Lighting Secrets

Almost as important as composition is the use of light. Here are some secrets for using light.

• The best outdoors light to be found is at dawn and dusk. Here the light is not as bright as midday, and the sun produces some wonderful reds. Both these help to make a normally ordinary shot look magic by creating a warm glow.


• When you are shooting outdoors, the best way to shoot is away from the sun. Don’t have the sun in your photographs because it will overpower the colors and ensure the side of your subject facing the camera is in shadow. Ensure the sun is behind your back.


• Another thing to watch out for is that your subject doesn’t squint. We all love to see bright wide eyes, so ensure the sun isn’t too bright. This is another reason to shoot at dawn or dusk - you can have the subject facing the sun but not squinting… and you get much better colors in your image at the same time!


• If shooting in sunlight, watch for shadows. Look at the shadow cast by your subject and ensure it doesn’t block anything, or look unsightly. Additionally, ensure your own shadow doesn’t fall into the picture!


• The best night shots are taken just after sunset. This is where scenes are lit up as if it were night, but there is still a tiny bit of sunlight around to help light the scene and bring out the detail.


• When indoors, try moving your lighting sources around. Lights at lower angles are usually more dramatic than plain overhead lighting.


• Remember the secret about using your flash during the day? It’s also possible on most digital cameras to take night shots without a flash. Try setting your ISO speed to 800 or above to ensure the camera is sensitive to very low light.


• Need to use the flash, but it’s a bit harsh? Try taping some wax paper over the flash to diffuse the light.


• Want to light a very small object? If you’re using your macro setting to take a shot, cut up a plastic milk container and place it around the object. It will diffuse the surrounding light.
  

Tips for Taking Sports Images

Most of us have seen sports photos that capture the essence of the action - mostly in the sports sections of the newspapers. It’s normally pretty hard to create quality sporting photos because most of the time (for large events) you can’t get close enough to the action to capture the event properly. Would you like to be able to take those same quality images of your kid’s sports events? Read on.

Location

You need to get as close to what you are shooting as you can. Most press photographers are given specific places they can shoot from - and they pay for that privilege. I’m betting you don’t have a press pass and so will need to shoot from the stands. Get as close to the action as possible.
It also helps to know the sport you are photographing. Get into the correct location to enable you to “capture the moment”. Near the goal posts is usually a good spot for Football or Soccer.

Capture The Moment

Sports photography is mostly about timing. Be ready at the right place and be ready to shoot at the right time. Most sports have predictable moments - scoring a goal, getting a home run, shooting a basket. Be ready for when these moments happen.

Remember the following - “If you see the action, you missed it.” This basically means you need to anticipate the action. Don’t wait for the batter to hit the ball before pressing the shutter. If you do, the image will likely to be taken once the ball has been hit and has left the frame. Anticipate by holding the shutter release down half way (so the camera can focus and set the exposure level). Just before the ball is hit, press the shutter all the way down. Through experience, you will learn how much time beforehand you need to press the shutter.
Be aware that sports also have unpredictable moments, so keep a keen eye out for these and have your camera ready.

Sports Equipment

Having the correct gear is essential to great sports photography. Because most of the time you will be standing a long way from the action, you will almost certainly need a telephoto lens to enable you to zoom in. Because most good telephoto lenses are large and bulky, you should also think about a monopod (a tripod with only one leg). An optional piece of equipment is a flash with a high output but be aware that a lot of sports events do not allow flashes. Talk to an event official first to get the okay.

Focus

An out of focus shot is pretty useless. You should aim for every photo to be crisp and clear. Auto focus cameras do a very good job of this, and they usually focus pretty quickly. Many times, however, manual focus will work much better because the camera’s auto focus can take a long time to complete.

There are two ways you can focus your camera - Zone Focus and Follow Focus. Follow Focus is where you keep your camera on the subject, changing the focus as needed to ensure the subject stays in focus as they are moving around the court (or ground). This works well when most of your subjects are moving from side to side in your image - car racing, football and soccer are three examples.

Zone Focus is where you expect the action to take place at a specific position - eg a the basket ball ring or the jump point for a high jumper. Focus on the area you want to be sharp and wait for your athlete to move into the zone.

Composition

Faces. The face is the primary source of emotion, and because emotion is what makes a shot it’s vitally important to include faces in your digital images. It can be difficult to capture faces in some sports (fencing for example involves face cages, baseball caps create shadows on the players faces). Use a flash to fill in the shadows in these instances but remember the flash has a very limited range.

Use Vertical. Because the human form is taller than it is wide, it lends itself to a vertical composition. Rotate your camera 90 degrees so the height of your image is also larger than the width.

Rule Of Thirds. The Rule Of Thirds is also useful here. Divide the frame into thirds vertically and horizontally and place the subject where the lines intersect. Watch for where the player is moving too - if they are moving to the right, place them on the left third line and vice versa.
Take Individual Shots. Most professional photographs are of individuals so try to shoot one person at a time. Exceptions to this are when there is conflict - two players fighting for a ball.

Know Your Sport

Each sport has a different technique for getting the best images and it helps to know the key elements of your sport. Know the basic fundamentals of the game and be prepared for what may happen next. With 15 seconds to go with a basketball team two points down, they may try to shoot a basket from the opposite end of the court. Anticipating this will help immensely with your photographs.

It also helps to know the players. If a particular player does a victory dance after each touchdown, be ready for it when it happens.

Freezing Action Shots

Most of the time you want to freeze the action. People want to see people suspended in mid air, or in mid shot. To freeze the action you need a fast shutter speed. The faster the shutter speed, the better the freeze but the more light you need. Most of the time this won’t be a problem as a lot of sports are held outdoors. Set your camera to the fastest shutter speed possible.

The Illusion of Movement

It isn’t always the best thing to freeze-frame the action. Blurry images imply movement which helps in some sports. You don’t want a race car to appear to be standing still but having the car crisp while the background is blurry will help show that the car is moving fast.
Slow your shutter speed down and follow the subject (panning) with your camera. Try to keep your subject in the same position in the frame. This will blur the background and keep your subject sharply focused.

Emotion

Hands down Emotion is what makes fantastic photos. If there is no emotion, there is no desire to view a photo. Fortunately, sports participants who are exerting themselves exhibit emotion. The thrill of victory or the agony of defeat are both fantastic emotions to capture. But don.t forget the other chances for emotion to show: A high jumper preparing for the highest jump of his career; a cricketer batsman positioning a hit ball between two fielders; Even a junior hockey player getting the hair out of her eyes.

Oh, and crowd reactions also make fantastic shots. Don’t forget to turn your camera around every now and again and look at the crowd.

Take Safe Images

Although you want to try to take memorable shots at key points in the action, sometimes you just miss them. To ensure you have a record of the day, take a number of “safe” images that will show what happened, but may not have the emotion of that specific action shot. Take images of the players doing “what they do” in the sport. Eg a tennis player serving.

Take lots of images

Not every image you take will be a perfect shot capturing the action and emotion. Prepare for this and take as many shots as you can while at the event. It’s not unusual for professional photographers to take 100 shots during a match and only use two or three. Don’t just take any old shots though. Try to plan each one to capture a story or an emotion.
Taking memorable sports images can take time and effort, but with patience and a little knowledge, you too can produce sports magazine quality images.

Lighting Secrets

A lot of the secrets focussed on the composition of your image -where your subject was placed, and what was around it.


Almost as important as composition is the use of light.Here are some secrets for using light:


Lighting Secrets


Almost as important as composition is the use of light. Here are some secrets for using light.


*The best outdoors light to be found is at dawn and dusk. Here the light is not as bright as midday, and the sun produces some wonderful reds. Both these help to make a normally ordinary shot look magic by creating a warm glow.


*When you are shooting outdoors, the best way to shoot is away from the sun. Don’t have the sun in your photographs because it will overpower the colors and ensure the side of your subject facing the camera is in shadow. Ensure the sun is behind your back.


