3 Reasons Why Buying a Used Digital Camera Is Better Than a New One

Digital cameras aren't new anymore. There was a time when this was a fresh technology and everyone traded their used cameras in just like they do their used cars. But this may no longer make sense anymore.

In 2001 I saw my first professional digital camera. It was a Canon 1D and I was in Edinburgh, Scotland. I thought it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Being an avid photographer but not pro yet, there was no need for me to have such an advanced machine, but I longed for one. And four years after it came out I bought one for a fraction of the price when new.

After using it for a while I realized that although it was an exceptional camera, it lacked quite a few features that I figured might be coming in future releases. So when the Canon 1D Mark II N came out I sold the 1D for a small loss and traded up.

Looking back on it now the 1D Mark II N was an phenomenal camera. It was quick, took great images and if the camera manufacturers turned around the next day and said we're never making another upgrade to a camera again, I would probably have been ok with that. But they didn't. They just kept coming out with new and updated cameras. About one every two years.

Digital cameras are in essence disposable cameras. We buy them for huge amounts of money, take however many photos we need and sell them. Usually for a substantial loss. I have literally lost thousands dollars on buying and selling my used camera equipment.

But it's my belief that we have reached a time in this still infant technology that we no longer need to trade up every two years. That to do so is just a waste of money.

In 2005 the top of the line camera (not including medium format backs, which cost about the same as a new Audi A4) was the Canon 1DS Mark II. It had 16.7 megapixels, more than most lenses could handle in 2005, a 2 inch screen and was hailed by most professionals and camera junkies as the single greatest thing to happen to cameras since the Kodak Brownie.

Seven years later and nobody talks about the Canon 1DS Mark II anymore, but they want the 21.1 megapixel, 3 inch screen of the Canon 1DS Mark III or the uber-cool, ultra luxurious Canon 1DX. I'm not trying to exclude Nikon, Sony, Leica or any other camera manufacturer, but being a Canon guy this is what I know best. It makes no difference as each manufacturer makes about the same product, but changes the body and slaps their own sticker on it. The point is the same throughout.

Just think about it, if you looked through the portfolio of some of the best photographers in the world in 2005 they would be shooting with what is now, a throwaway camera. But these cameras are perfectly capable of producing images that most of us will never even make in our entire lives. We don't need anything else.

Which is why I believe it's better to buy a used professional grade digital camera than any new consumer grade model. Here's why:

• Price - buying a used digital camera on an auction or classified site can save you thousands. Take the Canon 1DS Mark II for example. Currently they are selling on eBay for about $1,000-$1,800, depending on the shutter actuations (how many times the shutter has clicked) a fraction of the $8,000 it was new just seven years ago.

• Performance - how many of us really need 20+ megapixels? Why, when most of us only view our images on the computer, or TV screen and 72dpi is good enough? If you are one of those few that makes giant prints, there's no reason why you can't make giant prints from a 16.7 megapixel file. Remember, they were doing it in 2005 when the Canon 1DS Mark II was brand new. Many of the worlds best photographers used that camera. Annie Leibovitz for one. And I haven't ever heard her complaining that it just didn't make large enough prints.

• Reliability - you get a lot more camera for your money when you buy a professional DSLR. This is true whether it's new or used. The weather sealing is often much better, the shutter lasts longer and the body is a lot stronger and more solid. Why not buy one that is five to seven years old and save yourself a boat load of money?

What you must remember is that when we shot film we didn't have 3 inch LCD screens. We didn't have anything, really. If you shot film at any point just remember what you would have given to have a 1 inch preview of your image. All you wanted to check was if you got the exposure correct or not.

There's definitely something to be said for the new technology. I own and shoot professionally with a Canon 5D Mark II. One of the best cameras ever made. And when it came time to buy a second body as a back up I looked really hard at what it was I really needed in a camera. And weighing up all my options I saved myself a ton of money and went with a used Canon 1DS Mark II. And besides missing a larger, sharper LCD screen and the built-in sensor cleaner, the only way in which the 5D Mark II beats the 1DS Mark II is when high ISOs are needed. This doesn't really concern me as I shoot with fast glass and have a steady hand.

So why not give the older top of the range DSLRs a chance? You just might find that you saved yourself a lot of money and are taking better photos. If not, you can always sell it and you won't take nearly the loss the first owner took on it. Which is kind of a nice feeling too.

For more information, please visit my website: Passport Foodie and Taylor Young Photography

Original article

Black and White Photos With Your Digital Camera

Most digital cameras allow you to take your photos in black and white if you wish. Some digital cameras have such a feature built in that will allow you to convert photos to black and white within the camera. Also, most cameras now come with some sort of editing software. If you take the photo in color you can adjust it to black and white with that software. Doing it this way, you have the option to use the photo either way.

