get it right in the camera. Even if you can "fix" it in photoshop, you lose detail by not exposing properly in the first place. Cropping is fine, but you get a higher quality image for printing if you aren't throwing away half the frame. You can't fix poor focus in photoshop.

Using apertures from f4-f11 for maximum sharpness if that is the goal. Use wide open apertures for portraits, as sharpness is not flattering to human faces.

 

I don't completely agree with you with regards to the use of aperture. Granted, they are general in nature, but I have found that every lens has its own "sweet spot" for sharpness and clarity... Especially so on the peofessional level and therefore should be experimented with individually.

Also, I agree with you statement that its best to get it right, in camera, and not rely on editing software to "save" an image... and eventhough I don't even like to crop my images personally, I do edit each one individually. Moreover, publishers require some area for bleed, which sux because it paints me into a corner regarding posters.

 

Always take the lens cap off to shoot.

Always take multiple shots at different exposure settings if you can.

About 1/10 shots are great, so take lots and lots of shots.

Pay attention to your background and where you crop.

 

That's some great advice and I couldn't more! It's the first thing I look for...

 

[quote name='F1-Fanatic' date='Mar 20 2007, 10:01 AM'] I don't completely agree with you with regards to the use of aperture.

 

Well, my tip is more important than anyones here so far....

Dont forget your camera when you plan on shooting!

 

Here's my tip:

Check your "general" settings every time you go out for a shoot. You may have bumped the ISO for last night's evening shots and won't want to forget to set it back down for today's outside shots. Also, maybe you switched to JPEG to show off your amazing burst speed to your friend. You wouldn't want to finish the day realizing you had no RAW files to work with! Playing around with different metering settings? Remember to change it back!

Check those settings you don't necessarily think about for each shot!

 

I just got my first SLR and went to an event for my daughter, forgot my cf card though. Had to go all the way back home... doohhhh

 

Use the timer if you're shooting with a tripod and you don't have a remote.

 

To that note, have a backup battery!