Amateur photographers quite often raise the same kinds of issues as they are trying to find their feet with photography.  Here are more common questions answered.

How can I prevent overexposing pictures?
Learn to read the environment or situation you are in – light items or areas (such as snowy scenes) tend to overexpose because the camera thinks that something that something that is white has a lot of light on it.

Overexposed images look too light, and lack detail.  In these scenarios underexpose your image, anything from -0.5 to -2 on your camera.  This will keep the image balanced. So if you find that you are having trouble with over exposed images try turning the exposure down by -1 to see if it makes a difference.

Also try using spot metering if necessary and use a grey mid toned area get your reading.

When would I use shutter speed priority?

Use shutter priority when speed is the most important consideration. For example, if you are photographing a very fast animal, you know you want to use 1/1600.  In that case, you have no time to adjust the aperture manually, so instead, you choose the speed you want and let the camera do the rest.

Aperture priority is also very useful; it means that you can worry about how you want the depth of field and let the camera calculate the speed of the shutter.  It is useful in landscape photography, when you want a sharp image and the sky is dark.  Just select your aperture and the camera will work everything out.

Should I print my images at home or in a lab?

Images printed in a lab tend to last for longer purely because they have advanced technology – in ink and paper they use and tends to last better in the light for example where as home printers and ink don’t have archival qualities (although these can be bought from specialist suppliers). It is only through trial and error that you will find out if this is true.  Do experiments with different inks and papers to see what works best for you.

If you are printing prints for a client or for a friend, then it is safer to take your negatives or digital images to a lab that you trust.  Their images will last for longer and if they are a reputable printing company and you can usually make some requests as to how the image in finished.

How do I get a ‘magic’ shot?

Its hard do say what a magic shot is – it could be a landscape taken at the perfect moment, it could be a child’s smile taken at a genuinely happy moment.

There is no way to define what a magic shot is BUT choosing a subject you are passionate about helps.  Looking for something unusual and bold always helps   and of course, perfect composition and lighting.  If the shot is ‘magic’ people will probably tell you!

• Common Photography Questions: Part 3 (0)
• Common Photography Questions: Part 2 (0)
• Common Photography Questions: Part 1 (0)