Continue reading »]]> Here, we introduce and explore the some of the basic technical terms related to photography.

Aperture

Each shutter is equipped with another device to control light striking your sensor during exposure. This device is a diaphragm with an adjustable opening called aperture. The diaphragm is constructed of overlapping leaves that open and close like a leaf shutter.  Like the shutter, the diaphragm adjusts light in a twice/half relationship in a series of standard numbers called f numbers. Each f –number has a half/twice relationship with the numbers on either side of it, as with the shutter speeds. The formula for this is,

                                     focal length (of lens)
            f-number =   ————————————-
effective diameter (of lens)

Each f number represents an aperture size that is scientifically related to the focal length of the lens, so each is consistent standard measurement.

There are different sized apertures on a camera to allow different amounts of light to pass through onto the sensor. When the shutter is released it allows light to pass through the aperture and onto the sensor.  It is necessary to have an aperture because the aperture controls depth of field as well as contributing to the exposure of a sensor.

The correlation between shutter speed and aperture size is direct; the immediate situation or the effect required dictates the necessary combination of shutter speed and size of aperture. If, for instance, an exposure of 1/15 second and an aperture of f22 are needed, the aperture would get wider as the shutter speed increases.

Shutter Speed

The opening of the shutter of a camera determines the amount of time light that is allowed to pass through the lens onto the sensor. As well as affecting exposure, the shutter speed can also freeze a moving object as a sharp image and reduce camera shake.

Shutters divide time into fractions of seconds. This allows you to expose the sensor at any of a series of speeds ranging from 1/4000 second to 1 second or longer. Calibrated in steps that sequentially cut the exposure time in half, the common shutter speeds for a focal-plane shutter might include 1/4000, 1/2000, 1/1000, 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2,and 1 second. There is also a “B” setting that allows you to leave the shutter open for lengthy time exposures beyond 1 second; the newest cameras are capable of extending their exposures automatically beyond 1 second. To set the shutter speed you have to turn the dial to the required speed. In the case of some automatic shutters, you place the dial setting to “A”(or “P” for program) and the camera adjusts the shutter speed or aperture automatically as the light changes.

The Shutter/Aperture Relationship

If you set the shutter/f-number relation at 1/500 second at f2 and change each in concert, you obtain a relationship that looks like this:

1/500     1/250     1/125    1/60    1/30    1/15    1/8

f2                f2.8       f4           f5.6      f8        f11     f16

A fast shutter speed of 1/500 second combined with a wide opening of f2 will mean a lot of light in a short time. By contrast, a slow shutter speed of 1/30 second and a closed-down opening of f8 will mean a little light for a longer period of time.

Depth of field
When a lens is focused on a plane, the definition both in front and behind that plane will gradually fall off, until the lack of sharpness becomes so apparent that the eye will no longer tolerate it. Between these limits, definition will be acceptable, the distance between nearest and farthest sharp planes in the subject being called the depth of field.

When a lens is focused at infinity the nearest object in satisfactory sharp focus is said to be at the hyper focal distance. By focusing the lens on this hyper focal distance, all objects from one-half this distance to infinity will be in satisfactory focus. This range represents the maximum depth of field for that particular lens and opening. In fixed-focus cameras the lens is focused on the hyper focal distance to give maximum depth of field.

Depth of field plays an important part of the creation of a finished photograph. If, for example, the subject of the picture is a head and shoulders portrait of a person, yet with a distracting or unattractive background, it can be the depth of field that can be altered to put the background out of focus so that the person is the only clear part of the shot.

Continue reading »]]> Photography is indeed an art and there are many advanced gadgets in the market today which can help you take some really impressive photographs in a jiff. Today’s digital camera comes with innumerable features and while these features are very helpful, some may find it hard to get used to them. Well, you don’t have to worry about that any more as in this article you will receive some great tips and some effective solutions to your problems related to digital cameras….

1) Problems with handling small size digital cameras: With small size digital cameras a very common problem is that one or two fingers cover the lens while taking photos. This ultimately ruins the photos! So, if you are also having a quite compact digital camera then you may try different holding styles to eliminate this problem and save the moment.

2) Red eye reduced flash: With the help of the red eye reduced flash you can resolve the red eye problem but it will significantly increase the lagging time of the shutter. So, unless you are comfortable with this delay, don’t use the red eye reduced flash unnecessarily.

3) B & W LCD display: Don’t panic if you see your LCD display showing the image in black & white only. Chances are that there is not enough light around to take colored photos. Go to a spot where there is enough light and the problem will be solved.

4) Tripod: Always opt for the digital camera which comes with a tripod. This is because there are various benefits of a tripod. You will have sharp images which are not at all blurry and also you can take self photos with the help of a timer in the camera. A tripod is quite affordable than to just ignore.

