More Tuna

Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film. -- Stephen Wright

It's Thanksgiving. I look forward to seeing family that I have not seen in a year and catching up. I hope you too will be with family and friends. Live your life with an attitude of gratitude. Sorry it rhymes, but that's my mantra.

I promised some photography tips, so here's the first one. Find your camera's instruction manual and read it. Ha ha. Just kidding.

Did you ever notice that what you thought was going to be in your picture turned out to be gone or blurred -- your subject had moved? Well here's the issue. When you mash the button to take the photo, the camera has to perform a couple of different functions before it actually takes the picture. It has to take a light meter reading to make sure it makes the proper exposure and it has to focus. This takes a fraction of a second, but long enough that an active subject can move around within or move outside the picture frame. So, here's what to do. Most digital cameras focus and set the exposure when you press the button down half way. So, say you're going to take a picture of some friends. As you look through the viewfinder or on the little screen, press the button halfway. The camera will focus on the subject and take the meter reading. Keep your finger pressed on the button in this position. Tell your friends to say "real estate professional". When they smile, you press the shutter the rest of the way and you wind up with the photo you hoped for.

This technique works very well when you have a moving subject. Say you're watching a group of runners. Aim the camera at a spot where you know the runners will pass. Press the shutter down half way. The camera focuses on the correct distance and sets the proper exposure. Keep your finger pressed on the button. When the runners enter the frame, push the button down the rest of way and your subjects are in focus and properly exposed.

Sometimes, the difference between a good photo and a missed opportunity is as simple as performing this little trick. If you have a photography question, let me know. I'll do my best to answer or send you in the right direction.

My best wishes to you and your family for a Happy Thanksgiving.

Scoot Tuna

Enough about you, let's talk about me!

I'm a real estate broker in Wilmington, NC and have enjoyed my work for over 23 years, but I am also very interested in photography. Years ago, I studied photography at Maryland Institute of Art in Baltimore, then life got in the way and my photography became a random activity and vacation recording kind of thing. Recently, however, I decided that I would make the time and effort to pursue my interest. Over the years, I have moved from film to digital and now am working with a Canon 40D. I now look like a photographer.

My plan here is to talk a little bit about how, even with point and shoot cameras, you can improve your photos. Not major stuff, but little tips that are easy to learn and incorporate. As I progress, I might add some information about the local real estate market -- worthwhile stuff, not eyes glazing over stuff.

If what you know about the Wilmington area real estate market is what you read/hear in the media, you're not well informed. If you have real estate questions, of course I'll be happy to help. Send me an e-mail and ask away.

I want to thank my wife, Nancy Noel May, for re-igniting my interest in blogging. She just purchased a Smart Car, had it wrapped with one of her paintings (she's an artist) created a cool website, ArtSmartCar.com and started her own blog chronicling the adventures of her Smart Car, named Bebe. Not wanting to be outdone, here I am.

I've got some good ideas to improve your photos. Stay tuned.