Free Tips For Photography

Understanding White Balance

noreply@blogger.com (Various Free Tips) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:43:00 +0000

Perhaps one of the most important camera settings that beginning digital photographers don’t understand is white balance. In this article, we’ll introduce the basic concept of white balance as well as a few photography tips for managing the white balance within your images.

What is white balance?

Put simply, white balance is the color of the lighting in your images. It might seem like a strange concept at first to think that light has color, but various types of light produce different hues which are reflected in your photograph. For example, indoor fluorescent lighting commonly produces a bluish hue, filtered or indirect natural sunlight produces a cool blue tone, and other natural forms of light like a fire produce a very warm tone within the image.

While these variations may not be visible to the human eye since our eyes adapt to compensate for them, in a digital images they can be very noticeable and can produce vastly different temperatures within your photograph. Therefore controlling for and adjusting the white balance in your images can change the feel of a photo completely.

How to manage white balance

Most digital SLR cameras come pre-programmed with a range of white balance settings. These commonly include:

Auto: This setting will work well for many settings as the camera will automatically adjust for the appropriate lighting.

Fluorescent: Useful when shooting indoors under fluorescent lights to compensate for high levels of blue.

Shade: Again, this setting will warm up cool, dark hues in shaded areas by adjusting accordingly.

Cloudy: This is a very useful setting for warming up an image on cloudy days where the dark skies might produce elevated levels of blue.

Sunny: This setting may go by different names according to the camera manufacturer, but in essence it makes very minor adjustments on most models to adjust for direct outdoor sunlight.

Tungsten: Programmed for shooting indoors under incandescent lighting, this will adjust for the high levels of yellow produce by most indoor light bulbs

Flash: This setting will adjust the white balance to mitigate against the harsh lighting of a flash.

Most DSLR cameras will also have manual white balance setting which we will discuss in more detail in a follow-up article. This process involves “teaching” your camera what you want the lighting to look like in an image, so we’ll discuss this setting alone. However, most of the settings listed above will allow you to capture great images making only one setting adjustment.

With these white balance photography tips, you’ll be able to capture the lighting you want for your photograph regardless of where you’re shooting.

Source: http://www.howtophotography.org

Avoiding Red Eye in Your Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Various Free Tips) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:40:00 +0000

While many new DSLR cameras do a great job of filtering out red eye problems, it’s not always the case. In this article we’ll take a look at a couple of quick photography tips for dealing with the dreaded red eye effect in your images.

So what causes red eye in photos?

While you’re probably just interested in finding out how not to have red eye effects in your images of people, it can be helpful to take a quick look at the issues that cause this effect in order to help you circumvent this problem. The red eye effect is caused by a direct reflection from a flash off of the back of a human retina. Essentially, because most built in flash units are just an inch or two from the lens, the flash sends light which is bounced from the back of the human retina, and reflects straight back into the lens of the camera. This reflection comes across in images as a red color, thus creating the red eye effect.

How do you eliminate red eye?

The first photography tip for eliminating red eye in your photos is to check to see if your camera has a built in red eye reduction setting. Most newer DSLRs and point and shoot cameras come with this feature. This setting will change your flash mode to help significantly reduce the effect of red eye in your photographs. It actually causes the flash to go off twice in two microbursts. The first small flash serves to cause your subjects pupils to contract and close, which reduces the amount of the retina which is exposed to the flash. When the second flash is triggered, the contracted retina produces almost no noticeable red eye effect.

Whether or not your camera does have a built in mode for this problem, you can also take a second step. You can change the direction of the flash. Now, most built in flash units won’t allow you to change the direction in which they throw the flash, so this will require a separate flash unit, which can be purchased relatively inexpensively. My personal favorite is the Nikon Speedlight Series, which comes at a range of price points. By using one of these external flashes, you can change the direction of the strobe by pointing the flash up toward the ceiling, or even using it without mounting it on the camera body and aiming it slightly to the right or left of your subject.

And there you have it. Two easy photography tips for eliminating the dreaded red eye effect in your photos for good.

Source: http://www.howtophotography.org

Photography Tips for Holiday Gatherings

noreply@blogger.com (Various Free Tips) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:37:00 +0000

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., we wanted to put together a few of our photography tips culled from various past articles that you can use to capture great images of the typical holiday festivities you might be involved in. As we approach this time of year, it’s very likely in most parts of the country that many of your holiday activities will be indoors due to the shorter days, colder weather, and also since most of the Thanksgiving pleasures center around the kitchen! This being the case, shooting indoors with a full house of family or friends all moving around and celebrating can make it difficult to capture clear, crisp, warm images. Here are a few selected photography tips for getting great holiday images in your home.

Use natural light if possible…

I always, always prefer using natural light as often as possible, even when indoors. If you’re hosting your holiday festivities in an environment with few windows, you’re out of luck here. But if the rooms have plenty of windows, try to open up as many of the window coverings (blinds, shades, etc.) as you can to reduce your dependency on flash lighting. This can bring tremendous amounts of warmth to your images as opposed to using a flash to light your images.

…but if you can’t, use indirect light.

If you don’t have natural light to take advantage of, consider bouncing your flash off of a wall or the ceiling. Many flash units and speedlights now come with rotating flash heads, making them a perfect choice for sending the flash light in a direction other than straight at your subjects. This can really do a great job helping to reduce the powerful wash out effect of flash lighting. In a pinch, I’ve also placed items like an opaque plastic bowl or a bit of wax paper over the built in flash unit on my camera body to reduce the power of the flash and hence warm up the image a bit. Just be careful if you try this technique as it can produce undesired imbalances in the lighting. Be sure to check your LCD screen.

Capture the candids!

Holiday gatherings are a great time to catch people just laughing and having conversations. In my family, it always seems that the old timers tend to gather in the corner and share stories that probably aren’t suitable for the kids in the room. I always like sneaking over and catching those types of moments. Just be discreet and see what you can come up with.

Here come the group shots…

Since the holidays are often the only time of year that many families are able to come together, it’s always good to try to get everyone together for a group shot, as long as your setting and family dynamics allow it! Composing group shots is usually a challenge and we’ve written a couple of articles just on photography tips for groups. However, it typically boils down to proper composition, getting everyone to look at the camera, and making sure to reduce any unwanted red eye or glare from eyeglasses. Try to make sure that your composition is balanced, meaning everyone is relatively close together and symmetrical from front to back and left to right. To reduce red eye, either use the appropriate red eye reduction setting on your camera or set your flash to throw indirect light. And to avoid glare from eyeglasses, have anyone wearing them simply tilt their head slightly downward (remember: slightly, not looking at the floor!).

By putting a few of these simple photography tips in place, you can make sure to capture the wonderful memories of your holiday gatherings.

Source: http://www.howtophotography.org

HDR and Beyond – Seeing is Believing!

noreply@blogger.com (Various Free Tips) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:28:00 +0000

A Guest Post by by Gavin Phillips

What is High Dynamic Range Imaging? (HDR)

HDR is when you take 3-5 or 7 photos at different exposure settings, and then merge them into a single image using speciality software. What you get are beautiful photos with incredible detail, controlled lighting and accurate colour. You cannot reproduce an HDR image manipulating a single JPG or RAW image in Photoshop.

Below is an example of a set of 7 images taken at 1-stop exposure increments. Then merged and tone mapped.

The benefits of HDR

The human eye sees an outdoor or indoor scene quite differently than what can be captured with even top grade professional digital cameras and lenses. Not surprisingly, our eyes are far more complex.

Our eyes adjust for harsher light and render colors and detail more accurately than any single RAW file can capture.

With HDR you can produce wonderfully crisp images that have excellent detail and control of lighting. You do not need to worry about harsh sunlight or very contrasty scenes.

Below is an example of my regularly exposed single shot compared to my 7-shot HDR version. When printed, the HDR version has far more detail and an overall richer look to the image.

You control your final image

There is a lot of misunderstanding about HDR. As with all new creative techniques with so many creative opportunities available, we all tend to overdo it at the beginning.

This is okay, it is our way of experimenting and finding what we like and don’t like. For business applications, you can simply say what sells; although this may vary from client to client.

When would you shoot HDR?

Landscapes
Architectural and Commercial
All interior shots
Select wedding shots (church interior, vows)
Wildlife (animals standing still)
Night architectural

HDR in a Nutshell

Take 3,5 or 7 shots at different exposures
Merge bracketed sets into 32-bit images
Tone-map in HDR specific software
Finish in Photoshop

HDR Camera Set-up

Always shoot RAW. The RAW format is better for HDR than JPG. I have compared sets of JPG and RAW of the same scene and processed them in Photomatix and Artizen. The results are far better with the RAW images than the JPG.

Auto Exposure Bracketing Mode

Put your camera into the auto exposure bracketing mode. This allows you to run off a sequence of shots at different exposures by simply holding down the ‘shoot’ button.

It will depend on your camera as to how many you shoot in a sequence. Most DSLR cameras offer you up to 1-stop increments in bracketing mode. You would only ever go to a maximum of 2-stop increments. I shoot sets of 5 or 7 at 1-stop increments.

Some recent advanced compact cameras offer RAW shooting and Auto Exposure Bracketing.

Two that I know of are the Panasonic Lumix G3. It offers up to 7 shots at a max of 1-stop exposures. This is perfect for HDR. Also the Olympus E-PL3 offers RAW and up to 2-stops in AEB. These cameras are easy to carry around and offer a good introduction into digital HDR.

HDR Specific Software I Use

All these software programs are Mac/Windows compatible and offer free trial downloads.

Photomatix Pro

Photomatix offers many features and an intuitive, easy to use interface. It’s strength is outdoor daytime HDR. It really opens up shadows and produces very pleasing colours that are easily controlled with the sliders.

The batch processing feature is a huge time-saver. Merging one set of three, five or seven images into a 32-bit image can take from 10 seconds to over a minute, depending on your computer speed and how many images are in the set. If you have more than a few sets of HDR, (at Yosemite I had hundreds of sets) this consumes a large amount of time.

Photomatix’s batching feature allows you to merge dozens/hundreds of sets of HDR into 32-bit images automatically while you do something else. You then open the 32-bit image instantly in your software of choice and apply the tone-mapping, which is the only part that interests you.

With interior shots, Photomatix often introduces a blue cast into sunlight coming in through windows. I often use ‘Artizen’ or ‘Dynamic Photo HDR’ for interiors.

Artizen

I use Artizen for most of my interior HDR shots. Most of the time it gives me better results for what I’m looking for with interior shots.

Dynamic Photo HDR

I use DPHDR for some of my night HDR, and some daytime HDR as well. It depends how the image looks. It often creates more natural looking skies.

It’s also great if you want to go in a different creative direction. You can get a great variety of different colour effects.

But sometimes I see odd artefacts introduced into images; burnt skies or excessive noise. So I don’t recommend this program as your only HDR specific software. It is good to give you different creative ways to go.

