DACS General Meeting
May 4, 2009
Program Review:
Digital Photography

by Richard Corzo

Those who attended May's general meeting were treated to an introductory photography class by Ritz Camera's Gary Spring. Gary had just returned from a trip to Oregon. He teaches photography classes at the Ritz Camera store at Plumtrees Plaza in Danbury.

Gary started by mentioning the three types of digital cameras in the market: digital SLRs with changeable lenses, compact point-and-shoot cameras, and the in-between "bridge" cameras. Digital cameras have improved to the point that some professionals in the industry say that if your camera ex-ceeds 8 megapixels, then you've reached or surpassed conventional film quality.

There are a few things you should have on hand when you go out to take pictures. Bring spare batteries so you don't take a chance of missing a great picture. Depending on your camera memory card size, you may also want to carry a spare memory card. When you load your pictures into your computer, you'll want to create backups of your digital photos.

You'll also want to buy a microfiber cleaning cloth for cleaning the lens. De-spite cleaning the lens, if you notice a grey shadow on all your pictures in the same spot, there is likely dust on the interior sensor, which may have entered when you changed the lens on a digital SLR. You can first try the built-in sensor cleaner available from the menu, which vibrates the sensor to try to shake the dust loose. Eventually you may find that insufficient, in which case you can buy a hurricane blower to do the job.

If you have trouble seeing the viewing screen on the back in the bright sun-light, there are sometimes flip-up shades available.

On digital SLRs and some bridge cameras, you can buy a multicoated UV filter to reduce sun glare in your pictures, as well as protect your lens sur-face from dust or fingerprints. Lens hoods will also keep the sun off your lens.

Gary then opened up the session to questions from the audience. Some-one asked about the difference between a polarizing filter and a UV filter. The circular polarizer filter can be used outdoors to make blue skies really blue and generally reduce glare. It can even reduce glare shooting through glass windows.

Gary recommended buying a case for even your point-and-shoot camera, to protect it from being scratched by putting it in your pocket or purse.

For low light conditions or for cameras without image stabilization, a tripod will allow you to take clear pictures. Even without using a tripod, it's impor-tant to position yourself to minimize camera movement. With feet shoulder width apart keep your elbows tucked to your side and hold the camera close to your body. Be sure to breath in before taking the picture, then breathe out afterward.

For a composition tip, Gary described the rule of thirds. When taking a pic-ture of a subject such as a seagull, rather then centering it, position the subject at one of the intersection points of a three by three grid pattern, This will create a more dynamic picture showing the seagull moving into or out of the space.

I now feel better armed for my next picture taking session, and want to thank Gary for an informative presentation. If you missed the meeting, you can sign up for photography classes at the Ritz Camera store for a reason-able cost, or free if you purchase your camera there.