How Shutterlag Ruined My Gene Simmons Photo

My camera's delayed flash tricks people into thinking that by the time the first flash goes off, their pictures have been taken. But in reality, it is until after the second flash that the picture is actually captured. Yes, it's as confusing as it sounds, which is why my impromptu shots are always ruined by awkward smiles, closed eyes, or blurry faces. In order to get a decent picture, I have to remind them to stay still until after the second flash. Frustrating.

Case in point: My only photo with Gene Simmons (see above). As upsetting as it was, I can't blame him for thinking my camera had already taken the picture. You'd think that with all the advances in camera technology, such problems would be solved. I mean, cameras today have face recognition, red-eye reduction, and even slimming features that make you look ten pounds lighter, yet the shutter lag (delay between pressing the button and actually taking the picture) combined with a bright flash can ruin a great photo, literally, at the blink of an eye.

Canon is working on yet another feature that will be implemented in next-generation cameras. The feature is called Blink Shot, and it won't take a picture until everyone's eyes are open! David Pogue over at the New York Times says this seems like a daunting task, especially if you're taking a group photo. Imagine how many times those eyes will be blinking during the shutter lag, decreasing your chances of taking a decent group photo.

Blink Shot might solve one problem for some, but what's going to happen to the spontaneity of taking a photo when you have to wait on all these features to kick-in? Guess we'll soon find out.

In the meantime, I'll give some tips I found over at Digicamhelp and around the web to help you decrease the shutter lag effect:

• Always use charged batteries.
   
• Digital cameras are different from film cameras that only require one press of a button. Learn to use the two-step shutter release by pressing the button half-way down to focus, then all the way when you're ready to take your shot.   
   
• Anticipate your shots by using continuous auto-focus before taking a picture. Once you frame your shot, your camera will constantly focus on the subject until you take the photo increasing your chances of capturing the right moment. Press the button half-way down, then shoot when you're ready. This works great for action photos.
   
• Pre-focus on an object sitting at the same distance as your subject, then press the shutter button half-way down until you're ready to take the shot.  

Got any other tips? Share them below.