Peter Timko

In-camera image compression into JPEG or other formats throws away a huge amount of data and leaves the photographer dependent on the camera's computer to interpret the image. See what your camera has been throwing away.

Breaking away from the automatic setting dependency does not need to be as daunting as it may initially appear. The key to developing an understanding how to take better photographs in the manual setting is to learn hoe to balance the exposure settings on your camera. Once you learn how the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings are interrelated, you will on your way to shooting full-time in manual mode.

You have bought the digital SLR you have been dreaming about. You've also spent money on a variety of lenses, extra memory cards, a camera bag and maybe a tripod. Perhaps some other accessories. Now you find out about filters. What do they do? Do you need them? And finally, can't you get the same effects by using the right software? Here, in brief, are the answers to these very legitimate questions.

A lot of folks spend most of their money on a camera and then use what little is left over to buy whatever lens they can afford. This is a big mistake. It's like being a great chef and cooking with the worst ingredients. Low quality or unsuitable lenses can ruin the photos taken from a great camera and top quality lenses can make even photos taken with no-so-great cameras look good.

One of the most photographed scenes in the world is the beach scene. The reason is that (a) the locale is beautiful by nature, (b) people are usually relaxed and having fun and are not "stiff" and (c) a combination of the first two reasons. This means that beach photography can be either landscape or portrait photography or a combination of both.

The thing about digital cameras is that they are so easy to use. Everything from the most basic point and shoot to the most advanced D-SLRs have an "auto" function where the camera does everything except actually pushing the shutter button. But this is not always the best way to get great photos. In the end it's not what the camera sees but what the photographer tells it to see that counts. So here are a few tips on getting great photos with your digital camera.

Why photograph insects? Because: • 75% of living creatures on the planets fall into the insect category • They can often be fascinating subjects with great natural beauty • The "ugh" factor the insects inspire in most people prevents us from having a close up look at the real thing.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography is something that has been looming on the digital photography scene for a little while, and is gaining in popularity. The images are surreal looking, and at the same time sharply detailed and strangely lit. Just try typing HDR Photography into Google and see what I mean.

Ever seen those eerie looking photographs that look like regular black and white shots, but something just isn't quite right? Or have you looked at Ansel Adams' work before and wondered how he managed to capture such surreal and super contrasted photos? Welcome to the strange world of Infrared Photography.

Have you ever marveled at those pictures of close-up objects where you can't hardly even tell what it is you're looking at? Or what about those amazing shots of the rainbow colored insects that seem almost as if they were a life-size animal caught roaming the underbrush of some far away jungle. All of these types of photographs fall into the special category of Macro Photography.