Framing a shot using a digital camera can get a bit of getting used to. Like film cameras, compact digital cameras have a viewfinder which is “offset”. This means the viewfinder image is not exactly the same as the image you get on the sensor. However, you can make small adjustments to capture the image you were hoping for.

Increasingly, however, digital cameras are being produced without a viewfinder at all. Why is this? Because digital cameras have a LCD screen.

What is a LCD screen? It is a screen – like a small television screen – on the back of the camera which shows you the scene exactly as the camera sees. You can frame your shot easily using this alone and without ever using the viewfinder (hence why they are going out of fashion). The image comes up nice and bright and is “live” which means that the image moves as the camera moves. And if the subjects move, you will see this on the screen too. It’s like a miniature video camera screen.

The only drawbacks are: (a) LCD screens use battery power and the more you use the screen the more power is consumed - always make sure you have charged batteries and spares and (b) in bright light (e.g. sunlight) the LCD screen can sometimes be a little difficult to see – shield it with your hand if need be

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com.

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