Holiday Photos
We all probably have a variety of holiday photos. Some great shots and some disappointing shots.
Here are some videos to help you out this season to capture some great memories.
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We all probably have a variety of holiday photos. Some great shots and some disappointing shots.
Here are some videos to help you out this season to capture some great memories.
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Many people are far more familiar with compact digital cameras than SLR digital cameras since these models have flooded the marketplace.
Almost as common as cellphones, it is not unusual to see someone with a compact digital camera every time you walk down the street. Until recently, it was rare to see a digital SLR camera unless it was in the hands of a professional.
Thankfully, the cost of the digital SLR’s has now fallen to such a degree that some are now around the same price as a top quality compact camera. This has opened up a whole new market although many people are unaware of what these SLR’s can do.
A key advantage of a digital SLR is speed when compared to a compact. The simple reason for the greater SLR speed is it’s mechanical operation whereas a compact uses electronics for the same function.
There’s a device called a shutter that sits in front of the digital SLR sensor, blocking it from light.When you take a photo, the shutter (made up of two curtains) opens and closes.
By comparison, a compact camera has no physical shutter mechanism but rather it’s sensor is activated electronically whenever you take a picture.
The mechanical shutter has a massive advantage because there is no time lag between you pressing the button and the shutter opening to take the snap, it is instant, unlike with compact cameras where there is a significant delay between the two actions – and how many times has that delay meant you’ve missed the perfect shot?
There is now much more choice in digital SLR cameras as major suppliers like Canon, Nikon, Olympus etc. bring better, ever more functional cameras to the market place, that it is no easy matter picking the right SLR for you.
When you come to chose which SLR is right for you, make a list of all the things you think you want to photograph then do your homework on which cameras have the functionality to let you do this. Read up on any guide books or testimonials you can find for the cameras on your shortlist. Now, and only now, should you start to compare prices on the few that are left, also look out for any package deals that may be available and go strike yourself a deal.
What I like so much about picking a digital SLR camera using these steps is that no salesperson will be able to sell you more camera than you want or need, you’ll only have to compare prices for a few cameras’, you’ll be confident you’ve made the best choice when you go to buy your new camera, you won’t regret your purchase and you’ll have a great SLR that will last you for years to come.
My personal recommendation is to look at the series of Canon Rebel digital cameras. Check out any bestsellers list and they are usually at the top for styling, functionality and value for money.
Tags: Cameras, Digital Cameras, electronics, hobbies, lifestyle, Photography, product reviews, shopping, technology Posted in
He just proposed, and she’s as giddy as a schoolgirl. That happiness will radiate for weeks – or at least until the stress of planning a wedding takes hold! Capture those feelings with pre-wedding photography (also known as engagement photography).
In order to get a timeless, beautiful look for your pre-wedding photography, follow five tips that will ensure the focus is on you, the newly engaged couple, and not your clothes or the background.
1. Dress in classic styles that you’re comfortable in. If you’re normally a dressy gal, then go ahead and buy a special new dress or skirt for the occasion. If you’re a jeans and T-shirt person, though, don’t try to dress up just to dress up. The discomfort will show on your face, so stick to jeans (clean!) and a dressier top. A simple outfit in a solid color is your best bet, and make sure your significant other is wearing a color that complements yours.
2. Don’t dress in up-to-the minute trends. While you think it looks great now, in about 20 years, you’ll feel the same way as you do now when you view ’80s photos. In other words, it dates the photo and makes it more about the fashion than the couple. Along the same lines, take off your eyeglasses for the photos, if possible. They are one of the easiest ways to tell in what era a photograph was taken.
3. When posing for the camera, smile with your whole face. What that means is to let that smile radiate through your face into your eyes. Don’t be afraid to smile with your mouth open a bit or even laugh during the photo shoot. This brings a twinkle into your eyes and shows how truly happy you two are.
4. Push your face toward the camera when posing for a photo. To make this easier, pretend you’re a turtle and crane out neck out your shell toward the camera. This shouldn’t be forced, just a slight push forward to reduce double chins (not that we’re suggesting you have one!) and tighten facial skin. It might feel a little strange to you, but the camera won’t be able to capture your contortion – just the effect it has on your appearance.
5. Go for a fun and relaxed look. Posed photos are boring! You can hardly romp around in your wedding dress, so this is the time for you to get some shots of you and your fiancee having fun! Roll around on the ground, climb a few trees, play on the stairwell – the overall result of your pre-wedding photography will be much more charming.
