Making the most of your digital camera

There are no limits to what you can do with your digital camera. This little miracle of modern technology will take fabulous family snapshots time and again. But if you are looking to be more adventurous, it can also capture breathtaking landscapes, stunning portraits and, with many models, even create mini-movies.

Better still, digital cameras allow you to correct your mistakes. Is your picture all gloomy, the subject wonky, their eyes glowing red? With a few clicks on the computer, it is transformed into the fantastic image you meant to take.

Then you can whiz the results to friends far and near.

These tips will help you get the most from digital photography. But beware: it can become addictive…

Get to know your camera

Don’t be put off by all the whistles and bells. A little time invested in finding out what all the buttons do will pay off every time you take a picture.

Unless you really want to end up silently weeping in a darkened room, it’s best not to read the manual in one sitting. Get the gist of where the batteries go, turning the camera on and off, and how to take photographs in the “auto” mode. Then go shoot some pictures. Once you’re happy with that, set out to take different sorts of pictures, trying out one of the camera’s features each time. Experiment with various times, lighting conditions and subjects: buildings one day, wildlife another, people the next. Soon you’ll be zipping through the settings like a pro.

Change your angle

Look through your photo album. Are almost all the pictures wide and short? You’re not alone. Too many photographers never vary from the landscape view of life.

Rotating your camera 90 degrees puts a whole new perspective on the world. Known as portrait pictures, they can add real impact, particularly to images of people.

If you want to be even more creative experiment by twisting the camera to odd angles. Don’t worry if it looks silly – there’s always the delete button. But you may be surprised how exciting the results are. The most artistic photographers always consider a picture from every angle. Give it a try.

What’s in the back?

Looking through the viewfinder at your other half, you frame him beautifully, say something which makes him laugh and – snap! – you’ve got a great picture.

But when you show the photo to friends, they don’t notice his fabulous smile. Just the tree growing out of his head.

When you’re concentrating hard on your subject, it’s easy to forget the background. Take time to check that the surroundings don’t interfere with the picture you want to take. Look for a neutral-coloured backdrop or zoom in close to avoid these mishaps.

Watch out for shop windows, too, or you might find a reflection of you taking the picture an unwelcome addition to the photo.

Whatever turns up on the finished picture, don’t fret. With digital there’s always a second chance. Use the quick fixes to erase those mistakes forever (see below).

Ol’ red eyes

It is the curse of the flash photographer. What should be a sparkling picture of young Jack’s birthday party is marred because the little cherubs all have demon eyes…

Why are pictures of people and pets so often blighted by red eye? It’s because the retina of the eye reflects the flash. The problem is particularly prevalent in compact cameras because the flash and lens are so close.

To reduce the chances of red eye, ask the subject not to look into the lens. Or get in close – that increases the angle at which the light is reflected back, hopefully missing the lens.

Try switching on lamps and lights in the room so that the subject’s pupils contract.

See if your camera has red eye reduction, in which the flash fires twice. The first one shrinks the subject’s pupils before the second one lights the picture.

If all else fails, don’t worry. Many digital cameras now come with software which will remove red eye from pictures, or easier still, Create an account with Truprint, and a after you have uploaded your photographs, you can use the fixing and enhancing tools. Not only will these eliminate red eye at the click of a mouse, but they will also allow you to lighten photos that are too dark, improve the colours, add a border and more. All for free!

Share the moment

The best thing about digital photography? Everyone can instantly enjoy the results.

As soon as you take the picture you can see it. And within a few minutes so can your mum in Brum, your niece in Greece and your nana in Havana.

It’s so simple. Once you’ve uploaded your photos onto your Truprint page send a link via the website to all your friends and family, and they can view them too. And it costs a big fat nothing!

It’s a gift

Computers are great, but there’s nothing nicer than getting a set of high quality prints. That’s easy with Truprint, and as prices start at 9p a print sending a set to friends and family won’t break the bank.

If you are looking for a unique gift that will be treasured forever, Truprint has the answer too. They can turn your favourite pictures into mugs or mousemats, cards or clothes, jigsaw puzzles, calendars and more. Just sign up today for free with the form at the top of this page, and get 40 free prints too!