Help!

[markyezy]

So Im not really upto date with all this digital camera stuff.

I have just bought a Powershot A95. I also purchased one of those mini tripods for it.

So the first few pictures I took looked BAD!. So Ive posted one with the EXIF Data and was wondering if someone could give me some pointers one settings to change.

Right now I am trying to learn to take, clear, clean and crisp photos, Ill worry about subjects after I learn how to use the camera.

Thank You very much!!!
Mark

EXIF DATA:

FNumber : F3.2
ExifVersion : 0220
DateTimeOriginal : 2004:12:30 10:03:24
DateTimeDigitized : 2004:12:30 10:03:24
ComponentConfiguration : YCbCr
CompressedBitsPerPixel : 5/1 (bit/pixel)
ShutterSpeedValue : 1/4Sec
ApertureValue : F3.2
ExposureBiasValue : EV0.0
MaxApertureValue : F2.8
MeteringMode : Division
Flash : Not fired(Compulsory)
FocalLength : 7.81(mm)
MakerNote : Canon Format : 906Bytes (Offset:942)
UserComment :
FlashPixVersion : 0100
ColorSpace : sRGB
ExifImageWidth : 1600
ExifImageHeight : 1200
ExifInteroperabilityOffset : 1872
FocalPlaneXResolution : 1600000/283
FocalPlaneYResolution : 1200000/212
FocalPlaneResolutionUnit : Meter
SensingMethod : OneChipColorArea sensor
FileSource : DSC
CustomRendered : Normal process
ExposureMode : Manual
WhiteBalance : Auto
DigitalZoomRatio : 2592/2592
SceneCaptureType : Standard
Vendor Original Information
MacroMode : On
Self-timer : 2sec
Quality : Super-Fine
FlashMode : Off
Drive Mode : Single-frame
Focus Mode : Single
ImageSize : M2
Easy shooting mode : Manual
Digital Zoom : Off
Contrast : Normal
Saturation : Normal
Sharpness : Normal
CCD Sensitivity : ISO200
MeteringMode : Evaluative
FocusType : Macro
AF point selected : Unknown (16385)
ExposureProgram : Manual
Focal length of lens : 7.8125-23.40625(mm)
Long Shutter Mode : Off
Photo Effect : Off
White Balance : Auto

[JK]

Looks a little out of focus, underexposed and the colour-balance is a bit off. Was this hand-held ? If so, then the image may be a bit blurry due to the sloooow shutter speed you took the photo at.

Try using a flash indoors (and also outdoors if you're photographing people in the shade etc.) A bit of fill-in flash can make a lot of difference!

Other than that, keep experimenting and remember if things get a bit too dark, then you'll end up with slow shutter speeds = blurry pics. Use a flash or improve the lighting.

[PhotosGuy]

I don't mind the color balance - sometimes the 'wrong' balance is the 'right' one if you like the results!
You might have bumped the ISO up to get a faster shutter speed.