Search Results for: blog digital photography 101 picking the perfect camera

Pictures and Color Temperature

When avid photographers hear the term “color temperature” most think of White Balance. When I was working in TV, white balance was a critical factor in daily shooting and is the reason you see some interview subjects holding up a white piece of paper in front of TV cameras prior to the start of a press conference or other major media event. White Balance essentially measures the color temperature of a photo and on most digital cameras there is some function that allows you to control the White Balance in your shot. While most people simply employ the Auto White … Continue reading →

Shooting Fourth of July Fireworks—Lenses and Settings

Now that you know where to shoot and what to bring along, let’s discuss some other factors that you should keep in mind while documenting your local Fourth of July fireworks display. LENSES Simply put, wider is better. Without a doubt a wide-angle lens works better for fireworks photography. If you can get your hands on a 20mm to 35mm lens, for example, you will increase your field of view and have better luck capturing the full effect of the entire explosion. Conversely, a lens that’s too long (80mm to 200mm) will almost certainly limit how much you capture in … Continue reading →

Cool Photo Items for the Summer

Are you struggling to snap a good picture of your little pitcher? Or does uploading your prized images to photo-sharing sites give you a headache? These are just some of the top complaints lodged by amateur photographers, according to the folks at Consumer Reports. Which is why the publication decided to spotlight new products that claim to make taking frameworthy shots easier for snap happy parents and other avid photographers. Here’s a look at some of new additions to the market that received high marks by testers and camera experts: NEED MORE ZOOM If you are consistently forced to sit … Continue reading →

New Trends in Digital Photography

Are you looking to purchase a new digital camera in time for your Fourth of July BBQ? Or perhaps you want a new camera to shoot some frameworthy shots at your family reunion this summer. Whatever your reason now is a great time to snap up the latest and greatest digital cameras and accessories for a decent price. Most stores are trying to get their current stock off the shelves so they can make room for new models to be unveiled in time for the holiday season. The following digital cameras have been given the thumbs up by Consumer Reports: … Continue reading →

What Else the Digital Era has Eliminated

In a previous blog I detailed the single event that made me switch from my trusty and beloved traditional film camera to my new shiny and mighty digital one. (For the record I am still holding tightly to my film camera, though I rarely shoot with it anymore.) Up until a couple of years ago I was the type of person who reluctantly embraced change. These days though I have learned that positive things can happen when you venture out of your perceived comfort zone and take advantage of new and exciting opportunities. I’m willing to bet that many photographers … Continue reading →

Hot Summer Cameras

I have a summer birthday so this is the time of year that I typically research new cameras so I can put them on a short list of gifts that I would love to see next to my birthday cake. Though, this year is a bit different since I just received a wonderful new digital camera for Mother’s Day. Still, I love reading about the latest and greatest cameras and other photo gear on the market. Recently, Consumer Reports released its picks for the best brands of digital cameras on the market. If you are considering upgrading your current digital … Continue reading →

Film Cameras Fading Away

In a previous blog I mentioned that my traditional film camera decided to go on vacation while I was on vacation. My trusty Canon EOS Rebel K2 went on strike during part of my trip to Hawaii a few months ago. Needless to say, I spent the better part of an entire day trying to track down a camera repair shop that could help me salvage my cherished sharpshooter. It was a frustrating endeavor to say the least for one simple reason: film cameras are becoming obsolete. I can’t tell you how many camera storeowners were shocked to hear that … Continue reading →

A New Camera for Dad for Father’s Day

So you don’t want to give dad any of the Father’s Day photo gifts I listed in this blog. And you don’t think my Mother’s Day camera will go over well with him either, well, I have one more item he might be delighted to unwrap on Father’s Day. Canon’s PowerShot 650 IS is perfect for the snap happy dad who wants a camera that packs a punch, but doesn’t have the time or energy to read an owner’s manual the size of a pocket dictionary to get it to work. (Not that most dads read owners manuals to begin … Continue reading →

My Mother’s Day Photo Surprise—The Gift that Keeps on Giving

I know, Father’s Day is just around the corner so why I am writing about my Mother’s Day gift? For starters, it’s an incredible gift and one that could easily be given to dad on his big day as well. The other reason… I wanted to experiment with my gift for a couple of weeks before writing this blog so I would be better able to assess its pros and cons. So what was my big Mother’s Day surprise (besides the gorgeous pink rose my young daughter picked out all by herself to give to me)? Canon’s PowerShot A720 IS … Continue reading →

Do You Use All of Your Camera’s Features?

I would venture to guess that most hobby photographers have no clue how to use half the features offered by their digital cameras. Most snap happy parents simply want to point, shoot and capture frameworthy (or at the very least, printable) shots of their loved ones. If that’s the case (and you rarely stray from using your camera’s AUTO mode) then you might not be interested in purchasing the Canon PowerShot G9. I am partial to Canon cameras and this Mother’s Day I was gifted with a Canon Powershot camera (not the G9, but another one that I plan to … Continue reading →