5) Don’t rely 100% on the battery indicator: You must know that the battery indicator of your digital camera gives only approximate value of the battery remaining. This is why it is a better idea to replace the batteries just when the indicator shows that 25% battery is left.

6) Problems with the hand: Sometimes you have noticed that a hand icon appears on the LCD display while you are taking photos in low-light areas. The icon is simply meant to warn you that since there is not enough light so if you shake the camera even slightly then the photos may come blurry.

Continue reading »]]> A digital camera is perhaps one of the most popular gadgets in the world. This is why there are a number of advance Digital camera models available in the market. However, when most of the people just tend to focus on learning about the photography techniques there is one more thing about which you must know and that is the image file extensions used in digital cameras. This is because different types of image file formats tend to have different qualities. If the image is of more compressed extension then its quality will be low. However, compressed images take less space of storage.

Generally, the photos taken from a digital camera are saved in JPEG format which is a compressed file format. However, some better digital cameras save the files in uncompressed formats like that of TIFF or RAW.

About TIFF And RAW:

TIFF stands for ‘Tagged Image File Format’. The image files saved with this extension are of very high resolution and detailed. The actual extension of this format is .tif. However, this type of file format takes good space on the disk and the files with this extension are rare to find.

Since the image files saved with this file extension do not lose any additional data because of compression, the images are sharp and of good resolution. When you use your digital camera then you must check if there is the option given in the settings menu for saving the images in default format of .tif. If your camera doesn’t support TIFF extension then you can even use the RAW format as it is another good equivalent substitute. Also, you can try tweaking the default resolution to the maximum in your digital camera.

There is so much you can do with a digital camera. However, before you actually go out and start taking beautiful pictures it is indeed a good idea to adjust the settings of your digital camera. Once the pictures have been taken you just cannot change them. Of course, there is the option of changing the file format with the help of some software which are available but you still can’t get the quality which you could have obtained with the high quality settings in the beginning. So, make sure you change the default file extension to TIFF or RAW format, and turn the sharpness level as well as the resolution to the maximum value.

Continue reading »]]> A professional photographer always takes good care of the batteries of his digital camera as he knows how important it is to keep the batteries charged when he is planning to take his camera out. This is because no one would prefer to have his camera’s battery discharged at a time when there is something important to be clicked. Here, in this article you will get some useful tips regarding the batteries of a digital camera.

1. Don’t take too long: Most of the people commit this mistake. They tend to wait until the batteries of the digital camera don’t get discharged completely whereas they should actually charge them earlier. What happens with this habit is that when they have gone to some beautiful place to take snaps then just after a few minutes the battery turns dead. This is why you must charge the batteries just after the indicator shows the remaining battery to be about 25% only. This will help in preventing any such problem in future.
2. Avoid too much playback: Repeated playback on the camera will wear out your camera’s batteries very soon. This is why for longer battery backup you must avoid the playback as much as possible. Also, limit the previewing of the photos on the camera’s screen as much as possible.
3. Preparation while travelling overseas: If you are planning to travel overseas to some other country with your camera then don’t forget to buy some converters and a different charger as the new country may have different type of outlet design. You can take the help of internet to get the idea of the socket design in that country.
4. Extra batteries: If you are going for a very long journey then it is advisable that you carry a few extra batteries as you won’t be able to charge your camera amid the way. So, if your camera’s batteries wear off completely then you can simply replace them with the other ones.
5. Keep the batteries fully charged: Partially charged batteries simply won’t work! Every time you plug in the charger make sure you remove it only when the batteries are fully charged. The sooner you make this a habit the better it is!
6. Take out the batteries when not in use: When you are not using the camera then it is better to take out the batteries. This will keep the batteries running for longer duration.

Use these tips and increase the life of your digital camera’s batteries.

Continue reading »]]> Are you planning to purchase a new digital camera? Well, that is a great idea as there are a number of different digital camera models in the market today and they are all laced with some of the latest technologies. However, before you actually get into a gadget showroom and start making some choices there are a few things which you must know. If you will learn about all these things then you will be able to make a better decision at the time of purchase.

• Optical viewfinder: It is almost essential for every digital camera to have an optical viewfinder. If you want to take some really impressive photos then you can’t ignore the optical viewfinder feature. However, the problem is that most of the cheap digital cameras lack this feature. When you check any digital camera model then look out for this feature.

• ISO 50 support: If you want to get better images which are more bright and sharp then you must look for a digital camera which has the support of the ISO 50. ISO 50 is the latest technology used in digital cameras and it helps in eliminating excess of light while taking image and it also prevents blurriness in the images.

