Chapter 2

Note To add audio to images taken with the Self-Timersetting, see Recording audio on page 17.

The Self-Timersetting resets to the default Auto shooting mode after the picture is taken.

Flash Setting—Red-Eye

The red-eye phenomenon is caused when light from the flash reflects off the subjects' eyes, which can make human eyes appear red in the captured image. Using Red- Eye causes the camera to flash quickly up to three times to shrink the subject's pupils (reducing the effect of the red-eye phenomenon) before using the main flash and capturing the image. Since it takes longer to take a picture using this setting, make sure your subjects wait for the additional flashes.

Exposure Compensation

You can use Exposure Compensation to override the camera's automatic exposure setting. Exposure Compensation is useful in scenes that contain many light objects (like a white object against a light background) or many dark objects (like a black object against a dark background). Such scenes could turn out gray without the use of Exposure Compensation. For a scene with many light objects, increase the Exposure Compensation to a positive number. For a scene with many dark objects, decrease the Exposure Compensation.

White Balance

Different lighting conditions cast different colors. This setting allows the camera to compensate for this, reproducing colors more accurately and ensuring that whites appear white in the final image. You can also adjust the white balance to produce creative effects. For example, the Sun setting produces a warmer look to the image.

ISO speed

This setting adjusts the sensitivity of the camera to light. When ISO Speed is set to the default Auto setting, the camera selects the best ISO speed for the scene.

Lower ISO speeds capture images with the least amount of grain (or noise), but result in slower shutter speeds. If taking a picture in low light conditions without a flash at ISO 100, use a tripod.

Higher ISO numbers allow faster shutter speeds, and can be used when taking pictures in dark areas without a flash, or when taking pictures of fast moving objects. Higher ISO speeds produce pictures with more grain (or noise) and, therefore, can be of lower quality.

14