5 Simple Tips for Taking Great Digital Photos: Take Stunning Photographs using a Basic Compact Digital Camera

It’s immensely satisfying to catch a memorable moment on film or, in these technologically advanced times, on memory stick, whether it’s that special family occasion, stunning landscapes in exotic holiday locations, or an impromptu moment which just happens to catch the eye.

The leaps and bounds made by the humble compact digital camera over the last few years have made the art of good photography cheaper, easier and more accessible than it has ever been. As a result just about anyone with a digital camera has the tools to hand to take top quality photographs without having to spend hours trying to decipher manuals which are full of mystifying words and phrases such as spot metering, aperture values, ISO, white balance, shutter speeds and so on.

By applying the following simple rules, even a newcomer to digital photography should be able to immediately take stunning high quality photographs as good as those found in many magazines. Just think SNAPS – Settings, Night Shots, Auto-focus, Position and Scene.

Settings: Stick With the Auto Setting

Most modern digital cameras come with a range of shooting options from automatic settings to portrait shooting to landscape; sports to macro shooting and night scenes. For most daytime scenes, the easiest option for anyone who doesn’t have the time, or desire to explore the numerous other shooting functions available is to stick with the auto setting. Let the camera decide what are the best settings and by also following the rules below most times the result will be an impressive shot. Alternatively, change the setting to ‘landscape & portrait’ setting for a slightly sharper all-round image as in image 1.

Night Shots: Always Use a Tripod

For night shots which capture those velvet blue skies just after dusk, or the warm golden background glow from street lights use the camera’s ‘night time’ setting. However, without some sort of stabilizing equipment, the chances are the result will look as though a trip to the optician is in order (i.e. blurred). This doesn’t mean that it’s necessary to carry a bulky tripod around; there are plenty of cheap mini tripods on the market that can be discreetly set up on tables, wall etc and which fit easily into bags and jacket pockets. To achieve a completely blur free shot like image 2, using the self timer function cuts out the potential for camera shake at the point the photograph is taken.

Auto-Focus: Let the Camera do the Work

It’s a simple tip, but there are still plenty of enthusiastic photographers out there who rush the shot and press the shutter button without letting the camera focus. It’s a simple problem to rectify. Always, always take the time to half depress the shutter until the camera focuses on the object of the photograph. This is usually denoted by the flashing red dot on the viewfinder screen changing to an unblinking green dot. Image 3 shows the result when all aspects of the photograph are in focus. If there isn’t a static green dot, don’t take the picture.

Position – Think about Where the Sun is

The last two tips are about the composition of the photograph; in many ways what makes the difference between an amateurish ‘snap’ and a professional looking photograph. Many people see a scene that they like and simply point and click the camera without any thought to the light. Be aware of where the sun is at all times. Keeping the sun behind the camera rather than in front of it will usually result in a photograph with sharper details and more vibrant colours such as the flowers in image 4.

Scene – Look at the Background and Consider the Bigger Picture

Another common mistake of novice photographers is to concentrate solely on the main focus point of the photograph that they’re planning to take without having a good look in the background. It’s only when uploading photographs to computers later that unsightly ‘surprise’ elements become noticeable. Beautiful shots can be ruined by refuse bins overflowing with rubbish in the background, thick black electricity cables cutting across an otherwise unbroken blue sky and even some curious stranger, gawping at the photographer with their mouth open – not pretty. Just out of shot on the left of the photograph in image 5 were some untidy rusty lobster pots.

Obviously the more anyone learns about the functions on their compact digital camera, the better the photographs will be, but only having a basic knowledge doesn’t necessarily have to equate to amateurish photographs.

All images were taken with a 6 mega pixel Olympus C-60 compact digital camera and have appeared in magazines or travel guides.

The copyright of the article 5 Simple Tips for Taking Great Digital Photos in Digital Photography is owned by Jack Montgomery. Permission to republish 5 Simple Tips for Taking Great Digital Photos in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Sep 7, 2009 3:17 PM

Guest :

RE: "Let the camera decide what are the best settings"

Would you, also, like to have the camera breathe for them?

Sep 8, 2009 3:08 AM

Jack Montgomery :

Maybe some day it will!

These very basic tips aren’t intended for people who are interested in learning about photography as such, they’re simply aimed at people who want to be able to take a good photograph easily.

The beauty, some may see it as a curse, of digital cameras is that it simplifies photography. The range of pre-set functions on most digital cameras does mean that the camera does all the hard work in many situations - making it easier for people to simply ‘point and click’.

In essence, more people are able to take excellent photographs without putting in the hours… and this doesn’t sit well with some photography purists.

Personally I don’t have a problem with this. What impresses is the end result.

When people (who aren’t photographers) attend a photographic exhibition it’s the images that wow, excite, capture the imagination and ultimately move them, not the technicalities of how they were taken.