I could really use some advice on how to take better pictures, mainly night shots. I took a bunch of shots tonight that I thought would turn out really good when I framed them, but then when I actually took the pictures and looked at them on my computer, they look awful. Blurry, out of focus, you can see a reflection from the flash. Any advice on what settings I should use or anything like that? I only have a 3.2 megapixel Olympus Stylus 300 but I know I should be taking better shots than this! Thanks for any help.

 

1/3rd rule

 

tripod > j00

 

For night shots, set it on a high ISO, and try to use a tripod or something to rest the camera on.

 

Basically everyone will tell you the 1/3 rule but I say shoot how you feel and take whatever you want. You'll want a tripod for stability and use lower exposure rates.

Also if you are real serious about photography invest in a good flash.

 

as stated above, i am a photo taking noob. so what's the 1/3 rule? also, what is an ISO? btw, i resized those 2 pics from 2048 x 1536 to 800 x 600 after i loaded them onto my computer. does that make a big difference as far as the clarity of the picture?

 

http://en.mimi.hu/photography/iso.html

Basically the higher the ISO you set the grainier the picture. You'll probably have to put your camera into Manual mode for it to be able to change. Everyday pictures are shot at usually 50 ISO where night shots are usually done at 400+ ISO depending on camera.


1/3 rule
http://www.shutterfreaks.com/Tips/RuleOfThirds.html

 

we should have a write-up on proper ways to photograph our cars in different lighting/settings

 

don't use the flash on the camera

 

yeah... its pretty much impossible to get a good night-time exposure that isn't blurry without a tripod. If you don't have a tripod and you're cheap, you can also try balancing the camera on another stable object (i.e. another car, a fencepost, even your knee if you're careful). Another trick that sometimes turns out well for car photography is to set the camera on the ground and then stack nickels under it so its tilted up to frame the car properly. Read up on the basics, look at pictures you like and try and mimick them, and keep practicing.