HDR Efex Pro

Like all Nik software, HDR Efex Pro’s user interface is intuitive and easy to understand. I liked the variety of one-click presets, and it is easy to keep your HDR looking natural. I still prefer the colour in Photomatix for outdoor HDR though.

Nik’s patented ‘U Point Technology’ is included. With this you can fine-tune very specific areas in your image without effecting the rest of it.

Photoshop CS5 HDR

New to CS5 are some basic HDR tone-mapping sliders and presets. I have worked with it on some sets of HDR and compared it to the tone-mapping I get in the other software. The results are far better in Photomatix, etc.

Photoshop’s great strength is finessing the image after you have completed your tone-mapping. Removing blemishes, cloning, color, lighting correction and sharpening are essential, and none of the other software does this.

Single-shot ‘Pseudo HDR’

All the HDR software reviewed here give you an option to create a pseudo HDR out of a single RAW or JPG image. You really need RAW with single shot HDRs. The advantages are that you do not have to take multiple shots, and there will be no ‘ghosting’ to remove of people moving in the image.

However, you do not have the same dynamic range that you would have with multiple exposures. Pseudo HDRs tend to be noisy and you don’t get the same detail. But when you have rapidly moving people, animals or vehicles, pseudo HDRs often look far more interesting than just working the image in Photoshop. And they are very quick to process.

HDR and People

You can photograph people with HDR selectively. People posed, or a bride and groom standing still at the altar. Even if they are standing ‘still’ there is likely to be some slight movement between the frames.

This is referred to as ‘ghosting.’ The colour of the peoples faces will be incorrect as well. To correct this I use one of the bracketed set of regular RAW images and Photoshop to mask-in just the people into the HDR image.

It only takes 5-minutes. I only take a few HDR images with people in them. This captures the occasion in a way I could never achieve otherwise.

My HDR Work flow

My HDR Work flow I download all my HDR sets into a folder. I sort the winning sets in

Photoshop/Bridge or Lightroom, and move them to a ‘Winners’ folder. Different sets must be kept together. Don’t mix a set of three with a set of five or seven, it will completely mess up the batch processing.

Batch rename the winning sets in Photoshop or Lightroom with a number sequence. If I have 20 sets of five bracketed images, it will be numbered 1 through 100.

I then use Photomatix to batch my 20 sets of five into 20 single, 32-bit images. While Photomatix is doing this, I’m in Photoshop or doing something else.

When Photomatix finishes it’s batching, I go in and open the 32-bit images in Photomatix for tone-mapping. The tone-mapping is very fast. Once I set-up the sliders for the first image, I usually stay pretty close to those settings for the other images. I then finish the image in Photoshop.

Avoiding HDR Issues

Halos can be an issue with HDR images. Halos are usually found where the sky meets buildings or trees in an image. It is a line, or band, of lighter sky. It does not look natural and is very distracting.

You usually get if using extreme settings in your tone mapping, although sometimes you may still see halos even with conservative settings. In that case you may have to swap out the sky in your HDR image with the original sky in one of the bracketed images in Photoshop.

Over saturation is easily controlled in all the programs I reviewed here. Once you have the settings the way you like them, you can save them as one of your custom presets.

You have complete control over your image. It is easy to stay within a regular color range, but still gain a significant advantage by using HDR. You have to watch you do not overdo it, particularly with skies.

Finishing in Photoshop

Although the HDR specific software is great for the merging and tone-mapping

stage of your HDR sets, there is no substitute for the final finessing of your image in Photoshop.

I usually use a custom ‘curves’ adjustment. You can use the brush tool on the ‘curves’ mask to adjust how much of that curves is used in your image, and where it is used.

Another excellent, but often overlooked adjustment layer, is the ‘Shadow/Highlight’. There maybe areas of the image that require careful cloning out. Don’t forget that sometimes you can use the ‘spot healing brush’ to blend away something small in your image instead of always using the clone tool. Photoshop CS5’s new ‘content aware’ brush option is very handy for fast clean-up as well.

The last thing I do is selective sharpening. I use high pass sharpening for all my images that do not have people in the image. You find this under ‘Filter’, ‘Other’, ‘High Pass’. When people are in the image I use ‘unsharp mask’ or ‘smart sharpening’.

Creative Freedom

HDR gets quite a lot of criticism because many of the images are over-worked.

For that matter, any image can be overworked in Photoshop or any software, not only HDR.

Some photographers have become so worried about being criticised for using HDR, their HDR images look exactly the same as a single image worked in Photoshop. HDR is different; it has a vibrance and detail that is great for certain situations.

For some images I go further and use a full range of Photoshop adjustment layers, filters, masking and plug-ins to go in many different directions. We have so many creative tools to work with today; I’m not going to limit myself to staying within a regular photograph all the time.

As the late famous photographer Fred Picker stated, ‘Photographers owe nothing to reality.’ I offer my clients both types of images. Gavin Phillips offers HDR webinars and training movies. He also offers custom Photoshop ‘actions’ and Lightroom Presets. See his website for more information.

Source: http://www.digital-photography-school.com

Action Sequence Photography Tips with Strobe Lighting

noreply@blogger.com (Various Free Tips) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:56:00 +0000

Professional snowmobiler and X-Games Gold Medalist, Justin Hoyer, teamed up with photographer Andy Kawa to create a freestyle snowmobile action sequence using high speed strobes and a Nikon D300. Take a tour of the shoot here:

FSTOPPERS BTS CONTEST 2011: HDR Strobed Action Sequence from Luke Parmeter on Vimeo.

Because typical speedlights won’t repower quickly enough to shoot an action sequence such as this one, Kawa used a Broncolor Scoro light kit which is capable of producing a lot of light in very short bursts. Using only two strobes, Kawa fixed one lamp on Hoyer’s take-off ramp and had an assistant man the second lamp to manually track Hoyer as he flew through the air on his snowmobile.

“Keep in mind that most cameras cant go above 1/250th second when using flash. Thats why a short flash duration is so important –light controls motion not the shutter speed,” explained Kawa.

After taking some test shots at a rate of 6 frames per second, Kawa realized that the figure needed to be backed down to 5 fps to prevent overlapping of some of the shots. After working out a shutter speed of 1/250 at f 4.5 on ISO 320, Kawa was confident that the next days shoot would produce the results he hoped to achieve.

Strobed Action Sequence Photo

For the final image, Kawa combined a total of 18 photographs that he processed in Adobe Photoshop. While working in Photoshop, he also took the time to edit out debris from the snow, adjust the contrast, and fine tune the exposure. Kawa made an additional version of the finished product, this time in HDR which was made from seven different images.

Source : http://www.picturecorrect.com

Tips for Travelling With Photography Equipment

noreply@blogger.com (Various Free Tips) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:50:00 +0000

Travelling with photographic equipment can difficult, but travelling without photographic equipment could be considered a waste of a journey by any photographer who truly loves taking pictures, so here are some handy tips that should take some of the stress out of travelling with your camera equipment.

"Sunset Finals" captured by Thomas Millard (Click Image to See More From Thomas Millard)

It may seem like the most obvious piece of advice in the world, but if you are flying carry your camera onboard as hand luggage to avoid damage or loss. If you still use film them remember when you go through metal detectors, ask the attendant to hand-screen your rolls of film. It will help if you carry your film in clear canisters or remove it from its packaging and place it in clear plastic bags. However, if you can buy film at your destination, consider waiting until you arrive to buy it. It will at least make part of your trip easier for going through airport security screening devices.

Do not pack unprocessed film in luggage that will be stored in the cargo hold. The scanning equipment is stronger than the ones used for hand luggage and your film may well be damaged. Check your airline’s website to find out about hand luggage policies when travelling overseas, as some small airline operators do not allow you to carry luggage onto the plane with you.

Digital memory cards are not affected by x-rays, but magnetic devices could damage them. Conveyor belts may cause problems due to powerful magnets in the motors; although the risk is slight it is advisable to place your camera as far away from the beginning of the belt as possible.

If you’re travelling by car in a hot climate, keep your camera inside when you’re driving so it will stay cool and always remember to carry it with you when you leave your car; it can easily be stolen out of the boot (or trunk).

It takes only a couple of seconds for anyone to take an unattended camera bag so always, keep your eye on your equipment. If you need to put your bag down, at a hotel reception or by your side at a coffee shop, it is a good idea it place your foot through the straps as a ‘distraction thief’ may get your attention focused on something but cannot so easily get you to walk away and forget your bag without the strap tripping you up and reminding you it is there. Dangling a camera from your neck is not such a good idea either; it’s very easy to cut a strap with a quick cut of a sharp knife and snatch the camera. When walking with my camera I wrap the strap three or four times around my wrist and clasp the last section of the strap in my fist, then I am ready to take a photograph but the strap cannot be cut and the camera snatched.

Think about what you’re going to do about storing digital images before you go on your trip. Personally, I prefer memory cards and in my two Canon 5 d Mk ii I use 32 gb cards, each capable of storing over 1000 large Raw files. Lugging around a computer or portable storage devices is a hassle I can do without. If I need to be particularly protective about my images, I will either go to a ‘one-hour lab,’ and have them download the images to a CD, (though I keep the original images on the car too) or I go to an internet cafe and download the images direct to my website or to an online photo storage website. If I need more memory cards, I just buy them as they’re not hard to find and not too expensive. If I think it may be hard to find new memory cards then I simply take extra ones with me. You can never have too many memory cards.

Source: http://www.picturecorrect.com

Make sure you insure your equipment; even if you have an insurance policy in place already it is still worth checking with your insurance company just what will be covered and in what circumstances you can make a claim. Insurance companies are notorious for finding a way out of compensating clients for the loss of equipment in case of theft or damage. It has been known for an insurance company to ask for every item to be listed that was stolen, i.e. Camera, lens, lens cap, flash, diffuser, two memory cards, USB cable, and bag, then charge 200 excess for each listed item that was stolen as each item listed is a separate claim. As you can see from my short list the excess to be paid in the event of your camera bag being stolen is 1800, which for some cameras is more than the cost of the equipment lost. Check your policy, especially if the insurance is cheap, but even if you have paid a lot, still check the policy carefully.

Unless you know your camera inside and out, take your manual with you. Just pack it in your luggage. Make sure you take all your cords, etc. with you, but remember to check the insurance Terms and Conditions. If may need to bring an electric plug adapter if you are travelling overseas, remember to check this before you go. Bring one for your car too; if you’ll be doing a lot of shooting in the field it can be very useful.

Protect your camera from inclement weather and avoid leaving your gear in extreme heat or cold. If it rains unexpectedly, the very least you should do is get your camera under an item of clothing to shield it from the worst of the rain.

If it’s cold, keep your camera warm with your body heat to avoid condensation. If condensation does occur, remove the battery and memory card and keep the compartments open until they are full dry. If you take your camera back outside with condensation inside, it may freeze or even short when the power is turned on. Protect your lens by using a UV filter.

