Photography Tips and Tricks

It is important to use the correct film, when taking pictures, so that you can get the clearest pictures possible. This is easy once you understand how film speed works.

What is Film Speed?

You may have seen a three digit number on film packaging and wondered what that was all about. Well, the number stands for the film’s speed, or, the measurement of how sensitive the film is to light. This is important because the longer it takes a camera to collect light for the film, the longer it takes the camera to take the picture. The longer the camera takes to gather light determines how clear you photograph will be.

Buying Film

So how do you determine how fast film is before buying it?

To find the speed of film, on the package of film it will say a number followed by ASA or ISO to indicate the film’s speed. The lower the number of the film, the longer it takes your camera to take the picture and the lower the speed of film, the more light you will have in your photo. For example, the package may say 800 ISO or 800 ASA.  This is a fast film because it has a larger number.

Speed Uses

Different speeds are used for different lighting situations and different movment.

200 ASA/ISO is great for taking shots where there is lots of light. Pictures can be grainy if the light is not really bright. The pictures will also be very blurry unless you use a tripod.

400 ASA/ISO film is one that can be your go-to film. If you are not sure of what kind of shots you may run into it is best to load 400 speed film. It is good for most situations, including those with movement, sun and lower light.

If you are taking indoor shots, such as a school play or a basketball game, you may want to choose a 800 ASA/ISO speed film. This is a pretty fast film that is best used in darker places with a flash.

Photographing small objects can be an art form. The photographer takes a tiny object most people never notice and make it seem larger than life. Flowers, bugs, pebbles and blades of grass have all been the subjects of professional photographer’s images.

Without using special techniques, though, an image can end up fuzzy or confusing. These tips will help you get the best pictures without losing focus.

Lens

If you are using an SLR camera you will need a special attachment for your camera.  A macro lens lets you get very close to an object without losing focus.  Many 28-300 mm lenses have a macro lens built in, so if you have one make sure to see if it has a macro included. This can be found on its product information guide.

Settings

On a digital camera you will have a macro setting built in. To get to it, set your camera to manual, and then press the button with the flower next to it. A flower should pop up on your LCD screen when in macro mode. This mode does the same thing as a macro lens on a SLR camera.

Lighting

Always make sure that your subject is well lit so that detail will show up in the image easily. Watch out for shadows. Since you are so close to the object it is possible that your body will be the biggest shadow. Position your body so that it is not in the way of the light source.

Composition

Keep in mind that macro shots should be very simple. Try to focus on only one object to keep the image from looking too busy. Usually, the object should be centered within your view finder for the best results.

With some practice, and these tips, you will be able to take macro shots like a pro in no time!