Simple tips for better pictures

We guarantee you'll be happier with your photos if you use these suggestions. We've selected a few that are easiest to use and will result in the greatest improvement.

Improving picture composition

Fill the frame

Stepping closer or zooming in to your subject will eliminate distracting clutter and make it easier to see your subject.

Put heads at the top

Don't put people's heads in the middle of the picture because their heads are not in the middle of their bodies.

Use plain backgrounds

Take a moment to look at what is behind your subject. Cluttered backgrounds can be distracting.

Turn the Camera

For pictures of one or two people, a vertical format often works best. You can better fill your photo with your subjects. Remember to hold the camera so that the flash is at the top, not the bottom.

Plagued by Red Eye? Using your flash indoors or outside (at night) sometimes results in red eyes. An inexpensive red eye retouch pen can easily fix up all those pictures you've already taken, or we can do it for you. A few touches from the Red Eye Pen neutralizes the red, making the eyes more natural. There is also a Pet Eye Pen that will neutralize the green glow found in flash pictures of animals. Which Film is Best? With quality processing like Carman's, any of the top brands of film can deliver superb results for most snapshot photography. Medium speed films (ISO 200 and 400) are good all around choices. A 400 speed film is preferred when shooting in dim light or where flash distances exceed 10 feet. Slower speed films provide slightly better color and sharpness.

Hold the Camera Level

A basic rule of photography is to hold the camera level. Since most digital cameras come with a LCD, you can use it to properly frame your shots. Next time you're taking a shot, try to look for the horizontal lines and use them as guides. A good example is to make use of the horizon when you're taking a photo of a sunset.

Up, Down and All Around

Often, we take pictures of kids and pets while standing over them. By getting down to their level, you can capture a more flattering image. Also try walking around your subject to look for different backgrounds and lighting effects.

Use the Tripod

I recommend this tip to all budding photographers - camera tripods are an essential tool in your photography arsenal. When will you need a tripod? Well, it's useful if you're taking shots under low-light conditions or trying to capture fast moving objects. I like to use a tripod when taking night shots city streets, for example. Always try to look for a tripod that's convenient to carry around. For personal use, you don't need a huge one - just a simple compact one that's easy to pack.

Save the Long Zoom for Daylight Zooming beyond 2X optical or 70mm to make your subject look close indoors can cause your flash photos to look dull and dark. You lose light two ways, flash weakens at greater distances and long zoom settings let less light pass through the lens.

Use your flash inside Indoors usually do not have enough light for a proper picture and there is only limited sources of lights around the subject. Using a flash indoors fills the shadows with light. Most cameras today are designed to permit using flash indoors. If you are unsure of how to do this with your camera, please ask us and remember to get close.

Compare this picture taken in dark room...

to this one taken in the same spot with a flash.

Use your flash outside Sunshine often creates undesirable shadows especially when the light is coming from behind the subject. Using a flash outdoors fills the shadows with light. Most cameras today are designed to permit using flash outdoors. If you are unsure of how to do this with your camera, please ask us and remember to get close.

Compare this picture taken in bright sunlight…

to this one taken in the same spot with a flash.

Quality processing for superior pictures

No two labs are the same and quality varies greatly. At Carman's, each negative is individually analyzed for optimum balance and each print is hand inspected for quality. Our wide range of services include color and black and white film processing (35mm, APS, 120), enlargements, photos from digital cameras and computer files, slide processing, prints from slides, and prints from prints. Carman's digital lab can restore, modify and create pictures, business cards, seasonal and special occasion greeting cards.

Adjusting Images on Your Computer

If you are going to have Carman’s make prints for you, do not adjust the images. Our expert technicians use state of the art machines and software to adjust each image for you at No Charge. Since every computer monitor is calibrated differently, the corrections you make could negatively impact your photos. Feel free to crop, using a software program that maintains the proper proportions.

Computer related tips

Disk Defragmenter- Found under “system tools” in your computer. Running this program keeps you hard drive organized to allow faster access to files and reduces the chance of a file becoming corrupt, or unreadable.

Empty your Recycle Bin- Sending items to the “recycle bin” still leaves the file on your hard drive taking up space. Double click on your Recycle Bin and under “file” choose “empty recycle bin”.

Storing your digital images

Digital cameras make electronic files, not negatives. Carman’s recommends transferring your files to a CD for long term storage. Computer hard drives can fail resulting in lost pictures, plus it may be difficult to move pictures to a new computer when you upgrade. We will make a CD of every image on your card or in your online order.