re: Photo Challenge #1 Drop Off

Okay for some reason, on my camera I can never get a good focus up close. this has always been a problem, and I can't figure out how to fix it! I have just a regular digital camera. I've tried shooting with all different flashes, no flash, different settings on the camera, and even on the portrait setting. I can never get a crystal clear focus!

I have a kodak c743. thanks for any tips!

Quoting Jess loves Lukas:“ Okay for some reason, on my camera I can never get a good focus up close. this has always been a problem, ... [snip!] ... camera, and even on the portrait setting. I can never get a crystal clear focus! I have a kodak c743. thanks for any tips!”

I have a Kodak C813. Usually, it takes it a few seconds to fully focus. If I just barely press the button (like really lightly) it will start beeping and you can see it auto focusing in the viewing window. Once it's focused, a green box is displayed on the screen where it is focusing to. Then I push the button down the rest of the way and it takes the pic.

Hope that helps.  

Quoting mommybrain(OSA):“ I have a Kodak C813. Usually, it takes it a few seconds to fully focus. If I just barely press the button ... [snip!] ... the screen where it is focusing to. Then I push the button down the rest of the way and it takes the pic. Hope that helps.  ”

that's what im doing already, i know what youre talking about. i'll keep trying, i guess normally i just get frustrated and give up lol. but now i can challenge myself to really figure out the best setting.

Quoting Jess loves Lukas:“ that's what im doing already, i know what youre talking about. i'll keep trying, i guess normally i ... [snip!] ... i guess normally i just get frustrated and give up lol. but now i can challenge myself to really figure out the best setting.”

Are you using auto? I usually use one of the settings from the SCN option on the dial.

Quoting mommybrain(OSA):“ Are you using auto? I usually use one of the settings from the SCN option on the dial.”

sometimes i use auto, sometimes i use the scn. im going to try working more with the scn for this. the portrait setting is almost useless i think. it doesn't focus worth a crap for me!

Quoting Jess loves Lukas:“ sometimes i use auto, sometimes i use the scn. im going to try working more with the scn for this. the portrait setting is almost useless i think. it doesn't focus worth a crap for me!”

Trying using P mode. For now set White Balance to Auto, Set ISO at 100, Set Flash to Negative (the minus sign), Record Mode to Burst, Quality to Fine, Metering set to Spot, Color Mode to Normal or Vivid/Rich, Sharpness to it's highest setting, Make sure flash is on Auto. Try these settings- especially outdoors if you can. Burst mode is good because you will take many shots of the same pic- increasing your chances of one shot being all the way in focus. When I have moving subjects I love shooting in Burst mode.

Do this and then pull up your results on your pc and see what you did. Color- too saturated? Tinker with color mode. Photo to noisy? Tinker with ISO and make sure there is plenty of light. When the flash went off was it too dim? Kick the flash back to normal? Then is too bright or too dim? Too dim? Move the flash setting up.

Hope this helps. I find I often get better shots shooting in P mode on my point and shoot.

Quoting Jess loves Lukas:“ sometimes i use auto, sometimes i use the scn. im going to try working more with the scn for this. the portrait setting is almost useless i think. it doesn't focus worth a crap for me!”

I don't use Portrait setting ever, personally. All it really does is soften sharpness and colors. I'd prefer to get a perfectly sharp, in focus, perfect exposured picture and then if I want to soften colors or focus for a portait effect- do it with editing software.

Quoting NikonGirl:“ Trying using P mode. For now set White Balance to Auto, Set ISO at 100, Set Flash to Negative (the ... [snip!] ... dim? Move the flash setting up. Hope this helps. I find I often get better shots shooting in P mode on my point and shoot.”

lol This is like reading Latin to me!   What kind is your p&s? I don't have a P setting on my Kodak.

Quoting mommybrain(OSA):“ lol This is like reading Latin to me!   What kind is your p&s? I don't have a P setting on my Kodak.”

Really??? Wow! My crappy Sony does. I just assumed they all did these days! I get much better results using P mode. Aka Program mode. What do the dial settings say on your camera?

Quoting NikonGirl:“ Really??? Wow! My crappy Sony does. I just assumed they all did these days! I get much better results using P mode. Aka Program mode. What do the dial settings say on your camera?”

Auto, Image Stabilization, Close Up, and SCN. Under the SCN setting it has the choices of: High ISO, Portrait, Sport, Landscape, Night Portrait, Night Landscape, Snow, Beach, Text, Fireworks, Flower, Manner/Museum, Self Portrait, Children, Backlight, and Sunset. I use the Children, Landscape, and High ISO settings most, depending on what I am taking a picture of. I don't like the portrait setting at all.

One thing I realized I want more than anything is to have a camera that actually takes a picture like what I am seeing on the viewing screen. I had some awesome shots I could have taken of my son this morning, but my camera screws them all up.  

Quoting mommybrain(OSA):“ Auto, Image Stabilization, Close Up, and SCN. Under the SCN setting it has the choices of: High ISO, ... [snip!] ... on the viewing screen. I had some awesome shots I could have taken of my son this morning, but my camera screws them all up.  ”

Under image stabilization - if you set it to that an THEN go to menu- what do you see? Does it offer you choices for color, white balance, flash, ISO settings, etc....If you don't have any way to program ISO, color, sharpness, flash- I would be frustrated at the lack of control the photographer gets.

Quoting NikonGirl:“ Under image stabilization - if you set it to that an THEN go to menu- what do you see? Does it offer ... [snip!] ... don't have any way to program ISO, color, sharpness, flash- I would be frustrated at the lack of control the photographer gets.”

Nope, no other options. Under the Auto setting I can change the white balance some, but that's it. It is frustrating! That is one of the primary reasons I want an SLR simply because I can control everything.

I was able to get some good shots this morning. I'm in the process of uploading, and I will post them in a minute. I took these for the challenge, but I 100% plan on taking MANY more shots over the weekend.

Quoting mommybrain(OSA):“ Nope, no other options. Under the Auto setting I can change the white balance some, but that's it. It ... [snip!] ... and I will post them in a minute. I took these for the challenge, but I 100% plan on taking MANY more shots over the weekend.”

Hmm! Even if you get another P&S they still let you have more control. Maybe it's a Kodak thing? Canons are realllllly good for P&Ss and priced NICELY. You get great pictures and tons of control over setting. The lack on control you have is not how all P&Ss are if this makes you feel better? Although dSLRs are getting so good in price that you can get one with a lens for about $600. But if you have $150 to throw down- a Canon P&S won't steer you wrong!

Quoting NikonGirl:“ Hmm! Even if you get another P&S they still let you have more control. Maybe it's a Kodak thing? ... [snip!] ... that you can get one with a lens for about $600. But if you have $150 to throw down- a Canon P&S won't steer you wrong!”

I have no problems with my p&s for everyday snapshots, it's just not great when I'm wanting to take more "artistic" shots or those that I would like to enlarge and frame. If I'm going to spend the money, I'd rather get a DSLR. Plus, I'd love to actually learn the art of photography and I don't feel I could fully do that with a p&s. But thanks for the advice!

Double post