Basics of Digital Photography
for Great Family Photos

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My collection of family photos is precious to me, but learning the nuances of photography isn't my "thing". With digital photography it doesn't have to be.

My digital camera is one of my most treasured possessions. I love capturing moments in time of our family life, and preserving those memories in a very tangible way.

One of the coolest things about digital cameras is that you don't need an expensive camera to get great shots.

Digital technology makes it possible for novices like me to shoot some pretty great photos, (at least they're great to me). And yours will be great to you too if you take a little time to get familiar with your camera, and learn a few simple tricks to taking awesome pics.

1. Know your megapixels. The amount of megapixels tells you the amount of information your camera can hold in a single photo. The higher the number of megapixels the more detailed your prints will be and the larger you can print clear pictures. 6 megapixels gets you fine clear family snapshots, and keeps the camera at an affordable price.
2. Read through the manual. Most come with a "Quick Start Guide" to familiarize you with the camera and get you started taking pictures quickly.
3. Use Lithium Batteries. Digital cameras take a lot of juice and regular batteries don't last long in them. Invest in lithium batteries and make sure you always have extras.
4. If your camera is video capable, take the time to learn how to use that feature. You never know when a situation will come up and you'll want to catch it on video. You don't want to be fumbling around and miss a moment because you aren't sure which buttons to push. (I learned this the hard way.)
5. Buy plenty of memory. Your digital camera holds all your photos and videos on a memory card, that in most cases, you purchase separately. Check the packaging to see how many pictures and minutes of video a memory card can hold. the more Gigs of memory it holds, the more expensive the card will be.

Basic Photography Tips

• Use Auto Mode: Until you have time to sit and really learn how to manually use your settings, use the auto setting. This will make all the settings automatic and all you have to do is point and shoot.
• Set your focus first: Point at your subject and press the shuter release about halfway. This will focus your shot. Once it's focused go ahead and snap the photo.
• Use natural sunlight: Natural sunlight can give you some of the best lighting for your photos. Be aware that too bright a light can cast distracting shadows, and the sun directly overhead can wash out faces.
• Use Flash: The trick to using the flash is to know the range of the flash and stand at that distance. Most cameras have a flash range of 10 feet. (One of the basics of digital photography that most aren't aware of.) Too close and the flash will be too harsh. Too far and the light won't reach your subject.
• Avoid Red Eye: Most cameras will have a "red eye reduction" setting, but another sure-fire way to avoid this is to have your subjects look away from the lens.
• Use the Rule of Thirds: This simple technique can turn an otherwise boring photo into one with depth and interest. Look through your lens and break your photo up into thirds like a tic-tac-toe grid. Pick one of the points where the lines intersect and place that point over your subject. (Some cameras have a grid setting so you can actually see the grid through your lens or on your LCD screen.) This offsets your subject while still giving the overall photo balance.
• Experiment with Different Angles: Rather than standing directly in front of your subjects, approach from either side, or even from above (stand on a ladder) to add interest to your photo.
• Use a Tripod: To avoid blur, especially for night photos where you may be using a slower shutter speed, use a tripod to hold the camera steady. And don't forget to set the timer and jump in a few of those shots too!