Canon Camera Tips

• Shoot in auto mode for most subjects. If you area doing snapshots either outdoors or in well-lit interiors, the auto mode works well and will allow you to pay attention to catching your image or subject. If you are shooting a moving image, such as a sports event, or you are trying to catch a particular moment in a busy environment, be aware because the auto focus feature takes a second or two to register and this delay in the shutter could cause you to miss your great shot. Prepare for this by depressing the shutter button partway and hold it. This will set the focus for the shot, and when you press down the button the rest of the way the picture is instantly taken.
  
  Some upper-end models have a minimal lag time, and many have a burst feature that takes several pictures in quick succession, allowing you to choose the best later.
  
  Switch to manual white balance for pictures in odd or mixed lighting environments--such as fluorescent tubes or bulbs--or if you are getting off hues in your pictures. Turn on the white balance feature to "custom," and use a sheet of very white paper or a photographer's gray card (available for a few dollars at a camera store) to take a reading. This will adjust for the peculiarities in the lighting and give you closer color to what you see.
  
  Use the macro feature for shooting closeups where you want to get closer than 12 inches or so. This will allow you to home in on a flower or insect and maintain focus. You may find difficulty with the auto focus in macro mode (the auto focus square in your viewfinder will appear amber instead of green). Move the camera slightly toward and away (just an inch or two) to see if you can get a good (green) reading. If that doesn't work, try focusing on a detail of your subject. The auto focus does not like areas of flat color; it needs a little detail or contrast to determine the proper distance.
  
  Use manual mode to shoot specific set-ups or still life scenes for more control. You can adjust the f-stop and shutter speed just as you would for an analog SLR camera.