7 summer classics: how to ace outdoor shots.(ANNUAL PHOTO GUIDE)

Everyone rues the great vacation shot that got away. This guide to taking better outdoor photos offers tips on how to make the most of your digital camera, whether it's a humble compact or a power-packed SLR. You'll take the pictures you yearn for, while improving your shooting skills.

Because camera users vary in ability and equipment, we've divided our advice into two categories: Simple solutions are fairly easy to achieve with even a basic compact digital camera. Many involve use of the preset modes (found on almost all cameras, including some SLRs) that program a combination of settings for particular types of shots. Our advice adds some tips to help you make the most of the modes.

The serious solutions might be more than casual photographers want to attempt, but they often yield better pictures. They mostly require the use of features that allow more control over the camera than presets do; those features include color-saturation and white-balance settings, as well as manual controls for aperture and shutter speed. Before trying our tips, browse through your camera's user manual to familiarize yourself with features and controls you might not know much about. Take some time to find out the types of pictures your camera takes. Though you can edit images on your computer, it might be easier to adjust settings such as sharpness and exposure compensation so that your camera routinely produces images that suit your tastes.

The action shot

> SIMPLE SOLUTION Try to capture action shots using a preset mode tailored for fast-moving subjects. Look for settings called Action, Sports, or Children.

Focusing on fast-moving subjects can be challenging. If your subject has not yet appeared on the LCD, focus on another object about the same distance from where you expect it to be.

> SERIOUS SOLUTION Use your camera's continuous-shooting feature, which is sometimes called burst or sequential shooting. It causes the camera to take a number of pictures in quick succession. Some cameras limit certain functions while continuous shooting is in effect. The flash might be turned off, for example.