This is a continuation of my series on how to take great fireworks pictures year-round! Following these tips will greatly improve the quality of pictures you take, and you can use these tips with other motion-related photos, too.
High-quality pictures are the only pictures to take. Why waste your time taking less than high-quality pictures at such a show-stopping event? Save your images as anything but JPEGs, as they are the lowest quality pictures on a digital camera, if possible. It will also compress your pictures more, which also allows for lower quality. You can always change the file type later once loaded to a computer. If you can't help it, and must use JPEG, then focus on taking quality subject shots rather than quantity subject shots. High-quality pictures will have better colors, better concentration of color and a better overall picture than lower quality pictures.
Try the landscape mode. Many cameras now come with a landscape or panoramic mode. This allows for the photographer to take a wider shot and get a lot more into the picture. For the grand finale of a fireworks show, a landscape picture is an awesome way to capture some of the interaction between fireworks. Now, for most digital cameras, landscape mode is hands-on feature which means there's more room for error. So, make sure you've had plenty of practice and feel comfortable using it before trying to take pictures of fireworks for the first time.
Exposure time is key. While digital cameras are all the rage, they can lack when needing a decent exposure time in such cases when shooting fireworks. Overexposing a picture with that much light can often ruin the picture. If you know how to use your digital camera's exposure functions, you will be more than set, but most have not taken the time to learn that feature as they assume the camera will automatically do the work for them. This is not always the case.
Normally, you'll want to be able to expose moving pictures such as fireworks for one to four seconds. You can generally change this setting in your camera's options or menu. This allows for a full capturing of the movement of light in the fireworks themselves. If you don't expose for this long, you'll get a blurry picture at the very minimum. You'll lose many details if you under-expose, which is just as bad as over-exposuring the picture.
Choosing the right aperture size is imperative. If you have a basic shutting speed setting in your menu, you can control how long the shutter is open with ease. You want to open the shutter right when the firework explodes and closes it when it reaches its full-life. If you don't have an easy-to-set shutter speed, make sure the camera can at least choose a fixed setting of one second for optimal results.
These tips and tricks take time to implement, but the longer you put them into the practice, the better pictures you will take. Practice makes perfect, and perfect practice makes perfect picture, so, get out into the world and take perfect fireworks pictures!
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Take Great Fireworks Pictures: Part 1
Anyone can take a good picture. Only those with patience can take great fireworks pictures. If you think you have what it takes, get your camera out and take heed to the following tips to capture Fourth of July moments that will last forever. Practice makes perfect and the more you practice, the better you will get when taking any type of picture. These are just some tips to get memorable fireworks picture no matter what the event all year long!
Always arrive early. Get to the venue as early as possible, even if it means waiting outside a locked gate for a few hours. This way you can get the best position possible for taking pictures. Since you don't want to be surrounded by people, but you also don't want to be far away from a good picture, you'll want to find a good place to set-up your camera as well as be unobstructed from trees and other objects that would disrupt your picture during the celebrations. If possible, scout the area before you arrive a few days in advance to pick out the best position and take some test shots.
Use a tripod and cable release. Tripods can be the easiest way to capture perfect pictures. Using a tripod enables you to have a steady picture, and when you're taking motion pictures, such as fireworks, having your camera steady is the best way to get the best shot. Besides, the longer exposure time for a firework to be captured properly is ensured by using a tripod so that you don't have to try and steady the camera for such a long time and risk moving and disrupting the picture yourself. Cable releases, too, allow for you to not touch the shutter which ensures you won't move the camera mid-exposure. You can stand some space away, still watch the fireworks, and take great pictures with little effort.
Flashlights are your friends. Since it will be dark all around you once the fireworks begin, ideally, a small flashlight will enable you to see you camera clearly in the darkness. Make sure it's a small flashlight that emits enough light for you to see clearly. Test this before hand so as not to be caught in the dark when taking pictures at the event or venue.
Don't forget the batteries. Don't be left with a camera that doesn't work! Bring two sets of backup batteries for your camera, whether you're able to plug it into an outlet or not. This way, if something goes wrong, you have a backup system in place to continue taking pictures.
Film and memory cards are a must. Make sure you have enough film or memory cards to last you for the duration of the event. If you can't afford that much film or memory, then, make sure to pace yourself. After all, you don't want to miss the grand finale of the show by taking as many pictures as you can in the first five minutes of the show, do you? The finale is often the best time to capture pictures, and if you must wait until the very end to take pictures, then, you'll be all set-up and ready to go to do so.
Always arrive early. Get to the venue as early as possible, even if it means waiting outside a locked gate for a few hours. This way you can get the best position possible for taking pictures. Since you don't want to be surrounded by people, but you also don't want to be far away from a good picture, you'll want to find a good place to set-up your camera as well as be unobstructed from trees and other objects that would disrupt your picture during the celebrations. If possible, scout the area before you arrive a few days in advance to pick out the best position and take some test shots.
Use a tripod and cable release. Tripods can be the easiest way to capture perfect pictures. Using a tripod enables you to have a steady picture, and when you're taking motion pictures, such as fireworks, having your camera steady is the best way to get the best shot. Besides, the longer exposure time for a firework to be captured properly is ensured by using a tripod so that you don't have to try and steady the camera for such a long time and risk moving and disrupting the picture yourself. Cable releases, too, allow for you to not touch the shutter which ensures you won't move the camera mid-exposure. You can stand some space away, still watch the fireworks, and take great pictures with little effort.
Flashlights are your friends. Since it will be dark all around you once the fireworks begin, ideally, a small flashlight will enable you to see you camera clearly in the darkness. Make sure it's a small flashlight that emits enough light for you to see clearly. Test this before hand so as not to be caught in the dark when taking pictures at the event or venue.
Don't forget the batteries. Don't be left with a camera that doesn't work! Bring two sets of backup batteries for your camera, whether you're able to plug it into an outlet or not. This way, if something goes wrong, you have a backup system in place to continue taking pictures.
Film and memory cards are a must. Make sure you have enough film or memory cards to last you for the duration of the event. If you can't afford that much film or memory, then, make sure to pace yourself. After all, you don't want to miss the grand finale of the show by taking as many pictures as you can in the first five minutes of the show, do you? The finale is often the best time to capture pictures, and if you must wait until the very end to take pictures, then, you'll be all set-up and ready to go to do so.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Taking Pictures in Tokyo
Tokyo is without a doubt one of the most popular destinations in Japan. If you have a chance to go there on business or for a vacation, be sure to bring your camera along because there are plenty of great photo opportunities in that teeming city of 12 million residents. Here are some of the best places to go for photos.
First, I recommend visiting the Imperial Palace. This is where the imperial family of Japan (the Emperor and Empress) lives, which makes it similar to Buckingham Palace in London. The palace grounds are very expansive for Tokyo, but the inner garden is only open to the public a couple times a year. Therefore, it would be wise to bring a camera with a pretty good lens, or at least one that has a decent optical zoom. Be sure to take a photo of the Eyeglass Bridge and the Double Bridge, both of which span the moat that separates the inner and outer gardens. You can also take a guided tour of parts of the palace, so there are great photo ops on the inside as well.
Another place to go for pictures is Tokyo Tower. This is a steel tower that is used as a TV and radio antenna for the metropolitan area. The tower itself is not much to look at; the real reason to go is for the observation deck, which is a little more than 800 feet above the ground. If it's a clear day, you can even see the famed peak of Mt. Fuji from there. Either way, you will have a nice 360-degree view of the city, and can get some very nice photographs from up there. Just bear in mind that your pictures will be taken from behind the Plexiglas barrier, so turn your flash off and make any other necessary adjustments before snapping away. This would be a fantastic spot to test out your camera's panoramic mode.
For a change of pace, go on a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River to get a close-up view of Tokyo's many bridges. One of the most famous suspension bridges in the world is the Rainbow Bridge, which is in Tokyo Bay. The bridge is lit up with different colored spotlights at night, so that's definitely the best time to take pictures. Be sure to switch your digital camera over to night landscape mode!
A city the size of Tokyo is perfect for people-watching, so take grab your camera and head out to one of the many shopping and entertainment districts to photograph some of the huge crowds. The Ginza shopping district is one of the poshest in the world. You might run into some of Japan's biggest television and movie personalities here, so have your camera ready. The Shibuya district is very popular among the younger crowds. Here you can see teenagers decked out in wild fashions that are going to become Japan's newest trends. You have to take pictures of some of these outfits and hairstyles, otherwise your friends would never believe you!
These are just a few ideas to get you started. The photographic possibilities in Tokyo are almost endless!
First, I recommend visiting the Imperial Palace. This is where the imperial family of Japan (the Emperor and Empress) lives, which makes it similar to Buckingham Palace in London. The palace grounds are very expansive for Tokyo, but the inner garden is only open to the public a couple times a year. Therefore, it would be wise to bring a camera with a pretty good lens, or at least one that has a decent optical zoom. Be sure to take a photo of the Eyeglass Bridge and the Double Bridge, both of which span the moat that separates the inner and outer gardens. You can also take a guided tour of parts of the palace, so there are great photo ops on the inside as well.
Another place to go for pictures is Tokyo Tower. This is a steel tower that is used as a TV and radio antenna for the metropolitan area. The tower itself is not much to look at; the real reason to go is for the observation deck, which is a little more than 800 feet above the ground. If it's a clear day, you can even see the famed peak of Mt. Fuji from there. Either way, you will have a nice 360-degree view of the city, and can get some very nice photographs from up there. Just bear in mind that your pictures will be taken from behind the Plexiglas barrier, so turn your flash off and make any other necessary adjustments before snapping away. This would be a fantastic spot to test out your camera's panoramic mode.
For a change of pace, go on a leisurely boat ride along the Sumida River to get a close-up view of Tokyo's many bridges. One of the most famous suspension bridges in the world is the Rainbow Bridge, which is in Tokyo Bay. The bridge is lit up with different colored spotlights at night, so that's definitely the best time to take pictures. Be sure to switch your digital camera over to night landscape mode!
A city the size of Tokyo is perfect for people-watching, so take grab your camera and head out to one of the many shopping and entertainment districts to photograph some of the huge crowds. The Ginza shopping district is one of the poshest in the world. You might run into some of Japan's biggest television and movie personalities here, so have your camera ready. The Shibuya district is very popular among the younger crowds. Here you can see teenagers decked out in wild fashions that are going to become Japan's newest trends. You have to take pictures of some of these outfits and hairstyles, otherwise your friends would never believe you!
These are just a few ideas to get you started. The photographic possibilities in Tokyo are almost endless!
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Digital Scrapbooks and Photo Storage
by Christina VanGinkel
Digital scrap booking is a term that I have heard a lot lately, along with digital storage of photos. I just assumed it meant to arrange scrapbook layouts in a digital format on my computer, and to store my photos on either my hard drive or a format such as a DVD or CD. That is correct to a point, but it also means much more than that.
With digital scrap booking and storage, it is possible to tag your photographs: To tag means to store information along with each photograph when it is saved digitally. Information such as who are the people in the photograph, where it was originally taken, when it was taken, and other notes you may want to attach to the photograph. Why someone would want to do all this work originally escaped me until my daughter asked me if I would find it convenient to pull up all the photographs that I have taken of her son, my grandson, in one convenient place, instead of pouring through all my folders. Yes, that would be convenient, I responded. She then went on to ask me if it would be even more convenient, say, to pull up all the photographs of him that were taken with grandpa, for example. I soon understood where she was going with this. Many photo storage and editing programs made for computers have had this feature available for some time, but not everyone is aware of it or uses it.
Unlike old-fashioned storage, where each picture would either have to be duplicated to be stored under more than one heading, or otherwise only categorized under one, I could store one photograph in as many categories as it actually fit. A picture of my grandson with his grandpa at the river fishing could be categorized under my grandson's name, under my husband's name, under those pictures that contained both my husband and grandson, and under a heading such as fishing pictures or vacation photos.
Better yet, once I tagged my photos and photo layouts in this manner, I could also share them with family and friends who had similar computer equipment and programs without losing the tags. I could in essence, send a layout I created in my Art Explosion Scrapbook Factory Deluxe program, a new program I recently purchased when I first heard the term digital scrap booking, to my sister-in-law, who has the same program. She could then open it into her program without having to do any additional cataloging, as all the tags I added would be intact with the digital version I sent her.
I still have a lot to learn about this new form of photo storage and scrap booking, such as if it is possible to add journaling to each page. Art Explosion Scrapbook Factory Deluxe seems to be a full featured program, but until I take the time to go over the program, I know I am not using it to its fullest capabilities. I can hardly wait to figure it all out, as it has opened more doors to the fun of working with photographs and scrapbooks!
Digital scrap booking is a term that I have heard a lot lately, along with digital storage of photos. I just assumed it meant to arrange scrapbook layouts in a digital format on my computer, and to store my photos on either my hard drive or a format such as a DVD or CD. That is correct to a point, but it also means much more than that.
With digital scrap booking and storage, it is possible to tag your photographs: To tag means to store information along with each photograph when it is saved digitally. Information such as who are the people in the photograph, where it was originally taken, when it was taken, and other notes you may want to attach to the photograph. Why someone would want to do all this work originally escaped me until my daughter asked me if I would find it convenient to pull up all the photographs that I have taken of her son, my grandson, in one convenient place, instead of pouring through all my folders. Yes, that would be convenient, I responded. She then went on to ask me if it would be even more convenient, say, to pull up all the photographs of him that were taken with grandpa, for example. I soon understood where she was going with this. Many photo storage and editing programs made for computers have had this feature available for some time, but not everyone is aware of it or uses it.
Unlike old-fashioned storage, where each picture would either have to be duplicated to be stored under more than one heading, or otherwise only categorized under one, I could store one photograph in as many categories as it actually fit. A picture of my grandson with his grandpa at the river fishing could be categorized under my grandson's name, under my husband's name, under those pictures that contained both my husband and grandson, and under a heading such as fishing pictures or vacation photos.
Better yet, once I tagged my photos and photo layouts in this manner, I could also share them with family and friends who had similar computer equipment and programs without losing the tags. I could in essence, send a layout I created in my Art Explosion Scrapbook Factory Deluxe program, a new program I recently purchased when I first heard the term digital scrap booking, to my sister-in-law, who has the same program. She could then open it into her program without having to do any additional cataloging, as all the tags I added would be intact with the digital version I sent her.
I still have a lot to learn about this new form of photo storage and scrap booking, such as if it is possible to add journaling to each page. Art Explosion Scrapbook Factory Deluxe seems to be a full featured program, but until I take the time to go over the program, I know I am not using it to its fullest capabilities. I can hardly wait to figure it all out, as it has opened more doors to the fun of working with photographs and scrapbooks!
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Waterproof Disposable Cameras
by Christina VanGinkel
Here I am, heading off for a weekend of fun with my family, after I recently purchased a brand new camera, have a second back-up camera, and I need to run to town before we leave to pick up a couple of disposable cameras! Why you might ask? We are going to a Waterpark and neither of my cameras are waterproof in any way, shape, or form.
The biggest hurdle is, I have not a clue as to what camera to buy, or even if I will have a choice. A quick look online before heading out has turned up only two disposables that are waterproof, both by well-known manufacturers. The first one I found online, featured at BizRate.com, is a Fuji Quick Snap Waterproof 800. Average price quoted is $10.00 and is a manual rewind, standard on most disposable cameras. It is a 35mm film camera, but beyond that, BizRate.com does not tell me much. I will have to do a more detailed search if I want any more information than that. The second camera I found information about online is the Kodak Water and Sport one time use camera. Not only is it waterproof up to 50 feet, but the Kodak site states that its outer shell is made of shockproof rubber to help protect it from bumps and bangs in conditions exactly as I plan to use it in, a Waterpark! It also comes packed with Kodak's best film, their MAX Versatility Plus 800 film. The lens is specially made to be scratch resistant and not blur or smudge from sunscreen. Whoever thought up all the design features of this camera has spent time on both shoreline and in line at a Waterpark to be sure.
If none of these features were enough, the Kodak site has thought to post an article on photographing underwater. While most of the pictures I intend to snap will be above water, the idea of taking a few of my son swimming underwater is interesting. As I love to scrapbook, I am always interested in different ideas for taking photographs. The article proves to be short, to the point, full of actual photographs as comparisons to what they are talking about, and in the end, useful. I printed it off and plan to re-read it on our drive to the Waterpark.
While I am leaning towards the Kodak, in part because I was able to find so much information on it, and it has features I appreciate, I will check out any other cameras I find when I stop at the store in the morning. I also plan to look into a digital waterproof camera for future trips. I realize now how much I enjoy just plugging my camera into my home computer and downloading my pictures in a few easy steps. The thought of having to bring in a camera to a store to have the film developed almost seems archaic! Now that I think of it, I had better purchase several of the disposables, as I am so use to checking my photos with the review on my camera, I will not have a clue if my pictures are turning out until I get the film developed.
