Photography Tech

World's first 16.41 megapixel cellphone sensor

2010-10-08T16:24:00.000-04:00

Uh, wow, guess the megapixel race isn't over. Sony just announced the world's first 16.41 megapixel CMOS sensor for mobile phones putting today's 12 megapixel units to shame. The 1/2.8-inch back-illuminated Exmor R model IMX081PQ sensor packs an industry smallest 1.12μm unit cell size and is capable of shooting 1080p at 30fps or 720p at 60fps. Sony claims to have solved some of the issues related to those incredibly small pixel sizes by implementing a unique formation of photo diodes to achieve a sensor with high resolution, high sensitivity, and low noise. Expect it to begin sampling in January 2011 for ¥2,500 (about $30) per or ¥12,000 (about $145) when packaged with a 10.5 x 10.5 x 7.9 mm IU081F autofocus lens module that ships in March -- prices that will come down dramatically when purchased in bulk. A second, 1/3.2-inch 8.13 megapixel IMX105PQ sensor with IU105F2 lens module (pictured on the right) will be out in April for a lot less.

Halloween - The Strob-O-Lantern

2010-10-08T16:19:00.000-04:00

With Halloween just around the corner I thought that showcasing a nice scary photograph may be inspirational. Of course, since this is DIYP there's a hack in it. It is using an optically triggered hacked slave flash that was fitted in a Lantern.

Photographer Victor W used a small flash scavenged from a Kodak disposable camera to create a scary watch man photograph. (sorry victor, but watchman at night with threatening faces are scary, if you wanna see Victor's nice side see here).

The Flash was then fitted in a sea lantern and the shot was taken against dramatic sky. Victor estimates the power at about staggering 5 W/S (Click the image for Lantern instructions)

If you are looking for the schematics, Victor posted those: "Circuit diagram? Build instructions? You are joking, right?", luckily, the schematics and parts can be scavenged from the DIYP's Disposable Ringflash project.

Yes, Halloween is coming and if you don't do a fancy hacked photography Halloween project the Watchman will get you!

Source DIYPhotography.net

Chiaroscuro Self Portraits - Off Camera Flash

2010-08-30T10:01:00.000-04:00

You can really have some fun with off camera flash. I recently chopped my 1.5m ETTL cord in half. Yes, I took a pair of wire cutters to a perfectly good ETTL cord. No I am not crazy... I was performing this CAT5 ETTL extension mod. Made a great opportunity to play with some creative shots. These are 3 self portraits with my 580EX II strobe to the camera left (almost at my right cheek) shot through an umbrella. Power way down on the flash and shot with my Canon T2i and a Canon 50mm F1.8 with a very high shutter speed.

Canon 60D is Official!

2010-08-26T12:45:00.000-04:00

Canon finally released the public Press Release for the much anticipated Canon 60D DSLR Mid Level camera. Not sure there is much here to sway potential customers from the very popular Canon T2i but it is another option. This camera fits between the Canon T2i and the 7D. The price should be somewhere in the middle once it hits the streets.

Canon's New EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera Unleashes The Creative Potential Of Digital Photography And EOS Full HD Video With New In-Camera Imaging Features
New EOS 60D Offers a Vari-Angle LCD Screen, EOS Full HD Video Recording, In-Camera RAW Processing and Creative Filters and 18-Megapixel Resolution Among Class-Leading Specs

