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This is the first time I took a picture of one of my cards with my brand new digital camera! I have a Canon Powershot A570 IS. Maybe if I get good with this, hubby will get me a digital SLR. Anyhow, I used the Macro setting in the P mode with the flash off. I probably took this picture about 4:30 yesterday afternoon, and it gets dark around 5:00, so there wasn't much light left, but it wasn't dark yet. This picture is okay, but I know it could be better. We won't talk about all the ones I deleted! LOL! Anyhow, here's the link to the photo in my gallery, and I would love some feedback on how to do this better.
I use the auto flash setting and let the flash go if it wants. I also back up and zoom in as far as I can. Also make sure to hold the button down a little bit, but not all the way, so you get the green lines, making sure you are in focus. If you get red lines you're not in focus, so you need to zoom again, or move to another angle. Keep playing with it! That's the nice thing about digital is that you can take a bunch a pictures and delete them.
__________________ Heather Hawkins - Stampin' Up! Demo and new mom. I have the two best jobs ever! stampinheather.blogspot.com
Location: Where the water meets the sand in So Cali
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It looks like there wasn't enough light for the macro setting to get a clear focus on the image. And if you're using the macro setting, the best way to get a clear image is to use a tripod. The slightest movement can mess up macro. I have a tabletop tripod that I bought for $8 @ Staples that I LOVE!
I am FAR from being an expert...in fact I am on an eternal mission to perfect the "still shot", lol! If I had to guess though, I agree with above poster that you probably didn't have enough natural light! I have a Canon XP and I swear I have tried every setting and every kind of light and still I am not happy with them. Good luck!
I agree that the focus is off. I would use the on-board flash at that time of day since it seems that you don't get enough natural light.
With a P&S it's a bit harder to give advice on settings...since most of them use a combination of auto & manual even when you are set on manual.
If you are using the Macro settting I would make sure you are using a tripod as well as limiting your use of zoom. I tend to set my camera as close to the object as possible without using my zoom when I use macro and I tend to get a much sharper photo.
It's important on the Canon's that you allow it to focus by pressing the shutter halfway until the green square comes on in the focus area. Once that illuminates, then depress fully to take the picture.
It's important on the Canon's that you allow it to focus by pressing the shutter halfway until the green square comes on in the focus area. Once that illuminates, then depress fully to take the picture.
I agree...You have to let the camera focus by doing this first.
__________________ I got a Nikon camera. I love to take photographs, so momma don't take my kodachrome away."
Paul Simon
Invest in a natural light fixture ( OTT or otherwise) and your lighting problems will take care of themselves. I shoot all my uploads with an OTT light, day or night, and rarely need to use the flash or have a need to tweak the colors in Photoshop. Also, be sure your background compliments your card or project, or keep it neutral by using a cardstock background.
I find I have better results using the Auto Focus setting as well. I do, however, use the Digital Rebel. Prior to that though, I used a Canon A520 and it worked well, too.
I'm another person who will override the auto flash to get a shot - flash usually gives you flare off a card, especially if you've used a white base. If you override the flash, you need to make sure you hold the camera really still as it will leave the aperture open longer. I don't have a tripod so I usually sit on a kitchen chair with the back turned around so I can rest my arms on it to take the shot. I usually use the macro setting but have it in the autofocus mode.
I'm not an expert by any means, but it seems to me that it's blurry all over, which means that the camera wasn't steady when you took the pic. When you take a picture without flash, the shutter has to stay open longer to capture all of the available light, which gives it more time to also capture all the ways your hand might move when taking the picture. I have a mini tripod to help me take pictures without flash. Of course, I may just be saying this because my problem is shaky camera hand whenever I take pictures, so do with this info what you will!
A tripod helps a lot to hold the camera still. I use the delay feature on my Canon P&S and set it for 2 seconds, which gives me enough time to steady the camera after pushing the button.
What's wrong with this photo?
