S30

[Frederick Gunning]

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, I should be getting it next week in the mail. My question is, what is the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ? Is there anyone thing I should know to avoid a bad pic ? Thanks, Fred

 

[steve greenberg]

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, I
should be getting it next week in the mail. My question is, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ? Is
there anyone thing I should know to avoid a bad pic ? Thanks, Fred

turn camera on

 

[Paige87621]

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ?

turn camera on

Well, at least we know Steven has a sense of humor...

I assume Fred that you are new to photography? If I am correct my suggestion would be to first learn alot about aperature, shutter speed, bracketing and white balance. A good site I've found for beginners is

http://www.photographytips.com

I use a Canon S40 (virtually the same camera) and I would also recommend downloading the users manual from the Canon USA website prior to receiving the camera.

GOOD LUCK!!!
Paige

 

[Frederick Gunning]

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, I
should be getting it next week in the mail. My question is, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ? Is
there anyone thing I should know to avoid a bad pic ? Thanks, Fred

turn camera on

Thanks Steve for the great advice, but your wrong. The first thing I have to do is take it out of the box.

 

[Frederick Gunning]

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ?

turn camera on

Well, at least we know Steven has a sense of humor...

I assume Fred that you are new to photography? If I am correct my
suggestion would be to first learn alot about aperature, shutter
speed, bracketing and white balance. A good site I've found for
beginners is

http://www.photographytips.com

I use a Canon S40 (virtually the same camera) and I would also
recommend downloading the users manual from the Canon USA website
prior to receiving the camera.

GOOD LUCK!!!
Paige

Thanks for the advice Paige. I'm the kind of guy who over the years has had a point and shoot camera. Nothing like this. I just bought a new computer and we are going to Hawaii in 2 weeks so I was just curious as to not to make any big mistakes. I'll download the manual and check out the site.-Fred

 

[[Shizo]]

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, I
should be getting it next week in the mail. My question is, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ? Is
there anyone thing I should know to avoid a bad pic ? Thanks, Fred

Hmm.. One thing you should do is adjust to the camera. And it would be really beneficial if you learned what each setting does in half-manual modes.

But if you dont have time to learn it, the pre-set modes (Portrait, Night, Sport, etc) will work fine also.

But!! Here is a good tip for S-30 - try to focus on VERTICAL lines. So if there are mostly horizontal lines in the picture, flip your camera 90 deg., focus, and flip it back to take the picture.

This i learned from this forums - very helpful to get the best focus faster.

 

[James_with_C_5050]

you are probably wrong, too. The first thing you have to do is take the camera box out of the mail/delivery box.

James

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, I
should be getting it next week in the mail. My question is, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ? Is
there anyone thing I should know to avoid a bad pic ? Thanks, Fred

turn camera on

Thanks Steve for the great advice, but your wrong. The first thing
I have to do is take it out of the box.

 

[Beeeil]

Ok after you take it out of the box of the box and turn it on... here are some of the things I found most helpful for new photographers on s30:

• Put a screen protector on your LCD (I cut a small piece from my PocketPC screen protector). As careful as I was with mine, it was scratched up in less than a week
• Shoot in P instead of Auto, you'll have more control (read the manual)
• Learn to use the rocker switch (it's frustrating at first, but I make almost no mistake on it now)
• Learn to check ISO quickly so you can take indoor shots w/o flash
• Experiment with flash because the subject can easily be overexposed if the subject is too close (less forgiving on s30 for some reason)
• Learn to turn on/off the flash quickly (to turn off: 4 button-presses from auto flash, to turn on: 1 button-press from flash off)
• Learn about white balances if your indoor pictures looks too yellow

Beeeil

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, I
should be getting it next week in the mail. My question is, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ? Is
there anyone thing I should know to avoid a bad pic ? Thanks, Fred

 

[Nancy81188]

I'd have to say to remember to check the white balance. Then take a look at the metering mode icon and decide what you'll do about flash.

In either Aperture or Shutter-priority, you'll note that the opposite exposure variable will appear in RED if the image will end up underexposed.

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, I
should be getting it next week in the mail. My question is, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ? Is
there anyone thing I should know to avoid a bad pic ? Thanks, Fred

 

[Jimmer]

My first general recommendation to anyone who asks how to improve their photography is simply: "get closer to your subject". I can't believe how many snaps people take where the "subject" is 1/4 or less than the frame.

Second, since it's digital - take lots of pictures and get lots of practice.

.... Jim

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ?

 

[DreBit]

Going to Hawaii? Put some silica packs in your camera bag. Remember, cameras (all cameras) don't like moisture. Moving from a cool (air conditioned) building to outside may cause moisture buildup inside the camera.

Get a good case with a zippered closure to attach to your belt.

Read the manual many times.

Before you leave for your trip....Practice, Practice, Practice!

Show your spouse ( if one exists) how to use the camera, this way you'll be in a few pix.

Get a lot of memory storage (digital film).

Get an extra battery. (don't forget to bring the charger)

HAVE FUN!
etc...etc...etc

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, I
should be getting it next week in the mail. My question is, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ? Is
there anyone thing I should know to avoid a bad pic ? Thanks, Fred

--DSC-F707Gallery : http://www.pbase.com/dre/galleries

 

[UncleFR]

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, I
should be getting it next week in the mail. My question is, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ? Is
there anyone thing I should know to avoid a bad pic ? Thanks, Fred

One of the neatest things about digital photography is that you get instant feed back by putting your camera in "review" mode. Shoot a ton of pictures and see what works. Use the connector Canon supplies and view your pics on TV for detailed inspection.

Here's one hint. Just as in film photography, it's critical to hold your camera steady. Digital cameras are slow to lock in focus on the subject, so you need to hold the shutter button down half way until you get the READY signal. Only then are you ready to acquire an image. --Uncle Frank (a happy S110 owner) http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/favorites

 

[kickback]

I bought a Canon S30 today and it's my first digital camera, I
should be getting it next week in the mail. My question is, what is
the most important thing I should do eveytime I take a picture ? Is
there anyone thing I should know to avoid a bad pic ? Thanks, Fred

One of the neatest things about digital photography is that you get
instant feed back by putting your camera in "review" mode. Shoot a
ton of pictures and see what works. Use the connector Canon
supplies and view your pics on TV for detailed inspection.

Here's one hint. Just as in film photography, it's critical to
hold your camera steady. Digital cameras are slow to lock in focus
on the subject, so you need to hold the shutter button down half
way until you get the READY signal. Only then are you ready to
acquire an image.

I have had an S30 for 3 months. Read the manual, shoot some pics, then reread the manual. Get a big CF card 128mB and a spare battery. I agree that pgm mode is very useful but if you don't have time to learn, use auto.

Have fun!

Bill

--
Uncle Frank (a happy S110 owner)
http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/favorites