There is a huge difference in the quality of black and white that you can create depending on the quality of the software that you use. If you are serious about your photography but don't want to spring for Adobe Photo Shop then Adobe's Lightroom is an excellent choice. I find it very intuitive. Much less costly particularly if you are a student.

If you have come into photography in the digital age then you may never have worked with or used black and white images. A couple of clicks can transform a photo from a simple recording of a place or an event into a work of art. (If you have a friend that has an old film enlarger or the availability of one at a school or some such, try your hand. It is a lot more work but real magic.)

If you have been just taking color pictures it is time to take things up a notch:

Pick ten photos that you have taken in the last 2-3 months. Open your software editing program. You will likely have gotten one with your camera purchase. If you don't have it available or don't like it then there are several free programs online. One such is PhotoScape. Quite simple to use and has a few interesting filters. There are only three different 'black and white' settings that are available but it gets one started.

With whatever software that you are using take your first photo and convert it to black and white. Save it as a separate file. Now you can make it a little more interesting by using the Brightness/Contrast settings. Make a couple of adjustments and then save that one to a different file name again. Open both photos and the color one and compare.

Don't be afraid to experiment. As long as you save the photo to a different file name than the original then you will be OK. Try some with people/portraits so that you can see what happens with skin tones and then some with landscapes or even a beach or sunset shot. You will be amazed - hopefully, in a good way. This exercise will also help you to pay attention to certain things next time you are shooting that particular type of subject. For example, if you want more detail in a portrait shot, you will likely try to change the light or settings next time.

While you are experimenting play with the brightness and contrast buttons. Try some extremes to see the what effects that you can create. There are many sophisticated photo editing programs but something like PhotoScape will give you some experience to see what you like and don't like. From there you can research to see the best software for your purposes.

If you are going to take photos that you are intending to convert to black and white note that colors will come out various shades of grey. Ideally one wants the full range from white to black in most finished photos. If you are shooting in very bright sunlight, when you convert you may end up with just white and black. If that is your intention it can be accentuated by using the Brightness/Contrast buttons again.

The most useful thing to do as with anything is to try it out as you are learning. Keep that balance. Don't try to study it all first but take one thing at a time and try it.

M Glyn authors the website http://www.photo-photo.com/ A photo website with tips and tricks on photography.

Original article

Practical Digital Stock Photography Tips

Here are some useful digital stock photography tips to enable you to begin or improve your photography.

· Concepts - It is important to take some time to think about your concept. Study images by other photographers in magazines, websites, adverts, newspapers etc to get an idea of what your competition is doing. While doing your research, be sure to jot down your findings. Look for inspiration in other's work, without copying it.

· Lighting - Before you begin to shoot, ensure that your lighting is just right. Even if you will be shooting in natural light, you may want to wait to achieve the right lighting conditions. Try various setups to find what works best for you and keep in mind that even lighting is more useful for those who will buy your stock photography.

· Colors and Look - In digital stock photography, aesthetics are of great importance, and as such colorful and attractive images always sell better. Stock imaging isn't just about showing how things are, but how they would ideally look like. As such, you should aim at images that portray the world in an improved version of reality.

· Composition - In terms of composition photography tips, you will find that photos are generally more interesting when shot from unusual view points.

· Camera Settings - Take your shots using the manual modes on your DSLR. To avoid noise, check your settings and use low ISO. Before you press the shutter button, ensure that the ISO, white balance, speed settings and aperture settings are correct. Before taking an image, determine the proper settings for instance for when freezing an action, showing motion or even isolating the subject from its background.

· Post Processing in RAW - In order to improve your images and make them pop, you may have to make a couple of adjustments. For instance, when you set your camera to Raw format, you are more likely to have a better outcome than having to improve a JPEG image that is already compressed. While in the Raw format, you get to enjoy more control because you can improve tint, contrast, alter the white balance, increase or decrease shadows, increase or reduce saturation and so much more.

· Consistency - Be consistent in order to improve your digital stock photography skills. And always keep in mind that as with any other craft, practice does make perfect in this field of photography. You should therefore set yourself some goals and shoot a couple of images each day.

For more information on photography, please visit: http://www.photography-tips-and-resources.com/.

Joan One is a freelance journalist and creative writer who immensely enjoys writing and researching into any topic under the Sun. She specializes in writing "green" eco-friendly topics aimed at enabling environmentally conscious readers to find simple ways to reduce their carbon footprint and help save our planet.

