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Posted August 29th, 2008
by Shane Butler
Infrared Pictures have always had a certain magical appeal for me. The mixture of real and almost surreal creates a fascinating image in infrared photos.
Now, what I was wondering, is if there are digital infrared cameras that are not used for security stuck up on a wall. Rather, I want a digital point and shoot or digital slr that does infrared. It turns out that there are digital cameras that can do infrared photography.
In fact most digital camera sensors see infrared light but the cameras often have a filter built in to get rid of the infrared information making for a sharper or clearer traditional color photo. There are ways to remove this filter but be careful and know that it will usually change the focusing of the camera.
On the bright side, (pun not intended but… never mind, let’s continue) there are some cameras now that allow you to choose if you want to shoot infrared or not.
One example is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50. This camera includes a special “NightShot” mode that uses infrared to take shots in the dark.
( The lowest price I found at a trusted store is at Abe’s of Maine.)
Another option is using an infrared filter on the lens. (These appear to range in price from about $35 to $150.) I don’t know what size of lens you have so I’m not going to try and find the best place for you to get a filter, but just do a search for infrared lens filter.
This method with the lens filter works for some digital cameras but not all. There is list compiled at Cocam.co.uk of cameras that work with this method. If you know of more digital cameras that can do infrared photography please leave a comment for us.
Then of course the obvious option is to use a good old film camera and buy some infrared film for it from your favorite camera/film store. You can even get some from Amazon. (Is there anything we can’t buy from Amazon these days? )
Speaking of Amazon, there is a brand new book coming out that you can pre-order called Digital Infrared Photography. It is from the O’reilly group and looks like a great book for taking great infrared photos. The O’reilly group puts together great books and guides. If you are truly interested in shooting infrared photos, it’s highly recommended you try this book.
Enjoy and feel free to share with us your methods and/or equipment for taking infrared pictures, by leaving a comment below.
Posted in Cameras, Digital Cameras, Film Photography, Infrared Photography
Posted July 13th, 2008
by Bob Dale
by Bob Dale
Photography can be defined as the action of capturing photographs. In simple, yet technical terms, photography is the capturing of light and recording it onto another medium such as film or digital media.
Photography can be a pursuit of pleasure or a pursuit of financial gain. Whether you do photography as a hobby for the sake of your own enjoyment or do photography as a professional pursuit, the quality of your photographs will influence how much benefit you get out of it.
Over the years the technology behind photography has advanced quite a bit. While advances were made during the film era, they were slow. Now, in the digital era, rapid advances have made the digital camera very popular.
The 35mm film SLR camera was a nice device to own in its day, but the digital SLR camera can help even the amateur photographer to get the results of a professional photographer.”Once the 35mm film SLR camera was the camera to own but now, there are digital SLR cameras like the Canon Rebel Xti that give the photographer great results with less frustration than their film counterparts” says Minneapolis photographer Bob Dale.
There are three main types of photography: black-and-white photography, color photography and digital photography.
Black-and-white photography is also known as monochrome photography. The early photographs and many photographs today are still in black and white. This type of photography continued to dominate for several decades even with the advent of color film, mainly because it was inexpensive and gave photographs that classic look.
It should be noted, however, that monochrome photos are not always strictly black and white; there are other hues as well based on the processed used. For instance, the Cyanotype process is used in monochrome photography that results in blue and white images, instead of black and white.
By the middle of the 19th century, a strong push was being made to develop color photography. Early color photographs maintained their color for only a brief time. In 1861 James Clerk Maxwell, a physicist, was able to take the first ever color photograph that held its color. However, it took the combined efforts of three cameras with three different lens colors to make the one color photograph.
It wasn’t until 1907 with the introduction of Autochrome that color photography took off. In 1932, Agfa introduced Agfacolor, a color film. In 1935, Kodak came out with Kodachrome, the first modern integrated tri-pack color film, which significantly simplified film processing. In 1963, Polaroid introduced the instant color film.
Digital photography uses digital technology to capture and create images. Unlike film photography, digital photography does not use photographic film for creating images. Images are instead stored in electronic media, such as a memory card in the camera.
Digital photos can be displayed, stored, manipulated and disseminated electronically. They can be printed without having to undergo chemical processing; photos can be printed directly from the camera or from the computer to a laser, inkjet or thermal print on photo or regular paper.
Many portrait photographers and wedding photographers use digital SLR cameras to take digital photos. Portrait photographers choose to use a digital SLR because it enables them to provide digital proof sheets to customers instantly, making it easier and quicker to create the photos.
Wedding photography is a complex form of portrait photography that requires the camera to have special capabilities that only digital SLRs have, such as making adjustments in low-light situations without a flash. The photographer also needs to be able to take great photographs of the dress, cake, and guests and quickly review them to make sure they’re good before the opportunity passes by them.
