Getting the Most from your Point-Shoot-Camera

This is the first in a series of articles. We’re going to talk about getting to know your cameras! First, we’ll focus on the 35mm Point-and-Shoot variety. Many people have a small film camera in the home. For some people, it’s their only camera, for others it’s only used occasionally. Smaller, simpler and usually cheaper, the Point-and-Shoot camera is a convenient tool for photographers.

The Point-and-Shoot camera comes in a variety of sizes and price ranges. Pictured are two very simple examples. The least expensive being of the “disposable” or “one-time-use” variety. On the other end of the price range, you’ll find cameras “loaded” with options. Note: Digital cameras and many SLR cameras also act in “automatic” mode (the basis of the Point-and-Shoot). They will be discussed in future articles.

The Point-and-Shoot camera offers a number of advantages!

• The small size makes them convenient to tuck in a bag or purse, making them handy to always have at your fingertips

• The price tag is usually easy on the budget!

• They are “automatic” which allows the user an almost fool-proof method of picture-taking.

• They are convenient for children, teens and adults of all ages to use

Point-and-Shoot photography also has it’s disadvantages!

• Cheaper models may have a plastic lens rather than glass. Some glass lenses can also be low in quality. Be a savvy consumer if you are in the buying market. You can get a good camera with a good quality glass lens for a very reasonable price.

• Since all or most of the functions are automatic, the photographer will have much less creative control than the user of a camera with manual or semi-manual options.

• Quite often the image recorded through the lens of your camera is less than viewed through the viewfinder; it may be as much as 20%. Be careful that you don’t cut off a person’s head or something else important in your composition.

In my example, I have two photos I took with my older Point-and-Shoot camera. I hadn’t used it in years, but my other camera had was no longer working. I forgot that a portion of the photo would be cut off compared to what I was viewing. The results were horrifying! All of my close-up shots of my son on his first birthday had part of his head or his body missing. I did the best I could when creating the Layout, by cropping them square and putting them on the right edge, but I would have been happier if I had gotten pictures with all of him in the photo!

In comparing the Point-and-Shoot cameras available in today’s market, I’ve compiled a short list explaining some of the options that are commonly offered.

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LENS TYPE - Typically you’ll find one of two options: Fixed Focus or Zoom. My old Canon shown above actually has two fixed focal lengths. The camera I purchased after that one had a continual zoom. With a fixed focus lens, you’ll need to physically move closer or farther from your subject to frame it in your viewfinder as you desire. With a zoom, you can stand still and bring your subject “closer” or “farther” from you by changing the length of the lens.

FLASH OPTIONS - These days most Point-and-Shoot cameras have a flash built into it. Even the “disposable” cameras have flash! As you increase the price you’ll start seeing options like Red Eye reduction, fill-in flash and night flash. If you can afford it, I highly recommend having fill-flash and night flash!

OTHER OPTIONS - Some higher priced cameras come equipped with pre-programmed mode settings. Portrait, Landscape, Night and Sports are some of the common settings. One of my cameras had all of these options. This photo of my daughter by the water was shot using Portrait mode. Portrait mode changed the size of the lens opening so that only a small area was in focus and the background was blurred.

So, how do you get good photos with a Point-and-Shoot camera? First, make sure you have a camera with a high quality lens as mentioned before. Then make sure you are holding the camera correctly.

Take a look at the examples of a correct way to hold a small camera and the wrong way. Small cameras are actually fairly difficult to hold. Be careful that you aren’t covering the flash or other sensors on the front of the camera. The sensors help with focus and flash. It’s also important that you brace the camera against your face and keep your elbows down. That will eliminate most camera shake. I think this basic lesson is often neglected.

Run a practice roll of film through your camera and learn how much will be “cut off” in the actual print compared to what you see in the viewfinder. Practice filling the frame with your subject, eliminating the distractions in the background (or even the foreground!) Don’t be afraid to use flash either. You’re just as likely to need a flash indoors as you are outdoors on a sunny day. Remember that the bright sun will also cause deep shadows to any area it doesn’t reach. Often those areas are the under-eye area or even an entire face!

Point-and-Shoot photography has completely changed the world of personal photos. Keep yours handy and I’m sure you’ll get some once-in-a-lifetime shots.

Coming soon: “Getting the Most from your Digital Camera” and “Getting the Most from your SLR”!

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Karen Thaemert

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