Hi All! I just got a digital camera - its a Canon Powershot A620. I have been a member of Caedes for over a year, and I have loved looking at all the beautiful shots people post. Anyways, I would like to start shooting photos to submit, butsince I am new at this, I don't know how to start. Is there software that I should get so that I can touch up my photos before posting them? And what are the best settings to use when taking pictures that you plan to use as desktop wallpaper? Thanks...Any help is very much appreciated!

There are many resources available here on the site including tutorials and suggested software applications etc etc – have a rummage around and see if there is anything in there that will be of use to you.

try this .. pick up your camera, point it at something, and push the button ... that way you'll be a photographer and not somebody talking about being a photographer ;o)

you might need something to resize your photo for posting .. if you use windows .. try (*drum roll*) .. irfanview .. it is an image viewer that does many things and it's FREE .. (need help with it = holler)

take photos .. post .. listen to feedback .. (rinse and repeat) .. but try to bring a uniqueness to your work, look for the creative angles, the details in mundane things .. if you see a photo that intrigues you, ask about it ...

other than the ability to resize your photo to caedes size limitations there is nothing holding you up .. you can incorporate fancier software and tricks as you go forward


Here is a list of your cameras features .. canon_a620

here is a discussion of the software that may have come with your camera .. [Help] Canon A620 Software Question

and another mention of your camera .. [Camera] Canon A620 Question

WTG link master K!!

As far as the pics when starting out there's 10 rules...

Rules 1-10: condensed...have fun

Rule 11: Get a BIG SD card

...then click, click, click!!

Find a subject and take multiple shots...auto, B&W, Sepia, Zoooom in, Zoooom out, Portrait, Landscape and on & on & on. Be the Energizer Bunny, See the Energizer Bunny, Feel the Energizer Bunny!!

I take a shot of 1 (one) subject, but may take up to twelve (12) shots of it as mentioned above. A good post program can do lots such as B&W and Sepia, so I would suggest more so the same pic different angles, portrait mode, scene mode, auto mode, and so forth.

Go on, get outta here now & get buzy...we expect to see two (2) uploads a day for at least the next 365 days!! 8~D

Its all about composition...the camera will generally take care of the rest initially. Stand, sit, kneel,crouch, climb a tree to get differing views of your subject. Use your subject to to block things that are distracting. When you get good at eliminating distractions in the viewfinder-LCD move on to more technical and creative uses that your camera is capable of. This may take years or you might be a natural. Happy shooting with your new camera:-)

For composition tips you might find the composition tutorial useful. And as most other people said... have fun and keep snapping. After a while you'll develop an eye for good images.

Thanks for everyone's advice and help - it is much appreciated. Hopefully I will have some nice shots to post soon!