This camera will deliver some fine photos, with a decent 4.2 megapixels and a handy 3x optical zoom. Best of all, this is a very simple camera to use.
2. Fuji Finepix 3100
This camera features 4 megapixels and a strong 6x optical zoom. What's nice about this camera is that it looks and feels a lot like a film camera.
3. Canon Powershot S410
This is a compact and stylish camera that delivers all the basics quite well. It has everything an average person with everyday use would need. Its four megapixels capture nice images. The lens range is the equivalent of a 36-108 mm on a 35-mm camera.
4. Olympus Stylus 410
A good basic camera with a few extra perks: the LCD screen's quality is astounding and it can take a little more of a beating with its durable, all-weather design (but don't dunk it in the pool!). It records QuickTime and mpeg movies. Basically easy to use, the menu is a bit hard to navigate at first.
5. Kodak EasyShare CX7330
The Kodak Easyshare CX7330 3.1 megapixel camera that delivers oversized 11x14 prints and a 10x combined zoom. This is a decent point-and-shoot. You won't find any fancy features, but for the basic user, it will do the job well.
~ Hold your camera at the subject's eye level to capture the power of those magnetic gazes and mesmerising smiles. ~ For kids and pets that means getting down on their level to take the picture. ~ They don't have to look directly into the camera, the eye level angle by itself will create a personal and inviting feeling.
2. Use a plain background
~ Before taking a picture, check the area behind your subject. ~ Lookout for trees or poles sprouting from your subject's head. ~ A cluttered background will be distracting while a plain background will emphasize your subject.
3. Use flash outdoors
~ Even outdoors, use the fill flash setting on the camera to imrove your pictures. ~ Use it in bright sunlight to lighten dark shadows under the eyes and nose, especially when the sun is directly overhead or behind your subject. ~ Use it on cloudy days, to brighten up faces and make them stand out from the background.
4. Move in close
~ To create impactful pictures, move in close and fill your picture with the subject. ~ Move a few steps closer or use the zoom until the subject fills the viewfinder. You will eliminate background distractions and show off the details in your subjext. ~ For small obhects, use the camera's macro or ' flower' mode to get sharp close-ups.
5. Take some vertical pictures
~ Many subjects look better in a vertical picture - from the Eiffel Tower to portraits of your friends. ~ Make a conscious effort to turn your camera sideways and take some verticle pictures.
6. Lock the focus
~ Lock the focus to create a sharp picture of off-center subjects: a) Center the subject b) Press the shutter button half way down c) Re-frame your picture (while still holding the shutter button) d) Finish by pressing the shutter button all the way
7. Move it from the middle
~ Bring your picture to life simply by placing your subject off-center. ~ Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid in your viewfinder. Now place your subject at one of the intersections of lines. ~ Since most cameras focus on whatever's in the middle, remember to lock the focus on your subject before re-framing the shot.
8. Know your flash's range
~ Pictures taken beyond the maximum flash range will be too dark. ~ For many cameras that's only ten feet about four steps away. Check your manual to be sure. ~ If the subject is further than ten feet from the camera, the picture may be too dark.
9. Watch the light
~ Great light makes great pictures. Study the effects of light in your pictures. ~ For people pictures, choose the soft lighting of cloudy days. Avoid overhead sunlight that casts harsh shadows across faces. ~ For scenic pictures, use the long shadows and colour of early and late daylight.
10. Be a picture director
~ Take an extra minute and become a picture director, not just a passive picture-taker. ~ Add some props, rearrange your subjects, or try a different viewpoint. ~ Bring your subjects together and let their personalitties shine. then watch your pictures dramatically improve.