Take equipment you’re familiar with using. Travelling isn’t the time to try out new equipment; if you want get good results do your practicing before you leave. Travel light with a good bag and don’t bring every lens or body you have “just in case.” I never travel with more than three lens 50mm f1.4 24-70mm f2.8 and 70-200 mm f2.8 which I find adequate for all eventualities. Obviously your range of lenses will depend on the type of photography you intend to do as well as your budget.

Finally if you’re going overseas, declare all your photo equipment to customs officials at the airport before you leave so you will not have to prove ownership when you return home thus avoiding little problems such as being presented with a bill for import duty that you then will need to contest.

But ultimately, have fun and fill your cards with wonderful travel photos.

About the Author:
William Johnston is a professional photographer providing wedding photography and portrait photography throughout Bristol, Wedding Photographer Bath and Somerset, the South West, Birmingham and the West Midlands, Leicester and Leicestershire, London and the home counties.

PictureCorrect note:
We recently lost an important piece of luggage traveling with Turkish Airlines from LAX to Dubai. It was a rugged waterproof pelican case filled with camera equipment and we found ourselves powerless to recover it. Turkish Airlines would not give us any information and we didn’t hear anything until our case showed up a whole week later delivered by a 3rd party delivery person who had no idea where the case had been held up. Next time, we plan on using GPS tracking devices with important pieces of luggage to give us at least some information about where lost equipment might be if we ever lose something again.

Nikon D800 and D800e announced

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:24:00 +0000

There has been chatter on the interweb for what seems like ever, surrounding the the new offering from Nikon. Here it is, finally, for you to lust after! Nikon D800 & D800E $2,995.00 and it’ yours!

Will you be cashing in and picking one of these cameras up? Comment below!

Here’s the feature list.

Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with 36.3 effective Megapixels Native ISO 100 to ISO 6,400 Manipulate light to your advantage Shoot broadcast quality video Comprehensive high-fidelity audio recording control Live view output on external monitors Integrated image sensor cleaning system EXPEED 3 image-processing engine Advanced Scene Recognition System Time-lapse photography Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module Versatile AF-area modes High-precision, high-durability shutter High dynamic range (HDR) Don’t miss a moment 3.2 inch, 921k-dot LCD monitor Lightweight yet durable construction High-speed CF and SD dual card slots

Let’s have that all explained.

Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with 36.3 effective Megapixels With a huge 36.3 Megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor your photos will have more detail than ever before. The sensor is 35.9 X 24 mm – producing such incredible detail, that the Nikon D800 can render textures and nuances equivalent to high-end medium format cameras. Define every eyelash, every line in tree bark, and every shimmer of light. You can now savour the exceptional depth in your photos and enlarge them as big as A1 posters at 200dpi.

Native ISO 100 to ISO 6,400 – expandable to the equivalent of ISO 50 to 25,600 High-resolution, studio-quality images shouldn’t be restricted to the studio. The Nikon D800 sets a new benchmark for high-resolution DSLR cameras, with clean and crisp images across a wide ISO range. Flexibility like this opens up new imaging opportunities for still photographers and cinematographers. Even at high ISO settings, the camera’s intelligent noise reduction systems manage noise without sacrificing fine details, giving the nikon D800 the edge on its competition. The difference can even be seen in low-contrast subjects such as hair and grass textures, which are often essential elements of cinema as well as high-resolution portraits and landscape images. High image quality at higher ISOs also means that you can shoot still images handheld more confidently, knowing that fast shutter speeds will reduce blur.

Manipulate light to your advantage With the Nikon D800, our engineers have combined high-resolution performance with a wide ISO range –making many photographers dreams a reality. New methods have been employed to manipulate light transmission to the sensor’s photo diodes, delivering crisp, brilliant images with significantly less noise.

Shoot broadcast quality video Many filmmakers require the highly mobile, lightweight and compact advantages of a DSLR in order to cover large events, make documentaries, music videos or movies. For these professionals, the Nikon D800 is ready to create incredible cinematic experiences. The Nikon D800 is capable of shooting full 1080p HD video in either FX or DX modes – yours to choose depending on your creative intentions. Combined with the processing power of the new EXPEED 3 processor, you can shoot broadcast quality video at 30 frames per second.

Comprehensive high-fidelity audio recording control The Nikon D800 is designed for crisp stereo recording with a built-in external stereo microphone input. Attach the compact ME-1 Stereo Microphone to record clear sound while significantly reducing mechanical noise. An external headphone jack enables you to effectively monitor and control audio in isolation.

Live view output on external monitors While shooting movies you can now simultaneously check the video feed on an external monitor using an HDMI connection, in addition to the camera’s TFT monitor. For those who need the purest video output for professional quality editing, you can now record uncompressed movie live view footage directly to an external storage device via HDMI interface.

Integrated image sensor cleaning system Ever experienced the frustrations of dust reaching your cameras image sensor? The Nikon D800 automatically prevents this. Employing Nikon’s new Integrated Dust Reduction System the sensor self-cleans itself with four resonance frequencies to vibrate the optical low-pass filter and shake dust away. There’s also no need to worry if you’re shooting landscapes at low shutter speeds – you can set the self-cleaning sensor onto manual to prevent any camera shake.

EXPEED 3 image-processing engine: speed, versatility, and high performance To process the Nikon D800’s huge 36.3 megapixel full-frame CMOS, Nikon engineers have included the new EXPEED 3 image processing engine so you don’t have to sacrifice speed for the privilege of incredibly high-resolution photos. From image processing and card recording to image playback and image transfer, EXPEED 3 manages massive amounts of data at faster speeds than the acclaimed EXPEED 2 processor. Even with specialised processing features like Active D-Lighting and highISO noise reduction, capture speed is not affected. EXPEED 3 is so powerful that it handles data-intensive tasks such as Full HD video recording at 30fps with ease.

Advanced Scene Recognition System with 91K-pixel RGB sensor Nikon’s revolutionary Advanced Scene Recognition System, introduced with the flagship Nikon D4 camera, is also employed in the Nikon D800. At its core is a 91K-pixelRGB sensor that meticulously analyses each scene with fine resolution. The RGB sensor can recognize your scene’s colours and brightness with unprecedented precision then use that information to implement various automatic controls and give you more natural-looking results. The real breakthrough, however, is that the sensor can detect human faces with startling accuracy when shooting through the optical viewfinder. Along with face detection, detailed scene analysis is utilised to support more accurate auto-focus; auto exposure and i-TTL flash exposure results in a diverse range of compositional and lighting situations. The improved subject tracking is most noticeable when using 3D-tracking, which can maintain a focus on moving subjects smaller in size than with previous generations.

Time-lapse photography Capture a variety of scenes and subjects at a breathtaking pace. The Nikon D800 lets you set intervals and frame rates in order to dramatically relay slow-moving activity at dramatic speeds. The Nikon D800 allows you to shoot time-lapse photography with replaying rates from 24 times to 36,000 times faster than normal. Time-lapse photography files can be saved as a movie file.

Advanced Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus sensor module Accurate AF detection is crucial for extremely high-resolution still images in every situation. The 51 sensor points in the Nikon D800’s AF sensor module work down to -2 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F), the approximate physical limit of human visibility through an optical viewfinder. For even more powerful detection, you can rely on the camera’s 15 cross type sensors in the centre to detect both vertical and horizontal lines when using any AF NIKKOR lenses of f/5.6 or faster. What’s more, AF can be activated with eleven focus points in the centre with open aperture of f/8, which is a big plus when you combine a telephoto lens with a 2.0x teleconverter to shoot distant subjects.

Versatile AF-area modes Whether it’s a still life, a portrait, a landscape or a candid street scene, your subject matter varies, but its importance doesn’t. That’s why the Nikon D800 offers four AF-area modes, each specifically tailored to adapt to various subjects. Single-point AF is ideal when you need pinpoint focus on stationary subjects. Dynamic-area AF has three options (9-point, 21-point and 51-point) and is ideal for shooting moving subjects. The selected AF point and the surrounding points keep your subject in sharp focus even if it briefly leaves the selected points. 3D-tracking allows you to maintain focus on subjects that are moving erratically from side to side. Auto-area AF detects human faces and prioritises their sharpness for you — an ideal choice for candid photography.

High-precision, high-durability shutter The Nikon D800’s shutter unit has been tested to well over 200,000 cycles of release to prove durability and precision. While the shutter unit is designed to run at a speed range of 1/8,000 to 30s, its intelligent self-diagnostic shutter monitor automatically monitors actual shutter speeds in order to correct possible variances that can occur over time.

High dynamic range (HDR) The Nikon D800 can shoot two frames in a single shutter release, but at different exposures: one overexposed and one underexposed. The camera then instantly combines them to create an image covering a wider dynamic range. The range can be widened by up to 3 EV for different looks, all full of saturation and tonal gradation, while the smoothness of the edge where the two exposures meet can be adjusted for a more natural appearance.

Don’t miss a moment The Nikon D800 is designed to respond immediately. Once the camera is turned on, it starts up in approximately 0.12 seconds* and your finger is in position for shutter release. Release time lag is minimised to approx. 0.042 seconds*, equivalent to that of the Nikon D3S. The Nikon D800 also has the ability to shoot continuously at 4 fps in FX mode, and 5fps in DX mode. (*Based on CIPA Guidelines)

3.2 inch, 921k-dot LCD monitor The Nikon D800’s large and sharp colour LCD monitor delivers bright, crisp image playback with a much larger capacity for accurate colour reproduction. Using an anti-reflective structure, you can count on clarity equal to that of the D4, even under bright conditions. Moreover, if monitor brightness is set to “Auto”, the camera automatically adjusts LCD brightness according to the environmental lighting conditions measured by the ambient brightness sensor, allowing easy use of live view in both bright and low-lit places — very useful when shooting video and stills. The ability to magnify playback images up to 46x (Large-size images in FX format) is extremely helpful for spot focus confirmation.

Lightweight yet durable construction The Nikon D800 has been designed to achieve better durability and lighter weight. The result is a camera approximately 10% lighter than the Nikon D700, yet just as rugged, weighing in at around 1,000 grams. A magnesium alloy construction protects the camera against accidental shock, and weather and dust sealing has been extensively applied and severely tested, making the Nikon D800 as reliable on the road as it is in the studio.

High-speed CF and SD dual card slots Card recording speed is yet another crucial element of a smooth and productive shooting experience. The Nikon D800’s CF memory card slot is compatible with the latestUDMA 7. The SD card slot is compatible with SDXC (Secure Digital extended Capacity) and UHS-I. You can also use two cards simultaneously for a number of functions, such as recording JPEG and RAW data on separate cards, recording the same data simultaneously on two cards for backup.

What do you think? Tell us if this one “is for you” or not, below in the comments!

