Capture Memories the Greener Way With Digicams
October 1, 2009
Memories are priceless. It may seem just yesterday when your child was taking the first step and all of a sudden he is ready to join college. Starting from the child's first step to his first step into college, there may have been numerous moments and occasions that were important like probably the kid's first dance show, his first fancy dress competition, first speech in school or just the innumerable times when he might have hugged you or made funny faces for a number of things. At all those instances you might have wanted to freeze the time to enjoy and devour the true essence of the moment. The joy, happiness and pleasure that one gets during these cherished instants is just impossible to be explained or measured.
| “Time and Tide Waits for None”, this is a universal truth. Thus it is important to capture and lock these special moments to be remembered and cherished later in life. You can probably sit back with your child and remember the pranks he played on others or you could have a look at his award winning photographs and feel proud of him when he is probably pursuing his dream and is too busy to spend time with his folks. |  |
About a decade ago photography required tremendous effort; one needed to load the film, get the photos printed only to discover later that some of your memories could not be printed properly due to lack of lighting, exposure, improper shooting style or any other reason. So one might consider hiring professional help for the special moments. However what about the simple day-to-day activities! Can one hire a professional photographer for that too? This question was heard by many camera manufacturers and they developed digital cameras. Thus everyone could just grab a digital camera and start shooting. This sparked off the digital camera revolution.
People started taking to the digital camera revolution due to its cost effectiveness and ease of use along with convenience. What many do not realise is by switching from film cameras to the digital counterparts they are helping save the planet.
How can digital cameras save Mother Earth ??? Let's have a look.
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Many people are under the presumption that film cameras do not harm the environment. Of course they don't, but the harmful chemicals used to process the images definitely distort the ecological balance. Everytime a picture is taken it has to be processed, which is done at the processing centre where it is run through a series of hazardous chemicals. These developer and fixer solutions must be discarded after a single use. |
| The point is can these chemicals be disposed of in a safer and greener way? The answer is yes. For this; the chemicals must be trapped into a certain type of absorbent material that is capable of making them chemically inactive. This must later be disposed off into a landfill. But everything comes at a cost and to save the little extra expense more often than not these chemicals are just poured down the drain. This means that the hazardous stuff enters the water supply and into the seas and oceans playing havoc with marine life. This is one reason for the attrition of marine life that is happening at an alarming rate. |  |
With the digital camera revolution the use of the processing chemicals have been greatly reduced and if this continues the use of these hazardous substances might go down to zero. Your next question would probably be regarding the eco-friendliness of the ink used for printing these digitally captured photographs and the batteries used for powering these digital cameras. The result of a survey indicates that 80% of the people do not print their digital photographs but share them via social networking sites or maintain it in digital format by writing it on CDs.
As far as the ink cartridges go, one is bound to dispose it off only when it is completely exhausted. Also, the batteries are disposed off only when they are fully consumed, directing them to the landfill (solid wastes are disposed off in the landfill).
If you are a nature lover and care for your planet, save your memories the digital way.
Microchip in the Eye To Help Blind See
September 25, 2009
The last two decades have seen tremendous growth in the field of science and technology. More funds are being directed towards research and developments. This has led to eradication of many diseases and epidemics. Vaccines and cures are being invented for a million issues. Overall, the growth in this sector has made thousands of people happy.
Now it is the time for the blind to get merry and celebrate as the MIT engineers have designed a retinal implant that is all set to make blindness a thing of the past. This implant has been developed for those people who have lost their vision due to age-related degeneration or retinitis pigmentosa. These are the two major causes of blindness. This retinal implant is all set to bypass damaged cells and electrically stimulate the nerve cells that are capable of carrying visual input to the brain from the retina.
Unfortunately, this microchip is not capable of restoring normal vision,but it can definitely make a blind person more self reliant by helping them navigate a room or walk down a pavement easily. This can also make them see better and identify people and objects. This gizmo would surely be of enormous help to the blind.
Patients who receive this implant will be required to wear a pair of glasses that includes a camera. This camera sends messages to the microchip attached to the eyeball. The glasses contain a coil that wirelessly transmits power to the receiving coil surrounding the eyeball.
On receiving the visual information, the microchip activates the nerve cells that in turn stimulate the nerve cells around the retina that correspond to the features of the visual scene. The next step is the electrodes directly activating the optical nerves that carry signal to the brain by avoiding the damaged layers of the retina. The microchip is sealed inside a titanium case to prevent any kind of damage from water seepage.
The MIT team is planning to start testing the prototype on blind patients anytime within the next three years after a few safety refinements are done. Based on the feedback received from the patients and the people surrounding them, the team is aiming at designing and developing a chip that can be implanted for at least 10 years.
Will the microchip really be very useful for the blind and deliver what is being expected of it; one will need to wait and see!!!