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., August 26, 2010 – High-quality digital capture and skillful post-processing go hand-in-hand for superior end results, and more control over in-camera image processing means less time editing and more time shooting. At the same time, the overwhelming popularity of Full HD video recording with other current EOS Digital SLRs has led to customer requests for more advanced features such as manual audio level control and flexible LCD screens. Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, delivers all of these features and more with the new EOS 60D Digital SLR Camera. For the first time on an EOS camera, the EOS 60D DSLR boasts a three-inch Vari-Angle Clear View LCD screen, EOS Full HD video recording with manual overrides including audio level control, and in-camera functionality for RAW image processing plus Creative Filters to manipulate images after taking them. Designed primarily for advanced amateurs, the EOS 60D replaces the EOS 50D and boasts a broad array of new features that make it easier for photographers to add personal creativity to their images. Whether it's capturing an overhead shot on the Vari-Angle screen at a graduation ceremony, or converting a color image to black and white for a nostalgic look, Canon is delivering in-camera features and functions that empower advanced photographers to capture, display and print the images they want.
"The EOS 60D has been designed to offer the image-capture and the Full HD video features customers are looking for as they continue to expand their photographic skills. The exciting new features of the EOS 60D make using a DSLR camera more attractive and easier than ever before. We want everyone to experience the great image quality a Canon DSLR can offer with features and functions that they will appreciate and use," stated Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.
Exciting EOS "Firsts"
For the first time in the history of the Canon EOS System, the new 60D camera features a large Vari-Angle 3-inch Clear View LCD screen with 1,040,000 dot/VGA resolution plus anti-reflective and smudge-resistant coatings for bright clear viewing from any angle. The new LCD screen is ideal for composing low-angle or overhead shots whether capturing still images or Full HD video clips.
Another first for the EOS system is the EOS 60D camera's new Multi-Control Dial, which places a Multi-Controller and Set button inside the Quick Control Dial. This new control layout streamlines camera navigation for vertical as well as horizontal shooting and enables a cleaner camera design. Responding to customer requests, the EOS 60D also features a locking mode dial, which makes camera operation more secure by preventing inadvertent changes to the photographer's selected shooting mode.
While the photography mantra of "get it right in the camera" still stands true, Canon's new EOS 60D gives advanced photographers an edge with new in-camera features that enable users to enhance their images without a computer even after they have been shot. For the first time ever in an EOS camera, the EOS 60D features in-camera processing of RAW image files, new reduced resolution image copies, and post-processing creative image filters for exceptional flexibility in digital image rendering.
In-camera RAW image processing features include Picture Style, White Balance (WB), Color Space, High-ISO Noise Reduction, Peripheral Illumination Correction, linear distortion correction and chromatic aberration correction. These powerful in-camera editing tools will allow photographers in the field to produce optimized images on the spot and generate JPEG files at various resolution and compression settings for immediate sharing, without affecting the original RAW data.
Another great new feature for photographers-on-the-go is Canon's new image resizing function. After capturing full resolution or smaller JPEG images, the camera can generate lower-resolution copies using menu commands. New lower-resolution settings include 1920 x 1280 for optimal display on HD televisions, or 720 x 480, ideal for immediate uploading to social networking and other photo sharing web sites. The original high resolution files remain unaffected by the image resizing function.
Available for the first time in an EOS camera are Canon's new creative image filters. Familiar to Canon PowerShot users, these fun photo effects help make a great image more dynamic, even after it has been shot. Canon provides four artistic filters that allow photographers to capture an image and then create and manipulate a digital copy of it.
The Soft Focus effect filter helps dramatize an image and smooth over shiny reflections.
The Grainy Black and White filter can give a different nostalgic perspective to any shot.
Canon's "Toy Camera" filter deliberately adds vignetting and color shift for a creative option when shooting a colorful scene.
Users can also make a scene appear like a small-scale model, simulating the look from a tilt-shift lens, with Canon's Miniature Effect filter, great when shooting any scene from a high vantage point.
Each of these filters can be applied to a captured still image in-camera to create a second "filtered" JPEG version, leaving the original RAW or JPEG file unaffected.
Another addition to the camera's Live View function is Canon's new Aspect Ratio feature whereby the Live View screen can display cropping lines for 1:1, 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios in addition to the standard 3:2 ratio. These cropping lines make it easier to compose images in Live View, and they can help to expedite printing when using Canon's supplied Digital Photo Professional software. Custom aspect ratios are also applied to JPEG images whether captured directly in-camera or created with the EOS 60D's in-camera RAW image processing function.
EOS HD Video: Continuing the Video Paradigm Shift