• Tripod factor: If your digital camera comes with a tripod then make sure that it fits well in the tripod. Ask the shopkeeper to open the package of the camera and try adjusting the digital camera to the tripod yourself. Make sure that it is not loose on the tripod as it will then fall while taking snaps and if you are using a timer it can even break. If you are not satisfied with the tripod then you can ask the shopkeeper for another piece.

• Handy trash can button: If your digital camera has a dedicated trash can button then it would be very easy for you to delete unwanted photos or rough work. This feature is thus very beneficial for those people who are new to digital cameras and love experimenting with different features.

• Zooming power: Generally the digital cameras comes with different types of zooming powers which are 2x, 3x and 6x. It all depends on you that with how much zooming power you are satisfied. If you are fine with average photos then a digital camera with 2x zoom power is more than enough.

Hope these tips would help you in purchasing your perfect digital camera.

Continue reading »]]> While digital cameras are, of course, mainly used for taking pictures, with a little ingenuity and creativity, you will find that there are actually several clever uses for your digital camera, apart from taking pictures.

A Mirror: Have you ever been some place where you are trying to put yourself together – the back of a cab or a train, for example, yet you don’t have a mirror handy? Well, if you have your digital camera handy, you can actually use it to get a look at yourself. Keep the camera off and look at your reflection in the black LCD screen, or take a picture of yourself and review it to get an idea of what you look like.

Time Filler: Another one of the many uses for your digital camera is serving as time filler. On long car rides, subway rides, plan rides or while you are sitting in a waiting room, pull out your digital camera and review the photos that you have taken on it. Another way to use it as a time filler is by snapping some pictures; just be careful with the pictures that you take, as you don’t want to offend anyone, especially if you are in close quarters.

Shopping Tool: Use your digital camera as a tool to help you when you are shopping, helping you pick the best outfits and save a few bucks. Try on different outfits and snap pictures of yourself wearing them in one store and go to a few other stores and do the same thing. Compare the pictures of yourself in the different outfits on your digital camera. When you decide what outfits you like the best, make your purchases.

Create Your Own Clip Art: Want to attach unique photographs to your documents? Use your digital camera to take images that are specifically related to your documents, upload the images and attach them to your document. You can be sure that nobody else will have the same Clip Art as you.
Memory Keeper: Don’t have a pen and paper and need to jot down a phone number, an address or other important information? Grab your digital camera and snap a picture of the information that you need to remember. The information that you need will be right at your fingertips; simply review the pictures on the camera.

While you will undoubtedly use your digital camera to take photographs of your loved ones, with some clever thinking, you will find that there are several uses for your digital camera.

Continue reading »]]> If you live in the 21st century, certainly you have seen digital cameras and heard about digital photography, but if you are using film to capture your photographs, you may be wondering what exactly digital photography is. Read on to learn a bit about this wonderful form of photography.

Put plainly, digital photography uses light sensors to capture the image that the camera lens focuses on, which is then stored on a digital file, where it is held until it is ready to be processed. Before the advent of this form of photography, people relied on film photography to capture images. While film photography certainly produces wonderful images, it can be costly, non-environmentally friendly and can take quite a bit of time before being able to see the photographs that have been taken. With digital photography, you no longer have to experience the cons of film photography.

During the 1990s, digital cameras started making their way into the consumer market. They were expensive, clunky and nowhere near as advanced as they are today, but they had the potential of becoming big on the photography scene. As technology advanced, so too did the digital camera. The models became sleeker, the photos became clearer and the cost became less expensive. These cameras quickly started to replace digital cameras on the consumer market and today, they are more commonly used than their film counterparts.

As with film cameras, there are a variety of digital cameras available to meet the needs of virtually any consumer. You can find basic point and shoot models to more elaborate SLR models. The type of digital camera you purchase will depend on your specific needs, as well as your budget. Despite the many different models that are available, all digital cameras have one thing in common and that is megapixels. Pixels are the smallest part of a digital image and megapixels represent one million pixels. All digital cameras require megapixels to display their images and the higher the megapixels the camera has, the better, or clearer, the resolution will be.

There are a number of benefits offered by digital cameras, including being more economically and ecologically friendly, the ability to see your pictures and share them right after you take them. If you are considering purchasing a digital camera, yet you aren’t quite sure if you should make the purchase, perhaps knowing a bit about them will help you make your decision.

Continue reading »]]> Digital photography is quickly replacing traditional film photography and with so many benefits, it is easy to see why. If you are considering changing from film to digital, but have a few apprehensions before making the switch, read about some of the benefits of digital photography, as they may give you that little kick you need to finally go out and purchase your new camera and accessories.

More Cost Effective: While the initial cost of digital photography may be greater than the cost of film photography, in the long run, digital is actually more cost effective. With digital photographs, you don’t have to constantly purchase new film, which can certainly become quite costly. You also spend money on your photo printing, as you can print only the photos that you want. Spending less money over time is certainly one of the benefits of digital photography.

