Creating An Occasion Book Makes For A Great Gift

Do you have tons of digital photos on your computer and do not know what to do with them?  Then why not create an Occasion book to give to loved ones as a great gift.  Unlike other presents it's sure to fit and last a life time.

The first thing to do is plan. Make a list of the people you want to create the occasion books for. Think about the types of photos they would like in the book.  Some people are quite easy grandparents would like to see plenty of pictures of their grandchildren.  If you have a son they might like an occasion book full of cars, planes and boats.  If your wife likes flowers why not take the digital camera and snap some pictures of her favourite flowers and put them in the photo book.

You can also create an occasion book on some major events in your friends or familys wife.  For example your childs first birthday or christmas snap plenty of pictures with your digital camera, take some notes for each picture so you can add some text to each picture to tell a story in your occasion book.

Weddings make for a great occasion book.  The bride and groom will have photos professionaly taken these can then be scanned to placed in a photo book, not only that but you could also take photos at all the informal parties to add to the book as well.

Creating an occasion book is quite simple.  The best idea is to sort out all of the photos that you would like to put in the book and use many of the online printing companies to print out your photo book.The books can be created in hardcover, softcover and even in linen.  It is very easy and you should give it a go.

 

How To Buy The Right Photography Equipment

Photography equipment is an important thing for photographers, even for professional photographers. Learning how to create different photography styles has taken the world by storm. Some professional photographers even have to learn some new mediums such as digital photography and photoshopping. That is why new types of photography equipment have been created by some photography equipment manufactures. They hope these can appeal to all of the new individuals that have entered the field of photography either as a hobby or as a professional career choice. You can find many different types of equipment that can be used in photography. And the camera itself are among the important things in photography equipment.

You can find numerous brands of photography equipment to purchase. Each brand has different features that could be unique to the particular item. Each photography equipment item is designed to be user friendly and can enhance the images obtained by the photographer. Detailed instructions are included in most types of photography equipment. This is to help beginning photographers with setting up and using the equipment properly. Camera accessories, editing equipment, and different products to manage the lighting of the photograph may be included in these equipment items.

Common Photography Equipment Items

The camera is the first photography equipment item that is generally purchased. This is because the camera is the most important piece of equipment in photography. Without a good camera, the rest of the equipment is worthless. The popularity of the digital camera makes the camera most often chosen by photographers today. That is why many manufacturers switching their production lines to all digital items.  Without having to waste a lot of money on film for the camera, you can take a large number of photographs with these cameras. You can also erase any taken images that you don't like from the memory card inside of the camera. This will make room for more photographs that you may like better.  

Sturdy tripod is another photography equipment item that can be used for family photography, wedding photography, digital photography etc.  The tripod will keep the camera steady while taking the pictures. It will also reduce the amount of photographs that are blurry or skewed. The price of the tripods are fairly inexpensive. They can make the better looking photographs. One of the most important photography tips is to purchase a tripod that is adjustable both up and down and side to side. This is to allow the camera to be angled in many different ways that it can capture many different images. The price of this photography equipment item will be well worth it in the long run.

If you've already purchased a digital camera, then one of the most important pieces of photography equipment is the software to edit the digital photographs. These software programs allow the editing of the photographs in ways that would never be possible with traditional film photography. Each of the different software packages will have different features available. These include layering options, color filters, red eye removal, and resizing options. Before making a decision on which types of equipment to choose, make sure that you explore all of the options. This is important for you to find the right photography equipment.

More information about the photography, see http;//www.stockphotographyfashion.com

Learning The Very Basics Of First Timers Digital Picture Taking

Contrary to what many will have you believe learning beginners tips and tricks in photography just isn't that hard. There are of course differences between the old film cameras and the new Digital cameras which you will need to be aware of. Naturally once you have a firm grasp of these differences you will be able to really begin to take advantage of them, do not worry you will see a lot of of digital photography tips the beginners within this writing to assist you. It really doesn't matter who you are, with a little dedication you can learn this stuff.

Never be limited again

What is great about the digital camera is the fact that you can take an endless amount of pictures. No more paying for prints that didn't come out right or you just plain and simple didn't really want!

This is all good, however you do need to get into the habit of going through your photos and editing or deleting your collection. Otherwise, you may have a huge collection of mediocre shots.

Saving on Storage Space

One of the great things about the digital format is its flexibility, you will be able to easily resave digital images in lower resolutions and more. Lowering picture resolution is a great way to save on storage space.

Generally you'll probably only need a really high end resolution with your photographs when intending to print them out in a very large size, say like a poster for instance. If with your basic photography you are only going to make use of the images on-line or on a computer, you will be able to utilise a lower resolution setting. Your camera may be able to save images directly in lower resolutions. Your images will take up less room in the storage space when you compress the photos.

If there is one thing modern Day cameras are normally short of its memory space, so you really should increase it as soon as possible. This will instantly bring your level of fun down if you were planning to take pictures and you cannot because you just ran out of memory.

How to avoid running out of battery

Your camera’s batteries are so important for using your digital camera. The first thing that will probably go wrong is a battery that has run out of juice.

The first and most obvious thing to do is to only use the camera's built-in LCD when you 100% need it. In many cases it is also possible to turn off things like auto focus as well, but this may result in being more of a hassle, still you'd have to try it. Use rechargeable batteries and keep a couple charged batteries at hand just encase you notice your batteries going low before you will be able to recharge them.

No matter how much of an amateur you are, with a little education and practice you should have no problem in mastering your camera. There's no reason why you can't come up with images you are proud of. you'll learn that it is easy to go from digital photography for beginners to the next level of photography, as you get more comfortable with your digital camera.

The Top Digital Cameras Take Magnificent Pictures

These days most people are looking to replace their old film-based cameras with a new digital model. However, there are countless models on the market today and finding top digital cameras can be a bit frustrating, especially if you have a budget you are trying to stick to. With resolutions, optical zoom, movie features and sound to think about, all those camera stats can be a bit daunting.  

Each person who wants to record the family memories will be happy to know that they can use the best digital cameras and get photos that pros would be proud of for their publications.  There was a time in the recent past when digital cameras took acceptable pictures, but these machines did not take great pictures.  

All that has changed with the recent advances and the best digital cameras.  The best digital cameras now take photos that are clear.  These photos are not grainy like the best from a few years ago.  The pictures with the best digital cameras are worthy of publication if the composition is important.  

The pictures with the best digital cameras that are not important to the general population will remain great photos for the family archives.  Generations to come will be able to see images of their ancestors, and they will probably recognize many of the family characteristics.  

Under the $400 range, you can find quite a few top digital cameras that will deliver some great quality photos. The Olympus Stylus 1000 is a handy 10.0 mega pixel camera with about twenty different picture modes to choose from for the best picture quality.  The coolest thing about this camera is that it is weatherproof and can handle wind, rain and other extreme temperatures.  

The photographer using a digital camera can see the picture before they take it, and they can examine the image captured as soon as the action is complete.  They will be able to instantaneously decide if they would like to keep that image.  If they are not happy with their work, the photographer can delete that photo and continue to take pictures.

There are quite a few other top digital cameras in a variety of price ranges and the ones listed above just give you a general idea of what you can expect when you shop around for a new camera. By knowing what you want in a camera, how you are going to use it and what you want to spend, you should find a great digital camera that will best suit your own needs.

More ideas on digital cameras can be found here Best Ultra Compact Digital Camera

Selecting a Professional Wedding Photographer

Finding a professional wedding photographer takes a lot of work. While not quite as much work as putting the whole wedding together, you want to make sure that you have the right professional for the job. Finding wedding photography packages doesn't need to be difficult, either. If you have a good plan and ask the right questions, you should be able to find the perfect wedding photography studio for your special moments.

You may well never have hired a professional photographer before. Therefore, it can be difficult to know what questions to ask. Yet it is crucial that you conduct a careful interview process in order to find the best professional wedding photographer for your needs. Here is a short list of important questions that apply to all circumstances. You may have additional questions based on your individual needs.

1. Will you be the actual photographer for my wedding?
It would make sense that the person you are interviewing is the professional wedding photographer. However, some companies employ a sales staff that is good at closing deals. A scrupulous salesperson will let you know what his or her role is in the company. Unfortunately, not every wedding photography studio is reputable. The salesperson might not let it slip that he or she is not actually a photographer unless you ask.

Alternatively, the person with whom you speak may be the company owner. He or she may employ a staff of trusted photographers in whom he or she has complete confidence. Nevertheless, if the person you interview will not be your actual photographer, you may want to speak to that person as well.

