17 PM
@StellaB thank you for the informative post!!!
Not a problem, glad to help.
QuoteYes I usually try to get better quality pictures, that one was kinda a "just came home and liked how I looked that day, get a pic" type thing.
Most photos I take are kind of like that.
QuoteI will really try to do my pictures better,
Years later this is my mantra too. I was the "photographer" who needed three years to figure out something basic as 'the rule of thirds' and framing a photo.
What is the 'rule of thirds'? If you browse through the menu of any digital camera you should find gridlines. If you can't find them or don't have them, just imagine the screen divided into nine squares as for the game tic tac toe. Ideally the focus of your photo should be where two lines cross or meet and this apparently makes your photo more interesting to the human eye.
Framing your photo means having something else in the photo other than your focus as a point of reference, such as a window, a door, an item or furniture, or if you're outside a building or a tree.
QuoteI am going on vacation soon and I REALLLY want to take some good pics, so I will be using your advice, outdoor is much easier anyway right??
Yes if you avoid the middle of the day - say 11am to 2-3pm - unless of course you like walking. This is because either the sunlight gets too bright or the shadows too dark.
QuoteThe only other problem I have is I don't have access to a really nice wide aperture lens or anything so there is always a serious fish eye distortion in my pics!! What can you do about that aside from get a pricier camera?
I don't understand people who insist on using pricier cameras or stuff with all the whistles and bells. It's usually better to get a cheaper camera and invest in the latest version say of Adobe Photoshop.
These days with so much software you don't need a really expensive camera. Because you can do quite a lot of stuff with software even if you just have a 3.0MP camera. Most people either go for Adobe Photoshop if they can get hold of it or there's a free alternative called The GIMP which is very similar.
Almost all camera lenses have some sort of weakness. I have a Fuji which really struggles in low light and a Sony which reacts to even the slightest movement.
Fortunately you can resolve this and many other issues by using software.
You can usually correct a fish eye distortion by either cropping your photo, or correcting it in 'Lens Correction' which you should find in the 'Filters' menu in either Photoshop or the GIMP.
QuoteI am hoping I can borrow a nicer one for the trip, will see. I would be really sad if I got no good pics from it 
Do you maybe have some recommendations for affordable cameras that would be best? (sorry!)
Again not a problem.
The first thing I'd do if you haven't done it already is try and see if you can get Photoshop but if you can't not to worry. The GIMP is free and pretty much the same. It will take some time to learn, but there are plenty of tutorials online.
I have a running issue with people because while I'm developing as an independent film maker I refuse to use a camcorder and I rely on quality compact digital cameras. I did have a very good Hi8 (8mm) Fuji camcorder which got smashed by a psychotic security guard whilst filming on an industrial estate. Since that time I rely on compact digital cameras I buy off e-Bay which can be replaced easily without causing bankruptcy.
You have a better chance of getting an affordable camera if you use e-Bay or Amazon. The basic strategy is simple and reliable. Don't buy anything which is faulty, untested or which has been left in a cellar of a dead relative for years. Instead look for someone who obviously is into pricey cameras and who is selling due to an 'upgrade'.
Another thing working in your favour are the smartphones and iPhones which people are trying to get their hands on which means that there's a lot of decent digital cameras out there that few people want.
For bog standard use I'd say 8.0MP is optimum, you can go as low as 5.0MP but don't need to go above 10MP. These are generally the cheaper cameras because many people are chasing 10MP and above.
Please also bear in mind that with cameras, just as with cars, computers and guitars (if you're into playing music) there are differences between different manufacturers and it's worth sticking to one manufacturer - because lenses are so diverse and different but have only slight differences.
Sony cameras perform slightly differently to Canon, which perform slightly differently to Kodak, and Fuji, and so on.
If you can also look out for a camera with its own rechargeable battery and charger. Digital cameras are usually high drain when it comes to batteries. I have a Fuji compact digital camera which I nickname 'Dracula' because it is especially partial to Duracell batteries.
Some people might disagree with me here, but if you don't intend to use a camera very much and are looking for something reliable and good but basic I would look for a Nikon or Samsung, such as a Nikon Coolpix.
