Top Ten Tips

Notes from Nigel Stead’s digital camera Q and A session, LSE staff summer school, September 2006

I’ve compiled Ten Top Tips to keep in mind when using your digital camera.

They may seem to be fairly obvious but, if you keep to the list, I promise you can improve your level of photography.

1. Read your camera manual.
2. Find out about all of your cameras controls and learn what they do.
3. Learn to hold the camera properly.
4. Shoot portrait and landscape in Format.
5. Get close to your subject.
6. Move the subject around in camera, look at your composition!
7. Learn how to compensate in the camera, + or -
8. Learn about aperture
9. Learn about shutter speed.
10. Learn to use fill in flash.

Some other points to consider:

I always try to avoid using camera flash light as the light from a flash is very concentrated from a small point source. Try using a window to soften the light - the larger the light source, the softer the light. Try turning off your flash and you may be surprised at how moody natural light can be.

Also, always try to keep the sun on your back and use it to light your subject.

If you are photographing a person and they are finding it too bright, move your subject under a tree or to a shaded area. This will also eliminate hard dark shadows on the face.

The ultimate and best advice I can give to anyone wanting to improve their photography is take as many photos as you can. The more you take, the better you will become. Above all, enjoy your photography.

Nigel Stead, LSE photographer

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