Nikon D800 and D800e announced

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:19:00 +0000

Pandigital PanImage PI1003DW 10.1-Inch Digital Picture Frame

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:52:00 +0000

You capture every precious moment because you do not want to forget even a single bit of it. However, a photo that is only stored inside a camera’s memory card or in a PC’s hard drive is not a good way to keep your precious memories. Free your images. Now, you can use digital photo frames to display your memories without the hassle of printing them out. Why not get yourself or a loved one a 10.1 inch digital frame by Pandigital.

Product Description

The PanImage PI1003DW by Pandigital is a 10.1 inch digital photo frame that displays images in 800x480 resolution. It also has 250:1 contrast ratio that provides brilliant clarity to your photos. The screen has 250:1 viewing aspect ratio that provides pleasant presentation for your photos. The PanImage PI1003DW can store up to 1,250 images on its 256 MB internal memory. Bordered with elegant black wood, the frame blends with virtually all décor while the display’s interchangeable white and gray mats add more style to your presentation.

Product Features

15:9 Aspect Ratio – the high aspect ratio lets you view your photos in brilliant colors and clear details.

800x480 resolution – provides clearer, crisper and more vibrant images.

5 in 1 Reader – this digital frame features a 5 in 1 card reader that supports MS, SD,MS- Pro, xD and MMC

Large Memory Capacity – the digital frame’s 256 MB memory capacity holds up to 2500 jpeg images

USB Connectivity – the frame comes with a USB port that allows you view your photos that are saved in an external drive.

Color and Brightness Controls – easy to use controls let you adjust the color and brightness of your photos.

Interchangeable Mats – you can choose between gray or white for the frame’s mat to suit your mood.

Integrated Calendar and Clock – the PanImage PI1003DW has built in clock and calendar that you can turn on and off when needed.

Drop and Drag – the PanImage PI1003DW uses drop and drag system. This is a technology that makes it easier to select and transfer images from your computer or drive to the internal memory of the photo frame.

Wall Mountable – with PanImage PI1003DW, limited desk or table space is not a problem. You can mount this digital frame using the built in tabs for wall hanging.

Panel Light Control – turn the panel light on or off when needed.

Remote Control – the PanImage PI1003DW comes with a handy remote controller that lets you adjust your settings accordingly.

Slideshow – with this feature, the frame is able to display photos in slideshow mode and set the time intervals between each image depending on your preference.

Image Rotate Function – you can easily flip your images when needed. Rotate your photos from portrait to landscape or vice versa by pressing a button.

Pandigital PanImage PI1003DW 10.1-Inch Digital Picture Frame

This frame is a good choice to give as a gift to a family member or very close friend. One way to make it more personalized is to upload photos in it before wrapping it up. The PanImage PI1003DW is a great buy because:

It looks really nice and can be hung on the wall. If you do not want to hang it on a wall, you can use the foldable leg to place it on a table. The leg of the frame is extendable, so you can adjust the height of the frame according to your preference.

It displays high quality photos. The frame does not have very obvious pixels when displaying a photo, which is really good.

The digital frame is very versatile. You can choose to input the photos in the frame’s internal memory (which can hold up to 2,500 images by the way), or display photos from an external memory stick or USB flash drive.

The duration of slides are changeable, as well as their randomness, or the change effects (roll, fade, etc.).

The remote control makes it really easy to operate. Unlike using the mini buttons at the frame’s back, using the remote control is easier and more convenient.

The PanImage PI1003DW is very easy to set up. You just have to plug it in and turn the device on; then insert the memory card in the slot (if needed) and choose the settings and you are ready to go.

Although the PanImage PI1003DW has nearly perfect features, of course, there is also a hitch or two. The two frame mats seem to be a waste of material and something that you can do without. Yes, having an interchangeable mat is an advantage for some, but it is not really necessary.

Overall, the PanImage PI1003DW is a great choice when it comes to digital frames. It boasts ample display size without the bulk; and it has all the necessary features you will want in a digital photo frame. The PanImage PI1003DW is available on Amazon.com for under $100.

About FinePix Digital Cameras

noreply@blogger.com (Rose @ Ritzari Kitchen n KerepekCorner) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:12:00 +0000

To be frank, I'm not fans of fujifilm digital camera. I'm more to Canon. Anyway, it is not hurt to know about other brand as well. :)

Fujifilm started out as a manufacturer of photographic film. Their films are well-known for producing vivid but natural colors. Branching into other areas of business, Fujifilm soon came out with their first digital camera in 1988, the DS-1P. FujiFilm now offers a growing number of digital cameras under the FinePix brand name. These cameras range from point and shoot models to the more expensive digital SLR models.

The majority of Fujifilm cameras are designed for beginners, although the company also offers digital SLR-type cameras for intermediate photographers. A few full SLR cameras are available for professional photographers.

FinePix A and J Series

The A and J series are aimed at beginning photographers. The FinePix A and FinePix J series feature an ultra compact camera body with basic features. The camera body typically measures less than 1 inch thick. Newer models now have larger-than-average optical zoom lens. Some models also have wide angle capabilities. This entry level digital camera series costs $100 to $200.

FinePix Z Models

The Z models of Fujifilm FinePix cameras are known for their colors and styles. These cameras come in pink, red, silver, green, black, purple, blue and orange. They do not have as many features as some FinePix models, with a resolution of 10MP or less. Z digital cameras cost $125 to $200.

FinePix F Models

FinePix F model digital cameras have a minimum resolution of 12 megapixels in an ultra compact camera body. F series models cost $250 to $400 and make use of EXR technology. The newer F200EXR uses an advanced CCD image sensor technology called Super CCD EXR.

FinePix S Models

FinePix digital cameras in the S series are aimed at intermediate photographers. The S model cameras are similar to DSLR cameras, with the look and feel of a digital SLR camera minus interchangeable lenses and high prices. FinePix digital S cameras are equipped with at least 12x optical zoom. They cost between $400 and $1,000.

Pro Models

Fujifilm offers a number of true DSLR cameras with its Pro models. These cameras cost a few thousand dollars. Some models are capable of shooting pictures in infrared or ultraviolet light.

At present, Fujifilm continues to manufacture film for traditional film cameras and for one-time-use cameras. Other related products include photo-finishing products, graphic arts, microfilm, motion picture film, and digital and VHS video storage media. Digital camera accessories are also available through their website. The company continues to maintain its position as one of the leaders in digital camera technology as they develop newer and more advanced FinePix digital camera models.

Fujifilm FinePix S1800 12.2MP Digital Camera Review

noreply@blogger.com (Rose @ Ritzari Kitchen n KerepekCorner) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:43:00 +0000

Let’s face it; a point-and-shoot digital camera can only do so much. On the other hand, a DSLR camera that produces professional quality pictures can be prohibitively expensive. This is where the FinePix S series comes in. In particular, the Fujifilm FinePix S1800 12.2MP Digital Camera with 18x wide angle optical dual image stabilized and 3-inch LCD screen bridges the gap between a compact camera and an SLR.

Features of the Fujifilm FinePix S1800

This 12-megapixel digital camera is compact and lightweight and comes with powerful Fujinon long-zoom lenses. Its wide angle lens starts at 28mm and extends to 504mm at 18x zoom. In addition to its extra large 3-inch LCD screen, it also comes with an electronic viewfinder that comes in handy when taking pictures under bright sunlight.

The FinePix S1800 has dual image stabilization provided by a CCD sensor and high ISO sensitivity. This means that blurring effects due to hand-shake and subject movement are reduced. The resulting pictures are extremely sharp and clear even at long zoom setting or low lighting conditions.

The digital camera does all the hard work for you using its automatic Scene Recognition mode (SR Auto). It can automatically adjust camera settings according to the scenery type and shooting conditions. Image results are optimized so you can take good pictures with hardly any effort. This new S model can even capture HD videos ad HD stills that you can playback on an HD ready television.

Even fast action shots are easy to take with the new Tracking Auto Focus that allows you to capture your subject in perfect focus. It Face Detection and Automatic Red Eye Removal system now has a Smile & Shoot Mode and a Blink Detection warning.

With the Panorama mode, you can take a continuous shot of a landscape or a big group of friends. Scene modes include Portrait, Landscape, Night, Sport, Fireworks, Beach, Sunset, Snow, Flower, Party and Text. Using the Natural Light with Flash Mode, the camera will take two shots in rapid succession. One shot uses a flash and one uses natural light. You simply compare the two and choose the image that you like best.

The FinePix S1800 is intelligent enough to take the most amazing pictures, but more advanced users can use the Manual Mode with extensive focus and metering options.

A very convenient and useful feature of the S1800 is the Auto Picture Rotation. You’ll always be able to view your photos the right way in playback, whether they were taken in portrait or landscape mode because the image will automatically rotate on the screen.

Things You’ll Like About the FinePix S1800

There are many things that you will like about the Fujifilm FinePix S1800. It’s larger than a compact digital camera but significantly smaller than a DSLR. All the same, it’s light and easy to carry around. The camera controls and settings are well placed and easy to locate, so you can quickly switch between the different shooting modes.

The electronic viewfinder is something experienced photographers always look for in a camera. It’s useful whenever you want to take pictures outdoors where bright sunlight may interfere with the LCD display. A viewfinder is also helpful in framing your shots. The Dual Image Stabilization produces sharp images and is one of the camera’s best features.

It may not seem like much, but it’s great that this camera takes AA batteries. That makes it easier to replace old batteries with fresh ones.

It’s easy to take good pictures with the S1800, as even full Auto Mode takes great shots. The 18x zoom lens is fantastic and produces quality pictures, although there is a slight reduction of clarity at full zoom. It also has features that are very useful, such as facial recognition and burst mode, where several shots are taken in rapid succession. Burst mode is important when taking pictures of action-filled events such as sports.

Zoom bracketing, where several pictures are taken at varying focal lengths, is also a great feature that lets you pick the best possible image. All in all, the S1800 produces good pictures and is easy and fun to use.

The Weak Points

Perhaps the biggest weakness of the Fujifilm FinePix S1800 is the shutter lag. It takes too long to focus, so you could end up missing your action shots. In addition, there are occasions where shots taken in dim light come out fuzzy. And although the LCD screen is big, the image is grainy especially under dim lighting conditions. The blink and smile detection does not work perfectly all the time.

Recommendation

Most consumers agree that the Fujifilm FinePix S1800 is a great camera. At less than $160, the camera is a steal. The software is easy to follow and the camera is easy to operate. Experienced users of digital cameras lament the fact that it does not produce a RAW format. On the other hand, the majority of users who opt for the S1800 are happy enough to simply point and shoot, knowing that their shots will come out great.

The Fuji FinePix S1800 is a perfect blend of a compact digital camera and a DSLR. For the price of a point-and-shoot camera, you get features normally found only in more expensive DSLR cameras. Available at Amazon, this camera will get you started towards owning and appreciating a DSLR someday.

Know the Insider Tricks to Create a Great Wedding Video

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:33:00 +0000

If you have been hired to create a video of someone’s wedding and reception, it can be a really fun job. Not only is there a lot of joy, laughing and fun moments during a wedding celebration but it is really gratifying to know that the video you are creating will be part of family celebrations of these people for decades to come.

