Every budding photographer has questions they would like answered.  Here are some of the most common queries that people have and some possible suggestions.

I am new to photography so should I use Auto or Manual settings?

If you are new to photography, it’s understandable that you will feel comfortable using the Auto setting, Auto mode is where the camera makes all the decisions for you – the correct aperture, shutter speed and exposure. The camera is not faultless – it can take a reading incorrectly, it can make the flash go off when it’s not necessary. As you become more familiar with photography, the chances are you will naturally want to have more control over your images, and therefore use manual settings.

Manual setting will allow you to choose how to take the image – you can choose the shutter speed, the aperture, the ISO, the exposure etc.  It’s entirely up to you but to use Manual mode successfully, you must understand the fundamentals of a camera.  Choose the wrongs settings and your photograph will not look right.

Don’t forget there is a middle ground – the program settings for example will have modes for different environments.  Each mode matches an environment, so for example, if you choose the sports mode, it will use a very fast shutter speed so you can capture action. With macro mode, the camera will focus for small items.  This offers you a little more flexibility and means that you can take pictures quickly without fiddling too much with your settings.

How can I prevent camera shake and blur?

Camera shake and blur tends to happen because you don’t have enough light or if the shutter speed is too slow for the environment. A few things you can do is check the shutter speed you are using is high enough for the picture you want to take.  You can also open up the aperture more to let more light in but remember this will change your depth of field.

You should also look at the ISO you are using and consider using a higher setting.  If you have a heavy lens, then use a tripod.  Using these things will definitely reduce the chances of you getting camera shake. Also look at how you are holding a camera – are you shaking the camera when you press the shutter without noticing? Could there be a fault with the camera.

With a moving object, if the above steps do not help, consider using flash (even in the day) to freeze the object, or try the panning technique, where you capture the movement of the animal but retain some sharpness. This technique can also add a lot of interest, more so than a static shot when capturing action.

How do I avoid glare from reflective surfaces?

Glare is the white beam of light that appears over reflective surfaces.  Using a polarizer filter will stop this.  If you are using a digital camera, move around until your find an angle that doesn’t show the glare.

• Common Photography Questions: Part 4 (0)
• Common Photography Questions: Part 3 (0)
• Common Photography Questions: Part 2 (0)