Exploring digital camera presets.

1. Getting to Know Your Camera Basics Digital Camera Presets

2. Did you know? Did you know that most digital cameras, point-and-shoot or DSLR, come pre-set for certain lighting and shooting situations? This presentation will explore them, as well as alternative situations in which to use these pre-sets. Did you know that shooting in automatic mode will not always give you the best results? Did you know that in certain shooting situations, it is best to turn OFF your automatic flash?

3. First lets explore The Basics The five basic pre-sets include: Actions Landscape Macro Night Portraits Presets are usually determined by those little images found on your camera. The different images correspond to the lighting situations for which they are designed.

4. Action This preset is usually identifiable by an image of a person running. This present is for fast shooting situations where the photographer wants to stop action. This preset uses a fast shutter speed and can also increase the film speed reading. This preset is also good for extremely bright shooting situations. Be cautious however, with the lesser amount of light being allowed in can decrease your depth of field (what is clear within the image).

5. Landscape The landscape preset image is usually a mountain or set of mountains. With this preset, when shooting in a landscape situation, a tripod is usually not needed. Because of the smaller aperture, you will have a great depth of field. This is a good preset when shooting a general, large scene. Good lighting is key here! Use this when you want EVERYTHING to be in focus.

6. Macro A flower or tulip shape is usually the image that represents the macro setting. Macro is when you want to photograph something EXTREMELY close up. It is also used when photographing extremely small subjects like bumble bees or veins in a flower. The depth of field with this setting is exceedingly small.

7. Night Usually a moon or a silhouette with a star represents this setting. The night setting has a slower shutter speed setting which leaves the shutter open to allow more light into the camera. Scenes in the dark, caves, auditoriums and scenes outside at night are the best situations for this setting. The camera will try to capture the entire scene in focus (both the foreground and background).

8. Portrait The portrait preset is usually represented by a profile, silhouette or simple face image. This is a slower shutter speed and film speed which is meant for an unfocused subject with a blurred background. Best used with an individual or two people. It is not meant for groups. You can also try the macro setting and test shoot for the best results, especially when shooting for a visually interesting image.

9. In Conclusion You should consider your shooting situation BEFORE settling on the automatic setting. Choose the best preset for your subject and situation, even if it does not correspond to the image represented on the preset choice list. Most of all get to know your camera before you shoot. Finally, make sure that you are using the rule of thirds and creating good imagery. Remember, your enemy is boring, boring, boring work!

10. Images from Discovery Education. Camera Preset Modes by Liz Masoner. Retrieved from http://photography.about.com/od/camerabasics/ss/camerapresets.htm Your camera manual. Seriously. Resources