Lumix Tips & Tricks
Get Great Results from your Lumix Camera - tips by Peter Eastway
Your Lumix camera is equipped with some great features. Some make every shot easier, and some provide outstanding creative opportunities. We asked professional photographer Peter Eastway to suggest which ones he found most useful when reviewing our cameras. Not every Lumix has all of the features listed here, but you’re bound to discover something new whatever your level.
1. Ensure Correct Exposure
The histogram display on your camera's LCD monitor shows the correct exposure. If the graph is in the middle, you're okay. If it is to the left, you need to increase exposure; if it's to the right, decrease exposure. You can change exposure with the Exposure (+/-) control, or if you’re more confident, with manual modes, adjust your shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings. Of course, this is all in addition to the Lumix's excellent automatic exposure control - chances are the histogram will always be in the middle!
2. Take a Wide View
If you’re the owner of a Lumix wide-angle camera, you'll find the wide-angle zoom setting not only lets you fit everything in while indoors, it’s also ideal for panoramic landscapes. However, to make a wide-angle subject really interesting, make sure you have something of interest in the foreground. Open the lens to its widest setting, and move in closer. You’ll be surprised by how much more professional your photos get!
3. Zoom In for Details
Surprise your viewers with a tightly cropped close-up of your subject. Almost every Lumix camera has a zoom lens, from 3x optical to the spectacular 18x optical zoom on the FZ28 – ideal for getting up close to sport, action and wildlife.
4. Shoot in Low Light
With the Lumix cameras' MEGA O.I.S. (optical image stabiliser) feature, you can successfully take photos in low light (indoors, after sunset, on the street at night) and still get clear, blur-free photos. The MEGA O.I.S. feature should also be used for telephoto lens work.
5. Let the Lumix Handle the Action
Taking sharp action photos has never been easier with the Lumix Intelligent ISO Control mode, even in the theatre. When the camera detects movement, it changes the camera settings to ensure the photo is recorded as sharp as possible under the circumstances. Keep your camera set to I-ISO and OIS Mode 2 for the ultimate in clear photos.
6. Fill in Flash Removes Harsh Shadows
It might seem strange to use flash in the middle of a sunny day, but with strong sunlight, many subjects can benefit from a little flash as well. Your subject should be quite close to the camera (within 2 metres). Set the flash to Forced Flash On and let your Lumix handle the rest. Some models even feature highly advanced Backlight Control for managing subjects with the light behind them.
7. Small Things Take Notice
Lumix cameras with iA will automatically switch to Macro mode, so get up close and take a look at how interesting the close-up world can be. Small insects in flowers or even the cutlery on the dinner table become wonderful subjects when you get in close – and most Lumix cameras with Macro mode will focus perfectly even when you’re down to 5cm from your subject. Small is beautiful!
8. Scene Modes Make You the Professional
Wouldn't it be great to have a photography coach with you, suggesting all the right camera settings? Well, you do. Turn the Mode Dial to SCN1 or SCN2 (or hit the button on compact cameras) and choose from 20 different scene modes. Shooting a portrait – day or night? Photographing by candlelight? There’s a mode for almost any situation!
9. When You See Something
Great, Take Lots of Shots
It costs nothing but time to take a few extra photos. When using your Lumix in Burst mode, you can take lots of photos in quick succession – or just keep shooting if your Lumix features Continuous Capture mode. Advanced Autofocus with Tracking will follow your subject while it’s still in the frame, so if you have a great subject in front of you, take several different angles and exposures, then choose the best one later on.
10. Picture Size and Quality
Whatever you do, don't try to cram more photos onto your memory card by choosing a smaller picture size or lower quality. Always leave your Lumix camera set to the largest picture size and highest quality possible - you never know when you might like to print an enlargement or enter a photo competition! Take loads of shots, review them in detail on the large LCD every Lumix offers, and only keep the great ones.
