Avoid these pitfalls
13: Supernova surprise
Pitfall explanation
A good rule of thumb for snapshots might be whatever you're shooting is what should stand out in the photo--not the big flash reflection, not the obtrusive white object in the foreground, and in this case, not the light from the big ol' lamp on the side. I love the decorations, and this is the kind of shot that would be great as part of a historical record of your trees as time goes on. Given all the other lit-up objects in the scene, the photographer probably either didn't have or didn't want to use flash--in which case using the TV for illumination was genius--but I'd have gone with a darker photo and all the bright lights out of the frame.
A good rule of thumb for snapshots might be whatever you're shooting is what should stand out in the photo--not the big flash reflection, not the obtrusive white object in the foreground, and in this case, not the light from the big ol' lamp on the side. I love the decorations, and this is the kind of shot that would be great as part of a historical record of your trees as time goes on. Given all the other lit-up objects in the scene, the photographer probably either didn't have or didn't want to use flash--in which case using the TV for illumination was genius--but I'd have gone with a darker photo and all the bright lights out of the frame.
Can this photo be saved?
Maybe, with some tedious masking. The light is too intrusive for a quick crop.
Maybe, with some tedious masking. The light is too intrusive for a quick crop.
How can I avoid this problem?
Tip 1: Turn the light off or move the lamp. This solution assumes that the light is in the scene by accident and that it's not being used as additional illumination for the shot. It falls under the heading issues you should be watching for when you're shooting.
Tip 2: Move the lamp and bump up your ISO speed. By increasing the light sensitivity to ISO 200 or higher--with a digital camera that has good high-ISO image quality--you'd be able to get a similar exposure without the intrusive lamp.
Tip 1: Turn the light off or move the lamp. This solution assumes that the light is in the scene by accident and that it's not being used as additional illumination for the shot. It falls under the heading issues you should be watching for when you're shooting.
Tip 2: Move the lamp and bump up your ISO speed. By increasing the light sensitivity to ISO 200 or higher--with a digital camera that has good high-ISO image quality--you'd be able to get a similar exposure without the intrusive lamp.
Which cameras handle these scenes best?
What it takes: A camera that delivers good low-light features and photos and that has a moderate zoom lens.
Suggested models:
What it takes: A camera that delivers good low-light features and photos and that has a moderate zoom lens.
Suggested models:
Additional resources
CNET Community: Point and Shout
We've all experienced the joys, the frustrations, and that magical moment when a workaround solution to a particular problem jolts you. Here's a chance to share your brilliance with fellow readers and learn a bit from them.
Online digital photo printing and sharing
Whether you have a handful of vacation shots or you're a serious photographer with a big image archive, there are plenty of sites that can make printing and sharing a pleasure. We tried out more than 40 of them to give you a snapshot of your options.
Digital camera memory-card selector
Choosing digital camera memory--CompactFlash, Secure Digital cards, and Memory Stick--should be a no-brainer compared to choosing a camera. It's not. Let CNET's Digital camera memory selector clear away the smoke and mirrors surrounding these formats and bring storage clarity into your life.
Digital camera buying guide
We've distilled our expert advice on finding the right digital camera into a handy seven-page guide.
CNET Community: Point and Shout
We've all experienced the joys, the frustrations, and that magical moment when a workaround solution to a particular problem jolts you. Here's a chance to share your brilliance with fellow readers and learn a bit from them.
Online digital photo printing and sharing
Whether you have a handful of vacation shots or you're a serious photographer with a big image archive, there are plenty of sites that can make printing and sharing a pleasure. We tried out more than 40 of them to give you a snapshot of your options.
Digital camera memory-card selector
Choosing digital camera memory--CompactFlash, Secure Digital cards, and Memory Stick--should be a no-brainer compared to choosing a camera. It's not. Let CNET's Digital camera memory selector clear away the smoke and mirrors surrounding these formats and bring storage clarity into your life.
Digital camera buying guide
We've distilled our expert advice on finding the right digital camera into a handy seven-page guide.
- Check out what's new
- Introducing the all-new CNET!
- Send feedback
Dell Desktop Deals