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.
EasyPix Aqua W311 Digital Camera
July 10, 2009
The world is a huge place and there are lot of things to view and enjoy. Be it the high mountainous terrain or the low-lying plateaus and plains. Every nook and corner of earth is not just beautiful but is so enchantingly glorious. Almost every human being might want to spend more of their time in such picturesque surroundings. This is the reason why one would wants to escape on a vacation to the natural environment. Often a digital camera is one of the first things to be taken along.
There is nothing as beautiful as the underwater plants and animals. Although there are many underwater digital cameras, they are waterproof only to a certain extent. But now with the EasyPix Aqua W311 12MP Digital Camera, you can swim along with the marine creatures as well as take some breathtaking snaps in brilliant surroundings. This digital camera comes with a beautiful case that is waterproof to about a depth of almost 15 meters that is equivalent to 50 feet. And it provides the facility of shooting photos as well as videos from all angles and distances via its 12 mega-pixel CMOS sensor.
The EasyPix Aqua W311 Digital Camera has a 3.1 mega-pixel CMOS sensor that can offer around 12 mega-pixels of picture resolution on interpolation. This digicam includes a 16MB flash RAM memory that can be increased to 1GB using SD memory cards. An 8x of digital enlargement factor is provided by this gadget. Also, you can preview the images on the camera's 2-inch LCD TFT screen. The device's power saving mode will ensure that the unit is turned off in case of 3 minutes of inactivity. It allows you to take 3 continuous shots. It comes with a dimension of 109 x 82 x 40 mm (with the waterproof case) and weighs just about 126 grams. Video can be recorded at the rate of 30 frames per second.
The EasyPix Aqua W311 Compact Digital Camera comes with a waterproof case, a USB cable (for PC interface), a TV cable (for the video-out port), 2xAAA batteries, a hand strap, instruction manual, a pouch and a CD-ROM with the necessary software.
Are Camera Phones Out to Replace Digital Cameras ???
July 4, 2009
Mobile phones with integrated cameras were launched somewhere around 2002. Now, seven years down the line they have gained a lot of popularity and importance. In fact it is proving to be a threat to the compact point-n-shoot digital cameras. Are these Camera Phones out to Replace Digital Cameras ??? this is one of the most common question.
The digital camera market is dominated by the likes of Canon, Olympus, Kodak, Sony etc. which have been introducing loads of models with numerous features and functionalities. The technology used by these camera giant in their gadgets are being incorporated in the mobile phones. Now mobile phones are coming out with higher image resolution and better camera features.
Sony Ericsson introduced a high 8MP camera phone, the C905, which drew its technology from Sony's Cyber Shot series of digital cameras. Thus the C905 consisted of face detection and image stabilisation technology facilitating maximum photo enhancement. This led to its huge success and set a benchmark for all the other high resolution camera phones that followed it. The next series of 8MP camera phones were introduced by Samsung and LG, which took the market by storm. The LG Renoir KC910 and Samsung Pixon led more and more people to buy these gadgets. Looking at the buying pattern of the public, it seemed that they too support the view that camera phones are out to replace digital cameras.
Although, people are buying mobile phones with camera, most of the time it is not the camera for which they are purchasing it. It may simply be for some other feature of the phone. The camera is just another feature that is offered by the phone. A market survey reveals that people purchase a phone for its applications or unique looks or some other high end feature.
Also, these days digital cameras are available in much more compact and light weight forms making them simple and portable. They are including high definition movie recording and easy photo and video sharing methods. Many Kodak digital cameras come with an on-camera Share button that allows you to share your photos and videos immediately. A few of the popular and ultra-slim point and shoot digital compacts are Olympus FE-280, Canon IXUS 100 IS, Samsung ST50, Sony Cyber-Shot DSC T77, Panasonic Lumix DMC FX40, Sony Cybershot DSC G3, Nikon Coolpix S210, etc. to name a few.
Anyone who is just a snapshot photographer may prefer a mobile phone with a camera. But the hard-core serious professionals and photo enthusiasts may still prefer a camera over the mobile camera phone. Any mobile phone with a high resolution camera will never be able to replace a digital SLR. Photo fanatics are yet to see a camera phone that has features equivalent to even half the number of functions of any high-end digital camera. Also the picture quality is hard to match.
