Lost in the Dark? - Tips for Brilliant Night-time Photos

Breathtaking skylines, spectacular fireworks, dazzling light displays - there are so many magical moments to capture after dark. Of course, taking good photos in low light and night-time conditions can be tricky. Luckily, many digital cameras have special night and/or low light modes which make the process easier. Here are also some helpful hints to further improve your night-time photography skills.

Get a tripod � Night-time photography is all about long exposures to capture distant light so the camera shutter can be open for many seconds. Keep your camera steady to minimise shaking and blurry images by using a tripod. Alternatively, you can rest the camera on a steady surface.

Use the self timer - the camera will shake a little when you push down on the shutter release. Using the self timer and delaying the opening of the shutter will give you steadier pictures.

Timing is everything - for professional night photographers, the best images are captured just an hour or two after dark. Good timing means you get the best balance of artificial and natural light - so your images will be richly detailed with vibrant colours.

Capture movement - some of the most brilliant night-time images capture the movement of light, such as vehicles travelling along a street. Look for these opportunities when composing your night-time shots.

Make your subjects stand out - people lit by ambient light make for great images. If you're photographing people at night, have your subjects fill the frame by getting in close. Many digital cameras, including the Canon EOS or IXUS ranges, include a Night Snapshot mode to automatically adjust the camera's settings to illuminate the foreground with flash while optimising lighting conditions for the background.

Whether you're an aspiring photographer or just keen to capture those special moments on your holiday, mastering night-time photography will open up a whole new world of picture perfect opportunities for you and your camera - don't get lost in the dark.

About The Author

This article is brought to you by Canon New Zealand - Headshot Tips. For more great Canon products your favourite EOS cameras and camera accessories, visit their website.

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.canon.co.nz

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How To Take A Great Headshot

 by: Canon New Zealand

A good headshot for a budding actor or model could be the deciding factor that lands you the audition. Meanwhile, many corporate professionals use headshots to help build their personal profile and establish their expertise in the sector. Remember that a headshot can really affect that critical first impression, so make sure yours reflects the "real you".

Headshot Tips

If you want a great headshot, a professional photographer that specialises in this area will help you capture the image you need. Meanwhile, many aspiring photography enthusiasts with great SLR digital cameras may choose to experiment with headshots. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Find a good location - a plain background, such as a blank wall, will work best for headshots. Meanwhile, some people will feel more comfortable doing their shots in the outdoors - just ensure the background is plain and simple.

2. Prep your subject - instruct the model to wear clothes that fit the impression that they want to make. Clothes should be relatively plain and not draw attention away from the face. This usually means a collared shirt and suit jacket for corporate headshots while a more relaxed and casual look will work for modelling and acting portfolios.

3. Pay attention to lighting - ensure you're shooting in a well-lit location, using diffused lighting when shooting indoors. Consider a hair light above your subject's head for more depth of field.

4. Get the equipment - a sharp focus is critical for a headshot so make sure you've mastered the settings on your camera. Wide and mid-angle lenses tend to distort the subject so stick with a 90mm lens or higher for your SLR digital camera.

5. Focus on the eyes - as the photographer, it'll be your job to get the most natural expression from your subject. Be sure the facial expression reflects the person the headshot represents - a comic actor shouldn't be scowling (unless that's how they're funny).

Tip: For actors looking to land that dream audition, consider including a video sample along with your headshot. High definition cameras make it easy to include a video clip, so you can give a living example of your abilities.

Headshot requirements

There are a number of entertainment industry standards and guidelines that you should be aware of:

" Black and white - the industry standard for most headshots is for a black and white 8 x 10 inch photo while some modelling agencies may ask for a colour shot as well.

" Plain background - unlike portrait photography that captures the subject interacting with the environment, headshots should have a plain and simple background that will not detract from the face which needs to be the only focus of the image.

" Extreme close-up - a headshot is an extreme close-up of the subject's face, with just the tops of the shoulders visible and the background should hardly register at all. The person should be looking straight into the camera or just off to the side.

