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 04/05/2004 06:15:12 PM · #1
Do any of you, who use Point & Shoot cameras have trouble doing 'well' in challenges? Try as I might, everytime I use my Olympus Stylus, my images turn out too contrasty or too dark, not in perfect focus, etc. Everytime I use my Canon 10D, my pictures are great!!! Since I carry my Stylus everywhere, I use it more often (it's tiny, easy to take everywhere). Does anyone in here, that uses point & shoot (no manual settings at all) do well on challenges? What are some pointers, ideas you have for the rest of us? I get so angry with my camera sometimes, but I realize I must not be the only one with a totally automatic camera that has a mind of it's own.

Thanks,
Mirdonamy
 04/05/2004 06:18:49 PM · #2
I have no other camera to compare results with, but I'm pretty sure that my score deficiencies are due to subject and composition, not exposure or other technical issues. Partly that's because I try to shoot within the camera's limitations, unless I've figured out a way to "trick" it into another effect.
 04/05/2004 06:21:57 PM · #3
Sometimes you only get 1 shot! That happens to me all the time... but sometimes that shot is not perfect because the camera is limited to it's flash exposure, aperature, shutter, auto everything... and, many challenges do not allow photoshop (to fix what your camera lacks). So, I find myself with tons of 'ok' shots that could use some work in photoshop (that I can't do since it's against the rules). It is sad, but I feel really limited sometimes. I wish I could take my 10D everywhere and never use my Stylus again... but it's just not that easy in a business suit, at business meetings to pull that thing out! Haha
 04/05/2004 06:27:05 PM · #4
I have landed in most of the percentiles just as easily with my S50 as with the 300D Rebel. Sometimes I am surprised at how good the little S50 is at capturing what I want in both landscape and experimental stuff. I tend to hand hold the S50 and use a tripod on the 300D.
 04/05/2004 06:57:39 PM · #5
Could you show us some examples of what you've gotten with your Olympus? Good & bad.

My Olympus D-550z and I have come to an agreement, so to speak. I do the best I can in camera (framing, lighting, white balance, ect.) and then adjust (contrast, brightness, saturation, ect.) in my photo programs to improve them. I've been getting pretty good results by learning to work with what I have. (My "Out of Place" entry is scoring in the 6s.)

Message edited by author 2004-04-05 18:59:49.
 04/07/2004 07:20:52 PM · #6
I usually don't like what I have done with my olympus. So, I haven't posted much. I'll do my best to post something soon and point it out to you. I am excellent with photoshop, but basic editing rules do not allow for all the spot and dusting I need to do. I usually have lighting issues with my olympus 300d. It's the flash... way too bright or not bright enough. Also, the DOF is really out of my control. It does what it wants, even when I back up and zoom in. Bah! :)
 04/07/2004 07:38:51 PM · #7
Originally posted by mirdonamy:
I usually don't like what I have done with my olympus. So, I haven't posted much. I'll do my best to post something soon and point it out to you. I am excellent with photoshop, but basic editing rules do not allow for all the spot and dusting I need to do. I usually have lighting issues with my olympus 300d. It's the flash... way too bright or not bright enough. Also, the DOF is really out of my control. It does what it wants, even when I back up and zoom in. Bah! :)


Well of course it would depend on the picture you take, but I would think most shots from point and shoots using flash will seem snapshot like here and would not do well.

As to the flash itself, I put several pieces of scotch tape over my old olympus 450Z flash when I used to use it long ago. Helps to diffuse it a bit and tone it down a bit.
 04/07/2004 07:51:00 PM · #8
Originally posted by mirdonamy:
Also, the DOF is really out of my control. It does what it wants, even when I back up and zoom in. Bah! :)

I thought I was able to control the DOF on this shot pretty well, but I don't think I've ever gotten a shallow DOF on anything but a macro shot
04/07/2004 08:04:54 PM · #9
Originally posted by mirdonamy:
Do any of you, who use Point & Shoot cameras have trouble doing 'well' in challenges? Try as I might, everytime I use my Olympus Stylus, my images turn out too contrasty or too dark, not in perfect focus, etc. Everytime I use my Canon 10D, my pictures are great!!! Since I carry my Stylus everywhere, I use it more often (it's tiny, easy to take everywhere). Does anyone in here, that uses point & shoot (no manual settings at all) do well on challenges? What are some pointers, ideas you have for the rest of us? I get so angry with my camera sometimes, but I realize I must not be the only one with a totally automatic camera that has a mind of it's own.