Original article

Buying Nikon Coolpix S8200 Digital Camera Is A Good Decision

Nikon Coolpix s8200 digital camera has extended lens with flash. This is a super zoom camera from the house of Nikon. This camera was launched in August 2011 and has become a favourite among photographers. If you have decided to buy Nikon S8200 digital camera then you have made a smart choice. This camera offers almost all the features that one would require to take good photographs. This camera has been selling like hot cakes and photography lovers have been making a beeline for it since its launch. If you are searching for Nikon coolpix s8200 best buy then you should search the internet for best deals and bargains. This camera has lots to offer to its customers and you should make the most of it. Check out the details of the camera before you buy Nikon coolpix s8200. Here is a look at it features in detail:

The best Nikon coolpix S8200 Digital Camera

This camera has CMOS censor with back illumination. This feature helps in reducing the noise and improving the sensitivity which gives wonderful performance in almost any type of light. This camera has an optical zoom lens of 14x. This has an Extra-Low Dispersion or ED along with a spherical lens as well as High Refractive Index or HRI which offers a 35mm. This is equal to 25 to 350mm. The camera produces blur free images. For this, the camera is packed with Lens-shift VR, Best Shot Selector and High ISO. The high level of ISO reaches up to 10 shots in a sequence. If you are facing the problem of low light while taking pictures, there is no need to worry. You get low light modes with this camera which helps you in taking pictures in low light too. That means that there is no hassle of tripod stand too. With this you get 18 scene modes and Scene Auto Selector. You also get the advantage of Easy Panorama 360 degrees to 180 degrees, Filters, special effects and smart portrait system. You have additional features like red eye fixing, smile timer and skin softening features.

You get movie recording in full HD of 1080p along with stereo sound. The features like autofocus and optical zoom. You also have the option of capturing a picture while the movie is filming. Nikon coolpix s8200 gives the users an advantage of recoding at a speed of 15 to 120 fps. It also has support for HDTV.

I will help you buy a camera with more benefits and good luck with the choice of Nikon. Choose the right and see the possibilities in detail before you purchase Nikon Coolpix s8200.

Original article

Choosing a Digital Camera for Your Child

Which Camera Should You Get for your Child?

This article is divided into age groupings to help you decide what kind of camera would be best for your child. The age guidelines are simply a starting point, as kids progress at their own pace, and some will be more interested in "serious photography" than others.

Toddler through Early Elementary: What Kids Like About Cameras/Photography

Turning the camera on and off on their ownThe cause and effect of pushing a button and having something happenSeeing someone or something through an LCD displaySeeing themselves on the display or in a pictureDoing things like Mom and Dad

The Type of Photos You Can Expect to See:

Pictures of the floor, the ceiling or partial shots of people and objectsMultiple pictures of the same person or object

What to Look For in a Camera:

Since the first stage usually applies to younger kids, you'll want a sturdy camera designed for small handsCompletely automated features, including flash and focusA picture resolution/storage space combination that can hold a lot of photosControls that are easy to use and understand

Early Elementary through Middle School: What Kids Like About Cameras/Photography

Capturing favorite things, people and placesCapturing memories, such as vacations, field trips, birthday partiesBeing trusted with a digital camera of their ownPrinting pictures or using them for cards, journals and scrapbooks

The Type of Photos You Can Expect to See:

Posed and candid shots of friends, pets and family members MANY pictures from each life event, including field trips, vacations and partiesShots of themselves posing with friends or doing silly things

What to Look For in a Camera:

Easy to use and understandSturdy and inexpensive, in case it is dropped, lost or stolenMostly automated features, but some control over things like the flash and zoomGood resolution (clear photos), but not so high that the pictures eat up storage spaceJust for fun: special effects, such as captions, clip art, etc.Customizable camera cases and straps for the fashion-conscious

Middle School and Older: What Kids Like About Cameras/Photography

Capturing friends and favorite places or belongingsExploring sense of self with self-portraits and photos with friendsSelf-expression and a creative outletEditing photos and possibly creating scrapbooks, collages and journalsPrinting photos, using them on web pages or otherwise sharing them

The Type of Photos You Can Expect to See:

A lot of group shots, particularly of friendsMore artistic pictures of nature, architecture and peopleSelf portraits, either alone or with friends, that display different aspects of their personality.Expect to see more expressions of sexuality in the photographs as that is an important part of exploration for this age group.

What to Look For in a Camera:

A reasonably priced, adult-sized cameraControl over flash and zoom and possibly other more advanced featuresSome kids may still enjoy customizable faceplates or "fashion" camerasMostly automated features, unless they are showing a more serious interest in photographyExpandable memory options

The great thing about digital cameras is that you can easily download the pictures to your computer for viewing ( or deleting) without paying for prints. They can also be downloaded to a disk for storage, or printed at home.

Show your child the basics of how to operate the camera. Kids may even need to know what button to push, and where to place their hands, so that they are not blocking the viewfinder. Teach them the importance of light, such as making sure there's enough light to see what they're photographing. Teach them to have the light in front of the subject. Tell them not to point her camera into the sun. You may need to teach your child to focus the camera.

Show your child books of photography by famous photographers, including those that feature photos of children. Good examples are "In Our Time: The World as Seen by Magnum Photographers", any of Anne Geddes books or photos of babies, or any by Ansel Adams. If you have pets, any of William Wegman's dog books would be good to show them, as well. Point out the use of light in the books, how the photographer centered the subject in the photographs, and what there is about the photograph that makes it interesting or fun.

