THIS AND THAT!

2011-09-07T00:48:00.003-07:00

TRICK PHOTOGRAPHY AND SPECIAL EFFECTS

If you are considering the purchase of a digital SLR camera good for you, you will love it! It took me a long time to replace my Nikon film camera with a digital. Now, I am thrilled with my new Nikon digital SLR and my film camera lays abandoned, ignored and forgotten in the closet.

The convenience of a digital, along with the overall savings, has been worth the financial investment. It may take you a little time to adjust to digital photography and fine-tune the change. However, if you shoot with an SLR now, you will probably adjust quickly to your new digital SLR.

The cardinal rule with any camera is "getting to know" your camera. That alone will prevent stress from taking over and allow you to enjoy taking pictures. The amount of photos that little SD card can hold will astonish you. Of course, that also depends on the format you choose. Most digitals will give you a choice of Raw-JPEG or a combination of both; I prefer Raw --- personal preference is the rule of thumb here.

OK, let’s talk about that software you use to process those amazing photos. If you’re like me, you use several different programs. I use six (6) unique programs. Yes, I know but they have yet to design a program that can do all the creative stuff we dream up. After all, photographers think outside the box when it comes to creativity. Photoshop and Corel are my main stays and for quick fixes, I use a free program called Picasa.

Evan Sharboneau shares his tips and tricks for achieving that creative edge in photography. Visit his web site; I know it will excite you too. His eBook titled "Trick Photography and Special Effects E-Book" shows you how to achieve outstanding photographic results. I look forward to learning from this talented individual and enhancing my own photographic style using his special effects technique.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Shooting!

2011-04-30T02:34:00.049-07:00

Eat And Lose Weight

Looking for a healthy weight loss program --- there are countless claims out there but how do you know if they are healthy, or if they work? Have you tried others and dropped a few pounds just to have them quickly return? Perhaps you starved, or felt like it, and the weight never budged.

On the other hand, maybe you have known someone who has damaged his or her health with a poor diet plan. Unhealthy programs and fad diets can create serious health problems. Some will slow your metabolism causing the lost pounds to return - and more after the diet has ended.

That is why; a healthy weight loss plan is the only sensible and successful choice. With that in mind, here are a few tips to a healthy and balanced diet plan:

A balanced and healthy diet program is one that includes a variety of foods like proteins, carbohydrates (slow and fast), fruit, and a green grocer. Avoid plans that cut out entire food groups.
Avoid programs that are also low in calories.
Avoid diets that have you exercising for hours on end.
Its normal to “cheat” occasionally, we all do. It’s how often we “cheat” and how much of the forbidden food we eat. Don’t beat yourself up, enjoy that tasty treat then get back on track with your HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS PLAN.

These considerations should provide you with a healthy diet plan and steady weight loss. After all, we all would love to lose 10 pounds by tomorrow (OK, maybe 20 pounds), which is not only physically impossible but also completely unrealistic! Stay healthy and safe by doing it right and remember, if it is not balanced, AVOID IT!

2010-11-01T00:37:00.009-07:00

HOW TO GET YOUR EX BACK

Everyone at some point in their life will be letting go of a relationship; it’s inevitable. This is not the worst thing that can happen to you; nevertheless, it feels like you will never recover. Guess what---you will! We all have to learn how to survive a break rather it’s done face to face or heaven forbid through one of those cowardly phone calls or breakup letters. Letting go of a relationship is never an easy thing to go through.

When I went through my breakup(s) I was lucky enough to have a loving family and great friends who let me do the talking while they listened; only giving advice when ask. I felt like my heart had been ripped out, my dreams stomped on and future plans thrown out with the trash. I couldn’t understand why men dump women (or vice versa) and act like it means nothing. Then before long there they are with someone new.

If your ex can replace you that easily --- let go, grieve the loss, mend that broken heart and move on with your life! I’m not suggesting you make a “rebound” play to get even; that’s the worst thing one can do. Sit back and get to know yourself, ask yourself some questions about you. Take a pencil and paper and write some titles across the top of the page ex; what do I really want in a partner? Then, under each title, fill in what “you” expect in a relationship and don’t settle for anything less.

Life teaches us that relationships are individuals taking a risk. You give it your best and if it ends you walk away with another lesson learned. The upside, yes there is one, is sometimes your ex comes back to apologize and make amends. After all, not all relationships end forever and occasionally, people need to separate in order to realize just how they feel about the other. Sounds silly I know but hey, we are human which does come with a certain amount of silliness.

Keep in mind I’m just writing from my own experiences here concerning love and broken relationships. The one important realization which I unraveled was that of “rational self expectations”. Sometimes a breakup can be a good thing too. It clears the way for real love to come through. Hey, Prince/Princess Charming may be just around the corner waiting for the door to open. Some would call it serendipity or even destiny.

I found this great book authored by Travis or T Dub as he likes to be called which covers various topics on breakup issues. Listed below are examples from The Magic of Making Up:

• Reasons to break up
• Stages of breaking up
• Tips on surviving a breakup
• Why men dump women
• Get your ex back
• Save your relationship

“You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ~Dr. Seuss

2010-07-31T15:21:00.028-07:00

TOP FIVE HD CAMCORDERS

Every year new and amazing electronic gadgets are developed for our enjoyment and I look forward to them. These remarkable new devices excite me when they relate to photography because they usually enhance our personal and business life which, in my opinion, is a plus for all individuals who use them. So, here are the Top Five HD Camcorders:

Canon XH-A1S 3CCD HDV High Definition Professional Camcorder with 20x HD Video Zoom Lens III

• Genuine Canon 20x HD video zoom lens with Professional L Series Fluorite; Independent manual focus. zoom, and iris ring

• Three 1/3-inch native 16:9 CCD with 1.67M pixels (1440 x 1080); 1080 HD resolution with choice of 60i, 30F, and 24F frame rates

• Canon DIGIC DV II HD Image Processor

• Complete Customization: Image adjustments, display adjustments, custom functions; Nine custom presets and two custom keys

• 2.8-inch Widescreen LCD (207,000 Pixels) and 0.57-inch Color Widescreen EVF (269,000 Pixels)

Panasonic HDC-TM700K Hi-Def Camcorder with Pro Control System & 32GB Flash

• Full HD 1080p

• 35mm Wide-Angle Lens

• 18x Intelligent Zoom

Canon VIXIA HV30 MiniDV High Definition Camcorder with 10x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

