Search Results for: blog zoom lenses

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 →

New Photography Blogger

The photography blog has sat quietly waiting for a blogger to come and take the reins. Taking on the challenge of the photography blog was a no brainer for me, with my passion for photography and scrapbooking. I will be working with Michele Cheplic, who most of you know from the Travel and Pop Culture blogs. I’m sure many of you have seen me around the scrapbooking and frugal living blogs for well over a year now, and in addition I enjoy hanging around the various forums, especially scrapbooking, blended families and large families. I have now added the photography … Continue reading →

Zoom Lenses

One of the reasons I love my digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera is the lens options I have available to me. My camera came with a standard 18-55mm lens. I also purchased a high power 70-300mm zoom lens for added versatility. The standard 18-55mm lens is a great all around lens. I use it for most of my indoor and around the house candid shots. The short zoom range is very compatible with my flash during indoor use. I can easily use the 3x zoom across the room to get great family shots while not getting in my subjects … Continue reading →

Scrapping Your Camera

Scrapbookers are gearing up for the busiest time of the year. October, November and December are prime months for documenting holiday-related events. Memory book makers’ cameras will be getting a major workout as 2012 comes to an end. Consequently, you’ll want to make sure your camera is in tip-top shape in order to capture all of those special holiday moments. Now is also an ideal time to upgrade your digital camera if you are looking to improve your scrapbook pictures. When shopping for a new camera it’s important to conduct some research prior to purchasing. Fortunately, the Internet is teeming … Continue reading →

Spring Break Snapshots

Tis the season for family getaways. Many schools around the nation are gearing up for spring break, and families are following suit. Now is a great time to drive or jet-off to your favorite recharging spot. For most people that means escaping to the sun, sand and surf, though any place that allows you to become one with nature is a prime choice as temperatures becomes more tolerable. If your spring break plans include visiting our nation’s natural treasures, don’t forget your camera… and your lenses. This is especially critical if you are planning a trip to major landmarks, such … Continue reading →

Shooting Nature’s Fireworks Show

It’s not Fourth of July yet, but that hasn’t stopped Mother Nature from firing off some natural fireworks. This summer I have been testing my skills at meteor photography. It’s not exactly its own genre of photography, but it is very popular in the rural area where I live. Given our lack of city lights and other infrastructure, taking pictures of stars and meteors is not uncommon. What’s more, capturing the beauty of these astronomical wonders is a thrill once you know what you are doing. One of the first, and most important, steps in shooting meteor showers is to … Continue reading →

Fix It or Ditch It

It happens to all of us at one point or another. Your digital camera’s shine begins to fade; whether it’s the zoom that doesn’t extend all the way or the white balance feature that works only when you tap the upper left hand corner of the camera with a sharp object. When your camera suffers damage or experiences other mechanical problems, you eventually must decide if it is better to repair it or trash it. Depending on your budget, this may be a difficult decision to make. If you own a high-end DSLR camera, then you are almost always better … Continue reading →

Summer Photo Buys

The holidays and summer are two of the most lucrative times for camera manufacturers. It makes sense, as both boast amazing photo ops for amateur and pro shutterbugs alike. So, should you purchase a new camera in anticipation of a major summer road trip? If you have the means and you are in need of an upgrade, then the timing could be right. However, before you drop a ton of money on a new camera specifically to use on your upcoming summer vacation, consider some simple tips: Know before you go: Whether you plan to purchase a new camera to … 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 →

Dealing with Tricky Photo Subjects

If you thought photographing young children was challenging, then try taking a picture of a snake or other slimy creature. If you are looking to make it big in the world of wildlife photography, then taking aim at unpredictable reptiles is something you will need to master very quickly. The subject of shooting snakes came up during a recent trip to my local Sears Portrait Studio. The guy trying to get my 6-year-old to smile for the camera shared a story of his latest freelance gig: taking pictures of a serpent and his owner. The snake was the photo subject’s … Continue reading →