Some peeps I know mostly own each a camera or a DSLR. But the question is, do you have photos of yourself? Well, I do try to take photos of myself sometimes but not that much. And when I saw this, I know I have to snagged it and post it here! Courtesy from eHow of course! Take a read and follow this steps;) You’ll never know!

1. I know an attractive woman who has never photographed well. Why? She claims she “always feels like a goon” when she poses for the camera. Unfortunately, her self-conscious grimace does make her look bad. Solution? Stop posing. Get candid photos of your friends and family. Most people look best when they’re doing something, and when they have forgotten about the camera. My friend looks gorgeous and not all like a goon in many candids.

2. Pay attention to clothing even when you are not posing for professional portraits. On a day when you know many pictures will be taken, wear long sleeved clothing, so bare arms don’t distract from the face. Choose simple, classic, solid colored clothing. V-necks, turtle necks, or collared shirts look great. If you are heavier than you’d like, wear darker colors. If you are a woman, wear some makeup, as photos can make us look washed out. Also, wear a black bra under a sweater, because if you wear a light colored one, a flash can result in your bra showing in the picture.

3. Take lots and lots and lots of pictures. Chances are, if you take tons of images, you will end up with at least some that are superb. Don’t be “the phantom photographer” who was there, but was so busy taking the pictures of others that you appear in none. Hand off the camera and ask others to take some shots, so you are in the pictures too. Most digital cameras are fool proof. Remember, kids love to use cameras.

4. Edit your pictures. Before choosing which to delete, use an artist’s eye, find portions of the photo that look good, and try cropping the picture to make the most of those parts.

5. Be gracious about having your photo taken. Those who refuse to have their picture taken are missing the fact that your pictures are not just for you. Your images are treasured by your loved ones. You don’t want to deprive them of memories, right?

6. It’s probably inevitable that you will be asked to take some posed shots. If you are the photographer, forget about asking everyone to say “cheese”. This results in a wide, weird, tooth clenched grin. Instead, ask them to gently say “Yes.” The resulting smile is much nicer.

7. If you are the one posing, look slightly above the camera, and think appreciative thoughts of the photographer, count your blessings, etc. If you are thinking joyful thoughts, that is what will radiate from your image.

8. To be ready for posed shots yourself, try looking in the mirror and practicing. Some people swear that you can find and memorize a certain good angle or “look” to try when posing.

Have fun!!!

Huwaw!!! Swarovski DSLR? How coolness is that huh? Love it! Saw this in my brother’s site and just have to snagged it!

Here’s what it says..

It seems to be quite a popular trend nowadays is by pimping up one’s electronic devices with Swarovski crystals although the taste of those who actually “adorn” their gadgets in such a manner is rather debatable. All sorts of products being covered in crystals, but Pentax went a bit too far with this procedure, since it covered its whole K-m model (K2000 in the US) with this shiny stuff, obviously for marketing (and show-off) purposes.

The company’s booth at Photokina included this little “piece of work,” which, apparently, will actually be available for purchase, albeit in a relatively limited edition. Pentax K-m is an entry-level DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera, equipped with a 10.2-megapixel CCD image sensor (23.5mm by 15.7mm), accompanied by the manufacturer’s own PRIME (PENTAX Real Image Engine) image processing unit. It also incorporates a SR (Shake Reduction) mechanism that reduces camera shake by shifting the position of the image sensor vertically and horizontally, as well as five-point wide-area AF system (SAFOX VIII with five cross-type sensors) to assure high-precision autofocusing.

In addition, the ISO range varies between ISO 100 and ISO 3200, and the camera also comes equipped with a 2.7-inch LCD, as well as an advanced viewfinder, with a roughly 96-percent field of view and an approximately 0.85-times magnification.

This ones’s a little too long information and tips. But I’m sure there are still peeps who have no idea why they took the leap to getting a DSLR:) So, here are some tips I came across at eHow to better understand your DSLR! Surely a great read!

Photo by; Ken Rockwell site.