In addition to its new still capture capabilities, the EOS 60D features Full HD video capture at 1920 x 1080 resolution with selectable frame rates of 24p, 25p or 30p. Native 24p recording helps videographers achieve a more cinema-style look for their footage without the need for post-processing. The EOS 60D builds upon the great video capabilities Canon has introduced in recent DSLR cameras and packs them into a camera photo enthusiasts will love. Full HD video capture, along with selectable cinematic frame rates for both NTSC (National Television System Committee) and PAL (Phase Altering Line) standards, will help the EOS 60D to be the camera of choice among film students and photography students alike.
The new EOS 60D camera's movie mode also includes manual controls for exposure as well as manual audio levels in 64 steps, much like the latest firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark II HD-SLR. Users can set audio levels on the rear menu screen before shooting begins; once recording is initialized, audio adjustments are not possible. In addition, Canon has added an electronic Wind Filter to the audio controls within the movie shooting menu.
Canon has also included an in-camera movie editing feature, allowing users to shorten a video file by clipping segments from the beginning or the end, removing unwanted portions without outside software. This feature can dramatically accelerate workflow by reducing the time needed to upload video clips to a computer for further editing and assembly. The EOS 60D also includes Canon's Movie Crop mode, which allows users to achieve 7x magnification when shooting SD video. Unlike the digital zoom feature found in many compact digital cameras, Canon's Movie Crop mode crops the image directly from the CMOS sensor at full SD resolution to preserve image quality and still provide additional telephoto power.
Providing access to the right lens for any given shooting scenario, the EOS 60D DSLR camera is compatible with more than 60 Canon EF and EF-S lenses. The EOS 60D DSLR's video functions are supported by two key proprietary Canon technologies, a DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor and a large APS-C–sized CMOS sensor capturing fine detail and color with an amazing cinematic depth of field. The Canon EOS 60D allows for three video recording modes – Full HD and HD in a 16:9 aspect ratio and Standard Definition (SD) in a 4:3 aspect ratio, all at selectable frame rates. The EOS 60D Digital SLR camera will record Full HD at 1920 x 1080 pixels in selectable frame rates of 24p (23.976), 25p, or 30p (29.97); 720p HD recording at 50p or 60p (59.94) and SD video at frame rates of 50p or 60p (59.94). The EOS 60D features a dedicated button to initiate live view for both video and still shooting. Once engaged, the same dedicated button will start and stop video recording.
Valuable Additional Features
Along with the adjustable LCD screen, the new EOS 60D DSLR features a class-leading 18-megapixel Canon CMOS sensor, a proprietary DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, a 9-point Autofocus system and Canon's exclusive iFCL Metering System (Intelligent Focus, Color, Luminance) giving it the power of a professional-level camera. Capable of capturing fast action, the 60D DSLR can shoot full resolution still images up to 5.3-frames per second (fps). The EOS 60D records its images and video clips to the photographer's choice of SD, SDHC or new extended capacity SDXC memory cards.
The 9-point AF system on the new EOS 60D features f/5.6-sensitive cross-type focusing on all nine focusing points. Like the EOS 7D, the center AF point is a hybrid of standard cross-type and special diagonally-shaped "X" cross, with high-precision sensitivity for f/2.8 and larger aperture lenses. Complementing the AF system, Canon's iFCL metering system, identical to that on the EOS 7D and Rebel T2i, takes color information into account and includes a 63-zone dual-layer metering sensor that reads both illumination and color for consistent results in all lighting conditions, keeping exposure levels stable from shot to shot, even as the light source changes.
Photographers will enjoy shooting in low light thanks to the EOS 60D DSLR's wide ISO range from 100-6400 (adjustable in 1/3-step increments from ISO 100-6400 and expandable to 12,800) allowing it to capture beautiful images without flash during family milestone events such as wedding ceremonies, while still being equipped with a built-in pop-up flash for shooting the cake cutting ceremony and reception. The EOS 60D's pop-up flash features a built-in Integrated Speedlite Transmitter for control of up to two groups of off-camera EOS Speedlites without the need for an external transmitter, providing an economical solution for multi-flash shoots.
Making accurate composition more convenient, the EOS 60D's optical viewfinder provides 96 percent coverage along with Canon's built-in single axis Electronic Level Display, which utilizes the exposure level scale below the picture area to let the photographer know when the camera is level. The Electronic Level Display is also visible on the camera's LCD screen in both Live View and Movie modes. An artificial horizon display illustrates horizontal roll, allowing the photographer to know when the camera is in a fixed level position. The entire camera has been durability-tested to 100,000 exposures making the EOS 60D a reliable as well as a powerful imaging tool.
Pricing and Availability
The Canon EOS 60D Digital SLR camera is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers toward the end of September, and will be sold in a body-only configuration at an estimated retail price of $1,099.00ⁱ. It will also be offered in a kit version with Canon's EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens at an estimated retail price of $1,399.00ⁱⁱ. The Canon BG-E9 battery grip is scheduled to be available toward the end of September and sell at an estimated retail price of $270.00ⁱⁱⁱ.
About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked fourth overall in the U.S. in 2009†, with global revenues of US $35 billion, is listed as number six in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine's World's Most Admired Companies 2010 list, and is on the 2009 BusinessWeek list of "100 Best Global Brands." Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – "all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future" – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company's RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

