Can I change the settings in my camera to make my pictures look professional?

Question

I model for an amateur modeling group, and I use my own camera to take my pictures. My main problem is that flash makes my skin look ghostly pale and the background gets dark, and the pictures turn out much better when I take flash off, but when I do the pictures often turn out slightly blurry and sometimes fuzzy. I have an HP Photosmart R827, but I'm saving up money to buy a better camera. Are there any tricks I can use to make my camera take more professional-looking pictures?

Answer 1

First, you need and SLR camera.

Second, you need to learn about photography theory and then you need to learn how to use manual controls.

That's the only way to make pro photos because automatic settings are a boundary.

Answer 2

On camera flash is very harsh, as you've noticed. Get a couple of lights on light stands, if working in a place where you can set them up. If you are out on location, then you can use a couple of different strategies.

Soften the flash. You can soften the brightness of the flash by diffusing it. A little bit of  white plastic bag taped over the flash can subdue it slightly.

Stabilize the camera. Get a tripod. Putting the camera on a tripod and turning off the flash can eliminate camera shake and blur. If you need a bit of extra light, use reflectors to redirect existing sunlight onto your model. Inexpensive reflectors can be a large piece of foam core, or a pair of automotive sunguards, the fabric and spring steel kind that pop open. Make sure you get white or silver.

The other thing about making your photos look more professional... practice. Learn how to make your models comfortable, and study other peoples work to learn how to make the most of the camera angles, locations and lighting.

Answer 3

just try it in every setting that it has. if that doesn't work then you're going to have to wait to get another camera :(

i had a camera that was just like that it had way too much flash but if you'd take it off the pictures would be orange looking and blurry. i tried it in every setting and lighting but the pictures it took just came out bad. it was just a really bad camera.

usually making a picture look more professional is done with photoshop but in this case its just a crappy camera and i don't think you can do anything about it.

Answer 4

Invest in yourself and get someone with a nice camera to take a few photos of you.  That camera does the work, plus the edit shop capabilites.  My step daughter did the same thing with amatuer photographry and she has just now gotten over that with a real advertiser.  Granted, it is a hand commercial, but that is the start.

Answer 5

You should definitely buy a better camera. But until then, find a light that makes your skin glow and turn the flash off on your camera.. Heat lamps work well or you could buy a brighter bulb and put it in a lamp. If you want your pictures to look really good, then a second light would be even better. You want the lighting to look even across your face and body.

Good luck.