Exposure: Using a Point and Shoot

If you own a point and shoot instead of an SLR, don't worry, I still have tips for you too! A point and shoot camera has all the settings decided by the camera, but that does not mean that you have to be stuck with a bad picture of the camera's "brain" doesn't make the right decisions.

FOCUS. The lens will generally autofocus on either the largest subject or the closest subject in that it sees. If the subject that you want is blurry and another image is sharp, try moving a small amount to help the camera see your idea. Subtle changes, sometimes even just inches in any direction, can help a camera refocus on the correct item. Read your camera manual to figure out exactly how your specific model focuses and that will help you understand why it picks what it picks.

EXPOSURE. In my opinion, the greatest downfall of point and shoot cameras if the lack of control over exposure. Using the subject in front of a window example again (because it is a very common problem), there are methods to fool your camera into the correct exposure. Remember that a camera is designed to set up for the brightest spot in the shot. (Newer cameras have a matrix that helps alleviate this problem--they combine the data from several spots in the field to make the photo better.) One of the simplest, but not best, fixes is to turn on the flash. This will somewhat combat the light entering from the window. Of course you can always move your subjects, but that's not always possible. Step closer to your subject so that their clothing/face fills most of the frame, and the sunlight does not. Depress the shutter release halfway, which will tell the camera to gather its information. Keeping the shutter halfway depressed, step back and reframe your shot before pressing the release all the way down to actually capture the photograph. You have effectively just fooled the camera into doing what you want it to!

Again, have fun and experiment. Point and shoot cameras were designed to make your life easier. With a little bit of practice they can be your best friend.

This is a great little camera. Fast reactions, clear images. I've used several in the Canon elph series, starting with their APS format and have always loved them. Link from Amazon.