About The Author

This article is brought to you by Canon New Zealand - Headshot Tips. For more great Canon products your favourite EOS cameras and camera accessories, visit their website.

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.canon.co.nz




Dania
www.mydigitalzoom.blogspot.com


















 

Your First Digital SLR - What You Should Know

 by: Canon Australia

If you're thinking about getting serious about photography, whether as a hobby or maybe even as a line of work, one of the first investments you'll be looking to make is in a good digital SLR (DSLR) camera. There are a number of different makes and models out there and you'll need to make some careful considerations when deciding on the best DSLR camera for your needs.

What is a DSLR camera and how is it different to other digital cameras?

SLR stands for single lens reflex and describes the way these types of cameras behave. Light passes through the camera lens to a mirror that then reflects the light upward to a pentaprism or pentamirror - which corrects the mirroring of the image - before being reflected to the viewfinder. When the shutter is released, the initial mirror flips up to allow the light to pass through the shutter and capture the image.

SLR cameras allow for more accurate composition and colour balance in your shot, as what you see through the viewfinder is what you get in your final picture. They also have faster response times and allow for more control which means you can get more creative with your shots, such as focusing on different elements of the composition. Meanwhile, digital SLR cameras allow for digital capture so that you can review your images instantly.

Choosing your first DSLR - what to consider

Many makes and models of DSLR cameras behave in similar ways - but there are lots of variations between the types. Choosing the best DSLR camera for your needs depends on how you intend to use the machine - and the amount you're willing to spend. Here are some points to keep in mind:

Megapixels - these days, most DSLR cameras will offer substantial megapixels, starting at about 8 MP up to 24 MP or more. Having more megapixels generally means better resolution for large prints or when you're enlarging small sections of a shot. However, having more megapixels isn't the be all and end all for getting quality pictures. In poor lighting conditions, for example, your camera sensor can sometimes record the wrong colour tone for a particular pixel, creating "noise" in your photographs resulting in a speckled appearance. Professional photographers may prefer a higher megapixel count if their photos will be used in large prints, such as billboards, or if they plan on significantly cropping the image. Consider how you'll be using the camera and how big you'll be printing photos when deciding on how many megapixels you'll need.

Cost - Your budget will determine the type of DSLR camera you purchase. Remember that in addition to buying the camera body, you might want a couple of camera lenses as well. A good zoom lens, for example, will bring you up close to your subject while a wide angle lens will broaden your angle view and give you a unique perspective. You may also want to invest in camera accessories, including filters, a camera bag or even an extra battery to make the most out of your machine.

Speed - one of the most noticeable benefits of switching to a DSLR camera is the speed. A typical digital camera involves a bit of shutter lag (the delay between pushing the button and actually capturing the image). DSLR cameras are much quicker in their response time. If you'll be shooting lots of action photographs, such as at sporting events, then a faster model is a must.

Choosing the right DSLR camera requires some good old fashioned research. Ask for advice from friends and family who own DSLR cameras, or maybe borrow one for a weekend. Investing in a quality DSLR camera will really add a whole new dimension to your photography experience - so make sure you get it right!


About The Author

This article is brought to you by Canon Australia - Your first digital SLR - what you should know. For more ideas on capturing that perfect moment with digital cameras, visit the Canon website.

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.canon.com.au

 

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Thinking of buying your next digital camera?

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Thinking of buying your next digital camera? Don't buy without considering these 5 factors. This list of hints can save you time and frustration when making your next digital camera selection.

There is no limit to the number of choices you have when you decide to purchase consumer electronic products. Desktop computers, laptops, cell phones, printers, and especially digital cameras offer tons and tons of different models with options enough to confuse anyone who is not up on the product offerings.

That's why, when buying a digital camera, it is important to consider a few basic factors before you slap down your cash or enter you credit card number at an online store.

Here are some of the things to consider before ordering.