2. May I see samples of the actual photographer's work?
Many times, the sample book consists of the best-combined work of all the photographers on staff. Ask to see a complete wedding set from the photographer that will actually photograph your wedding.

3. What is your experience with my preferred style of photography?
Engaged couples today have more choices than ever before. Digital wedding photography is increasingly common and photojournalistic wedding photography has become a hot new trend. If you want something other than traditional posed photography on film, make sure that you choose a professional wedding photographer who is experienced in the style that you desire.

4. What possible additional fees might I incur?
Travel fees, hourly fees if your wedding runs long, setup fees and fees for additional rolls of film are all fairly common but not necessarily standard. While price should not be your only consideration, try to find a photographer flexible and willing to work with you should unexpected circumstances arise. Also, inquire about charges for converting photos to black and white or sepia tones, digitizing film photos and printing out digital photos. Some wedding photography packages cover some or all of these fees, so inquire about package rates.

5. May I have a list of references from previous wedding clients?
No matter how good a photographer's pictures are, it is also important that you click with his or her personality. The interview will give you a basic idea of personality, but remember that a wedding is stressful for everyone involved. Speak with former clients to learn how the photographer behaves under the real life pressure of the wedding.

A wedding day is an event each couple hopes to cherish for the rest of their lives. It is the job of the professional wedding photographer to capture the highlights of the day on film, and there are no second chances if the shots aren't perfect. Don't rush trying to find a wedding photography studio to do your photos. Take your time to find the right one.Settling for any professional wedding photographer could be a costly mistake. You only get one chance to capture the images of your special day, and you'll need the right person to trust with this task. Take the time to ask about different wedding photography packages and to look at a studio's previous work. If you don't like the work or the photographer, you're under no obligation to hire that studio or person. Bring your list of questions, and don't stop asking until you get answers you're satisfied with. After all, you don't want to trust your wedding album to just anyone.

One of the most challenging tasks a person can undertake is planning a wedding. What with time restraints as well as staying within the budget concerns, some couples choose to give some of the more larger aspects out of their wedding totally. One of those aspects should not be Photography. In this article, we will cover some primary topics on wedding photography that all couples ought to acknowledge while planning their special day.

How far in advance should I book a photographer for my wedding?

Many photographers recommend reserving a photographer right when you become engaged, or at least until you recognize when the wedding date is. It is advised that the engaged couple book 8-12 months in advance because numerous studios book wedding dates promptly. Weddings are more numerous from May to October when the weather is most favorable. If you select to hold your wedding during this period of time, the photographer you select will likely expect a non-refundable deposit or retainer fee to hold your wedding date. This ensures that you will have this studio or photographer on your desired date, and ensuring a job for your photographer. The quicker you book your photographer, the more likely that you will be able to have a solid working relationship with your first choice.

What are some of the benefits of hiring a professional?

The main benefit to hiring a professional wedding photographer is the experience that they have. Most wedding photographers have experience working with numerous different individuals and challenging personalities.  They have faced unsuitable weather conditions, and encountered numerous technical problems. Since they specialize in photography, they are well equipped to manage numerous sizes of the weddings or for the different demands for photos. Unlike a friend or relative of the couple, a professional photographer's key goal is capturing candid moments on film. Acknowledging they are depended on delivering brilliant photos that will be cherished for numerous years to come, they are less apt to be carried away by aspects of the ceremony. With an event that allows no second chances, hiring a professional is a good investment that will help keep your memories of your special day around for years.

Which one is better, digital or film?

It will all truly depend on what the photographer that you choose prefers. Digital is ordinarily less expensive than film. However, film can be scanned at a resolution that is greater when oversized prints are preferred, and it is preferable for subjects that are fast moving in nature because of faster shutter speeds on 35mm cameras. But Then, digital prints come out similar to film, and at times even better. When it comes to digital photography there are no downsides so there is no processing time at all, and even less chance of misplaced or damaged film, or difficulties with photo finishing. Digital photos can be simpler to share with friends or family through emails, as well as galleries on the internet. In Additionally, digital images are not in all likelihood to fade in color or detail because they are normally stored on a CD or disk. In either instance, if you genuinely love a photographer's work, selecting which format to utilize for the day of your wedding should not be a huge problem.

How much should I expect to pay when hiring a professional photographer?

You should expect photography alone to be about 5% to 10% of your total budget. That might be anywhere from $900 to $2,000, and possibly up to $10,000. This is all dependent on various factors such as advertising, transportation, education, and insurance. Quotes on price include the cost of equipment for instance film as well as cameras. High-performance professional cameras can range in the thousands. While creating black and white film is much more pricey than producing color prints because of a long handcrafted procedure. Other things that couples have to take account into their budget for photography involve the number of hours that photographers spend at your wedding, including additional photographers, any additional prints, as well as custom albums. In addition, anticipate to pay more for a professional who is in high demand.


How about photos that are black and white as opposed to pictures that are color?

There are a couple of advantages and disadvantages in terms of shooting in both black and white, as well as color film. Color is the more versatile of the two formats. It provides you an accurate delineation of the events that just took place, and has the ability to rapidly be changed into black and white prints. Nevertheless, they do not last as long as prints that stem from black and white film. All The Same numerous couples choose color because it is not as costly as black and white film. Black and white film is the alternative for many wedding photographers who view themselves photojournalists. Additionally, many couples think that black and white photos have a feel of timelessness as well as elegance to them. The fundamental cause why the costs is more to shoot with film that is black and white rather than with color is because it is built by hand. In this sense, each picture is an original piece of artwork that is untouched by technology. Choosing either black and white film, or color prints will all depend on what the photographer favors to use, and what styles you are akin to, and how much you are inclined to spend.

 

Click the link for more details: Photography Backdrops with additional useful material at History Of Photography and Scenic Photography Backdrops

Take a Peek Today at the Nikon D40 and D60

If you're looking for a solid buy in the area of digital cameras on sale. This week I've selected two for my review. The Nikon D4 and the Nikon D40 DSlr. Both are the Slr type and they each are priced between $450.00 and $600.00. Depending on the sale, perks and what-knots. 

Let's take a peek at the details of the Nikon D60 first:Nikon D60 w/AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR -Exclusive Black Gold Special Edition. This camera has good value for it's price, it is of high quality and pretty much does it all. 

What's so fantastic about these small but powerful cameras is the user-friendly features. I'm very pleased to say that I'd recommend this camera to anyone looking for an affordable Digital SLR camera. Some people enjoy knowing the actual date each picture has been taken. The Nikon D60 allows you to turn the imprinting date feature on and off as you desire. This feature is located in the bottom right corner of the camera. Pretty much everything you would normally associate with the DSLR's are there. You'll find a super selection of choices for your manual modes, programmed modes, and even the automatic modes. 

I'd give the Nikon D60 a thumbs up for both the novice and semi pro's. If you can find this digital camera on sale, that's a nice bonus. The next camera I've chosen for my review is the Nikon D40 DSlr. The details of this camera are as follows: 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens. 

Just getting into digital photography. The Nikon D40 is easy to use, takes wonderful pictures in automatic mode and is quite an impressive digital camera. 

Comfortable controls, easy to use and it's of a nice strong construction. It is lightweight, but a little heavier than some. It is also great for the casual hobbyist or someone becoming a little more serious in digital photography. It's very versatile too. Whether you're taking wider shots trying to take in the outdoors or getting those close up and personal shots, you have full control over that perfect shot. 

Easy manual modes make this one of the better digitals camera on sale for the beginner. It may be a little bit larger than some prefer in a digital camera. You may want to hold it for a little while, get used to the feel and weight to see if it's a little heavier than your comfort zone allows. 

These are not the cheapest digital cameras on sale, but they are some of the better buys for the somewhat serious beginner or the more casual digital photography hobbyist. 

Sales come and go fast, so hurry on down to your local electronics outlet to check these two little digital cameras for sale out. I wouldn't classify either of these cameras in the discount digital camera field, but discounted merchandise is sometimes along the lines of the, 'you get what you pay for' buyers plan.

Canon Powershot SX10IS Review

As a amateur nature photographers, you can find it difficult to capture good close ups without getting too close.

This is where Canon Powershot SX10IS camera comes in.

Canon Powershot SX10IS is the latest model in the SLR series. It is an upgrade on the S5IS. The upgraded camera now has upgraded DIGIC4, letting you to take consecutive shots for non-still scene, and increased resolution of 10 mega pixels.