Though not now, but the rate of technological progress does aim at introducing camera phones with better capabilities and it may be able to match the performance of any high-spec digital camera. But the camera industry is not going to sit still; the technological advancement is definitely going to leave an impact out here as well and who knows maybe tomorrow we may have a camera with phone calling and messaging facilities!!!
Can the Apple iPhone 3G S Kill Digital Cameras ???
June 28, 2009
With the launch of the Apple iPhone 3G S there is a buzz on the rounds stating that it has the capability to replace a standard point-n-shoot digital camera. The iPhone 3G S comes with a 3 mega-pixel image resolution that is decent enough for some fairly good quality images. A thorough insight at the ups and downs of the iPhone 3G S and its stand against the affordable point-n-shoot digital cameras has been presented below.
Firstly, the advantages of the iPhone 3G S camera phone. The camera functionality includes an autofocus features wherein you can tap the screen to focus accurately on the object of desire. Video recording can be done with audio at the rate of 30 frames per second and it also supports photo and video geotagging. Finally it comes with a large memory capacity that is convenient for shooting and storing ample number of photos and videos. Most often, people shoot photos and videos and just let it stay in the camera or may just stop using their camera once the memory card is full. However this camera phone offers excellent sharing abilities, in fact it can be done directly from the phone. With its HSDPA and wireless support, it makes sharing and uploading photos and videos a cake walk.
But there are two sides to a coin. The downside of the camera functionality of the Apple iPhone 3G S is that it does not have flash feature. Although the pictures and videos look relatively good when shot in low light conditions, it is not the best. Everyone would want to have the best when it comes to preserving the memorable moment. Next is the lack of optical zoom. With the help of optical zoom, you can enlarge your images without distorting it. This facility found in almost all the digital compacts; is lacking in this much hyped gadget. And finally, these days more and more digital cameras are coming with in-camera retouching capability and high definition movie recording.
The iPhone 3G S is high limited when it comes to certain kinds of camera features. Asking if an iPhone 3G S will replace your point-n-shoot digital compact is as good as asking if the compact digicam is set to replace the professional DSLRs. Hence, although the iPhone 3G S can fulfil your photographic explorations, currently it does not stand a chance of being able to replace the compact digicams in the market.
Kid’s Digital Camera
June 23, 2009
With your child's birthday round the corner, you are wondering on what gift you are going to give. Purchasing a present or gift for your child has often proved to be a mind boggling task. Today, kids may not appreciate what you might have liked at that age. The advancements in technology has been a great influence on them. So they may love to posses a digital camera. Now the question is are you ready to give your child, the pricey and complicated camera which you prefer, or a flashy and affordable one. Probably a few years back there weren't any digital cameras for kids, but the growth in science and technology has now introduced many cameras especially for kids.
When it comes to buying stuff for children, you need to think at their level about their likes and dislikes. What you may like may not be preferred by your child. So before you decide on a camera, know what to expect from a digicam meant for children.
Children are by nature very possessive about their possessions and they same holds true for any gift you might buy them. So if you are getting them a digital camera, you need to see if the camera is the latest one in the market. They would definitely not want to show off an outdated and infamous piece to their friends. The more the camera is being talked about the better. As children give lot of importance to looks, the camera must look good, this is a very critical factor that you should consider before zeroing on a digital camera. Kids obviously don't know or care about the features and functionalities or the camera or the picture quality. All they care for is the overall look and feel of the widget.
The next thing you need to check is the memory capacity of the camera. Kids are always fascinated by gadgets and gizmos and they may tend to take a lot of photos, so it is better to have a camera with expandable memory. This is because surely you will not want to restrict their creative abilities. Children do not have any idea of light and surroundings and they may tend to shoot in the most challenging conditions. So it would be better if the camera had a flash. Also, you may want to teach your child about the process of transferring the photos to a computer and taking prints. For this a camera with USB connection is required.
Finally, the camera should not have complex functionalities. All the features must be easy to operate and use. Also the camera needs to be small and compact yet sturdy as they are sure to keep dropping the gadget. Start off with a 1.5 or 2 mega-pixel camera as this is best for your little one to develop his/her photographic skills.
No matter how much you love your child, surely you will not want to spend a hefty sum on getting a digital camera, which is soon going to be placed away by your child. The market has a wide range of children's digital camera starting from £30. So just go shopping and get one that would suit your child's age, style and requirements.
