Pat's photo tip of the week (first ever really...)

[canoflan]

Shoot like you have film in the camera, not a digital card.

Get really picky about when you shoot.

Sometime the occasion calls for all out 10 frames a second to get the moment; but some of the neophytes to the newly found world of digital slrs is shoot now and ask later.

I simply say get really picky about the quality of your photos.

The pros (i.e. those that make it into the magazines) only show their best stuff. I have gotten extremely picky to the point I won't got out just to go out.

Conditions have to right. Yeah, I generally have either my slr or a p&s on me anytime, but being picky will yield better results because you are thinking and knowing why you want to shoot the scene.

This will help you organize your portraits and other movable objects better.

Lastly, gain the best understanding of light that you can. I see more and more questions about "what is wrong with this shot...," but people have no idea. Yeah, I had no idea at one time, but I was tired of being ignorant of the principles of light and purchased materials to learn. Get a book, DVD, or a live tutor and learn about light.

Trust me, you will enjoy photography so much more knowing some basic principles.

Till then, get picky...

Pat

[Wykyd]

I completely agree except on one point. I shoot as if I'm using film for the basic shot but then I keep shooting. Often it is in those moments I catch the perfect moment. I do mostly outdoor portrait type shoots and it has worked very well for me.

I LOVE your idea of posting hints and I can't wait to see the next addition. :)

[KJ Smith]

I will disagree with a couple of things.

If your shooting 10 fps to get "the moment" you will likely not get it.

Yes, go out just to go out. You never know what you might find.

Practice,practice,practice


Kevin

[Daniel Bates]

I shoot a lot more than I display. If I see something that catches my eye, I'll take a picture - or three - and see what it looks like on the laptop back home.

I'm a fan of the Photo A Day concept - go out and find something to shoot at least once a day if possible. After the obvious photos are exhausted, you start honing your creative 'eye' by looking for ways to make interesting images out of ordinary situations.

[Supermanny]

When I first started shooting digital, I shot as if I was shooting film. Except I pretended I was using an EOS 1-V.