Oscraps

Photography Question

petey111

petey111

Well-Known Member
Ok. I have a pretty decent camera that is about one step below a DSLR. I can put it in Manual mode though and achieve a lot of effects.

I can't quite get the "foreground in focus - background blurred" effect that I want.

I know the distance between the foreground subject and background subject matter a bit.

I also know I want a low F number.

But what else do I play with to get what I want? I can change the ISO and Shutter speed, but what do I want with those? What else do I need to play with? I really wish I knew how to use my camera better.
 
What also is very important is the white balance, i don't know if you can play with that ? What about the shutter, can you play with that ?
 
I can control both of those.

I get overwhelmed trying to do all those things at once! I have no idea how people do it so quickly! Or I guess they just have nicer cameras that do it all for them??
 
I found that if I used a low f-stop, then focused on the near subject with the button pushed half down, I could then reframe the shot and finish putting down and then I would get that effect when I had a point and shoot.
 
I will try it again tomorrow. It wasn't working when I tried it. :-( I'm getting frustrated. Two of my sisters-in-law got new cameras and I am so jealous!!!
 
Hi Petey,
I almost never use the Manual-mode for this.
I choose the A-mode (Aperture).
You need a low number.
And the distance between your subject and the background subject matters a lot!

Katrina Kennedy shows it here: http://thedailydigi.com/understanding-aperture/
And she teaches her children the trick here:
http://captureyour365.com/2012/04/introducing-depth-of-field-no-4-kids-365-series/
http://captureyour365.com/2012/05/increasing-depth-of-field-no-5-in-a-kids-365-series/
http://captureyour365.com/2012/05/isolate-the-subject-no-6-in-a-kids-photography-series/

Don't get frustrated!!! It isn't about the 'best' camera!
Your sisters will envy your photo's once you understand YOUR camera!

Wish you joy and excitement by experimenting!
ViVre
 
Sara-- don't forget it is the capturing of memories that is most important. I always shoot in Auto on days like Christmas or parties. And I shoot in continuous mode to increase my chances of getting a decent shot, esp since my kids thinking photo-bombing is "fun." ugh. :)


Thx for the links V-- I am going to check them out too!
 
LOL! I'm soo going to read those. I got a little bit more of the effect on aperture priority mode. Now I just can't seem to get the lighting right with it.

Chris - I won't stress about it today! But I want to learn this technique and it's driving me nuts.

I wonder if I go to the camera store if that would help. They have this class, but I don't know if it's too basic: Point & shoot cameras are made with more complex features but still have several auto modes that many users desire for quick shooting with optimum results. This class covers basic camera operation, when to use the different auto modes, digital photo concepts like flash and image resolution, several menu items, as well as introducing some intermediate concepts like ISO.

Anyway - regardless of how the pics turn out....Merry Christmas everyone! Thanks for the tips!
 
My other advice Sara, is to keep on shooting in whatever mode you are trying to learn. That's my big problem. I feel like i *finally* get the hang of manual, then I stop using it a while, and Poof! Its outta my brain again. (Numbers and Faery do *not* get along-- even if the numbers are f-stops or shutter speeds - they all end up meaning nothing to me.)

Hope you have a great day and have fun fooling around with the settings :camera:
 
petey111 said:
I will try it again tomorrow. It wasn't working when I tried it. :-( I'm getting frustrated. Two of my sisters-in-law got new cameras and I am so jealous!!!
Click to expand...


Don't be frustrated- it is not about the camera- some of my best photos were taken with my old point and shoot digi! I agree with V- it is about your vision of what you see through the lens- I still can't figure out why co-workers don't see the clock growing out of peoples heads and make them move over, or change their angle.
 
I have to laugh...We were taking pics of the kids sledding. I had forgotten to put my camera on sports though....I had a picture that would have been super awesome!! Except that it was pure blur.

The girls got it beautifully though!!! LOL
 
LOL BTDT!!!!!!

My other personal favorite is when I have it on Manual and forget and about that, think I am shooting in auto, and get gobs of photos that are all orange.

PS: At least you got some pics yesterday. I wanted to get a few of the 4 of us, and didn't take one pic in the afternoon..... sheesh!
 
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