Digital versus 35mm

Digital versus 35mm photography is a big discussion among many avid photographers. The 35mm camera has been the camera used by photographers for years. Using 35mm film requires chemical processing in order to expose the photos taken. Digital cameras on the other hand do not require the use of film. At the same time, digital cameras don't require any type of film to take a picture.

Technological advances in photographic equipment have brought about the creation of sophisticated digital cameras. Digital cameras don't require film so photos can easily be downloaded into a computer and printed later. The features of digital cameras have become so advanced and yet so simple to use that more and more people are opting to use them.

Digital photography simply requires the use of a computer and a colored printer to produce any shot taken. With digital photography, amateurs and even professional photographers can do it themselves. Unlike 35mm film photography where the users are particularly amateurs at the mercy of camera stores for the development of their photographs.

In most cases, users can even dictate the outcome of the pictures taken with a digital camera. Pictures can be printed on a variety of materials unlike 35mm film photography that require a lot of work just to be printed on anything other than the standard. However many conventional photographers attest to the durability of 35mm film photography as proven by history.

Although there are cases where digital photography has been used to salvage and restore 35mm film photographs. Pictures taken with a digital camera can easily be stored in a variety of formats from floppy discs to compact discs. Many traditionalists are concerned that the ever changing technology of digital cameras may soon make current formats obsolete.

Digital Photography for Amateurs and Professionals Alike

Digital photography has become quite popular because it is convenient and easy to use. A digital camera in the hands of an amateur photographer can produce some amazing shots that can outdo those taken by a professional with a conventional 35mm camera. Mainly because many of the digital cameras today include a number of features that only professional photographers using conventional cameras would know how to use.

At the same time, digital cameras can be used in various locations. Many digital cameras can even be used for underwater pictures which is a big improvement over shots taken with a traditional 35mm camera. Digital cameras can also be used to take wide shots like landscapes without sacrificing detail or color.

Canon AE-1 35mm

Choosing between Digital and 35mm

Photographers whose businesses rely on taking the right pictures require dependable equipment to help them create the imagery they need. However, many professionals are divided about the use of digital cameras over traditional 35mm cameras. Some prefer digital while others still prefer 35mm cameras.

Most photographers that capture major news or sporting events need equipment that will help them produce photos quickly and easily. Any delays will be costly. That is why, most news and sports photographers rely on digital cameras for prompt and straightforward results.

Fujifilm ZoomDate 125EZ

Next to these photographers, the advertising industry is another community that relies on digital photography. In most cases, shots taken for various ads using digital photography also rely on computer enhancements to add a few significant touches here and there. This is truly something that can't be done with a traditional 35mm shot.

On the other hand, photographers who take various pictures concerning nature and animals rely on the traditional 35mm camera for results. For these purists, digital photography simply will not do. These photographers sacrifice speedy printing for quality that they believe only a 35mm camera can provide.

Despite the differences of both many photographers have actually combined both mediums to create the exact photo they want. In fact, most photographers own both types of cameras wherein either one serves as a backup to the other. 35mm cameras have become the backup to digital cameras.

Simply because digital cameras have become so simple that even a child can operate one. At the same time, digital cameras provide a wide assortment of features that would make any amateur photographer feel like a professional.

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How Should You Edit Your Picture?

Editing cannot make a bad photo good. However, great photo editing is crucial – Because it can make a good photo great by accentuating its best points and bringing out its full potential. Most world class photographers are also expert photo editors. How do you edit your picture in a way that creates a great photo? Read on.

The Basics
When you’re editing any image, you should do the following basics:

• Adjust the contrast levels. Make sure you have enough contrast. Higher contrast often results in sharper images that really stand out – Although contrast that’s too high just looks tacky.
• Remove any color cast. If the whole image is “shaded red” for example, you’ll want to change that. White balance is often the easiest method, levels or curves if the image has complex colors schemes.
• Touch up any humans. Depending on what the image will be used for, you may want to remove any blemishes, pimples, discolorations, etc.
• After you’ve done the basics, then …

Try Different Crops
Try at least 2-5 different ways to crop any image you’re editing. Does the focus look better in the center? On the left? On the right?
 

In the past, you had to take the picture perfectly if you wanted to get the focal point right. Today, you can crop your image in different ways after the photo is taken, provided you have a high enough resolution image.