You can now snap shots at remarkable range with little distortion using its large 20x optical zoom. Snapping natural photographs is impressive enough that the subjects don't know they are being filmed.

The range for its wide angle is amazing. It measures from 28mm to 560mm. It makes a breeze for any photographer to take pictures at close ups or far away.

The Powershot SX10IS can distinguish human faces at any angle. Once it finds the faces, it will show the focusing rectangles over them. Focusing on faces could never have been that easy.

If you are using a long lens, then the additional of optical image stabilization (OIS) and motion detection in SX10IS is a plus point.

Compared to its predecessor, Powershot SX10IS is bigger. Many novices may not like it because it is bulky. Soon, your fingers will adapt to the design of the camera and you no longer have problems with shaky pictures due to the improved grip. This also prevent the dropping of the camera while taking pictures.

The improved design allows you access the buttons on the Powershot SX10IS. You can adjust a variety of settings easily such as Shutter-speed priority AE, Custom mode, Aperture priority AE, Manual exposure and Program AE.

When you look at the quality of the shots, you'll be satisfied with this digital camera. Its 10 mega pixels could take amazing details when you shoot for close ups. Its i-Contrast also helps you to capture shots under natural lighting without blowing out the light areas.

You can't deny the fact that the quality of the picture taken with SX10IS is still can't match the standalone DSLR lens. On the whole, the camera is user-friendly. You can almost immediately use the camera to snap pictures. It just takes a few seconds to warm up. I think Canon Powershot SX10IS it is an ideal digital camera for those who can't afford DSLR camera.

I wouldn't be surprised if you have visited the reviews at CNET or DPREVIEW. However, you'll find unbiased views from the customers. We took the liberty of extracting some quotations of the users from digital camera discussion boards, Shopping.com, and Amazon.com. Following this Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP digital camera review, it would justify the purchase of Canon Powershot SX10IS.

"I have found the lens to be just fine, even at max zoom. I also found that the lens is fast enough for indoor non flash photography."

"One side benefit of the face detection technology is that it enables the camera to intelligently take red-eye out of pictures without using the red-eye reduction lamp."

"The flip-out and rotating viewfinder has always and continues to set this camera apart from its peers from other companies. It allows for less intrusive candid photos and has many other advantages."

"Forget the time setting up a tripod since it has built-in image stability. Forget changing lenses for the scenery shot versus the distance shot. The image quality is very good, has more mega pixels than my Rebel, and even fits in my wife's purse."

"I feel the lens is the best of the ultra zooms in its range."

"The zoom made full frame shots a breeze."

"The picture quality is better at higher ISO's than previous models."

"The Canon PowerShot SX10 IS is an excellent choice if you need a camera with a monster 20x optical zoom, wide angle coverage and optical image stabilization. "

It is no doubt that this is what you should have if you want quality pictures.

5 Quick Digital Camera Tips You Can Begin Using today.

Whether you are applying your digital camera for recreational use or are considering a venture into the world of professional photography, you will find it helpful to understand these valuable tips to improving the overall quality of each picture that you take. 

1) If you are taking a picture of a person or your favorite pet, make sure that you place the camera at the subjects eye level. If you are photographing a child sitting down or your little puppy lying on the ground, you will need to stoop down to their level. This does not mean that the subject has to be staring into the camera directly because just being at their eye level will create an inviting image. 

2) The best pictures will be those without a lot of buzy background action. Instead, a plain background will bring more attention to your subject and less to what is going on around it. When you look through the viewfinder, also take a moment to scan the surrounding area in an effort to make sure there are no distrations in the background. 

3) Did you know that using your digital camera’s flash outdoors can actually enhance the quality of your image? If you are taking photographs on a sunny day, especially, shadows are often very problematic and can sometimes lessoned or eliminated altogether with the use of the flash. This was one digital camera tips I learned by accident. 

4) Don’t be afraid to move in close to your subject. You can use the zoom feature if you are unable to get as close as you would would like because your goal should be to fill the entire picture with your subject. This is where a little practice comes in. If you are in doubt, take several pictures just to make sure you get the perfect one. 

5) Dig in and snap away at a variety of settings. Take both horizontal and vertical photos. Sometimes it’s easy to get into a habit of using only the horizontal viewpoint. From {taking pictures of people} to office buildings to landmarks, vertical photos are often the best way to capture every single detail in your subject. 

While you are taking photos, regardless of your subject matter,take special care to notice the lighting. Cloudy days often provide optimal photo opportunities, but you will need to be aware of much more than just the weather pattern as given in the tips above. If you are using your digital camera indoors, the lighting does become an important factor so you will want to try to avoid anything that may place a glare in the photo. 

After all, the hightlight of your photo should be your Best buddy, person, or outdoor scene. And of course, that would be the subject.

Basic Digital Photography

Basic Digital Photography Is Easy To Learn

Basic digital photography is easy for people of all ages to learn. These cameras have many new features, that will help you capture many memorable moments of your life. Photographers can keep these wonderful photos for a very long time. Basic Digital photography is not difficult to learn. Photographers of all ages do not have to be brilliant to take wonderful photo with a digital camera. Learning basic photography means learning how to operate your digital camera.

Capturing and keeping photos are an important skill when learning about Basic Digital photography. With just a click of a button any undesirable photos may be deleted. After learning to take good photos with basic digital photography, you can download them to a printer or computer. Most people enjoy printing all their photographs or will save them in a computer file, so they are easily accessible for viewing later. Or many like to share their photos with others and with digital photography this is possible. Photographers can send their photos instantaneously to friends and family members across the street or around the world.

Taking Basic Digital Photography is a Great Beginning.

It is important for photographers to understand the basics of digital photography when taking pictures, and after learning the basics, many people desire to improve their skills. Learning to go further than the basics, photographers will start to work on the arrangement of their photos. They want their photos to be excellent rather than just good enough. There are several astonishing examples of pictures taken unprofessionally and therefore are not considered very well done. If the photographer was not aware of the pole in the back ground, and after the picture was taken it looked like it was growing out of someone’s head, or perhaps, they took a picture with a person accidently cut in half.

To move beyond the basics of digital photography there are many products that can help you. You can find any number of computer software programs the will help you make the photographs you take even more beautiful. If the picture you took is too dark or too light you can fix it with one of these computer programs. If you have an area in a picture you do not want to show or keep, then you should use a cropping tool to remove it. After mastering basic photography, people can learn to enlarge a photo or enlarge a part of the photo. Practically everyone enjoys having a photo of a loved one in their home or office area. Once you get the basics of photography, you will be able to frame many of the great pictures you have taken, or have them professionally framed for your home or office.

Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop - Adobe Style

In the history of photography, there has never been a time that we can achieve such phenomenal results, as has happened in the digital age. While there are a myriad of tools that the computer and internet have made available, that enhance and change the images that come from a photo shoot, none can top the popularity and power of Adobe Photoshop. The program has become so synonymous with editing and creating effects that the term, "to Photoshop" has become a verb that means to enhance or alter an image.

We can "Photoshop in" new outfits, accessories or even people into a picture where it was just not possible before.

Let’s say you want a picture of you shaking hands with the president, well you don’t have to go to Washington anymore to get it, you can just "Photoshop" it in, so it will look as if you were really there.

Similarly, we can Photoshop out things from a picture we don’t want to see there anymore.

If you want to change a physical feature or flaw you can just remove it. Or, if there is something or someone in the background you don’t want in the picture, then you can remove that too. The program is so sophisticated that these images are possible and you really cannot tell the alteration has been made.

Actually now, Photoshop has become the basic standard for new businesses with a photography studio, however for home use then, just like Microsoft word or PowerPoint, you will need to purchase the software for your computer. The good thing about this software is that it is readily accessible and a lot of people know how to use it. If you are not familiar with computer software, it should be no problem to find someone already familiar with Photoshop that can help you get it set up and get started with it, and maybe even show you how the basic features work.

However, Photoshop did not always dominate in this field. In 1989 two brothers, John and Thomas Knoll created this program together. As they worked to creat3 Photoshop, the brothers wanted to use it for some custom projects, but it wasn’t long before they realized it’s marketing potential. So, being smart entrepreneurs, John and Thomas founded a little company called Adobe and began operations in 1990.

Their success was a brilliant example of how people can achieve success in this day and age of computer technology. Today few of us who use the internet are not aware of Adobe. You probably cannot find a personal computer that uses the internet that does not have a free copy of the Adobe reader on it, used to read PDF files.

