Category: Technology

Strong angles in an image can add a lot to the composition, especially when the angles and lines are going in different directions (Figure 8.4). This can create a tension that is different from the standard horizontal and vertical lines that we are so accustomed to seeing in photos. You can accentuate the angles in…

We’ve all seen the result of using on-camera flashes when shooting people: the dreaded red-eye! This demonic effect is the result of the light from the flash entering the pupil and then reflecting back as an eerie red glow. The closer the flash is to the lens, the greater the chance that you get red-eye.…

As mentioned in previous chapters, it’s usually a good idea to avoid placing your subject directly in the center of the frame. Sticking to the rule of thirds principle— placing the subject or horizon line one-third of the way from the edge of the frame—typically results in a pleasing composition (Figure 8.21).  

When taking pictures we usually pay close attention to our subject. This, of course, is a wise thing to do when using your camera, but it’s also very important (and sometimes even more important) to pay attention to the background or backdrop behind your subject (Figure 8.3). The background can make or break your photograph.…

Selective focusing with a wide aperture can add a lot of creativity to your images. You are telling the viewer where you want the focus of the image to be, and the meaning and story changes depending on what is in focus. Using a telephoto lens can compress your background even more, decreasing the depth…

Just as with exposure compensation, flash compensation allows you to change the flash output in increments of 1/3 of a stop. You will probably use this most often to tone down the effects of your flash, especially when you are using the flash as a subtle fill light (Figures 8.6 and 8.7). The Flash Exposure…

There will be times when you have to turn to your camera’s built-in flash to get the shot. The flash on the G12 is not extremely powerful, but with the camera’s advanced metering system it does a pretty good job of lighting up the night…or just filling in the shadows. The controls for the built-in…

We’ve covered some of the techniques for shooting in low light, so let’s go through the process of capturing a night or low-light scene for maximum image quality. The first thing to consider is that in order to shoot in low light with a low ISO, you will need to use shutter speeds that are…

Occasionally the light levels might be too low for the camera to achieve an accurate focus. There are a few things that you can do to overcome this obstacle. First, you should know that the camera utilizes contrast in the viewfinder to establish a point of focus. This is why your camera will not be…