*Another thing to watch out for is that your subject doesn’t squint. We all love to see bright wide eyes, so ensure the sun isn’t too bright. This is another reason to shoot at dawn or dusk - you can have the subject facing the sun but not squinting… and you get much better colors in your image at the same time!


*If shooting in sunlight, watch for shadows. Look at the shadow cast by your subject and ensure it doesn’t block anything, or look unsightly. Additionally, ensure your own shadow doesn’t fall into the picture!


*The best night shots are taken just after sunset. This is where scenes are lit up as if it were night, but there is still a tiny bit of sunlight around to help light the scene and bring out the detail.


*When indoors, try moving your lighting sources around. Lights at lower angles are usually more dramatic than plain overhead lighting.


*Remember the secret about using your flash during the day? It’s also possible on most digital cameras to take night shots without a flash. Try setting your ISO speed to 800 or above to ensure the camera is sensitive to very low light.


*Need to use the flash, but it’s a bit harsh? Try taping some wax paper over the flash to diffuse the light.


*Want to light a very small object? If you’re using your macro setting to take a shot, cut up a plastic milk container and place it around the object. It will diffuse the surrounding light.

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Clean your Camera

It's very important to keep your camera clean, Reader.Dirty cameras and lenses can result in blurry and dustyimages. And can ruin potentially great images.Keep your camera clean by following these simple tips:

If your images always turn out all blurry, it may mean your lens needs a clean. Most high end cameras come with threads to which you can attach a SkyLight (or UV) filter. This helps to protect the lens from not only dirt, but scratches. Cheaper cameras don't have threads so remember to cover the lens when not in use and try not to touch it.

Don't clean the lens too often - depending on how often you use your camera, every few weeks or few months is fine. To clean your lens, pick up a lens cleaning kit from your local photo store. Use the lens brush and air blower to remove any loose clinging particles. Place a drop of lens cleaning fluid onto some lens tissue (or a cloth) and wipe the lens clean with a circular motion. Use the blower to dry the lens, or let it dry naturally. Don't use any abrasive solution (such as soap) or wipe too hard on the lens as you can wipe away the special coatings.

Watch out you don't create a 'worn spot' by cleaning your lens the same way each time. Alternate the circular motion with up and down or sideways movements sometimes.

Ensure you protect the other parts of your camera as well. Particularly the Memory Card slot and Battery contacts. If you find they have any corrosion, you can remove it easily with a pencil eraser. Make sure you remove the excess eraser that can get left in the compartment with an air blower. Never ever insert anything into the memory card slot that isn't meant to be there, as you could break the small pins. To keep clean, it's best to leave a memory card in the slot, or at least keep the cover closed.

Shooting Vacations

I love vacations! It's a great time to get out with the familyand either relax and enjoy some down time, or go sight seeingand discover new places.Almost everyone takes a camera on vacation, but not manyknow some great tricks for taking sensational vacation shots.

Here are some tips for helping with your vacation shots

Take plenty of memory!

Make sure you have extra memory cards, have another storage facility like a Laptop or media storage unit.

Get close

Don't stand too far from your subject - instead get nice and close so you can see their face. Either a three-quarter shot, or profile generally works well.

Candid counts

Images with people are usually more interesting when the subject is caught in a candid moment. When setting up for a posed shot, try to include something interesting to liven up the shot.
Make your trip a story. Create a visual diary by photographing landmarks along your journey such as signposts and street scenes. You can also capture the mood of the day - If you feel bright and happy, shoot some scenes which will capture that feeling. If you're moved by what you see, ensure your shots convey that feeling.

Take shots at meals

This is the time when family is gathered around. Take advantage of it by taking an image or two of your relatives around the dinner table. Ensure you use a the red eye reduction mode of your flash and activate the self timer if you also wish to be in the shot.

Include the mundane

Most vacation photographers just photograph landmarks and scenery. Make your vacation shots more interesting by including the mundane - washing the dishes, taking off in the car, setting up camp, waiting for an aeroplane etc.

Next Time : In our final secret, we'll explain secrets to avoiding blurry images.

Look for Reflections

Water is one of the building blocks of life. But it's oftenunder-used in photography.


I don't know why! There's just so many great effects you cancreate with water.


Reader, learn about taking water shots here:


Water is a fantastic element to include in your photos, as the reflections it generates can make your image stand out.

Keep a look out for water around your environment when you shoot. Reflections from lights, or splashes of color can really help with the ambience of an image.

Rainy days are particularly good as puddles abound!

Extra Secret: Photographing just the reflection and leaving the subject out is a great way to produce abstract images.


Next time : Tricks and secrets for photographing on vacation.

Use the LCD Monitor to preview images

Digital cameras are fantastic! They come with this niftyLCD screen that shows you the image that was taken


Use it!


Why? Learn why here:


The LCD monitor will show you what your final image will look like. It won't be as large in size as your final image, but you will get enough of a feel for the image to know how your shot will turn out.

If your camera can show you a half second freeze of your shot just after you have taken it, turn this feature on. The half second will give you enough time to see if the image was well framed, and have the correct exposure or if you need to take another one.

However the LCD uses a lot of battery. Find out how to increase battery time with a secret only discussed in my "Digital Photo Secrets" book. Click on the link to learn more.

Next time : Revealed - the object that's everywhere that can help take stunning shots.

Don't add frills

Cameras nowdays some out with lots of extra gadgets. Themost common one is to add a time/date onto your photo.


Now while they help to sell more cameras, actually usingthese extra 'features' can adversely affect your photos.


Find out why here:


Some manufactures give you a feature that can imprint the current date and time onto your image. Or they offer to imprint other stats like the current exposure settings, or shot number.

Turn these off!

You don't want anything to distract you or your viewer from the subject of your photo.

Modern digital cameras record the time and date the shot was taken anyway in a separate part of the image file anyway, and most digital printing places will stamp the back of the image with the time and date the shot was taken so you can always see it.

Next time : Know if you've got the right shot instantly with this secret.

Use Predefined Modes

Predefined Modes are the scene modes in your camera. Andthey really help because they give your camera hints asto the type of photo you want to take.


So your camera doesn't need to do as much guesswork.


Find all about predefined modes here:



Many people don't know that most cameras now come with selected modes for taking shots. Eg Landscape, Cloudy Day, Full Sun, Indoors, Night.


Changing the mode of your camera to match your situation can result in better shots, as the camera has a better chance of selecting the shutter speed, flash and other exposure choices for a perfect picture.


Camera makers put a lot of thought into the settings for each of the different modes and tailor the settings to what will work well with their camera. So don't be afraid to use the predefined

scene modes of your camera.


Next time : The features of your camera you should never use!

Use Different Lenses and Filters

Sometimes you see a shot in a magazine and you wonder'how did they take that'?


The answer is usually by using different lenses and filters.


They increase the range of options you have for yourphotographs, and allow you to take shots that you would nototherwise be able to get.


There are a wide variety of lenses and filters available to increase the range of options you have for shooting a photograph.

Note that not all digital cameras come with the ability to attach different lenses and filters.


Check the manual for your camera.

Some lens types include :

Wide Angle
Telephoto
Fish Eye

Using a Wide Angle lens is good for shooting a indoor room, or shooting a mountain vista. A TelePhoto lens can be useful when you need a close up. TelePhoto lenses are bascically a better optical zoom.

Filters include :

Polarizing
Soft Focus
Cooling/Warming
Graduated

A polarizing filter can be the most useful filter to own. A Polarizing filter can deepen the color and contrast in the sky, eliminate glare from water or reflective surfaces, or cut through fog like haze. Soft Focus filters generate more diffused looks for romantic, moody, atmospheric, foggy or glowing effects in your shots.

Cooling filters add more blue to an image giving a psychological effect of calming or serenity in the final image. Warming filters cut out excess blue in an overcast sky to add more reddish tones to the image and make your photos look less harsh.

Finally, graduated lenses help for scenes that have a huge difference in light level - eg late in the day when the sky is still bright, but the foreground is in shadow.

