Tips on Taking Action Shots

Although group photographs, portraits, celebrations, and vacations are still common images, personal photography now captures more impromptu and daily types of events. Photographs of fast moving action are more common as well as people are able to experiment to obtain the type of images they want without fear of “ruining” a shot that requires more skill to take. Capturing action can be challenging for a beginning photographer and requires quite a bit of practice to master. The following outlines a few pointers that can get the novice started off on the right foot.

  • When trying to obtain shots of action, the photographer can use one of two approaches: Follow subjects with the camera as they wait for action to happen. Focus the camera on a particular spot where action is anticipated and wait for it to happen. An example would be focusing on the basketball goal or 1st base. When using this method it is often best to observe through the Optical Viewfinder and keep both eyes open so that it is easy to anticipate shots as action approaches.
  • Reduce lag time and latency: Shutter lag is the delay between the time the shutter button is pressed and the time when the camera actually takes the picture. During this lag time the camera is setting the exposure and focus. Shutter lag is particularly problematic when trying to capture action shots. One way of decreasing shutter lag is to press the shutter button halfway down, hold it, and then press the button down completely when ready to take the shot. This process allows the camera to perform some of the focusing function prior to taking the shot thereby reducing the shutter lag time. [Read more...]

Underwater Camera Mask

Underwater Camera MaskAlmost everyone these days owns a digital SLR, because they’re both affordable and they don’t lack the quality that some of us demand even from vacation pictures. Sadly, if you go to a region where you can dive, unless you have a sum equal to about twice the price of your camera to spare for an underwater casing, you’ll have to settle for pictures “on the dry”. Sure, you could just buy an underwater compact camera, but then again, you’d have to hassle with its poor ergonomics.

Good news, Liquid Image released a new camera mask. Besides a new and improved CMOS sensor that now outputs 5.0MP, the 5.0MP Camera Mask sports the same 16MB NAND internal flash memory that can be expanded using the Micro SD card slot. Mind that the maximum card size supported is only 2GB. You can take 29 full resolution pictures using only the internal storage.

Video mode is still restricted to VGA, with a frame rate between 18 and 25FPS. It takes its power from a AAA 1.5V battery, but it also supports the 1.2V NiMH type. Also worth mentioning is the status display LCD, the software-less USB image/video download, 0.5m to infinity focusing range and a 5M explorer series depth rating.

Right Digital Camera for your Travel

Right Digital Camera for your TravelI must say that choosing the right digital camera for your general or travel use can be more challenging than actually taking a good picture. Like all things technical, digital cameras come in a vast array of styles, sizes and abilities. However, you don’t have to research in great depth to make the right choice – you need only know what you want your camera to do for you. You’ll need to consider your own skills, your budget and how you will use your photographs.

Talking about your skill level, first consider your willingness to learn the technicalities of photography. Do you simply want to point and shoot? If so, there are plenty of automatic cameras made to do just that. Or, do you want to be creative – experimenting with self-timers, flash, shutter speed, lighting, and photo enhancement features? To fulfill these creative desires, you’ll need a camera with a full range of manual controls.

For budget issue, you should know what you want to spend before you shop online or in a store. Then, only look at the cameras that match the amount that you came up with – it will keep you from suffering buyer’s remorse later.

In addition to your skill and your budget, consider how you will use the camera. Are you planning to email more pictures than you plan to print? Are you uploading them for online auctions or to share with your best friend who lives miles away? If so, carefully consider whether the pictures need to last for the next 100 years, or just until your online auction expires or your friend gets a chance to take a look at them.

There is no need to spend hours researching every term and every available feature. Simply familiarize yourself with basic terminology, know your needs and know which models have the best ratings in your price range. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be more satisfied with your investment.

setup prior to taking firework photos

setup prior to taking firework photosWhat you should prepare prior to taking firework photos as follows:

  • Be on location as early as possible and select the best location. The best location is the location where you can see the fireworks without any obstructions and there is interesting foreground or background as buildings, bridges, river, lake, etc.
  • Set your camera on Tripod firmly
  • Set the parameters in the camera as follows:
  • Mode: M, Manual
  • Auto focus: Off or Manual
  • ISO: 100
  • Shutter speed: Bulb, B
  • Aperture: vary from F5.6 to F11
  • Focal length: Infinity
  • File type: Raw file is preferred because you have more flexibility to process your photos after.
  • Memory Card: 2 GB at least so that you will not lose your opportunity to take photos due to memory full.
  • WB: Auto
  • Set good composition by including nice foreground or background as building(s), pool(s), lake(s), bridge(s), river(s), etc. Use rule of third to get the nice composition. There are 2 ways to frame your fireworks photo which are horizontal or vertical. It depends on how your fireworks look like. If your fireworks are one big and long shot, you may need to frame your photos vertically. In other words, if you want to capture wide angle of fireworks, you may need to flame your photos horizontally.

