Help With Digital Cameras and Photograpy

                                              Help With Digital Cameras and Photography - Article
When it comes to digital photography cameras, there are so many out there, when shopping for one, where do you begin? Though
old models faze out and new ones take their place, most every digital camera has the same standard features. Of course you'll
want to choose a camera that fits in your budget and is appropriate for your level of expertise and picture taking needs.
Digital cameras are categorized on the following criteria:
Pixels- Each image is composed of a grid of tiny square units known as pixels. Some cameras express pixel values in two
numbers: total pixel count and effective pixels. Total pixel count resembles the number of pixels of the sensor size and effective
pixels amount is the number of pixels remaining after the edges have been trimmed.
Megapixels (MP) - One megapixel equals one million pixels. The larger the number of pixels each image has, the more the picture
can be enlarged without losing sharpness quality. Hence, cameras with higher than 5 MP are ideal for commercial purposes.
Optical vs Digital Zoom- Most cameras offer both types of zoom lenses. In an optical zoom lens the focal length and magnification
increases as the zoom expands. In a digital zoom lens an image is cropped down to a smaller area within the picture while
magnifying its appearance. As the magnification increases, the image loses quality and becomes blurry. This can be corrected with
image editing software.
Memory - Removable memory modules come in several forms and storage capacities. The Compact Flash (CF) is used in most
digital cameras and come in storage capacities of 1-2 gigabytes. All other cards including Secure Digital (SD), Multimedia, Smart
Media, XD, and Sony memory sticks are smaller in physical size and more commonly used in digicams than CF's are. There is no
major advantage in choosing one type over another, but each digital photography camera uses only one type.
When purchasing a camera, it is best to find one that suits your picture taking needs. Hence, if you're a novice who takes pictures
only on holidays or vacations, a camera with manual adjustments or more than 5 MP would be overkill. If you're a professional
photographer whom takes pictures for commercial use, a high-end DSLR camera may be perfect for you.

                                     What You Should Know About Your Digital Camera Lens

The lens is the most important part of a digital camera and there's every reason why camera owners need to get to know this
component. Lenses control what a camera captures in terms of the image, perspective and quality and how much light can get in.
Adjusting this part plays a vital role in capturing quality images.
The lens is described through its focal length which can either be the single type or the one with various ranges. A lens that has a
single focal length is known as the prime lens while the type that has a range of focals is referred to as a zoom lens. Most digital
cameras today feature zoom lenses including the point and shoot models.
Cameras having a zoom lens can accommodate different focal lengths within its range. This can be done just by turning a ring
around its body. In most cases today, though, this can be done automatically with a click of a button.
Through the focal length, the angle of view for a specific camera sensor size is determined. For instance, a lens with a full-frame
sensor can give the same angle of view similar to a 35 mm film camera. A smaller sensor, on the other hand, means that the angle
of view is smaller as well.
A short focal length means the angle of view is greater while a lens with longer focal length features a smaller angle of view. With a
wider focal length, you are able to take an image at a closer range. With a wider angle-of-view, on the other hand, you can
capture a larger subject at a distance. If the angle of view is narrower, you can take a small subject from a specific distance.
Another part of the lens is the aperture. This is the opening inside the lens that allows light to pass through. Wider apertures are
also known as bright and fast apertures because of their ability to let more light in. With more light, faster shutter speeds can be
achieved.
Apertures are indicated through numbers. A small number means a large aperture such as F/2while a large number implies a small
aperture. With prime lenses, they only have one particular aperture. Zoom lenses, meanwhile, have two or more apertures.
The mount is also a vital component of a lens. This is the one that connects the camera and the lens itself. This is often used with
interchangeable lens, some of which can fit different types of digital cameras. They can be used directly or through a special
adapter.
When using mounts, make sure that the lens is also compatible with the camera. It may be that the lens and mount fit together but
the lens is not suitable for the camera due to a different sensor size. Most camera manufacturers produce their own lens mounts
that can be used with the same brand of cameras only. But it is also possible today to get a mount from a third party manufacturer
which can then be used in varying types of lens and camera.

                                          Basic Lighting Knowledge Makes Photographs Shine

When trying to create perfect photography, it's all about the lighting. Good lighting can make any subject look great.
Studio lighting is perhaps the best way to accomplish good photography. In the studio, the photographer has complete control of
the lighting dynamic. A photographer must first decide whether the lighting in the studio should come from the ceiling or be based
on the floor using stands. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Ceiling-based lighting is out-of-the-way. It won't interfere with
movement in the studio. But a ceiling-based system is usually far more expensive. Expect to pay thousands of dollars for the rover
and rail system used to manipulate the lights.
Floor-based lighting systems are considerably less expensive. They are mounted on portable lightweight stands. They are easily
moved, but contribute to clutter in the studio and can be easily knocked over.
There are three types of studio lighting. One is called hot lights. Hot lights are on continuously. This type of illumination is usually
reserved for television and film production. However, they can be useful in still photography also. Their advantage is a
photographer can set a shot and know precisely what the lighting will look like. One big disadvantage is that they use a lot of
energy and put out tremendous heat.
Some still photographers use warm lights. Warm lights are color balanced fluorescent light bulbs. Like hot lights, they provide
constant illumination. But unlike hot lights, they don't produce substantial heat and are more energy-efficient. The main
disadvantage is they can cast an uneven illumination.
The most common form of lighting for photographers are cold lights. Simply put, these are electronic flashes or strobes. But these
flashes are more powerful than those built into cameras. There are two types of studio flash systems: Monolights and Power Pack
systems. They both do basically the same thing. The monolight is a single illumine that plugs directly into the wall. A power pack
system connects one or more strobe lights to a timing mechanism and a charging system. Both systems link electronically to the
camera and flash as a photo is taken.
Understanding the types of strobe lights or flashes is also important. For general-purpose photography, 500 watt-seconds should
work. Photographers can employ a smaller strobe to photograph smaller subjects such as those on a tabletop. However, most
professional studio photographers have at least 2000 watt-seconds. Experts suggest photographers purchase strobe systems
popular enough to get accessories, replacement bulbs and tips and service.
Regardless of hot, warm or cold lighting, the illumination might need to be diffused. Hard lighting can be achieved by using bare
bulbs placed at an appropriate distance. To achieve diffused or softer illumination, light must be bounced or reflected off umbrellas
or other reflective material. Hot and warm lighting can be diffused with filters placed directly in front of them. Gold and silver
reflective panels can be used to balance light and change the color temperature.
By creating a good studio plan, and having a basic knowledge of color temperature and types of lighting, even the most novice
photographer can achieve professional results.

