How to Take Better Photos

View this newsletter online | Newsletter Services | More Newsletters » Follow @pcworld on Twitter January 27, 2012 PCWorld.com The Best of PCWorld

A few years back I bought a fancy-pants DSLR camera because I was tired of taking poor-quality pictures with my phone. The theory was good; in practice, things didnt work out as I'd hoped. Though the camera itself was terrific, the photographer (yours truly) was not. You see, I didnt bother to learn the ins and outs of the camera. I mostly set it to Auto Mode and clicked. The results were uninspiring. Eventually I taught myself a few tricks and learned about the camera's settings, but not before I'd taken far too many substandard photos. Perhaps if I had been able to read Dave Johnson's quick tutorial, "Using Your Camera's Settings: Program Mode, Shutter Speed, and More," the pictures from my daughter's preschool graduation wouldn't look like they'd been shot inside an oil drum. But you can learn from my mistakes and read Dave's article. It will be time well spent. --Editorial Director Steve Fox Top Stories Using Your Camera's Settings: Program Mode, Shutter Speed, and More Here's how to get the most from Program mode and use an online digital SLR simulator to learn how shutter speed, aperture, and other settings affect your photos. Desktop PC Killers: Past, Present, and Future Is the desktop PC dead? Here are 10 desktop "killers" from the past, present, and future. The 12 Greatest PC Shareware Games of All Time From the birth of Duke Nukem to the first great digital pinball game, here are a dozen classics from the shareware era. For more gaming news and reviews, visit PCWorld.com. Top Tweets From @PCWPluggedIn Analyst predicts "monster" iPhone 5 launch in August 2012: Members of Occupy Apple Store may begin camping out at once. Every second, 1 hour of video is uploaded to YouTube: And yet you're in no danger of missing anything important. "If I Die" Facebook app sends your final message: What do you mean "If"? Follow us every day on Twitter: @PCWPluggedIn News Stick It to the Man: How the Web Spurs Political Change Here are 10 instances where people combined activism and social networking to spark changes ranging from protection of ancient redwoods to the Arab Spring to playing poker online. SOPA and PIPA: What Went Wrong? For Internet activists, last week's Web protests against two controversial copyright enforcement bills were a huge victory against three powerful and well-funded trade groups. MegaUpload: The Content Cartel Strikes Back "MegaUpload: The Content Cartel Strikes Back": Anti-piracy laws too flawed? Send the Feds to bust some heads. One way or another, Hollywood will get Uncle Sam to do its dirty work. For the latest reports, visit our News page . PCW Business Center 14 Creative Ways to Use Facebook Business Pages What are the secrets to making Facebook work for your company? Check out these 14 examples for inspiration. Visit the PCW Business Center. Blogs All Facebook Profiles Switch to Timeline Soon: Brace for Backlash Over the next few weeks, Facebook will be switching all of its users over to the new Timeline format. NES PC Mod Combines Nintendo Power With Computer Tech Although this impressively made mod project looks like a Nintendo Entertainment System on the outside, it's all PC on the inside. Did Anonymous Trick You into Crashing Sites for MegaUpload Bust? A new tool, allegedly released by Anonymous, unwittingly ropes casual browsers into helping with distributed denial of service attacks. For the latest news and opinion, visit our Blogs page . Reviews Move to Digital: Lose Your Unwanted Books Want to replace your traditional library with ebooks? Here are some sites and tools that can help you make your physical books disappear. HP Envy 15 Review: A Great Laptop Marred by Serious Flaws HP could have a very satisfying performance laptop in the Envy 15--if it addresses a couple of critical problems. Compare prices on laptops. For more reviews, visit PCWorld.com. How-To Turn a PC Into a DVR, Install Software Without a DVD Drive Add an OTA tuner to turn your PC into a DVR, install software from a disc without an optical drive. Work Faster in Microsoft Excel: 10 Secret Tricks Uncover hidden features, new uses for old tools, and handy workarounds to speed up your everyday work in the powerful spreadsheet application. For more tips, visit PCWorld.com. Videos Eye-Fi in Dispute with SD Association Over Wi-Fi Card Spec What's drawing Eye-Fi's ire is the fact that the SDA has announced a spec called iSDIO that seems mighty similar to the wireless technology synonymous with the Eye-Fi brand name. For more videos, visit PCWorld.com. Downloads Kindle for PC Kindle for PC is a very capable, full-featured