Search Results for: blog experimenting with your new camera

Know Your Camera

I got a new camera for Christmas, but I’ve yet to experiment with all of its features. According to the owner’s manual, I won’t be able to snap the “best” images possible if I don’t utilize the camera’s advanced options. Whereas I agree that it’s easy to hit the “auto” function instead of experimenting with different modes, I don’t believe a camera alone makes or breaks a photo. For starters, a stunning image includes a balance of colors, shapes, and lighting. If you don’t feature contrasting colors in a shot, you won’t get that “pop” which draws attention to an … Continue reading →

Camera Investments

When it comes to camera accessories, owners of point-and-shoot cameras often feel left out. While it’s true that most of the latest and greatest camera add-ons are designed for expensive SLR cameras, there are still a number of cool accessories that will enhance the picture taking experience for point-and-shoot camera owners, such as camera bags, tripods, and media cards. Unless you are like my mother, who simply wants to press a single button and score frame worthy shots of her grandkids, then you probably enjoy experimenting with camera accessories that will enhance your digital photography. Camera accessories are not cheap, … Continue reading →

Tips for Improving Your Shots

If you are spending more time deleting your photos on your digital camera than you are printing them out perhaps it’s time for a photography refresher course. Look over your most recent shots and figure out what is keeping you… from keeping them. Is it bad composition? Poor lighting? Or is your photo subject possessed with the dreaded red-eye? In most cases a bad shot can turn into a keeper by following a few simple pointers: COMPOSITION Remember the “Rule of Thirds.” It’s one of the most important lessons in photography, which requires you to imagine a tic-tac-toe grid over … Continue reading →

An Expensive Camera That’s Worth Every Penny

That’s how my sister-in-law describes her Canon EOS 40D. The mid-range digital SLR camera is pricey, but once you’ve shot with it you might have a hard time going back to your standard pocket camera. Let’s get the price out of the way first. The body of the camera sells for $1,250, but you can save money by purchasing the EOS 40D kit, which includes the body and the 28-135 lens for $1,500. The EOS 40D is similar to most mid-range and high-end digital SLRs, in that it comes with several interchangeable parts, including lens sizes and other small add-ons. … Continue reading →

Camera Care Tips

My 3-year-old daughter is a self-described “big girl” now and consequently she doesn’t like me to push her on the swings at the park. Instead, she feels it is her job to push me. Frankly, I enjoy the ride, and the other day it gave me the opportunity to witness an unfortunate scene. To placate her screaming toddler one of the moms at the park handed her son what looked to be a very expensive camera. Within seconds of getting his hands on the device he tossed it into a nearby sandbox. (Surprise, surprise.) I winced and wondered what might … Continue reading →

Cutting Edge Cameras and Accessories

Don’t blink or you’ll miss all the advances taking place in the world of photography. Tis the season for camera manufacturers to unveil new products they hope will be ready in time for the holiday shopping season. The following examples are so cutting edge they may not complete final production in time to sit under your tree this year–but there’s always next year. CASIO The company recently announced it has developed a digital camera that can shoot at a rate of 60 photos per second at full resolution. Amazing, right? According to the company, the new camera has a large … Continue reading →

Protecting Your Camera From Mother Nature

Don’t leave home without your camera. How many times have you heard that reminder prior to leaving on vacation? Personally, my camera is one of the first items I pack. I don’t dare leave home without it. In fact, there have been occasions when I’ve had my camera case primed and ready and completely overlooked packing the proper toiletries. That said you shouldn’t be surprised that I have done a ton of research regarding camera cases and other accessories. Since my family travels to Hawaii a couple of times a year (and we practically live at the beach while we … Continue reading →

Snapping Keepers Of Your Kids

Taking pictures of your kids is one thing… finding ones that are worth keeping is an entirely different story… at least in my home. I’ve taken thousands of pictures of my daughter. I’m not kidding—thousands. Of those, I’d estimate only about half are worth showing off. To say photographing children can be a challenge is an understatement. Because I shoot with a traditional film camera I don’t even bother getting it out if my child is not well fed and rested. It simply isn’t worth it. Young children are unpredictable. When they aren’t flashing bunny ears behind their siblings’ heads … Continue reading →

Experimenting With Your New Camera

Holidays are one of the most popular times to take photographs. Which is why last year I asked for a new camera in August (the month of my birthday). Doing so allowed me to experiment with my new device for at least three months before I used it to capture magical holiday moments. If you don’t feel your camera is providing you with the quality photos you desire now is the time of year to purchase a new one. Not only will you be able to take advantage of some amazing end of the season sales, but you will also … Continue reading →

Solo Snapping

With the popularity of smartphones and compact digital cameras, there are a lot more self portraits being snapped these days. One look on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media platform and you will see daily (if not hourly) doses of photos snapped of camera owners, thanks to an outstretched arm and a lightweight digital picture-taking device. Of course, not all of the self portraits posted on social media sites are frame worthy. I’ve seen some pretty bad shots of people trying to take photos of themselves, be it at a big event like a concert or lounging at a … Continue reading →