POINT AND SHOOT tips and tricks

[klemzhou]

Good Day

I can tell to myself that I am a frustrated photographer, yet I dont have the luxury to buy me a DSLR.. but it's cool though... So, I'm stuck to my Point and Shoot digicams, Sony T20 and Sony W55.
I knew already some of the "cheche boreche" of the cam... but I want to learn more..
like how to avoid getting blurry image when shooting at night (actually, this is the main problem). and all that.. including post processing, what are the best software to be used?

here's some of my shots..
(you might have seen these pics in other threads..)

comments are welcome. tips on how to improve are much appreciated..

[cmontoya]

@klemzhou: I'm not a pro but I've tried low-light photography already so I'll share my experience with my P&S pud ako.

1. Stabilize your camera with a tripod. I only use a mini-tripod (for table top photography) but based on your uploaded photos, you need a taller one. Get the cheaper ones from Colours (2K I think). You and I don't need the sturdier tripods yet.

2. Set your camera to manual. Regardless of your aperture, you need to set longer shutter speeds. I don't know the exact math but in my case I usually set it to 15 seconds. It could be less if your aperture is set at f/2.8 (big aperture) or the smallest number your camera can be set to.

3. Use the camera's self-timer (mine is set at 5 seconds) to avoid vibration from manually clicking the camera.

4. Don't use flash

5. Although not exactly night photography, I've tried also hand-holding a camera in low-light conditions. I brace my body against something immovable like a chair or a wall (my shoulder or back against it). I take a deep breath and halfway through my exhalation I focus-lock (press the shutter button halfway) and at the end, I press it all the way. It's not a substitute for a tripod though. I read this tip somewhere. Our body is more relaxed daw while exhaling.

6. I'm not familiar with your camera's noise-ness in terms of ISO but mine is bad at ISO 200 up. ISO 80 ug ISO 100 ra noise-less sa ako. I suggest you take photos of the same night scene at different ISO settings and see which highest setting produces less noise. Of course you have to reduce your shutter speed to fairly get similar exposures.

Ay, kalimot ko. In terms of light entering your lens,

Higher ISO means more sensitivity to light and theoritically more noise but I've seen some photos taken with D-SLRS with ISO 1600 na walay noise. Hay, makasuya dyud D-SLR no?

Longer shutter speed means more light entering the lens. Bigger apertures (f/1.2, f/1.8, f/2. allow more light in.

Note though that longer shutter speeds blur motion while shorter speeds freeze motion; bigger apertures mean narrower depth of field (mao ni gamiton to get bokeh effects (blurred portions, out of focus of the photo) while smaller aperture means most of the scene is in focus.

7. Photoshop can help reduce motion blur (using Smart Sharpen) but don't expect miracles. Photoshop can make good pictures better but it can't make bad pictures good but rather less bad lang I haven't used any other photo editing software yet but I guess Photoshop's the market leader so it's what I'm using.

I think mao ra. I'm sure the more experienced photos can share better tips.

[harvz86]

tips? point and shoot....hehe

[makatasawi]

7. Photoshop can help reduce motion blur (using Smart Sharpen) but don't expect miracles. Photoshop can make good pictures better but it can't make bad pictures good but rather less bad lang I haven't used any other photo editing software yet but I guess Photoshop's the market leader so it's what I'm using.

true... also if nahan ka some cameras can now process raw while
shooting.. would be better in jpeg conversion sa cs3 since naka full control sa iya
outcome.. hapi shooting bai

[klemzhou]

@cmontoya

wow. thanks for replying. my problem is.. my cam doesnt have manual setting. ang naa sa sony t20 k "program auto" rman gud..

but thanks anyway with your input.

[knockout]

@cmontoya

wow. thanks for replying. my problem is.. my cam doesnt have manual setting. ang naa sa sony t20 k "program auto" rman gud..

but thanks anyway with your input.

you said you have W55, i think naa na manual settings and Program?

[alucard_x]

Pic 1 looks good, but lacking sharpness. Can be improve in PP
Pic 2 and 3 - don't see any point of interest, composition needs to be improve.

add lang nako gamay

1. Know your camera more - Like you said you know the "cheche boreche" of the cam. But have you understand the settings?
2. Composition is the key of a good Photo
3. Know the technicalities like ISO, Shutter, aperture and etc. Like all camera's they have limitations. Use this to your advantage.
4. Photoshop are very common and murag mas daghan tutorials in the net.
5. Remember pixels are free so keep on shooting

Kombate!!!

[klemzhou]

you said you have W55, i think naa na manual settings and Program?

wala man manual setting ang W55. only Program..

Pic 1 looks good, but lacking sharpness. Can be improve in PP
Pic 2 and 3 - don't see any point of interest, composition needs to be improve.

add lang nako gamay

1. Know your camera more - Like you said you know the "cheche boreche" of the cam. But have you understand the settings?
2. Composition is the key of a good Photo
3. Know the technicalities like ISO, Shutter, aperture and etc. Like all camera's they have limitations. Use this to your advantage.
4. Photoshop are very common and murag mas daghan tutorials in the net.
5. Remember pixels are free so keep on shooting

Kombate!!!

Thanks for your input... I'll put that in my notes.

[gentxtelmer2003]

very informative tips.

[klemzhou]

informative indeed... anymore inputs, mga master?