There are a number of various topics I really enjoy writing for and my current favourite topic is actually a site that discusses various audience response system but I also have a passion for digital cameras, and here I am sharing some of my top tips for how to buy them.

You want a fabulous digital SLR camera. Ok, but you’re stumped as to how to make a good decision, or how to evaluate them? Quite simply stated, an SLR camera gives you more; you can do more as a photographer; and your photographs will be of higher quality. Yet with so many models on the market, it can be confusing to know which one to buy. Today, you’re in luck because we’re going to lay down a few time-tested pointers and tips so you can smartly shop for a terrific digital SLR camera.

First, do you think you’ll have an interest to take videos in addition to photos? Well, digital SLR cameras will do that for you and much more depending on options and features. It hasn’t been that long, but there was a time when you had to use a separate camcorder for shooting video. Have you ever heard of movie mode with cameras? If not, they’re found on the better cameras. You can improve the sound quality with some cameras because they come with jacks for external microphones. You have to keep in mind that these are still cameras, and not designed for someone looking to shoot a feature film, but the ability to make simple videos is a great feature you may want to look for when you go shopping for digital SLR cameras.

If you want image stabilization, then you can get that on SLR cameras but apparently not all have that feature. The advantage of image stabilization is that it helps to produce sharper pictures in case you’ve had too much coffee, as an example. It really all depends on where you’ll be taking pictures because image stabilization isn’t on all SLR’s, so you have to assess your needs. No worries if you’re not photography savvy because there are a lot of features that work automatically, and you’ll be able to take great shots.

When shopping for digital SLR cameras, you can learn a lot by checking out online review sites. You will find ratings for the different cameras available and a variety of honest experiences other people have had. You can learn how well different features on cameras perform, if a high priced camera is really worth the extra money, or if a lower priced model is actually a bargain. You’ll want to trust those review forums that offer alot of reviews instead of just one or two.

The digital SLR camera has its unique qualities, but you really do need to know what you need in a camera. You will be best to align your needs with what the particular camera does. The tips for choosing digital SLR cameras covered above can help you to make the right choice.

When I bought my first digital camera, complete with its little viewing screen, people would invariably ask, “Can I see the photo?” Children would ask me to take their picture, and then run over and ask to see it, then go back and ask me to take another!

It’s great to have all that excitement, but were my pictures actually the best they could be?

Here are 7 tips that I have learned that have improved the quality of my photos.

1. Use the high resolution setting. At the start, I had the resolution set to medium. That way I was able to take hundreds of pictures before having to download the memory card to my computer’s hard disk. That was fine for viewing on screen, but then one day I wanted to do an 8×10 paper version, and the results were disappointing. Now I always use the highest resolution my cameras can provide. I have had to spend some money on more memory cards, but it was worth it.

2. Use a Tripod. Even the slightest movement of the camera can create a blurry image. Invest in a tripod. I have also found that when taking photos of groups, I am better able to judge when to “click” if I am looking directly at the group, rather than through the view finder. Line up the shot while the camera is on the tripod, and then look at them while clicking the shutter.

3. Buy a Good Photo-Editing Program. Perhaps your camera came with Photoshop Elements, or similar. If not, go to your computer retailer and buy one. Not only can you fix blemishes (maybe Susan was having a bad zit day), but you can do more creative things as well. Recently I combined a photo of my grand-daughter with one of Dora-the-Explorer. Jasmine loved it.

4. Don’t Compress. As you edit your photo, be careful of your compression setting. Most programs default to “jpeg” format, which saves space by selectively removing pixels, and recreating them the next time you view the photo. If you open, edit, and save a photo multiple times, the over-all quality decreases. Try to do all your editing in one pass, using the lowest compression, or if you need to do more editing tomorrow, use a format like “tiff”, which does not compress. If you will using a retail print service, make sure you keep a copy in a format they can read. The final version could be copied into a smaller email ready version.

5. Get in Close to Your Subject. Don’t waste pixels on excess background. Get in closer, either physically, or with an optical zoom setting.

6. Good Things Come in 3s (or more!). When you think about the actual cost of taking a photo with a digital camera (close to nil!), you should take lots of shots. If the shot is available for more than a few seconds, take more that one photo. I always tell the subjects of my photos that I will be taking at least 2 or 3 shots of them (using a tripod of course!). What if you only take one photo, and someone blinks?

7. Read the Manual. In fact, read it more than once. As if I have to explain this one! (actually, you should not only read the manual that came with the computer; you should also look for websites on the web that can help you learn more about your hobby)

Here’s an equation for you.

(LOTS of photos with your digital camera) + (the above tips) = (a day coming soon when you’ll be proud to show off your creations)