Here I am, heading off for a weekend of fun with my family, after I recently purchased a brand new camera, have a second back-up camera, and I need to run to town before we leave to pick up a couple of disposable cameras! Why you might ask? We are going to a Waterpark and neither of my cameras are waterproof in any way, shape, or form.
The biggest hurdle is, I have not a clue as to what camera to buy, or even if I will have a choice. A quick look online before heading out has turned up only two disposables that are waterproof, both by well-known manufacturers. The first one I found online, featured at BizRate.com, is a Fuji Quick Snap Waterproof 800. Average price quoted is $10.00 and is a manual rewind, standard on most disposable cameras. It is a 35mm film camera, but beyond that, BizRate.com does not tell me much. I will have to do a more detailed search if I want any more information than that. The second camera I found information about online is the Kodak Water and Sport one time use camera. Not only is it waterproof up to 50 feet, but the Kodak site states that its outer shell is made of shockproof rubber to help protect it from bumps and bangs in conditions exactly as I plan to use it in, a Waterpark! It also comes packed with Kodak's best film, their MAX Versatility Plus 800 film. The lens is specially made to be scratch resistant and not blur or smudge from sunscreen. Whoever thought up all the design features of this camera has spent time on both shoreline and in line at a Waterpark to be sure.
If none of these features were enough, the Kodak site has thought to post an article on photographing underwater. While most of the pictures I intend to snap will be above water, the idea of taking a few of my son swimming underwater is interesting. As I love to scrapbook, I am always interested in different ideas for taking photographs. The article proves to be short, to the point, full of actual photographs as comparisons to what they are talking about, and in the end, useful. I printed it off and plan to re-read it on our drive to the Waterpark.
While I am leaning towards the Kodak, in part because I was able to find so much information on it, and it has features I appreciate, I will check out any other cameras I find when I stop at the store in the morning. I also plan to look into a digital waterproof camera for future trips. I realize now how much I enjoy just plugging my camera into my home computer and downloading my pictures in a few easy steps. The thought of having to bring in a camera to a store to have the film developed almost seems archaic! Now that I think of it, I had better purchase several of the disposables, as I am so use to checking my photos with the review on my camera, I will not have a clue if my pictures are turning out until I get the film developed.
Great Photo Spots in Rome
If you are lucky enough to be able to travel to the Italian cities of Rome and Pisa, then you will want to be sure that all of your photographic equipment is in tip-top shape because you will be presented with the photo opportunities of a lifetime. Read on to find out where I took some of my best pictures while on my vacation to Italy.
There are so many historical sites and beautiful churches in Rome that you probably won't be able to hit them all unless you are staying in the city for an extended time. One of my favorite photos from Italy is the view from the top of the dome at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. From that vantage point, you can get a breathtaking shot of the sweeping lines of St. Peter's Square hundreds of feet below you.
Another spot that makes for a great photograph is on the Spanish Steps. This is a place where people just kind of gather to hang out and chat. Therefore, it's a great spot for taking candid photos of your traveling companions or of taking photos of the other people that are loitering about.
No photographic odyssey through Rome would be complete without a stop at the Coliseum. The best pictures of the Coliseum are taken from the outside, though it is worthwhile to go in and check out the old gladiator battlegrounds. If you can adjust the settings on your camera to accommodate night shots, then I recommend photographing the Coliseum at night when it is lit up by spotlights. You might want to bring a tripod for these photos in order to ensure that you get the clear and steady shots.
Rome really lends itself to fun and whimsical photos as well as the serious stuff. For example, if you are a fan of the movie Roman Holiday, then a visit to the Mouth of Truth is a must. You will most likely encounter a long line of folks waiting to get a photo taken with their hand in the Mouth of Truth.
Another great photo that I have from Rome is from the Protestant Cemetery at the grave of the poet John Keats. I am a big fan of Keats, so when I went to Rome I made sure I had a volume of Keats' poetry with me. Then when I visited his final resting place, I had my friend take a picture of me leaning up against his headstone reading his book. It's a great photo because the title of the book is clearly visible, as well as the inscription on the headstone. If you have any interests like this, then by all means, stage some of your own photographs.
Finally, be sure to have someone take a photo of you tossing some coins into the Trevi Fountain. According to an age-old tradition, throwing coins into this fountain guarantees a return trip to the Eternal City in the future. Even if you don't believe in that, at least you will have a picture of the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome!
There are so many historical sites and beautiful churches in Rome that you probably won't be able to hit them all unless you are staying in the city for an extended time. One of my favorite photos from Italy is the view from the top of the dome at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. From that vantage point, you can get a breathtaking shot of the sweeping lines of St. Peter's Square hundreds of feet below you.
Another spot that makes for a great photograph is on the Spanish Steps. This is a place where people just kind of gather to hang out and chat. Therefore, it's a great spot for taking candid photos of your traveling companions or of taking photos of the other people that are loitering about.
No photographic odyssey through Rome would be complete without a stop at the Coliseum. The best pictures of the Coliseum are taken from the outside, though it is worthwhile to go in and check out the old gladiator battlegrounds. If you can adjust the settings on your camera to accommodate night shots, then I recommend photographing the Coliseum at night when it is lit up by spotlights. You might want to bring a tripod for these photos in order to ensure that you get the clear and steady shots.
Rome really lends itself to fun and whimsical photos as well as the serious stuff. For example, if you are a fan of the movie Roman Holiday, then a visit to the Mouth of Truth is a must. You will most likely encounter a long line of folks waiting to get a photo taken with their hand in the Mouth of Truth.
Another great photo that I have from Rome is from the Protestant Cemetery at the grave of the poet John Keats. I am a big fan of Keats, so when I went to Rome I made sure I had a volume of Keats' poetry with me. Then when I visited his final resting place, I had my friend take a picture of me leaning up against his headstone reading his book. It's a great photo because the title of the book is clearly visible, as well as the inscription on the headstone. If you have any interests like this, then by all means, stage some of your own photographs.
Finally, be sure to have someone take a photo of you tossing some coins into the Trevi Fountain. According to an age-old tradition, throwing coins into this fountain guarantees a return trip to the Eternal City in the future. Even if you don't believe in that, at least you will have a picture of the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome!
Photographing the Keystone State
If you live in or are visiting Pennsylvania, there are a great number of places from one end of the state to the other for your photography work or hobby. Because Pennsylvania was the second state to enter the union, there is a lot of history just waiting for visitors to find.
If you enjoy photographing historical sites, start at the eastern end of the state and stop in Philadelphia for a couple of days. You will find things that you have heard about your entire life in the City of Brotherly Love. Don't forget to snap a photograph of the outside of Independence Hall. It is where the United States Constitution as well as the Declaration of Independence were written and signed, after all, so a very important part of the nation's history. In the same area is where you will be able to see the Liberty Bell.
Another piece of history is found near Philadelphia, and that is the Brandywine Battlefield and Valley Forge. These are places that also played a major role in the nation's history during the Revolutionary War. After you have visited the places in the city proper that you want to see and photograph, take a tour of some of these historical sites that were so important to history during the 1770s.
If your travel is taking you to the opposite end of the state, the western border, you may want to visit Pittsburgh or further north, the Lake Erie region. Don't forget to stop at the zoo while in Pittsburgh if you enjoy wildlife photography.
A very important part of the Civil War took place in central Pennsylvania and Gettysburg offers countless opportunities for incredible photographs. Some of my own best shots were taken of the sunset from Little Round Top. Plan at least a few days here so that chances are greater that you will be able to find one of those stunning sunsets.
You can drive the battlefield yourself with an auto tape tour (recommended so that you will be able to stop to take your photos when you want to). You can also hire a battlefield guide to drive your vehicle around the tour route, but they are on a timer so to speak, so not recommended. Be advised that the tape tours don't go to all of the most intriguing places, such as Devil's Den, so research before your trip so that you won't miss some of the greatest spots just because they're not on the tape route. While in the Gettysburg area, you may want to get a tour to Dwight D. and Mamie Eisenhower's farm there. Also in Gettysburg is the Land of Little Horses.
Other things that make great photo subjects in Pennsylvania:
(1) Hershey! Tour the visitor center to see how the chocolate is made. Don't forget to snap pictures of the street lamps. There is also a Zoo America in Hershey as well as Hershey Park.
(2) The beautiful Pocono Mountains. You will be able to get some impressive nature shots here. While in the area, take a trip on the Steamtown Railroad found at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton.
(3) The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
If you enjoy photographing historical sites, start at the eastern end of the state and stop in Philadelphia for a couple of days. You will find things that you have heard about your entire life in the City of Brotherly Love. Don't forget to snap a photograph of the outside of Independence Hall. It is where the United States Constitution as well as the Declaration of Independence were written and signed, after all, so a very important part of the nation's history. In the same area is where you will be able to see the Liberty Bell.
Another piece of history is found near Philadelphia, and that is the Brandywine Battlefield and Valley Forge. These are places that also played a major role in the nation's history during the Revolutionary War. After you have visited the places in the city proper that you want to see and photograph, take a tour of some of these historical sites that were so important to history during the 1770s.
If your travel is taking you to the opposite end of the state, the western border, you may want to visit Pittsburgh or further north, the Lake Erie region. Don't forget to stop at the zoo while in Pittsburgh if you enjoy wildlife photography.
A very important part of the Civil War took place in central Pennsylvania and Gettysburg offers countless opportunities for incredible photographs. Some of my own best shots were taken of the sunset from Little Round Top. Plan at least a few days here so that chances are greater that you will be able to find one of those stunning sunsets.
You can drive the battlefield yourself with an auto tape tour (recommended so that you will be able to stop to take your photos when you want to). You can also hire a battlefield guide to drive your vehicle around the tour route, but they are on a timer so to speak, so not recommended. Be advised that the tape tours don't go to all of the most intriguing places, such as Devil's Den, so research before your trip so that you won't miss some of the greatest spots just because they're not on the tape route. While in the Gettysburg area, you may want to get a tour to Dwight D. and Mamie Eisenhower's farm there. Also in Gettysburg is the Land of Little Horses.
Other things that make great photo subjects in Pennsylvania:
(1) Hershey! Tour the visitor center to see how the chocolate is made. Don't forget to snap pictures of the street lamps. There is also a Zoo America in Hershey as well as Hershey Park.
(2) The beautiful Pocono Mountains. You will be able to get some impressive nature shots here. While in the area, take a trip on the Steamtown Railroad found at the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton.
(3) The Pennsylvania Grand Canyon
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
My School Picture Day Memories
It has been many years since I passed through the public school system, so I don't know how much has changed with regard to school pictures. Somehow, I don't think things are much different. Here are a few memories I have about school pictures.
When I was in grade school, picture day was a big deal. Everybody wore nice clothes, brushed or combed their hair, and most importantly, made sure to smile big during the photo. It was a big deal for us to be able to take an hour off from school work in order to go to the auditorium to have our pictures taken. The highlight of the day came when we each got a black plastic comb as a gift from the photography company. I always gave my comb to my dad, and he always made a big show of being happy to get one. Then, all the students waited with great anticipation for the developed pictures to arrive about a month later. We got a class photo as part of the package. It wasn't really a group photo; it was just a compilation of the individual student pictures put onto a single page. In short, during grade school, things didn't get much bigger than picture day.
Then in junior high school, a bit of apathy start to set in. Most students didn't choose to wear their best clothes anymore. Instead, we wore our favorite outfits, which might have just consisted of a t-shirt and jeans. Furthermore, not everyone smiled during their pictures. It became "cool" to stare defiantly into the camera or to smirk as if we had an inside joke going around. Picture day had definitely lost some of its luster.
When I reached high school, picture day was suddenly quite different. The photos taken on picture day would make their way into the yearbook. In my case, that meant that close to 3,000 students and faculty members would be able to see my picture. It seemed that most students chose one of two routes: they could either try to look their best, or they could go the other way and try to look a bit ridiculous, and therefore cool. For example, each year the guys in the popular clique would coordinate their look for the picture. One time they all wore homemade tie-dyed orange and blue polo shirts (our school colors). Another time they all put their shirt collars up in a salute to the '80s.
Then when it came time for the senior portrait, everything came full circle as people dressed to the nines and made sure they had perfect hair, just like picture day in grade school. I made a terrible decision and opted to skip my senior portrait. I think I ditched a couple of morning classes and went out to breakfast with some of my friends on picture day that year. At any rate, now I really wish I had a nice picture of myself from high school so I could share it with my husband and my son.
So, as a new school year draws closer, my advice to you is to look your best on picture day and make sure you actually have your photo taken, no matter what grade you are in. Ten or 20 years from now, you will be glad you did.
When I was in grade school, picture day was a big deal. Everybody wore nice clothes, brushed or combed their hair, and most importantly, made sure to smile big during the photo. It was a big deal for us to be able to take an hour off from school work in order to go to the auditorium to have our pictures taken. The highlight of the day came when we each got a black plastic comb as a gift from the photography company. I always gave my comb to my dad, and he always made a big show of being happy to get one. Then, all the students waited with great anticipation for the developed pictures to arrive about a month later. We got a class photo as part of the package. It wasn't really a group photo; it was just a compilation of the individual student pictures put onto a single page. In short, during grade school, things didn't get much bigger than picture day.
Then in junior high school, a bit of apathy start to set in. Most students didn't choose to wear their best clothes anymore. Instead, we wore our favorite outfits, which might have just consisted of a t-shirt and jeans. Furthermore, not everyone smiled during their pictures. It became "cool" to stare defiantly into the camera or to smirk as if we had an inside joke going around. Picture day had definitely lost some of its luster.
When I reached high school, picture day was suddenly quite different. The photos taken on picture day would make their way into the yearbook. In my case, that meant that close to 3,000 students and faculty members would be able to see my picture. It seemed that most students chose one of two routes: they could either try to look their best, or they could go the other way and try to look a bit ridiculous, and therefore cool. For example, each year the guys in the popular clique would coordinate their look for the picture. One time they all wore homemade tie-dyed orange and blue polo shirts (our school colors). Another time they all put their shirt collars up in a salute to the '80s.
Then when it came time for the senior portrait, everything came full circle as people dressed to the nines and made sure they had perfect hair, just like picture day in grade school. I made a terrible decision and opted to skip my senior portrait. I think I ditched a couple of morning classes and went out to breakfast with some of my friends on picture day that year. At any rate, now I really wish I had a nice picture of myself from high school so I could share it with my husband and my son.
So, as a new school year draws closer, my advice to you is to look your best on picture day and make sure you actually have your photo taken, no matter what grade you are in. Ten or 20 years from now, you will be glad you did.
What to Photograph in Kyoto
When most people think of Japan, they probably come up with an image of the bustling, neon-lit streets of Tokyo. They think of technology and Toyotas. This is a legitimate concept of modern Japan, but if that's all you think of, then you are missing out on a lot. To catch a glimpse of old-world Japan, head to Kyoto.
Kyoto was actually the capital of Japan until 1868, when the emperor's residence was moved to Tokyo. Because Kyoto is a former capital city, there are many important temples and shrines that are worth visiting and photographing. Some of these structures are in their original forms and are hundreds of years old. Others have been rebuilt after being leveled by wars, fires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters. If you do make it to Kyoto someday, you should definitely visit the following places.
One of the most famous sightseeing stops in Kyoto is the Golden Pavilion, which is a Zen temple. The original structure was begun in 1397, and stood until 1950 when it was deliberately set on fire by a monk. Therefore, the Golden Pavilion that you see today is a replica. I recommend bringing a camera that has a high optical zoom (or else bringing a camera that can accept different lenses) because you won't be able to get very close to the Golden Pavilion. The temple sits on the edge of a pond, and visitors must stick to a path that winds around the outside of the pond. To get a direct photograph of the front of the Golden Pavilion, you have to stand on the opposite edge of the pond, which means you are going to be about 60 yards or so away from the subject. As you move closer to the Pavilion by following the path, you will only be able to get a side view of the temple.
Another great place for a photograph is the Kiyomizu Temple, which dates back to 780. This temple is located high atop a hillside, which means you have to do some stair-climbing to get to it. So, if you have very heavy photographic equipment, you might want to think about leaving some things behind and bringing only the essentials to this temple. You will get a great panoramic shot of eastern Kyoto from the viewing platform of the temple.
