Hobby Photography Tips - Resource for Learning Photographers

If you have ever wondered how a photographer gets crystal clear images of photos of little flowers with insects on it? Then I hope you will read on, this is what I will tell you all about today. Pictures like this example are mostly taken with a setting that comes as an option on most cameras; it is called “the macro setting”.

The macro setting is essentially focusing on a very small area. When you focus your camera on your object, with this setting turned on, then the background will become unfocused, in order to bring out your intended object. If you have tried to take a picture of a very little object without the macro setting, you probably noticed that it is nearly impossible to capture an object with much detail. And anything closer than just three feet becomes blurred. It is therefore a very useful setting for the purpose of taking images at close range, as it changes the distance your camera will be able to focus. In result you now should be able to take clear pictures of objects as close as two or maybe three inches.

I will recommend you to experiment a lot with this camera mode. With this information about the macro setting, try now to take a picture of a bee sitting on a flower or in your window. I hope you then will realize and see the great details that are brought out. It will look amazing if you could actually see the furriness of the bee, and really get the details taken.

Are you interested in selling things online, especially if you are a member on for example eBay, the macro setting can be of great use to you. It can help you take better pictures of the items you are selling, and better images will surely help with sales. A tip is to use the macro setting to take close up pictures if you are selling small items like coins, stamps, or maybe jewelry with engravings. It will look absolutely stunning, and many more will notice your good pictures.

Remember that with the macro setting there are good pictures to be taken everywhere. Don’t think that you need to wait for some special events before using it, but take a walk to the park, or to the beach, and just look around. You will see that the macro setting will be great to take impressive pictures of patterns in the sand, or of ants that suddenly look incredible large. I really hope you will have fun with the macro setting on your digital camera, and that you take some really nice picture with it. Good luck.

Today some of the least expensive digital cameras have only automatic focus, meaning the camera does all the work on bringing your subject or object into the best possible focus. There are usually three different types of focus modes when it comes to digital cameras, and they are: manual, single auto focus, and continuous auto focus. This post will address these three.

Let’s start with manual focus. It is when the camera stays out of the focus equation and you, the photographer, will make all the important decisions regarding this. If you are one of those who would like complete control on the finished product, this will be your best focus option. This setting is located in different places in different cameras, so please take a look in the manual that came with you camera. In the single auto focus mode, the camera will automatically focus when you start pressing the shutter button. It will begin either when you press the shutter button all the way down or half way down to shoot a photo. It is arguable best to only go half-way down, so that your camera gets the chance to lock the focus. Probably the best situation use this focus mode is when shooting static objects.

The third and final focus mode is of course the continuous auto focus mode. It is were the camera will continuously focus on the subjects in the photo. The good thing about this is that the camera will continuously correct the focus on your subjects when the distance from the camera changes. If you now think that this mode is best to use on moving objects, you are of course right. If you are watching for instance a race of some sort, or even airplanes during an air show. Then this mode is the way to go. You would then start pressing the shutter button half-way down, and then start moving the camera, and try to follow the object you are trying to take a picture of, while the camera will continuously keep your selected object in focus.

Like any other camera function, there are pros and cons to each function. Really the best way of learning about these three focus modes are to experiment with them, now that you understand what they were designed for.