• Capture high-definition video to MiniDV

• 10x optical zoom; Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer

• 24p Cinema Mode; 30p Progressive Mode

• 2.7-inch widescreen Multi-Angle Vivid LCD

• Simultaneous photo capture

Canon VIXIA HF200 HD Flash Memory Camcorder w/15x Optical Zoom - 2009 MODEL

• Record crisp HD video directly to a removable SDHC memory card

• Genuine Canon 15x HD video lens; Super Range Optical Image Stabilizer

• 1920 x 1080 Full HD recording; 24p Cinema Mode, 30p Progressive Mode

• Dual Shot for capturing both video and photos with ease

• HDMI terminal for easy, one-cable connectivity to your HDTV

Flip UltraHD Camcorder, 120 Minutes (Black)

• Easy-to-use, pocket-sized HD camcorder featuring one-touch recording and digital zoom

• Simple user interface lets you start capturing video just seconds after powering on

• Captures 120 minutes of HD video on 8 GB of built-in memory; no tapes or additional memory cards required

• Convenient flip-out USB arm plugs directly into your PC or Mac to launch Flip Share software

• Built-in Flip Share software lets you easily email videos, edit individual clips, make custom movies, capture still photos from video, and even upload video to sharing sites like YouTube and MySpace

When it comes to camcorders or cameras you need to purchase with your experience level in mind. Remember, there is a lot of competitive pricing in the market place right now so, shop where the best price exists. Just make sure the camcorder is new, and the customer support first rate.

“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”~Ansel Adams

2010-04-19T02:57:00.004-07:00

HOW TO MAKE MONEY FROM HOME THE QUICK FIRE WAY

Reports show that over 800,000 people make either part time or full time incomes from using online sources. These methods vary dramatically from online businesses selling physical products to affiliate marketing [you earn a commission on all sales you send to a merchant’s website]. There are various methods for making money online. In fact, the internet has opened the door of opportunity to everyone so don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Below is just one of a thousand ways to earn income from the millions of internet visitors each day.

The reality is that thousands of people are making money online every day! Affiliate marketing programs are one of the easiest ways to gain an online income. Plus, it’s a simple method which anyone can do with proper guidance and the time you’re willing to commit.

Here’s how it works:

The merchant of a product, whether it‘s an object or digital, has an affiliate program for people like you and I to help promote their product/s. The merchant offers the affiliate a generous commission for sales made from sending visitors (traffic) to their web site. This is the simplest and most cost effective way to make money online since it only involves a minimal fee or is sometimes FREE.

There are several ways to send traffic to the merchant’s site. The two main methods used are PPC and SEO.

What is PPC?

PPC or Pay-Per-Click is paid advertising through search engines. This works by simply paying for an advertisement which promotes the merchants product. This can often be in the form of a product review on your own website, or you can send traffic directly to the merchant’s web site.

What is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO for short, is a way of sending traffic to the merchant’s site by various means. Some of these channels are free and can be very time consuming. Others can be costly but more productive since you would be using various online tools to save time by simplifying the process.

One of the basic ways is to submit articles--directing traffic--to a site specified in the anchor text (your commission link) at the bottom of your article. This will also give the site you are promoting another link to help the search engines rank the web site for the “keyword phrase” used in the search bar of the search engine.

So, if a link on an affiliate site brings the merchant sales traffic, the merchant in turn pays the affiliate their commission. Recruiting affiliates is an excellent way to sell products online which is well worth the sales commissions that are paid. After all, the affiliate is doing the leg work in promoting the merchants site, so they should be rewarded with a generous percentage of the sales.

How easy is this?

Hundreds of thousands of people are implementing these online methods every day. Sadly, many do not succeed because they are using inadequate illustrations or instructions which fail to bring them a profit.

If you require full instruction then why not check out Quick Fire Profits. This site was created by Matt Benwell---a British guy who was sick of his job and deep in debt. Matt released the original Quick Fire Profits system back in December 2007. Since then thousands of his members have gone on to earn mega bucks online.

Now Matt is releasing his second installment! This NEW system will have you grabbing your piece of the internet pie in no time at all. This is one of the best online directives and is delivered in step by step video tutorials. No more reading all the half baked theory out there. Get the guidance you deserve and start earning your piece of the internet pie today.

2010-02-21T19:49:00.017-07:00

TOP 5 DIGITAL CAMERAS

There is a lot to be excited about when it comes to new digital cameras this year. I subscribe to a few different photography magazines and they keep me up on new additions to the digital SLR family. Of course, my preferences are Nikon and Canon but there are many good brands available and it all comes down to preference.

I have a Canon AE-1 film camera, the workhorse of the models produced by Canon during that time-period. Then several years later, I bought a Nikon film camera and quickly realized one very important difference; the accessories are much less expensive then Canon accessories. Now I am the proud owner of a Digital Nikon SLR DX40.

The Top 5 Digital SLR Camera’s

1. Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera

2. Nikon Digital D3000 10.2 MP

3. Nikon Digital D90 DX 12.3 MP

4. Canon EOS Digital Rebel T2i 18 MP

5. Canon EOS Rebel T1i 15.1 MP

Whatever you decide to buy be sure you choose the right camera for your needs. Aside from that, you will want to consider a high resolution, which enables larger pictures to be printed and a telephoto zoom lens for that close up shot when you have to take it from a distance. You should have at least two storage cards, one to carry with you and one in your camera. Be sure you pick a camera with a good ISO range (100-1600 or higher) that way your set for any lighting condition. Last tip, remember the higher the Mega Pixel, the larger the picture, and the better the quality.

2009-11-03T09:59:00.010-07:00

CREDIT CARD vs. DEBIT CARD

Let’s see, should I use my credit card or debit card for this purchase---humm. A quandary most of us face when shopping or eating out. After being stung a few times by an unlikely predator, I have learned a few lessons.

If you are making large, purchases do not use your debit card! Debit cards do not offer the same safe guards as credit cards when it comes to returns. With credit cards, you are able to reverse the charges or at least dispute them. Keep in mind that once the merchandise is returned, the credit card company will reverse the charges with proof of the return. Most stores have a return policy, which must be posted, usually at the customer service center, or ask at check out.

When you are using a debit card be very cautious with your spending. Sometimes that mental check register we carry around can be a bit off; then it’s overdraft time. Exorbitant fees’ for this are outrageous! One thing to keep in mind, the new credit card laws only restrict over limit fees on credit cards. They do not protect us from overdraft charges on our debit cards. To protect yourself check with your bank about overdraft protection. Just make sure you question the APR rate, which can be very pricey. My bank of choice is a credit union and their rate of interest on my overdraft protection is 15.00%. Outrageous, I know but it is nice to have a cushion just in case.

DO NOT; use your debit for online shopping! Always use a credit card because the liability for unauthorized charges is capped at $50.00. If your credit card is lost, stolen or compromised in any way you must notify the credit card company within two business days to limit the liability. A debit card loss means they can strip your bank account and overdraft if you have one. You could be responsible for up to $500.00 of unauthorized charges so check with your bank concerning liability and time limit for reporting debit card loss.

