I need camera help!

Marmee

I am currently using a Canon S100 camera. I borrowed my dad's tripod so that I could start taking pictures. Unfortunately, I find the camera interface awkward, and the pictures come out blurry in the self timer mode. Has anyone else had this problem? I've also tried using my iPhone camera, but the lighting in our bedroom isn't great, and it's hard to get good pictures.

It seems a bit silly to buy a new camera when we have one that mostly works fine, but I feel like this one piece is impeding my progress on taking WIWs. I want a way to take daily photos fairly quickly. And on my own - I prefer not to be subject to artistic photography or editorial comments.

11 years ago

Off Topic

7 replies

Latest reply was from Marmee

Diana

Veteran

Hi Marmee,
I have a similar Canon point and shoot and I use my self timer all the time. Canons do have this little quirk where they focus when you push the button and not when the photo actually snaps. So you need a point of focus for it to work properly. The way I do it is that I try to stand as close to the wall (or other point of focus) as possible. In most of my photos, the camera focuses on the wardrobe right behind me (see the attached pic) so I try to stand as close to the wardrobe as possible.

The other option would be to have something else in the frame while you are setting up the shot. If you are quick you can put a chair or something where you are going to stand and then push it out of the way. It does not have to go all the way out of the frame as you could crop it out later; as long as it does not interfere with your posing it is fine.

ETA: if you press down on the button to take the picture and hold it, it should pop up some squares showing where it is focused. You have to play around a bit to get it to do what you want sometimes.

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11 years ago

Marmee

Veteran

Thank you, Diana! I think the camera has been focusing on the dark couch which is next to the light colored wall where I stand. I will try to put a chair against the wall while I set up the camera.

11 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Glad I could help! That particular quirk with Canons is something that so many people have issues with. I have used Canon cameras ever since my first digital camera so I've learned to deal with it.

11 years ago

Irene

Veteran

I'm glad Diana solved this one for you That's usually the case: camera focusing on something else before you or past you.

11 years ago

Von

Veteran

I have an Olympus, and it will focus in and out on until my self timer goes off unless I have pointed at something specific. In my office, there is a door stopper on the wall. When I frame my photos, I set my focal point on the door stopper, hit the shutter button (for my delayed release), and then I run stand directly in front of the door stopper so that I am in focus. If I step up a little closer, I'm not in focus. As long as I'm close against the wall, my photo is OK.

Just make sure you have a focal item (mid height, not on the floor). Even if you have to put a sticky note on the wall to aim the camera at so that it locks in.

11 years ago

Kim

Veteran

My hubby already thinks its a bit looney to take wiws. Imagine when he sees the sticky note halfway up the wall that says "stand here" . Lol!
.

11 years ago

Marmee

Veteran

Von, good idea about the sticky!
Kim, my husband doesn't quite get it either!

11 years ago

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