Camera Concerns.
I think I have a very nice camera. I think it is actually a very expensive camera.
Which means it is nice, right? Isn’t that what today’s kids think? Nice=Expensive?
I can’t really figure out how to take nice pictures with my nice camera. Some of my pictures are coming out yellow. Blech. I’m assuming that would be the lighting? Maybe I should read the book that came along with it.
I have this guy:
I got him in 2007.
Please help.
Or else I might eat cookies to drown my sorrows. Which would lead to THIS.
30 Comments on “Camera Concerns.”
Definitely try different lighting and focus settings on your camera – hang in there!
Thanks so much. Will give it a shot tomorrow.
Try turning on and off the auto flash, changing settings. Using a camera takes some getting used to and I would read your manual and maybe grab a general photography book.
The pioneer woman gives some great pointers on her blog. Try taking things outside to take pictures, or put your subject matter in a windowsil that lets a lot of light in.
I have been reading her photography blog from start to finish. :) Thank you!
And don’t forget, photoshop can work wonders when the colors are all off! :-)
photoshop is going to be my new best friend. :)
Hi, best cameras for food photography are the DSLR. It’s a bit harder with point & shoot. Get use to take your pictures outside not in direct sunlight. Also don’t use the flash. Find you macro setting and use it also. There is a free software called Picasa 3 that you should download and use to enhanced and correct your photos. Good luck!
Just stumbled on your blog from Tasty Kitchen. I’m not familiar with this exact camera but I have a Canon Rebel Xsi. Try to get used to taking photos on the full auto setting. Then tinker with one of the settings and see what happens. I found that the easiest way to get used to what mine could do.
Thank you so much! That is excellent advice!
Ok thanks. I am going to play around with every setting!
I have to second the Picasa suggestion… for free software, it pretty much rocks… and the “I’m feeling lucky” button is helpful more often than not. ;o)
Don’t have that camera, but for generic help…
1. Turn off your flash
2. Use natural light (not harsh midday light though), either outside or very close to a window
3. Photoshop Elements or a free editing tool
4. Get close to your subject, but have your subject very far away from anything behind it.
Don’t beat yourself up, even a great camera in indoor light is going to have some yellow photos!
Hey Miss Jessica, new friend at Tasty Kitchen which is what led me to your blog….
I have a camera similar to yours the Canon s3 is. The s5 is the big brother point and shoot to yours and one model newer than mine. So bottom line, they’re quite the same! I struggle,too, bc I want gorgeous shots. I’ve SEEN gorgeous shots come from these cameras so always wonder why mine are soooo ordinary. Well. I’ve had a news flash and have reached enlightenment.
#1. For what I really want I need a DSLR and I have my eye on the Canon T1i. A very, very nice camera. A DSLR grownup version of our two. I really neeeed the Canon 7D that was just intro’d but my wallet is telling me to just get right over that idea.
#2. When using my camera I need to remember to get the heck out of fully automatic mode and use the scene modes that are pre-programmed where I can. I also need to remember to set that flash in its upright position so it can fire at will. SIGH. I also need to use the macro button.
#3. I need to experiment with the aperture and shutter speed priority modes and finally figure out when to use which so I can get to the point where I can use full manual bc point and shoot isn’t ALWAYS where it’s at. You have these modes too! Really, really reread PW’s what the heck series to figure out when to use which.
#4. I have come to accept that my camera does quite a nice job in daylight. In other lighting situations, well, not so much. So I’ve learned to adjust my white balance settings. Your camera allows this too…you can set it for various types of lighting! I bet your yellow problem is related to indoor, incandescent lighting. Check out White Balance adjustments in the manual and experiment.
#5. Check out this camera review at DP to see what your camera’s strong and weaker points are and learn how to compensate for them! There’s a gal on PW who contributes in the Photog blog who shoots entirely on the Canon that’s a model newer than mine…the s5 maybe? She gets AMAZING shots. With a point and shoot. So there’s hope for us! Here’s the review link: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsx100is/
Make sure you check out all the sections!
Robin
http://www.nanashouse.wordpress.com
Good Day!
Just added you as a friend on Tasty Kitchen…and came over to take a peeksee at your blog (I have wordpress too).
I have a Canon PowerShot S2 IS…and absolutely love it.
I don’t use the auto very much…love the vivid color program and macro. I also have an inside shooting mode that I use with/without a flash.
From the pictures I see…you could use your macro more! Do you have one on your camera?
Wow thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.instructables.com/id/S6F3F6UFEMY2VPO/
Hi! I just found your site via Tasty Kitchen and I’m so glad! :) You most definitely have a macro setting on your camera, it’s usually a little flower icon in the settings. I had a Canon S3is before I got my Canon 50D and the S3 is very similar to the one you have, I’m pretty sure.
I would suggest that you get a Flickr account. (www.flickr.com) It’s free and you can join groups with people who have the same camera you do (or pretty close) and get so much great advice and get inspired. That’s what I did! You most definitely don’t need a dSLR to take great pics, you just need to read your camera’s manual and take A LOT of photos! Also, just try all the different settings on your camera, practice, and just have fun!
Jessica,
Look at all of us coming over from Tasty Kitchen! I highly recommend that you visit Me Ra koh’s blog at http://www.merakohblog.com I was like you-I “thought” I understood my camera and I had a Nikon DSLR. I had that camera for 4 years and I upgraded to an even more difficult one. I had to walk away from it for a while. It scared me. I stumbled across Me ra’s blog one day and I was hooked. I bought her two DVD’s, Refuse to Say Cheese and Beyond the Green Box. BEST MONEY I HAVE EVER SPENT! I ended up hosting one of her Women’s Confidence Workshops and wowsa! I would venture to say that everyone who attended the seminar that weekend walked away understanding their camera and it’s settings a whole lot better and was filled with CONFIDENCE. The link to the workshop I hosted is http://www.merakohblog.com/2008/11/18/we-love-you-chicago/
I would be more than happy to answer or help with any questions you might have!
Gretchen
Thank you so so much Gretchen. I’m sure I will be asking you many questions!
Ask away!
I agree with so many others…A) PW website. B) turn off your flash, but then make sure you have a tripod. C) Shoot in Raw. It makes a definite difference.
Lets see. I have a canon digital rebel.
I make sure my camera is always in the “Tv” setting.
Not much else.
From there, when you turn on your camera is Tv mode, you’ll see three numbers across your screen.
(for example)
20 2.8 (200)
Focus on the 2.8 number. The smaller the number, the smaller your ‘focus’ is.
You know how PW gets those great shots of really amazing clarity and everything around it is kinda blurred? She most likely has her camera set to a LOW aperture number, like 2.8 or 1.8. The higher the number goes, the MORE detail gets included in the shot.
That is a horrible way to explain things without using big words.
I dont like big words.
My brain turns off.
Anywho… try setting your camera to Tv, taking a picture, then changing the aperture higher or lower.
*On my camera that is a little black clicking dial on the right hand side RIGHT behind the button you push to take the picture.
Man this is terrible advice. I would visit i heart faces website as well.. they have good tips and tricks!
God bless and good luck!
Amanda
Thank you for the Picasa hint, that is a really helpful tool. Just discovered it today through your recommendation. Btw, I did not come through the “usual” website but from “The Fat Cyclist” homepage where you commented. Regards from Frankfurt/Germany, Gunther
I was reading your post this morning and saw a link to this one at the bottom… how did your blog know I needed some camera help?! I’m so glad you leave these old posts up, it really helps to know that if you could have doubted your pictures one day there’s hope for me, too! :)