After the first digital cameras were introduced they were very expensive and primarily available only to professional photographers. Since they have dropped in price to a more affordable range, many amateur photographers and everyday users are snapping these killer cameras up. However, most are buying these cameras without fully understanding how they work - and, subsequently, not getting the best out of these cameras. The purpose of this E-how is to guide you through the basic functions on the camera and to show how to fully understand what is best for you through experimentation. The guidelines are cross-functional and will work with all SLR cameras, but you will not be able to achieve the same effects with a standard point-and-shoot non-SLR-Digital camera.

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Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

1. Search for a subject - do not take photographs of anything that is too dark. Keep in mind that human sight can perceive a much wider range of light degrees than a camera’s sensor. This is called the camera’s dynamic range. Our eye’s can see things much differently than a camera can take a picture of. For example, when you are looking through a window to a beautiful garden outside the lighting is different, but our eyes can adjust easily. When taking the picture you get the picture of the condition you are seeing first - inside light or if you were outside looking in the camera would pick up the lighting from the outside. Take this into consideration when you are picking your subject.

2. Take several shots of the same item while resting your camera on a solid surface. A tripod will help in this situation, especially a small table one. A tripod is not absolutely necessary you can place the camera on any solid surface in order to observe the effects of different settings.

3. Put your camera on Program (P) mode. Refer to the user’s manual for exactly how to do this - Tip: It may require one or two more buttons or settings depending on the age and model of your camera.

4. Play with the camera’s ISO speed. The ISO speed is the first camera setting that you will play around with. The ISO speed will get changed on the camera’s menu which can be found on the LED screen. The ISO speed is a measure of the camera’s sensitivity to light and how well the internal sensors pick up the light. Take a photo of an object or your subject at the slower ISO speeds, typically 50, 100 or 200. Then take a photo of the same object or subject at the higher ISO speeds, typically 800, 1600 or more (depending on camera). Make notes and observe the following, while taking pictures:

A photo taken at a slower ISO speed will force the camera to use a slower shutter speed. Shutter speeds will be explained later on. In contrast a photo taken at a faster ISO would have used a faster shutter speed. You may see an audible difference between the two photos, depending on the setting. Using faster shutter speeds means you can freeze motion and avoid camera shake. In poor lighting using a slower shutter speed will take a better photo.

Photos taken with a slower ISO speed will have less noise or random discolored pixels than a photo taken with a higher ISO speed. Digital SLRs equipped with larger sensors, have a much better high-ISO performance than the standard small point-and-shoot digital cameras. What you are left with is a trade-off between image quality and functionality in low-light conditions. The situation is where it counts the most. If you are at your kids’ soccer game during the day a higher ISO speed will be more appropriate in the daylight. Lower ISO speeds may be more useful when taking portrait pictures in a lower light situation.

5. Change your camera’s aperture-priority mode for the time being. Typically it is called “Av” for aperture value – I will explain in more detail why this is needed.
Read more… »

When you head out to purchase your camcorder, remember these handy tips:

Get one that suits your family’s needs.
For example, you might opt for a camcorder with a DVD for its easy shoot, easy playback, and easy share features.

Check the features.
Handy camcorders are equipped with face detection to make sure you capture your kids’ pretty face and easy handy-cam mode so you can make fantastic home videos.

Choose the manufacturers top of the line camcorders to assure premium video quality.
Get your camcorder from a reputable distributor or you’ll run the risk of not getting any warranties.

Remember great shot will keep memories alive as well as relive unforgettable travel experiences.

Have a great day!

OMG! I just found out that Nikon is launching another DSLR soon! And it’s the Nikon D5000! I haven’t upgraded my D80 to D90 or D300 yet! and now, there’s a new one in town! Amazon is actually accepting pre-orders and for $800 plus it’s not really that bad!

Here are some of the features I snatched over at Dpreview.com!

