Camera Setting Questions

[raptor3dpilot]

I should probably ask this in the photo/video section...but I feel I will get a better answer from the experts.

I want to take some good quality shots of my TRex... but in auto mode they're not that clear...

Here's my camera
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelTechSpecsAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=12466

It's a Canon Powershot SD550 - 7.1Mp

I don't know much about cameras besides point and shoot... I tried Macro mode... but it still didn't look as good as I think it should.

What are some other settings I can change around??

P.S. Also... is this camera capable of taking the shots where the main subject is in focus but the background is not?? I love those type of shots.

Thanks in advance for the help!![/url]

[miami6]

make sure you have the flower in the mode that will give you the pictures you want

[miami6]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v649/miami6/misc/sd550_586x225mod.jpg

[miami6]

next the basics

light conditions affect the Final picture more light the better alway put the sun on your back never or almost never behind the subject


best time is before 8:00 when the sky is perfltly blue

during the day is much harder

if the camera is on auto mode make sure the correct light conditions are selected

like cloudy / fluorecent /flash /sunny etc

if the condition are very bad low light the camera platform needs to be really stable

so it the trex shakes the images will be blurry

those are some FYi for you

dont give up keet trying

[raptor3dpilot]

Should I zoom in and take it from a farther back distance...(not digital zoom though) or just keep the zoom in and move the camera closer?

[MarkWebber]

When ever possible, move the camera closer to the subject rather than use zoom. That will reduce the possibility for camera shake to affect the shot.

[raptor3dpilot]

Hmm I actually just remembered that I have a tri-pod that I could use...

Thanks for the helpful advice... Looks like I just need natural lighting and macro mode...

[raptor3dpilot]

Hey what about shooting pics where the main subject is in focus and the background is not??

[MarkWebber]

I don't know that camera and it's setting but if there is a manual mode you can close up the aperture (increase the F stop #) to the highest that the available light will allow.

[raptor3dpilot]

Fixed the link in the original post...

This number?
f/2.8 (W) - f/4.9 (T)

[k2pilot]

what thats saying is at wide zoom your aperture will be 2.8, where as at full telephoto it will be 4.9. you always want a large aperture for macro photos, thats why it's best to get closer to the subject.

and a tripod would also greatly help you do this, i would reccomend using it.

cheers,

[raptor3dpilot]

Thanks for the many replies!!

I'm just going to wait til tomorrow morning and try a few shots.... What is ISO speed? I can set it between 50 and 400... I assume it's like regular cameras where you buy the different speeds...

Eventually one day I want to get a real nice SLR and hopefully a equiped heli to carry it around. :D

[k2pilot]

iso speed is just that, it's like a digital version of film speed. it's best to try and keep the iso low because this will help to reduce noise(those little specks you see in photos) and if it's low, the camera will want to compensate by lowering the shutter speed and increasing the aperture size which will in turn produce that macro photo you want.

cheers,