Tags: london wedding photography, photographer, wedding photographer, Wedding Photography Posted in
A destination wedding calls to mind a blissful bride and groom strolling along a white, sandy beach with tropical foliage in the background and the sun’s rays streaming down upon them. If you can’t envision your wedding as anything other than this scenario, there are plenty of tropical wedding destinations to choose from across the globe.
Caribbean
There’s no doubt about it, the Caribbean is the number one for a tropical wedding destination. Blue skies and bright sun seem to occur year-round – with the exception of that pesky hurricane season. Plus the choice of hotels, resorts and cruise ships on which you can get married are bountiful, and nearly every resort now employs a wedding coordinator to make your life easier. Some islands to consider are Jamaica, St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands (Check out Tortola) or the Dominican Republican (which can be cheaper than some of its Caribbean counterparts).
When to wed: The lowest rates can be found June to November, but that’s because hurricanes can threaten your big day. If you plan carefully and keep an eye on the sky, (and the sea), you can find great rates. January is typically the busiest month throughout the islands as travelers from the north flee the snowy weather
North America
While not part of the contiguous 48 states, Hawaii reigns as the U.S.’s tropical pride and joy. Lush jungles, perfect beaches and intriguing volcanoes are just some of what makes Hawaii a tropical paradise. Also consider a wedding in Key West, Florida.
When to wed: Hawaii’s “high season” (meaning more tourists and higher prices) runs from mid-December through March. The best time to visit, when the weather is beautiful and the tourists are at a minimum, is from mid-April to mid-June and September to December. Be wary of traveling to Florida during the late summer/early fall months, for the same reason as the Caribbean: hurricanes.
Mexico
Take a cue from Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd, and head to Mexico for your nuptials (they got married in Acapulco in the 1950s – she also reportedly fell in love with Richard burton in Puerto Vallarta, another great Mexican wedding destination). Choose Cabo San Lucas for breathtaking rock formations and Spanish archeology or Cancun for a more upbeat, fun atmosphere.
When to wed: Avoid spring break-worthy spots such as Cancun during March and April, unless you want your wedding to be crashed by drunken college students.
Asia
Now we’re talking about the true exotic locations. In countries such as Thailand, Indonesia and Tahiti, the beaches are pristine and the atmosphere phenomenal. Yes, many of these locations are the ultimate splurge, but if you’re going to travel halfway around the world to take the plunge, why not do it right?
When to go: The South Pacific generally enjoys two seasons: Wet, which is from November to April, and dry, which is May through October. When they say wet season, they mean wet, as heavy rains and high humidity are prevalent.
Tags: contemporary wedding photography, london wedding photography, photographer, wedding photographer, Wedding Photography Posted in
1. First Impression
Overall this is a good, if not a great camera, the Canon EOS Rebel Ti is a good, if not great medium range SLR which is relatively affordable and offers 15 megapixels for a higher resolution than many competing models of digital camera. 2. LCD Display
The Rebel has one of the better LCD screens around, providing an exceptionally clear view.
3. Image quality and autofocus are both good, but maybe not quite what you’d expect with a 15 megapixel from Canon. The biggest complaint users seem to have is that the Canon EOS Rebel Ti’s autofocus mechanism is loud. While only a little noisy at ISO 1600, switching to ISO 3200 can be loud enough to startle users the first couple of times. It’s not enough of an issue to be a deal breaker, but it is something photographers should know beforehand. 4. Picture Quality/Live View
Overall, the picture quality is good but not great. Pictures are sharp and reasonably clear; amateur photographers will probably find the quality more than adequate. However, semi-pro and professional photographers will probably want to look elsewhere. The live view stills are nothing to write home about. The quality is exactly as good as any other similar model of digital camera.
5. Processor
The Canon EOS Rebel Ti has a new, upgraded processor but 15 megapixel images are a lot to process, so users will probably feel (as we did) that save time could be better. The processing time can be an issue when trying to take continuous shots of a subject, something you should consider before buying this camera.
6. HD Recorder
In this regard, the Canon EOS Rebel Ti performs exceptionally well. The HD recording features of this camera are superior to almost any other digital camera in its range. At 720p, the HD recording quality is incredible at 30 fps. However, this model records 1080p at only 20fps. However, if you need 1080p resolution, you’re better off with a HD camcorder instead. The Rebel lacks a microphone input and its built in sound recording is less than spectacular – so you can get some amazing 720p HD video, but if you need sound which is good as the picture, you’ll be disappointed.