                                                  How to Take Photographs That Sell

If you're selling online, it's essential to show good photographs of your products. Photos influence the decision to buy more than
anything else - good pictures sell!
Compose close, crop hard, enhance the contrast, and reduce image size for a fast download.
The Camera
Almost all digital cameras can produce good images for the web. Most focus close, recording sharp images with high contrast.
However, the connoisseur looking for the best tool should favor a digital SLR, where extra manual features make life a little easier.
When choosing a camera, make sure it will focus close enough to fill its screen with your product.
Illumination
It's possible to use almost any type of lighting, although bright even light is important for the best results. Sometimes you can use
your camera's flash, but this usually produces a flat image with nasty distracting shadows. It's best to switch your flash off and use
softer daylight.
Daylight
Close to a large window will give lots of soft light, but illustrate your item un-evenly. To reduce this problem, cut a piece of white
card and prop it up facing the window - so as to reflect the light and fill in the shadows.
Balance the light
Alternatively use a small mirror or a folding reflector - be sure not to get it in the picture. Your camera's flash may fill-in the
shadows similarly, but you need to experiment to prevent the flash being overpowering and making a shadow. Photographing
outside will give you a more-even light, except early or late in the day. However, you may have a problem not being bright
enough, or wind or rain.
Artificial lighting
If you're selling a lot online, consider using tungsten, florescent, or external flash lighting to give a more consistent image. After
daylight, most people favor either tungsten or florescent - because their camera can't use external flash, or to save money.
Tungsten lighting is simple and cheap, but gets hot in summer. You just need a reflector dish with a bulb socket which can be
purchase from camera accessory stores. The brighter the bulb: the sharper the image. However, avoid a dark shadow by
illuminating your item unevenly. If you can't soften the shadow with a white card, try pointing your reflector to the ceiling and
bouncing the light down. More-even lighting is given with two reflectors and bulbs, but can produce a double shadow which looks
terrible. A florescent tube will give you a softer light, although green in color. You can correct this later using an image editor on
your computer - same with the reddish color of tungsten light (unless you use expensive daylight bulbs).
Flash lighting
Studio flash is the best, but you need a camera that can synchronize - most small cameras can't. More-advanced cameras may
have a hot-shoe (the worst position for a flash), where an adapter can be fitted to allow an external unit to be plugged in. SLR
digital cameras usually have a normal socket for a flash plug and are the easiest to synchronize external flash. Flash light also has
the advantage of being daylight color temperature, so you need less color balancing later. Set the camera to manual exposure at
around 1/60 second. More-even lighting is given with two or more external flashes, you can trigger extra units with a slave. If
you're using a studio flash unit, diffuse the light with a soft box, which is better than an umbrella which gives a harder light.
Background
Plain white does for most, but some items look better on a dark background, like a dark-brown. Purchase matt card from an art
shop, and curve between a wall and a table. Avoid shiny backgrounds as they create hot spots (white spots on the image caused
by reflection from your light). Usually light-colored products are best on a light background, although there's no hard rule. Except,
keep it simple - the background shouldn't distract. A light-tent, easily purchased on eBay, limits hot spots.
Taking the Photo
Get in close - Compose the product to fill around 80% of your camera's screen. If you can't focus close enough, then shoot from
further away and crop the image later. Auto focus should work OK, but if your camera allows, manual is best.
Exposure
Auto exposure will also work fine, but use a shutter speed of at least 1/60 second to prevent camera shake - unless using flash,
where you'll need full manual exposure. If your camera tells you the exposure setting, use the highest f number (smallest aperture).
This will give you the sharpest possible image. Experiment to get the correct exposure - there's not a lot of room for error, but
veer on the side of over (darker), rather than under exposure.
How to make your jewelry look good
To make your jewelry appear important, photograph it from the same level. With the item on a table, it's easily to bring the camera
down to the same height. Take a few pictures of each piece, re-focusing (if using manual) in between. Check the first pictures are
sharp and correctly exposed before photographing many items.
Getting the picture into your computer
To transfer your image from the camera to your computer, you can either plug the memory-card into a USB socket using a
card-reader adapter, some newer computers have one built in. Or you can run a lead from the camera to a USB socket - all
cameras come with one.
Image software
However good the image, chances are it'll still need enriching on an image editing program. This will crop, enhance the contrast,
adjust brightness, and reduce the image's size so it downloads fast online. Those with a slow connection won't wait for big images.
One of the fastest and easiest image editors to use is ACDSee - not as sophisticated as Photoshop, but much cheaper and simpler
to use.
Image size
I find the best size for auctions and websites is around 450 pixels wide for a large landscape-shape picture. Your camera will
record the picture as a JPEG, and it's best to leave it in this format. The other common format, GIF, is for simple line images like
logos or cartoons.