Keep in mind that it is much safer to use your debit card as a credit card, which eliminates the use of you pin code. This is a built in protection for you and your account. Some card companies may extend the “no liability” clause to a debit card, when used as a credit card, for purchases. One may even consider having a separate account for the debit card, with limited funds to protect their selves from thieves who could empty their bank account.

Before buying a prepaid credit or gift card check on all the “what if’s”. These have less fraud protection then debit cards and more fees’ attached. Some of those fees’ include monthly, dormancy, and usage. If you are giving a gift, you might want to make it good old cash unless you’re sending it through the mail. The best option for monetary gifts through the mail is a postal money order made out to the recipient. I once sent cash through the mail and the recipient received the card less the cash. The envelope was precisely sliced open on one end. Have you ever watched the documentaries on postal workers who commit robbery on the job?

Always protect yourself with careful credit card usage and mailing cash gifts. I am the voice of experience on these issues. I used my AMX card to order and item by phone. A few days later, I received a call from the AMX security department. They stopped a charge for $500.00. Someone was trying to buy a Doney & Burke purse using my AMX number. Since I NEVER, make purchases in that amount AMX saved the day. My card was canceled and a new one sent out within 24 hours. Oh, and by the way, the company I ordered from through an 800 number was located in Las Vegas. The same area where the charge was attempted.

2009-08-19T13:30:00.009-07:00

HEALTH CARE REFORM--TRUTH vs. RHETORIC

Over the past few weeks, we have been witness to various groups interrupting Town Hall meetings. Sadly, this is purpose driven by conservatives and insurance providers to stop health care reform. Why, because they operate on, and invest in, a “for profit” health care system. Makes one wonder how they can stand to look in the mirror.

Managed health care began when John Ehrlichman, (a key conspirator in Watergate) presented the idea to President Nixon. Immediately, Nixon realized the potential for his wallet and the rest is history. President Nixon convinced a trusting public that his plan for a new health care system would benefit everyone. Since then, insurance and health care has been managed to the point of “no care at all!”

Here is a brief summary of President Obama’s plan:

Health Care Reform Will Stop Insurance Company Abuse.
They will not be allowed to refuse payment of a claim or coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
Out of pocket, expenses will be capped.
They will not be allowed to charge women higher rates or drop you due to an illness.
They will have to cover children until the age of 26 instead of 19.
Health Care Reform Will Control Rising Costs.
Insurers will be forced to compete for lower costs through a public health insurance option.
Companies will be required to pay their fair share of health care costs. This stops them from dumping their health care costs on the public.
Health Reform means affordable care is going to be there for you regardless of job loss, sickness or retirement. It means that you and your family will not fall through the cracks or go broke due to outrageous health care bills.

Health Care costs have been spiraling out of control for years and without reform, it will only continue to get worse. Good health care should not be limited to the wealthy; it is a right that belongs to all of us! We have a chance to reform a system that has managed for profits instead of health.

Call your Senator/s and Representative/s today! Let them know where you stand on Health Care Reform...

2009-06-07T17:57:00.007-07:00

THE THIEVES CONTINUE TO LOOT

Every time I have to go shopping or I go out to eat (which is seldom now), I have to wonder---just how dumb do these corporate raiders think we are? They are still taking advantage of the poor and working class through outrageous pricing. I noticed this while I was shopping the other day. A gallon bottle of Vinegar use to cost $2.29 and now it is almost six dollars. Does one get additional ounces for the hefty price increase---NO! Bread is anywhere from $3.00 to $4.00 dollars a loaf and milk is in that same price range too. The rich are getting richer and the working class is joining the poor.

CEO’s of major companies are still walking away with millions of dollars in bounces, stock options, and whatever else they can loot from the company. This is beyond contemptible behavior and driven by the GREED of Wall Street! When a company has to write a million dollar check for the CEO, Directors, President, VP’s and whomever else, the trickledown effect is increased pricing that we, the consumers pay. Well, I am through paying ridiculous prices so that these fat cats can take a paycheck home for doing NOTHING! If you or I performed as poorly as this country’s CEO”s our pink slip would have shown up immediately. Perhaps we should have performed like a CEO instead of a vested and dedicated employee. Then, we all could have been paid for doing nothing; sounds good to me.

After generations of hard work for companies like GM, Qwest, IBM, and the list goes on, ones reward was the outsourcing of their job and loss of income. THANKS TO ALL THE POLITICIANS WHO SUPPORTED THIS IDEA! Now some individual, or child, is working umpteen hours a day and paid 90% less while the CEO and investors portfolio’s skyrocket. Does this seem fair to you? Here is where these thieves are making the additional profits; they import back into the USA, and sell their products for the same high price they charged when the work was done here. Now here’s the deceit, they used the excuse to outsource based on “cost of wages and benefits.” Would someone please explain to me why the price of goods hasn't gone down considering the low wages they pay out now? Oh, let me remind you, we the taxpayers “foot the bill” for the cost of their outsourcing. Now, that should make your day….

2009-05-04T19:21:00.019-07:00

Swine Flu Epidemic Crossing Open Borders

We have all been following the Swine Flu epidemic since it was reported. I hope that our numbers here will not be as vast as Mexico is experiencing. My concern has been the reluctance by our government to close our borders until this virus is eliminated. So, I started digging in to find the real reason for their unwillingness to act. Seems some city officials are opposing border closings too. Let’s examine the potential for a serious pandemic within our country and worldwide.

Borders Remain Open

In the first two months of 2009, there were 297,478 individuals traveling north from Mexico, and 284,662 individuals traveling south into Mexico.

In February of this year, Mexico imported a total of $22 billion dollars in goods into America; we exported a total of $16 billion dollars of goods into Mexico. Am I the only one who sees inequality here?

There were 500,000 truckers crossing the border into Mexico, while 370,000 truckers crossed the Mexico border traveling north. Hmm, maybe we corrected a bit of the inequality here.

As usual, it comes down to MONEY and that’s, where our political leaders always place the importance. Our lives and safety mean nothing we are just the cost of doing business! Many citizens have been quite vocal with their demands to CLOSE our borders until this flu epidemic is eliminated.

Is Mexico safe to visit right now---ABSOULTLY NOT! Teams of doctors and research specialist have established Mexico as “ground zero” for this epidemic. A five-year-old boy in Matamoros, on the Mexican border with Texas, was the first person stricken by the virus. He is healthy now and I personally was pleased to hear that. Regrettably, a 23-month-old child died in Texas from Swine Flu. His parents drove from Mexico into Texas seeking help for his illness.