Ricoh Caplio 500SE Digital Camera, An All Rounder
September 23, 2009
Day and day out more and more gadgets are released with advanced functionalities and features enabling them to stand out in this competitive market. One such device is the Ricoh Caplio 500SE 8MP Digital Camera that has some advanced and novel features included in it. Like most of the mobile cameras coming equipped with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS characteristics, this one is also integrated with these three major functions. To top it all, it sports a waterproof and rugged exterior that allows the camera to face the rough weather conditions with ease. The user need not have to worry about the digital camera getting damaged when they wish to get a little adventurous.
This Ricoh Caplio 500SE boasts of an 8 mega-pixel sensor, a 3x optical zoom lens system and a 2.5-inch LCD screen. Additionally, its large buttons provides easy operation even if the user is wearing gloves. The 8 mega-pixel sensor is sufficient enough to deliver fine details of the subjects; the image quality is also good enough for A3 sized prints of the photos. The 2.5-inch LCD screen is apt for composing and previewing the images as well as for sharing and viewing the captured pictures and videos. The 3x optical zoom provides the facility to enlarge the image to 3 times its size without causing distortion. Videos can be measured at the rate of 30fps at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels.
With the waterproofing abilities the Ricoh Caplio 500SE Waterproof Digital Camera is capable of being submerged in 1m deep water for 30 minutes. It is capable of withstanding a temperatures as cold as -10°C along with being adapted to be used in dusty and sandy environments. It is equipped with an anti-blur functionality that helps deliver blur-free images by compensating for blur occurring due to camera shakes during hand-held shooting. Its high ISO results in good image quality even if the lighting conditions are poor. The device has a built-in flash with a maximum range of 10 meters that enables a user to shoot in a wide range of situations. A 1cm macro allows a user to shoot objects that are situated just 1cm away from the lens system with clarity and precision.
The Ricoh Caplio 500SE Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Digital Camera allows users to transfer photo data to computers and other hand-held Bluetooth enabled devices with ease and comfort. Wi-Fi connectivity can also be used to transfer information. A user can connect the camera with a Bluetooth compatible GPS device and add location information to the photos. Once the GPS device is wirelessly connected, the camera is capable of automatically recognising it the next time the unit is powered on. Once the captured geo-images and geo-video files are transferred to a computer, they are converted in a specific file type and merged with geo-databases for immediate integration with the GIS (Geographic Information Systems) database. Furthermore, the digital camera uses a data dictionary for tagging files with work related data. All of these data can be automatically imprinted on the images as well. A memo function offers better data management facility. These memos aid in distinguishing between various similar photos increasing management efficiency.
This Ricoh Caplio 500SE Compact Digital Camera measures about 133 x 78.5 x 74 mm in dimensions. The device is a quite heavy with a weight of around 430 grams (excluding the weight of battery and memory card). The in-built memory is only 26MB that can be increased up to 1GB with the help of external SD memory cards. Finally with the PictBridge compatibility, the printouts of the photos can be taken via any compatible printer, eliminating the need for a computer.
Simple Tutorial on Smoke Photography
July 29, 2009
Photographing Smoke can be an extremely frustrating as well as a rewarding experience depending on an individual's approach to the theme. If one is locked indoors all day long with no other work to do then smoke photography is the perfect technique to try. There is a general misconception that smoke photography calls for expensive and sophisticated equipment, however that is not the case. All you need is a digital camera, a few other commonly used household products, basic understanding of the relationship between lighting effects, subject, background and tons of patience.
Step #1: - Collecting the Equipments
A digital camera preferably a DSLR (in manual mode), smoke generating element, a dark background, a strobe light with snoot, a reflector, a portable light (like a torch, optional) and a well ventilated room, these are the equipments required for photographing smoke. Any smoke generating component can be used, however incense stick is preferred as they provide a long lasting and continuous plume of smoke along with a pleasant smell. A holder is required to secure the sticks in place.
Although, any dark background will do the job, a black background is preferred as black surface will prevent any stray light from bouncing off the surface. A reflector is needed to reflect light onto the smoke while the torch will aid in locking the focus. The room should be well ventilated as smoke will get filled in the room quickly. If there is no provision for ventilation, then this smoke may decrease the quality of the photo.
Step #2 : - Setting Up the Equipments
Set up the black background. Now place the incense stick about 3 to 4 feet away from the background. The strobe light or flash has to be situated to the right or left of the incense at a distance of 1 or 2 feet. The reflector should be positioned exactly opposite to the strobe light facing the smoke generating component (incense stick). The camera should be located in front of the incense at a distance of 2 or 3 feet.
Step #3 : - Adjust the Camera Settings
The auto-mode of the digital SLR camera should be disabled and a full manual mode should be activated. The flash should be turned off. The camera should have a fast shutter speed, this is because the smoke will be constantly moving and only a faster shutter speed will be able to capture this motion.