Great Coupons

2010-07-09T09:23:00.000-04:00

SanDisk Ultra II 2GB SD - Lowest price ever at Calumet Photographic While supplies last.

Check out Great Coupons at B&H Photo!

Hurry! Don't miss $50 Instant Savings on the Gateway LT2041u 10.1" Netbook Computer (Cherry Red)

Canon EOS 7D video samples hit the web

2009-09-28T09:09:00.002-04:00

We've already seen some video from a pre-production Canon EOS 7D, but it looks like it's hitting stores now, and this is the first video we've seen from a final retail unit. It's genuinely impressive, especially since filmmaker Dan Chung says most of it was shot at 1600 to 6400 ISO, but it's important to realize that he was also using some seriously expensive lenses, a specialized video viewfinder, a wide-angle mattebox to reduce lens flare, and a separate external microphone for audio. Was that enough responsible skepticism for you? Good, because we also think the 7D looks like it's going to rock, and we can't wait to try one out. Video after the break, along with a shot of Dan's video rig.

Canon 7D movie - Another night in Beijing from Dan Chung on Vimeo.

Better Outdoor Portraits Tips

2009-07-23T14:48:00.001-04:00

This is an easy technique I read about a long time ago, and it works really well. I use it a lot when shooting weddings and portraits.

Outdoor portraits can often end up with a washed-out and boring sky when you set your camera to correctly expose the person’s face. But if you set the exposure to capture the sky perfectly, you end up with a very dark or even silhouetted person. We all know you can use fill flash outdoors to correct this, but even then the exposure can be a bit unpredictable if left up to the camera.

The technique I like to use is:

take a meter reading from the sky
set your camera to Manual mode
set the aperture according to the depth of field you want
set your shutter speed to correctly expose the sky (based on the earlier reading)
turn your flash on and set it to E-TTL (or whatever the equivalent is on non-Canon cameras)

You may need to tweak your aperture setting (or ISO, if shooting digital) if the required shutter speed is faster than your flash sync speed.

The manual exposure gives perfect exposure for the sky, whether it’s a deep blue with white fluffy clouds, a sunset, a looming storm, or whatever. The flash will light your subject perfectly, giving a nicely balanced overall picture. You might need to experiment a little to determine whether you need to use flash exposure compensation - I get good results from my EOS 40D/580ex combo without any compensation.

One problem that might occur is that your on-camera flash can make the subject look a bit flat, giving the photo a ‘fake’ overall look. A diffuser like the Lumiquest Big Bounce can soften the edges of shadows and make your lighting look a lot more natural, especially if you can combine it with an off-camera flash cord. Even better would be a mobile studio light with a softbox or umbrella. Just make sure you get the lighting direction from the flash right so that it doesn’t contradict the direction of the lighting in the background - that can look awful!

Bag Review: Lowepro Classified 160AW

2009-07-22T11:56:00.009-04:00

Lowepro Classified 160AW

The Classified series is one of Lowepro's newest line of sling/shoulder camera bags. Its name suggests just that, classified. It's meant to be stealthy and blend you in with the crowd. Although it doesn't scream camera bag, it still looks like a fine piece of luggage / laptop bag. Some may or may not like that, but to me it looks good without looking like a camera bag. The quality of material and construction of the bag is world class with fine stitching and leather accents on high grade nylon. With quality, comes with a steep price tag of $174 retail and $129.95 through online retailers.

My gear requirements:
1. Canon 5D Mark II
2. Canon 70-200 f/4L IS
3. Canon 24-70 f/2.8L
4. Canon 16-35 f/2.8L
5. Canon 430EX II
6. Compact Flash wallet
7. Spare battery
8. Battery Charger
9. USB cables
10. Lens Pen, caps, keys, etc.
11. ** 10.1" Netbook PC

If you're wondering how I can possibly fit all that into this bag, the answer is you can't, but you can have the following configurations. Well actually you can, I've filled it up to the gills with all the camera gear on that table.

Airplane transport:
1. 5DMKII w/70-200 f/4L IS attached w/hood reversed + 430 EXII on one side + 16-35 on the other side + charger
2. 5DMKII w/70-200 f/4L IS attached w/hood reversed + 24-70 f/2.8L w/hood reversed and 16-35 f/2.8L stacked on top of each other on the side. You can jam in the flash on the grip side, but it's really really tight.

Light travel / walkabout:
3. 5DMKII w/70-200 f/4L IS attached w/hood reversed + 24-70 f/2.8L on one side w/hood reversed + 430 EXII.
4. 5DMKII w/24-70 f/2.8 attached w/hood reversed + 16-35 f/2.8l (My typical walkabout configuration)

n. It's pretty flexible depending on your gear and you can mix and match depending on your needs.

x. ++ with any of the above configuration you can comfortably include your Netbook PC in the front pocket without taking out any of your equipment. This was a huge win for me because netbooks are really handy while traveling and can be used as a back-up / storage device to replace your typical multimedia hard drive. They cost the same or less with more storage + a screen and wi-fi. Win win!

General picture of the bag:

Pockets and storage:

CF card wallet included:

Pens, Lens pens, caps, batteries, etc.

Rear document pocket:

Rain gear built-in:

With 5DMKII + 24-70 f/2.8L

With 70-200 f/4L on the side or you can have it attached to the body. Also notice the built-in micro-fiber cloth to protect your LCD. Thoughtfulness!

Flash on-top of 70-200 and actually there's enough room on the right side to squeeze it in vertically.

Now for the Netbook PC (10.1" Asus Eee PC 1005HA)

Now to put everything into perspective; how big is this bag really? The bag is fully loaded as shown in the earlier pics. There's still plenty of room in there to throw my charger, a small point+shoot, and key fobs.

Now how does this compare to a more familiar Crumpler 6MDH bag:

I took out the 70-200 f/4L IS and attached the hood forward to clearly show that this bag is capable of holding the 70-200 f/2.8IS with hood reversed attached to body.