Finally, you should stop by Nijo Castle for more great photo opportunities. Nijo Castle was built in 1603, and the cool thing about it is that it is made almost entirely from wood. Over the last 400 years, the wood has become worn and smooth in the high-traffic areas, which I think is neat. There is no flash photography allowed inside the castle, so you will have to content yourself with pictures of the outside of the structure and the surrounding grounds. Nijo Castle is longer than it is tall, so a wide angle lens would serve you well here.
All of the places listed here are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so please don't violate any of their photography policies. Have fun shooting in Kyoto!
Kyoto was actually the capital of Japan until 1868, when the emperor's residence was moved to Tokyo. Because Kyoto is a former capital city, there are many important temples and shrines that are worth visiting and photographing. Some of these structures are in their original forms and are hundreds of years old. Others have been rebuilt after being leveled by wars, fires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters. If you do make it to Kyoto someday, you should definitely visit the following places.
One of the most famous sightseeing stops in Kyoto is the Golden Pavilion, which is a Zen temple. The original structure was begun in 1397, and stood until 1950 when it was deliberately set on fire by a monk. Therefore, the Golden Pavilion that you see today is a replica. I recommend bringing a camera that has a high optical zoom (or else bringing a camera that can accept different lenses) because you won't be able to get very close to the Golden Pavilion. The temple sits on the edge of a pond, and visitors must stick to a path that winds around the outside of the pond. To get a direct photograph of the front of the Golden Pavilion, you have to stand on the opposite edge of the pond, which means you are going to be about 60 yards or so away from the subject. As you move closer to the Pavilion by following the path, you will only be able to get a side view of the temple.
Another great place for a photograph is the Kiyomizu Temple, which dates back to 780. This temple is located high atop a hillside, which means you have to do some stair-climbing to get to it. So, if you have very heavy photographic equipment, you might want to think about leaving some things behind and bringing only the essentials to this temple. You will get a great panoramic shot of eastern Kyoto from the viewing platform of the temple.
Finally, you should stop by Nijo Castle for more great photo opportunities. Nijo Castle was built in 1603, and the cool thing about it is that it is made almost entirely from wood. Over the last 400 years, the wood has become worn and smooth in the high-traffic areas, which I think is neat. There is no flash photography allowed inside the castle, so you will have to content yourself with pictures of the outside of the structure and the surrounding grounds. Nijo Castle is longer than it is tall, so a wide angle lens would serve you well here.
All of the places listed here are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so please don't violate any of their photography policies. Have fun shooting in Kyoto!
Photo Shoot: New York City
No matter how I choose to set up any kind of a list, there is no way that I could name even a fraction of the things that will keep a photographer busy in New York City. I will try to cover some of the major attractions, but please do lots of research before leaving for your trip to the Big Apple. It is never a good idea to go to such an exciting place blindly without a schedule or a lot of your valuable time will be taken up thinking of what agenda items you want to do. Having a list when you arrive saves valuable time.
If you would like to start with the most famous spots, stop first at places like Central Park and the Empire State Building. Be on the lookout for celebrities all over the city because it is certainly not unthinkable that you may run across someone very recognizable to you. Don't forget the Central Park Zoo.
Most visitors to New York City, especially if it is a first time visit, will want to plan one of the earliest agenda items to be visiting and photographing the Statue of Liberty. One certainly does not have to be a professional photographer to want to snap pictures of Lady Liberty. Take the ferry around the harbor for some great shots. Also in the same area is where you will find Ellis Island if that is a place of interest.
Some other points of interest, in no particular order (and certainly not all-inclusive because New York City is huge and there are so many things to see!) include:
Times Square is the place to get some excellent "big city" photographs
Ground Zero is the location of the World Trade Center before September 11
Skyline shots are fabulous . . . don't forget to get some! Make it a point to get such photographs both in the daylight and when the city is all lit up and spectacular after dark.
Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is found at Times Square on West 42nd Street
Rockefeller Center Complex
Chinatown is found on the lower east side of the city, this is a great place to experience, especially if you are hungry!
Little Italy is another neighborhood like Chinatown that will provide for some good pictures, but will also be a memorable stop for a hungry stomach.
Countless museums are found in and around New York City. Be aware, however, that some museums do not allow flash photography and some do not allow any photography at all.
The Staten Island Ferry is one good way to do some of your skyline sightseeing.
St. Patrick's Cathedral will make a stunning photograph. The Gothic style cathedral is simply breathtaking
Broadway . . . what more needs to be said? Getting a lot of pictures isn't something that you will probably be able to do here, but what trip to the Big Apple is complete without catching a few Broadway shows?
Madison Square Garden
Coney Island
United Nations Headquarters
Greenwich Village
No matter what your reason is for visiting the city, you will probably have a difficult time wanting to return to your hotel at the end of a day. It is, after all, one of those cities that never sleeps.
If you would like to start with the most famous spots, stop first at places like Central Park and the Empire State Building. Be on the lookout for celebrities all over the city because it is certainly not unthinkable that you may run across someone very recognizable to you. Don't forget the Central Park Zoo.
Most visitors to New York City, especially if it is a first time visit, will want to plan one of the earliest agenda items to be visiting and photographing the Statue of Liberty. One certainly does not have to be a professional photographer to want to snap pictures of Lady Liberty. Take the ferry around the harbor for some great shots. Also in the same area is where you will find Ellis Island if that is a place of interest.
Some other points of interest, in no particular order (and certainly not all-inclusive because New York City is huge and there are so many things to see!) include:
Times Square is the place to get some excellent "big city" photographs
Ground Zero is the location of the World Trade Center before September 11
Skyline shots are fabulous . . . don't forget to get some! Make it a point to get such photographs both in the daylight and when the city is all lit up and spectacular after dark.
Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is found at Times Square on West 42nd Street
Rockefeller Center Complex
Chinatown is found on the lower east side of the city, this is a great place to experience, especially if you are hungry!
Little Italy is another neighborhood like Chinatown that will provide for some good pictures, but will also be a memorable stop for a hungry stomach.
Countless museums are found in and around New York City. Be aware, however, that some museums do not allow flash photography and some do not allow any photography at all.
The Staten Island Ferry is one good way to do some of your skyline sightseeing.
St. Patrick's Cathedral will make a stunning photograph. The Gothic style cathedral is simply breathtaking
Broadway . . . what more needs to be said? Getting a lot of pictures isn't something that you will probably be able to do here, but what trip to the Big Apple is complete without catching a few Broadway shows?
Madison Square Garden
Coney Island
United Nations Headquarters
Greenwich Village
No matter what your reason is for visiting the city, you will probably have a difficult time wanting to return to your hotel at the end of a day. It is, after all, one of those cities that never sleeps.
More Photography Tips for your Scrapbooks
by Christina VanGinkel
Use your computer photo editing software to input text directly onto your photographs. Most programs offer the option to paste or type basic or shaped text, and options are often widespread, with choices of font, size, color, shading, bold, italic, and more. You can also use personalized text in this manner as your photo's border.
Consider a picture's features beyond the obvious. One favorite photo I have of my grandson shows him in a pair of rubber boots stomping in a puddle. The picture in whole is adorable. However, by printing a second copy that I had cropped away everything but his booted feet splashing away, I have created a secondary element for a layout about his puddle stomping that is as strong a photo if not more so than the photograph is as a whole.
Mount a photo on a piece of cardstock that is double the size of the photograph. Mount it so that it has a 1/8" border to one side, top, and bottom, but the remaining card stock is exposed. You can use this space to journal or attach a memento that is in correlation to the photograph.
Mount your photograph on something other than paper or cardstock. Consider tearing off one layer from a piece of cardboard, exposing the ridges inside, or use a piece of fabric that has been stiffened. Scan in a three-dimensional object, such as a starfish, and print it larger than your photograph. Mount your photograph directly atop of this print.
Using a picture whose exterior edge does not contain any important aspects of the picture; use a paper punch to create an edging around the complete outer edge, or across the top, bottom, or side. Run ribbon, raffia, fabric, etc., through the punched areas to create a three-dimensional border.
Journal even before the photographs are out of your camera and printed. If you are on a trip or have snapped photos of a special occasion, find a few minutes to jot down your feelings, thoughts, and memories before they are crowded out by another day of making new memories.
If journaling is not something you are comfortable doing, or you just cannot find the words to express yourself, go ahead and add stickers or pre-printed words and phrases if you would like. Remember thought that not every picture has to be accompanied by our thoughts. Sometimes we just have to let the pictures speak for themselves.
If you have a collection that you would like to include in a scrapbook, but the collection is not of a size that would even be remotely possible to include even the smallest sampling of it, photograph the collection in whole and in part to create a collage of the collection.
Create a digital scrapbook online to share with family and friends far away, those who may never have the opportunity to see your hardbound scrapbooks. On the other hand, create a digital slideshow and share it with them via email. Just be sure to check with them first to make sure you do not send a file that is too large for them to receive.
Use your computer photo editing software to input text directly onto your photographs. Most programs offer the option to paste or type basic or shaped text, and options are often widespread, with choices of font, size, color, shading, bold, italic, and more. You can also use personalized text in this manner as your photo's border.
Consider a picture's features beyond the obvious. One favorite photo I have of my grandson shows him in a pair of rubber boots stomping in a puddle. The picture in whole is adorable. However, by printing a second copy that I had cropped away everything but his booted feet splashing away, I have created a secondary element for a layout about his puddle stomping that is as strong a photo if not more so than the photograph is as a whole.
Mount a photo on a piece of cardstock that is double the size of the photograph. Mount it so that it has a 1/8" border to one side, top, and bottom, but the remaining card stock is exposed. You can use this space to journal or attach a memento that is in correlation to the photograph.
Mount your photograph on something other than paper or cardstock. Consider tearing off one layer from a piece of cardboard, exposing the ridges inside, or use a piece of fabric that has been stiffened. Scan in a three-dimensional object, such as a starfish, and print it larger than your photograph. Mount your photograph directly atop of this print.
Using a picture whose exterior edge does not contain any important aspects of the picture; use a paper punch to create an edging around the complete outer edge, or across the top, bottom, or side. Run ribbon, raffia, fabric, etc., through the punched areas to create a three-dimensional border.
Journal even before the photographs are out of your camera and printed. If you are on a trip or have snapped photos of a special occasion, find a few minutes to jot down your feelings, thoughts, and memories before they are crowded out by another day of making new memories.
If journaling is not something you are comfortable doing, or you just cannot find the words to express yourself, go ahead and add stickers or pre-printed words and phrases if you would like. Remember thought that not every picture has to be accompanied by our thoughts. Sometimes we just have to let the pictures speak for themselves.
If you have a collection that you would like to include in a scrapbook, but the collection is not of a size that would even be remotely possible to include even the smallest sampling of it, photograph the collection in whole and in part to create a collage of the collection.
Create a digital scrapbook online to share with family and friends far away, those who may never have the opportunity to see your hardbound scrapbooks. On the other hand, create a digital slideshow and share it with them via email. Just be sure to check with them first to make sure you do not send a file that is too large for them to receive.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
Photography Tips for Scrapbooks
by Christina VanGinkel
'Hang' your photo on your scrapbook page with ribbon or wire. Use the page's border as the 'wall' from which the picture is hung.
Pick your best photographs to scrapbook, and use the rest in traditional style photo albums if there are ones you do not want to dispose of. In the same sense, consider elements from photos that may not be good enough to use in your scrapbook or even photo album as a complete picture. Cut out the useable element and add it to your page layout as an embellishment.
Mat your photographs in one, two, or even three corresponding colors that are drawn from the photo itself. Make each mat approximately ¼" larger than the picture itself and each other for a consistent size increase.
Cover a photograph that is vibrantly colored with a piece of vellum that you have used as a journal. The bright colors will be strong enough to show through, yet the journaling overlay will add a nice touch.
Pick a color scheme when planning a page's layout. If you are not confident in choosing colors, invest in a color wheel. Consider the photographs colors when making your decision, and do not rely solely on the theme.
Do not be afraid to crop your photos, via your computer or in the traditional sense with a paper cutter, scissors, handheld cutter, or die cutter. Templates or stencils can also be used to trace a shape to be cut out for fun cropping ideas.
Using your computer program, attached printer, and select specialty paper, transform your photographs into embellishments such as stickers.
Print photographs in black and white and embellish them with photo safe markers. The look can be reminiscent of the past, when photographs were often hand painted, or they can be colored in a way that they are overtly modern in design. The brighter the colors you use, the more modern the look. Do not feel as if you have to color in the whole photograph either. Pick an element or two, such as a design on a shirt, or a hat, and just color those, or for a look from the past, stick with soft pastels, true to the olden days.
If you have several photographs that go together to tell a story, edge them with a cutout that looks like old fashioned film. Print the same pictures smaller, using a film grain setting common in computer photo editing software. Use these smaller pictures as a border for the larger prints.
Use the collage setting of your computer photo editing software to incorporate several pictures that may not be strong enough on their own, into a layout. Use them as a border for a central picture, or as the background for a design element such as a diploma or award.
Use a mini frame over a full size picture's main focal point instead of cropping the photo. This is a great way to draw focus to the main part of the picture and maintain the original photograph's size.
'Hang' your photo on your scrapbook page with ribbon or wire. Use the page's border as the 'wall' from which the picture is hung.
Pick your best photographs to scrapbook, and use the rest in traditional style photo albums if there are ones you do not want to dispose of. In the same sense, consider elements from photos that may not be good enough to use in your scrapbook or even photo album as a complete picture. Cut out the useable element and add it to your page layout as an embellishment.
Mat your photographs in one, two, or even three corresponding colors that are drawn from the photo itself. Make each mat approximately ¼" larger than the picture itself and each other for a consistent size increase.
Cover a photograph that is vibrantly colored with a piece of vellum that you have used as a journal. The bright colors will be strong enough to show through, yet the journaling overlay will add a nice touch.
Pick a color scheme when planning a page's layout. If you are not confident in choosing colors, invest in a color wheel. Consider the photographs colors when making your decision, and do not rely solely on the theme.
Do not be afraid to crop your photos, via your computer or in the traditional sense with a paper cutter, scissors, handheld cutter, or die cutter. Templates or stencils can also be used to trace a shape to be cut out for fun cropping ideas.
Using your computer program, attached printer, and select specialty paper, transform your photographs into embellishments such as stickers.
Print photographs in black and white and embellish them with photo safe markers. The look can be reminiscent of the past, when photographs were often hand painted, or they can be colored in a way that they are overtly modern in design. The brighter the colors you use, the more modern the look. Do not feel as if you have to color in the whole photograph either. Pick an element or two, such as a design on a shirt, or a hat, and just color those, or for a look from the past, stick with soft pastels, true to the olden days.
If you have several photographs that go together to tell a story, edge them with a cutout that looks like old fashioned film. Print the same pictures smaller, using a film grain setting common in computer photo editing software. Use these smaller pictures as a border for the larger prints.
Use the collage setting of your computer photo editing software to incorporate several pictures that may not be strong enough on their own, into a layout. Use them as a border for a central picture, or as the background for a design element such as a diploma or award.
Use a mini frame over a full size picture's main focal point instead of cropping the photo. This is a great way to draw focus to the main part of the picture and maintain the original photograph's size.
Friday, July 22, 2005
Spectacular Photographs for your Scrapbooks!
by Christina VanGinkel
Using photographs in scrapbooks is the basis behind nearly every scrapbook page or album. Making those photographs spectacular beyond their immediate appearance is one of the best parts of working with scrap booking supplies. The easiest way to improve a photographs appearance is to mat it on a colored cardstock or paper that will highlight the main color in the photograph. This is easily accomplished by cutting a piece of paper or cardstock that is approximately ¼" larger than the photograph itself. For even more of a wow factor, double mat the main picture on the page with two coordinating colors.
Changing the size of the picture by either enlarging the overall photograph or cropping the excess area around the main subject in the photo is another way to make your pictures work to your advantage. If your scrapbook pages all seem to look the same, and you want to break up your layouts, pick a favorite picture or two and enlarge them to a 5" x7" to make them pop off the page. If you have three or four photographs that need to be displayed together to better help explain the story behind them, such as a set of photographs depicting the materialization of a snowman, crop them with a circle punch out. This will focus the viewer's attention on the details in each photo, and give the layout a more interesting design with each photo in a shape that compliments the theme. Basic shapes, such as oval, squares, rectangles, and circles are available in jumbo-sized punches. They work on similar lines as small paper punches, but on a grand scale. Stencil templates are also convenient for cropping photos. Available in the basic shapes, they also come in a variety of shapes such as flags, tags, hearts, and triangles. Simply trace around your photo using a pencil whose lines can later be rubbed off any areas that still show.
