Background

So my tip for tonight is always pay attention to your background not just your main subject. It's easy to get tunnel vision and only see your main object but make sure to take a step back and look at what's behind that object. A cluttered background will draw attention away from your main focus. Sometimes all it takes is a step to one side or the other to make a good shot a great one.

Early Bloomer

Taken with: Canon PowerShot SD550
Date taken: 7 Oct 2007
Place: Huron River between Gallup Park and Parker Mill

Can anyone comment on whether they prefer the vertical or horizontal shot? I'm leaning toward the vertical shot, which seems cleaner and more focused on the tree, which is what I wanted to capture. I love the way the colors are both summer and fall.

Changing

Location: Huron Dexter Metro Park
Time: 11:00 today
Camera: Canon Digital Rebel XTi

Point and shoot camera

In organizing this photography group one of the most common things I heard is well I don't have a nice camera like you do. Yes I have a great camera with lots of options but I still love my point and shoot. There are times I would rather have a point and shoot than the big camera to be honest and as long as you know your camera you can always get great shots. Photos are about the photographer not the camera. So this week I did a little research to find out just what are the things that make a point and shoot camera so great. First of all your average point and shoot these days have about the same or in some cases better lens capabilities as most of Digital SLRs if you get the kit lens. So keeping that in mind the point and shoot is small enough to fit in your pocket so it's not a big deal to take it everywhere with you. I do take my big camera just about everywhere with me but it gets in the way at time and it does get heavy on a hike. Point and shoots actually have a better fill flash. Fill flash is a flash technique used to brighten deep shadow areas, typically outdoors on sunny days. Point and shoots general have less options which is both good and bad, yes it means you can't do as many things but umm it also mean you have less things you have to worry about and can just focus on taking the picture. Some point and shoots even come with picture modes SLRs do not have. SLRs do not have a live LCD display. A live LCD display means you can take pictures around corners a little easier or shots above a crowd and have an idea if you actually are getting a picture of what you wanted.

So the moral of what I'm trying to say here. Love your camera. If you take the time to get to know how it works you can get great pictures.

The following pictures were taken with my own point and shoot on vacation in AZ...one place I would rather take my point and shoot is on vacation so much easier to carry with all the baggage and two screaming kids.

Sample Post

Camera used: Canon Digital Rebel
Location: Dexter Huron Park on October 27 2005

October's Theme

Fall is one of the most photogenic seasons of the year so it seems only natural that our first theme be fall colors. Take your camera with you on a walk or capture your children playing at the park. Life is full of wonderful moments if we take the time to capture them.