In order to increase your skills in using Photoshop, you should see if you can practice on another person’s program first. Like most computer applications, you can probably find a copy on a friend’s computer just to tinker with it and get a feel for the controls. But if they are really good at using Photoshop, you should ask them to show you some things on it, and teach you any neat tricks they may have learned themselves.

Picking one afternoon to do this together, could end up getting you addicted to Photoshop.

After you become familiar with it more, then you should purchase your own copy. There are different versions you can choose from and one you should consider first is the evaluation version. However, you only really need the evaluation version if you are still not sure you are going to buy your own copy. Since Photoshop dominates this market, you most certainly should buy a copy, this will help save some frustration, so it’s a good idea to purchase a licensed copy right away. Now, you will probably find yourself playing with the software for long hours just having fun and that’s great. But don’t overlook the value of taking some organized classes in photo editing using Adobe Photoshop software. These classes can show you the shortcuts and how to get the most out of the software.

From there on out, your imagination is the only limit to how you will use this tool to make your photographs better for your customers. You will be able to respond enthusiastically when someone says, "That’s ok, you can just Photoshop and fix it right up".

Professional Wedding Photography - Is It Necessary Or Can We Do Without?

Some couples on limited budgets might question if they need professional wedding photography. Wedding photography packages can be expensive, and many couples might try to cut corners by paying the photographer only for his or her time and the proofs. If you are one of these couples, take heart. There are affordable wedding photography packages out there, if you take the time to look for them.

Professional wedding photography bring a lot to the table that may be hard to replace. The professional is an expert at capturing subtleties of expression and nuances of the environment. Your friend or relative may be reasonably skilled with their digital camera, but unless he or she has professional experience, it is likely that the person will miss some of the fine details that a professional photographer would capture.

If you want a wedding album that you can be proud of, professional wedding photography is a must. Doing the photos yourself or asking a friend or family member to do it is risky. You might get lucky and end up with a few photos you're happy with, but good photography has nothing to do with luck. Many factors such as lighting and camera angles have to be considered before the shot is even taken. It's unlikely that an amateur would be able to capture the true feel of your wedding day in photo form.

Couples who choose contemporary wedding photography, such as wedding photojournalism, may not feel that hiring a professional photographer is necessary for them. Their photo's won't be posed but will be candid and reflect the day as it unfolds. They may feel that a friend or family member will be able to capture these shots accurately.

However, it is important to keep in mind that a friend or relative does not have professional detachment in regards to your wedding. He or she will experience emotions, personal drama, and the gamut of reactions that come with attending a large family event. It is possible that even the most well meaning friend will inadvertently miss some shots due to other things that are happening throughout the day. Additionally, the photojournalistic style requires that the photographer remain completely uninvolved in the unfolding situation. This is a difficult position in which to put someone who obviously cares deeply about you.

Affordable professional wedding photography is available from trained wedding photography professionals. If your budget is truly tight, you may want to hire a wedding photographer who has just started out on his or her own and is eager to build business. Many times, he or she will have been well trained as a staff photographer with a larger company prior to starting his or her own company. Be sure to ask for samples of the photographer's work, but do not write someone off simply because the business is new.

Also, consider hiring a wedding photography professional solely for his or her time plus the original media, forgoing expensive wedding photography packages. Explain to the photographer that you are on a tight budget and enlist his or her help in saving money.

Once you start to work with professional wedding photographers, you will find that many of them care enough to want to help you get the best pictures you can afford. Be up front and tell the photographer what you're looking for, and he or she might surprise you with an affordable wedding package you and your future spouse can both be happy with. Professional wedding photography is worth the effort and expense. When all is said and done, you will have your wedding album for a long time, so why not make sure it is as beautiful as possible?

How to Buy the Perfect Camera

When you finally make up your mind that you are going to buy a digital camera, have you worked out what you are going to ask for. So what are the things to look for if you want to buy a digital camera? Just to help with the confusion that you may be feeling, some information on what to look out for is discussed below. The most important question you need to ask yourself is: what sort of photography do you intend to use the camera for?

Will you be using it every day? A point to remember when you are looking at buying a digital camera is what type of batteries it uses because ideally they should be rechargeable,long term it will be less expensive to use this type of battery. If you are using you home pc to carry out photo editing you will need to think about whether you pc is up to the task.You may want to consider buying your camera as part of a new computer system which would probably include all the software and a printer as well. Some new personal computers come with a digital camera as part of a package, this may be worth considering. When you buy a digital camera, the image editing software usually comes with it but other necessities such as a photo printer will be an extra cost item.

Most people with computers will have a printer but you must check to see if it can be used for printing photos. The megapixel resolution of the camera will ideally need to be adjusted as high as it will go if you want to produce decent size images. When buying your digital camera, look for a large LCD screen version which many newer cameras have as standard,this screen allows for greater shooting flexibility in addition to making it easier to view them afterwards.

With a little luck this article has cleared up a number of points you may have been unclear on and should make buying a digital camera a little easier. Take note of how easy it is to operate because although functions are important, if it isn't easy to use, it won't be! Many newer digital cameras come equipped with large internal rechargeable batteries but if not you shot invest in a couple of sets,not only are these extremely cost effective, less batteries means less are disposed of which helps the environment. All digital cameras have a LCD screen which is a small screen located at the back of the unit,large screens make taking the picture so much easier.

Some lower specification versions only have a LCD screen and the larger this is, Try to buy a model with an optical zoom which usually start with 3x power, If you are serious about buying a digital camera then you should try to avoid purchasing one with only a digital zoom. If you enjoy close up pictures then you need a model with an optical zoom. If you only want to take casual pictures of family and friends you will not need an all-singing-all-dancing model that will cost a small fortune. To improve the picture quality, you will need to increase the number of pixels that the camera has available. I hope this information has helped you understand a few of the basic expressions and topics that will help you buy a digital camera.

Discount Digital Cameras Can Be Acquired

Quality digital cameras can be expensive and you may be reluctant to purchase a new camera for this reason. People who automatically assume that these digital cameras can not be found at a reasonable price are usually not aware that there are a many places in which less expensive discount digital cameras can be purchased.

Online consumer services provide sales of overstock items and it is one of the best ways to find discount digital cameras. For those not familiar with overstock items what this refers to are older items that have been sitting on the store shelf and have not sold. The cameras are not inferior it is just the demand did not meet the expectations of the stock purchased.

In order to move them so as to have more shelf space the store will drop the prices drastically. Now, since the number of people who visit the actual store are limited in number, the store may seek the services of an online overstock seller who will gladly handle the facilitation of the sale for them. As such, these online overstock services can provide excellent deals for the thrift minded shopper.

Going from store to store in your city looking for these discount digital cameras can be very tiring. Shopping from the comfort of your own home via the Internet, can be very effective time wise.

The only drawback for some people is the fact that the cameras are not new releases so they have hesitations in purchasing a discount digital camera. Granted, while these digital cameras are not new releases they are not used cameras nor are they reconditioned cameras. They are factory sealed cameras that simply did not sell and are not being offered at discount. There really is not much difference between an overstock discount digital camera and a brand new one, except the price is significantly different.

Ultimately, there is always a risk when it comes to purchasing any product that is not brand new, but the risks associated with overstock sales are generally minimal. Additionally, with most overstock online distributors there are refund options available which is much more than what would be offered on a site that offers used cameras.

The advantages of purchasing a discount digital camera far outweigh the disadvantages, so your purchase would be an investment, and any savings on the purchase price will surely be appreciated.

How to sell photographs online

The internet has created millions of ways to profit from home.Everyday people can and do make money working from home selling products and services online.

A popular way to earn extra money from home in your spare time is to sell pictures to stock photography sites or on your own site.A hobby photographer can now compete with the "big boys" and sell her pictures online rather easily.There are several options available to you to sell your best pictures online.Make sure you use at least 4 megapixels for your photos and touch up the lighting as much as possible. 

Make sure you do some research as to what people are buying and want to buy to maximize sales of your work.  When you sell what people want, you will have a better chance of selling more pictures. 

You are only limited by your imagination of how to sell your digital pictures online.You can sell specialized niche CDs filled with photos about one topic or model, you can sell photo prints or you can upload photos to stock and microstock photography sites.

It's almost unheard of to sell only one picture, or rather, one picture file.Compilations of pictures are usually sold on a CD or even DVD.Don't skimp on the quantity of pictures on the CD, underpromise and overdeliver.  This is more of a niche market, as the pictures have to be really interesting and of good quality to sell in this manner.

You can also sell photo prints of your pictures.  The buyer can go to the website, choose a picture and size, and the printed copy is sent to his address.Make sure you put up the highest resolution pictures for your viewers to see.