A digital camera is a relatively affordable device. Digital cameras for novices can be purchased without much investment due to decreasing costs of electronic components and increasing market competition. In fact, a small, but very capable digital camera, can be purchased for less than $100 to meet most novice photography needs.
When you find that digital photography is fun, but your camera doesn’t do as much as you want to do, it is time for a digital SLR camera that can deliver professional quality photography. You may even find yourself a digital photography professional before long.
Tags: Digital Cameras Posted in Digital Cameras
Posted July 11th, 2008
by Bob Dale
by Bob Dale
Photography can be defined as the action of capturing photographs. In simple, yet technical terms, photography is the capturing of light and recording it onto another medium such as film or digital media.
Photography can be a pursuit of pleasure or a pursuit of financial gain. Whether you do photography as a hobby for the sake of your own enjoyment or do photography as a professional pursuit, the quality of your photographs will influence how much benefit you get out of it.
Photographic technology has been rapidly advancing in recent years. During the film camera era, advances were slow. But in the digital camera era, the advances in technology have been rapid.
The 35mm film SLR camera was a nice device to own in its day, but the digital SLR camera can help even the amateur photographer to get the results of a professional photographer.”Once the 35mm film SLR camera was the camera to own but now, there are digital SLR cameras like the Canon Rebel Xti that give the photographer great results with less frustration than their film counterparts” says Minneapolis photographer Bob Dale.
Digital photography, black and white photography, and color photography have all been popular photography forms for over a decade.
Black-and-white photography is also known as monochrome photography. The early photographs and many photographs today are still in black and white. This type of photography continued to dominate for several decades even with the advent of color film, mainly because it was inexpensive and gave photographs that classic look.
Monochrome photography can also be done in hues of a specific color, rather than in black-and-white form. For example, cyanotype monochrome photography makes use of blue-and-white color variations.
By the middle of the 19th century, a strong push was being made to develop color photography. Early color photographs maintained their color for only a brief time. In 1861 James Clerk Maxwell, a physicist, was able to take the first ever color photograph that held its color. However, it took the combined efforts of three cameras with three different lens colors to make the one color photograph.
Color photography became a lot more sustainable with the Autochrome in 1907. Color film didn’t enter the mix until Agfacolor film in 1932. It was 1935 when Kodak introduced the modern color film. Polaroid came out with an ‘instant’ color film in 1963.
Digital photography uses digital technology to capture and create images. Unlike film photography, digital photography does not use photographic film for creating images. Images are instead stored in electronic media, such as a memory card in the camera.
As you can imagine, photography that is done in digital form can be easily saved, manipulated, and shared with digital electronics. Instead of dealing with tedious chemical and image transfer processes, you can simply print your pictures straight from the digital media or from your computer.
Many portrait photographers and wedding photographers use digital SLR cameras to take digital photos. Portrait photographers choose to use a digital SLR because it enables them to provide digital proof sheets to customers instantly, making it easier and quicker to create the photos.
Most wedding photographers now use digital SLRs in their wedding photography business because these cameras enable them to take pictures of the wedding ceremony discretely, without using flash. At the wedding reception, they can take high quality photos of the bride’s wedding dress, the wedding cake, and wedding guests with a digital SLR that has a zoom lens.
A digital camera is a relatively affordable device. Digital cameras for novices can be purchased without much investment due to decreasing costs of electronic components and increasing market competition. In fact, a small, but very capable digital camera, can be purchased for less than $100 to meet most novice photography needs.
There is no reason why you can’t start with an inexpensive digital camera and then, if you enjoy it, move up to an advanced digital SLR camera later. You may find that before long you are earning a living from your digital photography.
Tags: Digital Cameras Posted in Digital Cameras
Posted July 9th, 2008
by Scott Goodman
by Scott Goodman
If you are looking to buy your first digital camera that you may be wondering where to start owing the huge array of new technology about. After spending sizable amount of time at the mall and online research we finally figuring out which is the best digital camera for us. Drawing the money to pay for it out you decide on a top of the range 10 megapixel resolution, 12 times optical zoom compact camera with a two and a half inch LCD screen for excellent viewing of the images afterwards. Unfortunately, technology doesn’t ever stop for breath and your personal choice is no exception, so after months of searching you now have to have the latest version of the camera which has taken over the accolade.
Just when you thought you had it all worked out you have to reassess your needs knowing that you won’t be happy unless you have this new ‘best digital camera’ model instead. The best digital camera is now going to cost you considerably more and being new there aren’t any discounts to be had. Before you rush off and buy your digital camera, there are a few tips I can pass on about buying one. First off try and search out a model with a higher number of pixels, referred to as mega-pixels; you ideally need over 5 although with today’s cameras it would be hard to find one under that anyway.