Journaling with your photographs is an additional way to make your layouts stand out from the crowd. Future generations will love the fact that you took the time to write information to go along with the photographs. From a simple line or two, placing the pertinent names and places with a photograph, to a more detailed record of the memories behind the photos, each will be much appreciated. Even you, looking through your albums just a year down the road, will be surprised at how quickly you forget the tiny details. If you write them down though, you can relive the feeling behind the photographs just by opening the pages of your scrapbook. If you believe your handwriting is not legible enough to be included with your treasured photographs, then journal on the computer, print it on acid free paper, crop in one of the same manners that you use to crop your photos, and include these in your scrapbook. Whatever methods you choose to use your photographs in your scrapbooks, they will all be much appreciated by future generations. Happy Scrap booking!
Using photographs in scrapbooks is the basis behind nearly every scrapbook page or album. Making those photographs spectacular beyond their immediate appearance is one of the best parts of working with scrap booking supplies. The easiest way to improve a photographs appearance is to mat it on a colored cardstock or paper that will highlight the main color in the photograph. This is easily accomplished by cutting a piece of paper or cardstock that is approximately ¼" larger than the photograph itself. For even more of a wow factor, double mat the main picture on the page with two coordinating colors.
Changing the size of the picture by either enlarging the overall photograph or cropping the excess area around the main subject in the photo is another way to make your pictures work to your advantage. If your scrapbook pages all seem to look the same, and you want to break up your layouts, pick a favorite picture or two and enlarge them to a 5" x7" to make them pop off the page. If you have three or four photographs that need to be displayed together to better help explain the story behind them, such as a set of photographs depicting the materialization of a snowman, crop them with a circle punch out. This will focus the viewer's attention on the details in each photo, and give the layout a more interesting design with each photo in a shape that compliments the theme. Basic shapes, such as oval, squares, rectangles, and circles are available in jumbo-sized punches. They work on similar lines as small paper punches, but on a grand scale. Stencil templates are also convenient for cropping photos. Available in the basic shapes, they also come in a variety of shapes such as flags, tags, hearts, and triangles. Simply trace around your photo using a pencil whose lines can later be rubbed off any areas that still show.
Journaling with your photographs is an additional way to make your layouts stand out from the crowd. Future generations will love the fact that you took the time to write information to go along with the photographs. From a simple line or two, placing the pertinent names and places with a photograph, to a more detailed record of the memories behind the photos, each will be much appreciated. Even you, looking through your albums just a year down the road, will be surprised at how quickly you forget the tiny details. If you write them down though, you can relive the feeling behind the photographs just by opening the pages of your scrapbook. If you believe your handwriting is not legible enough to be included with your treasured photographs, then journal on the computer, print it on acid free paper, crop in one of the same manners that you use to crop your photos, and include these in your scrapbook. Whatever methods you choose to use your photographs in your scrapbooks, they will all be much appreciated by future generations. Happy Scrap booking!
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Photography Down Under Style
If you are planning a working vacation to the "Land Down Under" for photographs, there are many towns and cities in Australia that will provide some great shots. If you do not wish to visit the capital city of Canberra, you may want to try the electrifying Sydney. This is Australia's biggest city and it will easily provide plenty of photographic subjects as well as activities for the "vacation" part of your trip.
If you want to get some beach shots, your agenda should include spending some time at Bondi Beach. It is one of the most popular beaches in all of Australia and surfing is available here.
Sydney hosted the 2000 Olympics and you will definitely want to stop by the Sydney Olympic Park. You will be able to photograph (and participate in, if you wish!) some of the sports that routinely occur here. They have a golf center, hockey center, archery center, and many more areas of that type within the complex. For total relaxation after your workout, saunas and spas are offered at the Olympic Park.
If you don't feel like sports or aerobics and those kinds of things, you may want to see if you have courage to try something else found at Olympic Park. It is a high flying trapeze called the Quasar Trapeze. You may be able to get some circus-type shots of people on the trapeze if you do not wish to try it yourself. If you have always wanted to "fly through the air with the greatest of ease," there are professionals to help you realize that dream at the Quasar Trapeze.
For animal photography, three thousand animals (350 + species) live at the Taronga Zoo but if that isn't enough "wildlife" work for you, you can take pictures with aquatic subjects at the aquarium found in Sydney as well.
To get some striking aerial-type photos, go to the Sydney Tower and Sky Tour. You will be able to photograph the city from a height of more than 800 feet at the Sydney Tower. Don't forget that depending on which time of day you visit, your shots will be quite different.
The Sydney Harbor is scenic and filled with history. While visiting this part of the city, be sure not to miss the lighthouses, old military remnants, and Fort Denison. Other things to be sure to catch are the prominent cliffs, the islands, and the rock engravings.
Another site where you may be able to mix work and pleasure is at the entertainment complex called Star City Casino. Views of the city skyline are spectacular from the complex, but there is also gaming as the name suggests. In addition to all the games of chance found in other casinos, you will find about two thousand slot machines. The complex never closes, so this may be an opportunity for some skyline shots after dark.
You may think that you wouldn't be able to take many photographs by visiting the infamous Sydney Opera House but that may not be the case. There are five theaters, and yes, and that alone won't offer much opportunity, but one of the packages they offer includes a twilight cruise around the harbor. Photographs from cruises often turn out to be very satisfying.
If you want to get some beach shots, your agenda should include spending some time at Bondi Beach. It is one of the most popular beaches in all of Australia and surfing is available here.
Sydney hosted the 2000 Olympics and you will definitely want to stop by the Sydney Olympic Park. You will be able to photograph (and participate in, if you wish!) some of the sports that routinely occur here. They have a golf center, hockey center, archery center, and many more areas of that type within the complex. For total relaxation after your workout, saunas and spas are offered at the Olympic Park.
If you don't feel like sports or aerobics and those kinds of things, you may want to see if you have courage to try something else found at Olympic Park. It is a high flying trapeze called the Quasar Trapeze. You may be able to get some circus-type shots of people on the trapeze if you do not wish to try it yourself. If you have always wanted to "fly through the air with the greatest of ease," there are professionals to help you realize that dream at the Quasar Trapeze.
For animal photography, three thousand animals (350 + species) live at the Taronga Zoo but if that isn't enough "wildlife" work for you, you can take pictures with aquatic subjects at the aquarium found in Sydney as well.
To get some striking aerial-type photos, go to the Sydney Tower and Sky Tour. You will be able to photograph the city from a height of more than 800 feet at the Sydney Tower. Don't forget that depending on which time of day you visit, your shots will be quite different.
The Sydney Harbor is scenic and filled with history. While visiting this part of the city, be sure not to miss the lighthouses, old military remnants, and Fort Denison. Other things to be sure to catch are the prominent cliffs, the islands, and the rock engravings.
Another site where you may be able to mix work and pleasure is at the entertainment complex called Star City Casino. Views of the city skyline are spectacular from the complex, but there is also gaming as the name suggests. In addition to all the games of chance found in other casinos, you will find about two thousand slot machines. The complex never closes, so this may be an opportunity for some skyline shots after dark.
You may think that you wouldn't be able to take many photographs by visiting the infamous Sydney Opera House but that may not be the case. There are five theaters, and yes, and that alone won't offer much opportunity, but one of the packages they offer includes a twilight cruise around the harbor. Photographs from cruises often turn out to be very satisfying.
Digital Camera Shopping on a Budget
by Christina VanGinkel
Besides purchasing my Konica Minolta DiMage Z5, and my previous digital camera, a Sony Mavica 350, I also helped two friends choose cameras. One of those same friends has just asked me to help her choose a camera for her sister for her upcoming birthday. She gave me a starting price and a top price, to include both a camera and a memory card larger than the small ones typically packaged with any new digital camera. Digital cameras are one of the fastest growing electronics markets, and with prices dropping regularly, I am more than happy to help her shop.
Thanks to the recently falling prices on digital cameras, for their spending budget of $150 to $200, they will be able to purchase a camera that has a 3 to 4 mega pixel resolution, along with an optic zoom of at least three, and purchase a memory card between 256 MB and 512 MB. This budget would have been impossible a year ago, but is more than realistic at today's current prices.
My first suggested camera is the Kodak Easy Share CX7430 Zoom Digital Camera. With a 512 MB secure digital memory card now available for less than fifty dollars, the total cost would run somewhere around the two hundred dollar mark depending on where they purchased it. Dell currently has the camera available for $179.00 with an instant discount of $26.85. By searching Google for Dell Coupons, I also found a coupon for an additional twenty dollars off any purchase over one hundred and fifty dollars. They also have a current special running for free shipping on any electronics purchase over forty-nine dollars. That would bring the total cost of the camera to a grand total of $132.15. Dell also currently has a SANDISK512 MB CompactFlash Card on sale for $39.20, for a new total of $171.35, not bad for a camera that features a 4.23 effective mega pixel resolution, along with a 3X optic zoom. This Kodak camera also has plenty of features that make it both a good deal and a camera that anyone would love to have. Because of the high resolution, it is possible to snap photos that can then be printed at sizes up to 20" X 30". Packed with this camera is the Easy Share software from Kodak, for your computer, that allows the user to gain control of all their photos. It will organize not only your new photos, but also all your existing ones already on your computer. You can also edit and print from the program, or run a slideshow.
In suggesting this camera to her, I gave her the information from Dell along with the coupon code. Before ordering it though, I suggested that she check locally for the same camera to compare pricing, and informed her that I will also look at a few more cameras in the next couple of days to see if I can find a comparable one, both in feature and in price. Whatever camera she ultimately purchases, I am sure that her sister will love it.
Besides purchasing my Konica Minolta DiMage Z5, and my previous digital camera, a Sony Mavica 350, I also helped two friends choose cameras. One of those same friends has just asked me to help her choose a camera for her sister for her upcoming birthday. She gave me a starting price and a top price, to include both a camera and a memory card larger than the small ones typically packaged with any new digital camera. Digital cameras are one of the fastest growing electronics markets, and with prices dropping regularly, I am more than happy to help her shop.
Thanks to the recently falling prices on digital cameras, for their spending budget of $150 to $200, they will be able to purchase a camera that has a 3 to 4 mega pixel resolution, along with an optic zoom of at least three, and purchase a memory card between 256 MB and 512 MB. This budget would have been impossible a year ago, but is more than realistic at today's current prices.
My first suggested camera is the Kodak Easy Share CX7430 Zoom Digital Camera. With a 512 MB secure digital memory card now available for less than fifty dollars, the total cost would run somewhere around the two hundred dollar mark depending on where they purchased it. Dell currently has the camera available for $179.00 with an instant discount of $26.85. By searching Google for Dell Coupons, I also found a coupon for an additional twenty dollars off any purchase over one hundred and fifty dollars. They also have a current special running for free shipping on any electronics purchase over forty-nine dollars. That would bring the total cost of the camera to a grand total of $132.15. Dell also currently has a SANDISK512 MB CompactFlash Card on sale for $39.20, for a new total of $171.35, not bad for a camera that features a 4.23 effective mega pixel resolution, along with a 3X optic zoom. This Kodak camera also has plenty of features that make it both a good deal and a camera that anyone would love to have. Because of the high resolution, it is possible to snap photos that can then be printed at sizes up to 20" X 30". Packed with this camera is the Easy Share software from Kodak, for your computer, that allows the user to gain control of all their photos. It will organize not only your new photos, but also all your existing ones already on your computer. You can also edit and print from the program, or run a slideshow.
In suggesting this camera to her, I gave her the information from Dell along with the coupon code. Before ordering it though, I suggested that she check locally for the same camera to compare pricing, and informed her that I will also look at a few more cameras in the next couple of days to see if I can find a comparable one, both in feature and in price. Whatever camera she ultimately purchases, I am sure that her sister will love it.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Photo Op of a Lifetime: Moscow
If you have the opportunity to travel to Russia for one of your working photography vacations, it will be a good choice. More specifically, a visit to the capital city of Moscow will be totally unforgettable. Travel to this area of the world was a lot more restricted in the days of the cold war, but since its end, Moscow has become a travel destination for many more vacationers.
Your first photo subject may be Red Square. There are numerous things that need your attention when taking pictures all over the city, but in Red Square you will want to find the mausoleum where Lenin is buried, the exquisite 16th century St. Basil's Cathedral, and the Historical Museum.
If you want to take a break from the photography, this is also where you will find the massive GUM Department Store. It covers much of one side of Red Square and it houses well over a hundred shops, outlets, and restaurants. It would not be difficult in the least to spend an entire day in this building.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable pieces of architecture in the world is Moscow's Kremlin. This is an entire city within the Kremlin walls and there are palaces, churches, and government buildings. This is also, of course, where the president of Russia calls home.
Also found in the Kremlin is Cathedral Square. All the churches found at Cathedral Square are magnificent. After seeing these main attractions of Red Square and the Kremlin, there are still many places in the city to visit with your photography equipment. Some ideas of places to visit are:
(1) The State Tretyakov Gallery is a museum of fine art that has been created in many mediums. It is found near the Kremlin and located beside the Moscow River. Be prepared to see more than 130,000 artistic endeavors.
(2) If your specialty is wildlife or animal shots, try the Moscow Zoo. It has been in operation for more than 140 years. Over six thousand animals representing in excess of a thousand different species live here.
(3) There is some lovely scenery along the two mile long Gorky Park. It is an excellent place to get some exercise while looking for things to photograph. This, too, is located beside the Moscow River. Another park in the area is called Victory Park and it is where to perhaps hire a boat for some photographic shots of parts of Moscow taken from the river.
(4) You will be able to get some great pictures at one of the Russian circuses found in and near Moscow. There are always a few circuses from which to choose, but if at all possible, don't leave town without seeing at least one of them.
(5) Another thing to be sure to get a picture of is the Volkov - Yusupov Chambers. This fabulous 16th century building looks like the castles that many fairy tales are written about. When you are showing your pictures to friends, you will be able to mention that Ivan the Terrible roamed these halls since he actually lived here.
(6) Plan a visit to the Bolshoi Theatre to take in a fabulous opera or ballet while visiting the city.
There are naturally many other places in Moscow to see and things to do that will keep you busy for your entire visit. These were just a few of the activities that make the Russian capital a unique and exciting travel destination.
Your first photo subject may be Red Square. There are numerous things that need your attention when taking pictures all over the city, but in Red Square you will want to find the mausoleum where Lenin is buried, the exquisite 16th century St. Basil's Cathedral, and the Historical Museum.
If you want to take a break from the photography, this is also where you will find the massive GUM Department Store. It covers much of one side of Red Square and it houses well over a hundred shops, outlets, and restaurants. It would not be difficult in the least to spend an entire day in this building.
Perhaps one of the most recognizable pieces of architecture in the world is Moscow's Kremlin. This is an entire city within the Kremlin walls and there are palaces, churches, and government buildings. This is also, of course, where the president of Russia calls home.
Also found in the Kremlin is Cathedral Square. All the churches found at Cathedral Square are magnificent. After seeing these main attractions of Red Square and the Kremlin, there are still many places in the city to visit with your photography equipment. Some ideas of places to visit are:
(1) The State Tretyakov Gallery is a museum of fine art that has been created in many mediums. It is found near the Kremlin and located beside the Moscow River. Be prepared to see more than 130,000 artistic endeavors.
(2) If your specialty is wildlife or animal shots, try the Moscow Zoo. It has been in operation for more than 140 years. Over six thousand animals representing in excess of a thousand different species live here.
(3) There is some lovely scenery along the two mile long Gorky Park. It is an excellent place to get some exercise while looking for things to photograph. This, too, is located beside the Moscow River. Another park in the area is called Victory Park and it is where to perhaps hire a boat for some photographic shots of parts of Moscow taken from the river.
(4) You will be able to get some great pictures at one of the Russian circuses found in and near Moscow. There are always a few circuses from which to choose, but if at all possible, don't leave town without seeing at least one of them.
(5) Another thing to be sure to get a picture of is the Volkov - Yusupov Chambers. This fabulous 16th century building looks like the castles that many fairy tales are written about. When you are showing your pictures to friends, you will be able to mention that Ivan the Terrible roamed these halls since he actually lived here.
(6) Plan a visit to the Bolshoi Theatre to take in a fabulous opera or ballet while visiting the city.
There are naturally many other places in Moscow to see and things to do that will keep you busy for your entire visit. These were just a few of the activities that make the Russian capital a unique and exciting travel destination.
Automated Program Settings and Lighting
by Christina VanGinkel
I was able to spend some quality time with my two-year-old grandson this past weekend before he headed out once again with his parents. They work out of town and try to get home as often as possible, but it is not always possible. When they are here, they are always good about letting us borrow our grandson as often as we want. Sunday afternoon my husband and I, along with our son and grandson, headed to the park. With us, we also took our brand new Konica Minolta Digital camera.
