Don't Shoot Point and Shoot

Today?s compact cameras are called ?point and shoot? cameras. In my opinion "Point and Shoot" is a thought process, not just a camera. If your interest is in taking quality photographs point and shoot is not how to use the camera.

A Point and shoot approach to your capturing digital memories is the kind of process that will create disappointing pictures. Sadly, potentially good photographs are lost because the photographer failed to take an extra second or two to capture a great image.

When you bring the camera to your eye your goal is usually to capture something that caught your attention or to record a piece of history. The "point and shoot" mentality is to simply grab your camera, point it at the subject, and press the button. This is usually done without moving, little thought to composition, nor asking yourself why you wanted to take the picture to begin with. If your photo subject is a person take a minute to compose. Composition can be moving in closer, standing taller, or bending over to better compose the photograph and perhaps remove unwanted distractions? Just a few seconds can make the difference between a good photograph and one where the inspiration is lost due to distractions.

Family and other social events of all kinds offer very important photo opportunities. Many photographers simply fire away as things are happening and as a result thier photographs lack the meaning that they saw when they started raising the camera. Our eyes are very selective, our cameras are not.

For example, you are at a wedding and you want to take a portrait of the bride and the groom. While they don't have to be looking at you it is best if they are at least looking the same direction. If needed, move a little closer and politely ask for their attention. If they are standing, turn the camera and take the photography vertically. Unless something like a cross, cake, or other part of the wedding is in the photograph you should probably place their heads in the top third of the photograph. As with all photographs of more than one person, ensure there is not too much empty space between their heads. Have some fun, ask them to cuddle up. Look at the viewfinder or lcd screen and take note of unwanted elements like tables, empty plates, bright mirrors, or just anything which will take your attention away from the couple. You can do this by moving to one side or using the cameras zoom. In other words, don?t just stand there and point and shoot. Move around and take charge of your image.

This brings up a very important point. If you do not know your equipment, it's controls, and limitations, taking control of your photograph may take longer than you have. Taking a moment or two to compose and think about what you are about to do will make your photograph vastly improved. Taking control of your photographs is for everyone who really wants to take great pictures.

Here are some quick Do's and Don't to avoid the "Point and Shoot" mentality.

Do:

• When possible, take control of the subject. If not possible, you may need to change your angle.
• Take the time to compose your photograph. Look past the subject, in front of the subject, and the angles.
• Watch out for distractions in the photograph. Bright objects, exit signs, odd shapes, and dumpsters can all hurt your photography.
• Pay attention to how far you are away from the subject and know if you are using the flash if it can cover the subject.

Don't:

• Put faces dead center in the frame. It is a bad compositional approach.
• Don't: have too much unnecessary space around your subject
• Don't waste pixels. Fill the frame, but don't forget to allow for framing a photo or cropping.