For Christmas...

[Marcial]

I have been an amature photographer for many years now, and I must say that I get 20000% better results with my digital than I ever could with my SLR.  I have been using a Nikon coolpix 995 for about 3 years now & love it.  For all but professional photographers (and even then, for most digital would probably be just a good) digital is the way to go.

[jocelyn]

Now if I can only figure out how to do the computer stuff. Much more daunting for me than a darkroom, lol...

I discovered there is a setting on the camera that basically aligns with film speed... interesting... it can go up to like 4000 or something ridiculous like that. That\'s some fast film!

Todd I have a few questions about this whole digital business... Seeing as I only know how to do the stuff I did with my old camera. Would you mind helping me out a bit?

[obsession600]

Dummies Guide to Photoshop and Dummies Guide to Photography helped my wife and I. They are especially good for picking up tips and tricks you might have missed. Photoshop LE comes with most of the printers geared towards digital photo printing. You can also pick up a copy seperately for about $99. It has most of the editing features that are commonly used.

[jocelyn]

Thanks, I need the Photoshop help, perhaps I\'ll pick that up.

No way am I buying a new printer right now, lol. I\'ll use my friend\'s Epson.

[Todd]

Originally posted by jocelyn
Todd I have a few questions about this whole digital business... Seeing as I only know how to do the stuff I did with my old camera. Would you mind helping me out a bit?

I certainly could help ya out!! And don\'t spend money on software. I have a couple programs I don\'t use I could give you.

[Todd]

Hey Andy, Sorry for the delay! I just saw your post this afternoon.

I shoot all of my pictures in raw format (best everything) and use strictly all manual settings. I know this doesn\'t help you any, but I HATE automatic settings on cameras. Does your camera have any manual settings? If so, do yourself a favor and learn how to use them.

You probably won\'t notice any difference in printing quality until you go to 8x10 and up. If you think you will ever want to go above 8x10, definately use your best resolution available. You shouldn\'t use SQ2 unless you never want to print it. And SQ1 only if you are going to print 4x6.

For shows, I generally try not to use flash unless there are musicians in the dark. Then I\'ll use a flash and balance it with existing light, so as to not overpower the shot. Can you set the ISO on your camera? If you can, def. set it as high as it will go for shows.

Hope this helps you out a little and happy shooting!!!!

[boombox]

Thanks for the advice, Todd - will save me some cash on ink and paper. The camera does have manual and ISO settings which I\'ve been playing around with for the last couple of days. I suppose, what I need for shows especially is a generic set of exposure settings to try out and then tweak. Will get back to you in a while once I\'ve mastered the settings without the manual in front of me!!

[Donbean]

I take alot of pictures at shows.. Mostly all the reggae shows at Toads.. I ALLWAYS use the flash.. Only one reggae artist said no flash- Ziggy. Everyone else is very cool.. And Im right up front in there face too.. I say flash in the clubs.... Bean

[FrankZappa]

if the show has a good lights show, then no flash is the way to go so that you can capture it. I agree with todd on that one. I use flash only when neccessary, and even then at as low a setting as possible.