Digital Camera Cost

It has not been very long since digital cameras were very expensive and produced very poor quality images. Those days are gone. Today, $139 will buy you a 12-megapixel camera with enough features to satisfy the nerdiest of photographers. And $699 will even buy you an excellent digital SLR camera with a starter lens.

More important than the cost of the digital camera its quality and performance. Don't make the mistake of buying for price only. Check the user Star Ratings at the online stores. Those ratings are usually very accurate. They reflect what photographers with a similar budget to yours think of the camera that they bought.

Are Megapixels Still Important

Again, thinking back a few years, a three-megapixel camera was the dream of many folks. It was top of the line, and it was very expensive.

Now, the average sensor size is about 10-megapixels, with many going up to the 15-18 megapixel range.

With that in mind, the answer is, yes, the number of megapixels is still important. However, the quality of those pixels is equally important. You must understand that designers are stuffing more and more pixels into a sensor that is the same size as before. If the quality of those pixels is not upgraded along with the amount, the picture quality will suffer.

Getting a good 10-megapixel camera will give better photos than a 15-megapixel camera with poor picture quality.

LCD Screen and Display

Quality of the LCD screens is also improving. Along with that, many of the optical view finders have disappeared, especially in the compact digital cameras. That's why getting a large LCD screen with a display that is visible in all situations, including sunlight, is important. Look for LCD screens that are at least 2.7 inches in size and get the highest resolution your budget can afford.

Shooting Modes

Some people just want to "point and shoot." Of course, most cameras will provide that option. There is a "goof-proof" setting on every camera that will let the camera make every setting for you.

However, if you want a good camera that you can have some personal input into the settings if you want, there are lots of choices for that too. What you need to look for are the basic shooting modes, like portrait, macro, sunny, cloudy, and night settings. In addition to that, make sure you can set the camera to manual modes, such as Aperture priority and Shutter Speed priority just in case you get more adventurous with your camera and want to take control.

One more choice that you may want to make is the ability to set the camera for sports photos. If you have a son or daughter that is into soccer, dance, or cheerleading, you will want good quality photos of those events. And, quite honestly, the shutter lag on many cameras will disappoint you when it comes to getting a picture at the right time.

There are surely other things that you may think should be on this list of things to consider before buying digital cameras. For instance, video is now pretty much standard on digital cameras, but there is a large difference in the quality of the video output from camera to camera.

The Post Purchase Syndrome

Many of us study and study before making the final decision, then, when it comes down to the wire, we make the wrong choice. Buyer's remorse sets in.

Reasons for buyer's remorse are many, but a couple of the major ones are:

1. Paid too much for the budget.

2. The camera does not meet your expectations.

The idea of budget is something you need to think about BEFORE you buy. Enough said about that. But the second issue is critical. Don't just throw up your hands and accept inferior quality in a digital camera. Take it back, or send it back. You can get one of the other cameras on your list, and it may be just the right one for you.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With all this information, you are ready for a list of the Top 5 Point and Shoot cameras. You can find that list at http://www.squidoo.com/top-5-point-and-shoot-cameras. This list of cameras is pretty much guaranteed to avoid problem #2. We can't help you with problem #1.




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Digital Marketing Combining The Magic Of Web And Strength Of Technology

What is digital marketing, what do the digital agencies do and what are the solutions in digital marketing, the agencies handle enormous business and makes it come at top.

Digital Marketing is the practice of promoting products and services with the use of data base-driven online distribution channels, to reach the consumers in a relevant, timely, personal and cost-effective manner.

Internet marketing attracts more and more people on the company's /organizations/ agencies websites; further increasing the clients and enhancing the brand and products of your company.

There are three types of digital marketing; one is pay per like impression- advertisements and products are promoted on pre-decided websites that further helps in generating leads for companies. Second is SEO that is search engine optimization.

It is the process of improving the visibility of a website or a web page in search engines through natural or unpaid search results.And the third is social media marketing (i.e. SMM). These are the three sources of digital marketing which helps in growingthe web access, with customers and clients.

