Better Holiday Photos

Here are some of the basics we discussed at the Meeting 

Use the Zoom: Try to catch the splendor of the season with lots of close up pictures instead of a few wide angle shots of the entire room or setting. This will result in photos that will be treasured rather than tossed in the drawer of old pictures. Don't be afraid to zoom in close to the subjects face to catch their surprise or excitement. Simply the photo by removing everything that doesn't matter to the moment you are trying to capture.

Spot Meter for Strange Lighting or Clothes: Most cameras look at the overall situation. Often the part of the photo that we think is most important is not the same as the one the camera thinks is the most important. This situation calls for spot metering. Most $500+ cameras have a spot metering function. This setting allows the camera to adjust its exposure (shutter speed, aperture or both) to the area that is within the cross hairs in the viewfinder.  You set your spot metering by aiming at the area that you want the camera to meter to, hold the shutter button half way down, let the camera focus and meter, then fire your shot.

ENHANCING YOUR PHOTOS DIGITALLY:

Lighten The Background

1. Click on Enhance - Fill Flash

2. Slide the triangle to the left or right

Enhancing or Removing Color

1. Click Enhance - Color - Hue/Saturation

2. To enhance color slide the Saturation bar to the right to dull, or eliminate it, slide bar to the left.

Follow to learn how to

Remove Red Eye in Photoshop Elements [1]