and free e-book reader with great extras. For more free and trial software, visit PCWorld.com. PC World Community Screen Burned Out? Is It Repairable? Join the discussion. Visit the PC World Community CES 2012: PCWorld's In-Depth Coverage See which new gadgets are turning heads at the 2012 International CES in Las Vegas. Click here. Advertisement Lenovo ThinkPads & IdeaPads Click thru to shop the bestselling ThinkPads & IdeaPads! Most Popular Searches Android Windows 8 Tablet Samsung CES Product Reviews Dell Precision M6600 90 Pros Superb display with two types of touch interfaces; Excellent keyboard and pointing devices Cons Price can ramp up quickly ; It's Hulk Hogan huge Read Complete Review » Top Desktop Replacement Laptops » 100 Best Products of 2011 » Micro Express MicroFlex 79B 93 Pros Excellent performance; Relatively affordable Cons Weak power supply Read Complete Review » Top 10 Performance Desktop PCs » Samsung Galaxy Nexus 91 Pros 4G/LTE is very fast; Ice Cream Sandwich is a real treat; Slim, curved design Cons No expandable memory ; No Google Wallet support ; Camera is just okay Read Complete Review » Top 10 Android Phones » Top 5 Verizon Phones » Top 10 Cell Phones » Get Big Savings When you Shop at PCWorld.com Shop online at PCWorld.com, where you can compare product information, read trusted reviews, and find the best prices on consumer electronics. Artisan 725 Wireless All-In-One Inkjet Printer Price: $99.99 No User Ratings Yet Be the first to review LaserJet P4014N Printer Price: $387.00 No User Ratings Yet Be the first to review Browse more Best Prices on Printers, Ink & Toner, Paper, Graphics & Publishing Software Top News on PCWorld.com Nokia Sells 1M Windows Phones But Lumia 900 Faces Challenge The Lumia 900, with a 4.3-inch screen, support for 4G and a rumored price of $100 with a two-year contract, will be Microsoft and Nokia's best shot at getting people interested in the Windows Phone platform. Share: MegaUpload Users Look Into Suing U.S. Over Lost Files When the U.S. Department of Justice shut down MegaUpload last week, users storing files legally on the site became collateral damage. Now, some of them want to sue. Share: Top Reviews on PCWorld.com The 12 Greatest PC Shareware Games of All Time From the birth of Duke Nukem to the first great digital pinball game, here are a dozen classics from the shareware era. Share: Read E-Books on Your Netbook, Laptop, or PC With Kindle for PC Kindle for PC is a very capable, full-featured and free e-book reader with great extras. Share: O&O AutoBackup Does One Thing Well...But Is One Thing Enough? AutoBackup's backup on insertion is a neat trick, but the program is otherwise limited. Share: You Need a Budget YNAB teaches you to use a budget and helps you keep to it. Share: Downloads: Editor's Collection Create or Improve Your Own Websites Using These Great ToolsMore than ever before, it is easy to create content online and get your message out into the world. Many tools let you create beautiful websites, both personal and business-oriented, without writing a single line of code. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned Web developer, here are some of the best tools and services available for putting your content online today. Browse DownloadsAntivirus & Security • Design & Multimedia • Utilities • Games • Chat, Email, & the Web • Sponsored Downloads Xilisoft iPhone Contacts BackupDont lose your iPhone contacts! Easily transfer your contacts between your iPhone and your computer as a CSV or vCard format. Once backed up you can even migrate them to Google contacts or your Yahoo address book. (Compatibility: Windows XP , Windows Vista , Windows 7) PCWorld newsletter subscribers, use discount code XILI-B655 for 15% off! iBackuperAn awesome tool to make quick and secure full backup copies of your iPod (iPhone, iPad) and restore them easily! Never lose your music, videos, playlists or notes ever again! (Compatibility: Windows XP,Windows Vista,Windows 7) Use discount code RAMK-SMQI-SC for PCWorld newsletter subscriber discount of 50%!

Newsletter Subscription Resources You are subscribed to this newsletter as: irani.bharath.good@blogger.com To add or remove newsletters, change your address, or change your format (HTML or text-only), please go here. If you have questions or comments about PCWorld e-mail newsletters, please contact: webmaster@pcworld.com PCWorld Privacy Policy © 2012 PCWorld Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of PCWorld Communications, Inc. is prohibited. PCWorld is a registered trademark of International Data Group, Inc. All other trademarks used on PCWorld are the property of their respective owners. PCWorld Communications, Inc., 501 2nd St., San Francisco, CA 94107.