Next time : Never be worried about choosing the right exposure with this secret.

Don't Rely On Flash

Night time parties are a great sources of fun. And becauseof that, it's also a great time to take photos.

But using your camera's flash will ruin any moodlighting in the image and your pictures.
I much prefer to avoid using the camera's flash,

Reader. Here's why:

In previous tips, we've discussed using your flash. There are occasions, however, where using a flash ruins the mood of the event you are photographing.

Why? A flash tends to create harsh subjects and will ruin any natural mood.

So, rather than using the flash whenever your camera tells you to, use available light whenever possible. In a dark situation, it's often better to open the shutter for longer to let in more light, or turn on existing lights to illuminate the room than to use the flash.

In daytime and when your subject is inside and near a window, have them face the light and position the camera between the window and your subject. This will allow the sunlight to light your image fully.

Next time : Getting a better image in difficult shooting situations.

Look For Light

Photography is all about light, Reader. It's theaction of light hitting the image sensor at the back ofthe camera that creates our shots.

So it makes sense to look at the light around you beforeyou compose your image.

Learn more here:

Different lighting can change the mood and feel of a shot, or be the difference between a mediocre and stunning shot.

The light from the setting sun can produce wonderful lighting for a subject, as does sunlight through leaves. Maybe you see a shaft of light between two large objects such as buildings that can be a perfect backdrop for your subject.

Other options for different light sources at night include :

Neon lights make great night time subjects. You can silhouette your subjects in front of them, or use them as a subject themselves.

Use a long exposure on a tripod to capture streaks of car lights on a road or highway, or other moving lights like on a ferry.

Next time : How to avoid red-eye in your photos.

About Vivitar Digital Cameras

Cornering The Market On Style And Versatility

There are countless brands of digital cameras to choose from so if you are seeking one that is sporty, versatile and easy to use, look no further than the Vivitar brand. There are seventeen current models of Vivitar digital cameras to choose from including three DVR models, which include not only digital camera functions but also an MP3 player and DVR functions.

Vivitar digital cameras have gotten good press through a variety of venues, including introductions to the celebrity mainstream. Entertainers at The Sundance Film Festival and even the MTV Music Awards enjoyed some of Vivitar’s line of cameras, which made for some great PR for the company. The bottom line is that Vivitar digital cameras are popular because they are affordable, easy to use and produce great pictures.

Make A Splash With This Special Vivitar Camera

One of the coolest Vivitar digital cameras of late has been the ViviCam 6200w because of its waterproof capabilities. The body of the camera is armored in rubber and is waterproof up to 30 feet under water, which makes it a great companion for snorkeling, swimming pool and diving fun!

Other great features of the ViviCam 6200w include resolution at a respectable 6.0 mega pixels as well as a two inch color screen on the back of the camera to preview your picture shots. With built-in flash, support for up to 1 GB memory cards and even great imaging software support, this camera has quickly become a favorite for active digital camera enthusiasts.

Be Your Own Star With The DVR-530

Among the Vivitar digital cameras are three DVR representations and the DVR-530 just stands out. What is so great about this model is that not only can you record your own movies; you can also play MP3 music files and take some great pictures. With a decent 5.0 mega pixel along with 4x digital zoom and a large 2.5 inch display screen to view your movies and pictures from, you will love this DVR model. Add great software and 1 GB flash card memory along with a few bells and whistles and you have a winning combination for those home movie fans.

Other Vivitar Digital Cameras To Choose

Vivitar has an excellent line of digital cameras from 10.0 mega pixel resolution all the way down to 5.0 mega pixel resolution. Basically, you are only hampered by your budget in terms of which Vivitar digital cameras to choose from. Obviously, the bigger the mega pixels, the more expensive the digital camera will be. However, with Vivitar digital cameras, all of them are reasonably priced and would make excellent additions to any family.

Give Yourself A Theme

Sometimes you need to think creatively to find better shots. Set yourself a theme to give your brain a head start.

For example, on a vacation choose a different color every day and ensure all your shots for that day have that color in that image. Or shoot only shots with triangles in them.

Other examples of themes are:

Fences
Bright Colors
Time
Cliche
Unfinished
Repeating Patterns
Desperation
Bliss

Make sure your theme is simple otherwise you'll be more pre-occupied with getting a shot in line with your theme than the image itself.

Another option for a theme when on vacation is to choose a selection of themes that captures the essence of the destination. Every area has themes relating to its landscapes, climate, cities, culture etc. Do some research by looking at local postcards or talking to taxi drivers to get an idea of the good picture taking locations.

Next time : The most important aspect to create mood/feel in your photos

Use Red Eye Reduction Flash

Most newer cameras have two flash modes. Standard and Red Eye Reduction.

The Red Eye Reduction flash causes the camera to flash multiple times before taking the shot to get the subject's eyes used to the bright light.

Use this whenever taking photographs of people looking directly at the camera in low light.

Many people don't realise they needed to use the red-eye flash until after they look at their photos after the event. So remember to use red eye reduction whenever taking photos in the

following situations :

People looking directly at the camera
Low Light
Using your flash.

It is also possible to remove Red Eye with software programs if you don't have this feature on your camera. There are a few free programs available to do this on the Internet. My Image Editing Secrets course shows a video for how to do this on day 3.

Another option is to use Picasa. This is a free image manipulation program from Google that does a great job of removing red eye. To download for free, click on the image at right.

Next time : Ever had photos that don't capture the mood of the event? This secret solves this problem for the most common situation.

Use Continuous Shooting

Most digital cameras have a continuous shooting mode, where shots are taken one after the other in rapid succession.

When taking shots, there is often a short delay between when you press your finger on the button, and when the picture is actually taken. This delay may mean your subject has finished their action (eg blowing out candles on a cake) and you have missed the magic moment.

With Continuous Shooting you can take a sequence of shots and keep just the right one.

Continuous Shooting also increases you chances of capturing a candid moment.
Where else can this be useful? Any shots of children or group shots will benefit from continuous mode.

Next time : This secret will help keep your photographs fresh and interesting to you as well as your audience.

Using Flash During The Day

Interestingly, one of the best uses of your flash is during bright sunlight! I know it sounds strange but it's true.

A flash helps to eliminate dark shadows (for instance under the eyes and chin of faces). It also helps to emphasize your subject.

When you take pictures of subjects with bright light behind them, for example a portrait that is backlit, or a duck swimming in water reflecting the sun, the camera will be fooled by the bright surroundings so the subject appears dark.

By turning flash on, you will fill in the shadow areas making the picture much more pleasing.
It can also be used to add a sparkle to eyes, and to reduce shadows under the nose and eyes when pictures are taken when the sun is bright and high in the sky (eg at midday).

Nature photographers even use flash to ensure the nooks and crannies of flower petals are properly lit - to reduce shadows.

Professional photographers use flash much more often than amateurs.

Next time : Ever wanted to know how to get the perfect candle-blowing image? This secret tells you how.

Unusual Angles

Most photos are shot at eye level. I think this is because traditionally, you needed to have the viewfinder up to your eye to ensure you get everyone in the shot.

Because most digital cameras have an inbuilt LCD, you can now take the camera away from your eye and try taking photos from unusual angles.

Try tilting the camera left or right to better position your subject in the frame. Try taking the photo from below, or above your subject. Try getting further away or closer. The main point is to move the camera away from eye level and experiment!

There's always more than one way to photograph a subject. Using different camera angles can make an otherwise boring image really stand out. The more you practice using different angles, the quicker you'll know what works and what doesn't.

Angle Tip : Lie on the ground and point your camera towards the sky for an interesting angle to shoot large monuments with.

Want to know what else helps with finding the unusual angles? Learn all about Composition with my "Digital Photo Secrets" book.

Next time : I almost fell out of my chair when I first discovered this secret for daylight photography!

Use A Tripod

Yes, tripods can be a hassle to carry around with you but they help you take great shots in two ways.