Manual Editing
Often times, you’ll have to do a bit of manual editing to get the picture perfect. It might be something like creating a levels layer just for one part of the image you want higher contrast, but nothing else. It might be cloning out things that somehow managed to get in the picture.
 

For example, you have a gorgeous picture of a park, but there’s a plastic garbage bag in the corner. In that case, you’ll have to do something like clone the grass over the area to get rid of it.

Or, you have a 4 person picture but one person is too dark, while the other 3 are perfect. In that case, create an adjustment layer and mask out everyone but that one person to get the levels perfect for that one person.
 

The list of manual editing can go on and on. Use your own artistic eye to see what needs to be done.

Subtle Effects
Often times the use of subtle effects can really help bring out the picture.
 

Blurring out the background is a common way to add focus to the picture. If one person is standing there with the rest of the background slightly blurred, it adds a very nice feel.
 

Grayscale or sepia toned images are a great way to add style, depending on the image.

You may one to go for a slightly dreamy tone with something like waterfall pictures. With pictures of animals in the wild, you might want to create an effect that goes with the feel of the image. For example, you might want to motion blur the background of a cheetah so it looks like it’s going extremely fast.

Or, you might want to add a slight red tone to the rest of an image if you’ve got a photograph of a bat. In the end, it really depends on your artistic style.
 

When you’re beginning to edit an image, first start by doing your basic photo adjustments. Then experiment with different crops and ways to frame and package your image. Then make any manual adjustments and edits you need. Finally, add any subtle effects you want in the image.

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Canon Powershot Memory Card

Like other digital cameras, a Canon Powershot has a distinct advantage over film cameras. It can store images on a memory card, and the card can be safely removed or replaced without having to worry about exposed images. You can use a Secure Digital (SD) Flash Memory Card or a MultiMedia Card (MMC).

An SD/MMC memory card allows you to expand the memory capacity of your Canon Powershot digital camera. You can store still pictures or videos on a memory card. The bigger the capacity of the card, the more images it can store. Typically, a 2GB memory card can store more than 700 images. With an 8GB card, you may be able to store more than 3000 images.

Formatting a Memory Card for a Canon Powershot
You should always format a memory card with the camera before you start using it for the first time. If you fail to do this, you may not be able to save your images. SD/MMC cards are both formatted in much the same way.

You can access and format a memory card for a Canon digital camera by connecting the camera to a computer using a USB cable, or by removing the card from the camera and inserting it in a compatible card reader. It is also possible to format your memory card with your digital camera.

The simplest way to format your memory card is by using the camera’s built-in image delete or card format function. This is found in the menu options.
You can also use a computer to format or delete images. Without removing the memory card from the camera, connect the device to your computer with a compatible USB connector. Or, you can take out the memory card and insert it in a suitable card reader. The computer will automatically detect the memory card. If there are no problems, you will see the memory card’s folder on your computer and you can delete images or format the card.


Fixing Memory Card Errors
If your memory card gets damaged or corrupted, you may lose any images stored on it. You may get a “Memory Card Error” or “Memory Card Locked” message while attempting to view your images. If you have no backup of your pictures, you will have to use an advanced Digital Photo Recovery utility.

A memory card can become corrupted due to improper camera shutdown, virus attack or interruption of the read/write operation. A low-level format of the memory card for your Canon Powershot will usually render the card usable again. However, whatever images were previously stored on the card will be erased. Use a Photo Recovery utility to recover lost data after performing a low level or standard formatting procedure. Transfer all recovered data to another location, such as your computer’s hard drive.

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Introducing The Top 10 Digital Cameras

Well, I suppose most of us know about which brand is top selling, most wanted, most friendly user, etc, etc.  But here I would like to highlight the top 10 digital cameras for all the brands that we know.

Digital cameras, as we know, come in all shapes and sizes, not to mentions features and functions. A simple point-and-shoot digital camera is perfect for taking family photos. On the other hand, you may be a serious photographer who won’t be satisfied with anything less than a digital SLR camera. There’s something for everyone in this rundown of the top 10 digital cameras.

Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS

This is one of the Canon’s best selling cameras. It features an easy to navigate menu complete with user interfaces. Controls are intuitive, and the camera is very easy to use. The SD 1100 IS has 8.1MP resolution, 2.5” LCD screen and 3x optical zoom. Experienced photographers will like that it has an optical viewfinder, which is rare in digital cameras of this size. An optical viewfinder makes it easier to “frame” your shots and is a good thing to have in your camera especially when taking pictures in bright environments where the LCD display is not so great.

Nikon CoolPix P5100

This Nikon camera is a high-end point-and-shoot camera. Its features are more like a digital SLR camera. You have more control over your pictures, although an automatic mode is also available. The Nikon CoolPix P5100 has 12.1MP resolution, image stabilization, an optical viewfinder, and other cool features.

Fuji FinePix F50fd

Price-wise, this is a mid-range camera. Its resolution is 12MP, which is high for a point and shoot camera. It also offers different shutter speeds and a 2.7” LCD screen. One of the best things about this camera is its face detection software which works extremely well even when the face is in full profile.

Canon Powershot G9

This is one of the more expensive point-and-shoot cameras, with features close to an SLR. It has an optical viewfinder, 12.1MP resolution, and manual features. If you want extra control over your pictures but don’t want to use a large SLR camera, the Canon G9 is perfect for you.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T500

On top of its sleek design, this beauty features 10.1MP resolution, a bright 3.5” LCD touch-screen, image stabilization and a host of other amazing features.

Kodak EasyShare Z740

This Kodak camera shoots great close-up pictures, with its 10x optical zoom and 5x advanced digital zoom. It’s also simple to use and gives vibrantly colored pictures under any lighting condition.

Nikon CoolPix S700

This high-end camera feels sturdy and comes with great features. Its Autofocus option lets you take pictures of great quality. The CoolPix S700 has a 12MP resolution, 3x optical zoom, and 2.7” LCD screen.

Canon EOS-5D

In the realm of digital SLR cameras, the EOS-5D holds its own with a 12.8MP CMOS sensor. The camera is compact and takes pictures with outstanding image quality, thanks to Canon’s DIGIC II Image Processor. It features a 2.5” LCD screen and easy-to-navigate menu.

Konica Minolta Dynax 5D

Also known as the Maxxum 5D, the Dynax 5D digital SLR camera features anti-shake technology for blur-free pictures. It has a wide range of customizable settings for greater control over each shot.

Nikon D50

Completing the list of top 10 digital cameras is the Nikon D50. It is compact and lightweight, with a lithium-ion battery that allows you to shoot around 2,000 images between battery recharges. It allows high-speed continuous shooting and you can choose the resolution you want when saving an image.

Hmmmm......... I am actually facing a difficulty in making decision for buying new camera.  :)

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About Black and White Photography

As with television and the movies, black and white pictures were first developed long before colored pictures were born.

The history of the modern photograph is much printed in monochromatic pictures, which are basically black and white pictures. The photograph back then was rendered in dark and light patches which were used to create black and white effects. The dark portions would sometimes be rendered as gray or brown-ish.

 
Fall of Black and White

When the colored picture came into the scene during the 1975 era, black and white pictures came falling down, and they fell hard. There were many reasons behind this plummeting. The different manufacturers were developing better-than-ever color films and they were creating these films at low prices. The number of good developers of black and white films was also declining. The attention of the public was turned into the more elaborate and exciting colored pictures.

Because of the different factors that were affecting the photography market, the use of black and white film went further down to rock bottom. People started to see the use of black and white film as a difficult thing to do and they wanted to shift to the use of colored film as soon as they could. So, in those periods, people who studied photography or took photography classes were deprived of the beauty of the black and white picture. The market and the conditions around the photographers were shaped so as to repress the black and white scene in general.

 
Rise of Black and White

The black and white photographs are back in town. People are now seeing the inherent beauty that these photographs capture. They are back in print advertising. The modern print advertising materials are so cluttered by so many colors and pictures and when the black and white materials are put side by side with them, the black and white pictures gives the beholder a sense of reality which the colored ones can't give.

As the cliché goes, “black is beautiful.” And black wouldn’t be black if there wasn't white, therefore, “black and white” is beautiful. The black and white picture was never really gone away especially from the point of view of the professional photographers. The art scene was never detached from using black and white pictures, so as the newspaper industry, where many newspaper would want their photographers to get their pictures in the black and white format.