Thanks,
Mirdonamy


I find that I have to work pretty hard to get a lot of the effects I desire, especially when it comes to focus and Depth of Field. I have learned my camera so well that I know how to manipulate the automatic settings just right to get the desired effect, but really, I find myself trying to squeeze blood from rocks. There is only so much I can control. Generally, as far as exposure goes, I can generally compensate with PhotoShop. But yes, I do find that I have to work a LOT harder than I should.

Message edited by author 2004-04-07 20:16:21.
 04/07/2004 09:14:27 PM · #10
Sometimes it is hard to get "perfect" photos with a point and shoot camera (points to Kodak DX3700), but i still manage to get average scores :), you can't do cool things to photos like stop motion, blur background and things like that.
 04/07/2004 09:16:51 PM · #11
Cheap Enhancements for "Low End" Digital Cameras.
 04/07/2004 09:19:13 PM · #12
Originally posted by faidoi:
Cheap Enhancements for "Low End" Digital Cameras.


thanx ;)
 04/07/2004 11:39:07 PM · #13
I think in many cases i got better shots with my point and shoot than i get with my 'fancy' camera. the auto mode i think is better on the p&s. perhaps with the old fuji 1400 i was more concious of what it could and could not do, i never stretched the boundaries or tried to interfere with teh process. With my S602, I am too involved i think,and also have asked PS to do more than it is capable of at times.

04/07/2004 11:42:51 PM · #14
Originally posted by faidoi:
Cheap Enhancements for "Low End" Digital Cameras.


Lol, already figured out the paper in front of light source when I was taking my "Orange" entry. Although I ended up not using those photos.

My "Out of Place" entry however did quite well I'd say. 6th place. ^_^

My Tips:
1) You won't get *great* DOF unless you force it into Macro mode by placing what you want right infront of the camera.
<- This image was forced into Macro mode by directing the camera a bit towards the ground.

2) Always, when possible, push the button (uh picture taking button??) down, but not enough to take the picture, it will then automatically focus as it is going to take the picture, check it to make sure the focus is right. I especially like to do this when I have to zoom in on images.
3) Never, ever use the flash as a regular flash. I haven't personally tried any bouncing methods, but I avoid using my regular flash whenever possible, especially not for challenges. However, flash does work well for some candid shots of people, I'd rather have them brightened up than in the dark.
<- 2 & 3 Combined - I did not do #2 and therefore it's blurry, but that also is due to the fact that I didn't use the flash (#3). The conversion to B&W partially saved it, but couldn't do as much for the noise as I'd like. I prefer not to soften images like this where the details are so important. Although the flash would have made it better, I couldn't use it because of the window behind them.

4) Crop as much as possibl when you are taking the photograph. This will save you from having to crop it too tightly and it becoming pixelated.
<- I tried to save this as much as I could, but it was hard. This is cropped from my original size (1948x1488) pretty closely, so I had to be careful. This also works for #1: I placed the camera close enough to the blades in front that it blurred the background.

5) Use your photo editing programs to your advantage! Even under Basic Editing you can greatly improve your photo.
Photos with color like this straight from the camera are sometimes hard to get.
<- No editing at all.
You may just have to do some playing with contrast, brightness, saturation, ect. to get the 'true' colors out of your photo.
<-This was taken during dusk so I had to really play with the saturation to get it up to snuff.

6) If you don't have a lighting set-up (like me), use natrual light to your advantage. Afternoon is a great time to get natural colors out of things. However, it can provide some harsh lighting. So, cloudy weather is best or if you can manage, find some shade.
<- This is the color version of my 6th placing "Out of Place" photo. I moved the dogs into the shade so that the light was not as harsh, well and since they were really hot out in the sun.

These are the meager tips of a novice. If anyone wants to correct me on something, go ahead. These are just what I have found to work best for me with my D-550z.

Message edited by author 2004-04-07 23:45:36.
 04/08/2004 12:16:50 AM · #15
I don't suppose the G5 is a point-and-shoot camera, but I used it in P mode to take my Out of Place entry, and it did alright. I think if you have control over the shutter speed and aperture, and can edit a bit after the fact, you can get a great image out of anything. Heck, even one-time-use film cameras can take good shots if the composition, colors, and subject are good.
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