First, the time you take to get out the tripod, set it up and position the camera on it will slow your picture taking down. This means you'll become more aware of other elements like composition of the image, and lighting. The more focussed you are to external conditions, the more likely you will be to take a great shot.

The added advantage is your camera is more steady allowing you to take razor-sharp images - particularly in low light situations.

An alternative to the tripod is a 'mono pod'. These only have one leg and don't have the stability of a tripod, but they have a greater stability than just your hands - particularly if you lean them against something.

If you do a lot of mountain walking, there are also extendable 'walking canes' (like a ski pole) that are great for helping you walk up steep hills. The top unscrews to reveal a tripod mount underneath turning it into a mono pod.

Tripod Tip : If you have a lightweight camera, you might consider purchasing a ultra lightweight tripod. These are small, don't weigh much and easily fit in a backpack or camera bag.

Extra Tip : You don't need to purchase a tripod either! Any horizontal surface around can make a tripod - arms of chairs, railings, rocks, anything! Be very careful not to damage your camera, though as cameras have a tendency to slip and break when perched on chairs, rocks etc.

There are lots of other ways to keep your camera steady without purchasing a tripod. My "267 Simple Tips for Sensational Photos" book discusses additional 5 techniques for taking rock steady images.

Next time : Not happy with the creativity of your shots? This secret can make your otherwise boring images really stand out!

Preset your Exposure and Focus

When set to auto, some cameras can take a while to adjust for white balance and focus. This is the 2-3 second delay between when you first push the shutter button, and the shot actually being taken.

If this happens with your camera, try presetting these by holding the shutter release half way down to tell the camera to focus before you need to take the shot.

Then, keep your finger held half way down until you get the perfect shot, or use your camera's 'lock exposure' feature to keep the exposure settings locked until you find the right time to shoot.

Presetting your exposure and focus can REALLY help out when taking shots of children. They tend to not sit in one place waiting for you to adjust your camera, so the best shots are taken when you are prepared for a candid moment - eg when the child is engrossed in a task.

Next time : The piece of equipment professionals never leave the house without.

Take More, And Erase Your Shots

The ability to erase your photos is one of the major advantages of a digital camera. You'd be mad not to use this to the fullest extent!

Take MANY more shots than you think you need, and then erase those that aren't right.
Every half an hour, go back through your most recent photos erase any that don't make the grade, or you have better versions of.

Because you'll be erasing often you can just keep the 'best of the best'. Erasing often also ensures you don't need a large memory card, as it will not be storing your not-so-perfect images.

If you're always pressed for time, you can either invest in a larger memory card, or copy your images to another storage device like a laptop or card storage unit until a later point.

This is also a huge tip when photographing groups. With such a large number of people, there always seems to be someone blinking, or looking the other way. Having a large number of shots means you can pick the best of them to keep.

Next time : Sick of the wait between when you press the shutter and when the shot is taken? This secret will eliminate this!

Photographing Children

Children make a wonderful subject. Here are some tips for ensuring photos of children are even more memorable.

Meet them eye-to-eyeBring yourself down to the child.s level . even if you need to crouch down. This will give your shots a 'kids eye view' and won't distort their image (as taking the shot from above does).

Capture natural expressionsWhile posed shots are great, often better results can be gained by capturing an image when their thoughts are preoccupied with something else . eg while at play. You.ll capture their faces enjoying the moment rather than thinking about the camera.

Familiarity ensures successChildren who have grown up having their photo taken will be a lot less likely to freeze or show off in front of a camera. Start early and make photo taking a part of every day out.

Children grow up quicklyRecord their growth from toddler to child to young adult by taking a family photo every year around the same time . either the first day of school, or during spring events.

Next Time : A technique for ensuring that with every group of photos you take, you'll always have a couple of great ones.

Place your subject off-center

Rather than placing your main subject in the middle of the screen, place it to one side and ensure something interesting is in the background that fills the remainder of the image.

This can be especially effective if the background has the same theme. For example, if photographing a child opening a Christmas present, frame them to one side and have the
Christmas Tree with unopened presents filling the rest of the image.

There are a few guidelines that can help you place your subject in the frame.

The Rule of Thirds

One of the most popular rules in photography is the "Rule of Thirds". It is a simple rule that can add dynamism to your photos. Simply, divide the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. When composing your shot, place important elements either along these lines, or where the lines intersect - NOT at the centre of the frame.

For example, place a subject's eyes where the top line is, or place your subject on the place in the image where two of these lines intersect.

It's a very simple rule to follow and will result in a nicely balanced, easy on the eye picture. It also helps get rid of the 'tiny subject and large amount of space' tendency because you need to position items relative to the edges of the frame.

Having said this, the Rule of Thirds is also one of the rules you'll want to break often! This is fine - the Rule of Thirds is more of a guideline and sometimes you will find a better image when you break the rule.

Next time : Some tricks to get winning shots involving one of the most troublesome subjects - children!

Use Optical rather than Digital Zoom

Cameras are marketed with both an Optical Zoom and Digital Zoom capability.

If you've used a film camera, you'll be used to optical zoom. Optical zoom uses the lens of the camera (the optics) to bring the subject closer. Digital zoom uses clever software to digitally enlarge a portion of the image - thus simulating optical zoom.

So, which is better? Definitely Optical zoom. Here's why.

Digital zoom is not really 'zoom' in the strictest definition of the term. Digital zoom just enlarges the image. Eg it takes a portion of the image and enlarges it back to full size. You lose quality because of the enlargement process so photos that have been taken with digital zoom won't look as good as those without.

You can perform the same result using image editing software on your computer. In fact, it can be better to crop and enlarge using your image software in your computer as you can decide exactly what part of the image to enlarge, and how much to enlarge by.

So when taking shots, use optical zoom only. If you need to zoom in further, use your editing software to select the best part of the image to keep. Ensure your camera warns you when it's switching to digital zoom from optical zoom, or use your settings to disable digital zoom entirely.

Why is clarity important? The more clarity you have in your image, the larger the printed size can be without the image appearing fuzzy, or blocky. If you want to keep clarity in your images, use the optical zoom whenever possible, and avoid the digital zoom.

How do you use Optical Zoom? When you zoom in using your camera, it will use Optical zoom first and then use Digital zoom. You can usually set your camera to notify you when it starts to use the Digital zoom, or tell it to not use digital zoom at all. Consult your manual for details.

Next time : A little known secret, used all the time by professionals, that result in a pleasing, nicely balanced photo.

Move In Closer

Almost any shot will look better if you take two or three steps closer to your subject. Filling the frame entirely with your subject will make a terrific difference to your photos.

Alternatively, instead of moving closer, use the Optical or Digital Zoom of your camera to get a close up shot. (Preferably Optical zoom - I'll tell you why tomorrow)

When taking shots of family and friends, most people place the subject's full body in the frame, or place head and arms in the shot. Instead, fill the frame with your subject's FACE only - particularly if they are smiling or are in a moment of reflection.

Why does this work? With less clutter in the image, there's less to draw the eye away from the main subject of your photo. Also, human faces (particularly children's faces) are something we all feel pleasure looking at.

If you can't get close enough when you're taking the shot, you can zoom in later using photo editing software - crop out everything except the subject's face and see what a difference it makes.

When using the viewfinder for close shots, be careful of Parallax. Because the viewfinder is not at the same position as the camera's lens, centering the subject in the viewfinder may mean it is not centered for the lens resulting in an off-center final picture. Most digital cameras now come with an inbuilt LCD screen. You can eliminate this problem by using the LCD - which shows you what the lens sees - rather than the viewfinder.

Next time : A secret to help you move closer without sacrificing picture quality.

Know What You Want Before You Buy A Digital Camera

The digital camera industry is hopping because the moment you buy a digital camera brand new, they are already behind the times! The resolution is always being improved along with the optical zoom, storage capacity and even the cameras themselves are becoming more and more compact. It can be quite a challenge to determine which digital camera is best for your needs, so conducting some due diligence is essential before you set foot in a store.