Business in the online space is solely drove by the digital marketing agency, which combines two activities- Web and Strength of technology. A digital marketing agency focuses on looking and creating all the digital needs of a business; the services offered are-

•    Digital strategizing
•    Website design, content and optimization
•    Online marketing services
•    Search engine optimization
•    Website design and development
•    Search engine marketing
•    Email marketing solutions
•    Mobile solutions
•    Social media campaign

Digital marketing is not website designing rather it is about using new technologies and media to effectively manage the clients business. If the technology changes, there always will be solution and that is ‘digital marketing solutions'. There always exist marketing solutions and services provided by the digital agencies.

The services provided by digital marketing agency are - Online Advertising, Marketing, Promotion, Search, Web Management Services, Content Development and Management.A digital marketing agency cooperates with user's online market, his objectives and then fosters web marketing methods to achieve their objectives.

The skills offered by the digital agencies are comprehensive, helps user to optimize his website and create an online campaign, further, it helps more in page ranking and also more visitors are visited to the client's web page. This further helps the conversion of traffic into actual sales and profit.

Within the effective and dynamic world, the digital marketing helps the users with -

•    Expertise to devise cost-effective digital marketing solutions for client's objectives.
•    Experience in building brands.
•    Time management saves clients time and efforts by implementing, formulating and tackling challenges' with strategies.
•    Taking the initiative of tracking and monitoring

Hence, it can be concluded that digital marketing agencies and their solutions can bring a clients business on top by giving him/ her perfect PPC, designing and SEO services.

Article Tags: Digital Marketing Agency, Digital Marketing, Search Engine, Marketing Agency

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike Greaves is a SEO Expert who works in a Digital Marketing Solutions who give high quality SEO Services to its clients.


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Quick Camera Tips for Better Pet Pictures

 

By: Christine Peppler

 

Pets, like any member of a family, have unique personalities, individual responses to situations, and ways of expressing themselves. From a dog that loves to play hide and seek, peering from around a corner, to a cat that triumphantly perches in its favorite spot after removing any who dares to trespass on its prized territory, these small events are among the memories of pet owning families. Capturing the nuance of these situations simply requires a camera and the use of a few techniques which make photographing a pet unique.

Choosing the Shot

There are a number of ways to shoot great pictures of a pet with a camera. Portraits can be challenging with a pet, but the end results can be worth the extra effort. Using food, toys, or another person to direct a pet to look in a particular direction or to elicit a certain expression may be necessary. To obtain a more natural scene incorporating interaction with other animals or family members can help to create an image that better captures the true personality of the animal and a more typical atmosphere as attention is drawn away from the camera.

Common settings for pet pictures are where ever the animal is comfortable, such as lying on a favorite chair or gazing out a window. Another ideal setting is where ever they can be engaged in a favorite or natural activity. This helps to reduce some of the difficulty in getting an acceptable pose in front of a camera and better reflects the behavior and personality of a pet.

Setting Up the Shot

As is true when photographing other types of subjects, assuring that the background is free of clutter or distracting objects can help to focus attention in the shot on the pet. A plain background often creates the best backdrop. Wiping the eyes of a pet prior to shooting can also help to eliminate any distracting residue that will take away from the focus on their eyes.

Just as with small children anyone hoping to capture the best images of their pet will need to approach the situation with patience. Waiting for the right shot to happen is often a prime ingredient. Once the right setting or situation is selected and any needed props or helpers are assembled then the task of getting the best photo will frequently require multiple shots with the camera.

Taking the Shot

Getting photos that show the detail of a pet's features requires getting the camera up close and on their level. The pet should fill the frame and the photographer's viewpoint should be near the eye level of the pet. When getting close with the camera isn't an option, zooming can help to achieve similar results and when all else fails cropping during the editing phase can also improve results. Although the eyes of the pet should be the focus of the shot in most instances, it is important to shoot with the camera at angle if flash is used to eliminate the eerie glow that can occur when flash bounces off of the eye.