This particular flu virus is similar to the human flu virus, which means it constantly changes properties. The latest reports have stated it is a combination of the following five virus strains: Human-Northern Pig-Asian Pig-European Pig and Bird Flu. They also stated that it is showing a resistance to some types of anti-viral medications. It affects the respiratory area, which hinders ones breathing. If you experience any of the following, symptoms check with your doctor.

Symptoms

Fever, headache, tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, diarrhea and vomiting.

To date (per the CDC) the H1N1--Swine Flu symptoms are unknown but thought to be the same as the seasonal flu symptoms shown above. Those at risk are people aged 65 and older, children under 5 years, pregnant women, any individuals with a chronic medical condition, and/or HIV.

Avoid Contact With Others

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with others except to seek medical care. When seeking medical care wear a mask since you will be in contact with other individuals traveling to the doctor and in his or her office. You should avoid as much contact as possible with others to prevent spreading the disease. Seasonal flu studies have indicated that people may be contagious one day prior to the onset of symptoms and up to 7 days after they get sick. Children might be contagious for a longer period.

Treatment

Antiviral drugs can be given to those who are severely ill with the influenza. These are prescription medications with activity fight against influenza virus including the H1N1. A health care professional must prescribe these treatments. There is a protocol on distribution of the antiviral drugs so be sure to check with your doctor.

Protect Yourself and Others

Stay informed with new information.

Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.

Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand cleaners.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

If you develop flu like symptoms say home until your symptom free.

Learn how to take care of someone that is ill.

Follow public health advice like avoiding crowds, schools closures, etc.

Stay informed--and stay well….

While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us. ~~Ben Franklin

2009-04-15T02:16:00.013-07:00

THE TAX MAN COMETH

Well, today is that dreaded day of days. You know the one I mean, April 15th! The day when the IRS is waiting to get our 1040’s to see if they can squeeze us a little more. I was waiting for my dividend check (the one we should all be getting) to come in so I could pay my tax bill. Remember thoes rescue loans for the banks, Wall Street and automakers. After all, our tax dollars were used for those loans so we should be getting dividends as shareholder’s right? Now---that is a joke!

According to one of the higher ups in the IRS, their employees have been instructed to work with, and make it easier for, the taxpayers this year. That’s right; he was on CNN under the guise of a much nicer IRS. They had better be nicer after all “we’ve” done for our government lately. I was hoping they would write our tax bill off this year---ya, right. When it comes to the IRS, I am going to take the wait and see attitude, about their attitude. I don’t know if they can even spell nice---let alone be it…

Personally, I think the IRS should be eliminated and a flat tax implemented. Let's set the rates as follows: 10% for middle-income wage earners, 28% for the wealthy and 40% for big business. By eliminating the IRS, we could save trillions a year. I actually prefer the national sales tax idea but our greedy congressional representatives have blown that idea out of the water. They want to charge a 23% national sales tax, on top of the state sales tax. These people never learn; their greed is always the first thing out of the gate. I think it is time for another Boston Tea Party.

I was wondering, does the wealthy really pay their share of taxes and if so, how much. I found this interesting article by Citizens for Tax Justice while searching on the internet for the answer . You always hear them claiming to pay so much more than the middle class. I will let you read the article and decide for yourself. Hmmmmmmmmm, I know one thing for sure they don’t pay their fair share of FICA taxes.

The term "tax humor" is no doubt an oxymoron to many people; to the more cynical, it is an apt description of the entire tax code. ~~ John F. Iekel

2009-03-01T17:26:00.011-07:00

WILL AMERICA RISE AGAIN--YOU BET!

I imagine that's a question weighing heavily everyone's mind right now. Especially, when our media, brings us a daily dose of nothing but the gloom and dome. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer to know what is ahead of me but the media has to improvise and dramatize the gloom to death. One would think they could layer the news as they would a cake---good news, bad news and human interest. Personally, that would be a more palatable. I appreciate the old cliché, to be for-warned is to be for-armed but enough is enough!

It amazes me when I talk with people and they “just can’t understand how we got here.” Have you been asleep for the past eight years? Here is my opinion, for what it’s worth. One party was in control of the house and congress for the past eight years. They are known as the capitalist group; deregulation, outsourcing jobs to foreign countries, encouraging illegal immigration to bring down wages in the US---need I go on? This group lined their pockets well and took away many of our freedoms under the guise of “The Patriot Act.” While some of us were busy calling and writing emails to our representatives, others stepped back and let it happen. Apathy comes at a high price and our country is paying for it now.

I believe greed, as well as apathy, is to blame for the deterioration in our financial and economical situation worldwide. Unfortunately, another old cliché comes to mind here, so goes the United States, so goes the rest of the world. Think about this, the CEO’s, professional sports teams, actors are shockingly over paid. What does that matter to me you might be asking. Well, it is simple business 101; defecation rolls down hill! These people, along with their lawyers, write their own contracts for millions a year plus stock options and benefits. In order for the company to make a profit, and meet the big boys pay check; we are stuck with the high cost of products and services. Of course, there is a lot more that comes into play here but what I have mentioned is the core basics. Let me give you an example; food is fast becoming a luxury!

As the richest (once upon a time) nation in the world we have the highest number of uninsured individuals. How can that be? Well let’s see; accountants, the drug industry, and insurance companies control our health care system. This was a gift to the citizens from President Nixon before leaving office. Watch Michael Moore’s movie “Sicko” and you will see how our health care is nothing more than a profit industry. The least amount of medical care provided the more profit they make.

Our prisons, who get little to no health care, are in the business of profit for bodies. Don’t snicker folks, with our broken judicial system you or a loved one could end up there. This is just another form of human trafficking.

I am optimistic enough to believe that we still have honest and strong-minded individuals in this country. We will become a great nation once again! You can help by tracking your representative’s vote on issues that are important to you. Then, you need to decide if they should be returned to power once again through YOUR VOTE.

There is something perverse about more than enough. When we have more, it is never enough. It is always somewhere out there, just out of reach. The more we acquire, the more elusive enough becomes. –Unknown

2009-02-03T14:42:00.004-07:00

GREED AND THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR ECONOMY

It amazes me to hear all the “oops, we did not see it coming” out of Washington. Where were they when this devastation first showed its ugly face? Right there promoting it by aligning themselves with the lobbyist who helped bring this on…Lobbyist who fought against the regulations of Wall Street, the Banking Industry, Credit Card Companies, CEO Golden Parachute packages and pay, oil increases, utility increases and on top of all that, congress voting in their own pay increases each year. These are just a number of the problems that have brought us down economically and financially. What was our part in all this---lack of concern!

Our president and representatives are on a pay for performance. Why should these government servants be rewarded (with your vote) for doing a lousy job? I keep track of their votes through a website and make notes to myself. When it is time to vote, I carry those names into the voting booth. There, I make sure my vote does not re-elect a person who is performing badly ex., the previous administration. One needs to study and research, information on the candidates for every election--- local and federal.