Naturally, you want to do a good job. But whether you are just getting started or have been shooting video for years, you know things can sneak up on you and make your job more difficult. So there are some “insider tricks” that you should keep in mind especially on the big day so the wedding goes off like clockwork and you get that great video without disturbing the joy and fun of the family.

The first few precautions actually happen long before you drive up to the event place and that is a thorough equipment check. Check and double check your equipment and then check it again. It can’t hurt to be a bit compulsive about this. Also, check that all of your supplies are new, in good shape and that you have back ups of batteries, bulbs, tapes or whatever recording media you are using. If you know your equipment is in good shape, you can walk in there like the professional you are.

Next, be everywhere early and well prepared. In fact, it can’t hurt to scope out the event place and reception hall the day before to check the lighting and do some planning on where you might plan to get your best video from. If Martin Scorsese can pre-plan all of his shoots, so can you.

Now be sure everybody knows who you are. Meet the bride, groom, the wedding party and others close to the planning. If there are security people, be sure they know who you are as well. If there is a need for passes or badges of any kind, be sure you have one well ahead of the wedding day.

Part of networking with the key players includes getting some face time with others who may be supporting the wedding. Many weddings have a wedding planner who must know everything that is going to happen. Be sure he or she knows who you are and what you are going to do before you start disturbing their domain. It is also a great idea to meet the other photographers and do a bit of preliminary choreography so everybody can get their shots. Be aware that you really don’t want to do such a great job of videotaping the wedding that you damage the experience of the wedding guests. This all takes lots of planning.

If they rehearse, you rehearse. The rehearsal is one of the great missed opportunities that wedding photographers and videographers have to step through the wedding with the party and plan where you are going to be. Now secure permission to be there as you never want to surprise a nervous bride or her mother. But if they know you are working as hard as they are to get ready, they will be thrilled and you may find them giving you directions on shots they want included in the video and where they want (and don’t want) you to be at strategic moments during the wedding. This information is gold on producing a high quality video for your customers.

Once everything is ready, jump in there and enjoy the wedding right along with everyone else. You know you are ready and you like what you do so you can celebrate this big day and produce a top-notch video that will be a treasured memory for this bride and groom for many years to come.

Review on NIX 15 Inch Hi-Resolution Digital Picture Frame

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:51:00 +0000

Since it is now the age of all things digital, it is time to give yourself or someone else something that will upgrade the way you display your photos. Almost every one of us finds it expensive to print our digital shots, but how can we display those moments if we don’t print them out? This is where digital photo frames come to the rescue. Digital frames look like ‘regular’ photo frames, but display digital photos without printing. One good choice for digital photo frame is the 15-inch Digital Frame by NIX.

Product Description

This 15-inch digital frame from Nix displays your photos and videos in vibrant and crisp color and detail. It also plays music. It is easy to use, and equipped with buttons for short cuts, which allow you to switch between its features by simply pressing the remote control. The X15A has Split Screen feature that enables you to display up to four photos at a time on its large screen. It boasts 1 gigabyte of internal memory, has a shuffle display, and comes with hook eyes for mounting.

Product Features

15-inch LCD Display – the huge LCD display shows photos in high resolution. It is backlit with LED, making your photos more vibrant and attention-grabbing.

1 GB – this digital frame offers up to 1 GB of internal memory, allowing you to save more photos, video and music.

Split Display Function – this feature allows you to display up to four photos simultaneously.

Photo Shuffle Feature – lets you set up the display accordingly. Display images in intervals in order to show all your photos.

Slideshow Timer – this variable timer allows you to view photos in a slideshow.

High Resolution Display – with 1024 x 768 pixels, the screen can display high resolution images. Plus, it is LED backlit.

Compatible With Most Memory Cards – the X15A by Nix is compatible with Sony Memory Stick, SD and USB; it is compatible with CF Cards as well.

Multimedia – allows you to view photos (JPEG), watch videos (MPEG-4) and play music (MP3).

Remote Control – no need to take the frame off the wall, just use the remote control to access the frame’s controls and set up the functions.

Wall Mountable – comes with hook eyes for mounting.

Dimension Specifications

Frame Width = 14.5"
Frame Height = 12"
Frame Depth = 1.7"

Screen Width = 13"
Screen Height = 10"
Screen Measurement Diagonal = 15"

Pros

Huge screen displays clearer mages
Easy to set up
Plays music and video
Internal memory has large capacity
Comes with remote control
With shuffle and slideshow options
Wall-mountable
Displays up to 4 photos at a time

Cons

Cannot play HD videos

More About NIX 15 Inch Hi-Resolution Digital Picture Frame

If you need an extra large digital frame, then the Nix X15A is for you. It displays your photos and plays videos and music as well. It is really functional and will look good in any room. The Nix X15A gives you clear and vibrant photos every time, and what’s good about it is it doesn’t have artificial matting on photos, so it will definitely look great anywhere.

In terms of processing power, the Nix X15A can really compete with other digital frames. It easily displays JPEG photos and plays MPEG 4 videos and MP3 music. It can hold up to 1 GB of data, so it will be long before you’ll need an external drive to store additional pictures, videos or music. The screen’s size is ideal for displaying high resolution images. It measures 15 inches diagonally. It is really a good addition to anybody’s house and can be a great gift for a friend’s house warming party.

The Nix X15A also allows you to display images through a slideshow, or you can use the automatic shuffle to show al your photos on your chosen time intervals. This digital frame is really easy to set up and you can even mount it on your walls by using the included mounting hooks. Once installed, you can choose the setting by using the remote controller.

The only thing that does not amaze some customers about this digital frame is that it cannot play HD videos. Most frames with video playing features can play HD videos, but this one cannot. But aside from this missing feature, the Nix X15A will definitely meet your standards well if you are just looking for something that can show your photos clearly and vibrantly.

Recommendation

Overall, the Nix X15A is a good choice. With its large display screen, functional look, state-of-the-art features and quality of display, this one is really worth a buy. And with a price tag of $149.99 on Amazon.com, this one is really a bargain. Amazon even ships it for free, so you won’t have to pay extra for the shipping cost.

Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS 14.1MP Digital Camera Review

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:42:00 +0000

With its compact and slim design, it’s hard to believe that the Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS comes with so many advanced features. The PowerShot SD1400 IS 14.1MP digital camera comes with a 4x wide angle optical image stabilized zoom lens and a 2.7-inch LCD screen. Its sophisticated silver casing makes it a standout among other point-and-shoot cameras.

Highlights of the Canon Powershot SD1400 IS

Armed with a 28mm wide-angle lens and 4x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, expect the SD1400 IS to give you sharp images in brilliant colors. You can take a panoramic shot of distant landscapes or zoom in on your child’s smile. It also has an HDMI output, so you can record videos in 720p resolution and enjoy your movies on your HDTV.

The PowerShot SD1400 IS features the Canon Optical Image Stabilizer. This automatically corrects camera shake. Your shots will be consistently sharp and steady with or without a flash.

With the camera’s Smart AUTO setting, all you have to do is point and shoot. The PowerShot SD1400 IS will automatically select the best setting for your shot. This allows you to focus your attention on your subject and let the camera take care of the technical details. Canon technology has 22 specially defined settings to choose from, so you can be certain that you’ll get fabulous pictures under any condition.

The camera automatically adjusts its settings according to the light conditions and movement. The automatic flash exposure function provides just the right intensity to get vividly sharp images.

New scene modes come with this camera. The Miniature effect makes very large objects appear in tiny proportions. Huge buildings will appear in miniature proportions.

The Fisheye Effect warps the image around the center. This gives a distinctive curvature effect that you can use to suggest the inside of a dome or the curve of the Earth.

Most point-and-shoot cameras cannot face up to the challenge of taking pictures in low light conditions. The PowerShot SD1400 IS can handle ISO’s of 400-6400 in Low Light mode, so you can shoot scenes in dim lights like by the fire, candlelight or lamp in the street. Images come through clearly with all their colors intact.

This digital camera also comes with the new Smart Shutter technology. This includes the Smile Self-Timer, Wink Self-Timer and Face Self-Timer. It detects faces in the scene and automatically activates the shutter in response to the appearance of a smile, a wink, or an additional face.

What’s in the Box

Inside the box you’ll find the PowerShot SD1400 IS digital camera along with a Lithium-ion battery pack, battery charger, wrist strap, the Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, one USB interface cable and an AV cable.

How the PowerShot SD1400 IS Performs

With all its advanced features, it is only to be expected that the PowerShot SD1400IS should perform well. The camera itself is very compact and lightweight. It’s extremely convenient to carry around with you. In AUTO mode, all you have to do, literally, is point and shoot. Best of all, you can count on the camera to give consistently clear and sharp pictures.

The 2.7-inche LCD screen is larger than what you find on most compact cameras. In addition, the screen display is bright and clear. In fact, the LCD screen is so good that you won’t mind that the camera doesn’t have a viewfinder.

The camera has a lot of great features. Not only can you take amazing pictures, you can even put in some special effects such as Miniature effect and Fisheye effect. The HD video recording capability is pretty decent, although the video quality is poor if you use the zoom effect.

The different functions are intuitively organized so that it’s very easy to use the camera. The camera has many available options but they are easy to manipulate. However, while AUTO mode is very convenient, you should take the time to become familiar with the other options to get the most out of this digital camera.

Being extremely compact, some people may find the buttons a bit difficult to manipulate. The buttons are flush with the camera’s body, so you have to depress the button below the body of the camera. This may be a bit difficult if you have large fingers. You also have to watch out for the pop-up flash. Be sure to get your fingers out of the way.

Some users may find that shutter lag is an issue. The camera takes a long time to focus, making it unsuitable for taking photos of moving subjects. This can also make it difficult to take pictures of children and pets. However, as long as you don’t try to use the camera beyond its capabilities, you’ll be sure to get surprisingly good pictures.

Recommendation

If you are looking for a compact digital camera that’s easy to use and loaded with fun and useful features, the Canon PowerShot SD1400 IS fits the bill perfectly. It takes awesomely brilliant pictures even in low light. Its video recording capability is also quite good. This affordable camera in silver casing is available online at Amazon.com.

About Canon PowerShot D10 12.1MP Waterproof Digital Camera

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 01:07:00 +0000

Canon always has something for everyone. This time it’s a digital camera for all adventure lovers out there. Waterproof, shockproof and freeze-proof, the Canon PowerShot D10 is incredibly tough yet loaded with high performance features. This 12.1MP waterproof digital camera with its 3x optical image stabilized zoom and a 2.5 inch LCD screen is the perfect companion to take on your next adventure.

Canon PowerShot D10 Highlights

With the PowerShot D10, you can take amazing pictures underwater up to 33 feet. It’s also freeze-proof and can withstand extreme temperatures from 14° to 104°F, ideal for snowboarding or mountaineering. This waterproof camera is also shockproof to 4 feet.