With the advent of digital photography, you can instantly convert your colored photos into black and white ones, the black and white pictures are definitely making a strong comeback. This time around, the black and white scene is here to stay.

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What is Aerial Photography?

Viewing photographs which are taken from a good, unique point of view is one of the most fascinating things in the world of photography. This is what we refer to as aerial photography.

 

Origins

Aerial photography is formally defined as photograph taking from an overhead viewpoint by using cameras that are mounted on an airborne tool such as a balloon, an aircraft, a kite, a skydiver and other similar tools. The art of aerial photography was first developed by Nadar, a French airman back in 1858. During the Second World War, aerial photography found a niche in military operations. Aerial photographs were used in spying and in the assessment of the battle ground. These photographs provided updated and realistic impressions of the topography and current situation in a certain area.

 

Uses of Aerial Photographs

There are many conceived and actual uses for pictures which are taken from above. Aerial photographs are actually used in the construction of topographic maps, in cartography, planning land use, archeology, production of movies, espionage, environmental studies, commercial advertising and in other fields.

The use of technology has also crawled into the field of aerial photography. Advances in radio technology has allowed for the use of aircraft models which are controlled by radio  in the conduct of low-altitude photography. This is mainly used in advertising for the real estate business. This is because manned aircrafts are not allowed to fly low altitudes in populated locations. This task can be done by these radio-controlled aircraft models and they do the job very well.

 

Public Domain

Aerial photographs are considered public domain, because the pictures are taken from aerial views which are considered public places.

There are many ways to view aerial photographs on-line. One of the most popular ones is the Google Earth by Google. Google Earth provides satellite imagery as well as aerial photos of the planet. You can actually use the service to be able to search for different places in a certain area such as parks, restaurants, schools and hotels. It can also be used to be able to track down the best routes for reaching a certain location. You can also view the aerial photographs in different angles by tilting and rotating them.

These are some basic things about aerial photography. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, you can browse through some basic materials at the local library or use the Internet to get more information about it.

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The “Magic” Digital Photography Mindset

Your frame of mind is perhaps the most important factor towards becoming a great photographer. The difference between a world class photographer and a merely “good” photographer often isn’t their equipment or their photography technique, but their mindset. These are some of the “magic” success factors that great photographers develop.

 

Having the Patience to Wait for a Great Photo

Patience is often a critical factor in taking a great photograph.
 

If you’re photographing unique cloud shapes for example, your likelihood of taking a great photo goes up if you’re willing to wait several hours, getting shots from different angles and lighting while you allow clouds and sunlight to shift.

If you’re photographing people on the streets, giving yourself time will allow you to catch those “magical” moments that you wouldn’t have caught if you hadn’t had the patience to wait. A child letting go of a balloon. A man helping an old woman across the street. A screaming match between hot dog vendors. Whatever it is – You won’t catch that “moment” unless you were there waiting for it.

No matter what kind of photos you’re taking, having the patience to wait for the perfect shot is a crucial aspect of being a great photographer. One photographer, who now has his own Discovery movie, waited one whole year to catch photographs of a particular kind of bat drinking the nectar from desert cactus – An event that only happens once a year.
 

Some of the best photographers in the world are willing to wait months, even years to catch the right photograph. Develop your patience and the right shots will come to you.

 

Capture a “Feeling”

If you listen to the language of beginning photographers and the language of experienced photographers, you’ll find that they focus on different things.
 

New photographers generally focus on their equipment or their camera techniques. They’ll talk about the latest cameras, newest features or different kinds of lenses they want to buy. They’ll talk about different kinds of photography techniques or different ways of taking pictures.

If you listen to experienced photographers however, you’ll find that they talk about completely different things. Although equipment and technique are important, it’s not their main focus.
 

Instead, experienced photographers focus on the feeling. They’re trying to capture an experience in the shot.

An experienced family portrait photographer doesn’t focus on cameras or techniques – They focus on capturing the family feel in the camera.

A nature photographer might be trying to capture the majesty of nature, the danger of epic cliffs, or the beauty of a flower.

The focus isn’t on technique, but feeling.

A great photographer knows what kind of feeling they’re trying to capture and are willing to wait for that perfect moment to capture that picture.
 

If you want to become a first class photographer, someone who takes great photos and gets paid well for it, then take a look at this article to learn how.

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