Protecting Your Camera at the Beach

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Michele Cheplic

Growing up in Hawaii, it was no big deal to see people storing their cameras in coolers at the beach. In fact, I did it for years. I’d simply deposit my camera into its case, place it in a Ziploc bag and tuck it into a cooler somewhere near the soft burger buns and away from hard soda cans. Frankly, I thought it was one of the most ingenious ideas around. After all, it’s never a good idea to expose a camera to excessive heat and humidity for long periods of time. Likewise, a cooler can also protect your camera … Continue reading →

Spring Break Snaps at the Beach

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Michele Cheplic

Spring break is in full swing right now. Beaches from coast-to-coast are crammed with college coeds and families with young kids on vacation. These precious moments that showcase fun in the sun should be documented and shared with others. However, instead of focusing exclusively on activities that take place above the water, why not dive down below the waves to snap keepers of all your clan’s underwater adventures? The prospect of taking decent underwater photos is daunting for many people; however, with the right equipment and a little practice, you can snap frame worthy shots without sinking like a rock. … Continue reading →

Accidents Waiting to Happen

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Michele Cheplic

While my cellphone is capable of snapping pictures, I don’t dare use it to capture monumental moments. For example, there’s no way I would document my daughter’s birthday or kindergarten graduation with a mobile phone. Granted, the iPhone and other wireless devices come equipped with sophisticated built-in cameras, but the truth of the matter is I struggle to keep my grip on my modest-sized digital camera. I can’t imagine how often I would fumble trying to keep my hands on a palm-sized picture-taking device that isn’t set-up like a traditional camera. I’m not a career butterfingers, but I’ve had my … Continue reading →

The Ultimate Vacation Snaps

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Michele Cheplic

Where will you be spending your spring break? Whether you plan to drive to the beach, jet-off to a ski resort or opt for a more affordable staycation, you’ll want to capture all of the action with your digital camera. Family trips provide amazing photo ops and even better images that can be placed in digital frames, shown off on Facebook or inserted into a traditional album or fancy scrapbook. Of course, you’re not going to be able to brag about your trip unless you produce stellar shots. In order to capture memorable pictures of your family’s spring break adventures … Continue reading →

Lights, Camera, Action!

Posted on August 27, 2011 by Michele Cheplic

Don’t let summer draw to a close without snapping some action shots with your digital camera. Take a break from posed portraits and start snapping action-packed images of your kids swimming in the pool or your partner running down the beach. However, before you wear out your finger pressing your camera’s shutter button, be sure to keep the following tips in mind: Aperture: Manipulating my camera’s aperture in order to stop action has been one of my biggest downfalls this summer. Using a low aperture will allow the most light into the camera. This is extremely important if you are … Continue reading →

Snapping the Fish

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Michele Cheplic

Now that my daughter is more fish than kid, I’m thinking of investing in a camera that will allow me to snap shots underwater. Since neither of my parents swim there is little chance that they will ever get to see their one and only granddaughter navigate below the surface of the water. By purchasing a waterproof camera I can document life under the sea, so they can see the fun my daughter has flipping and twirling in the deep. Waterproof cameras come in a variety of shapes, sizes and price points. If you are planning to take just a … Continue reading →

Embracing Black and White

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Michele Cheplic

I’m a huge fan of black and white photos; however, I struggle to get my monochromatic images to look as sophisticated as ones taken by professionals. Still, I am not abandoning the dream. Recently, I converted a dozen or so beach photos to black and white in hopes of highlighting the different textures within the shots. Some photos turned out better than others, which proves that black and white photography is not always as easy as it appears. I think a lot of amateur photographers figure they can’t go wrong converting random color images to black and white. While pointing … Continue reading →

Take a Vacation from Boring Shots

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Michele Cheplic

A girl in my daughter’s first grade class is flying to Hawaii for Easter recess. WAH!!! The rest of the class is going to Florida. Spring fever has hit, and it seems everyone is hitting the road on a family vacation. If you are one of the lucky ones, take advantage of the photo opportunities you encounter on your trip by following these tips: Timing: Timing is key if you are planning to take outdoor photos of your kids at the beach or an amusement park. Use natural light to your advantage. Shoot during the golden hours (which take place … Continue reading →