For those w/ P&S cameras....

[iJenny]

How in the world do you get your photos to turn out so amazing? Like you, Shannon. What photo editing software/actions do you use? I know Lena (or is it Nikki (ARNGwife) that has a P&S...

I need to know! A DSLR just isn't in my near future and I'm tired of all my photos looking like snapshots.

TIA!

[pewtertm]

I have a Kodak P&S...DH says he's going to upgrade my camera, perhaps at Christmas. We'll see LOL.
I use PSE 5, PSE 7, and CS3, depending on the computer I'm on. I have finally figured out that I can improve alot of my pics by adjusting levels in the layers palette.
Lightroom isn't in the budget...and I'll admit that when I had the trial version I didn't use it much. I do use Virtual Photographer quite a bit...it's got quite a few different filters, all are adjustable, and it's free!

[aggiefamily]

I don't think it is the camera but more in the way you take photos. Believe me! I have a DSLR and most of my photos are snapshotty. And some of my photos from my old Kodak are way better than ones from my Canon.

The best thing to do is try not to use a flash, fix your exposure or white balance before you do any other editing and then just keep it simple. Most of my editing is just using the auto controls in PS. After that I might use a Pioneer Woman action or others that I can't think of the name right now.

Have you read any of Scott Kelby's book? They helped me understand how to compose when taking a photo. Your library might have it.

And if your camera has advanced settings try using those.

(and I think your photos are great)

eta: one quick edit is to add an soft light layer and screen layer above your photo and adjust the opacity of those layers.

[alansrock]

Originally Posted by Lilcameronsmommy

How in the world do you get your photos to turn out so amazing? Like you, Shannon. What photo editing software/actions do you use? I know Lena (or is it Nikki (ARNGwife) that has a P&S...

I need to know! A DSLR just isn't in my near future and I'm tired of all my photos looking like snapshots.

TIA!

I thought a DSLR wasn't in my future either but I met sprauncey1 on here and come to find out she lives in the same town as me. She just got a new Nikon D60 and gave me her older Fuji on Friday. I paid $270 for 2 lenses, a camera bag, like 4 or 5 flash cards, and a bounce flash!!! So I got the deal of the century and I can't wait to play with it!!!! THANKS KIM, you are so awesome!!!!!!!!!!

[LenaGardner]

Yeah, it's me who uses the heck out of my P&S. Now I have an XSI but I got some really great shots using my P&S. I'll come back later and link some of them up, but the best ones I got by learning the settings on my P&S, I love the portrait and macro settings. I always got the best shots outside in natural light, in the golden hour if possible, and I positioned myself to try and get catchlights, and I used some post processing. Noise removal, and adding an artificial bokeh using the depth of field tool in PSPX2. Plus lots and lots of shots to get one good one

[sprauncey1]

Originally Posted by alansrock

I thought a DSLR wasn't in my future either but I met sprauncey1 on here and come to find out she lives in the same town as me. She just got a new Nikon D60 and gave me her older Fuji on Friday. I paid $270 for 2 lenses, a camera bag, like 4 or 5 flash cards, and a bounce flash!!! So I got the deal of the century and I can't wait to play with it!!!! THANKS KIM, you are so awesome!!!!!!!!!!

No problem, always glad to help a sister out!

I think that no matter what camera you have the hardest thing to get right is the lighting. Camera flash on a dSLR often makes them just look like snapshots too. But it is hard to get the depth of field shots with a P&S, but you can go in and selectively blurr part of the background with your editing software. But mostly I wanted to add...as much $ as I've spent (Jami don't tell them I just bought a new tripod and white balance lens caps for my bday)...most of my pictures come out as snapshots!

Keep an eye out on The Daily Digi and other places, they often have post processing techniques that can be done no matter what kind of camera you use. I loved the one where she shows you how she does her B&W conversions.