The camera should be set to a smaller aperture for a larger depth of field. A smaller aperture is capable of capturing sudden changes in shape. Also the light sensitivity must be set below 100, as a higher ISO will introduce noise into the pictures. Finally, light is required to illuminate the smoke, this is because a smaller aperture and faster shutter introduces very little light into the image.
Step #4 : - Shooting Smoke
With the equipments and camera all set and ready, now it is the time to start shooting. Ensure the doors and windows are closed as even a slight breeze will cause disturbance to the smoke pattern making it difficult to be captured. Now light the incense stick, if you need thicker plume of smoke, light more than one sticks and place it together.
Ideally the focus should be about 2-3 cm above the tip of the incense stick. Torch light can be used to light the smoke if necessary. This helps you while adjusting the focus on the smoke pattern. Next is to be patient and observe the smoke pattern.
Once you have observed the pattern, try a few test shots. In case you do not like the pattern of smoke, you can modify it by using a metal ring, a spoon, a wire mesh etc. and many other objects to create a pattern you like and then start shooting. Keep designing and creating various patterns and focus and shoot. Please do remember to ventilate the room every few minutes so that the smoke does not play havoc with the picture quality.
Step #5 : - Creating Coloured Smoke Patterns
Finally, edit and process these images in Photoshop to create designs and patterns. You need to go to adjustments, and choose the brightness/contrast option. Now add contrast and colour to the smoke photos. After finishing just hit the adjustments-invert option and you will be able to obtain some cool and colourful smoke designs. Whether you want to colour the photos or just redesign them use Photoshop to the maximum and just play around. You can get as creative as you want.
Do have a look at some of our digital camera's special offers and deals.
9 Guidelines for Capturing Fireworks Exceptionally
July 27, 2009
Whether it is the victory of England Team or any other special event, fireworks definitely form a major part of the celebrations. In fact no celebrations are complete without a display of fireworks. Fireworks are fun to watch and enjoy. Everyone would want to capture this marvellous display of fireworks to be etched in their minds. Shooting fireworks requires selecting the right equipments, having a thorough knowledge of the digital camera settings, planning about the correct locations and finally oodles of patience. By following a few tips everyone interested in engulfing this splendid display, can manage to do a brilliant job at it.
Tip #1 : - Use a Tripod
Perhaps, one of the most important things is to have the digital camera secured in a place so that it does not move while the shot is being taken. While photographing fireworks, long shutter speed is required; one cannot steadily hold the camera for such a long duration, hence the need for a tripod. This makes the fireworks photos crisp and pleasant.
Tip #2 : - Make use of remote control and timer options
You can use the remote control option if your camera has one. If not then you need to be able to anticipate the shots and make use of the timer function. Ideally it is better to practice the timer and remote control option before trying it out while shooting fireworks.
Tip #3 : - Use Low ISO and High Quality Settings
Higher ISO settings may introduce noise into your photos. You may want the background sky to look as black as possible so that the fireworks stand out exceptionally well, thus its is better to use a low ISO setting of 50 or 100. Also it is better to use the highest photo quality, resolution and size. This may occupy more space but it is worth it considering the effect it is able to reproduce.
Tip #4 : - Keep the camera's Flash switched OFF
The darkness of the surroundings may end up tricking the camera that a flash is necessary, however it is not. A flash just ends up capturing the unnecessary smoke spoiling the whole picture. Therefore it is better to have the flash turned off, unless you want to give prominence to some statue or monument along with the fireworks display.
Tip #5 : - Focus to Infinity
While trying to capture fireworks it is better to use a wide area of focus, ideally infinity. It is same as the landscape modes in many cameras. Thus always check your camera and set it to the correct focusing mode before attempting to capture fireworks.
Tip #6 : - Have a long Exposure
There is a general misconception that a fast shutter speed is required for capturing the fireworks display. However, the truth is that a nice long exposure will assist you in capturing the movement with precision. The best way to shoot would be to hit the shutter button as the firework is about to explode and hold it down for a few seconds until it finishes exploding.
Tip #7 : - Keep a good stock of memory and batteries
Fireworks are to be shot in high quality mode that ends up eating away your memory. Thus it is advisable to have loads of memory space. The most irritating thing to happen would be the camera dying away due to loss of power. Therefore, it is preferable to have the batteries fully charged as well as to keep a few charged extras handy.
Tip #8 : - Be Early
Location plays a very important part in shooting fireworks. You will be able to capture the show with perfection only if you happen to be at the best possible spot all ready and prepared to fire away the shutter. Therefore, it is advisable that you go to the specified place a little early, grab the best spot and set up the necessary equipment.
Tip #9 : - Take heaps of snaps
Fireworks do not happen every other day that you can afford to miss out on. It is better to take loads of snaps of the show as one a couple may turn out to be perfect and marvellously brilliant.
Overall, with fireworks show you also need to pray for luck and timing. The perfect shot fired away at the right time results in exceptional images, one that you can save for years to come.
