NYT: Less Cursing, Better Pictures: 10 Suggestions

New York Times ^ | June 8, 2005 | DAVID POGUE

[OESY]

1. End shutter lag.

2. Don't believe the megapixel myth.

3. Ignore digital zoom.

4. Ditch the starter card.

5. Beware the format factor.

6. Do your research.

7. Know your class.

8. Turn off the flash.

9. Turn on the flash.

10. Turn off the screen.

[OESY]

Freedom - Digital photography has freed me from worrying about finding the correct exposure while photographing something as intense as a New York sunset. NICOLE BENGIVENO



Instant - I took this picture at the Landmark Tavern in Manhattan, intentionally creating a ghostlike effect to hark back to the tale of a Confederate soldier who was supposedly shot and killed at the very spot. Had I shot this with film, it would have been mostly guesswork. LIBRADO ROMERO



Gratifying - I used a digital camera to take this photo of Pearl Iona Boyce of Orlando, Fla. I have loved digital from the beginning because of the instant gratification. Still, when I have time I use film. MICHELLE V. AGINS



Choices - I took this picture of Hunter Island in the Bronx both ways, ending with the digital version. Today's photographer stands with one foot in the 1800's and the other in the future, straddling a history of great equipment to choose from. SUZANNE DeCHILLO



Less Hassle - Shooting landscapes, like a wooded region of eastern North Carolina, has long been a passion of mine. High-end digital cameras are capable of producing results that rival film. JIM WILSON

[jdege]

Rule #1 of taking good pictures: have a camera

Seeing a perfect shot does you no good if you don't have the camera with you.

Rule #2: take a lot of pictures, and throw away all but the best.

An amateur will shoot a dozen frames and show all of them to everyone. A pro will shoot a hundred frames, and show only a few.

[E Rocc]

Digital also means that the staff at the photo development place can't snoop on your pictures.

-Eric

[r9etb]

Rule #3: ALWAYS check your background.

The thing that most often separates good pictures from amateur snapshots is not the subject or the pose, but instead the car, messy table, garbage can, or whatnot, in the background.

[Jack of all Trades]

I love my digital camera. My wife gave it to me for my 40th birthday, and I've taken more pictures in the past year than in the first 40 combined.

[CarrotAndStick]

How's this for a beginner? I'm using a borrowed Sony F717 5MP camera.

This picture may not stay here for too long. I have no idea how long or how many times uploaded photos can be accessed on uploadyourimages.com

[TommyDale]

"Digital also means that the staff at the photo development place can't snoop on your pictures."

Yeah, if that sicko grandfather that took the porn pictures of his own 2 year old granddaughter had used a digital camera, he would still be a free man.

[OESY]

Beautiful!

[alice_in_bubbaland]

Beautiful Picture! I just bought a Nikon Coolpix 4600 last month, to take pics of my son's prom. It's great, but I'd love to take pictures like that! Maybe in my spare time I'll practice.

[CarrotAndStick]

Thanks! That's really encouraging!

Maybe I'll start saving to get one of my own. I've heard good reviews on Sony's F828. The Carl-Zeiss lenses they use are simply unbeatable, even by other cameras with higher megapixels.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

A cool moment



On the marsh in a kayak



Fall Aspen

[CarrotAndStick]

I bet this will be one of those posts that are worth saving. So many good photographs here!

OESY, your pictures are stunning!

[Mr. Jazzy]

One of my personal favorites: My son graduating at Parris Island, with Grandma, big sister looking on and little sister in the arm of her hero.

[GVnana]

OK. Ok. After years of using my trusty Nikon FA and my Tamron wide angle, it's time to invest in digital. Any recommendations?

[Petronski]

3. Ignore digital zoom.

Better yet, DISABLE digital zoom, so it can't be used even accidentally.

[Petronski]

That's a great pic.

[jeffsg4mac]

My wife with my new Digital Rebel in Burlington VT

[xp38]

The headline made me think this was a critique on Hollywood.

[evets]

Thanks!
Here's a pic of my cat.

I got his camera at walmart for $5.

[jeffsg4mac]

Yes, I would get the New Digital Rebel one of tamrons lenses for it and Canons 580 flash. Second choice would be the Nikon D70. The new Rebel XT is more camera for less money though. I sold My Nikon 6006 and I am never looking back.