Before the internet, stock photography was the domain of professional photographers.But now just about anyone including beginner and hobby photographers have ways to submit their pictures and earn money through the sale or download of those photos.It should go without saying that you need to submit good quality pictures that people would actually want.

Get more tips on how to sell stock pictures and where the best places to submit and sell photographs online at how to sell pictures.

The Special Marine Digital Camera

The art of underwater photography is only carried out using special marine digital cameras operated by professionals from many scientific disciplines. Using an marine  camera requires skill as you are operating in a foreign environment Many waterproof cameras are ok but they cannot be submerged for more than a meter below the surface of the water

Now if you're really serious about using an marine digital camera to capture those wacky and funny moments underwater, I suggest that you buy a specialty camera.

There is lack of real marine cameras owing to the problems of water ingress in to the camera and of water pressure Manufacturers have found it is easier just design a watertight case that goes around the digital camera instead. This type of casing will turn your conventional digital camera into an marine digital camera.

There are a few things you need to be aware of if you are taking photos underwater.

The water has a strange effect on light as I am sure you have experienced from time to time; it is called diffusion and the deeper you dive the more this distortion takes place. direct result of diffusion; a problem that can be overcome by changing the white balance settings. This diffusion effect also magnifies the image to give the impression the zoom function was used. To ensure the correct image will be taken you will have to pay a little more attention to the shot you are taking.

You don't want to have a camera that leaks when you go underwater so before you dive, check that the case is waterproof by holding it below the surface for a few seconds. Especially check the seal to make sure that a grain of sand or even a hair hasn't broken the seal. Small silica gel packs can be useful if they can fit in the case without causing an obstruction.

Optional lenses are often available so if you can add these to your marine digital camera then do so. It is possible to get really close to some subject for great close-up shots using a macro lens.

The seals on the marine digital camera need to be kept clean and free fro contaminants so ensure the camera is thoroughly rinsed of when you return to the surface. In particular where sand is present then a stream of water to rinse it off is best.

 

More ideas on digital cameras digital cameras will be found here Best Digital SLR Cameras

 

Don't Be A Loser ... Backup Your Photos and Data

Don't Let This Happen To You

Honey!?! Why won't the computer boot up?
What's that smell? Is something burning?
Weren't all your digital photos on that computer?
Oh, no!

Don't be a loser ... like me.  I am talking about loss, data loss.  In terms of digital photography I am talking specifically about the pictures of your life that are more than likely all stored in one place only: the hard drive of your computer. 

Life gets busy and it is easy to just collect data, take pictures and make movies, write documents and put our financial data in our checkbook program. We just collect all that stuff in one place (our PC’s) and just think its always going to be there for us forever, just like a good friend. Well, just when you least expect it your technology can turn on you.  I've lost important pictures and let me tell you huge gaping hole in my heart that I experienced.  I was a looser.  My first thought was, do I have my stuff backed up?  My response was “no”, then “OH, NO!”

If you experience a hard drive failure it could cost between $300 and $3000 to recover the data depending on the severity of the hard drive crash, and this service is not guaranteed.  The data could be lost permanently anyway.  What dollar value do you place on your digital photo archive?

Here is a short list of things you can do to protect your valuable photos, videos and other personal data:

Anti-Virus Software

Malicious viruses can erase your hard drive.  Use a system that is updated automatically every day with the latest virus definitions.

Service Your PC Regularly

When dust collects in and around your hard drives, they overheat and that will shorten the life of the drive.  Your PC is one big electrostatic air filter. Have it serviced by a professional at least once a year and keep them off of the carpeted floor, away from dust and pet dander.

I recommend getting an air filter and keep it in the room with your PC.  Your PC will not breathe in as much dust, and as an added benefit, the air will be fresher and you will breathe less dust at the same time.

Backup Your Photos and Data

Backing up your photos and data over the web is becoming a very popular choice for data backup.  This was formerly a pretty expensive solution for the convenience, but with the lowering cost and expanding capacity of hard drives, many web based services are popping up.Online backup is like buying an insurance policy for your digital photo archives.

Here are the advantages of backing up to the Internet: 

You can backup securely over any high speed Internet connection.

Since your data is stored on a server offsite, you are covered from events such as PC theft, fire or hard drive failure. You might consider what would happen if there is an earthquake, flood or other natural disaster wherever your backups are stored.

Mozy.com is the online backup system that I use. Recommended by PC World Magazine, it works equally well on PC and Mac. You can back up to 2 Gigabytes for free and you can backup unlimited data from your home computer for only $4.95 per month (even less with an annual subscription). They have a pro version as well for your office computer.

Many online backup companies offer a low cost data backup only to charge you on the back side to restore your backup data.  Not so with Mozy.  They have no hidden charges!  When I asked their tech support to confirm, they told me "We don't hold your data for ransom."

So, don't be a loser. You've invested hours and dollars in your digital photo library.  It is literally priceless.  One day (maybe even tomorrow) you will be glad you did, or sorry you didn’t.  Save early and save often, and make data backup a critical part of your digital photography processes.

You might even encourage your friends to back up their data (send them a link to this article!) You may become one of their biggest heroes the next time they experience a data loss event.

Sign up for a free digital photography tip of the week at www.photonack.com. If you shoot in camera RAW (you should be), please visit www.rawconverterreview.com for news and reviews about popular RAW converter programs.

Researching A Digital Camera

Digital camera technology moves forward so quickly these days that it often alienates its potential customers. Researching what you consider to be the best digital camera may at first seem daunting but there are a number of web sites that carry out comparisons to assist. So you make your way to the shopping mall fully intend on buying that new compact camera with a 10 times optical zoom and lots of other features with the facility to use large gigabyte memory cards which should impress the neighbors. Can you imagine your surprise when you find that the camera you have researched so diligently and have set your heart on has been usurped from its position of best model with a newer more expensive version.

So we have a dilemma because now there is this new version, we simply must have this latest best digital camera. We should have known but because we must have the best digital camera then we will just have to swallow the extra cost. There are certain factors to consider when looking for any digital camera. Much is made about the number of pixels and the truth is the more you have the better.

Although it is not always the case, a good rule of thumb is the more pixels you have the better the image will be when it is printed. This increase in megapixels means that poster size pictures can be easily printed. Good quality models are now using large LCD screens around the 2.5 inches area which is great for viewing them afterwards and for framing the shots perfectly. The best quality digital cameras are able to touch up and edit the images this is an excellent feature to have as standard.

The only downside to this great feature is it uses more battery power so always keep a fresh set with you at all times if you don't want to be caught out. Most digital cameras have a digital zoom but an optical zoom is always better. You will find lower price cameras almost never have an optical zoom fitted so it will really be down to your budget. Your camera will normally come with a memory card albeit a small one so you will probably need to buy a large capacity card, so use the one you have to make sure you purchase the correct one.

Memory cards are used in all sorts of electronic gadgets and you may already have heard of the main ones: Sony's Memory Stick, compact Flash, Secure Digital and XD cards for example. Fortunately the price for digital memory seem to fall in line with the size of cameras resolution increases so buy the largest you can affords and that is compatible with your version. For example, for the price of a 64mb card a couple of years ago you can probably now buy a 1 gigabyte and now some memory cards can go up to 16 gigabytes. Remember, the camera must suit the type of person you are as much as your wallet as there is no point having the best digital camera if you do not use it. If you enjoy taking shots with your new toy and use it regularly then that is all you can ask from a camera isn't it?

 

For more information visit Digital Camera Consumer Reviews

Freelance Writing and Photography

Wanting to be a freelance writer means that sooner or later you will have to travel. The lucky ones get their expenses paid up-front, but most have to get their expenses reimbursed from the client.

As a freelance writer you will get paid a lot more if you include original photographs from your travel assignment. Be sure that your client is willing to pay extra for any photographs attached to your assignment, you don't want to go to the added expense and risk of carrying an expensive and heavy camera with you if you aren’t going to be paid for the photos.

With a digital camera and a quality memory stick, anyone can take a reasonable photo. Why not add photography to your repertoire, you will be adding to your value to you client.

Rule number 1 of freelance writing is “Get It In Writing” and get a signature. The days are gone when you could do a deal with a handshake and then be sure that it will be honored. You need to have the offer in writing, better still, in an email, detailing everything.

If you have agreed to be reimbursed for your travel expenses you must be absolutely sure that you are giving your client what he wants. It is no good going to Spain and writing and taking photographs of the most wonderful things that Spain has to offer if your client wants an article on Portugal.