Everything you want to know about aftermarket batteries for Canon DSLR's

2009-04-07T14:29:00.003-04:00

So you want to buy batteries for your Canon DSLR? Don’t want to spend 50 bucks a pop for the Canon ones?

I researched this subject quite a bit earlier on as well since I can't afford another $1000 dollar camera I wanted to be 100% sure they wouldn't mess up my nice new camera. First of all I’m talking mainly about the batteries from Sterlingtek. Another important thing you should know is that mah stands for milliamp hours. The larger this is the longer it will last in your Camera.

My camera is the Rebel XT which takes NB 2LH batteries, but many have bought bp-511's from them which fit the DRebel, 20D, 10D, D30, D60.

NB2L or NB2LH?
One thing about Sterlingtek is that the nb2lh that canon makes is their nb2l. Canon’s NB2L is 570mah and their NB2LH is 720 (H stands for high capacity). Sterlingtek's are called NB2L but really should be called NB2LH.

1100mah vs 1500mah and 7.2v vs 7.4v:
On their website the batteries claim to say "7.2V Li-Ion 1100mAh". I received units that are labeled 7.4v just like the OEM Canon's. They aren’t 1100mah either, they are 1500mah (better). When the battery is fully charged, it will show well over 8v, and when it is drained it shows around 7.4v. I would personally never allow a single cell lithium battery to get below 7.4v.

In the picture you can see the voltmeter with the battery fully charged and then when the battery is discharged (Note: the battery wasn’t fully drained when I took it out of the camera, if it was, I believe it would be close to 7.4v).

Price
You can go to their site directly and order BUT, you can get the exact same product from them cheaper if you go through this link. So click the link and choose however many you want.

eBay Grib Batteries for Canon 40D

2009-03-16T09:02:00.007-04:00

One of the most popular accessories for high volume users of the Canon Digital SLR series cameras is a battery grip. Not only does this accessory dramatically improve portrait shooting ergonomics, but it adds more than double your battery capacity which is some cases is more important than the ergonomics.

The idea is simple, it attaches to your tripod mount with a pod that goes into your battery compartment that feeds the two extra battery packs into the main cell holder. Normally, these are quite expensive considering their simple design, but many have been turning to the low cost eBay grip batteries. So we decided to take a look for ourselves.

We purchased a battery grip for our Canon 40D.

The texture on the rubber grip is ever so slightly different from the 40D rubber. It's textured but slightly 'smoother' if you will. It's also stickier than the 40D rubber, which I think is probably better.

The usual buttons are there. What I didn't know beforehand is that it comes with the slot for holding the body's battery cover so that you don't lose it. (the cover slides into the grip against the vertical part there..) The feel of the shutter button is pretty much the same as the body, but the other two AF select / preview zoom buttons feel like mush. I won't be using those much though. The main dial wheel is nicely rubberized, but doesn't give as nice a click as the one on the body does. Again, probably won't be using it much.

The battery door opens nicely with the little spring release latch thing. Of course it accepts two regular batteries, using the same latch mechanisms that the body does (the little white things in the pic above). There is also a spring release button thing by the door that, when pushed in, allows the use of a battery pack I guess.

The AA battery tray slides in smoothly and stays put. Accepts 6 AA's.

There's a neck strap loop on the bottom if you want to hang your 40D vertically.

So all in all I think it feels good. It attaches firmly to the body and doesn't wiggle or have any battery connection issues. It feels very solid and well built, although oddly enough I think the grip casing is made half in plastic and half in the magnesium alloy material. I can't be sure though, it just looks and feels that way.

It came packed with an instruction sheet and a 1-year warranty card from the manufacturer.

Does more MegaPixels = Better Camera?

2009-02-19T16:39:00.003-05:00

This is the age old question for new and novice photographers. The answer like most isn't one that we can always give you with a certainty, but typically, the general rule is no.

Gizmodo.com published this great article (Giz Explains: Why More Megapixels Isn't Always More Better) that goes into depth on this topic. This is a very common misconception among amateur photographers. So many times amateur photographers will spend their hard earned money constantly upgrading the bodies of their digital SLR cameras when they should be spending money on high quality lenses, flashes and other useful camera accessories.

Don't get caught up in the megapixel race. I would take an outdate Canon Rebel XT body with a couple great L Lenses and a Canon Speedkite 580 EX II anyday over a Canon 50D with nothing but a kit lens. Keep your gear in perspective!

$1 Image Stabilizer for any Camera

2008-12-16T15:23:00.001-05:00

We came across this great tip. Hard to beat this for portability and cost!

$1 Image Stabilizer For Any Camera - Lose The Tripod - Funny video clips are a click away

Making Money as an Amateure Photographer

2008-07-21T13:24:00.004-04:00

Many start up photographers struggle to start making income with their new profession. It's difficult and risky to hop into weddings, marketing is expensive, equipment costs begin to pile on VERY quickly and the list goes on. Due to the relatively expensive nature of this hobby/profession many new entrants get discouraged or lose their business because of the lack of income.

