FZ-20 photo improvements...

[berzin]

I guess I need to buy a book or download some programs but I don't know which. Here is what I think I need.

1) A book or any online tutorial to help explain aperture, shutter speed, etc. and how to use them to take better pictures.
2) Anything to help me with my photoshop program, as I am a newbie but I have quite a few photos that need some work and I've never worked with photoshop before.

Since I always keep my FZ-20 on automatic, it seems as if the pictures come out just a little too dark and when I have them printed I always have to adjust the brightness on the photo machine.

So I want to stop this and learn how to use my camera the right way. And I have been to Barnes and Noble but I have'nt run into any books that are consise enough.

I was wondering what you guys thought of "The 123 of digital imaging Interactive learning suite version 3.5" that I have seen on the www.dpreview.com forum or "Adobe lightroom" and if these options would be good for me.

Thanks in advance.

[genece]

We really need to see a couple of the photos you are talking about....if the photos look correct on your monitor but not on your printer it may just be you are not using the correct printer profile.....or if you are adjusting the photos perhaps your monitor needs calibrated.

First let me say the FZ20 does not have a Automatic mode....it does have a Program mode but if you are setting the camera on A that is aperture priority and not Automatic.

If you set the camera to factory defaults the FZ20 should take very nice photos that both display and print just fine......many people like to use a minus 2/3 exposure compensation but that may not be the best way to start.

As far as adjusting photos PS elements ...Paint shop pro among others are good editors.......Picasa or irfanview can do most things and are free.

here is an article on exposure but there are many on the internet....google is your friend.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/understanding-series/understandexposure.shtml


Post a picture or two so we can see if we can identify the problem.

[JLV]

I guess I need to buy a book or download some programs but I don't know which. Here is what I think I need.



There is a free photo course on the web. If you do not want to enroll, you can just read the lessons. I read a few of the lessons. They are as good or better than some books.

The URL follows:
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php