No, this is not a reference to any online deal, e-mail, or Facebook update.

In a fraction of a second, one push of a button captures a moment to preserve a memory. Now, with the ease of digital photography, it’s easy for one to take more photos hastily and see the results almost instantly without nearly the expense of film and developing.

With a quality digital camera, software, and printer, anyone may be a photographer. Minus a professional eye to detail and technical prowess, though, mistakes can be easily made. However, there are simple ways to improve the quality of one’s pictures.

First, it is important to understand how a camera functions. There are numerous settings on a camera that affect the exposure.

Local photographer Susan May, who exhibits and teaches in the area, says that people “need to read the owner’s guide.”

Whether a digital camera is a new Christmas gift or not, creating a simple set and playing with the camera is a way to test out the settings and be creative.

“Set up apples on a table and try different settings to see what you get,” May said.

A camera’s setting can be manually changed to fit the type of environment or subject one’s shooting. Often when used correctly, the photo will likely turn out clearer.

Once the camera is set up in the most accurate manner, there are steps one can think of while setting up a photo when viewing the camera’s screen.

“I encourage people to move in close. There’s often too many distracting things in the background,” May said.

A standard point and shoot digital camera will focus on whatever subject in the photo is closer to the camera, but the impact can be lost if the eye is drawn to many different areas of the photo. The composition of a photo can be constantly changed, too.

“It’s okay to not always have the subject in the center; it adds interest if you think in thirds,” May said.

If portrait or landscape photos are taken, two specific ideas are given to those who take her photography course.

“Try and create a mood. Is it serious, humorous? What do you want?” May said. “Secondly, pick a theme. For example, shoot a fall theme with pumpkins and leaves.”

With all of this considered, basic problems such as shadows or over- and underexposure can ruin a photo.

Generally, portraits should be taken in soft light, such as outside on a cloudy day.

“Sunlight creates harsh shadows,” May said. “Flash is used in many settings, though, to fill in shadows.”

Though there may be a variety of steps to consider before pressing down and releasing the shutter, May suggests to “keep it simple.”

“The most common mistake, I think, is turning the camera to portrait or holding the camera straight forwards,” May said. “I encourage people to experiment at an angle, to hold the camera at 45 degrees; try something different.”