Versatile accessories are sold separately so you can customize your camera to meet the requirements of your upcoming adventure. The customized strap keeps the camera within reach while leaving your hands free. A variety of Canon faceplates gives your camera a more personalized look. A thick, braided cable with twin carabiner clips on the end is useful for securing the PowerShot D10 to a belt, diving harness or backpack.

Canon’s DIGIC 4 Image Processor offers Face Detection Technology and combines it with the Face Detection Self-Timer so you can be included in the picture. In addition, the camera’s ISO 1600 setting reduces blurring due to camera shake and results in sharper images even under low-light situations.

With the camera’s 12.1-megapixel resolution, you can take images that can be enlarged up to 13 x 19 inches. The 3x optical zoom allows you to take crystal clear pictures of distant subjects. Fuzzy or blurred shots are automatically reduced with the PowerShot D10’s Optical Image Stabilizer Technology. The camera also features Red-Eye Correction and Blink Detection.

Setting the Canon PowerShot D10 to Smart AUTO lets the camera do most of the work for you. You can relax and concentrate on taking the perfect shot, knowing that the D10 has got all the technical details covered. A total of 19 Shooting Modes and 16 Special Scene Modes will ensure that you get the best shot all the time, whether you’re taking a picture of your friends, a sunset, or a coral reef.

What’s in the Box

Along with the Canon PowerShot D10 body, the box contains a lithium-ion battery pack, battery charger, wrist strap, Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, a USB interface cable, and an AV cable.

How it Performs

For an adventure camera, the PowerShot D10 is quite small, although the protruding lens makes it just a little inconvenient to tote around. Also, we miss having a lens cap to protect the camera lens. The wrist strap that comes with the camera is too short and flimsy for tough jobs. It’s advisable to get an accessory kit containing a number of cables that can be affixed to any corner of the camera. These cables are useful for hooking the camera to your person.

The PowerShot D10 works just like any normal camera, except for the internal seals on all port openings and a number of rubberized buttons. It is important to make sure that the battery/memory card compartment is securely closed to keep water out.

The 2.5-inch LCD screen is bright and clear, even in broad daylight. The zoom mechanism works well and switching from still mode to movie mode and back to still is easy. The button layout is also well thought-out and easy to operate. Starting up the camera is quick, but auto focus and shutter action can be sluggish. You could easily miss a few precious shots.

As for the image and video quality, it’s surprisingly good. Out of the water, the images taken are at least at par with images taken using a regular digital camera. This can only be attributed to the D10’s advanced features such as DIGIC 4 processor, optical image stabilization, face detection, etc. Underwater shots are equally good. Be sure the camera is set to underwater mode when you take pictures under water. It’s also a good idea to make sure there are no water droplets on the lens before you start taking pictures.

After using the camera underwater, be sure to rinse it off with fresh water. Remove the wrist strap when you do this and wash it separately. Sand usually gets into the corner where you screw in the strap. You have to rinse this out well otherwise it will start to corrode.

The battery life of this camera is amazing. You can take a few hundred snapshots along with 45 minutes of VGA video before the batter warning indicator comes on. This is in contrast to many digital cameras whose batteries run out very quickly. The only problem is that you have to take out the battery to charge it using the optional AC adapter. This is a hassle as the waterproof door is hard to open. Opening and closing the battery/memory card door frequently may also damage the waterproof seal.

Recommendation

When you’re out on the adventure of a lifetime, you shouldn’t have to worry that your digital camera will let you down. The Canon PowerShot D10 will take you through thick and thin while producing the most amazing shots you could possibly imagine. Through water, ice and extremes of temperature, this rugged camera will deliver fantastic images and videos. It’s easy to use and can take a real beating. The PowerShot D10 can be purchased at major retail stores and online at Amazon.com. With a Powershot D10, you can go wherever adventure calls.

Deluxe NIX 12-Inch Hu-Motion Digital Picture Frame

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 08:38:00 +0000

Wouldn’t it be great to have something that will display all your digital photos hidden in your PC? Are you wondering how to show your captured moments to your family and friends? Then it is time to get a digital photo frame. Digital frames are now available in different sizes, styles and models that boast different features. One of the best choices in digital frames is the 12inch digital frame by Deluxe NIX.

Product Description

This 12 inch digital frame by Deluxe NIX displays photos in vibrant colors and complete details. It can store up to 16,000 photos without compromising the photos’ resolution. One of its features is the ability to resize the photos automatically to the ideal size. You can transfer images, movies and music from a computer or flash drive straight to the frame’s internal memory. Aside from these features, the Hu-Motion Digital Frame also has motion sensor that switches the frame off when it does not sense any movement, and switches it on when there’s movement around.

Product Features

Motion Sensor – this function allows you to turn the frame on and off without touching it. It uses an unique motion sensor that senses movement and turns the frame on and off depending on the situation.
Displays Vibrant Images – the high-resolution screen boasts a 4:3 ratio and LED backlit to emphasize the photos. The brightness and color saturation is adjustable.
Automatic Resizing Feature – the frame automatically resizes your photos in able to fit up to 16,000 images on its 2 gigabytes of internal memory.
Speakers – the 2x2 speakers let you listen MP3 music formats and watch videos.
Displays Photos in Various Angles – the frame’s back support has 90 degrees rotation and can be adjusted.
Orientation Sensor – the frame senses if it needs to rotate a photo. It also shrink, crop or expand the photo in able to fit to screen.
Easy to Access On-Frame Controls – the seven function buttons allows easier access to control menu.
Automatic On and Off – you can choose to set the unit to turn on and off automatically every day or whenever you want.
Plays MP3 – this feature makes the frame ideal for presentations. You can play music along with your photo slideshow.
Plays Video – aside from displaying images and playing music, this digital frame can also play videos in MP4 format.
2 Gigabytes Memory – the large data capacity holds up to 16,000 images.
Remote Control – handy control lets you set up the digital frame functions remotely.

Learn More About The Deluxe NIX 12-Inch Hu-Motion Digital Picture Frame

You will be surprised to find this 12-inch digital frame by Deluxe NIX meets your expectations. It does all the jobs a digital frame should do, like:

Displays photos. This digital frame does not only display photos, you can also play videos and music with it.
Provides vibrant images. It does not just display your photos, it displays vibrant images with less pixel appearances. You won’t see any pixels especially if you are about 3 feet from the frame.
Straightforward menu. This frame works fine even for those who are not techie enough to understand more complicated things about electronics. It has easy to use buttons that are located at the front of the frame. Plus, you can use the remote control to set up your desired functions.

What sets this digital frame apart from other frames is that it has motion sensors. This motion sensor senses the movements around it. The sensor turns the frame on or off depending on its sensed surroundings. This makes it ideal even for business or offices. It will definitely catch someone’s attention by instantly flaring up once it senses someone nearby.

The frame plays video, but don’t rely on it if you want to play HD videos. And it plays music, as well. However, this digital frame can’t replace your sound system. The music playing function can be useful in presentations, though.

The Hu-Motion by Deluxe NIX has a 12-inch frame (measured diagonally), larger than other standard digital frames. This allows you to view your images with clearer and crisper resolution. It is very easy to operate. Though you may find the remote control too complicated with its many buttons, you will later find out that each button has its own function and is really necessary.

The frame can be hung on a wall or left sitting on a table. The stand is adjustable so you can adjust the height of the frame according to your preference. This will be a great addition to any home, office or other business establishments.

All in all, considering all these features, the 12-inch Hu-Motion by Deluxe NIX is an ideal gift for yourself or someone special. You can even upload it with photos before wrapping it up as gift! This 12-inch digital frame by Deluxe Nix sells at $129. 99 on Amazon.com and is eligible for free shipping.

Review on Canon PowerShot G11 (10MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Stabilized Zoom and 2.8-inch Articulating LCD)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 08:17:00 +0000

Amateur photographers who want to bump up their photography experience will find the perfect digital camera in the Canon PowerShot G11. This semi-professional model allows you to take dazzling pictures in point-and-shoot style. The PowerShot G11 is a 10MP digital camera with 5x wide angle optical stabilized zoom and a 2.8-inch articulating LCD screen. It will suit the needs of casual photographers as well as serious hobbyists who want a no-fuss second camera.

Features of the Canon PowerShot G11

With the Canon Powershot G11, you can take images that are crisp and finely detailed. This high quality digital camera features a DIGIC 4 image processor coupled with a 10 megapixel image sensor to produce superior images. You have the option to save your images in RAW format for future editing. In addition, the camera’s Smart AUTO setting automatically selects the best settings for your shots so that you can focus your attention on the images you want to take while leaving the technical details to Canon’s superior technology.

The camera’s modest 10 megapixel resolution in no way detracts from the quality of the images it produces. Images always come out with amazing clarity, even in a dim environment. Its Low Light mode lets you capture sharp and vibrant images even in candlelight. In this setting, the camera automatically adjusts the ISO speed up to ISO 12800 depending on ambient brightness. The effect of camera shake is eliminated to prevent blurred pictures.

The Canon PowerShot G11 10MP camera also automatically adjusts for red eye and contrast in all its 26 shooting modes. You can select a number of shooting modes including Kids & Pets, Beach, Snow, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Portrait mode, Aquarium, Stitch Assist, Low Light, Fireworks, Sports mode, Underwater, Night Scene, Indoor, Sunset and Foliage.

The camera comes with an articulating, crystal clear LCD screen plus optical viewfinder. The optical viewfinder is a big help when focusing and framing your shots. The camera’s 5x wide angle zoom lens can quickly focus on faraway objects and get all the fine details.

The Canon G11 can use an external Speedlite flash attached to the hot shoe. This setup allows more control when using the flash option of the camera. The Speedlite provides extra functions such as autoflash metering, Flash Exposure lock and Flash Exposure compensation.

Canon PowerShot G11 Review

The PowerShotG11 is often compared to the G10. The G11 is definitely superior to the G10 in many ways. For one thing, there is an improvement in the film speed ratings, so that you get better pictures even at high ISO’s.

The AUTO mode of the G11 also gives better-quality results. The camera can select the appropriate shooting mode much better, making this a point-and-shoot camera that you can rely on. The G10, on the other hand, would sometimes choose settings that were not optimal for the given conditions.

The articulating LCD screen is also a very nice touch. The swivel screen provides a view of scenes that you would normally find difficult to see. The screen can be adjusted to suit the user’s shooting preferences. It is particularly helpful when shooting video. The optical viewfinder is also very handy when you want to frame your shots properly.

Many people have raised their concern about the lower 10MP resolution offered by the G11 compared to the G10’s 14.7MP resolution. People who understand how digital imaging sensors work are aware that beyond 5 or 6 megapixels the MP size is not the most important consideration unless you want to blowup your pictures to billboard size. Image noise, dynamic range and low-light performance are equally important for overall image quality. In the PowerShot G11, Canon uses a superior sensor compared to the G10’s sensor. The resulting images are far better and richer than that of the G10.