There are a couple ways to generate cash flow early as an amateur photographer though. One of which is a new company that is looking for local, amateur photographers to help build their global database with digital pictures. EasyPhotobiz.com has thousands of clients around the world that require local photographers to fulfill demands daily.

Lending, Leasing and Insurance institutions nationwide have vested interests in homes, cars, commercial property, businesses, trucks, RVs, boats, or any entity requiring financing or insurance. These institutions need to have updated and accurate information on the condition of this property continuously. It is simply not cost effective for them to have their own "reps" in every single town (zip code) in the United States. So, these institutions "sub" out this work to freelance "reps" all over the country. Once trained, your services will be in high demand.

Since most financing, insurance policies, mortgages, leases, etc. are now completed online, or via 800 telephone numbers, the need for these institutions on a local basis has decreased dramatically. This is where you come in! You will effectively become a representative for 100's of national companies who need constantly updated information from your local area.

For example: If someone from your hometown goes online and applies for a home loan from a national mortgage company in New York, Atlanta or Los Angeles. This mortgage company may require some digital photos and a few measurements of the property before processing the loan. It is simply not cost effective for them to fly someone to your hometown for this 15 minute photography and measuring job. This is where you'd come in. Are you starting to see the potential here? Thanks to internet and 1-800 companies, there is already an extreme shortage of local "reps" nationwide, and the need is growing exponentially. These companies will be happy to hear from you once you are ready to accept assignments.

To put all of this in perspective, just try to imagine ALL of the people in YOUR LOCAL AREA who are getting loans, leases or purchasing insurance ONLINE in a just one week's time. Very few people actually visit a "local" insurance, mortgage or loan company nowadays. However, someone still has to gather the photos and other information that these ONLINE companies REQUIRE in order to complete these transactions. Once again, this is where you come in! Are you starting to see how this all works, and why our services are so necessary?

This simple, but specialized work can be done by men, women, students, seniors, retirees, etc.. There is no cold calling, soliciting for work, or strange people coming to your home. There is no expensive photography equipment or special software needed. You do not have to lease an office or building. You can work right from your own home.

Click here for more information on EasyPhotobiz.com.

There are many books out there that are great to get you started in the business. This is one of the best I've come across. I highly recommend this book (Profitable Photography for all getting started as photographers. Learn from industry proven techniques and secrets.

Which Printer for my Digital Pictures?

2008-07-08T11:26:00.002-04:00

There are so many types of digital camera printer on offer that finding the right one for your personal and business needs can be a very daunting task. However, there are a few main points to consider when choosing a digital camera printer that will help make the process a little easier.
It isn’t necessary to have a high-resolution digital camera printer to make great pictures. The higher the printer resolution you use, the more pixels you'll need in your original image file to produce a decent size print with your digital camera printer. The actual file size (in pixels) of the image from your camera, divided by the printer resolution (in dots per inch), determines the final print size. So, if the image file size is 1,478 x 1,280 pixels, and you print the file at 163 dpi with your digital camera printer, the final print size will be 9 x 7.8 inches.

If your digital camera printer resolution is 300 dpi, then you will have a higher resolution with more dots per inch laid down on the paper but a smaller print size. It is therefore important to ensure that you have the image file size to support the resolution of your digital camera printer.
The price of a digital camera printer is lowering whilst the quality is increasing. If you choose the right digital camera printer you can have your own photo lab, greeting card designing and sign making department with just your digital camera, some software and a printer.

The aim of having a digital camera printer is to produce photographic prints that look as close to real photographic prints as possible. This type of digital camera printer was once very expensive to buy and run, but technological advancements and competitive pricing have made them much more accessible to the average buyer. Ink-jet printers are now available that can produce excellent prints and a near photo-quality printer is much easier to find for people with a small budget. You will probably want to have a digital camera printer with a scanning feature built-in. If you want to produce same-size scans of photos you don’t need scan resolutions higher than 300 samples per inch for the scanner.

Your digital camera printer should also have the same interface that you already have on your computer. So if you have USB, then get a digital camera printer with USB, a Firewire printer if you have Firewire or a SCSI printer if you have SCSI. There should be no need to buy a digital camera printer that requires a different interface to the one you already have on your computer or it will cost you more to upgrade if necessary.

Photoshop CS3 and Camera RAW

2008-06-30T09:36:00.004-04:00

Photoshop CS3 is no doubt the most momentous Photoshop progress which complements digital photographers. Real world Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS3 discusses exciting new features for general users, web designers, video editors and digital photographers. This book is authored by Bruce Fraser.