Let’s talk credit card companies---the crime running rampant gang---who are tightly aligned with the majority of our representatives. Finally, after millions of complaints, the Fed’s have issued a Credit Card Reform bill. Naturally, it skirted around the main problem---no lowering of, or caps placed on interest rates. There are a few needed regulations imposed but, in this writer’s opinion, it did not go far enough. I don’t know about you but I am working hard at paying off the credit card I have and will use it as an emergency backup only.

I spoke with a friend the other day and she informed me that American Express does impose a charge limit on people who have always paid on time each month. She called and asks them why a preset spending limit is placed on some accounts. "If this is true," she said, "then you are providing “false advertisement” through your commercials and ads. Their reply, “it’s written in the contract you signed with us.” Well, that’s all fine and good however, you do not receive that contract until after your application is approved and then you receive your card and contract days later. She filed several complaints through the appropriate channels and never received a response. I’m sure it is in that contract somewhere, hidden in all that tiny print…She has yet to find it!

OK, onto the wealthy who invest in oil to the point it drives up our prices at the pump. While they are raking in the big bucks, we are paying big bucks at the pumps. Next in line, the gas retailers, if they are unregulated by the state, then no limits are set when they add their own mark up at the pump. The sky's the limit here so it's not only OPEC gouging us.

Next, we have the food suppliers, middleman, and distributors who each add outrageous markups to the grocery items. That is why we now pay $3.00+ for a loaf of bread and the same for milk; it goes on and on…Who is at the top of this insatiable food chain of greed? The corporate CEO and his board members; it all begins when they sign that high dollar contract. How did we help this inevitable fall of our economy? When they outsourced jobs, and started raising prices, we continued to buy their products and services…Because of that poor decision, and a government looking out for their own self-interest, and our have-to-have philosophy.

There is something perverse about more than enough. When we have more, it is never enough. It is always somewhere out there, just out of reach. The more we acquire, the more elusive enough becomes. –Unknown

2009-01-10T23:13:00.003-07:00

A COUNTRY IN FINANCIAL CRISIS

Welcome to 2009! It is nothing to rave about with the financial bailouts, GM and the other car companies crying the blues, congress acting as though we are the bottomless money pit for their pet projects, foreclosures, and escalating unemployment. Whew, it’s enough to make us non-drinkers give it serious thought or, at the very least, find that preverbal hole and dive into it. I hope this madness and economic down turn will be short lived. I try to keep an optimistic outlook.

I also tend to blame these serious issues on the ones who have failed us---our congress, the current administration and “we the people”. How, or more fittingly, why did we not remove those members of congress and the president in the 2004 election? If we had, maybe things might have turned out differently. Thank goodness, we will soon have a new president in office and one that seems to have a vision for this country’s recovery.

Obama is a man that has gathered around him a resource of intelligent and knowledge people in their fields. He is a communicator, a listener, a far range planner, and not afraid to reach out to the individual for input regarding the country’s problems. So, engage yourself and be a part of the solution. Make your voice heard by logging onto http://change.gov/, and tell President Elect Obama what your thoughts are on the economic issues that you are facing and recommend solutions…

For me the issues are free trade, outsourcing, the greed of CEO’s, high cost of gas, social security abuse by our government, unobtainable health care, poor education, and boarder security. Maybe my list will help you to start writing that email.

An article I read on the internet today also troubles me; here is the link. Take time to examine it. You may think this is irrational but, in view of our country’s job losses and financial decline, one must not over look the real possibility of such an occurrence.

The basis of tragedy is man's helplessness against disease, war and death; the basis of comedy is man's helplessness against vanity (the vanity of love, greed, lust, power). ~~Dawn Powell

2008-12-01T00:09:00.008-07:00

A COUNTRY AT RISK

We made it through the general election and then immediately were thrown into a state of uncertainty. What brought this about? The destructive behavior of power, greed and mismanagement. Our country is deeply in debt due to the war in Iraq, pork barrel projects, over spending, and now the bail out. Tax payers have to “take it on the chin” and bail out banks, Wall Street, Freddy Mac, Fannie May, and other corporate entities now begging for help. How rich is that; no pun intended. Where’s our bailout?

I am troubled by the HUGE mess our president elect will inherit. Regardless of your selection at the poles this past November, we all need to support him. No president has ever, or will ever satisfy everyone---that’s just human nature. But, to satisfy the masses is a good place to be. To strive for the good of the people is a quality I respond to.

Here’s another kick in the teeth---our elected officials allow foreign nations to buy U S real estate and invest in various other areas due to a “trade agreement.” As if free trade wasn’t enough, now the despicable scope of its reach is being exposed…We, as a country have foolishly trusted the very government we elected to keep us financially, economically and militarily sound. A mistake we must never make again!

Study your candidates and follow their job performance. After all, they go on a “pay-for-performance” basis when elected. Where we have failed is re-electing them when they haven’t provided for the country as expected. So now, we must vote informed and remove from office those who are self-serving and turn a deaf ear to their constituents.

Here’s a troubling paragraph from today’s Washington Post: The U.S. military expects to have 20,000 uniformed troops inside the United States by 2011 trained to help state and local officials respond to a nuclear terrorist attack or other domestic catastrophe, according to Pentagon officials.

If you find this frightening---you should! Please take time to listen to this video…Remember, knowledge is power!

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a much better New Year! Until next year, thanks for visiting and remember; “in the worst of times, the job of a leader is to let his or her people know that there is a tomorrow.”~~Author Unknown

“The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose.” ~~ Kahlil Gibran

2008-11-09T16:12:00.014-07:00

BETTER DAY'S AND CHALLENGES AHEAD

Maybe now, with one of the most historic election years behind us, we can get back to our day to day lives. Regrettably, many of us along with some family members are finding ourselves back on the streets in search of a job.

In my opinion, this election sent a loud and clear message to our elected officials. It spoke to job performance and aligning one’s self with unethical business partners. It said, without a doubt, we are watching you! If you fail to do the job we want done then, next election you will be the ones pounding the pavement for work…Make that a rule to vote by and follow your representatives voting record.

Very few families remain untouched by the deficiencies in government oversight. I am the first to raise objections with government “interference.” Nevertheless, some critical areas of the business world must be regulated or eventually we confront a worldwide disaster. Let me provide a few examples here; banks, credit card companies, health care, and Wall Street. This is where unchecked greed and corruption have run ramped for years.

Here’s my pet project for the upcoming months; fighting the credit bureaus and employers. If you want to join me then start writing letters to your elected officials. The majority of employers use your credit worthiness as a consideration for employment. I know that first hand! A friend of mine talked me into going along on her job hunting excursion. I joined her and decided to apply for a part time position. We ended up at a job fair where TSA had a booth on site. I overheard the lady tell my friend that they require a back ground and credit check for employment purposes. I’d suggest you take time to read the credit check link and know your rights.