No matter how good your article on Spain is, you won't get paid for it if your client wants and article on Portugal or photos of portugal. Along the same lines, if you are writing an article about Oranges no one is going to pay you for photographs of Apples, are they.

You may be lucky enough to get a pic of something that may have historical significance. If you give away the copyright, you give away any potential future income from that photograph. So my advice is never give or sell the copyright of any photo you take.

When photographing your subject, be sure to take lots of snaps, this may seem to be a waste of time and effort, but believe me, when you get back home and you are choosing the pics that will embellish your article, the better your pic the more you will be paid.

Digital cameras are a wonderful invention, gone are the days of expensive film. Now you can take as many photos as time permits rather than as finances permit. Digital photos can be stored or discarded as you see fit.

Finding A Digital Camera: How to Get A Deal

HOW TO FIND THE BEST DIGITAL CAMERA

It seems that every month, if not every week, different manufacturers are coming up with the latest digital cameras to entice potential clients. And it's just not working for us!

After spending sizeable amount of time at the mall figuring out which is the best digital camera for us, we finally have enough money to buy for that eye-popping, 7 mega pixel, 10x digital zoom, potable, candy colored, up to 512MB expandable memory of super hi-speed SD memory card and not to mention very portable, (that will be the envy of almost everyone we know). We march to the mall armed with our life savings and lotsa pride in ourselves, when we pass by a new display - an eight mega pixel, up to 1G expandable memory, with built it mic and stereo surround, video playback capable, with 22 scenic modes kind-of-camera. And we sigh because the producer of this amazing gadget claims that this is the best digital camera yet out in the market. Since we'd like to get the best, we attempt to buy such a camera." But then again, that doesn't last too long, after two months or so, there's another "best digital camera."

This can be confusing. What makes a digital camera, the best digital camera?

When looking for the best digital camera, there are certain features we can choose from to help us make a good choice

MEGAPIXELS. One of the most important features of digital camera to make it into the best digital camera category is its mega pixel property. The higher the mega pixels the better the actual photograph will come out. A mega pixel is equivalent to one million pixels. The resolution of your image is based upon the mega pixel property of your camera. This means that as you enlarge the picture, you would get more detail and less blurry colors.

LCD SIZE. A good digital camera will have a nice, bright, large, and colorful LCD. Some cameras have touch up and image editing features accessible from the LCD. A 1.5-inch display is average, a 2-inch LCD display is good, but the best LCD size would be 2.5 inches or higher.

ZOOM. Digital and optical zoom comes standard on most digital cameras. Optical zoom is superior to digital zoom in every way. Digital cameras are usually furnished with optical of between 3x to 10x. The better the optical zoom, the higher it climbs up to the best digital camera category.

CHOOSING A MEMORY CARD. Be sure that you get the right type of memory card for your camera. There are different types of memory card like the xD, SD, Flash card and the likes. Each digital camera has its own type of memory card. of course memory storage is also up there in choosing the best digital cameras. Getting the right amount of memory is critical. You can get memory cards in sizes up to 8 gigs, and growing every day.

Finding the best digital camera is all about finding one that fits your unique needs. Don't just buy the latest or the one that claims they are the best digital cameras out in the market. You wouldn't want to buy a cheap digital SLR and use it with your home activities or family outing and have to lug it around?! Or you don't want to buy the latest point and shoot camera when you're serious about being a professional photographer. (This works for beginners, but if you're a more advanced photographer, you'll want to move up.)

Getting a camera that you actually enjoying using is the best choice. Not the type that you'll just leave rotting in its box or after a few weeks of usage or so, up there in the attic.

Full Frame vs. Crop Digital SLRs: How to Choose

When looking to buy a DSLR, the issue of sensor size comes up very often. As you probably know, the sensor in a digital camera is responsible for capturing the image. Since DSLRs have much higher quality sensors than digital point and shoots, SLRs are able to achieve much better image quality. In general, the bigger the sensor, the better the image quality.

Because a larger sensor also means a greater cost, SLR manufacturers have to compromise. Ideally, a digital SLR sensor would be exactly the same size as a frame of 35mm film. However, the cost of producing a sensor like this is so high that most manufacturers decided to create a smaller sized sensor, one that is a fair amount smaller than a full sized sensor. This creates the so called "crop factor"

This crop factor is usually a number around 1.5. Basically, this means that if you were to look at a full 35mm frame, the crop sensor would only capture a 1.5x crop of the frame. This means that you're basically getting a "closer" view with an equivalent focal length. This means that your wide angle lenses will be less wide, and that your telephoto lenses will have more reach. For every given focal length, be sure to note that the depth of field will remain the same.

For many photographers, these crop sensors work great. If you're into sports, wildlife, or any telephoto heavy photography discipline, the extra "reach" you get from the crop sensor really comes in handy at times. You can also get extremely affordable crop frame bodies, such as Nikon's D40. These cameras are a real boon to amateur photographers.

However, full frame sensors still hold a serious advantage in many real world situations. As I said before, bigger equals better when it comes to image quality. Full frame sensors can deliver a much sharper, smooth image at higher ISOs than a cropped sensor can. This is great for those working in low light conditions. Full frame bodies offer the broadest range of wide angle lens options for those photographers who utilize them often.  New cameras such as the Canon 5D Mark II make it easier to afford these cameras, as well.

Overall, choosing your sensor format shouldn't be the only factor that you take into account when choosing a new camera, but it should be a major one. The image quality and dim light capabilities of a full frame sensor will blow you mind, if you can handle the price. Otherwise, you might be better off saving your money and getting a cropped sensor camera. Either way, you can still take great pictures.

Digital Cameras: How To Undelete Photographs

It's quick and easy to erase photos from your digital camera. Maybe because your camera's designers wanted an easy way to delete photos while they were testing the design. A couple of clicks and that unwanted photo is gone forever. Trouble is, it's also quick and easy to delete a photo instead of keeping it, for later transfer to your PC or your Flickr account. or even worse, you've answered "yes" to the question that needed to know if you wanted to format your complete camera memory card contents. Blast!

If the file was on your PC you'd likely go into the recycle bin and resurrect the accidentally deleted photo.

Unfortunately, you can't normally do the same on your digital camera. Does this problem mean that the photos you took so much time taking are now just digital dust?

Luckily, the answer to that question is "no".

But you need to be cautious. Camera memories work much the same way as hard disks. The available files in the menu are ones that you haven't deleted. But the filing system is lazy and hasn't really deleted the file yet. Instead, it's just given itself a note that the space is available to be used again.

Which means if you've deleted a photo in error, don't do anything else on your camera before you've done your best to retrieve your lost work of art.

There's a simple piece of software that you can download which will come to the rescue.

All you need to do is connect your camera to your PC in the same way as you would to download photos from it. Then click the "next" button on the software. You can see the software in action here.

The undelete photo software works to retrieve individual photos, complete memory cards (for instance, if you've accidentally formatted your memory card) and also has a high rate of success with those annoying errors that can affect memory cards.

It's as simple as that to get back all those photos that you thought had been lost forever.

You can download this easy to use photo recovery sofware here.

Caring For Your Digital Camera

If you're out taking pictures and a problem arises, it's not always easy to fix it.However, there's a better way!As you've no doubt often heard, "The best defense is a good offense.”  And the best offense here is to avoid problems with your digital camera in the first place.

 

That’s not to say things aren’t going to happen that are unexpected and unavoidable.Many common problems photographers have out in the field, however, could be avoided with just a little planning.

 

Dead Batteries

 

There’s nothing worse than missing that great picture because the camera battery died.The best policy is to always keep extra batteries in your camera case.It's not an issue of whether you use regular or rechargeable batteries, it's a matter of needing to always keep at least one spare.. 

 

Also, bear in mind that if you’re outside shooting in cold weather, your batteries will die a lot quicker.In the case of running around in cold weather, digital batteries just don't last as long, so it might be better to have a couple extra batteries instead of just one.

 

Yes, batteries are expensive, but it’s worth the spending a little extra money to keep from beating your head against the wall because a dead battery made you miss that once in a lifetime shot. 

 

 

When Cards Go Bad

 

A while back I went on vacation and took all my pictures on one card.I thought I had lots of wonderful pictures from my trip.I knew that card was full of memorable pictures. 

 

The scenery was indeed breathtaking, but what really took my breath away was when I tried to load the pictures onto my computer and got one of those dreaded “ERROR” messages.The card wasn't any good and all the files were corrupted.If the computer can't read the files, you don't have any pictures.

