PICTURE TAKING

DIGITAL SNAPSHOTS

By PETER WEINBERGER

Not getting close enough to the subject, and heavy use of a wide-angle lens top the list of common mistakes photographers make. The result can be images that lack impact and detail, causing the need for severe cropping.

Using a telephoto lens will make you a better photographer. Getting closer forces you to make a choice of a particular moment, subject or situation. You edit in the camera.

Most digital cameras come with an optical zoom lens that enlarges the image three to four times (3x to 4x). For $200 and up, you can buy a camera with an 8x to 12x zoom that is a strong telephoto lens when extended. Here are some picture-taking guidelines:

Change your perspective. If the subject is small, get on your knee to shoot. For an overall, stand on a chair to better view the scene.

Pre-focus by pressing the shutter release button halfway. Point-and-shoot cameras have an annoying lag time between pressing the button and exposing the image. This technique allows you to capture that special moment with no delay.

Overshoot any situation. The photographer motto "film is cheap" is so true. Don't let a great image get away. It could be priceless. Watch backgrounds. Telephoto lenses compress the image, making backgrounds more prominent. Light-colored objects distract.

Making mistakes, assessing what could have been done better, will only make you more prepared for the next photo taking opportunity. Remember, it’s the photographer behind the camera.