Take your kids to photo exhibits, or find ones suitable for your family online. Look for local exhibits by contacting studios or museums in your area. Ask the children to comment on the use of light and how the photographers created their images.

Print your child's photographs, and display them for her to see. Acknowledge all your child's efforts.

Let them come up with ideas for photo shoots or photo contests, that can include the entire family. You can suggest a "What Is This?" Contest.

What is that?

When taken close-up, many commonplace things take on weird, unusual, and otherworldly appearances--especially if they're shown upside down or at an unexpected angle. Even the family pet!

"What Is This?" mystery photos can be put on-screen on your computer as a slide show, and everyone can take turns guessing what is in the photo.

Or you can hold a Photo Exhibition, where you can invite family and friends over for snacks and an art showing. Kids love showing off their works of art!

Another idea is to make a jigsaw puzzle out of a photo print.The kids can print out a photo (on card stock) or paste a photo onto cardboard (to make it thicker), and cut into squiggly pieces for a puzzle the whole family can enjoy.

Let your kids have fun with their digital camera. Encourage them to photograph whatever subjects appeal to them. Answer their questions, and be there if they ask for help.

Leslie Uhl has a B.A. Photography from Art Center College of Design and has been taking photos for over 20 years.
Both of her children also love to take pictures, and this article is based on her experiences finding the right equipment for them.
To see some of her work, go to http://leslieuhlphotography.com/

Original article

How to Get the Best Digital Exposure

The aperture of a lens controls the amount of light that strikes the camera's sensor. Shutter Speed controls how long the camera shutter is open for. Aperture and Shutter Speed work hand in hand to determine the amount of exposure the image gets. A slow shutter speed of ¼ of a second requires a smaller aperture to give the same amount of exposure as a fast shutter speed of 1/125 of a second.

Aperture

This controls the depth of field (DoF) which is the area in front of and behind the subject that is in focus. For a portrait you want a narrow DoF which serves to emphasise the subject. Conversely a much greater DoF in needed for a landscape shot.

Shutter Speed

This control is used creatively to give a sense of movement or speed to a shot. A fast running stream shot using a slow shutter speed (1/4 of a second) will cause the water to become a white blur so imparting a sense of movement to a still image. A technique known as panning is used to create a sense of speed. This involves holding a fast moving subject in the viewfinder and following it by swing the body. It keeps the subject clear and blurs the background so creating the sense of speed.

How do you know that you have got the best exposure?

OK. Pin your ears back, fasten your safety belt and get ready for some thought shifting stuff. You need to find the Histogram setting for your viewfinder, turn it on and keep it on! The best digital negative does not necessarily look excellent on your LCD screen. It is certainly not the one that you get using the spot metering. The best digital negative is the one that contains the most digital data. The more data captured the more that a final print can be produced that is of greater quality, exhibits less noise, and has more impact. This is what the histogram shows you.

So what is the Histogram? It's a very simple graph. It shows the light value in the scene you've just captured at the exposure values you've captured it at. The far left shows shadows plunged totally into darkness. The far right shows the highlights that have no details, which are totally burned out to white. Between these extremes are all the tonal values from black to white.

How do you determine the best digital negative? The right half of the histogram is able to store more data in it than the left half, a lot more data. And the right quarter of the histogram, much, much more than the other three combined. There isn't much information at all in the dark areas. So you want a histogram that is weighted to the right but which shows information trailing off to the left.

Charles Demain

For your free copy of "The Comprehensive Introduction to Mastering Digital Photography" come on over now to http://www.creativeslrphotography.com/

Original article

Top Rated Digital Cameras Aren't All About Megapixels

Finding a top rated digital camera is not merely about picking one with the most megapixels. Because of the way digital cameras are advertised, consumers often believe that only a camera with the highest MP will take crisp photos. Don't be fooled by the hype because this is just not the case. The megapixel count is not the only basis for understanding picture quality, in fact it is only a minor one. All around performance and image quality under various lighting conditions is key.

Digital cameras having the highest megapixels may not provide the highest quality shots. Naturally, if you have perfect circumstances the higher megapixel camera will probably produce a better shot, but how often are you in that situation? Most likely you won't require an extra-large megapixel camera except if you regularly do lots of cropping or print big enlargements.

A top quality lens is key to producing a high quality photo. Among the top rated digital cameras with a built-in lens, models usually have a lens with an aperture setting of f/2 or f/1.8. Actually, one may find several 10MP cameras ranking just as highly as 14/16MP cameras because those 10MP cameras have quality lenses and deliver sharp, well-exposed photos in various light situations.

Don't forget that the images taken at higher megapixels will require additional storage space on your memory stick and the difference in quality for all that bloat is very little.

In general the top rated digital cameras will typically offer a minimum of 3-inch LCD with top notch display quality. Nowadays, apart from a few exclusions, the majority of compact and point-and-shoot cameras no longer sport viewfinders, thus you must depend on the display.