Nikon D5000 Key Features

* 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
* 2.7″ tilt and swivel LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
* Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
* Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection and subject tracking
* Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
* 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
* IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
* 4 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
* Expeed image processing engine
* Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
* Connector for optional GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
* New battery with increased capacity
* 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback

Nikon D5000 vs D60: Key Differences

The D5000 could easily be seen as a D60 with a tilting screen added, and most of a D90 stuffed into it. As such it offers quite a few feature improvements over its little brother:

* 12.3 MP CMOS sensor (D60: 10.2 MP CCD)
* Tilt/swivel screen
* Live View with contrast detect AF
* Movie Mode
* Wider ISO range
* 11 point AF system with 3D tracking (D60: 3 point AF)
* Control of Active D-Lighting intensity
* Automatic correction of lateral chromatic aberration
* Choice of JPEG quality in RAW+JPEG shooting
* Extra retouching options
* More scene modes
* Faster continuous shooting
* Bracketing

Photos I snagged over at Nikon’s site!

Now, what to get, what to get;) haha

I’m sure there are tons of tips and trick on how to choose the right camera lens for you. But this is also a great information that I saw in eHow. Hold off in buying too many lenses until you know what you really want. Photo is from clipartguide.

1. Choose a subject to photograph.
2. Opt for a telephoto lens (a lens with a focal length greater than 55 mm) to bring your subject closer.
3. Select a wide-angle lens (a lens with a focal length of less than 40 mm) to broaden the scope of your photograph.
4. Use a regular lens (a lens with a focal length of 40 mm to 55 mm) for most situations, because it offers the maximum aperture range, which allows you to photograph under a wider variety of lighting conditions.
5. Go for a zoom lens (a lens without a set focal length) to reduce expense and increase flexibility because it lets you shoot across a wide range of focal lengths from wide-angle to telephoto using one lens.

Enjoy taking photos!

A few days ago, my D80 was almost drop by my little boy! I’m sure you know how much I love my dslr. So, I was thinking that maybe the husband will get this for me? I sold my 50mm f1.8 lens last weekend because I wanted an upgrade to 50mm f/1.4 but now I am not sure! With what happened with my Nikon D80, I thought a not so bulky camera is needed here! And because I am more excited to get this Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3 that everyone has been raving about! It’s still a little pricey for a digital camera though but you should see the photos!

Here’s what Dpreview said about this one. Photo from Dpreview as well.

Panasonic’s LX series has always been home to the company’s most ambitious compacts, offering a range of photographer-friendly features in a small, stylish and solid body festooned with external controls. It’s been two years since the launch of the LX2 and the market has changed a lot in that time - the level of features offered even on inexpensive models has grown and the cost of all cameras, particularly DSLRs, has fallen drastically. Both of these trends risk reducing the potential market for premium compacts if their features are available on cheaper compacts, and much better photographic tools (in terms of flexibility of purpose and image quality) are available for only a little more money. So the LX3, more than its predecessors, has to play to its strengths - it needs to offer some of the best compact camera image quality, a good degree of user control and a body that is more convenient and pocketable than DSLRs can be.

And Panasonic seems fully aware of these challenges. When announcing the camera, the company pointed out that more pixels on the same sized sensor does not always result in better image quality and described its approach with the LX3 as: “boldly reversing the industry trend of pushing toward ever-higher pixel counts.” It’s an admirable position (though one that would be easier to acclaim if the company hadn’t, on the same day, released one of the most pixel-dense cameras we’ve ever seen), and one that seems promising - the benefits of newer sensor and processing technology without those advances being strangled by the downsides of smaller pixels. (And we believe that if you offer more pixels with the hard drive clutter and slower camera operation they bring, then those pixels must be good at the pixel level, otherwise, what benefits do those additional pixels bring?)
Headline features

* 24mm wide 2.5x optical LEICA DC lens
* F2.0-2.8 maximum aperture range
* MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer)
* Venus Engine IV
* Joystick-operated manual control
* Large 3.0” 460k dot LCD monitor
* Raw and JPEG recording modes
* Up to ISO 3200 sensitivity
* Up to 1280×720 (30 fps) pixel movie capture
* Manual exposure and focus options
* 1/2000th to 60 sec shutter speeds
* Available in black or silver

I’m not sure if this is what I want but I want a not so bulky digital camera. Now!