This law was an egregious decision that should never have seen the light of day! Every day, individuals from all walks of life are forced into bankruptcy. In today’s economy, bankruptcy filings have increased to all time highs with no end in sight. One can say, “Oh it won’t happen to me,” but the reality is it could! If a job loss occurs, medical bills pile up, a serious accident happens, or the death of the family’s financial provider this is where you'll likely end up. This is life, and stuff happens.

No one should be allowed to judge your worthiness as an employee using a credit report. We’ve all known people with money and/or great credit. They can be very unreliable and won't last more then a month on the job, if that. Employment should only be decided on past employment history and skills; end of story!

Unfortunately, if this discriminatory use of credit history is not stopped how many of us will be able to find a decent job at the end of our current calamity? The government needs to “dismantle” their prior decision on using credit reports to screen for potential employees, so start writing those letters.

“The optimist sees the rose and not its thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose.” ~~ Kahlil Gibran

2008-10-13T19:00:00.015-07:00

2008 A PIVITOAL ELECTION YEAR

Please cast your votes for the right reason and not out of loyalty to a specific party. If you can be objective, then reflect on the disastrous affects we have experienced to date under the present leadership. Despite what party you are registered under, remember always to vote with an INDEPENDENT mind!

Neither party has done very well for us in the past 40 years. They have turned their backs on us and teamed with big business, wealthy colleagues and basically anyone who could line their pockets. The Republicans center of attention is big business, health insurance companies, the wealthy, etc. The Democratic Party has always been for the poor and working class. That’s the distinctive difference between them.

We certainly don’t need four more years of Bush and a VP who has, and might possibly, abuse her power again. She was found guilty for doing that very thing concerning “trooper gate”. What did she receive; nothing but a slap on the wrist. The news also stated that a request was made to withhold the investigations final decision until after the election. Hypocrisy and double standards do not belong in public office. Elected officials should not be exempt from the very laws they help to create.

It’s my understanding that our government is supposed to be “for the people and by the people.” OK people, let’s divorce ourselves from those “party loyalty” egos and do what’s right; vote for the person you feel will do the job and, if it’s not done and your voice is ignored again, than fire them next election! I can guarantee you if that’s done consistently, you will see a change in all of our elected officials.

In my opinion, elections at every level should be held every two years instead of four. That way, we could minimize their damage potential. In the past eight years, both the Republican and Democratic parties have failed us in countless ways--Point made!

Here’s a bit of trivia for you; in the past 28 years, a Republican president has held office for 20 of those years.

Remember how the Republicans wanted to privatize Social Security and invest it in the stock market. Well, look what would have happened with everyone’s retirement funds. How many of you, due to the wild spending of this administration, are losing their 401K shirts?

Why is our Social Security program in trouble? Let me give you just two facts:

1. Almost every president elected goes into the social security fund and pillages the surplus---George W, and his congress are no exception. This is money we (with our employers match) put away for our retirement. In my opinion, that equates to fraud and theft. People are thrown in jail for shop lifting, or robbing a bank right? Then the liberties being taken with our social security fund are no different---it’s still a crime!

2. The rich do not pay their fair share into social security. Nope, once they hit $97,500.00, they do not have to pay another cent of FICA tax. But someone making $35-40,000.00 or less will have an FICA tax rate of 7.65% deducted from each pay period all year. This is not only unfair, it’s indefensible! Why should the middle class and poor pay a 100% of FICA taxes while the rich only pay 6.2%?

There are numerous reasons why social security is a concern. I reference the two above because, if those are corrected, social security would be solvent for years to com. These two facts are just the tip of the ice berg. Our social security funds are being misused for numerous activities by the government.

Here’s another tidbit---Years ago, congress decided to tax social security which I consider double taxation. After all, I pay taxes on money that is already withheld as an (FICA) tax from my pay checks. How does that set with everyone? Oh, and you pay taxes on your company pension too. It’s considered an unearned income; isn’t that an oxymoron?

Finally, there is a paramount issue to consider is this election; the newly elected president will likely be appointing several new Supreme Court justices in the coming New Year. His choice will be crucial and impact ALL of us in some way. A wrong appointment in this area can bring about catastrophic results and conceivably the dismantling of our justice system and our constitution.

I hope I have given you several things to consider when you go to the polls. Study the candidates, listen to them, ignore the gossip of dirty politics, and vote for that which is in the best interest of our country. The events of the past month concerning our economy, bank failures, and Wall Street bail outs signal a serious warning. No one can be complacent in today’s world.

2008-10-13T19:00:00.001-07:00

2008-10-12T23:58:00.018-07:00

2008 A VERY IMPORTANT ELECTION YEAR

I’m going to deviate this month from camera talk and instead, I will convey a bit of awareness concerning one of the most important roles we have year---electing a new president. We have a choice between John McCain-Republican,and Barak Obama- Democrat. Now, here’s where the sticky-wicket comes into play!

Please cast your votes for the right reason and not out of loyalty to a specific party. If you can be objective, then reflect on the disastrous affects we have experienced to date under the present leadership. Despite what party you are registered under, remember always to vote with an INDEPENDENT mind!

Neither party has done very well for us in the past 40 years. They have turned their backs on us and teamed with big business, wealthy colleagues and basically anyone who could line their pockets. The Republicans center of attention is big business, health insurance companies, the wealthy, etc. The Democratic Party has always been for the poor and working class. That’s the distinctive difference between them.

We certainly don’t need four more years of Bush and a VP who has, and might possibly, abuse her power again. She was found guilty for doing that very thing concerning “trooper gate”. What did she receive; nothing but a slap on the wrist. The news also stated that a request was made to withhold the investigations final decision until after the election. Hypocrisy and double standards do not belong in public office. Elected officials should not be exempt from the very laws they help to create.

It’s my understanding that our government is supposed to be “for the people and by the people.” OK people, let’s divorce ourselves from those “party loyalty” egos and do what’s right; vote for the person you feel will do the job and, if it’s not done and your voice is ignored again, than fire them next election! I can guarantee you if that’s done consistently, you will see a change in all of our elected officials.

In my opinion, elections at every level should be held every two years instead of four. That way, we could minimize their damage potential. In the past eight years, both the Republican and Democratic parties have failed us in countless ways--Point made!

Here’s a bit of trivia for you; in the past 28 years, a Republican president has held office for 20 of those years.

Remember how the Republicans wanted to privatize Social Security and invest it in the stock market. Well, look what would have happened with everyone’s retirement funds. How many of you, due to the wild spending of this administration, are losing their 401K shirts?