A number of retail electronic websites have areas where customers give feedback on the equipment they purchase so reading other people’s experiences is important. In addition, before shopping to buy digital cameras, look into Consumer Reports and even such technical websites like CNET for product review as they can help you with your decisions.

The Main Question To Ask Yourself

Before you go off to buy digital cameras, ask yourself exactly what you plan to use a digital camera for. How you use it can determine which camera you get so you don’t want to purchase something that has too many bells and whistles you won’t ever use. In addition, you need to decide how much money you are willing to spend on the camera before a salesperson pins you down.

Point And Shoot Versus Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras

For most people in the market to buy digital cameras, the question of whether to buy a point and shoot camera versus a single lens reflex camera (digital SLR) is rather easy. Digital SLR’s are for the serious hobbyist and professional photographer who want total control over each picture. With the digital SLR’s, you have to focus the shots yourself as nothing is automatic and these cameras can also be connected to telescopes and microscopes as well.

With point and shoot digital cameras, you do not have to worry about focusing as everything is done automatically. You also do not have to fuss with adjusting the color or lighting as most point and shoot digital cameras automatically will flash as needed. In addition, point and shoot digitals hook up easily to the computer, even without software in most cases, although the cameras do come with it. Basically, the point and shoots are just easy to use and there is not too much you have to think about – just point and click.

Other Options To Ponder

When you buy digital cameras, after choosing the point and shoot versus the digital SLR, you have to consider resolution (mega pixels), optical zoom and storage capacity. For the most part, these options will be the ones that dictate price so it is important you know how much you are willing to spend before you shop in person. Obviously when you buy a digital camera, the better the resolution and optical zoom, the better the quality of pictures will be. When it comes to storage capacity, you can always buy extra flash memory cards so that you can take as many pictures as you like.

In review, to buy digital cameras, you have to decide between whether you want a point and shoot automatic camera or a digital SLR that requires constant manipulation. Next, you want to determine your budget so that salespeople in the store will not manipulate you. Finally, you want to find a camera that has the highest resolution and best optical zoom that not only your budget will allow but also that you intend to use. It’s a major financial decision to buy digital cameras so remember, practice due diligence first.

About Digital SLR Cameras

Digital SLR Cameras Are More Suited For Hobbyists And Professionals Than The Average Photographer

Digital SLR cameras are becoming very popular today and most photographers use them because of the high quality of images that they get and because they can control the looks of final product. These cameras make an ideal choice for those who are given to clicking away using SLR technology and also for those who use digital SLR cameras to help them get the most out of their creativity, because these cameras certainly help in pumping up their creative juices, more so when using products such as Canon Rebel or even a Nikon F6 which have resolutions of as much as 8 mega pixels making quality a certainty.

Steeply Priced

However, expect to pay more for digital SLR cameras because their starting prices begin from five thousand dollars which can be quite steep for the average user, which means that only professionals can really afford them, though Canon and also Nikon are coming out with cheaper digital SLR cameras with prices in the range of thousand dollars though without any additional lenses.

Whatever is the cost, digital SLR cameras help photographers to come up with a greater final product with quality much better than what you would normally get with point and shoot digital cameras, and given the excellence of SLR’s, you are assured of better colors and contrast as well.

One thing you can be sure of and that is that digital SLR cameras are very versatile and they provide you with lots of flexibility which is reflected in the higher quality photos that you can get from them, and you can choose from a number of big brand names that are offering such cameras that come with wide angle shooting and also telephoto images as well.

Though you may be tempted to buy you a digital SLR camera, you must first decide on how you intend to use it because it is not so necessary to have one if all you want is to shoot portraits, or take photos at weddings and such. In fact, digital SLR cameras are more suited for hobbyists and even for those who want to improve on their photography skills.

Having decided to go in for digital SLR cameras, you need to then research various models to find the ones that fit your budget and needs, and reading reviews is a useful method to whittle down the choice further. One thing you can be sure of though is whatever model or makes you choose, your digital SLR camera will mean greater capability in taking photos, and more sophistication in the end product.

Kodak Digital Cameras Incorporate The Best In Digital Technology

If you are looking for digital cameras that embody power and also professional excellence then your search should lead you to considering the excellent Kodak digital cameras that have the best of technology married to excellence in quality. In fact, with Kodak digital cameras, you are going to get most standard features that any other manufacturer of digital cameras will provide, and there are many extras as well including things such as point and shoot and powerful zoom as well as a decent size to boot.

Kodak Easyshare

One of the better and also more popular of Kodak digital cameras is the Kodak EasyShare that is ideally suited for shooting whenever the urge gets to you, and it also allows you to share your photographs as well, and you can even obtain prints of a good size which are assuredly going to be of outstanding quality thanks to its 6.1 mega pixel resolution. Other notable features to this excellent Kodak digital camera include three inch high resolution rotating display and the ability to give you one thousand five hundred pictures stored on two hundred fifty six mega bytes of internal memory. And, through its Wi-Fi feature, you can share your pictures straight out of the camera’s memory and even email the pictures to others as well as create gallery albums on the
Kodak digital camera itself.

With your Kodak digital cameras, you can even transfer pictures from the camera to a computer and the Kodak EasyShare is yours for close to two hundred dollars and it is one of the better Kodak digital cameras that is certainly well worth the price thanks to its great connectivity and also convenience of use.

During the latter part of the eighties, Kodak came to make Organic Light Emitting Diode displays that helped in making images clearer, provided sharpness in contrast and which did not tax the batteries too much either, and these displays were far superior to the conventional LCD display units of the time. One can easily credit Kodak with being the ones that invented basic technology for digital cameras such as pixel technology, and this tradition of excellence has been further used in most of the newer and more hi-tech Kodak digital cameras including the Kodak Professional DCS Pro SLR/c that can store as much as 13.89 million pixels that only goes to show why Kodak digital cameras are known to have the best as far as resolution goes.

Olympus Digital Cameras Are Excellent Products

Buying Olympus digital cameras means buying from one of the finest and foremost camera making companies, which is why they are being widely used throughout the world today. Even though digital cameras had been offered by various other manufacturers during the eighties and nineties, they were not of very high quality and were mainly suited for web publishing and making low resolution prints. Thus, when in the year 1996, Olympus came out with its Olympus digital cameras including the P&S type of cameras that had an excellent resolution, the world of digital cameras underwent a radical change, and when in the year 2000, the Olympus digital cameras started to offer two and even three mega pixel cameras, the digital cameras as we know them today had finally arrived.

Quick Access To Its Features

The fact is that Olympus digital cameras are designed such that users get quick access to most if not all features including setting flash and also deleting pictures that simply requires pressing a single button, and they also allow users to simply print pictures without the need of any connecting cables. Other notable features of the Olympus digital cameras include stabilizing digital images so that blurs can be done away that may have been caused by shaking cameras or because of objects that were moving, which allows users to obtain crisper as well as clearer pictures, and also images that are more sensitive thanks to quick shutter speeds. In addition, another notable feature of the Olympus digital cameras is that they can be used in all weather conditions and the design allows for seals and gaskets that protect the camera and which allow users to shoot without worrying about rain, or snow, or even sunshine.

Olympus digital cameras are also well know for their ability to preview pictures even in low lighting conditions and even a flash may not be required, and you also have the option of shooting in manual or auto modes, and in fact, users won’t find much to hold them back from taking any kind of pictures as is witnessed with excellence in zoom features and best quality of lenses used.

One of the better Olympus digital cameras is the Olympus SP-350 that is both elegant as well as compact and which boasts of excellent features that together help give users the best in performance even at night and under all weather conditions. With one-touch printing capabilities as well as thirty different modes of shooting and also settings, you can customize your cameras for personal preferences and just about anyone with a penchant to shoot can use it.

How To Find Cheap Digital Cameras

For people who cannot help but click away at whatever interesting object or person that they see, the need to own a good digital camera is very strong because such digital cameras have greatly simplified how we take photographs and they have opened up possibilities to shoot virtually limitless numbers of pictures without the need to load and reload camera films. Thus, the need to own digital cameras is very real, and if it were possible to buy cheap digital cameras, then the world of photography would be very thankful, and mercifully for the many millions of photography enthusiasts all around the world, there are indeed many cheap digital cameras available today.

