Ten Tips to Get Great Shots from Your Canon PowerShot G10/G11
- #1: Image Quality
- #2: Adjust White Balance (G11 Only)
- #3: Keep Things in Focus with Servo AF Mode
- #4: Focus on Faces
- #5: Use Spot Metering for Portraits
- #6: Adjust the Built-in Flash Power
- #7: Retain Sky Color with Exposure Compensation
- #8: Lock the Exposure with AE Lock
- #9: Use Slow Synchro for Better Backgrounds
- #10: Bracketing Exposures
Have you reached the limits of quality (or patience) with your little point-and-shoot digital camera, but don't want the size, cost, or complication of a digital SLR? The Canon PowerShot G10 and G11 cameras are small wonders that are capable of producing high-quality images using plenty of professional features and good image sensors, but still fit into a pocket.
My book Canon PowerShot G10/G11: From Snapshots to Great Shots shows you how to get the most out of your G10 or G11, focusing on how to use the cameras' specific features to capture great photos (and minimize trips to the manuals). Here are 10 tips that will help you end up with better shots in a variety of shooting situations.
#1: Image Quality
One of the main draws to the G10 or G11 is its capability to shoot in RAW mode: The camera records all the data from the image sensor and doesn't apply any in-camera sharpening or compression the way JPEG images are saved. That gives you more latitude to edit RAW images later on the computer.
However, the automatic modes (Auto as well as the scene modes) shoot only in JPEG. In fact, the Low Light mode even knocks the image resolution down to the M size (1824 x 1368 pixels). So if you want to maintain the best image quality, avoid (or minimize your use of) the automatic modes.