Environmentally Friendly: Being kind to the environment is something that should also be on the forefront of your mind and with digital photography, you will know you are helping to protect mother nature, even if just a little bit. Since the digital photos are printed from a computer, there is no need to use harsh, non eco-friendly chemicals to process your images.

Instant Viewing: With film cameras it can take days, weeks even months before you see your pictures. With digital photography, gone are the days of taking photos, waiting until the film is used up, dropping the film off for development and then finally seeing your photos. After you take a picture on your digital camera, simply press the review button and the photo will instantly show up on the image screen – and, if you don’t like the photo, you can erase and retake it until you get the exact image that you want. How is that for instant gratification?

Sharing Made Easy: Another benefit of digital photography is the easy of sharing your images. Simply scan your images to your computer and you can share them in a multitude of ways – scan them to a disc, upload them onto a social network, send them through email or create a slideshow. With digital photography, your relatives that live half way across the country won’t have to wait months before they see pictures of your kids – they can see the pictures right after you take them.

As you can see, there are a host benefits of digital photography; saving money, being environmentally friendly, instant viewing and ease of sharing. Have you made up your mind to purchase a digital camera yet?

Continue reading »]]> Digital photography is quickly replacing traditional film photography, thanks to the ease and the many benefits of this type of photo taking. Despite the ease of these cameras, there is more to successfully taking a picture with a digital camera than taking it out, pointing it at an object and shooting. With a few digital photography tips, you can start taking some impressive images – even if you are a novice digital photographer.

Keep it Steady!: In order for a digital camera to take a clear, non-blurred image, steady conditions are required. Often, people tend to inadvertently shake when they snap their photographs, resulting in blurred images. Whatever the cause of this problem is, when using a digital camera, be mindful of the steadiness of your hand to capture crisp images. If you find that you have difficulty keeping steady, try setting your camera on a tripod when snapping photos.

Composition: In photography, composition is one of the most basic rules. Known as the rule of thirds, composition refers to breaking the subject you are shooting down into thirds – both horizontally and vertically – to capture interesting and well balanced images. In order to use composition with you digital camera, look at your view finder and imagine that it is a grid similar to a tic-tac-toe board and position your subject so that it is centered at one of the four intersecting points. Since digital cameras have clear view finders, taking photos with proper composition is a fairly easy task.

Play with the Settings: While reading through your digital cameras instruction manual, you will probably find that the device is equipped with specific settings that will are designed to help you take pictures for specific occasions; for example, a night time option and a sunlight option. While these settings may be helpful in the specific circumstances they are intended for, they may also be beneficial for use when taking photos in other settings. For instance, a night time setting may actually help you take better photos during a brightly lit day. Play around with the settings on your camera and explore the different types of photos it can take. You may find something very useful and you can always delete any images that you don’t want to keep.

There are no set rules when it comes to digital photography. Following some of these digital photography tips may help you generate some simply breathtaking shots.

Continue reading »]]> So, you have decided to take the leap into the world of digital photography; now what? If you are new to learning about digital photography, there are some digital photography basics that you should keep in your repertoire to help you successfully take beautiful images.

When you decide to get started taking digital photographs, you are going to need a digital camera to get you started, of course. Before heading out to the store and spending a bundle of cash on a digital camera that you simply don’t need, know what it is that you are looking for before you go out shopping. Are you going to be taking basic photographs and do you want a camera that can be ready to use with the touch of a button? Then a point-and-shoot is right for you. Are you looking to take more artistic photos? Then you might want to consider a more advanced SLR camera with changeable lenses.

Once you decide what type of digital camera you are on the market for, you will want to decide the quality of the photographs you want to take. Megapixel basically refers to the amount of information that the digital camera can capture – the more megapixels the camera has, the clearer and more life-like the photographs will be. So, the clearer the photographs you want to take, the higher the megapixel camera you should purchase.

Once you purchase a camera that meets your needs, you will want to spend some time getting to know it. Look through the instruction manual to figure out how to operate the camera’s different settings and modes, as these will allow you to take different types of pictures and produce different types of images; night images, sunlit images and so forth. Keep in mind that while all cameras do have settings and modes, higher end cameras do tend to have more options.

After you have taken your photographs, you are going to want to produce them. One of the biggest perks of digital photography is the image editing software that is available. With these software programs, you load your pictures onto your computer and alter them as you see fit. There are a variety of software programs on the market; purchase one that meets your needs and that you can easily follow so that you can easily process your pictures the way you want them.

The world of digital photography offers so many different and more opportunities than the world of film photography. With a few digital photography basics up your sleeve, you can begin successfully producing your digital photographs.