Imaging tips for AEL Digital Cameras

Be sure you have adequate light. Even lighting is the key to successful pictures. The AEL cameras are actually video cameras and are very sensitive to high contrast lighting. For example, a film camera can handle contrast ratios of 1000:1. This means that with a film camera the brightest object in your picture can be 1000 times as bright as the darkest and still appear correctly. With video cameras the ratio is usually more like 20:1. This means that in order for everything in your image to show correctly the brightest object in the scene should only be about 20 times as bright as the darkest object. You need to use "flat" lighting. The most succesful pictures will be taken in shade, partial sun, overcast, and brightly lit interior spaces. Flourescent lighting works best and needs very little color correction.
Hold the camera very steady. A video camera has an effective shutter speed of 1/30 of a second. If you jiggle the camera or the subject is moving your picture may be blurred.
Get in close. Detail gets lost in pictures at 72 dots per inch. All digital camera images are produced at 72 DPI. Think of this in reference to your color printer which probably has a resolution of 720 dpi or more. Fill your viewfinder with the subject, being mindful of not becoming entirely claustrophobic.
Use image enhancement tools. In our experience, almost every picture from any digital camera needs color correction and enhancement. We have provided some of these enhancement tools on the CD that came with your camera and there are many more on our website in the Free Software section. The best of these tools offer simple "one click' color correction and enhancement. We urge you to try and become familiar with some of these great tools.
Take LOTS of pictures. Practice make perfect. Remember that since the camera has no film and there are no developing charges, you can take as many pictures as you want without ever being concerned about cost. Its very tiny and rugged and you can carry it with you almost anywhere.