Fix the Pix

Article: Don’t overuse your zoom lens: Fix The Pix, Episode 13.Superzooms are very tempting, but there's a downside

At the longest focal length, zoom lenses on compact cameras produce darker images, especially when shooting with your flash.

Article: Don't let far flash foible leave your subject in the dark: Fix the Pix, Episode 12.Your flash has limits. Here's one of them, and how to work around it.

Have you ever shot pictures of a ballgame or a concert at a stadium or arena—or just across a room—and were disappointed to see...not much of anything?

Article: Did you shake your camera while in night portrait mode? Fix the Pix, Episode 11.Get that flash but blurred effect under control

What to do when a mode designed to save people pictures in low light ruins them instead.

Article: Avoid uneven portrait lighting under trees: Fix the Pix, Episode 9.Why great portraits aren’t made in the uneven shade

While taking pictures in open shade is generally a good thing, there’s an exception to this rule when you’re under the shade of a big, leafy tree and the sun light peaks through here and there.

Article: "Why is my nose so big?" Fix the Pix, Episode 8.Avoid the fun-house mirror look

You've followed my advice and are shooting frame-filling portraits with your compact digital camera. But did you remember to zoom, or did you leave your lens at its widest setting? Here's the one time you shouldn't zoom with your feet!

Article: Fill the frame when shooting a portrait: Fix the Pix, Episode 7.Are you ready for your close-up?

The trouble with people pictures is most photographers don't get close enough. Look at the difference a more intimate approach can make!

Article: Beware distracting backgrounds: Fix the Pix, Episode 6."Hey, what's with that tree growing out of my head?"

When taking photos of your friends and loved ones with your digital camera, pay attention to what’s going on behind them. Otherwise, unintentional hilarity might ensue.

Article: Do your photos have too much space overhead? Fix the Pix! Episode 5.An easy fix for a common compositional boo-boo

When photographing people, don't waste half the frame with stuff that isn't important. If you can fold the picture in half and not lose anything you won't miss, it's time to change your shooting habits.

Article: Farewell, fuzzy faces forever: Fix the Pix, Episode 2.How to easily avoid a common focusing foible

If are using an older autofocus camera, there may be times when focus "misses" your subject's face, and instead the background is in sharp focus while the person or people you're photographing are blurred.

Article: FIX THE PIX!.Here are 14 of the most common picture-taking mistakes snapshooters make, and how to fix them

Turning faulty snapshots into great photographs, believe it or not, doesn't take much. Mostly, it's about being aware of what your photographing, framing and exposing it right, and using the right lens. With today's compact digital cameras, that's easier than ever to accomplish.