How many times have you looked at someone else's photographs and wondered why they are so much better than yours are, despite having the same or even better camera The simple fact is that most of the time it's not the camera, but the way it's used that makes for a terrific picture. If you take the time to learn how your camera works to to practice basic photography techniques, you can greatly enhance your digital photography surprisingly quickly. Here are some basic tips to help you get quick improvement in your work.

Understand how your camera operates.

Although almost all cameras come with a "Point and Shoot" or "Auto" mode, when you depend on this to make your settings, you are badly restricting your chances of taking excellent photos. Most cameras have many modes, and by analyzing the shot and choosing the appropriate mode, youll find your photographs will be much improved. Modes most often found are: "Portrait" when taking pictures of people or close objects, use this setting if you wish to keep the subject clear and the background (if it's far off) somewhat blurred; "Action" when shooting fast-moving objects, or in a low-light situation and don't want to use the flash, choose this mode to have the camera pick a fast shutter speed, which will freeze a moving object; "Scenery" ideal for panorama or far-off subjects; "Nighttime" choose this for low-light situations if you have a tripod, since it uses a slow shutter speed to capture the greatest possible light; "Macro" excellent for extreme close-ups, perfect for photographing nature, such as insects or flowers. When you choose the correct mode, the camera can work with you to depict your subject in the most excellent way possible. It may be that you have manual settings available on your camera, but these are for advanced photographers, and beyond the scope of this article.

Take care in how you set up your picture.

By and large, people taking a picture look only at the object in the middle and then are astonished when they look at the picture and see a telephone pole emerging from their mother's head! You can dramatically increase the quality of your photos simply by imagining what the camera is seeing - the entire picture. Are there any ugly wires across the sky, any annoying objects in the background, and if so, try to change the picture to do away with these things. When taking shots of people, try to have them fill most of the frame. Faces are interesting, much more so than whole bodies, generally speaking. Decide what the point of the picture is, and then take the shot with that as your goal. A little care in the setting up stage will be well rewarded.

Carefully choose your camera angle.

In horror films, you may have noticed that when an evil character is filmed, it is often from a lower angle looking up, which alters the subject and makes him look threatening. When taking still photographs, it is a fact that an angled camera will create a distortion, creating a point of view, often not one you intended. Take care that you are even with your subject unless you wish to generate a precise effect. Adjusting your camera angle can have a dramatic improvement on photos of children and animals. By getting down to their level, you correct the unwanted distortion that happens when taking the shot from above. For these subjects, lying on the floor often helps to take better photos.

Try to draw on natural lighting whenever you possibly can.

Use of flash, in particular the standard on-camera flash, lends itself to issues for your photos, in such ways as harsh shadows, color loss, red-eye, and over- and under-exposure. Sometimes you absolutely have to use a flash, as at an indoor gathering where everyone is moving constantly, but overall you will get a better results if you can use natural light, including indoor lighting. You can take eye-catching indoor portraits by setting up lamps around your subject, with one side of the subject more brightly lit than the other, creating soft, interesting shadows. Try different lighting - you'll be amazed at the attractiveness of shots taken like this.

Keep the camera steady.

Not much needs to be said on this point. When the camera moves around while shooting, the resulting photo will be blurry. Squeeze the shutter button rather than push it. When taking shots in low light, use a tripod or find some other way to support the camera.

Shoot tons of pictures.

With the advent of the digital camera, being miserly with your picture-taking doesnt make any sense. There's no film, no processing, and you don't have to print anything you don't like, so go to town and take loads of tries. Professionals always take tons of pictures, aware that each one is at least a tiny bit different, and taking more improves the chance of an exceptional shot. Play around with lighting, angles and composition. If youre taking moving subjects, you should use the "Burst" setting if your camera has one, to take many pictures in quick succession. When the session is over, you'll find you have many more "keepers".

Take batteries and an extra memory card with you.

There's nothing more frustrating than getting ready to take the most important shot of the day, and finding that your battery has just given out. Act like the pros and be prepared. Have an extra charged battery, or a new pack if your camera uses alkaline batteries, and take a spare empty memory card. Someday you'll be glad you did.

The distinction between a snapshot taker and a photographer isnt due as much to the camera, but in the way the camera is employed. Follow the fundamentals described here, and you will be using the techniques of professional photographers - knowing how your camera operates and choosing settings for the proper conditions, carefully composing the shot, taking notice of your camera angle, using flash sparingly and with care, properly supporting the camera, taking many pictures, and being properly equipped.

So, spend a little time getting to know your camera, and go out and practice. Soon you will be taking photographs that you can proudly treasure always.

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