Whenever possible it is best to avoid using the camera flash with a pet. The risk of getting the unwanted reflection in the eyes is significant and some pets will even learn to avoid the flash by closing their eyes at an inopportune moment. For this reason, shooting pets outdoors is often easier, particularly early or late in the day or in the shade when harsh sunlight doesn't take away from their features. When photographing indoors and available light is insufficient, better photographs are easier with a camera that allows the in-camera flash to be disabled or removed. The photographer can then bounce the light off of a wall or ceiling to avoid any harsh glare.

Selecting the appropriate setting on the camera can help to assure optimal focusing. Many consumer model cameras have settings such as portrait and action which function nicely. Using the burst mode or sequence-shot setting when trying to capture images of a pet while playing can allow rapid shots that best capture the activity.

For millions of individuals and families who have pets as part of their lives, preserving memories of their time with us can be important. A good camera and knowledge of just a few photographic techniques can help to capture the kind of images that will be treasured for years to come.



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How To Select The Right Digital Camera

 

By: Roberto Sedycias

Capturing moments was never so easy before digital cameras came into the photography world. Ever since, there has been a big international market dealing with digital cameras. Japan, South Korea and China have been the main players in manufacturing new digital cameras since its inception. Today, no media house can run without digital cameras. Forget media agencies, in our day-to-day life, we have started considering digital camera as a handbag's must-keep item. It has truly given a new definition to the world of photography.

Many kinds of digital cameras with different features are hovering around the market today. And you need to decide on your choices and pick up the right one that fits your clicking needs. You must have already heard a lot about the top brands such as Kodak, Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Sony, Panasonic, Polaroid, Olympus, Fujifilm, HP, Samsung, etc. This article discusses features of famous brands and models of digital cameras to help you select the right one for yourself.

To start your selection process, you must consider whether you are looking for small and compact pocket camera, an advanced camera, a high zoom capability camera, or an SLR camera. These can range from USD 100 to USD 2,000. You will need to take your pick based on your budget and requirements.

What are the features that you should compare between brands while selecting a digital camera? The most important feature is its resolution in mega pixel. In simple language, this figure tells you how much you can expand your picture without parting with its quality. The higher the resolution, the better. But this doesn't mean that you have to go for the highest available model in the market. Usually people print photos that are sized 4x6 or 5x7 inhes. So for these photo sizes, any camera above 4 mega pixels will deliver great results.

Other feature that you should evaluate is zoom-in capability. Optical zoom and digital zoom are different terms. Optical zoom means actual zoom done by the lenses, while digital zoom simply increases the size of the picture display without increasing any details. In simple terms 3x optical zoom means you can get three times closer picture of the image you see with your eyes. For this reason, optical zoom is better.

The third important feature is compatibility with other devices. Find out if the camera you are going to buy is compatible with your computer, printer, memory card, USB drive, etc. Cameras have inbuilt flash memory but the space is limited, so you would have to buy external memory cards, popularly known as Secure Digital Card (SDC) and Multi Media Card (MMC).

The next important feature is the size of the screen that provides digital display of the image instantly. These screens were the major reason that digital cameras replaced conventional cameras so fast. The screen gives you the ability to review the image and delete the ones you do not like. The LCD digital camera screens are up to 3 inches in width.

The other features that make your camera more convenient include automatic light adjustment, automatic flash, red-eye reduction, file format (TIFF, RAW or JPEG), audio and video capability, image stabilizer, manual controls for aperture and exposure, camera speed, weight and size, body type, battery type (lithium of normal), battery life, picture modes for morning light, day light, cloudy day, etc.

The varieties and features of digital cameras are so many that it becomes really difficult for a first-timer to select one. This is worsened by everyday technological advancements. But all the features mentioned above impart a whole new dimension to photography and they make it easier for even an amateur to click great quality pictures.



Dania
www.mydigitalzoom.blogspot.com