by Demetrew Wilfredo Flores

Created on: July 05, 2009   Last Updated: July 06, 2009

Does it require costly cameras to be able to take photos professionally? If you have the budget to buy the highest resolution digital camera in the world, would you pay the price knowing that it will be superseded by new models with twice the resolution and features in a year's time? With an average digital camera costing as little as $120, nowadays, you could have a Sony DSCW120 with 7.2 effective megapixels resolution (or any brand within that range) and that for me is enough equipment to come up with extraordinary shots. Just follow these tips for a start.

Camera Settings - Just remember to charge the battery to assure the optimum performance of the camera. Then set the basic settings on the menu;

a. ISO - refers to the sensitivity of image sensors to the light available, in digital cameras, the higher the ISO, the better it is to use the camera in low light conditions without flash. ISO settings could be set from Auto, 100,200,400,800,1000 depending upon the manufacturer's provided options on its models. If you are confused, just hit auto, as for me on an average bright day, I use 200. b. Mode Selection - There should be a selector button with a choice of options from Auto Adjustment, Program Auto, Movie, Snow, Beach, Landscape, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, etc depending upon the options provided by the manufacturer. If you are lazy about reading the operating manual, you could either use Auto Adjustment or Program Auto. c. Flash Settings - You can set flash to auto to lessen your load. d. Picture Resolution - Options could be provided from Standard to Fine. Remember the clearer the image the higher memory it will take from your memory card thereby minimizing the number of shots that could be taken. But if your camera is loaded with a 1 GB memory card, you might as well set it to maximum/ finest settings available.

Handling - camera handling is essential. You wouldn't want your digital camera to be easily damaged as a result of miscarriage so take note of this.

Securing your camera - Present digital cameras come with a safety strap. It could be a long one which you could hang on your neck or just a short one which you could wear on your wrist. If you are right handed, wear the strap around your wrist in such a way where you could take shots while the strap is around it. If the strap is long enough to reach your neck, do the same. The logic is that you may slip while taking the best position to nail your subject, if it does, the camera

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