A DiMage Z5, it has several automated program settings. One of them, Sports Action, maximizes shutter speed, thus allowing the capture of motion. Lighting is an important aspect of this I soon learned. When we first arrived at the park the light was probably at its best for any picture taking without advanced knowledge of lighting, including use of the flash. I snapped a few photos of the kids in the park, running across a swinging bridge and climbing a pair of shaky steps, (the steps shake on purpose!). Soon after, I snapped a few photographs of my grandson as he was swinging. I actually continued to snap several more as the natural light faded. I snapped a few more photos, some with my flash, some without, as we were leaving the park.
As soon as we arrived back home, I plugged in the camera to my computer to see what, if any, of the pictures had turned out. While a few looked good on the on-camera review screen, I was anxious to see them in full size on my computer. As I reviewed all the snapshots from the evening I was acquiring a lesson in lighting without even meaning to. The first few photographs were nice, what I often refer to as scrapbook quality. The first one of my grandson swinging was what I considered exceptional. The kind of picture I try often to take, but more often than not fail at doing. Not only was the composition of the picture dead on, the automatic setting for Sports Action worked, along with the natural lighting. What I had was a photograph of him, smiling from ear to ear, feet tucked back, swinging full out. The background was slightly blurred, allowing the crisp lines of him to shine as the focus of the picture. This was exactly what I was trying to capture, plus more.
Sadly, the next couple of photographs were not even close to the same quality. As the light faded and I did not attempt to use the flash, not only was the background in a softy blur, so was he. Of the photographs that I snapped as we left the park, one of those also was of a quality that made me realize that taking a good photo is possible if I could just learn the value of lighting. Standing in front of the park's main feature, a small lake, with the sun setting off to the side, my husband, son, and grandson were framed perfectly, the lake picking up a myriad of colors. I snapped several pictures in a row, a couple with the flash on, a couple with it off. Too bad, I have no clue if the picture that turned out beautifully was with or without the flash. That is ok though, as it just means I have that much more reason to snap a few more pictures lakeside the next time he is home for a visit!
I was able to spend some quality time with my two-year-old grandson this past weekend before he headed out once again with his parents. They work out of town and try to get home as often as possible, but it is not always possible. When they are here, they are always good about letting us borrow our grandson as often as we want. Sunday afternoon my husband and I, along with our son and grandson, headed to the park. With us, we also took our brand new Konica Minolta Digital camera.
A DiMage Z5, it has several automated program settings. One of them, Sports Action, maximizes shutter speed, thus allowing the capture of motion. Lighting is an important aspect of this I soon learned. When we first arrived at the park the light was probably at its best for any picture taking without advanced knowledge of lighting, including use of the flash. I snapped a few photos of the kids in the park, running across a swinging bridge and climbing a pair of shaky steps, (the steps shake on purpose!). Soon after, I snapped a few photographs of my grandson as he was swinging. I actually continued to snap several more as the natural light faded. I snapped a few more photos, some with my flash, some without, as we were leaving the park.
As soon as we arrived back home, I plugged in the camera to my computer to see what, if any, of the pictures had turned out. While a few looked good on the on-camera review screen, I was anxious to see them in full size on my computer. As I reviewed all the snapshots from the evening I was acquiring a lesson in lighting without even meaning to. The first few photographs were nice, what I often refer to as scrapbook quality. The first one of my grandson swinging was what I considered exceptional. The kind of picture I try often to take, but more often than not fail at doing. Not only was the composition of the picture dead on, the automatic setting for Sports Action worked, along with the natural lighting. What I had was a photograph of him, smiling from ear to ear, feet tucked back, swinging full out. The background was slightly blurred, allowing the crisp lines of him to shine as the focus of the picture. This was exactly what I was trying to capture, plus more.
Sadly, the next couple of photographs were not even close to the same quality. As the light faded and I did not attempt to use the flash, not only was the background in a softy blur, so was he. Of the photographs that I snapped as we left the park, one of those also was of a quality that made me realize that taking a good photo is possible if I could just learn the value of lighting. Standing in front of the park's main feature, a small lake, with the sun setting off to the side, my husband, son, and grandson were framed perfectly, the lake picking up a myriad of colors. I snapped several pictures in a row, a couple with the flash on, a couple with it off. Too bad, I have no clue if the picture that turned out beautifully was with or without the flash. That is ok though, as it just means I have that much more reason to snap a few more pictures lakeside the next time he is home for a visit!
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Photographing the Holy Land
The first thing that needs to be said about any trip to the Middle East in the current world environment is to be sure to use the appropriate precautions. This includes checking with the United States State Department to see if there are any travel warnings issued concerning the country or region you wish to visit. Be sure also to check on the requirements for a visa to avoid problems later.
When everything is squared away concerning travel restrictions and other things you need to know about foreign travel, be prepared to shoot some incredible photographs in Israel and the Holy Land. There are endless things that draw the attention of photographers, so it will be a good idea to know which areas you will want to visit before your trip.
The city of Jerusalem is a sacred one for believers of three major faiths: Islamic, Judaism, and Christianity. Visitors need to be mindful of this fact and show due respect when spending time in the various districts and quarters of the city.
You will find many areas that will be backdrops for remarkable photographs, but some of the major "don't miss" attractions and places to photograph include:
(1) The walled "Old City" is where you will find much of Jerusalem's history as well as the marketplace. There are numerous shops within Old City.
(2) The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is believed to be on the site where Jesus was crucified.
(3) The Mount of Olives is where you will find not only some lovely views of the surrounding countryside, but also the oldest Jewish cemetery in existence.
(4) The Garden of Gethsemane is still an area where ancient olive trees thrive.
(5) The golden Dome of the Rock can be seen from all around Jerusalem. This is a holy site to Muslims since it is where Muhammed is said to have ascended to heaven. In Christianity it is where Abraham is said to have taken Isaac for sacrifice.
(6) The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea and will provide still more amazing photographs.
(7) You may decide to photograph the Via Dolorosa. This is "The Way of the Cross" and is the path that Jesus walked on the way to His crucifixion. You may want to walk the path and photograph various points of interest along the way.
(8) There is a charming zoo with scenic landscape in Jerusalem. It is one of the world's most beautiful zoos.
(9) The Wailing Wall (also known as the Western Wall) is where Jewish people have their daily prayers. Visitors are known to put written prayers into cracks in the wall.
(10) There are many outdoor cafes and marketplaces around this area. Guests need to keep security issues in mind when making decisions about which of these places to visit.
(11) The "little town" of Bethlehem is found only a few miles from Jerusalem, but is situated in the Palestinian area of the country. If you wish to go into that area (again, be advised of the security issues) you will be passing a checkpoint. There are many photo ops in this biblical area, the first of which is Manger Square.
(12) There are many places in this area that you may wish to photograph. A few that were not specifically mentioned so far are Nazereth, the Garden Tomb, and Tel Aviv.
When everything is squared away concerning travel restrictions and other things you need to know about foreign travel, be prepared to shoot some incredible photographs in Israel and the Holy Land. There are endless things that draw the attention of photographers, so it will be a good idea to know which areas you will want to visit before your trip.
The city of Jerusalem is a sacred one for believers of three major faiths: Islamic, Judaism, and Christianity. Visitors need to be mindful of this fact and show due respect when spending time in the various districts and quarters of the city.
You will find many areas that will be backdrops for remarkable photographs, but some of the major "don't miss" attractions and places to photograph include:
(1) The walled "Old City" is where you will find much of Jerusalem's history as well as the marketplace. There are numerous shops within Old City.
(2) The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is believed to be on the site where Jesus was crucified.
(3) The Mount of Olives is where you will find not only some lovely views of the surrounding countryside, but also the oldest Jewish cemetery in existence.
(4) The Garden of Gethsemane is still an area where ancient olive trees thrive.
(5) The golden Dome of the Rock can be seen from all around Jerusalem. This is a holy site to Muslims since it is where Muhammed is said to have ascended to heaven. In Christianity it is where Abraham is said to have taken Isaac for sacrifice.
(6) The Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea and will provide still more amazing photographs.
(7) You may decide to photograph the Via Dolorosa. This is "The Way of the Cross" and is the path that Jesus walked on the way to His crucifixion. You may want to walk the path and photograph various points of interest along the way.
(8) There is a charming zoo with scenic landscape in Jerusalem. It is one of the world's most beautiful zoos.
(9) The Wailing Wall (also known as the Western Wall) is where Jewish people have their daily prayers. Visitors are known to put written prayers into cracks in the wall.
(10) There are many outdoor cafes and marketplaces around this area. Guests need to keep security issues in mind when making decisions about which of these places to visit.
(11) The "little town" of Bethlehem is found only a few miles from Jerusalem, but is situated in the Palestinian area of the country. If you wish to go into that area (again, be advised of the security issues) you will be passing a checkpoint. There are many photo ops in this biblical area, the first of which is Manger Square.
(12) There are many places in this area that you may wish to photograph. A few that were not specifically mentioned so far are Nazereth, the Garden Tomb, and Tel Aviv.
Photograph the Hawaiian Islands
There are many destinations around the world that offer stunning and quite unique photographic opportunities. The Hawaiian Islands are no exception and there are endless places at which to take your photographs. These include volcanoes, underwater, or regular land and beach scenes. If you are planning a working vacation with your cameras and other equipment, the island should be at the top of your list of possibilities.
If you enjoy things tropical, the islands are a good choice. Or perhaps you don't wish to leave the United States. In any case, you won't be disappointed at the photos you will be coming away with after a trip to the islands.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Hawaiian Islands are actually composed of six primary islands. You will need to know before you leave which of them you will want to visit so do your homework. Your flight, as a side note, will take about 10 hours from departure in the east and about 5 hours if you are leaving from California.
The six main islands are:
(1) Oahu is where you will find Honolulu and Waikiki as the major cities. If you enjoy taking wildlife pictures, try the Waikiki Aquarium or the Honolulu Zoo. These are both also excellent places for beach and sunset photographs.
Other things to see on Oahu include the National Park Service's memorial to the Pearl Harbor attack and the USS Arizona; Diamond Head (exceptional photo op here!); Chinatown (near Honolulu's downtown); and the home of King Kalakaua called Iolani Palace. If you are planning to attend a luau or just want some Polynesian themed photographs, try the Polynesian Cultural Center.
(2) Maui also offers many beaches as well as a volcano (dormant now) called Mount Halekala. Also on Maui you will find superb windsurfing, a floating museum, and a scenic railway. There are a number of state parks on Maui as well as the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.
It goes without saying that if you want to do underwater photography or get some shots of surfers, any island destination will offer those opportunities.
(3) Kauai is rich with stunning scenery including dramatic cliffs, a lighthouse, waterfalls, canyons, and of course the infamous beaches. You may consider photographing the Fern Grotto, available from Kauai, but only by boat.
(4) The "Big Island" of Hawaii is where you will be able to photograph the volcano Kilauea. Unlike Maui's Halekala, this one is an active volcano. Don't forget to photograph the rain forest areas. There are endless things to see and photograph on Hawaii as well as on the other islands.
(5) Lanai is the smallest of the six islands. This is generally a resort area. That isn't to say there aren't fabulous photographic subjects, but many of the activities on this island are related to one of the resorts.
(6) Molikai will allow you to photograph some unique scenery including three volcanoes and the tallest sea cliffs that are found anywhere in the world. This is a good choice if you will be diving, but be sure that it's not one of the dangerous times of year for that activity. The Molokai Ranch Wildlife Park is found here with African and Asian animals for some additional unique photo shots.
If you enjoy things tropical, the islands are a good choice. Or perhaps you don't wish to leave the United States. In any case, you won't be disappointed at the photos you will be coming away with after a trip to the islands.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Hawaiian Islands are actually composed of six primary islands. You will need to know before you leave which of them you will want to visit so do your homework. Your flight, as a side note, will take about 10 hours from departure in the east and about 5 hours if you are leaving from California.
The six main islands are:
(1) Oahu is where you will find Honolulu and Waikiki as the major cities. If you enjoy taking wildlife pictures, try the Waikiki Aquarium or the Honolulu Zoo. These are both also excellent places for beach and sunset photographs.
Other things to see on Oahu include the National Park Service's memorial to the Pearl Harbor attack and the USS Arizona; Diamond Head (exceptional photo op here!); Chinatown (near Honolulu's downtown); and the home of King Kalakaua called Iolani Palace. If you are planning to attend a luau or just want some Polynesian themed photographs, try the Polynesian Cultural Center.
(2) Maui also offers many beaches as well as a volcano (dormant now) called Mount Halekala. Also on Maui you will find superb windsurfing, a floating museum, and a scenic railway. There are a number of state parks on Maui as well as the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.
It goes without saying that if you want to do underwater photography or get some shots of surfers, any island destination will offer those opportunities.
(3) Kauai is rich with stunning scenery including dramatic cliffs, a lighthouse, waterfalls, canyons, and of course the infamous beaches. You may consider photographing the Fern Grotto, available from Kauai, but only by boat.
(4) The "Big Island" of Hawaii is where you will be able to photograph the volcano Kilauea. Unlike Maui's Halekala, this one is an active volcano. Don't forget to photograph the rain forest areas. There are endless things to see and photograph on Hawaii as well as on the other islands.
(5) Lanai is the smallest of the six islands. This is generally a resort area. That isn't to say there aren't fabulous photographic subjects, but many of the activities on this island are related to one of the resorts.
(6) Molikai will allow you to photograph some unique scenery including three volcanoes and the tallest sea cliffs that are found anywhere in the world. This is a good choice if you will be diving, but be sure that it's not one of the dangerous times of year for that activity. The Molokai Ranch Wildlife Park is found here with African and Asian animals for some additional unique photo shots.
Monday, July 18, 2005
Photo Shoot: Beautiful France
Mention France and most photographers either pro or amateur will envision breathtaking shots of the Eiffel Tower from all possible angles and distances. It stands tall and proud from most vantage points all over the "City of Lights."
Not only will you be able to take your photographs from ground level, but from numerous places from within the tower itself. Remember that shots of the city should be taken both in daylight and nighttime for some incredible pictures. The steps to the tower close at 6 p.m. most of the year, but you can go into the tower via the elevator much later every evening.
Paris does indeed have countless photography subjects but there are many other places and cities in France that will prove just as exciting to a traveler and photographer. That said, however, some other excellent places for photograph taking in Paris include the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame.
The Louvre, of course, is where you will find the exceptionally well-known Mona Lisa as well as many other extraordinary pieces of art. Your first picture may be of the entrance to the museum, which is a huge pyramid. You will not be able to visit the Louvre on Tuesdays, but for every other day, admission time is 9 a.m.
When you take a picture of the Notre Dame Cathedral, you will be capturing the image of a gothic style building that was first begun in the year 1163. One good thing to keep in mind here is that Masses are still held on the premises, so find out if you will be able to have a tour of the inside before you go there.
Other things in Paris that will provide some memorable photographs include the zoo in the city if you are interested in taking animal photos, and this is also, of course, where Disneyland Paris is found, as the name suggests.
The Loire Valley area of France is the place to go for snapping some shots of castles. There are actually numerous castles in this region, so be sure to know which ones you want to photograph before arriving. You won't need to waste time deciding if you know ahead of time which ones you want to photograph.
If you are in the "old port" area (Vieux Port) of Marseille, you will probably be able to see many cruise ships coming in. This is a great city for sightseeing and for shopping if that is part of your agenda.
If you want to get some nature shots, try Aix-en-Provence and hike in the mountain area. Still another idea of something to see and do in France is the planetarium and science museum found in Toulouse. (Naturally both of these places have many more photographic opportunities than are mentioned here.)
One of the most beautiful areas of France is found on the French Riviera and is the city of Nice. This is where you will be seeing beaches along the Mediterranean Sea. This is a popular diving area, and if you do underwater photography, be sure to dive to see the Our Lady of the Seabed statue as well as other pieces of underwater works of art.
Not only will you be able to take your photographs from ground level, but from numerous places from within the tower itself. Remember that shots of the city should be taken both in daylight and nighttime for some incredible pictures. The steps to the tower close at 6 p.m. most of the year, but you can go into the tower via the elevator much later every evening.
Paris does indeed have countless photography subjects but there are many other places and cities in France that will prove just as exciting to a traveler and photographer. That said, however, some other excellent places for photograph taking in Paris include the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame.
The Louvre, of course, is where you will find the exceptionally well-known Mona Lisa as well as many other extraordinary pieces of art. Your first picture may be of the entrance to the museum, which is a huge pyramid. You will not be able to visit the Louvre on Tuesdays, but for every other day, admission time is 9 a.m.
When you take a picture of the Notre Dame Cathedral, you will be capturing the image of a gothic style building that was first begun in the year 1163. One good thing to keep in mind here is that Masses are still held on the premises, so find out if you will be able to have a tour of the inside before you go there.
