[at-l] Shopping for a new digital camera

[ellen at clinic.net (ellen)]

> > I don't actually recognize a need to grow in skill.  I don't *want* 
> to 
> > be a Photographer."

The basic skills for a point and shoot camera are really easy to learn -- and basically commonsense -- so really there is nothing to learn. 

Rule 1 is to hold your camera so it doesn't shake and blur when you are taking a picture. How? if you don't want to bother with a tripod or mono pod, just keep your elbows firmly against your chest and stomach, and use a convenient tree or structure to lean against, if such is available.

Rule 2, frame your photos, especially landscapes, with a tree branch, big foreground rock or anything that helps the viewer focus attention on the scene you are showing.

Rule 3, think variety. Snap photos of interesting closeups -- a hikers face, trailside flowers, fascinating bugs, moss formation, anything.

Rule 4, if it's boring to you, it will be boring to others. Learn to show others only those photos you genuinely like.

Keep these things in mind and your photos will improve overtime as you learn to "see" a photo.

We all show our photos from time to time to others. Politeness means they have to look. Politeness requires we who take pictures at least try to be better before imposing our photos on others.

Weary