As digital photo printing costs have reduced over the last few years more and more people are taking advantage of this so the higher the number of pixels you have, the larger you can print your images. Superior color definition and the chance to print off larger than normal images are usually the main reasons for buying a model with high megapixel resolution. The advantage of larger LCD screens on the cameras means you have more control over the composition of the finished image and it is much easier to see the shots you have taken afterwards. The best digital cameras are able to touch up and edit the images this is an excellent feature to have as standard.
The only downside to this great feature is it uses more battery power so always keep a fresh set with you at all times if you don’t want to be caught out. More and more digital cameras are coming equipped with an optical zoom and this is the sort to try for even if it is only a three times power. However, the lower price range cameras rarely come with an optical zoom and where fitted, optical zooms range between 3x to 12x power. Images on these cameras are stored on small storage cards that can have a huge memory capacity but be sure to buy the right type.
Although there is quite a range of storage cards available. It normally boils down to one of four types: the newer XD cards from Olympus and Fuji, the SD, card, Sony’s Memory Stick and the old but reliable Compact Flash. Try to obtain the largest memory you can for your camera and your budget. Prices for the large gigabyte cards now are almost the same price as one that was only 64mb only 2 or 3 years ago. After all is said and done, the best digital camera you choose should match your lifestyle as much as it should your pocket. If you enjoy taking shots with your new toy and use it regularly then that is all you can ask from a camera isn’t it?
Tags: Digital Cameras Posted in Digital Cameras
Posted July 9th, 2008
by John Q. Harris
by John Q. Harris
The good thing about independent digital camera reviews is that are unbiased. Some digital camera reviews however, confuse potential; buyers because they praise every camera they review.
If you are looking to read a review about a particular digital camera then don’t read any review (not specifications) about how good the camera is if it has been given by the company that manufactures the camera. You are not likely to get the whole truth about a camera from the company that makes them are you? I don’t doubt if the situation were reversed I would do exactly the same. Of course you wouldn’t point out the bad things or the glitches of your product in your digital camera reviews, because that way you will never be able to shoot up your sales.
The best digital camera reviews available are those found in specialty magazines, special websites catering to techie stuff and unofficial digital camera reviews. This is because these digital camera reviews are always truthful. These reviewers and critics are never afraid to list down the good as much as the bad points of digital cameras. These digital camera reviews usually point out the difference between the products that a certain manufacturer has released and how it is worse or better than the previous one. We may knock the critics at times but if it wasn’t for them we may all be taken for a ride more often. One more thing, most of the time, these digital camera reviews are actual first hand experience with the product itself and not just some advertising agent asked to come up with flowery words to capture you and your wallet.
Another best source for a digital camera review is one that you can write yourself. This does mean that you have at the very least been an owner and user of the digital camera in question though. Be careful to read the specs, options and features that you need to try out, be on the lookout for words such as weatherproof, meaning that they are splash resistant as to waterproof that are water resistant. You don’t want to get your newly bought weatherproof camera wet, just to prove to yourself that the things they claim are not true. After doing so, then you can write your own digital camera review or reviews, depending on how many things you’ve learned from your digital camera. Be sure to indicate that your review is an on-hand experience with the product and not just some wild guess.
Digital camera reviews that are honest without criticizing for the sake of it make for good reading and a better understanding of the product itself. Manufacturers do not like bad publicity so contact them if for any reason your camera does not perform as claimed.
About the Author:
You might want to read all the most exciting digital photography news stories, blog posts, consumer alerts and
digital camera tips at
Posters For Sale. Check it out to stay up-to-date on everything concerning digital photos
Tags: Digital Cameras Posted in Digital Cameras
Posted July 9th, 2008
by John Q. Harris
by John Q. Harris
Digital cameras have advanced enormously in the last few years with many clever features incorporated into them; the number of functions they now have sometimes confuses potential buyers. If you were to buy a digital camera tomorrow, what functions would you want to see it have as standard? To get you ‘kick started’ there are some useful tips outlined in this article. If this is your first camera then you must be honest with yourself if you have no idea what functions you would want your camera to have.
Next you need to think carefully about where and when you will use it. Once you have sorted this out you will have to think about how much you are prepared to spend on this new piece of technology. You also have to consider the power of the computer and the printer you will be connecting it to for editing and printing needs. Many computer packages available have digital cameras, software and other accessories so you can have a complete home studio system. If you don’t already have some proprietary image editing software then do not worry because it will usually be included when you buy a digital camera but a photo printer will have to be factored into the equation if you don’t already have one.
While many home printers are fine for general printing, you will need a special printer to carry out photo printing as well as special ink cartridges. By adjusting the megapixel setting up to the maximum you will ensure your pictures are of a much higher quality. Digital cameras need memory cards for picture storage; some have a small built in memory as well. The storage capacity of some current storage cards can go up to 32 gigabytes; all the most up to date cards have one thing in common, and that is they can all store hundreds of images even at very high resolution.