Other things in Paris that will provide some memorable photographs include the zoo in the city if you are interested in taking animal photos, and this is also, of course, where Disneyland Paris is found, as the name suggests.
The Loire Valley area of France is the place to go for snapping some shots of castles. There are actually numerous castles in this region, so be sure to know which ones you want to photograph before arriving. You won't need to waste time deciding if you know ahead of time which ones you want to photograph.
If you are in the "old port" area (Vieux Port) of Marseille, you will probably be able to see many cruise ships coming in. This is a great city for sightseeing and for shopping if that is part of your agenda.
If you want to get some nature shots, try Aix-en-Provence and hike in the mountain area. Still another idea of something to see and do in France is the planetarium and science museum found in Toulouse. (Naturally both of these places have many more photographic opportunities than are mentioned here.)
One of the most beautiful areas of France is found on the French Riviera and is the city of Nice. This is where you will be seeing beaches along the Mediterranean Sea. This is a popular diving area, and if you do underwater photography, be sure to dive to see the Our Lady of the Seabed statue as well as other pieces of underwater works of art.
Printing Digital Photos
by Christina VanGinkel
I sent away for a sample pack of photo paper from Mpix.com last week. When it arrived, it contained the same photograph printed on three different papers, with two in color and the third printed in black and white. The papers themselves consisted of their regular photograph paper, a paper specially designed for digital black and white, and their spectacular metallic paper. By printing the same picture on the three different papers, it made it easy to see what each paper offered the final print.
As soon as I saw their metallic paper, I was in awe. It gave the print such an unusual crispness, the picture seemed to almost pop right off the paper. The paper designed for digital black and white prints also provided what it advertised; the paper allowed for a print that offers excellent tone reproduction, something that is often neglected when printing from a digital file.
It also reminded me of why I so enjoy digital photography and everything that is associated with it. An amateur photographer such as myself was once limited to a very set standard for printing. With all the innovations surrounding digital photography, it has opened doors for the amateur that otherwise would not ever have existed.
Printing on canvas is also available at several online printing outlets. As is print-to-order mugs, calendars, tote bags, clock faces, and other novelty items. With little more than a digital camera and an online connection, it is possible to make a one of a kind item to use as a gift or to produce in bulk to sell.
A person I know snapped some very cute photographs of her dog's litter of puppies. She added a few captions she thought up herself that both fit the pictures, and were generic enough to appeal to a large audience. She had several of the pictures printed on a handful of t-shirts and mugs, and sold them at a very nice profit at a local craft show she had a booth at already. She actually made double the profit from her photographic endeavor than she did from her typical booth sales.
After her success, I have been inspired to create items for sale from my digital photography. I occasionally attend a few local craft shows, and feel that my photographs of the local black bear population have the potential to be good sellers if I print them on quality paper and a few items that people always seem to enjoy, such as mugs and tote bags. For the prints, I am going to try both the metallic paper and the black and white geared for digital printing. I plan to mat and frame a few and to make note cards by applying the pictures to pre-cut cardstock.
With a digital camera, practice, and a bit of planning, almost anyone who puts out the effort can produce work that was once only available to the most experienced photographers. As with many of the innovations associated with the computer age, digital photography has opened doors, we just have to walk through them.
I sent away for a sample pack of photo paper from Mpix.com last week. When it arrived, it contained the same photograph printed on three different papers, with two in color and the third printed in black and white. The papers themselves consisted of their regular photograph paper, a paper specially designed for digital black and white, and their spectacular metallic paper. By printing the same picture on the three different papers, it made it easy to see what each paper offered the final print.
As soon as I saw their metallic paper, I was in awe. It gave the print such an unusual crispness, the picture seemed to almost pop right off the paper. The paper designed for digital black and white prints also provided what it advertised; the paper allowed for a print that offers excellent tone reproduction, something that is often neglected when printing from a digital file.
It also reminded me of why I so enjoy digital photography and everything that is associated with it. An amateur photographer such as myself was once limited to a very set standard for printing. With all the innovations surrounding digital photography, it has opened doors for the amateur that otherwise would not ever have existed.
Printing on canvas is also available at several online printing outlets. As is print-to-order mugs, calendars, tote bags, clock faces, and other novelty items. With little more than a digital camera and an online connection, it is possible to make a one of a kind item to use as a gift or to produce in bulk to sell.
A person I know snapped some very cute photographs of her dog's litter of puppies. She added a few captions she thought up herself that both fit the pictures, and were generic enough to appeal to a large audience. She had several of the pictures printed on a handful of t-shirts and mugs, and sold them at a very nice profit at a local craft show she had a booth at already. She actually made double the profit from her photographic endeavor than she did from her typical booth sales.
After her success, I have been inspired to create items for sale from my digital photography. I occasionally attend a few local craft shows, and feel that my photographs of the local black bear population have the potential to be good sellers if I print them on quality paper and a few items that people always seem to enjoy, such as mugs and tote bags. For the prints, I am going to try both the metallic paper and the black and white geared for digital printing. I plan to mat and frame a few and to make note cards by applying the pictures to pre-cut cardstock.
With a digital camera, practice, and a bit of planning, almost anyone who puts out the effort can produce work that was once only available to the most experienced photographers. As with many of the innovations associated with the computer age, digital photography has opened doors, we just have to walk through them.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Free Picasa2 from Google
by Christina VanGinkel
If your computer is lacking software that conveniently edits and organizes your photos, yet you do not want to spend a fortune on purchasing any, Picasa2 is for you. A free application put out by the online giant Google, it does everything you would expect from a high end, expensive software suite. When I first downloaded it, I had yet to purchase any graphic software outside of Microsoft Picture It! which came installed on my Dell computer. I went on to purchase Paint Shop Pro Studio, which included Paint Shop Photo Album 5.
Each of these programs has its very own distinct advantages, yet I find myself constantly opening and using Picasa2. The answer to why is actually simple. It is so easy to use. It prints without any technical difficulties, and all my pictures are instantly there. Anytime I download new photos from my digital cameras, I know without any hesitation that the next time I open Picasa2 they will be already cataloged in Picasa2.
Not to be confused with just an organizer though, Picasa2 lets you manipulate your photos in all the traditional ways. Want to see what your latest snapshot would look like in sepia tone or black and white, or even film grain? Picasa2 not only offers these effects, but also sharpen, warmify, tint, saturation, soft focus, glow, filtered black and white, focal black and white, and graduated tint. Picasa2 also offers fill light tuning, shadow tuning, highlight tuning, and color temperature tuning for those who are confident in performing these tasks on their own. Not to be overlooked, Picasa2 also fixes red eye, crops, straightens, and has an auto contrast and auto color button.
One of my favorite parts of this program is the crop feature. It allows the user to select manual crop, which can produce a picture of various sizes, but it also allows the user to specify the crop to produce a 4 x 6, a 5 x 7, or an 8 x 10 picture, which in turn allows for more ease when it comes to printing your final picture.
If none of this were enough for a program to do, a free program nonetheless, it can also create a customizable slideshow of your chosen pictures, and it will step you through creating a gift CD of your favorite pictures. You simply select what folder to choose pictures from, click on the gift CD tab, which then allows the user to select which pictures to include on the CD. If pictures from other folders need to be included, there is a simple tab to click on to do this. You can also tell it to include a built in slideshow of the pictures on the final CD. You finish up by naming the CD and burning it.
While other programs may be capable of doing much more detailed work and alterations to your snapshots, if you want something both simple with a few basic fixes and effects, this free program offered for download from Google is definitely the way to go.
If your computer is lacking software that conveniently edits and organizes your photos, yet you do not want to spend a fortune on purchasing any, Picasa2 is for you. A free application put out by the online giant Google, it does everything you would expect from a high end, expensive software suite. When I first downloaded it, I had yet to purchase any graphic software outside of Microsoft Picture It! which came installed on my Dell computer. I went on to purchase Paint Shop Pro Studio, which included Paint Shop Photo Album 5.
Each of these programs has its very own distinct advantages, yet I find myself constantly opening and using Picasa2. The answer to why is actually simple. It is so easy to use. It prints without any technical difficulties, and all my pictures are instantly there. Anytime I download new photos from my digital cameras, I know without any hesitation that the next time I open Picasa2 they will be already cataloged in Picasa2.
Not to be confused with just an organizer though, Picasa2 lets you manipulate your photos in all the traditional ways. Want to see what your latest snapshot would look like in sepia tone or black and white, or even film grain? Picasa2 not only offers these effects, but also sharpen, warmify, tint, saturation, soft focus, glow, filtered black and white, focal black and white, and graduated tint. Picasa2 also offers fill light tuning, shadow tuning, highlight tuning, and color temperature tuning for those who are confident in performing these tasks on their own. Not to be overlooked, Picasa2 also fixes red eye, crops, straightens, and has an auto contrast and auto color button.
One of my favorite parts of this program is the crop feature. It allows the user to select manual crop, which can produce a picture of various sizes, but it also allows the user to specify the crop to produce a 4 x 6, a 5 x 7, or an 8 x 10 picture, which in turn allows for more ease when it comes to printing your final picture.
If none of this were enough for a program to do, a free program nonetheless, it can also create a customizable slideshow of your chosen pictures, and it will step you through creating a gift CD of your favorite pictures. You simply select what folder to choose pictures from, click on the gift CD tab, which then allows the user to select which pictures to include on the CD. If pictures from other folders need to be included, there is a simple tab to click on to do this. You can also tell it to include a built in slideshow of the pictures on the final CD. You finish up by naming the CD and burning it.
While other programs may be capable of doing much more detailed work and alterations to your snapshots, if you want something both simple with a few basic fixes and effects, this free program offered for download from Google is definitely the way to go.
Photographer's Dream Shoot . . . Is That a Castle?!
If Scotland is on your list of places to visit and photograph you certainly won't be disappointed at the results of the trip. Set your sights on Edinburgh and prepare your camera equipment for a photo shoot full of kilts, castles, and magical moments.
Most visitors to the city will first head in the direction of the Edinburgh Castle. This was the home to kings and was an ancient fortress. You will be able to see the room in which Mary, Queen of Scots was said to have given birth to King James VI of Scotland.
While you are visiting the castle, be sure to remember to snap some shots of the city itself. Some of the best shots you will get will be taken from here on the grounds of the castle.
You may have heard about the "One O'clock Gun." It is shot at that time from the castle every single day with the exception of Sundays. Keep in mind that this is just one of the numerous castles that are reachable very easily from the Edinburgh vicinity and your photographs of them will turn out magnificently!
If you enjoy taking animal pictures, the zoo at Edinburgh has been in operation for nearly a century. You will see some endangered species here as well as more "normal" zoo residents. On the other hand, if you would rather see artifacts and some of the national treasures of Scotland, try the Museum of Scotland or one of the many other museums that are found in Edinburgh.
When the queen is staying in Scotland, her official residence is Holyroodhouse Palace. It was built as a monastery in the early 12th century and is located at the end of the "Royal Mile." The Royal Mile begins at Edinburgh Castle and ends at Holyroodhouse Palace.
There will be some additional photo ops along the Royal Mile as well. One great place to stop will be the St. Giles' Cathedral with its totally magnificent stained glass windows. This church has been in existence since the early 1100s and the present building since around 1390.
You may think you stepped through a time portal to Athens if you visit Calton Hill in the middle of the city. There is a monument here that was built to look like the Parthenon. It was never finished and it provides some great photography opportunities. There is also an excellent view of the castle from this spot.
For still another impressive view of the city, stop by Holyrood Park and look for the section that is called Arthur's Seat. Be sure to see and photograph some of the crags and lochs that are found here. The area is an ancient and now extinct volcano.
A few additional ideas for things to do in the city include:
Take a ghost walk (called a Witchery Tour) in the evening to see if anything mysterious develops on your pictures. You should know, however, that unlike the ghost walks we have in the states, those in Edinburgh may include some "props" like scary characters jumping out at visitors.
Take some shots of the plant life found at the Royal Botanic Garden. The garden is vast and will provide many beautiful photographs.
Try a cruise with the Edinburgh Canal Center for some shots from the water.
Most visitors to the city will first head in the direction of the Edinburgh Castle. This was the home to kings and was an ancient fortress. You will be able to see the room in which Mary, Queen of Scots was said to have given birth to King James VI of Scotland.
While you are visiting the castle, be sure to remember to snap some shots of the city itself. Some of the best shots you will get will be taken from here on the grounds of the castle.
You may have heard about the "One O'clock Gun." It is shot at that time from the castle every single day with the exception of Sundays. Keep in mind that this is just one of the numerous castles that are reachable very easily from the Edinburgh vicinity and your photographs of them will turn out magnificently!
If you enjoy taking animal pictures, the zoo at Edinburgh has been in operation for nearly a century. You will see some endangered species here as well as more "normal" zoo residents. On the other hand, if you would rather see artifacts and some of the national treasures of Scotland, try the Museum of Scotland or one of the many other museums that are found in Edinburgh.
When the queen is staying in Scotland, her official residence is Holyroodhouse Palace. It was built as a monastery in the early 12th century and is located at the end of the "Royal Mile." The Royal Mile begins at Edinburgh Castle and ends at Holyroodhouse Palace.
There will be some additional photo ops along the Royal Mile as well. One great place to stop will be the St. Giles' Cathedral with its totally magnificent stained glass windows. This church has been in existence since the early 1100s and the present building since around 1390.
You may think you stepped through a time portal to Athens if you visit Calton Hill in the middle of the city. There is a monument here that was built to look like the Parthenon. It was never finished and it provides some great photography opportunities. There is also an excellent view of the castle from this spot.
For still another impressive view of the city, stop by Holyrood Park and look for the section that is called Arthur's Seat. Be sure to see and photograph some of the crags and lochs that are found here. The area is an ancient and now extinct volcano.
A few additional ideas for things to do in the city include:
Take a ghost walk (called a Witchery Tour) in the evening to see if anything mysterious develops on your pictures. You should know, however, that unlike the ghost walks we have in the states, those in Edinburgh may include some "props" like scary characters jumping out at visitors.
Take some shots of the plant life found at the Royal Botanic Garden. The garden is vast and will provide many beautiful photographs.
Try a cruise with the Edinburgh Canal Center for some shots from the water.
Basic Model Train Primer
One certainly doesn't need to be a child to enjoy the hobby of building and maintaining a model train layout. Many adults have this as their main hobby and spend a lot of time creating their "own little world" by way of their train layout.
If you are considering doing this for yourself or with a child, first decide what kind of layout you will have. The amount of space you have in your home, basement, etc. for the layout will most likely determine what kind of scenery you will concentrate on. The more space you have, the better it is because many model train enthusiasts enjoy eventually building things like mountain tunnels and expanding the layout.
So what kind of scenery will you have? Again depending on the layout size, you can build a country scene with trees, streams, and mountains or you can have a city scene with lots of buildings and vehicles. Some people enjoy coming up with something totally different from the norm and creating a futuristic theme, or the opposite . . . a scene from sometime in the past.
You can build a layout to look like another country or another totally different time period. This is where serious model railroading enthusiasts may be separated from those doing this activity just for fun. Of course there were no trains in ancient Egypt, but some model train people enjoy building pyramids, the sphinx, etc. for their model train to run past, as one example.
After you have decided what type of layout you would like to have, it will be time to buy your basic starter items. This includes your train and track, of course. You will also need the plywood or material you will be building the layout on.
Decide on your design and make sure that you have enough train track to make it happen. Do not attach the track to the wood or base you are using until you are positive that it is the way you want it to be.
Next you will want to decide which scenery props you will be buying or making. Mountains and tunnels are easily made with materials such as Styrofoam, plaster, plaster dyes and so on. Be sure to familiarize yourself with which accessories (i.e. trees, grass, etc.) you will be able to buy at the model train or hobby shop and which items you want that you may have to find a way to build or make yourself.
If you hadn't already read through some model railroad magazines or web sites, this is a good time to do that. You will find many excellent ideas on layouts and how to create that personal world you are striving for.
These places, whether magazine or internet, will help your project be a success without too much trial and error. For just one example, you will need to research how to make a mountain (and from more than one source!) before actually trying it. Often a mountain can collapse if everything needed is not taken into consideration and it is much better to avoid disappointments like that if at all possible.
Now it is time to decide on your grass, trees, and general scenery. Most important of all is to have fun; it's a great hobby!
If you are considering doing this for yourself or with a child, first decide what kind of layout you will have. The amount of space you have in your home, basement, etc. for the layout will most likely determine what kind of scenery you will concentrate on. The more space you have, the better it is because many model train enthusiasts enjoy eventually building things like mountain tunnels and expanding the layout.