Bruce Fraser is a noted author having co-authored the penultimate Photoshop resource book Real World Photoshop from Peachpit Press. He is also a contributing editor for Mac World plus a regular contributor for CreativePro where he wrote his “Out of Gamut” articles. Fraser is also a co-author of Real World Color Management from Peachpit Press. He has also made a study of human vision and how it relates to reproducible color in photography and photomechanical reproduction. Bruce is a regular speaker and presenter at notable trade shows and conferences as well as Seybold and Thunder Lizard’s Photoshop Conferences. He has also consulted for an extensive series of major photographic and digital imaging companies.

Adobe Photoshop CS3 is the new version of Adobe Photoshop. It is a part of the newly announced Adobe Creative Suite which combines new versions of Adobe Photoshop CS3 with ImageReady CS3, Adobe illustrator CS3, Adobe InDesign CS3, Adobe GoLive CS3, Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional, and the new "Version Cue" file version manager, which lets you track integrations quickly and locate files easily.

Camera RAW part of Photoshop 7 Adobe Photoshop Camera RAW & JPEG 2000 Plug-in Bundle is now an integrated part of Photoshop CS3. This has added substantial power to Photoshop CS3. JPEG 2000 delivers superior quality for the same compression ratios. Conversely, since no camera support JPEG 2000, support is available through a separate plug-in that ships with the software.

Depending on the camera brand, Raw may come in different flavors. Adobe Photoshop CS3 covers most RAW formats available today. However, RAW data may not be always read accurately. For example, the white balance of Nikon Coolpix 5000 images may have unnatural result which is not a case with Nikon Capture 3.5. To fix the white balance, click in a non-specular white area followed by a minor tint adjustment. Supplementary adjustments can be made through the advanced “Calibration” tab. The “Adjust” tab controls exposure, shadow, brightness and contrast sliders. Albeit Photoshop CS3 features now a new Histogram Palette, the RAW dialog box also features live histograms.

Noise reduction is not a problem with Photoshop CS3. It has the color noise reduction and luminance smoothing sliders which allow you to reduce colors and luminance noise. Luminance noise should be use with caution because it can lead to an artificial “water paint” effect. The noise reduction performs very well and preserves the image detail and sharpness.

To remove chromatic aberrations, apply a local desaturation in the corresponding color channels. The Lens tab of the Raw dialog box provides effective ways of eliminating these aberrations.

Photoshop CS3 Extended - Windows

Using a Tripod with Digital Cameras

2008-06-27T08:36:00.001-04:00

The purpose of using a tripod for digital photos is to reduce the chances of blurring the pictures. Even if for most parts, the image is clear, because of the slightest camera movement, the entire picture could be ruined. That’s why you will always see a tripod or monopod in a professional photographer’s camera bag! A camera tripod is extremely useful when taking pictures in dim light. When there isn’t enough light, the shutters are slower, therefore, increasing the chances of the digital image blurring out. A tripod can easily solve this problem. A tripod is also useful when you are planning to make large digital prints of the photos – a good support from a digital camera tripod will make a world of difference.

Well, even if you don’t have a tripod handy, you can always use someone else’s shoulder for support – just so your digital camera won’t shake as much when you take the shot. Well, in any case, it’s always better to use a tripod if there was a choice.

We see new models and types of digital cameras every single week, and the same thing can be said about tripods. The materials used to make digital camera tripods continue to change – the familiar aluminum tripod is now replaced with the lighter and more expensive carbon fiber tripod models. Although there’s quite a huge shift in pricing, some photographers think that investing in a lighter and more durable model of tripod is worth it – especially if they’re in the game for the money!

Before you buy a tripod for your digital camera, the first thing you must consider is how you plan to use the camera. There are essentially three heights that you can choose from…maximum, minimum and collapsed. It depends on the kind of tripod you like. The maximum tripod can be a little bit unstable as with everything tall and lanky. The minimum tripod can be a slightly inflexible, but is especially useful when taking low shots and trying adjust the lens to eye level. The collapsible is the most preferred type of tripod.

In professional photography, a tripod can help you take low shots on objects from the top. This can be done when you place the object on the floor and arrange the tripod on top of or slightly over the object, and then take a shot. Most of the high quality tripods come with a center column that enables you to adjust the height of the tripod according to your needs. Take your time and adjust the tripod height accordingly. To find the right angle, make adjustments to the tripod head.

With a tripod, you can easily take professional photographs even if you’ve never taken a professional photograph all your life! That’s how big a difference a tripod can make.

Portrait Photography Tips

2008-06-26T11:05:00.002-04:00

Portrait is defined as, “A likeness of a person, especially one showing the face, that is created by a painter or photographer, for example.” In the area of portrait photography there are some guidelines that you should consider when you go to take photos of people.

The different types of portraits are: close-ups, facial shots, upper body shots or environmental portraits. Environmental portraits are where you focus on the subject and on their surroundings that provide more character to the subject.