Most of my online friends we all have DSLR’s! Some have Canon and some have Nikon! We all love taking photos, sharing ideas about lenses and points on how to take photos nicely;) But when I saw this one, it’s a great tips. Either you have SLR’s or digital cameras it’s best to accessorize your cam! Besides, they don’t come cheap! Here’s some tips that I got from eHow!

1. The Camera Case*
You should always protect your Digital Camera with a nice Camera Case. It also serves as protection when the weather is inclement. You can purchase a Case at Camera Stores, Online Camera Stores and well-stocked retail outlets. When you purchase a Case for you Camera, choose one that will be big enough to store all your cameras accessories.

2. Choose a Tripod*
Most Digital Cameras feature a tripod thread, and high-end zoom lens reflex ans Digital SLR Cameras have one. This enables you to secure the camera to a tripod. A Tripod steadies the Camera when your taking a picture that requires lengthy exposure.

3. Choose External Flash*
Many of Digital Cameras come with a hot shoe that enables you to attach an external flash to the camera. External Flash units are more powerful than the ones built in Digital Cameras, and they present you with wonderful options such as bounce lighting.

4. Add External Storage Device*
If you take many photos you will the a good storage device. You use them to copy the images from memory cards to a storage device, which is a hard drive.

5. Add additional Lenses*
You can Purchase wide angle or telephoto lenses to extend your picture taking capabilities. There are many different manufactures and a wide range of different lenses. You simply screw the attachment to the threads and take your picture.

Have fun taking photos and enjoy!

I’ve been thinking of doing this forever! I have thousands of photos and I think this steps is a very nice one! So, I posted it here in hopes to those who are thinking of becoming one will have an idea;) I got this over at eHow of course;) Photo is taken by me.

1 .In order to be able to meet the requirements for most stock photography sites, you will need a camera of at least 2.1 megapixels or capable of image output of 1600×1200 pixels. You will also need to be able to show the photo site that you are able to provide them with high quality, high demand photos. The sites will ask you to submit a few photos representing your capability of providing images that meet their quality standards. So, first things first, you need to have some photos in your portfolio.

2. Photography is much easier for the novice these days, but even the most talented beginner could use some tips. There are many online tutorials and numerous excellent printed resources on the topic. Before submitting anything to a stock site, practice, practice and practice. You will notice your shots getting better and will gain confidence.

3. Once you have gotten very comfortable with your camera and it’s functions, you will need to select several of your very best photos. Open each in an image-editing software program and make sure the entire photo is in focus (unless perspective blur is intended) and make sure there is no graininess.

4. When you are certain you have a handful of quality images suitable for stock, you will want to select a micro-stock photography site. iStock Photo is an excellent options. iStock.com has been around since 2001 and has become increasingly popular with photographers and buyers of stock photos as well.

5. You will need to sign up for iStock as a photographer. You will then need to read a manual outlining the policies and guidelines for stock photographers on iStock.com. Once you have read this manual and taken a quiz, you will need to submit three (3) of your very best photos for consideration as a contributing photographer. You will receive feedback if the images are not accepted, instructions on how to resubmit if necessary, or you will become a member of the iStock photographer network! You are now able to upload photos as you take them. Best of all, you can become earning money for the photos you take!

Enjoy and have fun taking photos;)

I was reading tips at ehow and saw this one too! Of course, I have to post it here as well. Very helpful indeed!

A blurry pic I took the other day;)

1. When shooting with a hand-held camera, try leaning against a rail, building or tree to steady your body during exposure. It is actually more difficult to steady the camera when holding it at arms length and using the screen of a digital camera. It is easier to steady yourself while looking through the viewfinder during exposure. The exposure of an image is caused by light, shutter speed and aperture. Aperture is controlled through the iris, the smaller the iris, the less light strikes the sensor. However, smaller apertures improve depth of field. Make your decision about aperture first. Shutter speed controls the amount of time the shutter is open and letting light strike the sensor. The faster the shutter speeds, the faster the action you can freeze. When photographing sports you should have a shutter speed of 1/500th of a second minimum. Faster is better for freezing action. Adjust the ISO sensitivity so that you can achieve faster shutter speeds.

