Posted August 12th, 2010
by Lizzie Tankyte-Jones
by Lizzie Tankyte-Jones
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.
About the Author:
Lizzie Tankyte-Jones is a renowned photographer and mother of 2 children. She specializes in flora & fauna and landscapes and has had many of her photos published in publications throughout the Australasia. Lizzie has also amassed a collection of vintage cameras although she now uses a
Canon Rebel XTI for most of her commissions. Visit her blog for more
Canon cameras.
Tags: Cameras, Digital Cameras, electronics, hobbies, lifestyle, Photography, product reviews, shopping, technology Posted in Buying a Camera, Cameras, Digital Cameras, Digital Photography, Digital SLR, Point and Shoot Cameras
Posted January 29th, 2009
by George Jones
by Greg Silvers
It really isn’t difficult to learn the basics of photography. Although if you are used to using an old film camera there are some differences with the modern digital cameras you will want to know about.
Naturally once you have a firm grasp of these differences you can really start to take advantage of them. It really doesn’t matter who you are, with a little dedication you can learn this stuff.
Gaining a Collection of Images
With the digital format we are now hardly limited at all when it comes to the number of photos we can take. Never again will you have to pay for a whole load of prints that you didn’t even want.
This is all good, however you do need to get into the habit of going through your photos and editing or deleting your collection. This is because you do not want to have to go through loads and loads of useless images to find your good ones later.
Ways to best go about storing your digital photos
You can switch from a high-resolution image to a lower resolution to save on storage space. Your high-resolution photos will take up more storage space than the lower resolution one.
You will only need a high resolution for your photographs if you need a crisp image for a large printed photograph. If you are only going to use the pictures online or with a computer, you can use a lower resolution setting.
It is also possible with many cameras to change the compression rate/format that your camera saves its images in. Again this means you can save space for extra photos on your memory card.
If there is one thing modern Day cameras are normally short of its memory space, so you really should increase it as soon as possible. If you have any experience with the old film cameras I’m sure you know what it’s like to run out of space for photos just when you were poised to take your best ever photo.
The dreaded battery issue
Many people just don’t realize it, but the camera’s battery is very important. Naturally the last thing you need is the run out of battery just when you need your camera most.
If you are running low on battery power, avoiding overuse of your LCD digital display should help significantly to lengthen your cameras usage time. Not using Flash will also help a lot.
If your camera doesn’t use its own special power pack, make sure you are at least using good rechargeable batteries and that you have several charged replacement sets of batteries ready with you at all times.
All amateurs, no matter what their level of experience, can enjoy digital photography for beginners. You can be proud of your images, right from when you first get your digital camera.
You will learn that it is easy to go from digital photography for beginners to the next level of photography, as you get more comfortable with your digital camera.
Tags: art, Cameras, Digital Photography, education, entertainment, family, hobbies, leaning, lessons, lifestyle, outdoors, Photography, photos, recreation Posted in Photography
Posted December 26th, 2008
by Stanley Shelton
by Stanley Shelton
Photographs capture moments in time that we want to look back at later. Family photos are most valuable as the entire family is together at the same time. Getting the family ready for the event can be challenging if you have several young children. On location photography is a great service for the family with several young children. Imagine the following scene:
A young family is planning to have professional family photos made. They thought it would be nice to have a large family portrait to hang up, along with a nice package of photos to share with friends and relatives. So, they make an appointment with a local portrait studio on a day when there will be plenty of time to get 3 small children ready for the event.
The young couple scrambled to get everyone dressed and looking their best; the stress from the activity has given the 6-month old a nervous stomach; he keeps spitting up. Better take an extra outfit, just in case. On the way out to the car, the 2-1/2 year old trips and falls, getting grass stains on her dress. The oldest one is waiting by the car, actually, leaning on the car which should have been washed days ago! Dirt is smudged on his clothes. Oh well! Maybe the photographer can strategically pose everyone so the dirt doesn’t show in the pictures!