Start Off By Searching The Internet

A good starting off point in the search for cheap digital cameras is the Internet where there are many outstanding deals to be had and where there is a lot of choice as well that includes big names such as Kodak, Canon, Sony as well as Toshiba that each have a broad range of cheap digital cameras on offer. And, times have changed because now there is no need to shop around as much to locate cheap digital cameras because most of these cameras are pretty similar and all you need to do is pick the brand name that you like the most and follow a few simple steps to get the best from your purchase.

There are certain sites where these cheap digital cameras have been compared and you may want to visit sites such as techbargain and also cnet.com where you can find many cheap digital cameras that are being sold in hundreds of online stores, and all you need to do is glance at the different products and check them out feature for feature and price for price.

If you visit eBay, there is sure to be a bargain buy available, and there will also be virtually every digital camera make and model available, though some of the things you buy on eBay including cheap digital cameras can often are a bit of a gamble, so it means that you makes sure to buy only from reputable sellers who have feedback scores that are excellent.

Another source for cheap digital cameras is to visit digital camera forums that specialize in such products where you will be sure to find information from users of digital cameras who will provide valuable insights into the relative merits and demerits of digital cameras, and where you can also find cheap digital cameras through some of the discount promotional offers advertised there.

Using these simple yet effective methods of sourcing cheap digital cameras, you will find it convenient as well as quicker to get what you want, rather than needing to visit each electronic store to find what the best offers they have.

Proper Care for Canon Digital Cameras

There it is! A beautiful, giant elk! While elk are indigenous to Pennsylvania, their numbers are very small. In fact, there may be less than 250 in the entire state. Luckily, you have you Canon digital camera with you and it has never failed you before. You pull out the camera and flick the one switch. Wait a minute – it isn’t going on? What’s wrong here you wonder as the elk moves off into the distance? Oh, it would seem you left the shudder open and the battery died. Apparently, your Canon camera did not fail you. You failed the camera by not taking proper care of it.

Canon offers some great cameras and their place in pop culture was cemented in the 1970’s through their advertisement on sports and outdoors shows. In recent years, Canon digital cameras have proven to be quite excellent and reliable cameras. They are, however, not invulnerable from neglect of mishandling. So, it becomes important to be sure that one takes great care in properly handling Canon digital cameras so as to ensure their proper safety and maintenance.

Leave Canon Digital Cameras in their Case when not in Use

On a baseline level, it is critical to return Canon digital cameras to their case when not in use. This saves the camera and its lens from being scratched. It keeps the camera out of the rays of the sun which can have a corrosive effect on the camera. It keeps the various parts and accessories from getting lost. And, if the camera is in its case you know EXACTLY where the camera is and do not have to scramble looking for it. (Unless, of course, you lose the case!)

Ultimately, the camera case is a cameras best friend because it keeps the camera safe and secure. But, leaving the case lying around is not a smart move. So, when the camera is in its case it is imperative to place the case itself in a safe spot so as to avoid the previously mentioned potential disaster of losing the camera.

As one can see, there are no magic formulas or secrets required for keeping Canon digital cameras safe. Often, it is merely common sense and a desire to provide proper basic care is all that is required. Sadly, some miss these basic points and this results in the trashing of a number of excellent Canon digital cameras that should have had a much longer life.

Panasonic Digital Cameras Are Quality Machines

Panasonic Digital Cameras Are Great Buys

Panasonic digital cameras are excellent products at reasonable prices. Panasonic digital cameras come with a variety of features and a range of prices. There are some relatively inexpensive Panasonic cameras that will take excellent photos, and there are other more expensive models that will take even better pictures. Panasonic digital cameras are used successfully every day by people taking shots of a new baby, and others taking photos of a violent conflict. The Panasonic digital cameras are most popular so these are available in most camera stores. These great Panasonic cameras are also usually available at stores that specialize in electronic equipment.

Some Panasonic digital cameras come with a fixed lens while others can be fitted with a variety of different lenses. The Panasonic digital camera also comes in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes. Each photographer should shop carefully for the best camera for their circumstances and budget. Panasonic digital cameras are available with lenses that can take pictures at a great distance or others across the table at a fantastic restaurant. The models of Panasonic digital cameras all take clear pictures. The top of the line models are relatively expensive but compare favorably with others made by different manufacturers.

Panasonic Digital Cameras Are Quality Machines

Panasonic digital cameras are popular in many places because these take great pictures, and they will not break the bank. These great cameras are also very sturdy. These cameras often survive although other cameras would not because these cameras are specially built to survive difficult conditions. The company that produces these great cameras employs highly trained workers to deal with any and all problems with their cameras. Panasonic works to keep customers happy.

There is a Panasonic digital camera for everyone. This great company continues to lead the field with their great products, and the company continues to add to their list of choices. The cameras come with many different features that include the facilities for taking pictures from great distances. The great products from Panasonic continue to sell competitively as each new model is added to the list of choices.

These great cameras are designed with many features, but they are in compact containers for ease of movement while taking pictures. A camera from Panasonic will not weigh down a devoted photographer. The fantastic designs make them extremely easy to use in all circumstances. Panasonic cameras are easy to use by amateur photographers and even young children.

Compare Digital Cameras Before Purchase

Digital cameras are great tools for capturing memories and recording history. Families should really enjoy the benefits of the latest digital cameras for these will provide the means to take and send pictures almost instantaneously to friends and family around the world. Professionals will be able to do the same, but these people will most likely be sending their work to editors in many places. The latest digital cameras are great pieces of machinery, but there are many digital cameras on the market. Although many of these great cameras look very much the same, these cameras can vary significantly in features and price. Fortunately, there are many tools that consumers can use to compare digital cameras before making any purchase.

Amateurs and professionals are going to have different needs when buying a camera, but there is information for both groups that will help them compare digital cameras. The information that compares digital cameras should help them get the best value for their money. The information that compares digital cameras usually has data on the prices of the different cameras. This is usually one of the most important considerations for most consumers. These cameras can range in price from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

Savvy Shoppers Compare Digital Cameras

The information that compares digital cameras should provide information so consumers will not buy the cheapest camera if it does not meet their needs. This information should also help consumers buy the camera with the best features at a reasonable price. The most expensive camera is not always the best camera. The information that compares digital cameras should provide facts about the quality of the images captured with the camera. There can be a significant difference in the quality of the photos taken with digital cameras.

The information that compares digital cameras often includes an analysis of the reliability of the camera. A great camera is not going to be much good if the batteries run out quickly. People might lose some great moments because the batteries are dead. Stopping to buy or change batteries could take some time away from an enjoyable activity. The information often includes consumer reports on the customer service provided by the manufacturer. No one wants to buy a camera that cannot be fixed easily. This information often includes statistics on the weight of the camera. The available information could make a significant difference to photographers who do not want to lug a huge camera on an exciting trip.

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Eagle:An OpenID for Digitle Cameras

Every camera in the world is unique, even digital cameras. Microscopic imperfections in the makeup of various camera parts leave each camera on an assembly line with a subtle, but completely unique "fingerprint" that is passed onto every image a camera takes. You just need to know how to extract it.

Because of the existence of this fingerprint, we realized that we could allow our members to upload a library of stock photography and actually prove that they owned the cameras used to take the images. In other words, we could establish and validate a base on our ownership chain, right from the raw unedited images uploaded to our system.

We view photographers as an extremely important part of our planned ecosystem - possibly the most important - as they are the verified source providers that others will edit their images from (or use those images in books, magazines, etc...).

Beyond the technical workings of the software we developed, the process is fairly simple: Photographers who want to become photo providers and sell their images in our market as verified works will need to register their cameras with us.

Registering a camera is a simple two step process.

1) Photographers upload some raw unedited images taken from their camera to us. Eagle then extracts and stores a fingerprint for that camera.

