Ruby Tuesday: Learning my camera


This was my favorite of a series of lily pictures I took at various camera settings. I have a Canon PowerShot 710. Settings for this photo: ISO=80, Colors=Vivid Red, White Balance=Day Light, Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/1600, Av (Aperture Value) 4.0. I lightened it in Photoshop.


This one’s the runner-up. Settings for this photo: ISO=80, Colors=Vivid Red, White Balance=Day Light, Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/500, Av (Aperture Value) 4.0.


These lilies are an example of how the photo looks if the camera settings aren’t right. Settings for this photo: ISO=200, Colors=Vivid Red, White Balance=Day Light, Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/500, Av (Aperture Value) 4.0. Setting the ISO to 200 was too high, so that’s when I took the two photos above.

Clarification: I’ve had this camera for over a year, but this is the first time I’ve had any success with the Manual settings. Other settings include Scene settings, like Beach (used that in Israel a lot), Kids ‘n Pets (I mostly use that one), Foliage, Night, Landscape, Indoor, Fireworks and Portrait. I mostly use those settings, and I use good ‘ole Auto, as well.

A friend suggested I buy a digital SLR camera. Maybe. I’ll think about it.

ruby tuesday

33 thoughts on “Ruby Tuesday: Learning my camera

  • Jim, ha! I did something similar with video. I switched it from horizontal to vertical while taking a video of my daughter, like you would a picture. Well, something for her grandchildren to think is funny.

  • Pretty flowers Are you doing Hallie’s digital photography course too? And I agree with your friend, you’d really love a digital SLR.

  • Robin, I started doing the white balance. Today she posted about composition; that didn’t interest me as much, as I’ve spent a lot of time on composition in art classes. I could spend a few months on white balance, and maybe I’ll finally feel like it’s second nature.

    Yeah, I really need to upgrade to a digital SLR.

  • I’m inspired to learn more. Maybe I should take a class. My mother-in-law’s best friend of 75 years just passed away. I was listening to the stories of how they became friends when my MIL came (escaped) from Germany and was only 13 and how her friend spoke German. All the stories and she wants to write them down and send them to her friend’s family. I wish I lived closer as I would videotape them and send one copy to the family and keep one. The lesson is that we need to record our seniors and their stories…sorry..I digressed..
    Michelle..

  • Michelle, I would love to hear more! My mother-in-law came from Germany when she was eight. She was lucky to get out before the war, but her extended family wasn’t so fortunate. Maybe you could share the stories on a blog post…

  • Thanks for stopping by my Ruby.

    Those are beautiful pictures.

    Have some in front of my house but they don’t look as good as those.

  • What pretty lilies. The only thing I mess with on my camera is flash or no flash and the little flower setting which I assume is macro :0)

  • Hi Leora –

    I agree that the first of your photos is the nicest, primarily because the color saturation is better. The second one is nice, too, though. The third one is a bit washed out. I think a lot of people will appreciate your posting the details behind each of the three photos as a learning tool.

    Happy Ruby Tuesday.

  • Leora. It’s only since my father-in-law died that my mother-in-law has talked about it. It was a common story back then. The children escaped Germany and the parents and extended family did not. The horror of loss and guilt of escaping impact the person’s life forever. I don’t have many details, but at some point I hope she will share what she is comfortable in sharing. She is a wonderful woman and has been a second mother to me.

  • The first one is really lovely. Congrats on the new camera. I’m an automatic focuser myself. I admire anyone who can wrap his/her brain around settings.

  • Yes: it takes time to learn your camera and still you donยดtalways get it right. There are almost too much options in todayยดs cameras. Pretty lilies ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Wow…I have this Canon EOS 30D. I also have an Image Stablizer 70-300mm lens to go with it. (I got it out of the bag to get all that!). You know so much about your camera…I’m impressed. I must be the only person in the blogsphere who doesn’t have photoshop (and I haven’t seen it!). Guess it’s on my Christmas list. Wonderful shots. So bright! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • I found the whole white balance experience really helpful. I’m not sure the composition tips necessarily taught me anything I didn’t already know (I’ve been haunting photography sites for months now) but the process of composing a shot specifically to meet the guidelines should be good practice :).

  • Re: Photoshop
    It’s very, very expensive. I get mine through my work (I used to pay).
    So if you have to pay for it, and you aren’t going professional, try Photoshop LE (lite) or Paint Shop Pro. You can still do a lot with one of those.

    Thanks, everyone, as always.

    Gayle, take one feature on your camera, try to learn it, and do a post! Blogging is a great way to learn. You can ask your audience questions, too. Lots of knowledgeable people in the blogging world.

  • These lilies look like pinwheels just slowing down to a stop after their latest whirl. Nice!

    Years ago I used a Pentax K1000, and it was all manual. I likes being forced to learn the meter and to under/over expose shots for different effects. The only thing it has a heavy steel body, and is harder for me to use in the wheelchair. The family (and I) use a point and shoot Canon so we just shoot away…

  • Leora, you have the same camera I have Canon A710 IS! I’m just learning about all the different settings. Of course the auto setting does the job pretty well. Love your first two shots of the RED tiger lilies. Thanks for participating in Ruby Tuesday! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Your lillies are so pretty. We don’t have any now. Must have gotten too shady in our yard for them. Good luck with your new camera….apparently you have a new one. Everyone talking about it ๐Ÿ™‚

  • I love these lilies. I photographed some in our backyard a few weeks ago. I also use a Canon Digital, I’ll have to check it may be the same model.

    I’ve bee using the Auto setting lately…LOL
    Happy Ruby Tuesday!

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