Why is our Social Security program in trouble? Let me give you just two facts:

• Almost every president elected goes into the social security fund and pillages the surplus---George W, and his congress are no exception. This is money we (with our employers match) put away for our retirement. In my opinion, that equates to fraud and theft. People are thrown in jail for shop lifting, or robbing a bank right? Then the liberties being taken with our social security fund are no different---it’s still a crime!

• The rich do not pay their fair share into social security. Nope, once they hit $97,500.00, they do not have to pay another cent of FICA tax. But someone making $35-40,000.00 or less will have an FICA tax rate of 7.65% deducted from each pay period all year. This is not only unfair, it’s indefensible! Why should the middle class and poor pay a 100% of FICA taxes while the rich only pay 6.2%?

There are numerous reasons why social security is a concern. I reference the two above because, if those are corrected, social security would be solvent for years to com. These two facts are just the tip of the ice berg. Our social security funds are being misused for numerous activities by the government.

Here’s another tidbit---Years ago, congress decided to tax social security which I consider double taxation. After all, I pay taxes on money that is already withheld as an (FICA) tax from my pay checks. How does that set with everyone? Oh, and you pay taxes on your company pension too. It’s considered an unearned income; isn’t that an oxymoron?

Finally, there is a paramount issue to consider is this election; the newly elected president will likely be appointing several new Supreme Court justices in the coming New Year. His choice will be crucial and impact ALL of us in some way. A wrong appointment in this area can bring about catastrophic results and conceivably the dismantling of our justice system and our constitution.

I hope I have given you several things to consider when you go to the polls. Study the candidates, listen to them, ignore the gossip of dirty politics, and vote for that which is in the best interest of our country. The events of the past month concerning our economy, bank failures, and Wall Street bail outs signal a serious warning. No one can be complacent in today’s world.

2008-09-07T22:11:00.014-07:00

WHITE BALANCE AND YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA

OK, I know, just when you felt a little more comfortable with shooting that camera up pops another mystery. Let me set your mind at ease; the camera already has a factory setting which is usually pretty good. However, there are times when you will need to adjust for that less than perfect lighting and white balance will be that adjustment.

If you want to depend on the factory setting that’s OK but, it’s a bit risky---You know, like playing poker or the slot machines. There are several ways to adjust your white balance (thanks a lot huh?). Don’t be afraid to try some of the following examples; remember you can always default back to the camera’s factory settings.

Buy a piece of WHITE poster board and cut it to fit your camera bag.
Take a picture of a solid white shirt or sock.
Use a white photo disc.
Purchase a small warm card ; it has a very good rating.
There’s another great new product called Expoimaging.

I’m sure you noticed that some of the ideas shown above are quick fixes for the moments you're caught without a gray target or rag. This item should always be a part of every camera bags accessories. You would be surprised how hard it is to find an obliging clean white shirt to shoot. Next to Expoimaging, the gray target or rag is my second choice. Both are easy to carry and readily accessible. Each of these items will come with easy to follow instructions. Dare to learn “white balance adjustment” and your pictures will delight you.

The key too why we adjust our white balance is consistently perfect exposures. We have all missed that once-in-a-lifetime shot due to over or under exposures. What looks great on the view screen is many times deceiving. Have you ever wondered why as you viewed you monitor and begin using all those expletives? Simple, the pixels have to compress to fit that little 2x2 screen. Sure they are going to look great!

TIP: Always take several shots of your picture and bracket. Especially if it’s one that you really want as close to perfect as possible.

Take a moment to visit my favorite place to shop for photo bugs like us…They are great to do business with and you can download a catalog or order one to be sent right on line.

That’s it for now and until next time---Happy Shooting!

"One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you'd be stricken blind." Dorothea Lange--American photographer 1895-1965

2008-07-17T16:39:00.006-07:00

YOUR DIGITAL SLR CAMERA

EXPOSURE VALUE

There will be times when your aperture, ISO and shutter speed need a tiny bit of tweaking. That’s where your exposure compensation will come into play. Uh-oh, another new term…Don’t let that frighten you. Exposure compensation or values (EV) is a smart feature which allows you tweaking room when working in bright sun or shaded areas.

Remember, when you set the aperture, the camera selects an appropriate shutter speed. If you choose to set the shutter speed, the camera selects a suitable aperture. This is where exposure compensation comes into play. It provides you the flexibility to correct for more or less light without resetting your f-stops or shutter settings.

If the day is sunny, which it usually is in Arizona, I set my EV two clicks to the right and work from there. If it’s a heavy shadow area, I set it at two clicks to the left. We call this trial and error from which we all learn…Digital cameras can be off (light/dark) in normal exposure methods because they expose and average for 18% gray.

Check your camera manual to see if exposure compensation or EV is a listed feature. If so, read the instructions to fully understand how it functions. Next step; go out and take several practice shots. The more you practice using this feature, the easier it becomes. After awhile, it's just another “second nature” reaction. This feature is only an aid so please, don’t become dependent on it. Learn how to take great pictures using manual, shutter or aperture settings.

Tip: On a bright sunny day, use the Sunny 16 Rule to determine shutter and aperture settings. Set aperture to f/16, and shutter speed (reciprocal seconds) to ISO speed. Example, f-stop to 16, ISO 100 and shutter at 1/125.

Another excellent feature is the histogram which measures the level of brightness for the tones in your image. Once again, check your camera manual for this feature and learn how use it. The histogram will help you to adjust settings for optimum exposure.

Until next time—Happy Shooting!

"The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.” ~Ernst Haas, Comment in workshop, 1985

2008-06-09T16:52:00.028-07:00

THE DIGITAL SLR CAMERA

Your Three Key Elements
For A Perfect Exposure

Your digital camera has preset exposures for taking pictures so all you have to do is point and click right? Well, not always…There will be times when you’ll need to make certain adjustments for better photographic results. In my last blog I wrote about two of these key elements; shutter speed and aperture. The third is your ISO, which is the digital sensor’s sensitivity to light.

Now I will put it all together and show you how they work in sync:

The shutter speed controls the amount of time you allow the light to strike the sensor. Let’s say you have a shutter speed setting of 1/500 of a second and the picture you took was too dark. “Open up” one stop, and change the shutter speed to 1/250 of a second. This allows the shutter to stay open twice the length of time as the 1/500 of a second. To decrease light “stop down” one stop to 1/500 of a second which allows half the amount of time and light?

Smaller numbers give you 100% more light and larger numbers give you 50% less light. Use shutter speed when you want to control or stop motion.

The aperture (f/ stops) control the amount of light that strikes the sensor. To increase your light “open up” one stop (f /5.6 to f/ 4.0). To decrease the amount of light “stop down” one stop (f/ 4.0 to f/ 5.6).

