A solution to ruined pictures that everyone else may already know.

[JohnnyRingo]

Last edited Sat Dec 29, 2012, 02:16 AM - Edit history (2)

Usually, I just learn something everyone has known forever and never told me. See if this sounds like a new idea to a familiar proglem:

So many times I've given my camera to a bystander so I could get my picture with someone at an event.

They always ruined the pic because they didn't understand how to work a simple auto focus camera by holding the button down half way until the green reticle appeared. After having to explain what a framing reticle is too many times, I just told them to listen for the little chirp, then squeeze the shutter. Operating anything with more than one step like an iPhone is apparently advanced rocket science these days. It's like the auto focus camera is some advanced alien innovation delivered to Earth mere months ago.

Plus, they always held their index finger two inches above the shutter button and basically smacked the shutter release like they were launching a goddam nuclear missile. That jarred the camera and made matters even worse. I've had to toss so many pictures of me with everyone from Congressman Tim Ryan, to Santa Claus (that last one was a long time ago), that I gave up trying.

Just this week while I was editing some pix from last Fall, I saw one I took of myself and my car with the self timer, and it occurred to me... What if I set the timer to twelve seconds, hand the pseudo photographer the camera, and ask that he just point it in my general direction and hold it still with two hands, while the camera does all the work? I figured I can crop the pic later to place myself and my subject at least somewhere near the center of the frame.

I'll only hope twelve seconds isn't long enough for some shiny object to enter their peripheral.


This is the heavily edited self portrait that inspired my idea:



Now that everyone knows kinda what I look like, I'll quit checking my mail box for propositions. LOL

Below is another one from the same plaza parking lot that night I was going to post it later, but I'll save a stamp by putting it in here.

"No where else to go":

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That's a new solution for me!

I've been lucky; the people I asked to take pictures of me and a friend have always done well.

But I do pick folks with fancy cameras, LOL!

Your suggestion is a good one.



I like both your shots. You look great, and the second guy looks lonely and lost.

[canonfodder]

12. Quite correct

Handing a large DSLR to someone that is only familiar with point-and-shoots, is a bad idea.
It puts the P&S shooter in a bit of discomfort as they are unfamiliar with the beast.
There has only been a couple times when I've done that, and only if the person is willing to listen to suggestions.
After they take the shots, I show them the results.
I've had one ask me to take their photo with a friend and then give me their e-mail addy.
Most are uncomfortable if handed the thing.

[SouthernDonkey]

2. Good idea!

I hadn't thought of that one. And I knowwwww what'chur sayin!

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Great shots

and that's a wonderful idea. Just last week we were at an end of the world party and a lady offered to take our picture with my camera. We ended up on the right-hand margin of the photo totally out of focus. I guess it's the thought that counts.

[Sherman A1]

4. Great idea!

I know that I have that problem when on vacation with the wife and we try to get a pic together, rarely works out well. Now all I have to do is remember your great idea and with progressive maturity setting in, that is no safe bet.

[Callalily]

5. Great idea! n/t

[antiquie]

6. Dear me!

I will politely refuse next time someone asks me to take their picture. I had no idea how upsetting photo-incompetence is to the camera owner.

All I can say is that I do my best and if you ask an amateur...

[JohnnyRingo]

8. I'm sure you'd take great pictures.

I only wish it was you that was standing nearby when I was posing next to Sherrod Brown a couple months ago. As it was, I had to throw away the pic because it was so blurry no one would be able to tell who he was. By the time I reviewed the picture, Sherrod had moved on.

I try explaining how the person has to hold the shutter button down half way until the sensor finds the distance and focuses, but I often get a blank look before they just snap the button like it's an iPhone, and hand it back. Many surprisingly can't even figure out how to look through the viewfinder like we did for a hundred years before digital cameras, and I have to turn on the LCD screen for them.

I could poll people one at a time and ask if they know how to work a camera, but opportunities for a picture of myself with people of even minor fame are fleeting.

I didn't mean to insult your capabilities, and I sincerely apologize for the slight.

[antiquie]

9. Thank you for your response.

Last edited Fri Dec 28, 2012, 09:04 PM - Edit history (1)

My over-sensitivity is because I take really bad photos. I have one successful from Thanksgiving and none from Christmas of my grandkids using my little PowerShot. You'd think it failsafe with autofocus and all.

edit: Duh, I meant to respond to JohnnyRingo, not myself.

[alfredo]

11. Wine will do that to you. ;)

[RC]

7. I tell them the shudder button is not a door bell.

Think of it as a trigger on a gun and gently push it down till the feel a slight resistance, then hold their breath and gently push it the rest of the way down.
That usually works. Even for those that have never fired a gun, they usually have seen enough TV/movies to know the basics of firing a gun. I find that sad in a way.

[alfredo]

10. I use the timer too often because I forget to turn it off.

I get a lot blurred photos of the ground. The next image of the day is the image I wanted in the first place.

A good practice is to take one photo before you even get in the car. If everything is go, then onward!