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10/16/2004 08:32:26 PM · #1 |
I've taken lots of pictures in my days, but never really cared about the quality of the result. Well now, I'm trying to get a lot better and have read a lot of different things on the internet.
First of all, when taking a picture, I read that you should always have the flash on. Basically, from what I read, the forced flash won't always add light (like in a really light environment), but it will help to distribute the light more evenly. What are your thoughts on that?
Also, my digital camera is 3.2 megapixels at the maximum which captures a REALLY nice photograph in my opinion. On the max setting, however, i can only capture 10 images at a time -- whereas on the VGA setting, I can capture 90 or so I believe. Now, the first thing I do when I take pictures on the max setting is upload them, then resize them on my computer to about 640 x 480. Is there a point in taking them at that higher setting, then resizing them, or is it basically the same thing?
Thanks.
Dave |
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10/16/2004 09:08:23 PM · #2 |
| Good questions, I don't have any answers sry. But I am eager to know what everyone else has to say. |
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10/16/2004 09:10:57 PM · #3 |
The major advantage for me in taking pictures at large resolution, or size, is the ability to crop and still have a usable image. If you take the shot at the lower setting, then want to crop it in half, you may not be able to still use the image.
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10/16/2004 09:18:40 PM · #4 |
The advantage of higher res. is that you can produce a larger quality photo. For example a 3meg camera will produce a high quality 4x6 print. A 6 meg camera can produce a quality 8X10 print.
As far as keeping the flash on, that depends. You are correct that it is effective for fill light. However, shadow can add inmact and feeling to an image. The on-board flash will overexpose at close range, and will not reach out very far. It is also useless for macro, as it will shoot past your subject.
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10/16/2004 09:27:39 PM · #5 |
About the flash. I try to use natural light whenever possible. The problem with having flash on all the time is you might start to notice harsh shadows in your pictures and it makes everything look flat when it's the main light source. Fill flash is ok if you are in a bright setting and you want to get more light on the subject.
About the size. If you are happy with smaller pictures and are only going to post them on the internet, go ahead with the small ones. If you want to print them or edit them, I would go with the largest size. Maybe get some more and/or larger capacity cards. And no it isn't the same thing. More information will be captured at a larger size. Say you're taking a picture of a flower. With the large size you will get 100 pixels for one petal, at the smaller size you might get 10 pixels for the same petal. Which will look more natural? This is only an example. I didn't do the math. |
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10/16/2004 09:33:10 PM · #6 |
To add to the posts. I will not try to explain resolution/megapixels here but this article has a nice visual explanation of the differences in resolution quality.It̢۪s always better to take higher quality pictures even when you shrink them, a picture is quality and with bad quality the picture is no longer desirable. In my opinion.
WebLink Resolution
In regards to you only being able to take 9 pictures or so at a larger resolution. The higher the resolution the bigger the picture size, I would suggest purchasing another memory size that̢۪s at least 128MB to that you can take quite a few more pictures before your transfers.
Happy picture taking! |
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10/16/2004 09:58:50 PM · #7 |
Thanks for the replies so far everyone. As far as the memory card size, I definately hear you. One is definately on my christmas list from my girlfriend. Although it's 'our camera' lol -- I just kind of inherited it because I'm the only one who uses it.
Thanks for the links and keep the opinions coming. |
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10/16/2004 10:04:59 PM · #8 |
I'm assuming (since there's no pic for your camera here on DPC) that you have a point and shoot type camera. When I used my old p&s I never used the flash. This meant that the only way to get usable shots in lower light condiitions was to use a tripod!
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10/16/2004 10:11:01 PM · #9 |
hrmm..the more I read, the more I get discouraged about my 3.2 megapixel camera. All of the comparisons I see out there look so much better with the 5 mp cameras.
If I take a picture and it's 3.2 megapixels...then shrink it to 50% size, shouldn't it then technically be a 6.4 megapixel image? Or in shrinking it (in adobe photoshop), does it discard some of the pixels? |
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10/16/2004 10:14:37 PM · #10 |
Get the most memory you can afford, as that will allow and encourage you to experiment. Then, at least for a while, try taking every photo both with and without flash. You will quickly get a feel for what does or doesn't work, and for YOUR personal preference.
Re size: if you set your camera to a smaller resolution, you will kick yourself when you take that one-in-a-million shot but the size of the photo limits you far too much. |
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10/16/2004 10:19:11 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by deapee:
hrmm..the more I read, the more I get discouraged about my 3.2 megapixel camera. |
Do you shoot with a tripod? If you look at myportfolio page of score 6 or better shots, you will notice that only two of those shots were with the rebel. The rest were all taken with a 3.2mp Olympus d-55OZ p/s camera. Every one of those shots was taken WITH the tripod. If your camera has a tripod mount, you should use it all the time! The only other thing that all of those shots in my portfolio that were taken with the Oly have in comon is that I had to play with levels to get the colors to pop out. The camera records them, but you have to pull them out of the file so to speak...
Do not be discouraged with your camera, you CAN take great shots with it...
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