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Trekker Product Review
Nikon Coolpix 4300
On a recent trip to Belgium I shot all my digital pictures with the Nikon Coolpix 4300 and was amazed with the truly cool images I captured with it. Here are some tips and suggestions on the special features of the 4300 that I find make my images unique and different and why I would recommend shooting with it.
1. Since this camera is so small and lightweight, I carry it in my pocket everywhere I go and try out all sorts of unusual angles with it. Most of the time I keep my coolpix in landscape mode, because that is what I like to shoot best like the following picture in the beautiful town of Brugge.
Even ordinary objects can look more interesting if seen from a different vantage point
This picture was taken in the old town hall of Antwerp, which we had special permission to shoot. I saw those lovely chandeliers and simply lay down on a table and pointed the lens directly upwards and this is what I got.
2. I mostly shoot on Aperture priority, which is a nice option to have because it lets you select the aperture and that in turn determines your depth of field. Also in that mode you can make use of the 5-area multi autofocus feature, which allows you to chose your focus point to be in the foreground and objects behind it will be out of focus adding depth to your pictures. I use this mode for details and close ups when there is something interesting in the background that I would like to show as well but with less emphasis.
A detail from inside an old gothic church
3. The macro zoom on the Coolpix 4300 is wonderful. None of my other cameras has a good macro option so I can really get carried away with my Coolpix sometimes, because I know the image quality will be superb and sharp nonetheless. Here I choose the close up mode from the scene modes for great results.
4. Capture beautiful reflections by holding the camera very close to a water surface while composing it on the screen. The large, quality monitor comes in handy to compose your shot because sometimes there is just no way to get your head that low to the water.
Reflections can be found anywhere.
5. Don’t be afraid to experiment and hold your camera at an angle sometimes. I like the dynamic feel that you can achieve this way. The new matrix metering system will take care of all the different lighting situations you might encounter. So you can concentrate on the creative composition of your images.
6. The Nikon coolpix is great for people photography. Again, being able to use the improved lcd monitor and not having to look through a viewfinder helps to capture genuine moments. For great portraits just switch to Portrait mode.
7. Movement is sometimes a little hard to capture with the Coolpix because there is a slight delay from the moment you press the shutter to when the camera actually takes the picture. But I have learned to accept this restriction and my remedy is A.: shoot a lot and something will work out and B.: allow for great surprises, don’t be afraid to press the shutter just moments before something great might happen. You will be rewarded.
This took quite a few shots because the flag was moving in the wind constantly
Animals are tricky because they move a lot so just keep shooting!!!
8. Also in dark rooms or at night the Coolpix can be tricky to work with if you want to avoid flash to get a more atmospheric picture. Because they are such wonderful lightweight cameras, you shake the camera easily when pressing the release button at slower shutter speeds. I have achieved great results though by selecting the Best Shot Selector option, which allows the camera to take several shots simultaneously and it then automatically selects the sharpest picture for you. Try also to put your camera onto stable objects at hand (like chairs, benches, pillars or even press it onto your body for added support) to achieve more sharpness. Actually, indoor subjects should be shot in the party/indoor mode and every time you are in a scene mode, the Noise Reduction is automatically activated whenever an exposure is ¼ sec or less, which helps to get better, sharper pictures in difficult situations. Also don’t forget to change the white balance when you are moving from daylight into artificial (tungsten) light, unless of course, you like the color shifts that occur.
I have come to really like the slightly grainy and yellowish pictures taken in low light situations, they capture the atmosphere beautifully.
In this picture I simply put the camera onto the table to stabilize it
9. Intentional out of focus or blurring your images by moving the camera is another interesting way to add motion and liven up your images. I first did it accidentally and then really liked the effect I was getting. This can take otherwise rather ordinary pictures into the realm of the fantastic and magical.
10. Capturing water is a common photographic challenge. I have had interesting results both with freezing the water motion as well as on slow shutter speeds.
11. Take pictures in the rain. Your results will be refreshing. You can shoot the reflections that appear on pavements and in puddles just after a rain shower or shoot through windows laced with rain and play with the focus on your camera.
12. Look out for interesting shadows. Sometimes the shadow of an object can be more interesting than the real thing.
13. Find objects to shoot through. I have found ovals to be particularly useful for visually placing other objects or interesting scenery inside them.
14. Try some night time photography. Churches or other impressive buildings are usually beautifully lit at night and can make for some fantastic photos. I have taken great photographs using the night landscape mode. It still helps to bring a tripod along to steady your camera though.
15. Be playful and experiment. The following pictures are direct results of playing around and trying out new things. Knowing that taking a digital picture will not cost me any money has really freed me up and made me experiment more and take pictures of things and in situations that I normally would not have risked to do. Now, if I see something nice or unusual but know that under normal circumstances this would be hard to capture on film I still give it a shot with my coolpix. And even if it comes out different, I might like it even more than what I originally saw. Basically you have nothing to loose.
This curious portrait was taken through the frosted glass of a juice glass while waiting at a restaurant.
This is a self portrait in an old deteriorating mirror with the focus being on the mirror
This was a sunset taken through a moving train window.
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