The G11 uses the same 5x optical zoom lens as the G10. This is equivalent to a 28mm to 140mm lens. Experienced camera users can manually set the aperture settings as well as the shutter speed. Manual dials are located at the top of the camera so you can quickly switch the settings. You can even attach filters for special effects. In addition, a Tele-Converter lens and a waterproof case designed for the G11 are also available.

The “pros” found in the PowerShot G11 include the articulating LCD screen, excellent low light picture quality, and 5x optical zoom. Its pro features are also fantastic-- RAW format, optical view finder, hot shoe and manual exposure controls. The dials for ISO setting and exposure compensation are also convenient.

The camera is almost perfect. Everything seems to work wonderfully well, although there is some concern that the articulating LCD may break easily. Other than this, the G11 gives a solid performance.

Recommendation

This is one camera you will not regret buying. For new photographers, it offers true point-and-shoot capabilities so that you can get quality pictures without any fuss. Serious photographers will also like that they can manually adjust the settings to their liking. The Canon PowerShot G11 provides near DSLR capabilities at a fraction of the price. The G11 is available at online stores such as Amazon.com.

How to be a Good Wedding Photographer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 07:46:00 +0000

If you're looking to make a living by being a wedding photographer then you've chosen a great line of work. It can be very lucrative if you get enough jobs and is also an interesting way of making a living. You meet new people and have a way to express your creativity with every "gig" you get. You're also not stuck in an office all day hunched over a computer in your cubicle. Yes, being a wedding photographer is an interesting way of life and something that can be fun and enjoyable for those who do it right!

Anyone that can point and click a camera can call themselves a wedding photographer but of course that doesn't mean that they can take good pictures that will make the customers happy. Photography is part science and part skill but also a lot of artistic ability as well. A person needs to have a good eye so that they can imagine how certain shots will turn out and can make adjustments to their angles or focus when necessary. Being a wedding photographer is very different than any other type of photography - you'll need to get portraits and posed shots as well as a lot of action shots as well. Every wedding is different and will have a different "theme" or tone. Some brides and grooms are very casual and fun while others are very serious and want an elegant wedding. A good wedding photographer will understand this and will do everything he or she can to capture the right mood or feeling with each wedding and will make sure the photographs really reflect the personality of the bride or groom. If it's an elegant event then the landmarks and location will probably provide some good backdrops. For couples that are more fun and whimsical you'll probably want to concentrate on your poses as well - running along the beach barefoot or jumping in the air together, for example. A good wedding photographer will be aware of these differences in couples and weddings and will respond accordingly.

And a good wedding photographer will be one to take the initiative when it comes to photographs and poses. A bride will not follow him or her around during the wedding and reception and point out all the pictures that need to be taken. It will be up to the photographer to remember the poses and shots that have been asked for and to be ready with the camera for spontaneous or candid shots. A good wedding photographer will need to think on his or her feet and be self-directed.

You can always study the work or another really good wedding photographer and see what poses and shots they managed to capture and how they did it. There's nothing wrong with looking at other people's work this way as most artists do it for painting, sculpting, and so on. You can use this work as inspiration and guidance for your own.

About FujiFilm FinePix Digital Cameras

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:02:00 +0000

If you are looking for point-and-shoot digital camera that lets you take great pictures without a lot of fuss, then a FujiFilm Finepix digital camera could be exactly what you are looking for. With 10MP to 14MP resolution and 3x or more optical zoom, you can get crystal clear images that rival any picture captured by more expensive cameras.

Whether you are a newbie looking for an entry level digital camera or a more experienced photographer, you’ll be able to find a FinePix compact digital camera that suits your needs.

A FujiFilm FinePix digital camera produces pictures with excellent color saturation so that they come out sharper and with a better view. From close-ups to wide-angled scenes, you’ll be able to get great details in all your shots. Some FinePix models offer an in-camera panorama photo mode that stitches a series of photos together to create a single large wide-angle photo.

Fujifilm FinePix Entry Level Cameras

FinePix point-and-shoot digital cameras typically come with 12MP resolution and 3x to 10x optical zoom, with retail prices ranging from $100 to $250. Unlike most entry level cameras, some FinePix models have sensor-shift image stabilization. A number of camera settings are available, including portrait, landscape, night, macro, night portrait, and backlit portrait. Pictures are clear and vividly colored, even in artificial or dim light.

FujiFilm offers the following entry level FinePix digital cameras: AV100, AX200, JV100, JZ300, JZ500 and JZ250.

Fujifilm FinePix Mid-Range Digital Cameras

Mid-range cameras cost from about $300 to $400 and feature high performance EXR for a higher resolution image. They also use sensor-shift image stabilization but they have no in-camera panorama mode. Mid-range camera models include the F70EXR, F60fd and F200EXR.

FujiFilm FinePix Superzooms

Superzooms models have zoom ratios of 14x up to 30x. They are equipped with sensor-shift image stabilization. These cameras retail at $230 to $600.

Superzoom models include the S1800, and S2550HD. Just keep in mind that at larger zoom ratio, the image quality deteriorates.

Some superzoom cameras, like the HS10 and S200EXR, have a hotshoe for external flash units as well as an electronic viewfinder in addition to the LCD display. A viewfinder is useful when taking pictures in bright sunlight which can overpower the LCD display. They cost twice as much as the other FujiFilm FinePix digital camera models.

Canon PowerShot S90 10MP Digital Camera

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:36:00 +0000

The Canon PowerShot “S” series began in 1999 with the PowerShot S10 as a line of point and shoot cameras. Back then, the S10 had better features, construction and image quality than other compact cameras produced by Canon. The S80 came out in 2005 and after a 4-year hiatus Canon released the sleek and stylish PowerShot S90 with its new design elements never before seen in a Canon compact camera.

The Canon PowerShot S90 10MP digital camera equipped with 3.8x wide angle optical image stabilized zoom and a large 3-inch LCD screen is a worthy successor to the PowerShot S80. It is a small, compact camera designed to work well in low light. It also comes with a number of exciting innovations. By today’s standards, its 10 megapixel resolution is relatively modest.

However, knowledgeable users know that 10MP is more than enough for regular photo shoots. What is more important is that the PowerShot S90 can take high quality images at lower ISO’s in dim light, thanks to a very fast f/2.0 lens.

Features of the Canon PowerShot S90

Like the other PowerShot “S” compact cameras before it, the S90 is designed for the advanced amateur who wants something more than just a point and shoot camera. It is small, light and has a slim profile. Just slip it in your pocket or purse and you’re good to go.

With a high sensitivity sensor and DIGIC 4 noise reduction, the PowerShot S90 is significantly more sensitive than other 10MP cameras. The bright 5/2.0 lens allows you to shoot in low light conditions. It also has a Macro setting so you can get even closer.

An interesting new feature is the control ring around the lens. Depending on your setting, you can use it to manually adjust the focus, exposure, step zoom, ISO or white balance.

The camera is equipped with a wide-angle 3.8x optical zoom, equivalent to 28-105mm, along with Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer to reduce the effects of camera shake. Its Ultrasonic Motor operates quietly at high speed with precise control. The wide angle lens lets you take pictures of large groups of people.

The PowerShot S90 has a 3.0-inch high resolution LCD screen at the rear that allows a wide viewing angle. Images are clearer and brighter. Multiple coatings on the LCD screen eliminate visual interference due to scratches, dust and reflection.

Different shooting modes are available, including Auto, Program, Tv (Shutter Priority), Av (Aperture Priority), Manual, Custom, Movie, Scene and Low Light. It also has 17 Special Scene Modes. Amateur users can set the camera to full Auto and get the best shots by letting the S90 deal with the technical details. Advanced users can set the camera manually to get the shot “just so”.

You can shoot images in RAW mode and in JPEG. RAW images can be transferred to a computer for editing with image-adjustment software.

What’s in the Box

The Canon PowerShot S90 camera comes with a battery pack and charger, neck strap, a Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, USB interface cable, and AV cable.

How Well Does It Work?

The PowerShot S90 is definitely one of the best compact cameras produced by Canon. It’s a quality camera that you can take with you for those times when you don’t want to lug around a bulky DSLR.

The camera is light and very compact. Some people may find it too small for their hands, but the general idea here is to have a camera that you can easily slip in a pocket and be ready to use anytime.

For amateurs who simply want to point and shoot, this camera gives excellent shots without any fuss. If you are a photography hobbyist, you can tinker around with focus, aperture, shutter speed and everything in between to get an image exactly the way you want it.

The menu system is easy to follow and you can manually adjust the settings. The front control ring works very well, but there is a small issue about the one at the rear. It sometimes moves too freely and you can easily change the settings by mistake.

When it comes to performance, nothing can beat the PowerShot S90 in its class, especially in low light performance. The camera also takes amazing pictures under all kinds of conditions. It has a built-in flash that pops up when it’s needed.

The video mode is the S10’s main weakness. Video mode is low resolution instead of the more desirable 720p video. The battery also runs down very quickly, so if you plan on taking a lot of pictures or videos you should have a backup battery on hand.

Video mode and battery life issue aside, the Canon PowerShot S10 does its job well. It takes quality pictures even in low light. The camera is simple enough for amateur photographers to use, but has enough versatility and challenge for the more advanced user.

Recommendation

This Canon PowerShot S90 is one of the best compact, point-and-shoot cameras available today. If you are looking for a digital camera that works well under any condition, this is the one you should get. You can buy this camera at major retail stores or online at Amazon.com.

Great Points to Shoot Portrait Photography

noreply@blogger.com (Rose @ Ritzari Kitchen n KerepekCorner) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 02:41:00 +0000

Portrait photography is the most popular form of photography. Most people who know how to point and shoot a camera are all portrait photographers. However, there are of course, differences in its quality. Professional portrait photographers have certain characteristics that let them get the best out of their subjects. A portrait photo does not only mean a person’s image. In a way, it shows character and emotion. If you want to start shooting portraits and don’t know the essential elements, fear no more because these five tips can give you a head start.

Here are 5 great points on how to shoot portrait photography.

Rapport

Building rapport with your subject is the firs thing that you should learn. Interest in knowing your subjects is a plus. If you get to know your subject and they know you, your they will become more comfortable in front of the camera. When the shoot comes, you have better chances of getting the best natural expressions of the people you are photographing.

Personality

Always make sure that your photos will show the personality of your subject. You will only know this if you know the person. Make sure that their personality shows in their faces. Personality usually appears when the subject is not expecting a shot, so you have to be ready to take the picture when the opportunity comes.

Lighting

Most photographers prefer natural lighting. However since you want to emphasize the person’s face and character, you should always consider using artificial lighting. Be sure that light is evenly distributed, or that it satisfies the angle that you want to emphasize. Lighting can have a great effect especially if your they want a serious picture.

Background

Most portraits have light backgrounds to emphasize the subject. You can also use the environment to add more character to your subject. Also, be sure that the colors of your background and the dress of your subject compliment each other. Sometimes backgrounds become the flaw of a picture because the photographer took it for granted.