2) As a safety precaution, photographers are also assigned to take some control pictures of different random subjects with the same camera. Once taken and uploaded, we manually verify (by human) that the images have the requested subjects in them.

The second step prevents a plagiarist from registering another person's camera by just going to Flickr and downloading a bunch of their works.We do plan on releasing a separate API for Eagle, one we hope will be used by webmasters of many photo sharing websites online to help prove ownership and combat plagiarism.

We hope that Eagle will become the OpenID of digital cameras and help everyone prove the authenticity of their works across the web.

Smile to trigger Click for a Snap, says Sony Technology

Using face detection technology, the 8-megapixel, DSC-T70 and DSC-T200 Cyber-shot cameras won't snap a high-definition picture until a selected subject smiles.

Even with more than a handful of people in a picture, a photographer can designate which face to focus on by touching an LCD panel with a special pen.



Credit: Sony
The DSC-T70 is one Sony camera
that recognizes smiles. "Using the smile recognition shutter function selected by the touch panel, you can pick which of up to eight people is the key smile," said Akira Tokuse who works in Sony product development.

"In a parents-and-baby shot, you could select the baby."

The "Say Cheese" technology has three setting levels, from a slight grin to a belly laugh.

Japan sales start next week and global shipments this month.

Sony's smile technology joins Japan's Omron, which developed "smile check" software that analyses happiness by facial features like mouth and eye wrinkles or lip separation.

Nikon Digital Cameras Are Excellent Products

Nikon digital cameras are excellent products that continue to add to the great brand name that they carry. Nikon cameras have been used by demanding professionals for many years, and many of the awards for excellence in photography were won with the products produced by Nikon. The Nikon digital cameras have many of the same qualities as the cameras that have been produced by Nikon for many years. The Nikon digital cameras have the finest lenses available. These lenses on the Nikon digital cameras are great works of science. Professional and amateur photographers want crisp, clear photographs, and the Nikon lenses will help them achieve their goals.

The Nikon digital cameras come with a variety of lenses that will capture fantastic photos. Some of the Nikon digital cameras come with a lens that is part of the camera structure. In other words, these lenses remain on the camera at all times. Although these lenses are not interchangeable with other lenses, these are some of the best lenses available. These are made with the same great technology of all Nikon lenses. These lenses are very versatile, and these lenses on the Nikon digital cameras can take great photographs up close and at a distance.

Nikon Digital Cameras Capture Great Images

Nikon digital cameras continually improve and remain some of the best products for consumers. The latest models from Nikon are excellent cameras, and these wonderful cameras remain competitive products in price and quality. The latest Nikon digital cameras have the technology to produce crisp, clear images in the family home or on safari in Africa. The cameras from Nikon are sturdy so a devoted photographer does not have to worry about a camera that breaks down when in the rain forests of Africa or on the deck of a cruise ship.

The latest products from Nikon take great pictures, and these cameras take the images quickly. The photographer with a Nikon digital camera will feel capable when taking pictures of a sleeping baby or athletes in a fast moving sports competition. Although the Nikon cameras provide some of the best of the latest technology, the prices remain competitive with other cameras. There is an extensive range of cameras to choose from so there is usually a Nikon camera in the budget range of every shopper. The least expensive cameras from Nikon usually benefit from technological advances for the most expensive cameras in the line. Most shoppers looking for a new digital camera should be able to find an excellent camera in their price range from Nikon.

The Best Digital Cameras Take Fantastic Pictures

The best digital cameras take fantastic pictures, and pictures are memories. The best digital cameras record so many memories that will remain treasures for generations. The best digital cameras have improved so much that even the pros are using these great machines. Each person who wants to record the family memories will be happy to know that they can use the best digital cameras and get photos that pros would be proud of for their publications. There was a time in the recent past when digital cameras took acceptable pictures, but these machines did not take great pictures.

All that has changed with the recent advances and the best digital cameras. The best digital cameras now take photos that are clear. These photos are not grainy like the best from a few years ago. The pictures with the best digital cameras are worthy of publication if the composition is important. The pictures with the best digital cameras that are not important to the general population will remain great photos for the family archives. Generations to come will be able to see images of their ancestors, and they will probably recognize many of the family characteristics.

The Best Digital Cameras Are Easy To Use

The best digital cameras not only take great pictures, but they take these pictures easily. Almost any amateur looking for some great pictures will be able to use these wonderful cameras. The cameras have many advantages over the cameras from the past. These cameras allow for mistakes. The photographer using a digital camera can see the picture before they take it, and they can examine the image captured as soon as the action is complete. They will be able to instantaneously decide if they would like to keep that image. If they are not happy with their work, the photographer can delete that photo and continue to take pictures.

The latest digital cameras can be used to print the photos as they are taken or soon afterward. With the proper equipment, a photographer can take a picture and hook it up to a printer to see the image. These cameras can also be used to send the pictures instantaneously around the block or around the world. Relatives thousands of miles away can have a look at the latest family activities within seconds. They will be able to print these out for their archives as well. The whole family should enjoy the images captured with the best digital cameras.

The Ratings Of Digital Camera Assist Consumers

Digital camera ratings can help all consumers get the best product for their money. Digital camera ratings keep consumers current on the constant changes in these great products. The digital cameras seem to improve in many ways so without the digital cameral ratings it would be difficult to know about all of the great products on the market. A digital camera is great for so many occasions, but there was a time not long ago when the cameras did not provide the best quality images available. Now even many of the professional photographers use the digital cameras, and many of them consult the digital camera ratings before making their purchases.

Digital camera ratings can be based on many factors, and there are several sources when looking for these ratings. There are some digital camera ratings that are based on the most popular models with the consumers. These ratings can be most reliable because most people carefully study the products before they buy. Many of these customer ratings discuss the positive and negative details of each digital camera on the list. There are some services which provide detailed descriptions from customers who recently purchased the different models. These customer descriptions can be very helpful to those looking to purchase a new camera.

Digital Camera Ratings Consider Many Factors

Customers looking for a new digital camera usually want the best product for the best price. They want good value for the least amount of money. The digital camera ratings can help the customers in this pursuit. The digital camera ratings often rank cameras according to the best prices for the best available cameras. The digital cameras improve constantly, and the features offered with each digital camera can make a difference to the photographer. Each year the quality of the pictures produced with digital cameras improves, but these improvements usually raise the price of the camera.

The digital camera ratings will provide information on the quality of the pictures produced by each product. The digital camera ratings often include information on the facilities available with each camera. Shoppers should consider all of this information when making their purchase of a digital camera. A slightly better quality could mean a substantial difference in price. There are some facilities in a camera that might increase the price but are not needed by each customer. Shoppers could save some money by excluding some facilities when buying a camera. Digital cameras are usually great tools for recording special memories and many other purposes.

Sony Digital Cameras Warranties

Sony is a name that people are familiar with for a great variety of reasons. It was Sony who revolutionized a great variety of home electronics products. Probably their greatest achievement was the release of the Betamax in the 1970’s. Granted, JVC’s VHS system essentially drove the proverbial nail in the coffin of beta, but the inroads that Sony made in the home video market were so vast they laid the foundation for all the amazing products that are available today. Actually, many of those amazing products are also made by Sony!

One of Sony’s more amazing achievements has been their relatively recent venture into the realm of digital cameras. Their achievements have been fairly pronounced as Sony digital cameras have become remarkably popular with consumers and this has led to Sony digital cameras gaining a solid amount of the market share of the consumer digital camera realm.

Now, while Sony digital cameras are very well made, very reliable and very cutting edge, the fact remains that they are not indestructible. As such, it becomes critical to fill out and mail in all required warranty forms so as to make sure that your camera is properly covered in case of an accident.

The Benefits of Warranties to Safeguard and Investment in Sony Digital Cameras

One of the reasons that people opt to purchase Sony digital cameras is the fact that these cameras are top notch, high quality cameras. This quality of product can also be translated as having a long life so to speak. Because of this many people will neglect properly filing their warranty forms because they feel Sony digital cameras are of such a high quality, what could go wrong?
Well, the answer to that is anything! As previously mentioned, no product is invulnerable and because of this a little insurance in the form of a warranty will save a great deal of money in case of an unforeseen catastrophe.