As Mom gets the children buckled into the car and they’re heading out, she realizes how this has already been an exhausting ordeal! They show up for their appointment and she feels like she has to repeat all the morning’s work again, fixing the children’s hair, straightening clothing, getting them to stay still until the photographer comes in. Oh, and the baby did manage to stain his clothing pretty bad; he will need a new outfit. To make matters worse, his face is red and blotchy from crying all morning.
See the picture? This beautiful, happy family, with their nerves wearing thin, is about to have professional photographs taken. What they thought would be such a great idea has turned into a nightmare. It sure would have been nice to just get everyone ready, once, and then have the photographer show up at their home to take the photos. No one would be stressed out, trying to get ready and get to the studio; therefore, the baby would have a much happier morning as well. Everyone would be more relaxed and the children won’t have had the chance to get dirty on the way to the car.
Too bad this family didn’t consider on location photography. The photographer brings everything that is needed to create studio quality professional photos. A family can have their own home as the background, or the photographer can bring special material to create different background.
On location photography is the best for recording weddings and special events like graduations, family reunions, parties and more. You just can’t beat the convenience of on-site photography, where the photographer comes to you, fully equipped with a traveling photo studio. It is so much easier for families with young children to have family photos taken right in their home; this way, they can easily include their pets too.
About the Author:
This article was written by Stanley Shelton, of J&S Portrait America, who has been in business nearly 20 years. J&S Portrait America offers
on location photography with their travelling photo studio, which they can setup in your home or business to produce studioquality photographs. J&S on site photography for family photos, including pets!
Tags: family memories, family photos, family records, friends, home, home and family, lifestyle, on location photography, on site photography, Photography, services Posted in Photography
Posted December 8th, 2008
by Daniel Edwards
by James Charcha
Yes, digital photography for beginners is possible. However there are some differences between taking a photograph with a digital camera and with a conventional camera.
Naturally once you have a firm grasp of these differences you can really start to take advantage of them. It really doesn’t matter who you are, with a little dedication you can learn this stuff.
Never be limited again
Probably one of the most powerful advantages of the digital format is the fact that you are practically no longer limited with the number of photos you can take. No more paying for prints that didn’t come out right or you just plain and simple didn’t really want!
It is a good idea though to make sure you keep your photo collection tidy by removing or editing those photos that just don’t quite cut it or are too much the same. This really is essential since otherwise you will probably never find your good photos.
Ways to best go about storing your digital photos
One great way to save on space is to save your images in a lower resolution format. Lower resolution images can take up considerably less space, although you will lose some quality so you may want to experiment a little bit.
You will only need a high resolution for your photographs if you need a crisp image for a large printed photograph. If you are only going to use the pictures online or with a computer, you can use a lower resolution setting.
You can also increase the compression the camera uses for your images. Your images will take up less room in the storage space when you compress the pictures.
You should increase your storage space because eventually, you will run out. This will instantly bring your level of fun down if you were planning to take pictures and you cannot because you just ran out of memory.
How to avoid running out of battery
Healthy batteries for your camera is simply essential. Just like with running out of space running out of battery power can be a real nightmare.
The first and most obvious thing to do is to only use the camera’s built-in LCD when you 100% need it. In many cases it is also possible to turn off things like auto focus as well, but this may result in being more of a hassle, still you’d have to try it.
Use rechargeable batteries and keep a couple charged batteries on hand, in case you notice your batteries going low before you can recharge them.
All amateurs, no matter what their level of experience, can enjoy digital photography for beginners. You can be proud of your images, right from when you first get your digital camera.
You may feel that you are very much a beginner in photography right now, but in the near future if you’re dedicated and determined you will find that with practice and trial and error you will be taking shots like the pros.
Tags: art, Cameras, Digital Photography, education, entertainment, family, hobbies, hobby, leaning, lessons, lifestyle, outdoors, Photography, photos, recreation, technology Posted in Photography
