If you’ve made the move from a regular film camera to digital recently, you’ll already be aware that many of your initial images (which seemed perfect in the preview screen) will be unsatisfactory for printing. A good all-round digital camera will be a sensitive and responsive piece of equipment, and we have to be aware of the huge range of variable parameters open to the expert, while still being able to get good results while we are learning.

In fact, many digital cameras are easier to use than film cameras due to their pre-sets. Almost all hand-held digicams have these, and in a sense they cut the corners where you would usually be finding the right F-notch and controlling shutter speed, which are some of the parameters we’ve spoken about before.

Let’s take the portrait, for example. We can simply click our way around to the portrait setting (almost universally a stylized face) on the selector dial, and we’ve got a reduced depth-of-field preset to bring our subject into the centre. With portrait shots, we’re often better handling the lighting ourselves, so as not to get that all-pervading-gleam-look. Try without the flash, if possible. Do a little thinking about background and about the idea behind your photo – is it a formal portrait, or will you have to generate an emotional response? More of this is up to you than it is to the subject, so take some time in preparation first.

For wildlife images and other close work, you’re likely to want to use your camera’s macro function. This is normally a stylized flower symbol and is often separate from the other presets. The reduced aperture (lens diameter) allows for increased depth-of-field, allowing you to get in close on things like insects landed on leaves, minute textures, and the like. You need to be steady with macro images, as the camera has to work that much harder to produce them. With high-activity shots, you’ll want to use your camera’s ‘sport’ preset for high shutter speeds, which will ground your photo and accentuate the motionand a inkjet printer to print off and share your photo.

Printing is often the forgotten element of hobby photography, simply because it’s possible to view your pictures from your PC, upload them to the internet etc., but it’s the final, important part of the magic of photography; a good image isn’t the same thing as a good photograph. A photo-capable printer, a simple USB hub and some high-quality photographic paper can give you the results you need, and make sure you’ll feel excited about printing, framing and enjoying your photographs for many years to come.

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