Of course, there is also the opportunity available to purchase extended warranties. This is somewhat “controversial” as many feel that extended warranties may not b necessary while others consider them critically important. In reality, if one feels the need to extend a warranty they might as well as it won’t hurt. If one opts to skip on paying extra for an extended warranty, that is their choice and it should be respected. After all, different people will have different wants, needs and tastes.

The Joys of Fuji Digital Cameras

If you have been in the market for a new digital camera or, for that matter, are in the market for purchasing your first digital camera you have probably browsed through a number of consumer electronics shops to see what cameras are available. If you have done this regularly then you probably have noticed the prevalence of Fuji cameras on the store’s shelves.
There is a strong reason for this: Fuji has produced some of the best cameras on the market for decades and this has led to tremendous brand loyalty among repeat customers. Of course, if you have never purchased a Fuji camera before there may be a few questions you have about the quality of the camera. Hopefully, some of these questions and concerns can be addressed here.

An Overview of Various Fuji Digital Cameras

There are a multitude of Fuji Digital Cameras on the market and to attempt to describe each in depth would be somewhat impossible given the relatively limited space available. A comprehensive examination of all of Fuji’s available digital cameras past and present would practically require an encyclopedia to chronicle! So, rather than attempt such a Herculean task it would be much wiser to simply address the traits that are common among the bulk of the Fuji digital cameras on the market and, most specifically, it is important to address the positives and the benefits associated with these top of the line cameras.
Fuji digital cameras are generally easy to operate and do not require and specialized or fixed knowledge in order to operate. This makes the Fuji digital cameras accessible to pretty much all consumers and novices in particular who are looking for a camera that aid in their ability to snap pics of vacations, sporting events and other such activities. The cameras also come with zoom capabilities that are fairly decent although “extra” zooming will require the use of a zoom attachment that can be purchased as an accessory.

Now, the prices of Fuji digital cameras can vary depending on the type of camera that the consumer is looking to purchase. Once again, if the consumer is looking for a basic camera there is no need to shell out hundreds of dollars for a camera with a variety of features the consumer will probably not use. Instead, it would be best to purchase a less expensive and more basic camera that can perform simple common functions.

Purchasing Discount Digital Cameras

When it comes to the subject of purchasing digital cameras, some may be reluctant to purchase a new camera namely because some of the quality digital cameras can be out of the price range of many people. Of course, people who automatically assume that these digital cameras can not be found at a cheap and reasonable price simply are not aware of the fact that there are a host of venues in which less expensive discount digital cameras can be purchased.

Overstock Distributors as a Means of Acquiring Discount Digital Cameras

Probably one of the best ways to acquire discount digital cameras is to peruse what is available on online consumer services that provide the sale of overstock items. For those not familiar with overstock items what this refers to are older items that have been sitting on the store shelf and have not sold. This is not because the quality of the product is low, but often it is because too much stock has been sent to the store and the supply exceeded the demand.

Hence, there is a huge volume of “overstock” items that are not moving. Of course, in order to move them so as to have more shelf space the store will drop the prices drastically. Now, since the number of people who visit the actual store are limited in number the store may seek the services of an online overstock seller who will gladly handle the facilitation of the sale for them. As such, these online overstock services can provide excellent deals for the thrift minded, deal savvy shopper.

The Quality of Overstock Discount Digital Cameras

It is not surprising that some consumers may have misgivings in regards to purchasing discount digital cameras through an overstock distributor because the cameras are not “new.” Granted, while these digital cameras are not new releases they are not used cameras nor are they reconditioned (returned and repaired) cameras. They are factory sealed cameras that simply did not sell and are not being offered at discount. As such, there really is not much difference between an overstock discount digital camera and a brand new one. Well, the price is significantly different and that is a good thing.
Ultimately, there is always a risk when it comes to purchasing any product that is not brand new, but the risks associated with overstock sales are generally minimal. Additionally, with most overstock online distributors there are refund options available which is MUCH more than what would be offered on a site that offers used cameras.

Canon Digital Cameras Choice

The year was 1933 when three Japanese got together and began a company known as Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory, which was later to become known as Canon that in turn was to gain fame throughout the world. The first of the Canon cameras to hit the market was a prototype phantom known as ‘Kwanon’ which may not have been like the far more superior as well as costly German cameras that were almost the norm in cameras of those times, but were good enough to compete with those better known German cameras, which led Goro Yoshida and his two friends to come out with the 35mm rangefinder cameras that were less costly and which were sold under the name ‘Kwanon’.

Lack Of Its Own Lenses

To make for the lack of its own lenses for its cameras, the company tied up with Nippon Kogaku Kogyo, the forerunner of yet another famous Japanese camera company called Nikon and the first camera sold commercially by Canon was named the Hansa Canon which hit the market in 1936 and which was an instant hit.
After the Second World War, the company was christened Canon and thus began the slow expansion which saw the creation of many historic cameras including Serener, Canonet as well as EOS. The first of its many Canon digital cameras was released in 1996 and this was the Powershot 600, and after incorporating many more advanced features, the next great Cannon digital camera that hit the market in 1998 was the EOS D2000 digital SLR followed by yet another innovative product known as XL1 and these Canon digital cameras all had excellent functionality and were very reliable as well, while the XL1 proved its worth by being chosen by NASA as its official digital video camcorder.
Finding that there was a need to provide customers with Canon digital cameras that were cost effective and which had advanced functionality, Canon came out with the EOS D60 in the year 2002 and the EOS 10D a year later, and these models took the market by storm leading to Canon digital cameras becoming the leaders in digital cameras, and when in the year 2003, another Canon digital camera in the form of EOS Kiss Digital came out, its success was a foregone conclusion, and which helped make Canon the foremost name when it came to digital cameras.
Not content to sit back on its laurels, Canon digital cameras are continuously being priced lower and incorporating better technology to help retain its market position, and they are also first choice of professional photographers thanks to the wide range of Canon digital cameras available in the market today.

Digital Cameras & Traditional Cameras

Progress is usually a quick and expedited process. However, in the world of cameras progress was basically minimal because while the mechanics of the cameras would streamline over time, the chemical process of developing film had not changed for many decades and it did not appear that the process would ever change. Of course, this proved to be a false notion as the advent of digital cameras forever changed the landscape of cameras forever.

The Cost Effectiveness of Digital Cameras

When digital cameras first appeared some were a bit ‘put off’ by the price of the camera and, since traditional cameras were much cheaper some opted to stick with the tried and true classical camera. That is, they stuck with traditional cameras until they realized that the cost of developing film will eventually reach the point that they could have purchased a multitude of digital cameras!
Eventually, when people realized that digital cameras – while expensive to purchase – were basically much cheaper than traditional cameras due to the elimination of the need to develop film, it was only a matter of time before the sales of traditional cameras would nosedive. Of course, this is to say nothing of the fact that not only was their no need to pay for the development of the film, there was also no need to purchase film as digital cameras record images on a hard drive or memory chip.

The Quality of Digital Cameras

In addition to the cost effectiveness, a digital camera had a huge leg up on traditional cameras in the sense that the picture quality of a digital image was significantly better than the picture quality of a traditional film camera. The resolution of the digital camera was not only better, but the colors could also be altered. In fact, a color picture could also easily be changed to black and white!

The Video Option

Many digital cameras also offered brief recording capabilities (30 seconds or so) of video images. While this remains a far cry from digital camcorders, it is still a nice little add on to a camera and a function that is more worth having than not. Of course, a traditional camera does not have any video function and that is another reason why digital cameras blow them away in the popularity division.
While it is a shame to see the traditional camera fall from grace so to speak, it is also understandable that new products bring with them efficiency and progress. As such, the advent of the digital camera spelled the great dawning of a new day