NARDIA GUILLAUMIER How to “Capture
the Moments that Matter”
©
Some people are very handy with technology and carry a smart phone or instant camera with them all the time.
Memories are important and that is why NEG photography has the catch cry of “Capture the Moments that Matter”.
But what about those moments when you want to use more than an instant or snap shot camera? You could contract
NEG photography to take the images for you or perhaps you may like to do it yourself? If so, here are some great tips
and quick pointers I have learnt from my experiences over the years.
Let’s say you have a DSLR (Digital Single-Lens Reflex) camera and don’t know much about it. First step is for you is to
read your manual - don’t just glance at it and put it down. As you are reading up on each function of your camera,
actually put it into practise. Pick a subject and take a photo.
Every DSLR has a mode dial with several settings. Each setting optimises one function on your camera.
They normally are:
- P – Program; it sets the exposure (shutter speed and aperture) automatically.
- TV - Shutter-priority; for action shots. TV stands for time value; freeze action or create a blur.
- AV - Aperture-value; adjusts depth of field, which is how much blur you want behind and in front of your subject.
- M - Manual Exposure; you can set the shutter speed and aperture as you like.
- A-Dep - Automatic depth of field. Understand what each function is so you know when shooting a subject you
can get the best shot possible.
Another setting you will need to understand is ISO which is the measurement of how sensitive a digital camera's
sensor is to light. The speed or light sensitivity of a digital camera's sensor is rated in ISO numbers...the lower the
number, the slower the response to light.
Higher ISO numbers also increase the amount of “noise” in your image. When shooting at ISO 100, the image darker /
shadowing sections will appear dark and smooth. ISO 6400 looks like the image has a layer of sand over the top.
Finally, don’t forget about the focus. Ensure that you have what you want to photograph, in focus; otherwise you will
be disappointed with the result. Most DLSR cameras have nine multi-focus points in a lens. There is normally a feature
on your camera to select one of the nine should you need to.
Combining ISO, TV, AV and correct focus will give you an image to start with. This will require practice and there are
many other aspects that professional photographers use to gain the perfect image. For beginners, you have to start
somewhere and hopefully this quick overview will assist you in taking some images that you will be proud of.
Photography is an art! The way I see it, as long as you are operating the camera to gain the image that you want, there
is no wrong image. It’s up to your interpretation of what you want to capture (this is your style)....enjoy your 2014.
Nardia Guillaumier is based near Sydney with NEG photography. Time to
“capture the moments that matter" with energy, professionalism and efficient
service to gain beautiful and natural images with a wide variety of disciplines.
View our creations at http://www.negphotography.com.au or email
[email protected] or phone Nardia at +61 417 465 257