8/05/2010

Back To Basic - Your Camera Buddy

We all know cameras are cool, but how much do you know about 
camera hardware and accessories? If the answer is "not a lot," read on!

Most camera hardware is designed for SLR cameras, and not point and shoot cameras. 
But, I don't like to make people feel left out! For those of you out there with a point 
and shoot camera, you can still pick up some cool accessories like camera bags, 
tripods, and media cards to enhance your digital photography. 

Most camera hardware options contradict the benefits of a point and shoot camera 
anyway, namely: convenience, ease of use, and small size for portability. 
When you start adding hardware, things become a little more advanced.

For those of you who have SLR cameras (or hope to get one this holiday season!), 
here are a few hardware options you might be interested in:

External Flash
Your SLR camera already comes with a built in flash, which is fine for snapshots 
and candid photos, but really only works well when the subject is within 15 feet. 
Also, the built in flashes almost always give people red eye, because the flash 
and the lens are so close together and are pointed at the same angle when you
 take a photo. 
flash-camera

An external flash allows you to move the flash away from the lens and use a 
different angle to light your shot. Even moving it 6-12 inches away from the 
lens can eliminate red eye, though if you are shooting from a long distance 
away, you will need at least a few feet between the lens and the flash.
flash-external

External flashes also allow you to use a technique the pros use all the time: 
bounce the flash. Tip the flash up so the light hits the ceiling in an indoor shot. 
The light will bounce off the ceiling and fall onto the subjects, rather than shoot 
straight at them like a built in flash. This gives the photo a more natural lighting 
effect. 

Or, use a rubber band to attach a business card to the top of the external flash to 
reflect the light up and forward at the same time. This enhances the light in your 
photos even more and eliminates the dark eye effect (the dark eye effect is when
 the eyes have a shadowy look from the light coming down from above). 
Your photos will get exponentially better with just this one technique. 
bounce-flash

Lastly, if you buy an external flash, purchase a sync cord, which lets you move 
the flash several feet away from the camera. A sync cord automatically triggers 
the flash when you take a photo, regardless of where the flash is in relation 
to the camera.


Lenses
Different lenses are one of the reasons pros use SLRs as opposed to point 
and shoot cameras. 
Most SLRs come with a zoom lens you can attach and remove, but there 
are plenty of other options out there. 
A wide angle lens (18mm, 24mm, 28mm, or 35mm) 
expands the horizons in your shot and makes photos appear more like how 
our eyes see things. This is a great lens for nature landscapes or for shooting in a room. lens-wide-landscape

A portrait lens (105mm or 135mm) shortens the background and gives peoples' 
faces the correct proportions that often appear slightly incorrect with other lenses. 
As the name suggests, this lens is good for portraits and close up shots.
  lens-distorted-edges lens-portrait

Long lenses you often see sports photographers using help you get 
closer to your subject. But, they do more than bring you closer to the action; 
they also help isolate the subject by throwing the background out of focus. 

As far as pricing is concerned, you get what you pay for. Most high quality 
lenses are several hundred dollars or more. The less expensive ones let less 
light in than the more expensive ones. They are still quality lenses, but are 
not as versatile. Visit your local store to see what lenses are available. 
Bring in your camera to try them out. 


Tripods
Tripods are an important tool for any photographer. Most pro photographers never 
hold a camera in their hands during a photo shoot, simply because their hands 
are not as stable and trustworthy as a tripod. Tripods come in a variety of sizes, 
styles, and weight allowances. Search your local store for the right tripod to 
match the rest of your equipment. The best news? Tripods don't discriminate; 
both SLRs and point and shoots can sit on a tripod! 

source: Ritzpix.com

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