 

While it doesn’t happen often, cards can and do go bad.Easing this disaster is why it's smarter to have two or more smaller cards instead of one great big memory card.If you're thinking of buying a 2-GB card, for example, get a couple of 1-GB cards instead. 

 

Yes, it’s cheaper to buy a huge bunch of gigabytes on one card.But what are your pictures worth? If you lose that one card, you've lost ALL your pictures.Be sure you don't make that mistake.Saving PART of your pictures is better than losing ALL your pictures. 

 

Remember, two cards are better than one.

 

 

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring

 

The weather isn’t cooperating, or maybe you just like pictures of rain.Maybe you're somewhere else with a lot of moisture in the air, like on the seashore or in a boat.  You want to take pictures but you don’t want to ruin your camera.How can you keep your camera dry?

 

Well, you can buy protective gear to keep in your camera case for such times.  Places like B & H Photo or Calumet Photographic stores carry waterproof cases.If you only need waterproof casing once in a while, you might not want to spend that much money.

 

For a make-do solution, carry a clear plastic bag in your camera case to keep water off your camera.  If you’re traveling and don’t have a plastic bag in your camera case, grab one of those clear disposable shower caps and use it.

 

Planning Ahead Saves Your Sanity

 

If planning ahead doesn’t save your sanity, it will at least improve your chances for good pictures with your digital camera.A dry camera, charged batteries and extra memory cards will at least give you the opportunity to try for good shots.

 

And that’s why you bought a digital camera in the first place, right?

Canon EOS 5D Digital SLR Camera Reviewed

The Canon EOS 5D Digital SLR Camera is unlike any previous digital SLR camera in that it combines a full-frame 35-mm sized high resolution sensor with 12.8 mega pixels and includes a relatively compact body size. The EOS 5D is a professional digital SLR. This camera has the obvious professional appeal to those who want a high quality digital SLR in a light camera body.

The sensor is 35.8x23.9 mm CMOS with 12.8 million effective pixels and no FOV crop. Image sizes vary between 4368x2912, 3168x2112 and 2496x1664. The auto-focus comes with a 9-point TTL, 6 “invisible assist AF points”, 0.5 to 18 EV working range and within the spot metering circle. Metering modes vary from evaluative 35 zone, center-weighted average, 1.0 to 20 EV metering range, spot and partial. There are number different image parameters and they include the following Picture Styles: Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User 1, User 2 and User 3. The View Finder offers 96% frame coverage and 0.71x magnification. The focusing screen can be changed also. The LCD monitor is a 2.5 inch TFT LCD with wide viewing angles and 230,000. The shutter release offers a soft touch and the histogram comes in both luminance and RGB.

There are seven different kind of shooting modes including: Auto, Program AE, Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority, Manual, Bulb and Custom. The continuous speed offers up to 3 frames per second. This camera also features a unique playback jump of 10 images, 100 images, all by date and folder on screen. There are 21 different custom functions with 57 settings. With battery the camera weighs 2 pounds and without 1.8 pounds. Images can be viewed at a larger size by a small magnifying glass icon on the bottom right corner of the image on the screen. Clicking on the image will display a larger image in a new window. To navigate around pictures, simply use the next/previous page buttons to jump to any section. To skip to a particular section, pick the section from the drop down menu or select it from the navigation bar located at the top of the screen.

The EOS 5D features a super responsive DIGIC II processor that enables quick and effortless high-quality picture taking along with a USB 2.0 high-speed transfer that is compatible with the WFT-E1 wireless transmitter.

The MSRP is $3299 and there is no doubt that this camera will be of great interest to a wide variety of photographers. Save money on the Canon EOS 5D

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Canon EOS Digital REBEL XTi 400D Camera

The Canon EOS Digital REBEL XTi 400D Camera is the successor to the best selling EOS 350D. It combines a number of highly anticipated advancements along with a few stylish surprises.

The Canon EOS Digital REBEL XTi 400D Camera now features a larger, 2.5 inch screen and Canon’s Picture Styles. This new Canon model features a 10.1 Mega Pixel CMOS sensor. This easily makes this Canon model the highest resolution digital SLR with an EF-S lens mount. The Canon digital SLR also features a self-cleaning censor which removes dust particles. Reference frames can also be tagged to images that require automatic removal of more difficult dust particles. This is achieved later on through supplied software.

These features places the Canon EOS Digital Rebel Xti 400D above it’s own higher end EOS 30D, in terms of resolution and dust-elimination technology. It has a similar nine-point AF system to the 30D’s. This camera is a much more significant upgrade than anyone had previously expected. The new sensor allows this camera to compete on the same levels against two of it’s toughest rivals, the Nikon D80 and the Sonly Alpha A100.

The Canon EOS 400D/Rebel Xti is a fantastic entry level digital SLR. It features high resolution without compromising noise levels and has a bigger screen, which doubles for detailed shooting information. The AF system offers fast overall handling. The only thing that’s missing is a lens that is bundled with Image Stabilization. The Canon 400D/Rebel Xti is a great camera that produces excellent image quality and is by far one of the best budget digital SLR camera’s to date.

Other improvements include:

-Custom auto-rotation
-Photo editing functions plus index print options
-Improved Share/Print function
-Faster image processing
-More precise 9-point AF system
-Better grip
-Improved overall interface
-2.5 inch, 230,000 pixel LCD with 160-degree viewing angle
-Picture Style settings for quick color mode changes
-Great buffer depth of 27 Large/Fine JPEGs or 10 RAW frames
-A folder that holds up to 9,999 images
-Print/share buttons
-IR detection turns off LCD to help reduce glare or battery drainage
-Picture styles makes choosing and customizing of color modes fast and easy
-Fully compatible with over 50 lenses and accessories

Ultimately, the Canon Rebel 400D Xti is an improvement of an already superb digital camera. With Canon’s latest innovations, making digital SLR photography more versatile. This camera offers great improvements, features and value, making it an excellent choice for anyone wishing to capture great-looking photography.

Canon Digital Cameras

With so many different cameras out there for you to choose from, it might be difficult for you to come to any sort of decision when you’re buying a new camera. But the truth is, whether you prefer an old crank-and-shoot manual camera (which is out of date!), or a new point-and-shoot digital camera, you can’t go far wrong with the new breed of Canon digital cameras.

Since Canon is a worldwide name, the quality and excellence of these cameras is undisputed. That’s why, when you buy any one of the Canon digital cameras, you’re assured of getting the best possible camera for your money.

This also means that with Canon digital cameras, you can choose the right camera to suit your level of expertise as Canon digital cameras range from the easy to handle point-and-shoot varieties, to the more complex SLR cameras which gives you the option of taking full control of the whole picture.

And with a number of features to be found on just about all of the Canon digital cameras, be they the simple family-fun type of cameras or the more professional-photographer type of cameras, you can be sure to find many options available to make the process of photography a fun and easy thing.

These Canon digital cameras are also good if you’re a novice photographer with ambitions to rise to the very top of your profession. The range available from the Canon digital cameras gives you the ability to choose something relatively simple and easy on the pocket, but which will also help you to take professional looking photographs.

If you look through the many Canon digital cameras available you will find that a host features such as digital macro mode, night shot, AE compensation, Exposure lock, and changeable image formats are mostly standard, as are such things as the ability to change ISO ratings, Histograms, Center-weighted and Evaluated metering, and adjustable white balance.

You also have the option of using fully automatic mode, fully manual mode, aperture priority mode, or shutter priority mode to take your photographs, along with the option available for you to use one of the pre-programmed modes such as Kids and Pets, Sports, Indoor, Beach, Fireworks, Snow, Underwater, Portrait or Night shot.

With this many features packed into the Canon digital cameras and more, you would be forgiven for thinking that the cameras would be weighty and bulky, when in fact the opposite is true. In the main, they are all very light and also designed with ergonmics in mind in order that they are easy to handle.

Although there are lots of reasons that lead the comsumers to purchase Canon digital cameras, this is just another reason.

Digital Photography Tips for Tack Sharp Pictures

A photograph can have all sorts of good things, but it's most important for it to be in sharp focus.Just a small amount of blur can make a picture so-so, no matter how good the lighting, color and subject.

Photographers have somewhat varying opinions on what constitutes a tack sharp picture, but generally, a tack sharp photograph has good, clean lines. The picture has clear definition, instead of a soft blending of lines, or even downright blurry.

There are several things you can do to increase your chances of getting that coveted tack sharp picture.