2. Use a tripod whenever you can. Get to know your tripod; have a relationship with it. I believe a serious photographer needs two tripods: a large sturdy tripod used for scenic views and portraits at the best ISO sensitivity to capture the detail. This may require slow shutter speeds and small apertures and even the use of a cable release to make sure you have no camera movement. The second should be a mini tripod that you can pack up in your camera bag. Sometimes I just can’t carry a big tripod with me.

3. Take the time to know your lenses. Longer focal length lenses are great for sports but very heavy. I can steady a 200mm lens at a shutter speed of 1/500th of a second. The more zoomed in you are to your subject, the more difficult it is to steady the camera. Larger lenses have image stabilization systems but they can be very expensive.

4.Test your own ability at each different shutter speed. Take hand-held pictures of an object that doesn’t move. Take a picture at each shutter speed with each lens. Review the images and see which ones are blurry. This will give you a personal guideline as to when you need to get out the tripod. Blurred motion can be great way to photograph moving objects but only if you can control it. Take the time to learn your own limitations so you can make creative decisions about when to use slow shutter speeds with bodies in motion.

Have fun shooting!!!

Here are some information’s about lenses. I’m sure some of you knew this already but for some who doesn’t, this is a good idea too;-) Saw it here and thought this is nice since I love photography too!

Camera lenses are interchangeable on an SLR, or single lens reflex, camera. With a variety of camera lenses available, a photographer can choose the way he wants his photographs to look simply by attaching different styles of lenses to his SLR camera body. The versatility of camera lenses gives variety to the look of the photographs and gives the photographer more options.

Types
Fixed focal length lenses offer one type of look to photographs. They do not have the ability to zoom but offer the sharpest image possible, since there are fewer elements for the light to pass through.

Wide angle zoom lenses generally range from 17 mm to 35 mm. They offer convenience, since they have the ability to change focal lengths without changing lenses. These are popular for large family group pictures in a small room.

Telephoto zoom lenses generally range from 55 mm to 200 mm. These are popular lenses since they have a wide range of zoom to bring subjects in closer. They are popular for sports and vacation photography.

Features
The barrel of a camera lens contains a lot of data about the lens and how it will work with the SLR camera body. A feature to operate the camera lens with manual or auto-focus can be found on the camera lens. Filter size, focal length and minimum and maximum aperture settings are also listed on the camera lens. When the lens is rotated, the distance and aperture setting may show, too, depending on the brand of lens.

Function
Camera lenses are mounted onto the front of SLR camera bodies. There are two types of camera lens mount styles. A bayonet style mount can be found on older, fully manual SLR cameras. SLR cameras that offer auto-focus on the lens attach to the camera body with a twist-and-click-style mount. This is the most common style of mount found today, and is on all digital SLR camera bodies.

Benefits
The benefits of using camera lenses applied to an SLR camera are numerous. The ability to zoom into faraway subjects is the most common reason consumers use an SLR camera with a telephoto lens. Camera lenses also allow the photographer to record a wide scene when working in a tight space. Macro lenses allow the photographer to photograph small objects, with detail, close up.

Misconceptions
A camera lens will not fit on any brand of SLR camera body. The camera lens must have the same mount as the camera body. Generally, a Canon camera will require a Canon mount lens, for example. However, there are some third-party lens manufacturers that offer lenses to fit a variety of camera body brands.

Enjoy! And Happy Valentines Day wherver you are!

I haven’t been taking photos for the past weeks. I gotten a new lens but then again I am currently in vacation. I just hope we can go somewhere this weekend. I’m excited you can tell! I haven’t been to a beach for over 7 months hence it’s winter on the other side of the world and to where I just got from, it’s still very cold!

Will post photos for sure soon;) Later!