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One feature commonly found on digital cameras is the portrait mode.  This mode is designed to help the shooter take a portrait that has blurred background (no branches or signs sticking out of their head), softer skin detail (you don't want to see every facial hair or pore), and softer skin tone (so they don't have ruby-red cheeks).  Here are some tips in using portrait mode:

1.  Turn the portrait mode on.  It often has a symbol of a ladies head (sometimes with a hat, and other times with flowing hair).

2.  Zoom the subject in with lens on the camera.  Try to fill the picture with just their head and shoulders.  This mode works better when the background isn't too close to the subject.

3.  Pre-focus (see the other mini lesson on pre-focusing) and take the picture!

Do you hate the long delay when you push the shutter button to take a picture?  Have you tried to take a picture of a family pet only to get a photo of their back-end leaving the photo?  Try this tip:

   Instead of waiting until the last second to take the photo, anticipate where the subject is going to be and point the camera there.  Press halfway on the shutter button and wait for a beep, green or orange light, or some other indicator letting you know that focus is achieved.  Now, be patient - don't lift your finger off the button or push down all the way just yet.  When the subject is in the frame, press the remainder of the way down and the photo should happen immediately!