How Can I those cool pictures

[sslarison]

I've seen these pictures that all of you guys take and I was convinced that I had to buy a digital camera. Now I'm the owner of a Canon PowerShot S400-4MG.(399.00) I was fiddling with it all night last night and cant seem to get the clear/perfect looking pictures that I see on this sight. Also its probably good to note that I didnt read the directions as thoroghly as I could have. But if you have any tips you can offer please do. Also what do you know about the camera I bought?Thanks.

 

[jandree22]

I can sum it up in one word.... Macro. Look up how to use it and your close ups should astonish you!

another important tool is a tripod. a must-have for crisp non-flash shots :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

Check this link out:
http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=29264

That's some good basic info.

 

[Anonymous]

Yep, I own the same camera.

Make sure you swtich to manual mode, not point and shoot.

Use macro, and center spot metering also, I shoot with the exposure set to -2/3 or -1. That seems to help with the really bright light from the tank.

HTH
B

 

[Len]

I have a S400 (somwhere ). I'll try to find time to shoot around with it and see if there are any specific pointers I can offer. It's a nice camera, but each camera takes a while to get used to its idiosyncracies.

 

[sslarison]

Thanks. that would be awsome Len.
Can you PM me when you do?
Scott

 

[Len]

Well, so far I can affirm bingo's recommendation Auto-mode is a hit-and-miss endeavor. Use manual in macro mode. I do better when I turn off AiAF .... much faster AF. And as Bingo suggests, I dial the EV down 1/3 to -1 because I find the camera tends to meter a little bright for tank shots. It's better to underexpose a little then to overexpose since dark info can be retrieved, but blown highlights has zero info to recover.

I have mixed luck with spot metering and center weighted metering, but this will depend on what kind of shot you're shooting (more specificially, how the area of your shot is lit). Since it's digital, worth experimenting right?

Oh, use the manual white balance to get the right colors. None of the preset WB work well for me, but again this will depend on the color of your lights. Using manual WB is the best way to go.

As Sharkky's link suggests, use a tripod if you can. I find it hard to hold the camera steady enough for sharp shots with this cam (or any cam, for that matter).