Again, smaller numbers give you a wider aperture and more light while larger numbers do the opposite. Use the aperture when you want to control the depth of field.

Caution here—this is a last resort! The higher ISO’s produce a grainy affect in the picture. In a low-light condition you would choose a “higher” ISO. In a bright-light condition you would choose a “lower” ISO. Settings of 100 to 200 will produce better quality pictures.

The higher the ISO number, the more sensitive it is to light which means it captures more in less time.

If you need to adjust the amount of light entering your camera, you can use any one of the three tools above. A correct exposure relies on the right combination of shutter, aperture and ISO settings. Remember, each gives you a different creative result.

Until the next time—Happy Shooting!

The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.” ~Ernst Haas, Comment in workshop, 1985

2008-05-03T02:32:00.023-07:00

DIGITAL SLR CAMERAS

Here we go on another adventure in digital photography. We will venture into that freighting world of shutter speeds, and apertures. These are probably the hardest concepts of “how to” in the field of photography. Master these concepts and half of your battle for great pictures is behind you.
The shutter does two things; first, it controls the amount of time the light hits your sensor. The typical camera will have speeds in seconds such as 1, ½, ¼, 1/60, 1/250, etc. Your camera however, will show them as readings of 1, 2, 4, and 60. As you move up the scale, say from 30 to 60, you cut your exposure time in half. So, if you shorten the time the shutter is open, you shorten the light exposure.
Secondly, shutter speed controls motion. 1/15 of a second can make a moving subject look almost transparent while 1/100 of a second (and higher) begins to “freeze” or stop motion. Think about those water pictures you have seen. At 1/15 of a second, the water looked smooth and motionless but, at 1/100 of a second you could see the droplets begin to freeze in mid-air. Choosing the right shutter speed will give you the artistic effect you're after.
Tip: The shorter the exposure, the sharper the image.
The aperture also provides you with two functions. One is the control of light, and the other is depth of field. The aperture is measured in F-Stops. These are found on your lens and the speed of you lens (widest opening) will read as the smallest number- ex, f2.8. The smaller your aperture number, the more light you let in and the less depth of field you reach. The larger aperture numbers will reduce the amount of light while increasing your depth of field.
Tip: The shorter the focal length (18-50mm), the greater the depth of field.
These two mechanisms, work together in the creative art of photography. To produce a great picture you will need to learn how the two work in sync. Use the Amazon search box to the right for excellent digital photography books.

Until next time—Happy Shooting!

“The camera doesn't make a bit of difference. All of them can record what you are seeing. But, you have to SEE.” ~Ernst Haas, Comment in workshop, 1985

2008-03-26T18:21:00.009-07:00

Here’s a little trivia--When was the concept of photography set in motion? It was in the 1830’s, and it proved to be an expensive project. Cameras were huge, heavy, and difficult to carry. Images were processed onto “glass negatives,” and pictures were printed on paper or cardboard.

In 1900, George Eastman (sound familiar) of Kodak Company invented the film camera and the rest is history…It just keeps getting better for all of us photography buffs…Thank you Mr. Eastman!

In the 1990’s, the SLR was born for the more serious minded photographer. It used mirrors (or a prism) and 35mm film. The price tag was extremely expensive and the camera itself was quite heavy. How fortunate we are to have our digital SLR’s. They are very light weight in comparison to their predecessors. The digital SLR is expensive but, you save in the long run on film processing fees.

The basic differences between 35mm film and digital are small---35mm, requires film and processing in a lab. The other uses a media card, which stores your pictures until you down load them to your computer. I suggest that once you download, you immediately burn the pictures to a CD or DVD as a backup. Always make a copy of the original to alter or enhance…

Now, let's talk digital camera's...

A “Point-and-Shoot,” is the camera of choice for people who desire a less complex picture taking experience. It has automatic settings (with a few restrictions) and takes good quality pictures. The resolution (megapixels) varies, and the 3X to 12X zoom lens is not interchangeable. However, some of these cameras do provide a decent focal length of 24mm to 360mm. Their price range is $100.00 to $1,000.00.

Digital SLR’s, provide more creative control for the serious photographer. They provide the flexibility of shooting with preset programs like automatic, portrait, macro, landscape, or manual which provides you that creative edge. The lenses are interchangeable making a variety of focal lengths available. The camera and lenses are light weight and easy to manage. Their price range is $100.00 to $7,000.00 and higher.

The “Absolute Must Do’s” of owning a camera:

Purchase a camera that’s RIGHT for your style of photography!
Extremely important--Read your camera booklet thoroughly until you know how to use everything correctly. Knowledge of operation will enhance your picture taking experience.
Always change your lens away from dust and moisture; keep your camera dry.
Use only proper cleaning materials on your camera and lens. NEVER clean the inside mirror! If that becomes necessary, take it to a professional camera repair shop.
Before a shoot, make sure your lens is clean-You don’t want spots or dust to ruin a great picture.
Buy a good camera bag to carry and store your equipment in. I have a back pack especially designed for cameras. Its easy to carry and everything is at my fingertips.
Always carry a Polarizer filter and keep a UV filter on each lens that you attach to your SLR.
Invest in a good tripod—you will find a need for one more often than you think.

Until next time, happy shooting!!!

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."~Ansel Adams

2008-02-27T00:39:00.010-07:00

Last year for mother’s day my children presented me with a Nikon D40X. I was thrilled! However, after I experienced a few takes, the thrill quickly transformed into frustration. Why? Because I approached digital photography with the idea it would be as easy as film photography. What a misconception that was!

Over the next few postings I will attempt to explain some of the differences between 35mm (film) and digital SLR’s. I will use various resources including my own “trail by error” method. If you’re a pro or just learning, please read along with us. I may surprise you with a few new tricks of the trade. If you would like to share some information with me, please leave a comment.

I will start with the basics and progress from there-. OK, here we go!

Always follow the principal of “knowing” your camera! Read everything in your camera’s instruction booklet. Knowledge of how to use your camera (and its many features) will enhance your digital experience.

Digital offers other great benefits too. You can view your pictures immediately, and save tons of money on development fees. Your film has now been replaced by a memory card.

If you choose to invest in an SLR, you will have the creative control many photographers’ desire. Either type of camera (SLR or Point and Shoot) is a personal preference; I carry both. Last but not least, here are three guidelines to follow when taking pictures:

1. Clearly define your subject or theme—it should always appear clear and unmistakable…

2. Focus attention--the eye should immediately be drawn to your subject.

3. Simplify—include only the necessary elements that draw the eye to your subject.

Learn to see in pictures. This is the most important lesson a photographer learns. It’s called composition and without it, the art of photography is lost.

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” ~~Aaron Siskind—American Photographer 1903-1991