In more and more instances the best rated digital cameras have a bigger optical zoom lens while keeping the camera's size compact. Some larger models have superzooms that will give you up to 35x, which is, in terms of 35mm, 24-849mm. Historically, the image quality from super zoom cameras was somewhat mediocre because of the sacrifice made between higher zoom versus sharp images, however technology advancements have pretty much fixed this issue. These days one may see a good selection of super zoom cameras ranked as top rated digital cameras and they produce very good images. To get the very best image quality and the most features you will need to advance to a D-SLR an appreciably higher price.

When ranking top rated digital cameras, some of the considerations reviewers look at are weight, size and feel of the camera in the hand, battery life, ease of use -- are the buttons convenient, is the menu easy to figure out, optical zoom, display and image quality, the quality of flash photos and images taken in low light, wide-angle capability, does it have an optical or electronic viewfinder, response time, the camera's versatility, does it have HD video, video quality, among other criteria.

So, the bottom line is when you look at a list of top rated digital cameras, don't be surprised to see that some of the best ranked cameras may be mid-level megapixel models.

Valerie Goettsch is webmaster of http://www.digitalphotos101.com/, a website dedicated to reviews of digital photo companies, photo editing software and digital cameras. Click here to see her list of top rated digital cameras from point-and-shoot to SLR.

Original article

Impressive Digital Cameras Best Buys On The Market

The Sony Alpha NEX-3 is one of the more impressive digital cameras best buys on the market. It is small and very compact, but the size is not reflective of the vast capability and technology of this camera. This camera delivers 14.2 megapixels with an APS-C image sensor that is actually thirteen times the strength of normal sensors in most digital cameras. This great function optimizes photographs giving them a polished look. Featuring 16mm interchangeable lens, as of 2010, this camera was considered to be the smallest and lightest digital camera with an interchangeable lens.

There are many capabilities packaged into the Sony Alpha NEX-3. It has several modes including Sweep Panorama, Handheld Twilight and Anti Motion Blur modes to enhance photographs. The Handheld Twilight mode allows consumers to shoot up to six photos very quickly once the shutter is released. This is accomplished by lining up and combining six shots into one.

This camera also features video recording capability in high definition by pressing only one button that is just for recording. It does not use ordinary buttons but features a turn and click style wheel and soft keys. Sony makes it easy to use this camera by incorporating on screen tips and an on screen help guide.

Another impressive digital camera on the market is the Olympus Stylus Tough. Featuring 14 megapixels this camera delivers vibrant photographs with great clarity. The 5x wide angle zoom gives consumers the ability to shoot pictures from a distance all while maintaining picture integrity. The 2.7 inch LCD has an anti-glare feature allowing glare free viewing.

This camera is capable of handling rough situations. Immerse this camera in up to 33 feet of water without worrying because it has waterproof technology. The shockproof technology keeps this camera safe up to a 6.6 foot drop.

The Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 is safe in cold weather due to freeze proof technology up to 14 degrees F (-10 degrees C). This camera is also crushproof giving it the ability to withstand 220 pounds of weight. Consumers are able to record video in 720p high definition by using one button that is dedicated to recording. Advance Face Detection will automatically detect up to 12 faces while automatically focusing to ensure the best picture possible. AF tracking is quite sophisticated and is able to keep up with fast moving targets without blurriness.

These cameras are impressive digital cameras best buys on the market.

William L Odom is a passionate photographer who enjoys both writing and photography. He writes articles on anything from a review of a digital camera under 100 dollars, to finding out the best digital camera under 200 dollars.

William also looks at digital cameras best buys outside this price range, and reports on those too.

William writes reviews for online photo press. He highlights the camera's features and gives his honest opinion of them, enabling the user to make a better qualified decision on their digital camera purchase.

Original article

Photography Made Easy With Digital Photo Prints

Digital photo prints have changed all of this, using simple and cheap technology to enable anyone to turn multiple images into as many prints as they like. Often, technological innovations can promise much more than they actually deliver. It's not so long since we were told that the advance of computer technology meant that people would soon be working less and enjoying much more leisure time, and that those who were working would be doing so in 'paperless offices'. Both of these claims turned out to be somewhat optimistic, as is so often the case. After all, back in the 1950's film makers freely assumed that by now we'd all be driving hover cars and travelling to the Moon and back on a regular basis. Occasionally, however, the march of technology can bring obvious advantages to ordinary people and digital photography is a very good example of this phenomenon.

The digitisation of the process has meant that many hundreds, even thousands of photographs can now be stored in the smallest imaginable space and that digital photo prints are as quick, easy and cheap as the old, physically printed pictures were time consuming, difficult and expensive. The chief advantage of digital photography, namely that anyone is free to take as many photographs as they like, means that on many occasions people don't actually take the time to print photos, preferring to access them via devices such as their computer or other electronic means. Sometimes, however, especially with the most treasured photographs, it's better to actually have a hard copy - a picture you can actually hold in your hand, taking you back to the memory it captures in a way which nothing else can quite manage.

