Search Results for: blog knowing when to upgrade your camera

Alluring Camera Features

Point-and-shoot cameras have come a long way since the days of the Kodak Instamatic. These days you can program high-tech digital cameras to take photos for you while you simultaneously juggle bowling balls and sip tropical libations on the beach. There is virtually no end to the amount of fab features included on some cutting-edge cameras. One of the latest and greatest trends in camera features is the high-resolution touch screen. Located on the back of the camera, the flat screen allows you to simply tap an icon with your fingertip to change settings. This means no more fiddling with … Continue reading →

The Lure of Used Cameras

My dream camera costs $3,000. I don’t have $3,000. Perhaps that’s why I don’t own my dream camera. Santa still hasn’t delivered my Dyson, so I’m thinking he probably isn’t going to be filling my stocking with a Nikon D800 any time soon. As much as reality bites, I know I am not alone. While there are dozens of high-quality, luxury DSLR cameras on the market, most people don’t have the funds to purchase them new. For shutterbugs looking to get their hands on cutting-edge picture-taking tools without breaking the bank, there is the used camera option. High-tech cameras can … Continue reading →

Filters Are Your Friends

A friend made fun of me for posting my previous piece about giving the gift of floral photos for Valentine’s Day. I stand by that blog. I’ll have you know that when I was a sophomore in college my then-boyfriend presented me with a framed black-white-photo of a Hawaiian sunset… on Valentine’s Day. Sure, I got dinner and some flowers too, but the photo is the only thing from that relationship that I still have today. It’s a gorgeous shot; much too pretty to part with despite the fact that we parted ways more than a decade ago. Whether or … Continue reading →

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 Lust

A friend of mine just purchased a Nikon D7000—-my dream camera. I lust after the DSLR in much the same way I do a Dyson, and I know I am not alone. The Nikon D7000 is considered the best non-professional DSLR on the market. However, at $1,500 it’s not exactly within my economic reach. To temper my longing for the incredible piece of photographic hardware I have been asking myself if I really need all the bells and whistles that it offers. I do… okay, maybe I don’t. Actually, I do. Actually, I want them more than I need them, … Continue reading →

Preserving Your Children’s Artwork

I get some of my best ideas from Oprah Winfrey. In this case, I got the shard of brilliance from a guest on Oprah’s show who was hawking photo books. Still, the idea is phenomenal, so I happily ran with it. Taking pictures of your child’s masterpieces and placing them in a photo book is not a new idea, nor does it require the brain of a surgeon. However, you do need to practice some basic photography techniques in order to snap a shot that is book worthy. The best way to photograph pictures drawn on construction paper or other … Continue reading →

Spring Break Through Your Camera’s Lens

After the 19.8 inches of new snow that fell on our city yesterday I’m not surprised that there is a mass exodus going on right now. Who wants to spend spring break digging out from nearly two feet of wet, heavy, sloppy snow? Many of our friends are heading to sunny destinations this weekend. Two families are driving to Florida where they plan to scuba dive and swim with dolphins. I begged them to take photos of their underwater adventures. They laughed and said they’d pay for the resort’s staff to snap their pics. Not for nothing, but it doesn’t … Continue reading →

Camera Phone Photos

My brother doesn’t own a traditional camera; rather he uses his cellphone to make the most of photo ops, and then he instantly shares the images with me and the rest of our family via email. He also tweets a bunch a photos, which I typically miss since I am anti-social media (little inside joke). With much of the world attached to their picture-taking PDAs it’s no wonder that photo apps are such a hot topic. Wander into photography forums these days and everyone and their brother (literally) is swapping stories about the latest and greatest apps that allow you … Continue reading →

The Importance of Camera Position

When was the last time you shot the same image vertically and horizontally? Most hobby photographers shoot in the moment. They point, shoot and let the image develop as it may not thinking about how a photo could look if the camera was held a different way. Most beginner photographers don’t realize that the way the camera is positioned can make a huge impact on the tone of the shot. The way you hold the camera, vertically (up and down) or horizontally (left to right) helps determine the way your subject is framed. Camera position also helps you get as … Continue reading →

What Is Your Dream Camera?

Right now I shoot with a Nikon D3000 and a 50mm prime. I actually love my current setup; it is a great system and I get pretty good results with it. It does have its limitations, however. For one, my camera does not have HD video, and that is something I would like for taking video of my family. The ISO (light sensitivity) is also limited, which means my pictures get noisy in low light conditions, even with the fast prime lens. (I do not use flash unless absolutely necessary.) My camera body is also geared towards those who are … Continue reading →