Avoid these pitfalls
5: So far away
Pitfall explanation
This is one of those special-occasion photos that adds color to your photo album and can never be re-created. In this case, the photographer is too far away: the on-camera flash is clearly not strong enough to reach the scene, and in general, he could have moved a little closer and filled the frame more. The last issue is a common problem when you shoot using the optical viewfinder on a snapshot camera. Since the viewfinder shows only about 80 percent of the scene, we tend to underestimate the amount of space that will appear around the sides of the frame.
This is one of those special-occasion photos that adds color to your photo album and can never be re-created. In this case, the photographer is too far away: the on-camera flash is clearly not strong enough to reach the scene, and in general, he could have moved a little closer and filled the frame more. The last issue is a common problem when you shoot using the optical viewfinder on a snapshot camera. Since the viewfinder shows only about 80 percent of the scene, we tend to underestimate the amount of space that will appear around the sides of the frame.
Can this photo be saved?
Sort of. If the original resolution is high enough, you can always crop it in software. The exposure can be changed after the fact as well, but that usually results in all the ugly low-light noise rising to the occasion. This is one of those shots that you really want to get right the first time.
Sort of. If the original resolution is high enough, you can always crop it in software. The exposure can be changed after the fact as well, but that usually results in all the ugly low-light noise rising to the occasion. This is one of those shots that you really want to get right the first time.
How can I avoid this problem?
Tip 1: Get closer. If moving close enough to fill the frame doesn't help much, then get creative as well--for instance, get really close and treat it like a panorama, shooting the group in smaller subsets.
Tip 2: Know your camera. A situation such as this is where it really pays to memorize a few specs--namely, the distance your flash can throw and how much of the scene your viewfinder shows. Then, respect the first and overcompensate for the second.
Tip 1: Get closer. If moving close enough to fill the frame doesn't help much, then get creative as well--for instance, get really close and treat it like a panorama, shooting the group in smaller subsets.
Tip 2: Know your camera. A situation such as this is where it really pays to memorize a few specs--namely, the distance your flash can throw and how much of the scene your viewfinder shows. Then, respect the first and overcompensate for the second.
Which cameras handle these scenes best?
What it takes: An add-on flash or a powerful on-camera flash, a decent optical viewfinder, solid low-light sensitivity, and a long focal length.
Suggested models:
What it takes: An add-on flash or a powerful on-camera flash, a decent optical viewfinder, solid low-light sensitivity, and a long focal length.
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.
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