Moments come and go, the best we can do to preserve them is to capture them on film – or, in this modern day and age, to capture them in a memory card. The problem with fleeting moments, though, is their very nature. They’re ‘fleeting’; they come and go, and no matter how we wish for them to come back, they never do. Thus, one faulty move with your camera could cause a moment to disappear forever. To avoid these costly mistakes, you might want to try out these digital camera photography tips so you’ll learn how to properly use the flash, how to keep a clear focus, and how to get your finger out of your digital photo.

Here are some tips on using flash. First, use an external flash device to lessen those red eyes. If your flash is not detachable, then you should simply tell your subject to look away slightly so that the flare won’t get into his or her eyes. Next, avoid taking pictures in places where there are mirrors or glasses. Reflective surfaces will make your flash bounce back and will cause a glare to appear on your digital photo. Third, set your flash speed to slow. This will allow time for all the areas to be exposed. If this setting isn’t in your camera, simply use the ‘lightning mode’ so you can adjust the brightness of the background by adjusting the shutter speed. Finally, know the scope of your flash. Knowing the scope will help you visualize the outcome of your digital photo. Of course, you must think of proper focus, too.

Digital cameras also take a longer time to focus than the traditional camera that uses film. Because of this, pressing the button immediately will give you a photograph that’s blurry and blotched. To avoid this, simply press the button halfway for a while. Then, follow through with a full press a moment after. This will allow your camera to focus, thus giving you clearer pictures – even if the subject is your finger.

How many times have you taken a picture of your finger? I’m not kidding. This is a very simple thing to remember but people’s misplaced fingers still tend to ruin good photos. Before you take the picture, check if your finger is blocking the lens. Moreover, wrap the camera’s strap around your arm to prevent it from getting in the way.

Taking great digital photographs is not hard to do – if you use your flash correctly, learn the basics of proper focus and keep your finger and the camera strap away from the lenses. With these simple and easy-to-follow digital camera photography tips, you won’t have to contend with photographs where objects closest to you look bleached, where some people look like ghosts or are left in the shadows or, worse, where your finger takes center stage.