So What Does the Digital Camera Photographer Really Need?

You've got the equipment. You search the surroundings for a perfect backdrop and click. But what happened? The light is dim, the picture not centered, and the focal point questionable.

You try changing a few settings on your digital camera but the result doesn't seem to be improved. I know what you might be thinking? If I only had a better digital camera like the new Canon EOS 7D or Nikon D5000. But would this really make a difference?

Without knowing your exact digital camera specifications I cannot answer 100% but my experience with digital camera photography would suggest that the camera does not make the shot, the photographer does.

So then, how can you become the digital photography master that you crave to be? I recommend a few good tips and a great course to provide a reference to provide all the secret details that the professional photographer knows.

1. Megapixels -Megapixels in at least the 5 to 6mp range provide the best solution for a family digital photographer that may take that perfect shot and want to blow it up. Megapixels higher then 6mp are great but might be over-kill for the usual digital photographer and should not be the most important consideration in a digital camera purchase. Keep in mind that a photographer that takes a blurry image would do so no matter what mega pixel camera he is using. This verifies the importance of learning the functions of your camera and adding photography tips and possibly a photography course. Knowing what to put in the view finder is twice as important as how clearly you can see the non-perfect image.

2. Zoom is another important consideration with digital cameras. First is the optical zoom, which relies on the lens itself to magnify the light coming in so that the image at a distance appears larger and closer in the final image and second is the digital zoom that takes the final image and magnifies it after the fact. With this in mind an optical zoom is much more important than a digital zoom and larger is not always better.

3. There are many tips that a photographer can use to improve the final product but the final tip in this article is for use on outside shots. One of the great hidden features on digital cameras is the fill flash or turning the flash mode 'on'. By being brave enough to take control of the flash your outdoor portraits will be much improved. With flash on mode, the camera exposes for the background first, and then adds just enough flash to illuminate your subjects. Presto! A professional looking picture.

Whether you are a relatively new photographer or the designated family photographer that takes over the snapping at all family events remember that some of the best images are those captured by mistake.

Your only guarantee in capturing those best moments is for the photographer is get to know your tool (the camera) and educate yourself so you will be able to make snap decisions as you capture every moment.