Hand-Held Digital Photography Tips

If you’re hand-holding your camera, brace your arms against your sides to help steady the camera.This is the time to have your camera's anti-shake technology such as Vibration Reduction (VR) or Image Stabilization (IS) lens turned on.

You can also lean against a wall or tree or whatever sturdy object that’s handy, and help keep yourself and your camera steady.Putting you camera against or on some readily available sturdy object will also help steady the camera.

Steadying your camera by hooking the strap under your elbow and wrapping the rest around your forearm will also help stabilize the camera and hold it steady in your hand.

Getting those tack sharp photos while hand-holding your camera can be difficult, so to increase your chances of getting that perfect shot, use the burst or continuous shooting mode on your camera to take several shots at once.With several pictures taken in quick sequence, there's a greater chance at least one will be in sharp focus.

Tripods For Better Focus

There’s no getting around the fact that it’s easier to get a tack sharp photo using a tripod. You just can’t hold the camera as steady as a tripod will.With most photography equipment, you get what you pay for, and a tripod is no different. A cheap tripod will help, but won’t hold your camera rock steady like a more expensive tripod will.To get the best results, you need to buy the best tripod you can.

The more expensive tripods don’t come with the head attached.This must be bought separately, but then you can choose which you like best.To keep your camera from sliding, a good quality ballhead is a must for your tripod, and will help you get that sharp photo.

If you’re somewhere that carrying a tripod just won’t work, beanbags make a nice cushion for cameras in these settings. They cushion your camera, helping to steady it and increase your ability to situate the camera to focus on the subject you want.

To improve your chances of a tack sharp photo even more, use a cable release instead of pressing the shutter. It may not seem like much, but the movement from pressing the shutter will make the camera move enough to prevent getting those tack sharp photos.

If you don’t have a cable release, the self timer will also work.Although you press the shutter, the camera has time to stabilize and steady before actually taking the picture.

More Advanced Digital Photography Secrets For Sharp Shots

If you have a digital SLR camera, there are even more ways to make sure your camera stays steady while taking pictures.

The first is to use mirror lock-up. This locks your camera’s mirror in the up position so when you take a picture the mirror doesn’t move until after the picture is taken, limiting the movement inside the camera.To take a picture, the shutter release button must be pressed twice on the remote or cable release (you aren't going to all this trouble and pressing the shutter release on the camera are you?). The first press lifts the mirror and the second press actually takes the picture.

The second method is to turn off the Vibration Reduction or Image Stabilization.Though it sounds counter productive, once a camera is stabilized with the tripod and other methods, the vibration reduction keeps looking for movement.Vibration reduction can actually cause some shaking looking for movement that isn't there.The best rule is to keep any kind of automatic vibration controls turned off when using a tripod, then turn them back on when hand-holding the camera.

One last way to increase the sharpness of your pictures is to have good glass. The lens you use makes a big difference.Like so many things, you get what you pay for. A quality lens with good glass is expensive, but worth it.Consider it an investment in great photography.

Use as many methods as you can to steady your camera, and you’ll have a much better chance of getting those lovely tack sharp photographs.

Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR Review

The Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR offers two configurations: the body only and a kit with a 3.5-5.6, 28mm to 145 mm IS USM lens. The camera’s 1.6x focal-length multiplier adds an angle of view equivalent to that of a 44.8mm- 216 mm lens on a 35 mm camera.Image via Wikipedia

The Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR features a larger LCD monitor at 3inches and the body size of the camera is 4.2x5.7x2.9 inches. The weight of the camera is about 1.8 pounds. The body feels very solid and well made. Dust and weatherproofing technologies are also added to this camera. This camera also features an integrated sensor-cleaning system that’s similar to the Mark III series of camera’s. A Dust Delete Data option enables the camera to fully analyze and remember where the dust is places to algorithmically remove it from each individual picture.

The larger LCD offers a variety of advantages. The Jump, Review, Delete and New Picture Styles buttons are located just below the LCD rather than to the side, making the buttons a bit smaller than with previous models. The only disadvantage to this is that to some, they may be harder to use and press. The Metering/WB, ISO/Flash compensation, AF/Drive and LCD backlight buttons are also a bit difficult to differentiate, due to size.

On the positive side, the 40D has bigger, more tactile dial modes, with three slots for user settings. The grip of the camera has also been redesigned, adding curved indentation, making it easy to touch with your middle finger white shooting. The menu system has also been redesigned, making it much easier to read and navigate.

New features has also been included, like the Live View mode, which features a better, more flexible implementation of functions. With this camera, pictures show excellent dynamic range, with no visible clipping in the highlights or shadows.

The Canon 40D is a great camera overall and will remain an excellent choice compared to other dSLR’s in and around it’s price class. The Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR ultimately delivers better photo quality than it’s competitors.

The good: Superior shooting quality and speed amongst other Dslr’s, this camera offers first-rate photo quality.

The bad? The spot size for spot meter is rather large and relatively sluggish in low-light focus situations.

Overall, the 40D offers great photo quality and excellent continuous-shooting performance. At 10.1 mega pixels and a price tag of $1,099, this camera is a great value for such a highly advanced professional camera.

Visit Best Digi Cam Review for more camera reviews

Olympus Compact Digital Camera

Weather proof Olympus compact digital camera

Olympus Compact Digital Cameras- The Smart Way to Go!

If robust is what you are looking for in a compact digital cameras, durability, reliabilty, great picture, then an olympus compact digital camera is what you are looking for. These cameras come in the FE, Stylus, StylusSW, SP, and E series. All of which boast great picture quality, power, zoom capbility, and most importantly price! My wife and I received an Olympus Photo Camera 12 years ago for our wedding, best one we ever had, and still have to this day. Digital cameras as you know put to rest these older cameras, and have launched a new era in picture taking that can casue more memories to be taken and secured on disk for may years to come without concern of picture degradation. The E-Series Olympus compact digital cameras come with a dust reduction system that keeps your photos dust free.

If you are the adventurous sort who loves new challenges then you’ll love Olympus compact digital cameras. They come in megapixel ranges between 7 and 12, with Optical zoom ranges from 3x to 20x. The price range of these olympus compact digital cameras range from $100.00 to $1000.00. Some people do not need more than a good olympus compact digital camera that will take great pictures and one that can endure a little rough handling as well.

You can now use Olympus compact digital cameras to capture video recording. They capture avi. file formats in a couple of FPS, frames per second modes. Quictime will be a good software to use to playback your video on computer. Other competitors like Panasonic compact digital cameras have boasted about this feature but Olympus compact digital cameras have mastered this.

Olympus compact digital cameras also boast in image quality with anti-blur and stabilization capabilities second to none. You can be sure of capturing everyone’s face with this tool. It will correctly focus on everyone’s face and ensures the correct level of exposure in group shots. You can expect the best with Olympus compact digital cameras.

When you search at their main website for these cameras, you are suprised to see such great capabilities in a digital camera for such great prices. I mean waterproof and shock resistant? Taking pictures under water for under a $1000.00? Weather proof Olympus compact digital cameras are a great steal for anyone wanting to get started in the digital camera arena. You can't loose when they are this cheap at high quality.

When Artificial Light Is Needed For Digital Photos

The available light can make or break a picture.The amount of light in a photograph will greatly affect both the looks and the emotional feel of the picture.When a picture is brightly lit, it has a more cheerful feel to it than a picture that is darker and may seem gloomy at worst, or mysterious at best.

Traditional photography captured the light by impressions on chemicals, while digital photography uses pixels to capture light.If you can use natural lighting, that's good. However, it's not always available. When the available light isn’t enough, it’s time to resort to artificial lighting.

How Much Light Is There?

While you can see for yourself to some extent how much light is available, to get precise measurements you need a light meter. Light meters are not the same thing as flashes.A light meter will tell you how much light is reflected, but does not actually provide any light.

A handheld light meter will measure the light and was once a standard part of any serious photographer’s equipment. However, since most digital cameras have a built-in light meter, you can tell when you look through the eyepiece how bright your picture will be.The built-in light meter of today's cameras will set off the automatic flash when it's too dark for a good photograph.

Histograms Instead of Light Meters

Also, with digital cameras, it’s not so important to have a light meter because most have a histogram.Histograms can be used in a similar fashion since a histogram shows how light or dark a picture is.

If you don’t have a histogram on your camera, or just don’t want to fuss with it, the simplest method is to take a picture and review it to see how it looks, and if it’s too dark or light, adjust by adding more light or lowering the amount of light.

A lot of practice and a lot of patience will help you get the best lighting for your photographs.