sharing information about Numismatic book

sharing information about Numismatic bookLittle by little I am falling in love with photography. I like taking photos of whatever I can find. However, I seldom post them here because I am not confident with my shots. I am not so good in capturing details and most of them are really blurry. I blame it all to my digital camera. Of course, in my mind I know that my skills are partly to blame I’m not just willing to accept it. Hehehe!

Well, then I now have to share my finds in the web yesterday. I am in the midst of visiting my blogger friends when I get across Numismatic Photography book by Mark Goodman and published by Zyrus Press. By definition, numismatics stands for the study or collection of currency, including coins, tokens, paper money, and related objects like.

Goodman himself is an avid collector of photograph coins. It’s most likely his passion. From that he was able to come up with a book that is helpful for even coin collector or dealer. As we may have observed it photographing coins, either raw or slabbed, has become an increasing concern to collectors and dealers as the use of internet became increasingly popular. Goodman book teaches the reader in an easy-to-read and visually rich guidebook format on how to image quality photos of coins using digital camera. Novice and professional photographers can make use of this book as it addresses typical problems faced by the photographer, recommends ways of improvements and offers specific tips and techniques for raw silver or gold coin and slabbed coins.

One author named Roger Burdette even said that Goodman’s first numismatic book is an impressive addition to the coin collector’s arsenal of knowledge. And then recommends it to anyone interested in making better coin photos, or in learning how these images are made especially to members of the coin collectors club. This book will get collector’s knowledge and skills in coin photography to the next level.

I adore the author of the book for being able to share his passion to the world. Well, in my simple ways of writing small articles, I am also sharing my thoughts to the world. But, I like to share more of my photography skills. Before I can do that, I still need to hone my skills.

important things to know in photography

important things to know in photographyBasically, one of the most important things that you need to use for composing for digital photography is the lines and shapes. Lines and shapes are everywhere and knowing how to capture them in a pleasing and eye catching way is what can make some photos look really great. Lines are very important for composing for photography. The lines should always be looked at and thoroughly thought about when taking photographs. Where do these lines in the photograph lead the viewers’ eyes to? Is it relevant for the effect you are going for?

For a moment think of various examples of pictures that have lines in them. The pictures of roads show the lines of the road and how they approach a point in the distant area. These are very strong lines that lead the viewers’ eyes. It is actually really easy to start using lines in your compositions effectively. Try to have the lines actually lead to an object of interest. Having the lines lead to an object that is of no importance is very bad photography. Be sure the lines are used for a reason besides to look good.

In fact, there are many different lines everywhere. Not all are as obvious as the road lines. You can use the lines of people’s bodies and position models so that the lines of their shoulders lead to their face. Or if they are sitting down have their legs lines point to their face. One of the best ways to see how lines are used is by looking at how the pro photographers take their pictures. See how they use the lines in their photographs and try some of the techniques that they do. And don’t go complex when using lines. A few lines are enough. Keeping it simple is always better than having millions of lines.

Learning What is Digital SLR Camera

Learning What is Digital SLR CameraI’m sure a lot of you guys are wondering what is digital SLR camera. Well, many consumers are much more familiar with compact digital cameras, since these models have flooded the marketplace. Like cell phones, it’s hard to walk down the street these days without seeing someone snapping a photo. Digital SLR cameras are far less common, and up until 2005 were really only used by professionals.

Days pass by and good news is that the price of digital SLRs keeps falling and many are competitive now with the high-end compact cameras. This also means that many new consumers are hearing about these cameras and aren’t quite sure what they can do. So what is a digital SLR? Let’s find out.

SLR is an acronym: it stands for Single Lens Reflex. Now you know what SLR stands for but that doesn’t really help answer the question, does it? Let’s define further:

  • With an SLR camera, you see exactly what the lens sees
  • You can change the lens on a digital SLR
  • Digital SLRs have large image sensors that produce high-quality photos
  • An SLR has a near-zero lag time, and is ideal for action photography

Bottom line, Digital SLR cameras are versatile. You can take photos of everything from sleeping kittens to race cars and you’ll never be limited by your camera. With an SLR in your hands you can rest assured that you’ll only miss great photo opportunities because you weren’t prepared, not because your camera was too slow.