Photo developing in the past meant that this was the only option available, and that if anything happened to damage the print another copy would have to be made, provided the delicate negatives were still in a good enough condition. Digital photo printing, on the other hand, is both simple and quick, with only seconds being needed to log online, choose the prints you want to have printed and then have them in your hand without any frustrating wait. Alongside this simplicity comes a degree of flexibility which simply wasn't available in the past. Your images can be altered and tweaked to exactly suit your needs, making alterations of aspects such as the cropping, the colour balance and the size of the final print. For example, you may have taken a fantastic photo of your children which is ruined by the accidental presence of a total stranger on the edge of the frame.

Using the technology available this could be edited out of the picture in a matter of seconds. Online photo printing puts you in charge of everything which happens to your images which, when bearing in mind the fact that they are valuable records of precious memories, is surely the way things ought to be. Once you've taken your pictures you can produce copies to send to friends and family, meaning that people like grandparents can now have their own picture of their grandchildren rather than having to wait to visit until they get to see one, and that friends get to see your best holiday snapshots in the comfort of their own homes.

Photo prints used to be expensive and frustratingly time consuming, calling for a visit to a specialist shop or a roll of film entrusted to the postal service. digital photo prints are entirely different, bringing together convenience, flexibility and value for money.

Original article

Digital Wedding Photo Album Software Free Download - Photographer's Top Secrets Revealed

If you're looking for digital wedding photo album software that is free to download and that allows you to make high-quality, professional photo albums then this article is a must-read for you. Not only is this program very easy to use even for people who have never created a single photo book before, but it produces amazing photo books printed on top-quality award-winning photo paper, professionally bounded with numerous cover options. Cover options for your photo book choices range from a very budget-friendly linen hardcover to luxurious handcrafted genuine leather. These photo books are meticulously finished and crafted to last for years and years.

If you think that you have to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to get that expensive, one-of-a-kind look for your photography book, think again! Despite the fact that many professional photographers are charging top dollar for handcrafted photo albums, you can achieve the same results for a bargain price, if you know where to order your photo books and what digital photo album software (free is always a plus) to use. In fact, many professional photographers are using this exact program and would hate to share this information with you.

This digital wedding photo album software (free to download and use) is packed with great features that no other software program offers on the market today. You can fully customize your album pages, add personalized captions, make custom cover pages with your own photos and text. The software program has powerful photo editing tools, if you need to spruce up your pictures before putting them in the photography book.

But it doesn't stop there! You can also share your digital photo books online with anybody who has an e-mail address for free. Once your friends receive an e-mail with a link to your photo album, all what they have to do is just click the link in your e-mail, and the smiles begin. Your friends can view your photo book without downloading those bulky attachments. Your digital photo album will look like an online magazine, so your friends will be able to turn the pages, zoom in and out, etc.

If you would like to send a printed photo book as a gift to your friends, you can do so with just a click of your mouse. In fact, your friends can order as many prints of your photo books as they like themselves without downloading this digital photo album software.

You can customize your photo album for each recipient by adding a separate cover page and cover title to make a truly unique and personalized gift for any occasion. Who doesn't love receiving gifts with a nice personal touch? Now you can make yours! And no, these gifts won't come with a huge price tag. You will be shocked how inexpensive they are!

Here is a great bonus for you. To help you save even more money, I have posted step-by-step instructions on how to receive a 50% off your first order in case you decide to buy a photo book (you don't have to if you just want to make a free photo book online and share it with your friends via email or Facebook for free). Take a look at the examples of photo books, watch a program video tour and see for yourself how stunning these photo albums are! They look exactly like the ones you might purchase from a professional photographer for hundreds of dollars. Click here to get your wedding photo album software for free for Windows or Mac.

Original article

Digital Photography For Beginners - Get Up Close And Personal For Better Portraits!

It's nice to see your subject in clear detail, don't you think? Just about any portrait can become much more powerful if you move a few paces nearer to your subject. Filling the frame makes a tremendous difference and, when accomplished perfectly, looks considerably more professional. This Digital Photography Guide 'focuses' on the benefits of moving up close and personal towards your subject!

You don't even have to take steps toward your subject. Instead of literally moving nearer, try utilizing your camera's zoom to obtain a close up shot. Portraits actually look superior when they are totally zoomed in. That's simply because the longer lens has a tendency to flatten facial elements, reducing unsightly elements, such as large noses, for example.

When taking pictures of friends (or family) many beginner photographers insist on including the subject's complete body (or head as well as arms) in the shot. Instead, why not fill the frame by having your subject's face only, especially if they are caught in a moment of reflection. Why move in closer? Well, by having less clutter, there is simply less to draw the eye away from your main interest. If there's anything in the picture that distracts from your main subject, your eye will certainly be drawn to it, and the resulting image can look somewhat dull and uninteresting. Truly, close up human faces are simply something we gain great pleasure from studying.

If you can't get near enough when you 're taking the shot, you can easily zoom in later utilizing Photoshop, or similar application. Crop out all except the subject's face and see the difference it makes - a much more powerful image. The good thing about today's digital cameras is simply that they have numerous megapixels. Even if you crop out an enormous part of the image, you should still be able to produce a decent quality portrait.

If using a compact camera, a word of caution. Since the viewfinder is not at an equivalent position with the lens, centering the topic in the viewfinder might possibly result in an ultimately off-centre picture. You can easily counter this by way of using the LCD screen rather than the viewfinder. Some point-and-shoots actually have a workaround built into the viewfinder. If, in your viewfinder, you see what looks like a dashed box, that's simply the same section that the lens sees. You can then utilize the viewfinder as long as you use the dashed box to frame your shot.

To read more digital photography guides, and find out how you can easily move your skills from digital photography beginner to professional looking images, in 14 days or less, check out http://www.digitalphotographyreview.info/.

Original article

Top of page 10 FAQ by purchasing a raincoat or underwater digital camera responded!

A rugged, waterproof, underwater-capable digital camera opens a whole new world of photography opportunities to any shutterbug regardless of skill level. Having the luxury of shooting in rain, snow, high altitude, and underwater without worrying about camera damage is not only fun and addicting, but also allow you a shoot in unfamiliar environment every single time.

Here are a set of 10 frequently asked questions for first-time underwater or waterproof digital camera buyers worry about and my advice for each.

Q1 - Why Should I Consider A Waterproof Camera? There Are Plastic Waterproof Cases For Regular Digital Cameras Anyway!

A1 - A rugged, waterproof, underwater digital camera allows you to take pictures no matter where you are in whatever the condition. Think of all the fun and memorable images you can capture on the beach, or during a ski trip. How about when you spent days climbing a mountain to reach that epic peak? Having a small, rugged, always-ready camera with you all the time is just priceless.

While there are products such as waterproof pouches for small digital cameras, these are merely 'thick plastic bags' to prevent water from touching your camera. The quality and thickness of the plastics often deteriorates image quality considerably, they're not that cheap either.

There are dedicated underwater hard cases for certain camera models, but these cases often cost more than the cameras they're protecting and are catered towards serious underwater photographers. Lastly, underwater cameras have thick, durable casing that not only protects the camera internals, but also makes underwater shooting easier because the cameras stay submerged during use. It's very annoying to shoot with a floating camera!

Q2 - There Are So Many To Choose From, How Do I Choose?

A2 - You can start narrowing down your options by setting a budget and identifying where you'll use the camera.

Setting the budget is obvious, oftentimes, a budget limit will remove quite a bit of products from your option list. If you don't have a set budget, read the next point.

Identify where you'll be using the camera. If you're going to use it only to photograph your kids in a swimming pool or beach, you won't need specs designed for snorkelers, for example.

If you're into cold-temperature, high altitude environments, then maybe you should buy one that has better atmospheric and temperature tolerances rather than underwater capabilities. If you're planning to use the camera for serious scuba-diving, then make sure the model has enough accessories and cases as your needs expand.

Q3 - OK, I've Narrowed Down My Choices, Which Features Are Critical?

A3 - Great! Generally, look for these critical specifications and features:

Waterproof Depth - Naturally, you'll need to know how deep you can bring your camera underwater. Normally, underwater digital cameras can go as deep as 8-10 feet without the need of a dedicated underwater case. Some higher-end models are rated up to 33 feet.Does higher mean better? In general, yes as it means the camera's seals are more robust. However, remember your intended purpose, if you're only using the camera for treks, skiing, backyard pools and such, then the standard 8-10 feet specification is more than enough!
Image Stabilization - You've decided to buy a rugged camera, so expect to use the camera in less-than-stable conditions! Having in-camera, lens-based stabilization helps TREMENDOUSLY when you're shooting underwater or in motion.
Battery Life - Odds are high that your new waterproof camera will be a frequent companion in your outdoor activities, and being outdoors mean you won't have access to electric outlets for charging. When shooting underwater, odds are high that you'll be using your in-camera flash often, which drains your battery even faster, so make sure you choose a camera that has a battery life of at least 150-200 shots per charge. The higher, the better.
Focal Length (Zoom Range) and Macro - The key spec here to check is how wide the lens can go and how close you can focus. It's best to get a camera that has a wide angle focal length of 24mm or 28mm at its wide end, no more than 35mm at its widest. In terms of macro, the closer it can focus, the better, but a closest focus distance between 3cm to 10cm (1 to 4 inches) is sufficient.
Temperature Limit - Choose a camera that can withstand AT LEAST freezing temperature (0 degrees Centigrade), ideally, -8 degrees Centigrade or lower is ideal.
Impact Resistance - This shouldn't be a big issue as almost all cameras in this category are very rugged. The camera bodies are often made of metal with suitable rubber padding and impact-resistant features inside the camera anyway. Just make sure the overall size and weight are acceptable to you.

Q4 - When and Where Should I Buy An Underwater Camera?

A4 - The ideal time to purchase an underwater camera in most countries is during spring, just before summer.

Normally, new models come out just before summer and you can purchase the current model at a discount as manufacturers promote their newer (usually just a minor update of the current) model.

In my experience, these specialty cameras aren't has heavily promoted in physical camera stores and they offer less appealing offers compared to online purchases. Online has the advantage as their prices are updated in real-time and face greater competition and attention than physical stores therefore, greater discounts.

Q5 - Yey! I Bought My First Waterproof Camera, Now What?

A5 - Now You take pictures! You must go through the user manual and study what each of those buttons do and which features you'll be using most of the time. There's nothing worse than trying to fiddle with camera controls when a once-in-a-lifetime scene or moment is right in front of you. You might be interested to read my simple tips in taking great photographs with pocket cameras post.

Q6 - The Image Quality of My Waterproof Camera Seems Poorer Than My Other Digital Camera, Is My Camera Defective?

A7 - In many cases, this is true. Because of the protection required for the sensitive electronics and optics, these underwater digital cameras have to shoot through a layer of protective glass all the time.

The images may not be as sharp or contrasty as your normal digital camera, but they're more than acceptable unless you're sending the photos to National Graphic. Keep in mind that your normal camera can't even take a single photo underwater!

Q7 - I'm Still Uneasy About Using An Electronic Device Underwater, How Do I Test If My Underwater Camera For Defects and Leaks?

A7 - Just use your camera as you intended to use it! Bring the camera underwater, drop it in the snow, leave it in your bathtub, flush it down the toilet (NOT ADVISABLE!), the important thing to remember is test your camera BEFORE your exchange and warranty period lapses.

As long as your camera is still under warranty, you can have your camera replaced or exchanged, so it's important to find out if there's a defect with the camera's seals before your warranty runs out.

Q8 - Why Do Waterproof Cameras Have Depth Rating and How Long Can I Use The Camera Underwater?

A8 - Your underwater camera has rubber seals and metal locks that seal off water and debris, however, as you go deeper underwater, the pressure builds and the pressure can push these seals out-of-place and destroy the camera, so it's critical that you stay above the depth limit of your camera at all times.

In terms of how long you can use the camera underwater, each model has a different specification, so check your user manual to be sure.

The main reason is pressure. While your camera can withstand 10 feet of water depth, for example, the constant pressure at 10 feet is different to the pressure at 5 inches of water, the stress on the camera's seals are higher in deeper water so you have to be mindful of how long the camera has been submerged.

Q9 - Woohoo! It's Still Working! What Must I Do To Keep This Wonderful Waterproof Camera Working Perfectly?

A10 - Alright! Now just because the camera's rugged and waterproof, it doesn't mean that you can leave it uncared for all the time.

Remember that sea water, ice, swimming pool water, mud, and dirt all have different corrosive stuff in them, so make sure you give your camera a good rinse under clean water and dry it before storage.

Oh, do not put your camera in a dishwasher, for crying out loud!

Q10 - I Heard That Underwater Photography Is Different From "Dry Land" Photography, Any Simple Underwater Photography Tips?

A10- It is, mainly because of how light waves are altered by the rippling water and the distortion water creates on images.

Here are some easy tips in shooting underwater.

All things being equal, there's considerably less light underwater, so expect to use a longer exposure or use flash, but be careful with flash usage (see below).
Get close to your subject. Due to the physical characteristics of water, the smaller the distance between the lens and your subject, the better the details. You'll get less distortion due to water movement, less stray light from reflective waves, you'll capture less contaminants floating in water in your photos as well.
When using flash underwater, particularly in deeper, darker waters, you'll see a lot of white floating dots in your photos as the light reflects off underwater particles like sand and dust. Minimize this by shooting in better light or close proximity to your subject.
Try to position yourself LOWER than your subject, meaning, you shoot towards the surface. This usually creates an ethereal backdrop for your subject as the surface of the water will always be brighter.

I hope you found this article about how to buy your first underwater and waterproof digital camera helpful. I've included some recommended camera models for you to choose from so you can get started with your outdoor photography adventures! Trust me, once you get used to having a rugged, go-anywhere camera, you'll never leave home without it!

There are so much more free photography tips and lessons available at David's Simple Photography for you to learn fundamental and techniques in digital photography and flash photography, you'll be confident to take any kind of photographs in any situation with any camera you currently have. I strongly urge you to discover these free and useful lessons for free!

David is a freelance photographer, blogger, and writer providing quality and free photography-related tutorials, camera reviews, and Adobe Photoshop tips through his blog and workshops.

View the original article here