Close up question and a few more.

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Tom_D

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Tom
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Hi guys,

First of all I'm new to photography so sorry if this question seems really silly.

I started out with just a cheap digital camera (Kodak C182).

The main thing I enjoy doing with it is taking close up shots of things, mainly flowers or anything I can easily find in the garden. The amount of detail they can show is astounding!

Ok so now to my question;

As I understand, when shooting close up objects you should be in macro mode. However, if I'm standing quite far back from the object I'm shooting and use the zoom to get close up to it, should I be in macro mode for this aswell? The reason I ask is because I'm not sure if macro mode is viable when you're standing far back from something but using the zoom to get closer in at it.

Also, when I'm taking a picture and using the digital zoom to get really close up, the image comes out grainy. (I use a tripod). Is this because I need to tweek my ISO settings, or is it just because you lose some quality when in digital zoom?

Many thanks
 
Hi Tom, Welcome to the forum!

In regards to macro mode when far away, I'm not quite so sure. As I understand it Macro mode simple means "up close focusing". So it will depend more on how close you are to the object rather than what zoom you are using. I don't believe there's anything wrong with using it while zooming though.

As far as digital zoom goes, the reason it will be grainy is that it's a "software zoom". What this means is the lens has zoomed in as far as it can go, so "optically" you can't get any better. Next, the digital zoom will effectively keep cropping the image, so you'll keep losing pixel quality the higher the digital zoom is. So there's no real point using it to be honest.

Hope this helps!
 
karmagarda said:
Hi Tom, Welcome to the forum!

In regards to macro mode when far away, I'm not quite so sure. As I understand it Macro mode simple means "up close focusing". So it will depend more on how close you are to the object rather than what zoom you are using. I don't believe there's anything wrong with using it while zooming though.

As far as digital zoom goes, the reason it will be grainy is that it's a "software zoom". What this means is the lens has zoomed in as far as it can go, so "optically" you can't get any better. Next, the digital zoom will effectively keep cropping the image, so you'll keep losing pixel quality the higher the digital zoom is. So there's no real point using it to be honest.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

Many thanks for the reply. I will stay away from digital zoom from now on then!

There seems to be so much to learn about photography, it's more complicated than I thought!

My camera has various different modes, one being manual and one being auto. What would you suggest I use as I can't really notice a difference? Manual seems to focus easier for some strange reason!
 
Unfotunately I'm that well up on the Kodak C182, so not sure what to advise there. What I imagine is happening is that in Auto the camera is trying to "think" a lot more about what settings it needs to use, hence taking a bit longer to do things like focus. For example, most cameras have settings like this:

Sport - Believe this makes sure you have a fast shutter
Night - Slow shutter speed
Macro - up close focus

Just to mention a few. Now, when you put it in auto it is trying to figure out
- should I use the flash?
- what shutter speed should I use?
- If the flash is off should I use a higher iso (iso makes a photo grainier, but allows you to shoot in darker scenarios)

plus more. So it's probably trying to decide all that while also telling the lens to focus. I presume manual mode allows you to decide a lot of the above settings for that camera and that means it can spend all it's attention on other things like focusing etc.

On the other hand, that might be complete rubbish! It's all I can think right now though.
 
Another silly question here. I've just been reading about the The Rule Of Thirds and how it works - Seems simple enough.

However, I can't seem to find the setting on my camera that will bring the 'grid' up so I can manage the The Rule Of Thirds better.

What is the technical term for this 'grid'? I've had a look on my camera settings and it looks like I don't have one. :(
 
Tom_D said:
Another silly question here. I've just been reading about the The Rule Of Thirds and how it works - Seems simple enough.

However, I can't seem to find the setting on my camera that will bring the 'grid' up so I can manage the The Rule Of Thirds better.

What is the technical term for this 'grid'? I've had a look on my camera settings and it looks like I don't have one. :(
Click to expand...


dont worry about not being able to display a grid.

i would say try to use the rule of thirds when applicable but dont be restricted to it as it can kill creativity sometimes. This will depend on what you shoot and how simple or strange/artistic you wish it to appear as long as it is all relevant.

just imagine there is a grid, say on a landscape shot you wouldnt want the sand/sea/sky line right in the middle on the picture, its normally 1/3 of one and 2/3 of the other.

does that make sense? it will soon sink in one you start shooting and post some pics up, you normally get great feedback from here and some times the best way to learn is from your mistakes :-)
 
Robbo said:
dont worry about not being able to display a grid.

i would say try to use the rule of thirds when applicable but dont be restricted to it as it can kill creativity sometimes. This will depend on what you shoot and how simple or strange/artistic you wish it to appear as long as it is all relevant.

just imagine there is a grid, say on a landscape shot you wouldnt want the sand/sea/sky line right in the middle on the picture, its normally 1/3 of one and 2/3 of the other.

does that make sense?
Click to expand...

Yeah that's really clear - Thanks! I would have thought the camera would have had a grid though! Older digital cameras I've used have had them.

Cheers!
 
Tom_D said:
Yeah that's really clear - Thanks! I would have thought the camera would have had a grid though! Older digital cameras I've used have had them.

Cheers!
Click to expand...

you could always get marker pen :naughty: lol
 
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