[Megan Turnidge]

It's all about the lighting! All my best shots are taken outside in open shade. I have a P&S with manual mode and it's fun to try and play with that too... I dunno, I learn more and more and get better with time. I'm not necessarily a good photographer, but I think I capture some good shots sometimes! I have the Canon A570 IS. I love it, but I wish I could get a Rebel because shutter lag kills. lol

[iJenny]

Thanks for the tips girls! I think my problem is that I've been too chicken to really see what my camera can do. I shoot all my photos on "auto" and there is just so much more my camera is capable of (custom, manual, etc.)
I have a Kodak EasyShare DX7590 and I think I just need to really play with it more like Meeeegan (sorry, i have to spell it that way cuz thats how I say it in my head lol) suggested.
If you have any other suggestions or resources, please post 'em here! I think this is something a lot of us P&S-ers are struggling with.

[hollyxann]

I feel the same way Jenny! I desperately want a dslr but its not in my near future thats for sure! I have a casio exilim that I love but like you said I always feel like my pictures look so "snapshotty" I try to do different things in PS CS but I'm always looking for new tricks and tips to make my pictures look better. Which reminds me...I desperately want CS4 too....lol.

I'll take all the tips and tricks I can get!

[aggiefamily]

Jenny- that is very similar to my Kodak. I have the Kodak P850 Zoom:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/p850.html

I mainly used the P and A settings. You can set the apeature with it which will give you more blur. If you have any questions let me know. I will be glad to help you learn!

[ZaCola3]

Jenny-I now have a DSLR-but a lot of my pictures are still from my PnS...I just have so many...Only a very few are actual shots from my new Rebel XTI.
I have a Fuji Hybrid PnS...it has a lot of manual settings...I love messing around with it and it will always be my baby!

I have to tell you that if it weren't for Lightroom-most of my pictures would be totally worthless-or just ordinary...not that that is a bad thing-ordinary-but I love to have photos that shine...so I invested in Lightroom, with my educator discount it was only around $100 dollars or so-I think you could go the same route with the boys in school, it is a huge investment-but I have never been sorry.

[iJenny]

Originally Posted by ZaCola3

Jenny-I now have a DSLR-but a lot of my pictures are still from my PnS...I just have so many...Only a very few are actual shots from my new Rebel XTI.
I have a Fuji Hybrid PnS...it has a lot of manual settings...I love messing around with it and it will always be my baby!

I have to tell you that if it weren't for Lightroom-most of my pictures would be totally worthless-or just ordinary...not that that is a bad thing-ordinary-but I love to have photos that shine...so I invested in Lightroom, with my educator discount it was only around $100 dollars or so-I think you could go the same route with the boys in school, it is a huge investment-but I have never been sorry.

yeah, I think my next investment will be Lightroom. I loved the trial I had and I know that I can learn to do even more with my photos in Lightroom. And, like you said, its not that expensive when you have an "education" discount. Not only are my boys in school, but I work at a school so I'll get the discount either way.

[iJenny]

Originally Posted by aggiefamily

Jenny- that is very similar to my Kodak. I have the Kodak P850 Zoom:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/p850.html

I mainly used the P and A settings. You can set the apeature with it which will give you more blur. If you have any questions let me know. I will be glad to help you learn!

Amanda, thank you so much! You have been so helpful! I've read my camera's manual front-to-back, but all the terms are wording is so confusing that I didn't ever "get" that aperture is what makes the background "blurry". So, thanks for that little tip. I have two books by Scott Kilby on hold at my library (they're currently checked out). I can't wait to get my hands on them. All of the reviews I've read about those two books (Digital Photographer and PSE5 for Photographers) said his language is very easy to understand and follow.

Thanks hon! I might just take you up on your offer for help. I'm sure I'll have tons of questions in the very near future.

[Leah]

Jessica Sprague is offering a self-paced photo editing course right now. I just signed up last week and lesson 2 was worth the entire course for me. It's only $45 right now!

Other than that, I shoot with a Canon S5 with an incredible zoom. Try to keep in mind the rule of thirds when taking your picture and aim for shade!

[MissKim]

I have a Fuji Finepix S8000 -- this is my third version of the Fuji Finepix. Started with a 2600, then a 5100 and now the 8000. It has megazoom and I totally love it. My current favorite photo editing tool is CoffeeShop's free PSE actions. I use them on almost every photo. Here's a couple from Spring Break: