photography help please

[ogwen]

I am a total novice at photography and use a standard digital camera. When I want to take a photo where the object stands out from the background how would I do it because when I try to take photos of birds they tend to disappear into the background with the leaves and things.

I would appriciate any help

[glsammy]

The way you make the background disappear is to set the exposure to a low F number; for example, F4, F5 or similar. The higher the F number, the greater the depth of field and the more you will see the background.
If your shooting on auto mode, that will be your problem. If your camera allows you to, try and us AV mode (aperture priority), this will allow you to alter the F number to get the image you want.
Of course as you alter the Exposure, the shutter speed will change to compensate.

Heres one I took yesterday with an aperture setting of F10.0. http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...age-13837.html
If I'd have used any setting much Higher, say F13 or F16, the background would have been in view.

[ogwen]

Thanks alot for your help. Dumb question, but, what is an AV mode, I had a look on my camera and im not sure where it is? I changed the exposure amount and it has helped a bit.

[carlj]

Ogwen, what camera is it? Some dials have different symbols. If it's canon, it says av - most all others say a for aperture. If you haven't the controls, then use portrait presets as that usually selects a small f number to pull the subject forward.
Carl

[ogwen]

Originally Posted by carlj

Ogwen, what camera is it? Some dials have different symbols. If it's canon, it says av - most all others say a for aperture. If you haven't the controls, then use portrait presets as that usually selects a small f number to pull the subject forward.
Carl

Its a cheap one really. All i can afford being a student . Its a 'vivicam 3660' by vivitar if thats any help but it doesnt say any thing like aperature or have any f numbers. It has symbols for sunny, cloudy etc and different exposure amounts.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by ogwen

Its a cheap one really. All i can afford being a student . Its a 'vivicam 3660' by vivitar if thats any help but it doesnt say any thing like aperature or have any f numbers. It has symbols for sunny, cloudy etc and different exposure amounts.

As Carlj said, if no other option is there, select portrait or close up mode. This should offer you the best chance of limiting the depth of field.

[ogwen]

Ok i'll try that. Thanks alot both of you