Conclusion:
Despite its minor faults, the Canon EOS Rebel Ti is a decent choice for casual photographers looking for a digital camera. Its HD recording capabilities are impressive and overall performance is better than many other digital cameras out there. However, at the price you could probably do better and there are other comparably priced models that can provide better quality, if not HD recording quality.
Key Features:
*15.1-megapixels, DIGIC 4 Image Processor
* Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens
*Full HD video capture recording at 1920 x 1080 resolution and HDMI output
*3 inch Clear View LCD with Live View
Pros:
*Lightweight construction
*720p HD video recording at 30 fps, 1080p at 20fps
*Large, high quality LCD screen
*Affordable, readily available upgrades (SDHC, SD cards)
Cons:
*Video output does not have Autofocus
*No microphone input
*Continuous photo shooting is slow at 3.4fps
Tags: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, consumer electronics, Digital Cameras Posted in
Sometimes the cost of wedding photography can be high in price. Every bride wants that perfect picture that captures that special day, but can not afford to pay through the roof for it. Here are a few money saving tips when budgeting for wedding photography.
Advertising for the right person
An excellent place to advertise is at a local college or university They will have fresh skills and ideas when it comes to wedding photography, and they will cost a lot less.
Go digital
Go digital instead of getting prints. This keeps your hard earned money in your pocket. You can now choose this as an option because most photographers will offer you the idea. Get a CD rather then prints and proofs of all your pictures. After you receive your CD look at online photo developers to print to photos for you.
Create your own wedding album
A great way to personalize all your pages in your album is to try scrap booking. No one will know your wedding and guests like you do. This way you can go through all of your photos and reflect on the memories. You will enjoy creating your album and not only that but you will also save hundreds of dollars opposed to having your photographer design an album, and they may not include pictures that your friends sent you as well.
You can choose how long you need the photographer for
How long do you really need your photographer around you? Instead of having them come with you when you re getting your hair done, make up done, and dress sized just get them to come for the ceremony and a bit of the celebration afterwards. Your bridesmaids will be able to take the pictures of the preparation for you and you will be surprised how many other people will send you their copies as well.
21st Century – use disposables!
Having disposable cameras at the reception is also an excellent idea. After everything is said and done all you have to do is drop them off at a photo development outlet, then go through the ones you really like and make larger prints for frames around your house. You will probably end up getting a few funny photos but a lot of wonderful ones as well. This will also give you a wide variety of pictures because your guests will be taking pictures of each other and not just at the bride and groom. Get each table of guest to write on the camera who was taking the photos so you can add the detail into your album.
Tags: business ideas, dating, Photography, photos, relationships, saving money, Wedding Photography, Wedding Photography Posted in
For many, portrait photography might be a hard job. Here are a few tips for those who would like to take up this amazing area of photography.
Before we start, you need to understand what portraits are. Any photographs that you click of your family, friends, relations or teachers can be called portraits. Yes of course, starting off, portrait photography might seem to be rather difficult when compared to standard photography, but as you get more involved in it, it comes more and more easy to you.
What do you call winning portrait photography? It is actually something which builds up a kind of special impression on the spectators. Now, what makes a portrait photograph stand out? It might be due to several components like the physical aspects of the snap, the subject, or it can even be the some other noted characteristics like the background, the light arrangement and so on. A portrait always leaves some kind of impression on the mind about the person in it, otherwise it cannot be termed as a portrait photograph. Anything can come out to be attractive in the person being photographed like the mannerism, the attitude, the mood or even a casual look.
It is true that good photography is always about inner skill. Yet good photography can also be learned. The trick is letting yourself go and experiment.
In portrait photography, the photographer is thought to be the leader for that time, and he should be able to bring up a striking difference in his subjects energy. For this, you need to start with a small discourse with the person on any current topics or something which might give rise to a strong impact so as to create the opportunity to take a ideal portrait photograph. If you can trigger off a change in thinking and mood of a person in a good way quickly then this will allow you to capture some amazing photos. This is just one way to move your subject into a different feeling space. Of course you do now want to make them angry but you do want to arise within them different feelings so that their expressions become more acute and distinct creating great pics.
Everything depends on you as the photographer to set the scene so an amazing result can be captured. As well as conversation, controlling the natural surroundings can be utilized to create the special effect in the portraits. To come up with the best photograph, it is very important to cooperate with the person and the environment. You should have good interest in people so that the natural expressions of the person come out.
At the end of the day the trick is to be able to trigger a change in emotionality with your photographic subject so that new and amazing expressions can be seen on their face.
Tags: business, marketing, Photographing People, Photography, photos, Portraits, society Posted in