Plan
Be sure that you are ready before you go to the photo shoot. Not only that you have all the equipment that you need, but be sure that you can handle the job properly. Prepare all the necessary materials and be sure to bring a good topic for conversation so that your subject can relax while you are shooting.

Portrait photography is a really enjoyable hobby. If you’re serious in making it your career, you can be sure that it can be lucrative as long as you perfect your craft. However, remember that you should have the heart for the job because portrait photography’s first requirement is interest.

Tips for Posing a Wedding Photo

noreply@blogger.com (Rose @ Ritzari Kitchen n KerepekCorner) — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 02:20:00 +0000

How many times have you looked at a wedding photo and thought it was absolutely amazing? The real personality of the bride seems to just shine through or the couple are posed in such an interesting and unique way that you can't help but wonder how the photographer did it. Or have you ever looked at a wedding photo and thought it was very amateurish and rather boring? What makes one so good and eye catching and appealing while the other one is so boring and dry? And how can you be the photographer that takes a breathtaking wedding photo rather than the one that takes the boring pictures?

First you may want to really study any wedding photo that catches your eye. What is it about this picture that appeals to you? Is it the pose, the setting, or the use of a decorative element in the picture? Compare those things to the picture that is less than appealing. What is that one lacking that the first photo has? How would any of these different elements help that dry and boring picture?

Very often the key to a successful wedding photo is how it is posed. Today's brides typically want poses that are interesting and unique. Decades ago portraits were posed by having the subjects look directly at the camera and it was often thought to be bad manners to smile, so the expression on the faces of the subjects is somewhat dour and unhappy. But today's wedding photography typically includes poses with the bride and groom staring at each lovingly or while sharing a laugh. They may both be looking off to one side of the wedding photo or out a window next to them. It's also not unusual to even shoot a picture of them walking away from the camera, off to that new life together!

Posing for a wedding photo might also include a different angle than just head-on. Many are taken from above, looking down on the bride or the couple. These types of shots thin the face and the body. Close-ups are also very common even if they don't get the entire wedding dress in the frame. A close-up of the bride's face while she holds her bouquet to her face and looks down or to one side is a favorite wedding photo for many. Never think that you need to get every detail of every element of the wedding in every picture; this is a common mistake for many and so wedding pictures often look crowded or busy. Back up a bit or zoom out, or zoom in on one particular feature or detail.

And the last thing to remember for a great wedding photo is for everyone to relax. Tensions and emotions usually run high at weddings but those tensions can show up on pictures very easily. Tell a few jokes or even use a hand puppet if you must; whatever you need to do to get everyone to relax!

Canon PowerShot SD600 6MP Digital ELPH Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:32:00 +0000

The Canon PowerShot SD600 is my idea of a point-and-shoot digital camera. It is compact, easy to use, and has one of the best image qualities for cameras in its category. If all you need is a digital camera that takes great photos indoors and outdoors without “gimmicky” features, the SD600 is exactly what you are looking for.

Quick Overview

The Canon PowerShot SD600 retains the original classic look conceptualized by Digital ELPH designer Yasushi Shiotani. Beyond its looks, Canon adds cutting edge technology that delivers what discriminating photographers want in a camera. It features a 2.5” LCD screen, 6 Megapixel resolution, and 3x optical zoom with UA lens. You get sharp pictures faster with its DIGIC II, iSAPS and 9-point AiAF (Artificial intelligence Auto Focus).

A total of 16 shooting modes are available, plus you get My Colors in-camera photo effects, which is great for special effects to enhance your shots. Movie clips can be recorded at 30fps in VGA mode.

Canon SD600 Features

What all that technical stuff boils down to is this: the Canon PowerShot SD600 is a stylishly compact and solidly built camera that allows you to take really good pictures not only outdoors in bright sunlight but also indoors and in other low-light situations. Most digital cameras fail at indoor pictures, but not the SD600. In addition, its Auto setting automatically sets faster shutter speed to minimize image blurring.

At 2.5 inches, the LCD screen allows you to compose your shots and review them without eyestrain. The screen also has a wide angle of view, making it easier to share playback with others.

With 16 shooting modes, a bad picture is a thing of the past. The camera’s shooting modes include Auto, Manual, Portrait, Indoor, Underwater, Night Snapshot, Color Swap, Kids and Pets, Sepia, Black and White, Stitch Assist, and more. You can even apply My Colors photo effects before and after taking pictures. This allows you to customize your images even without a computer. Color Swap and Color Accent modes let you apply color effects to images and movies without the help of a computer or image-manipulation software. You can also take underwater pictures with the optional waterproof case.

If you want to take a video clip, the SD600 won’t let you down. You can record 30fps VGA movie clips up to 1GB in size. A memory card is necessary to expand the camera’s 16MB Canon memory card. The Compact recording mode allows you to record up to 3 minutes in low resolution for convenient email sharing.

Printing multiple images has never been easier. The SD600’s Print menu simplifies printing directly to any PictBridge-compatible printer even without a computer. Of course, you can still download your images to a computer and print from there.

What’s in the Box

This is what you get out of the box: Canon PowerShot SD600 digital camera, Lithium battery pack NB-4L, 16 megabyte memory card SDG-16M, battery charger, Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM, wrist strap, USB interface cable, and AV cable.

Accessories

If you go for underwater shoots, you will need the optional waterproof case (Canon WP-DC3 for the Powershot SD600). You can bring the camera underwater up to 40 meters deep. You may also find the Soft Leather Case useful, along with the PowerShot metal and leather neck strap and compact AC power adapter. Although the camera comes with a battery pack NB-4L, you may want to have an extra battery pack handy for those “just in case” moments.

The Powershot SD600 comes with a 16MB Canon memory card, which you will find woefully inadequate for all those images and videos you plan to take. The camera is compatible with SD/MMC memory cards. The cost of memory cards has gone down, so you should get a 2GB card at the very least. A Sandisk memory card has a faster speed, so you may want to get this. Otherwise, the Kingston memory card is a good alternative.

What You Will Like About the PowerShot SD600

People who buy digital cameras usually want two things in a camera: it must be easy to use and must take excellent pictures. That’s exactly what the SD600 does. In addition, it is solidly built and ultra-compact. Amateur photographers will find the Auto Focus mode helpful (just point and shoot), while more experienced photographers will like that it also allows manual shooting. One of the best things about it is the good photography even in low light.

If you’re concerned about the 6MP resolution, especially now that 8MP and 10 MP digital cameras are common, just keep in mind that you won’t notice the difference unless you intend to make large poster size prints with your pictures.

What You Might Miss

If you’re a big fan of personalized images, you may be a bit disappointed that the camera has no titling capability. It does not have a calendar feature either, and there is no indicator meter for the battery. You can’t tell how much battery you have left until the camera dies on you.

Unlike other models like the SD700, this digital camera does not have an “anti-shake” feature, but you will get sharp pictures nonetheless. If you have a problem with shaky pictures, try shooting through the viewfinder. This will give you a firmer and more stable grip.

The Bottom Line

This is a great camera for the price, and it takes good quality pictures even in low light. It’s very compact and easy to use. If you are looking for a no-fuss, point-and-shoot camera, the Canon PowerShot SD600 fits the bill perfectly. You can purchase it at Amazon for only $499.99.

Tips on Capturing Moments in Travel

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 04:05:00 +0000

Traveling is one of life's greatest pleasures. Capturing those precious and exciting moments is even more pleasurable, especially if it's a once-in-a-lifetime trip. For the photo enthusiast, taking pictures of everything in sight is as important as going to these places.

So how can you exercise good travel photography? Here are some tips:

1. Choosing the right variety of camera

Purchasing the perfect camera can be as hard as deciding where to go on a vacation. A primary consideration for travel photography is whether to get a single lens reflex camera or a SLR, or a point-and-shoot type. They each has their own benefits and disadvantages.

In SLR, lenses can be interchanged. A photographer can view exactly what the lens is seeing because of its reflex viewing system. Point-and-shoot, meanwhile, have viewfinders that adjust the view of the image automatically. They are easier to use than the SLR, but its viewing range is a bit limited.

2. Selecting the right kind of film

The dilemma in choosing the right kind of film can be solved by determining the output desired and the traveling conditions in which the pictures will be taken. You need to choose between a color negative or a color side if you want to take colored pictures. The benefit of using a color negative is that it tends to be forgiving of corrections in color or errors of exposure. Professional photographers, however, go for slide films because almost all commercial reproducing is produced from transparencies.

3. Researching for the trip

Knowing the right information about the place your visiting is as important as shooting the pictures. Planning the trip in detail enables the photographer to improve on the quality and quantity of opportunities where he can take great pictures. It is essential to read before a trip. Browse through materials such as travel guides, magazines, maps and newspapers. Also, try to talk to someone who has actually been their. The information that they can give will be very valuable.

4. The right way in creating a travel journal

The pictures taken during a trip should tell a story, and should not be just a jumble of random pictures. It should chronicle the trip from start to finish. It is important to track the dates that the pictures were taken.

One should not turn down the experience of travel, just the same, as one should not forget to capture precious images from that trip. Perfect planning and having a keen eye for a good image can be the key to achieving everything.

Canon PowerShot SX130IS Review (Part 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Canon really hit the nail on the head with this product. This digital camera has all the bells and whistles that actually matter. First of all, its ergonomic design makes it a pleasure to use and hold the camera. All the major controls are ready to be put to use instantly. It’s a point-and-shoot camera in the real sense of the word. You can start using it straight out of the box.

The Powershot SX130IS is a combination still camera and video maker. You can use the zoom function even while recording a video at 720p resolution. The video is recorded in stereo sound.

Its 12x wide-angle optical zoom allows you to capture astonishingly clear images even from a distance. This camera performs at high speed while keeping power consumption low. With Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer, camera shake is controlled even while zooming in, so your images remain sharp and steady.

The downside when zooming in while in video mode is that the camera does not auto focus. You have to use the shutter to re-focus.

The camera has many fun and functional features. The Miniature and Fisheye modes are a lot of fun to use. With the Smile Detection mode, a picture is taken without using the shutter when a smile is detected.

The LCD screen is big, bright and clear. It has an auto-rotate feature, so the images you view are always right side up. Images on the screen are very clear even in bright sunlight.

Some people may find the PowerShot SX130IS a bit bulky, but it’s not really that much bigger than a regular point and shoot camera. Besides, it has a nice heft that many people like. It’s an improvement on the older PowerShot SX120IS, which does not have the HD video capability.

The only thing lacking in this digital camera, which would have made it close to perfect, is a viewfinder. On the other hand, many people prefer using the LCD screen when taking pictures or movies. Only a few people use a viewfinder, so most users will not miss this feature on the PowerShot SX130IS.

Recommendation

With a digital camera that’s close to perfect, there’s no other recommendation possible except to buy it. Prices are lower than ever, and you can purchase the Canon Powershot SX130IS offline at department stores or online at Amazon.com.