When people have a camera in their face it usually makes them nervous and they will try to put on a face that does not portray who they really are. The real skill to portrait photography is trying to capture photos when the subjects are comfortable and not worried about a camera.
Many professional photographers try to capture their subject’s true essence by using tricks. One example of this is counting to three so the subject prepares and then while they are relaxing after taking a planned photo the photographer will snap a few more unplanned photos. In most cases the subject won’t even know that more than one photo was taken but it’s usually the photos that the subject wasn’t expecting that capture their true essence.

Another more common strategy professionals use is to tell funny jokes that make their subjects genuinely laugh or smile. I’m sure that you have probably experienced something like this yourself.

CLOSE-UP PORTRAITS
These usually have the subject’s shoulders and head or less. They are framed around the face. These are the most common and best at capturing expressions and glamour shots. For these it is very important to have the light coming from a good angle. To accent wrinkles or small details you should have the light coming from the side or from the top. To create flattering pictures you should choose a cloudy day or try to create diffused light so there are hardly any shadows. Also make sure the subject is brighter than the background to reduce distraction.

For close-up portraits you should use a wide aperture (low f/stop) to make the background out of focus and therefore less of a distraction. Professionals commonly use a fixed telephoto lens that’s 90 mm or higher for portraits in order to de-emphasize the subject’s nose or any other unflattering feature. It works because at that distance the nose or any other feature does not seem closer to the camera than the rest of the face.

UPPER BODY OR MIDRANGE PORTRAITS
These are easier to capture because the subject is probably more relaxed because it’s less personal. These include a little more of the background than close-ups. These are commonly used for both single subjects and multiple subjects. This is the kind of portrait used to mark occasions such as graduation, yearbook, birthdays and other parties. The ideal lens would be about a 90 mm fixed telephoto or more wide angle depending on how many subjects there are.

ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITS
These are the portraits that let you into the life of a subject. They might include the whole subject in a scenario or the subject participating in some hobby that they enjoy. These are best for telling a story to the viewer about the subject. They are almost always used by photojournalists to look into the lives of interesting people. They also make great Black and White pictures.

Use this information to develop what kind of portrait style you would like to take, and then practice it before dealing with any serious clients.

Canon XTi

2008-06-25T14:02:00.000-04:00

Canon Speedlite 580EXII

2008-06-25T13:55:00.000-04:00

Price Comparison Tool

2008-06-25T13:08:00.000-04:00

10 Tips To Better Photography

2008-06-25T11:01:00.000-04:00

Taking a good photo isn’t as hard as you may think. You don’t need the most expensive camera or years of experience, just 10 simple tips.
Enjoy!

Tip 1 - Use All Your Available Space
Don't be afraid to use all the space in your photo. If you want to take a picture of something, it's ok for it to take up the whole shot with no or very little background showing. Keep distractions out of your shot

Tip 2 - Study Forms
This is a vital aspect to photography. Understanding forms in your photos. Don't see an object, she its shape and its form and find the best angle to photograph it from. Form is all around us and I highly suggest you read as many books on it as possible.

Tip 3 - Motion In Your Photos
Never have motion in your photos if you are photographing a still object. If there is something moving while you are trying to photograph a stationery object, your photo won't turn out anywhere near as well. Also never put a horizon line in the center of your frame.

Tip 4 - Learn To Use Contrasts Between Colors.
Some of the best photos have shades of white, gray and black. You can take great shots with just one color on your subject, but the contrasts between colors in a shot is what makes you a great photographer.

Tip 5 - Get Closer To Your Subject
This is one of the biggest mistakes most photographers make, not getting close enough to their subject. Get up and personal and close the distance gap. You can always reshape and resize a good shot but you can't continue to blowup a distant object.

Tip 6 - Shutter Lag
Shooting action shots with digital camera's can be tricky due to shutter lags. What this means is, when you press the button to take the photo, it can take up to a second for the shutter to take a photo, by that time what you were photographing would have moved or changed somehow. This means you have to compensate for shutter lag by predicting what your subject is going to do and taking the photo just before it takes the action you want. More expensive digital cameras don't have this problem.

Tip 7 - Pan
If you are taking an action shot and your shutter speed is slow, pan with the object. Follow through with the subject, from start to finish and one of those shots will be a winner. You have more chance of getting a good shot if you take more then one photo.

Tip 8 - Continuous Shots
To pan like I suggested above you will need a camera that does continuous shots and doesn’t need to stop and process after every shot.

Tip 9 - How To Take Fantastic Night Time Shots
Night time shots can be spectacular, almost magical.... if done right! If not they can look horrible. Really horrible. Without adequate lighting, even good camera's can turn out crappy photos if the photographer doesn't know what he or she is doing.

Tip 10 - Study Your Manual
If your digital camera has a special night time mode, read the manual and follow their instructions on how to use it properly.