So you have bought your child their first digital camera? Congratulations! Digital photography is a great way for your child to express their creativity and share this with you. Here are some great tips to help your child's creativity grow with their new hobby.
Tripod photography - for a child photographer, a tripod can dramatically improve their photos. A tripod will allow your child to strap their digital camera to a tripod and begin snapping pictures. A tripod eliminates the possibility of having fuzzy photographs and it also allows your child to be in the picture by using the timer feature.
The self timer - while most digital cameras come with a self-timer, a cheap one won't. If you have purchased an inexpensive camera for your child, you need to check and see if it has a self timer. The self timer delays the firing of the shutter for up to ten seconds. This delay allows your child photographer to be in the picture, instead of standing behind the camera. Attach your camera to a tripod, set the timer and jump into the shot. Just be sure to watch the flashing red light so you can be posed for the picture when the shutter snaps. Be sure the focusing sensor is aimed at a person in the group and not at a tree or something else nearby. You will get a clear tree or background and fuzzy people in the picture. The self timer can also allow you to make long exposures. For a child photographer, a long exposure is probably a skill that will come later on down the road. However, if you purchase a camera that comes with the self timer feature, your budding photographer will be able to take pictures of the cars driving on the road or of their big brother catching the football pass.
Using a tripod will allow your child to be a subject.
Underwater photography - the world "under the sea" is always fun for children to explore. If the digital camera you purchased for your child is waterproof, they can get some pretty neat pictures underwater.
Slow motion photography - Another fun feature with digital photography is slow motion. Your child can set their lens to open for a specified amount of time and it will take a picture of time in slow motion. This feature allows you to get the effect of flowing water, moving cars, and other things while all the other images remain sharp.
If you are still debating what digital camera to buy your child, here are a couple recommendations:
The Kidzoom Digital Camera - This camera comes with some pretty cool features compared to others. It allows you to plug in to the TV or PC and watch a slideshow of the pictures taken by your child. It also comes with software that allows your kid to get creative and have fun with the pictures they took. This camera can be purchased for $110 off Amazon.com. This camera does come with the self timer and your child can hang on to this camera for a few years without needing an upgrade.
Do you have a child that loves to swim? A Jazz underwater flash digital camera might be just right for you. This camera can go underwater up to nine feet and shoots videos and even has a flash. It is a 1.3 mega pixel camera that will cost you about $35.00. This camera doesn't come with flashy features like the self timer, but your child can at least snap pictures while they are swimming at their friend's birthday party.
Digital cameras are a great way for your child to express their creativity and to share their world with you. Be sure you take the time to look at the pictures your child has taken, so they know you genuinely care about their new hobby.
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