So what kind of scenery will you have? Again depending on the layout size, you can build a country scene with trees, streams, and mountains or you can have a city scene with lots of buildings and vehicles. Some people enjoy coming up with something totally different from the norm and creating a futuristic theme, or the opposite . . . a scene from sometime in the past.
You can build a layout to look like another country or another totally different time period. This is where serious model railroading enthusiasts may be separated from those doing this activity just for fun. Of course there were no trains in ancient Egypt, but some model train people enjoy building pyramids, the sphinx, etc. for their model train to run past, as one example.
After you have decided what type of layout you would like to have, it will be time to buy your basic starter items. This includes your train and track, of course. You will also need the plywood or material you will be building the layout on.
Decide on your design and make sure that you have enough train track to make it happen. Do not attach the track to the wood or base you are using until you are positive that it is the way you want it to be.
Next you will want to decide which scenery props you will be buying or making. Mountains and tunnels are easily made with materials such as Styrofoam, plaster, plaster dyes and so on. Be sure to familiarize yourself with which accessories (i.e. trees, grass, etc.) you will be able to buy at the model train or hobby shop and which items you want that you may have to find a way to build or make yourself.
If you hadn't already read through some model railroad magazines or web sites, this is a good time to do that. You will find many excellent ideas on layouts and how to create that personal world you are striving for.
These places, whether magazine or internet, will help your project be a success without too much trial and error. For just one example, you will need to research how to make a mountain (and from more than one source!) before actually trying it. Often a mountain can collapse if everything needed is not taken into consideration and it is much better to avoid disappointments like that if at all possible.
Now it is time to decide on your grass, trees, and general scenery. Most important of all is to have fun; it's a great hobby!
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Fuji FinePix A350
If you are still taking photos with a film camera, it's probably because of one of the following reasons. You might be a professional photographer who makes a living from working with film, in which case this article doesn't really apply to you. You might be a techno-phobe who is a bit scared and overwhelmed at the thought of having to run your pictures through your computer. Or you might simply be wary of the expense involved in switching to digital. If you fit into either of these last two categories, then I recommend you check out the FinePix A350 from Fuji.
The A350 is a great beginner's camera. It has a nice combination of features that you will find handy, without going overboard and including pricey extras that you would probably never use. The camera boasts a picture quality of 5.2 megapixels, which is good enough to print out nice 8 x 10 photos suitable for framing. Speaking of printing, the A350 comes with PictBridge, which allows you to connect the camera directly to a compatible printer without having to first upload your images to a PC, which makes printing pictures a quick and easy process.
Some of the features of the A350 that will be useful for first-time digital camera owners include a 3X optical zoom coupled with a 4.1X digital zoom, thereby yielding a total zoom of 12.3X; movie recording capability (plus sound); and a continuous shooting mode. In addition, there are 6 different shooting modes to choose from: automatic, manual, sports/action, portrait, landscape, and night. If you think you need any more features than these, then I say you are not a beginner!
The Fuji FinePix A350 was the first digital camera that I ever owned, so I am speaking from personal experience here. It was an excellent camera to learn from. The A350 was able to perform a range of functions that gave me practice under different conditions, and it handled everything reasonably well. It was the camera I trusted my vacation pictures with, and I even used it for the bulk of the photography done during my baby's first year of life. I never had a problem with the battery life, with the memory card, or with the camera itself. Everything worked great. The only thing I find that I can complain about after all this time is some of the coloring in the photographs didn't turn out as well as I would have liked. But if I had taken the time to read the owner's manual I probably would have found out how to adjust some controls to correct that problem. I never bothered, though, because I just corrected the images in Photoshop anyway.
If you are looking for your first digital camera, then I suggest going with the Fuji FinePix A350. It has all the features I mentioned above, yet it is still small enough to fit conveniently into your pocket. It is also very affordable, with a MSRP of less than $300. I hope you will like this camera as much as I did!
The A350 is a great beginner's camera. It has a nice combination of features that you will find handy, without going overboard and including pricey extras that you would probably never use. The camera boasts a picture quality of 5.2 megapixels, which is good enough to print out nice 8 x 10 photos suitable for framing. Speaking of printing, the A350 comes with PictBridge, which allows you to connect the camera directly to a compatible printer without having to first upload your images to a PC, which makes printing pictures a quick and easy process.
Some of the features of the A350 that will be useful for first-time digital camera owners include a 3X optical zoom coupled with a 4.1X digital zoom, thereby yielding a total zoom of 12.3X; movie recording capability (plus sound); and a continuous shooting mode. In addition, there are 6 different shooting modes to choose from: automatic, manual, sports/action, portrait, landscape, and night. If you think you need any more features than these, then I say you are not a beginner!
The Fuji FinePix A350 was the first digital camera that I ever owned, so I am speaking from personal experience here. It was an excellent camera to learn from. The A350 was able to perform a range of functions that gave me practice under different conditions, and it handled everything reasonably well. It was the camera I trusted my vacation pictures with, and I even used it for the bulk of the photography done during my baby's first year of life. I never had a problem with the battery life, with the memory card, or with the camera itself. Everything worked great. The only thing I find that I can complain about after all this time is some of the coloring in the photographs didn't turn out as well as I would have liked. But if I had taken the time to read the owner's manual I probably would have found out how to adjust some controls to correct that problem. I never bothered, though, because I just corrected the images in Photoshop anyway.
If you are looking for your first digital camera, then I suggest going with the Fuji FinePix A350. It has all the features I mentioned above, yet it is still small enough to fit conveniently into your pocket. It is also very affordable, with a MSRP of less than $300. I hope you will like this camera as much as I did!
Free Email Offers for Camcorders
by Christina VanGinkel
In my email, just this morning, there were three offers to acquire my very own digital camcorder "Totally Free". I get at least four or five of these offers every single day. A while back, when I first started shopping for a new digital camcorder I decided to click on one of these links to see if by chance they were legitimate. Hey, with the Internet you never know. I once won four hundred and forty-four dollars from a site called 4everything, for doing nothing more than clicking on a link.
Well, my luck with the "Totally Free" camcorder was not as good as it was with the four hundred and forty-four dollars. The only thing I gained was a lot, and I mean a whole lot of junk mail! The first thing that happens when you click on one of these offers is it opens up a page that says you just need to accept three offers. Ok, not too bad, as some of them actually look like things I might be interested in. The problem with this is though, that the three things you must accept are not actually from these initial offers. They want you to accept three offers from another set of links for offers that will cost you money to accept, oftentimes, large amounts of money.
The sad part of all of this is that many people with Internet access at home, or at their local library, school, or work place, who happen to be on fixed budgets or limited incomes, will fall for these scams. Some people may disagree with me calling these scams, as I suppose there is a very small possibility that someone might get a camcorder sent to them, though I would hardly call it free. In my opinion, these offers fall easily under the heading of fraudulent.
Similar mailings offer everything from free still cameras, Sony Playstations, Xbox machines, even cookware. If the people who promote these think someone may be interested in a product, chances are they have created a mailing around it offering it in this manner.
I did click on a few of the initial links, then when it opened yet another page, about fifteen clicks in, asking me to then select several of their paid offers, I knew I had made the mistake of giving the company my name and email address on the first page I had linked to from my email. Even though I did not finalize the offer, I began getting an abundant amount of junk mail over the following days. Normally, I would expect to receive no more than twenty junk emails in a day, yet in the following days I received, and continue to receive hundreds of junk emails.
Unless you are in the market for email, I would recommend you pass on even clicking on these advertisements. They sound good, and if they were for real, they would be an excellent way to obtain merchandise. As they stand, they are an excellent way to waste time clicking through their "offers" and an even bigger waste of time deleting the ensuing junk mail and unsubscribing from the mailings that you open yourself to when you initially fill out the form on the very first page!
In my email, just this morning, there were three offers to acquire my very own digital camcorder "Totally Free". I get at least four or five of these offers every single day. A while back, when I first started shopping for a new digital camcorder I decided to click on one of these links to see if by chance they were legitimate. Hey, with the Internet you never know. I once won four hundred and forty-four dollars from a site called 4everything, for doing nothing more than clicking on a link.
Well, my luck with the "Totally Free" camcorder was not as good as it was with the four hundred and forty-four dollars. The only thing I gained was a lot, and I mean a whole lot of junk mail! The first thing that happens when you click on one of these offers is it opens up a page that says you just need to accept three offers. Ok, not too bad, as some of them actually look like things I might be interested in. The problem with this is though, that the three things you must accept are not actually from these initial offers. They want you to accept three offers from another set of links for offers that will cost you money to accept, oftentimes, large amounts of money.
The sad part of all of this is that many people with Internet access at home, or at their local library, school, or work place, who happen to be on fixed budgets or limited incomes, will fall for these scams. Some people may disagree with me calling these scams, as I suppose there is a very small possibility that someone might get a camcorder sent to them, though I would hardly call it free. In my opinion, these offers fall easily under the heading of fraudulent.
Similar mailings offer everything from free still cameras, Sony Playstations, Xbox machines, even cookware. If the people who promote these think someone may be interested in a product, chances are they have created a mailing around it offering it in this manner.
I did click on a few of the initial links, then when it opened yet another page, about fifteen clicks in, asking me to then select several of their paid offers, I knew I had made the mistake of giving the company my name and email address on the first page I had linked to from my email. Even though I did not finalize the offer, I began getting an abundant amount of junk mail over the following days. Normally, I would expect to receive no more than twenty junk emails in a day, yet in the following days I received, and continue to receive hundreds of junk emails.
Unless you are in the market for email, I would recommend you pass on even clicking on these advertisements. They sound good, and if they were for real, they would be an excellent way to obtain merchandise. As they stand, they are an excellent way to waste time clicking through their "offers" and an even bigger waste of time deleting the ensuing junk mail and unsubscribing from the mailings that you open yourself to when you initially fill out the form on the very first page!
Photo Shoot: Branson
If your specialty is celebrity or live concert photography, you probably already know what a great place Branson, Missouri is for this type of work. There are constant shows and concerts, music and comedy acts happening all around town.
If you are indeed going to Branson for photographing some of its countless shows with many big names as headliners, it is imperative to research before your trip to see what shows are playing at which times. If this is not done, you will be using up a lot of your time after arrival deciding which shows to see. It is much better to have prior plans about which acts you will be attending.
If you visit the area for some relaxation as well as your photography work, try spending an afternoon at Silver Dollar City. It is a theme park with numerous restaurants, places to shop, and places to grab something to eat. But as with everything else in town, it wouldn't be Branson without shows, so the theme park offers those as well. If you are extra brave, try snapping some shots while riding the thrill rides but use the proper precautions for those kinds of photographs.
There are various caves to explore with your cameras in and around Branson. A one hour tour of one of them is included with your theme park ticket, but there are others as well.
The paddleboat cruise called the Branson Belle will provide opportunity for some great shots. There is a show and meal included with this cruise, so it is another opportunity to get a little "vacation" out of this trip even if it is the working kind of vacation.
If you enjoy taking pictures of the outdoors and nature in general, you may want to ride the 40 miles that the Branson Scenic Railway provides. You will be riding through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Be advised that this attraction (as well as theme parks and some other things in town) will not be available during the winter months due to the location and problems with wintry conditions.
For some fun action photos, try White Water, a water park. Get ready to take your pictures as riders are doing a 400 foot drop on the Raging River Rapids or any of the other water slides and plunges that are found at White Water. There is even a wave pool here. This is another place that is open only during the warm months of the year.
And finally, for something very different from what you will find at other places, ride the amphibious vehicle called Ride the Ducks. They are renovated WWII era vehicles and are operated by Coast Guard trained captains. The ride lasts an hour and a half and you will be doing the water part of the tour on the Table Rock Lake. The land part of the tour will take you through parts of the town.
Table Rock Lake, by the way, offers some fabulous diving opportunities, so if you enjoy underwater photography, be sure to take the proper equipment for being able to take advantage of the lake's offerings.
If you are indeed going to Branson for photographing some of its countless shows with many big names as headliners, it is imperative to research before your trip to see what shows are playing at which times. If this is not done, you will be using up a lot of your time after arrival deciding which shows to see. It is much better to have prior plans about which acts you will be attending.
If you visit the area for some relaxation as well as your photography work, try spending an afternoon at Silver Dollar City. It is a theme park with numerous restaurants, places to shop, and places to grab something to eat. But as with everything else in town, it wouldn't be Branson without shows, so the theme park offers those as well. If you are extra brave, try snapping some shots while riding the thrill rides but use the proper precautions for those kinds of photographs.
There are various caves to explore with your cameras in and around Branson. A one hour tour of one of them is included with your theme park ticket, but there are others as well.
The paddleboat cruise called the Branson Belle will provide opportunity for some great shots. There is a show and meal included with this cruise, so it is another opportunity to get a little "vacation" out of this trip even if it is the working kind of vacation.
If you enjoy taking pictures of the outdoors and nature in general, you may want to ride the 40 miles that the Branson Scenic Railway provides. You will be riding through the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Be advised that this attraction (as well as theme parks and some other things in town) will not be available during the winter months due to the location and problems with wintry conditions.
For some fun action photos, try White Water, a water park. Get ready to take your pictures as riders are doing a 400 foot drop on the Raging River Rapids or any of the other water slides and plunges that are found at White Water. There is even a wave pool here. This is another place that is open only during the warm months of the year.
And finally, for something very different from what you will find at other places, ride the amphibious vehicle called Ride the Ducks. They are renovated WWII era vehicles and are operated by Coast Guard trained captains. The ride lasts an hour and a half and you will be doing the water part of the tour on the Table Rock Lake. The land part of the tour will take you through parts of the town.
Table Rock Lake, by the way, offers some fabulous diving opportunities, so if you enjoy underwater photography, be sure to take the proper equipment for being able to take advantage of the lake's offerings.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Video Pen Pals
I can't remember how it started or from where the idea came, but in the past I had a video pen pal and it was one of the greatest things I ever did. Prior to that advancement in technology for me, I'd always had snail mail pen pals. At one point I had more than eighty at one time. This was before the internet and email became such a way of life. I would never be able to handle snail mail pen pals after using email now for more than ten years.
After writing for a few years, I discovered that having cassette tape pen pals was a great hobby and I poured a lot of energy into that. I could hear my pen pals talking to me and a verbal letter was always so much better. I used regular cassettes and then moved to the micro cassettes after a while. I could play music for my friends and even take them along to places I went if I wanted to do that.
It was after enjoying taped letters so much that the idea hit me . . . if a cassette letter was so great, why not turn it into a videotaped letter to add the element of vision to the audio tapes? By that time, I had been down to about 10 or 15 pen pals, so I decided to ask them if anyone liked the idea. As it turned out, no one else had a camcorder, so I decided I needed to give up the idea although it still sounded very exciting.
In about a week I got a regular paper letter from a dear pen friend at the other end of the country. She said she had bought a camcorder and was in the process of making a movie for me. I have to say that it was a spectacular idea and we both enjoyed it for quite a while.
I immediately started making a "home movie" for her, too. I was not sure at the time what I would tape to fill the VHS, but it didn't take long for me to answer that. I showed her around my town and then drove to where I grew up. I even took the camera to my parents' home to introduce them to my friend.
My daughter was a new reader at the time so she read to "Mom's friend who would be seeing the movie soon" and played the keyboard while I recorded her. I never ran out of things to show her from a recipe I was cooking to planting my garden and then recording the growing progress. I even got clever one time and recorded the television as I was playing some previous movies I'd taken.
When I received the first video she made for me, I was delighted to find that she had done much of the same. She showed me around her town, introduced me to her family, and took the camera to back yard cookouts and family birthday parties.
If it is possible for you or your family, it will be a memorable experience to exchange video movies with a friend or family member far away.
After writing for a few years, I discovered that having cassette tape pen pals was a great hobby and I poured a lot of energy into that. I could hear my pen pals talking to me and a verbal letter was always so much better. I used regular cassettes and then moved to the micro cassettes after a while. I could play music for my friends and even take them along to places I went if I wanted to do that.
It was after enjoying taped letters so much that the idea hit me . . . if a cassette letter was so great, why not turn it into a videotaped letter to add the element of vision to the audio tapes? By that time, I had been down to about 10 or 15 pen pals, so I decided to ask them if anyone liked the idea. As it turned out, no one else had a camcorder, so I decided I needed to give up the idea although it still sounded very exciting.
In about a week I got a regular paper letter from a dear pen friend at the other end of the country. She said she had bought a camcorder and was in the process of making a movie for me. I have to say that it was a spectacular idea and we both enjoyed it for quite a while.
I immediately started making a "home movie" for her, too. I was not sure at the time what I would tape to fill the VHS, but it didn't take long for me to answer that. I showed her around my town and then drove to where I grew up. I even took the camera to my parents' home to introduce them to my friend.
