Shutter speed I have a cannon a410 power shot. when i take pictures it takes about 10 seconds for me to be able to take another picture. this problem just started recently. I must have changed a setting and I am not sure what setting it is to change it back. can you please help me change the setting back so I can take pictures faster. thanks

Is this information not contained in the camera manual ? If you have no manual, you can download a manual for almost any equipment by Googling the make and model followed by the word Manual, then follow the appropriate link(s).
Briefly, you need a fast shutter speed and wide aperture to capture motion of any kind, which may involve increasing the ISO rating. You will also find it useful to invest in a sturdy tripod.

Manual:
http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins/acrobat/en/service/manuals/urg01041/C182_xUG_GLB_en.pdf

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Using the self-timer
Use the self-timer when you want to be included in a picture, or to ensure a steady
Shutter button press. Place the camera on a tripod or flat surface.
1 In any picture-taking mode, press the Info button to turn on the shortcut icons.
2 Press to highlight the self-timer icon. Press to choose a setting:
10 seconds- A picture is taken after a 10-second delay (so you have time
to get into the scene).
2 seconds- A picture is taken after a 2-second delay (for a steady, shutter
release on a tripod).
2 shot- The first picture is taken after a 10-second delay. A second picture
is taken 8 seconds later.
3 Compose the scene. Press the Shutter button halfway, then completely down.
The camera takes the picture/pictures after the delay.
Use the same procedure to take a 2- or 10-second self-timer video, but press the
Shutter button completely down.

Self-timer
(10-second delay) it will have a 10 on it


Time to get yourself into the picture. Place camera on a tripod or flat surface.


Self-timer
(2-second delay) it will have a 2 on it

Allows for a steady, auto-shutter release on a tripod.

Self-timer
(2 pictures) it has a 2X on it

Capture 2 shots (one picture taken after 10 seconds and another picture taken 8 seconds later).


First Burst Flash forced off.it has like 2 folders in front of the camera

Camera takes up to 8 pictures (2 per second) while the Shutter button is held. The first 8 are saved. (Capture an expected event e.g., baseball swing)

Last Burst
Flash forced off. it has 2 folders behind the camera

Camera takes up to 30 pictures (2 per second up to 15 seconds) while the Shutter button is held. When the shutter button is released, only the last 8 pictures are saved. (Capture an event when the precise timing is uncertain e.g., a child blowing out birthday candles.)

Hi, Follow these steps:
1. In any Still mode, tap Settings to open the Settings panel.
2. Tap Self-Timer/Burst repeatedly, until the desired Self-timer icon appears at the bottom of the LCD: 10 seconds—A picture is taken after a 10-second delay (so you have time to get into the scene). 2 seconds—A picture is taken after a 2-second delay (for a steady, auto-shutter release on a tripod). 2 shot—The first picture is taken after a 10-second delay. A second picture is taken 8 seconds later.
3. Compose the scene. Press the Shutter button halfway, then completely down. The camera takes the picture/pictures

First make sure the mode selector dial is set to the red camera without an M next to it (ie you're in Auto mode and NOT in manual mode). If so...

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open).

To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see the following for further info and a simple fix that may help:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2009/05/simple-fix-for-stuck-shutter.html

Now the A410 is not capable of taking 15 second exposures as recommended for the fix. Instead try setting the camera to manual mode, turn off the flash, got to a darkened room, and take a picture. Open the battery door while the red and yellow light are flashing. If after many tries this does not work, then consider trying Fix #5a on the site. But do so with the camera turned off and the lens retracted to lessen the chance of damaging the lens mechanism.

Lighting conditions, shutter speed, Iris size low ccj count movement of item shake (try a try pod)

Are you sure that you are in full "auto" mode when you are taking your pictures? Make sure that the mode selector is set to the first red camera (without the M) right next to the little blue arrow.

If you already are in full auto, a stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open).

To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see the following for further info and a simple fix that may help:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2009/05/simple-fix-for-stuck-shutter.html

Your camera is not capable of taking 15 second exposures. Instead try putting it in manual mode, turn off the flash, take it in a darkened room, take the picture, and open the battery door while the red and yellow lights are blinking. Give it several tries, but note that the chances may be very slim for success as the shutter symptoms suggest that it is stuck open.

Of course it does, it has full manual control (M), but may I suggest first trying "shutter priority" (Tv). This mode lets you set shutter speed up to 15 seconds, but it automatically sets the aperture to match the shutter speed that you set. Merely turn the mode dial to Tv, then use the right/left buttons to select the shutter speed.

Now before pressing the shutter button, may I also suggest that you use the camera's shutter delay timer to take the picture (this will eliminate any shake from you pressing the button). Just press the function button to bring up the menu. then find the timer setting (try 2 seconds).

Here's where you can download your camera's user manual if you want to read more on what your camera can do:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=SupportDetailTabAct&fcategoryid=221&modelid=9828#DownloadDetailAct

Two things to try, 1) The release button is a two stage process. Pushing the release button 1/2 way allows the camera to focus on the subject. It needs a few milli-seconds to do this. A full depress releases the shutter, but it you don't allow the camera to focus, things get messed up.

2) Holding a camera of this type with outstretched arms is a sure way to get poor shots. I use my Fuji S5000 with the viewfinder rather than the LCD display for framing shots just like I was using an SLR/DSLR

Well most digital cameras are not equipped to allow to take a lot of action photos or just snap off various pictures of the same subject in a relatively short time. The models which are ill-equipped require more time between shots to save the image to the memory card. Just imagine the time it takes to save something on a disk. Keep in mind that the burst mode allows temporary storage of images. This way, you could take as many pictures as you can in no time. With the Nikon Coolpix 4300 Digital Camera, you can expect to find a shutter speed of 1/1000 to 8 seconds. One more camera feature include a Self-Timer mode, which provides a three- or 10-second delay between the time the Shutter button is pressed and the time the image is actually captured... Good luck!