The more user-friendly your model is, the more likely it is you will use it. Some come very well equipped but are awkward to use which, in today’s world, there is no excuse for. Digital cameras use a great deal of power, especially the screen so even if they are not supplied, rechargeable batteries should be used; these can last for many hundreds of shots and will save a great deal of money. The more up to date digital cameras are complemented with a decent size LCD screen; this screen allows for greater shooting flexibility in addition to making it easier to view them afterwards.
Today, the viewfinder is being fitted on fewer types although screen sizes have increased dramatically but are the biggest drain on the battery. For those of you that like to get a little closer to the action, you can’t beat the image results from an optical zoom. Digital zoom only cameras should really be avoided as pictures using a digital only zoom are usually less clear. Better quality models will usually come with a tripod socket as it can be another one of those really useful additions, so ensure when you buy a model where this is fitted. Perhaps now you will be able to buy a digital camera with a little more self-assurance than before.
About the Author:
You might want to read all the most exciting digital photography news stories, blogs, consumer alerts and
digital camera tips at
Posters For Sale. Go visit it now to stay up-to-date on your next camera purchase or photo subject.
Tags: Digital Cameras Posted in Digital Cameras
Posted July 9th, 2008
by Bob Dale
by Bob Dale
Photography is defined simply as taking photographs. In a bit more technical terms, photography is the capturing of light to create a two dimensional image on a medium such as film or digital media.
People engage in photography either for business or pleasure. Hobby photographers take photos for personal enjoyment and fulfillment; professional photographers take photos for a living, whether it’s fashion, advertising, wedding, or fine art photography.
Photographic technology has been rapidly advancing in recent years. During the film camera era, advances were slow. But in the digital camera era, the advances in technology have been rapid.
While the 35mm film SLR camera was an excellent photography device in the hands of a professional, the modern digital SLR cameras can provide nearly anyone with great photographs. “Once the 35mm film SLR camera was the camera to own but now, there are digital SLR cameras like the Canon Rebel Xti that give the photographer great results with less frustration than their film counterparts” says Minneapolis photographer Bob Dale.
Black-and-white photography, color photography, and digital photography are the three main styles of photography in use today.
This is the most popular variation of monochrome photography. Early photography was done in black and white. Black and white photography continues to be very popular because the shadows and coloring displayed in black and white photography give it some artistic appeal. “Today Black-and-white photography is associated with “fine art” photography, as in the style of Ansel Adams landscape photos or the George Hurrell style of Hollywood portraits” says professional digital photographer Bob Dale.
Monochrome photography can also be done in hues of a specific color, rather than in black-and-white form. For example, cyanotype monochrome photography makes use of blue-and-white color variations.
While mainstream color photography technology has only been around for several decades, color photography could be captured by scientists to some extent as early as the middle of the 19th century. Early color photography simply faded over short periods of time, but by 1861, James Clerk Maxwell managed to develop a permanent color photograph. These first color photographs were taken by three separate cameras capturing three separate colors.
More than 40 years later, in 1907, Autochrome color photography became possible for professional photographers. It was 1932 when Agfacolor film came out. Modern color film came out with the 1935 Kodachrome film. Another big moment in color photography was the introduction of ‘instant’ color film by Polaroid in 1963.
Digital photography took things to all-new levels. Digital photography isn’t limited by the capabilities of film for its capture and storage of images. Images are translated from a sensor into a digital format that is immediately recorded to an electronic memory storage unit.
These digital photos can be easily handled, manipulated, shared, displayed, or printed. Simply hooking the digital storage device up to a computer or a printer will allow the photographs to be quickly printed out at as high quality prints.
Most photography professionals who specialize in portrait photography or wedding photography choose digital SLR cameras. Digital SLR cameras give the photographer the ability to print out quick proof sheets so the customers can quickly pick out which photographs they want to buy.
Wedding photography is a complex form of portrait photography that requires the camera to have special capabilities that only digital SLRs have, such as making adjustments in low-light situations without a flash. The photographer also needs to be able to take great photographs of the dress, cake, and guests and quickly review them to make sure they’re good before the opportunity passes by them.
Digital cameras have become very affordable. The prices of simple digital cameras have been continually dropping due to increased competition and decreasing electronic component prices. For less than $100, you can purchase a digital camera that will take good pictures of your family and friends without requiring much technical knowledge or skill in photography.
There is no reason why you can’t start with an inexpensive digital camera and then, if you enjoy it, move up to an advanced digital SLR camera later. You may find that before long you are earning a living from your digital photography.
Tags: Digital Cameras Posted in Digital Cameras
