Digital Camera Tips

Just about everyone has a digital camera these days. It is always nice to go home with pictures that match our memories of the places that we have been and of the things that we have done. Even a pocket camera takes nice pictures these days.

First of all when people look at your pictures, you want them to capture the feelings that you experienced when you were there. You can do this in a couple of ways. Bend down low and take the picture. If you have a flower, rock, person or object close up this will show more depth and scale. This will make your picture more three dimensional.

Zoom in one one object. This will make your subject very clear and the background fuzzy. This will give your photo a lot of definition and texture.

The "best" light for outdoor photography is in the early mornings and early evenings. This is the softest lighting. These times of days cuts down on the light getting into the camera. And if your photographing water or waterfalls, this time of day cuts down on things reflecting in the water.

There is still a way to take great pictures other than early morning or early evenings. Bright sun gives you shadows and glare in your photos. So in the hot afternoons, change the settings on your camera. Don't just leave it on the "auto" setting. Try putting your setting on the "Cloudy" or "Shade" setting. This will make the colors in your photos not so blue and washed out.

When it comes to getting pictures of rainbows at waterfall, I have learned a few things. The rainbows at Yosemite Falls can be found in the early mornings. Rainbows can be found at Bridalveil Falls and Vernal Falls mostly in the afternoons.

Here is another one of my digital camera tips: I always carry a lens cloth with me when taking photographs of the waterfalls. Otherwise I get a misty lens and the pictures never come out.

One of the best digital camera tips to give you is to know your camera. Read the manual that came with your camera. Know what each button and setting is for. Its no fun trying to figure your camera out when your getting wet with the mist of the waterfall!

If your new at working with your camera, familiarize yourself with your cameras scene modes. Learn them well. Then, go take pictures. Once you are an expert at this move up in your skills. Learn about your cameras aperture and shutter priority modes. This will take your pictures up a few notches.

Lets talk a minute about weather. If the weather is cold, your battery doesn't last very long. Carry an extra battery with you. It's the pits when you want to take a picture and your battery is dead. Keep your spare battery next to your warm body on cold days.

Cloudy days make some of the best photographs...especially in Yosemite National Park. Overcast weather brings out some of natures best colors. Overcast days are absolutely perfect for shooting pictures of waterfalls. And if you get up close to the water, your photos will come out even better!

Another one of my digital camera tips: Use a tripod. Even if you don't think that your hand shakes, think again. A shaky hand causes a blurred picture. Use a tripod to keep the camera steady and you will see an immediate difference in your photos. Tripods come in all shapes and sizes these days.

Don't forget to put people in some of your photos! When someone you love or know is in a photograph, the photograph automatically becomes better. Face it, we all love people! When you take photos with people in them, experiment. They don't have to always be looking right at the camera. Capture the moment that they are looking at something. Take their picture without them ever knowing it. They don't have to look at you and say, "cheese!"

Moving water can make for blurry pictures. Change the shutter speed to freeze moving water. By using a faster shutter speed, your waterfall pictures will be clear. A fast shutter speed gives the look of hard water. If you want a blurred waterfall then use a slower shutter speed.

Experiment with your flash. I find that my waterfall pictures look better without the flash. Experiment with your telephoto lens. Telephoto lenses will give your pictures more depth. They capture texture and details very well. Especially if your taking pictures of water and granite. And water and granite are in an enormous supply in Yosemite National Park!

Taking good pictures takes practice. Gather up all the digital camera tips that you can. Once you take your perfect picture, photo prints on canvas is a great way to display your work in your home or office.

Return From Digital Camera Tips To Yosemite National Park Activities Page


Return From Digital Camera Tips To The Home Page