My daughter was a new reader at the time so she read to "Mom's friend who would be seeing the movie soon" and played the keyboard while I recorded her. I never ran out of things to show her from a recipe I was cooking to planting my garden and then recording the growing progress. I even got clever one time and recorded the television as I was playing some previous movies I'd taken.
When I received the first video she made for me, I was delighted to find that she had done much of the same. She showed me around her town, introduced me to her family, and took the camera to back yard cookouts and family birthday parties.
If it is possible for you or your family, it will be a memorable experience to exchange video movies with a friend or family member far away.
Digital Camera Battery Life
by Christina VanGinkel
If you use a digital camera, you may have run into usage issues with the length of time your camera's batteries stay functional before dying. My new digital camera, a Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5, uses Alkaline or Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. The batteries that came with it, disposables, actually held up quite well and I managed to take hundreds of snapshots with them over a period of several days.
I decided I wanted to invest in a charger with rechargeable batteries though, so I purchased a charger that came with four AA batteries, the size the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5 uses. It was an off brand, but was advertised specially for use with electronics, including digital cameras. I charged the batteries as specified and installed them in my camera. Out in the field the next day, actually standing beneath a tree that had a small sized black bear perched up in the crook of its limbs, I snapped a total of five pictures before the camera's battery sensor told me the batteries were going to die. I snapped one more picture and it died on the spot! To say I was a bit disappointed would be putting it mildly.
Thankfully, I still had the disposable batteries that came with the camera in my camera bag. I had removed them when the sensor told me they were low, but had not yet completely died. I reinstalled them and managed to snap quite a few more shots. In fact, the batteries lasted me the rest of the morning, about another hour of continual shots.
The following day I returned the Ni-MH rechargeable batteries along with its charger to the store where I had purchased it. I bought in its place a pack of Energizer batteries, advertised with the Titanium technology. I swapped four of them for the disposables that came with it, still in and still functioning, but I wanted to see if these would last at least longer than the rechargeable batteries. Several hours after installing the Energizers, I was still snapping shots around my house and yard. I even used the video feature on the camera, which I am assuming uses more of the batteries energy than the typical mode. I used the flash on several shots also, and yet the batteries are holding up well.
With this being my second digital camera, you would think I would have been prepared for this, but my Sony Mavica used a built in rechargeable battery. I had a spare, along with a traditional plug in for at home, plus a car charger for when I was out. If one battery died, I either charged it en-route to my next stop in the vehicle, or swapped it for the spare. I never imagined that a camera would use up the power of a rechargeable battery in less than six shots, off brand or not!
For now, I will stick with the Energizer disposables. They work well, and I by keeping a set of spares in my camera bag I can be assured of getting all of the shots I want.
If you use a digital camera, you may have run into usage issues with the length of time your camera's batteries stay functional before dying. My new digital camera, a Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5, uses Alkaline or Ni-MH rechargeable batteries. The batteries that came with it, disposables, actually held up quite well and I managed to take hundreds of snapshots with them over a period of several days.
I decided I wanted to invest in a charger with rechargeable batteries though, so I purchased a charger that came with four AA batteries, the size the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5 uses. It was an off brand, but was advertised specially for use with electronics, including digital cameras. I charged the batteries as specified and installed them in my camera. Out in the field the next day, actually standing beneath a tree that had a small sized black bear perched up in the crook of its limbs, I snapped a total of five pictures before the camera's battery sensor told me the batteries were going to die. I snapped one more picture and it died on the spot! To say I was a bit disappointed would be putting it mildly.
Thankfully, I still had the disposable batteries that came with the camera in my camera bag. I had removed them when the sensor told me they were low, but had not yet completely died. I reinstalled them and managed to snap quite a few more shots. In fact, the batteries lasted me the rest of the morning, about another hour of continual shots.
The following day I returned the Ni-MH rechargeable batteries along with its charger to the store where I had purchased it. I bought in its place a pack of Energizer batteries, advertised with the Titanium technology. I swapped four of them for the disposables that came with it, still in and still functioning, but I wanted to see if these would last at least longer than the rechargeable batteries. Several hours after installing the Energizers, I was still snapping shots around my house and yard. I even used the video feature on the camera, which I am assuming uses more of the batteries energy than the typical mode. I used the flash on several shots also, and yet the batteries are holding up well.
With this being my second digital camera, you would think I would have been prepared for this, but my Sony Mavica used a built in rechargeable battery. I had a spare, along with a traditional plug in for at home, plus a car charger for when I was out. If one battery died, I either charged it en-route to my next stop in the vehicle, or swapped it for the spare. I never imagined that a camera would use up the power of a rechargeable battery in less than six shots, off brand or not!
For now, I will stick with the Energizer disposables. They work well, and I by keeping a set of spares in my camera bag I can be assured of getting all of the shots I want.
Friday, July 08, 2005
Pack the Cameras and Head for Auckland!
If you want a unique photo shoot, consider a trip to the other hemisphere and taking in the sights of Auckland, New Zealand. Do remember first of all, that because of its location, New Zealand will be having summer when you most likely will be leaving winter in the states, and vice versa, so be sure to pack your bags for the weather that Auckland will be having and not the weather you will be leaving behind.
Because of its renowned nightlife, Auckland is a popular vacation destination, but there will be plenty of things to keep you busy with your photography equipment whether or not you will be taking in any of the nightlife.
One of your photo shots should definitely be of the tallest tower in all of the Southern Hemisphere. It is called the Sky Tower and it is more than 1000 feet high. You will get some excellent photos of the jumpers from here, too. Yes, the Sky Tower offers a jump by wire. It isn't a bouncing drop like a bungee would be, so you should be able to snap some fantastic pictures.
If you take pictures of concerts and other live entertainment as your subject, try the Victoria Park Market area. It is near the Sky Tower in downtown Auckland and live acts are often found performing there.
Are your favorite subjects to photograph animals or underwater species? If so, the Auckland Zoo houses many animals and is divided into sections. These are the Pridelands, the Wetlands, the Rainforest, an aviary, an Asian elephants area, and a Kiwi Tuatara House to name a few parts of the zoo.
For the aquatic shots, Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World takes you on a mobile walkway where you will see penguins, sharks, and in fact more than 2000 creatures that live under or near the water. This is a fantastic opportunity for some unforgettable photographs.
If you enjoy the pictures you can get at a living museum, the Howick Historical Village is located about half an hour from Auckland. Life in mid to late 19th century New Zealand is depicted. The costumed guides found here will not mind having their picture taken while performing their work.
For some shots that you would not be able to find in most other locations, plan to visit Auckland's Volcanic Field. There are about 50 volcanoes here that are no longer active. The two major peaks are Mount Eden and One Tree Hill. There are parks here where you will see various forms of wildlife but the best photographic opportunities will be the volcanoes themselves.
While you are visiting One Tree Hill, stop in at the Stardome Observatory. It is a planetarium that shows countless stars, comets, the galaxies, etc.
You may choose to take one of the ferries that are offered to visit a nature reserve or two located on small islands in the area. There are caves to explore (naturally there are some excellent photo shoot opportunities here!) and lava flows. The views are awesome but you need to remember to wear proper footwear and dress accordingly when visiting the islands. Carry water along with you as well. Be prepared for the "sun meets lava" high heat.
Because of its renowned nightlife, Auckland is a popular vacation destination, but there will be plenty of things to keep you busy with your photography equipment whether or not you will be taking in any of the nightlife.
One of your photo shots should definitely be of the tallest tower in all of the Southern Hemisphere. It is called the Sky Tower and it is more than 1000 feet high. You will get some excellent photos of the jumpers from here, too. Yes, the Sky Tower offers a jump by wire. It isn't a bouncing drop like a bungee would be, so you should be able to snap some fantastic pictures.
If you take pictures of concerts and other live entertainment as your subject, try the Victoria Park Market area. It is near the Sky Tower in downtown Auckland and live acts are often found performing there.
Are your favorite subjects to photograph animals or underwater species? If so, the Auckland Zoo houses many animals and is divided into sections. These are the Pridelands, the Wetlands, the Rainforest, an aviary, an Asian elephants area, and a Kiwi Tuatara House to name a few parts of the zoo.
For the aquatic shots, Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World takes you on a mobile walkway where you will see penguins, sharks, and in fact more than 2000 creatures that live under or near the water. This is a fantastic opportunity for some unforgettable photographs.
If you enjoy the pictures you can get at a living museum, the Howick Historical Village is located about half an hour from Auckland. Life in mid to late 19th century New Zealand is depicted. The costumed guides found here will not mind having their picture taken while performing their work.
For some shots that you would not be able to find in most other locations, plan to visit Auckland's Volcanic Field. There are about 50 volcanoes here that are no longer active. The two major peaks are Mount Eden and One Tree Hill. There are parks here where you will see various forms of wildlife but the best photographic opportunities will be the volcanoes themselves.
While you are visiting One Tree Hill, stop in at the Stardome Observatory. It is a planetarium that shows countless stars, comets, the galaxies, etc.
You may choose to take one of the ferries that are offered to visit a nature reserve or two located on small islands in the area. There are caves to explore (naturally there are some excellent photo shoot opportunities here!) and lava flows. The views are awesome but you need to remember to wear proper footwear and dress accordingly when visiting the islands. Carry water along with you as well. Be prepared for the "sun meets lava" high heat.
Large Format Prints
by Christina VanGinkel
I have a HP photosmart 7260 printer sitting on my desk that I absolutely love. A gift from my daughter last September on my birthday, I have been more than pleased with the prints it has produced. So why am I browsing the Internet looking at prices for having several photos printed professionally? My printer, the HP photosmart 7260, does not have the capability to produce overly large prints.
I am specifically looking for pricing on 16 X 20 inch prints. My new camera, a Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5 Digital Camera, which arrived by post yesterday afternoon, has a resolution of 5 MP, and is easily capable of producing a print this size. I plan to take this camera out this weekend, I know I have a good chance of getting some shots of several black bears that frequent our area, and if I can get the perfect picture, I would love to print it in this size to hang in our bedroom. Photoworks offers this size at $17.95, which seems a bit pricey to me considering what I can print an 8 X 10 inch print for on my printer. The plus was that I could at least check the pricing without having to sign in or become a member.
Shutterfly was the next place I checked. While I was interested in just checking prices, they site seemed to insist that I sign in and become a member before it would allow me to see their pricing beyond a typical 4 x 6 inch print. Right before I did go ahead and sign up, I noticed a link on their front page advertising large format prints. Clicking on that did bring me to a page with pricing information. Their 16 x 20 is $17.99, four cents more than Photoworks. I then realized that I have no clue what either charges for shipping. For now, I think I will just check a few more prices on the prints themselves, and then if I decide to order I will go back and see what the shipping charges are, because it looks as if I would have to sign up at Shutterfly to check an issue such as shipping charges.
I next went to Wal-Mart online, but they seem to go up only to an 8 x 10 inch print. I did notice that you could now send photos to your local Wal-Mart via the Internet and pick them up in one hour, which is useful information to keep in mind. Then I see they print posters. I find the size 16 x 20 for a very competitive price of $14.84, which is the cheapest so far.
The final place I checked was Mpix.com. They offer printing on several different types of paper and their pricing for my desired size started at $15.99 for one print on traditional Kodak Professional paper, but they also offer discounted pricing if you order more than 10 prints. Considering the fact that I have been toying with the idea of producing some of my favorite prints for sale I am very intrigued by this information. Their pricing structure for printing on their Metallic and Black and White Digital paper is not much higher and comes with discounts for printing eleven or more.
I have a HP photosmart 7260 printer sitting on my desk that I absolutely love. A gift from my daughter last September on my birthday, I have been more than pleased with the prints it has produced. So why am I browsing the Internet looking at prices for having several photos printed professionally? My printer, the HP photosmart 7260, does not have the capability to produce overly large prints.
I am specifically looking for pricing on 16 X 20 inch prints. My new camera, a Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5 Digital Camera, which arrived by post yesterday afternoon, has a resolution of 5 MP, and is easily capable of producing a print this size. I plan to take this camera out this weekend, I know I have a good chance of getting some shots of several black bears that frequent our area, and if I can get the perfect picture, I would love to print it in this size to hang in our bedroom. Photoworks offers this size at $17.95, which seems a bit pricey to me considering what I can print an 8 X 10 inch print for on my printer. The plus was that I could at least check the pricing without having to sign in or become a member.
Shutterfly was the next place I checked. While I was interested in just checking prices, they site seemed to insist that I sign in and become a member before it would allow me to see their pricing beyond a typical 4 x 6 inch print. Right before I did go ahead and sign up, I noticed a link on their front page advertising large format prints. Clicking on that did bring me to a page with pricing information. Their 16 x 20 is $17.99, four cents more than Photoworks. I then realized that I have no clue what either charges for shipping. For now, I think I will just check a few more prices on the prints themselves, and then if I decide to order I will go back and see what the shipping charges are, because it looks as if I would have to sign up at Shutterfly to check an issue such as shipping charges.
I next went to Wal-Mart online, but they seem to go up only to an 8 x 10 inch print. I did notice that you could now send photos to your local Wal-Mart via the Internet and pick them up in one hour, which is useful information to keep in mind. Then I see they print posters. I find the size 16 x 20 for a very competitive price of $14.84, which is the cheapest so far.
The final place I checked was Mpix.com. They offer printing on several different types of paper and their pricing for my desired size started at $15.99 for one print on traditional Kodak Professional paper, but they also offer discounted pricing if you order more than 10 prints. Considering the fact that I have been toying with the idea of producing some of my favorite prints for sale I am very intrigued by this information. Their pricing structure for printing on their Metallic and Black and White Digital paper is not much higher and comes with discounts for printing eleven or more.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Velocity Photo and Pro Sling Packs
by Christina VanGinkel
My Sony Mavica that I purchased several years back came with the option to order an accessory kit. This included an extra rechargeable battery and padded bag. The new camera I have coming now, a Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5 Digital Camera, did not come with an option to order a bag, and I have not been able to find a kit, which would include one made for it. Not a problem really, as camera bags are available in various sizes, just that I now am divided between purchasing a typical camera bag, and a backpack styled bag made for carrying both camera and additional accessories.
I often carry my camera into the woods, photographing the native black bear and other wildlife in my area, and into the stadiums and stands to snap photos of my football-devoted son. A smaller bag would seem to be more easily carried, yet I wonder if a backpack would not make more sense. It could be worn, leaving my hands free for things like crawling over logs as I try to keep up to my husband as he walks through the swamp across from our house to check a bear bait.
The backpacks I have looked at all include spacious storage. Most are made to include a laptop. While I do not have a laptop, I do have a few additional accessories I carry with me nearly everywhere I do my cameras, and it would be nice to be able to store everything in one bag. I always carry my Dell Axim, a cell phone, a wide-angle lens, and extra batteries. I now carry additional CD's for my Sony Mavica and I am sure I will be purchasing additional storage cards for the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5. I also like to carry a cleaning kit, as I have the bad habit of using my cameras in places where dirt and grime are second nature.
The Velocity series sling packs have several designs that offer the features I want. Their line includes camera bags that have optimum storage with digital needs a major factor in many. Storage space is not their only selling point though. It is how they distribute that space, with numerous compartments to keep everything in its own space, so things do not jostle together, scratching each other. The sling packs are also worn like a backpack, keeping your hands free, yet slide around to your front for easy access to your equipment without having to take the pack off. This is obviously the best features of both a camera bag and a backpack combined! Available in several different sizes, I am sure I can find one that would tailor to my needs perfectly.
When shopping for a bag, you should also consider the interior and exterior fabric. The exterior should be made of a tough, waterproof fabric to help keep debris and moisture out. The interior should have a lining that is soft, and will not scratch an LCD screen. The Velocity line of bags takes full advantage of both of these necessities, so it is now a toss-up between their Velocity 7 Photo Sling Pack 5747 and their Velocity 9 Pro Sling Pack 5749.
My Sony Mavica that I purchased several years back came with the option to order an accessory kit. This included an extra rechargeable battery and padded bag. The new camera I have coming now, a Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5 Digital Camera, did not come with an option to order a bag, and I have not been able to find a kit, which would include one made for it. Not a problem really, as camera bags are available in various sizes, just that I now am divided between purchasing a typical camera bag, and a backpack styled bag made for carrying both camera and additional accessories.
I often carry my camera into the woods, photographing the native black bear and other wildlife in my area, and into the stadiums and stands to snap photos of my football-devoted son. A smaller bag would seem to be more easily carried, yet I wonder if a backpack would not make more sense. It could be worn, leaving my hands free for things like crawling over logs as I try to keep up to my husband as he walks through the swamp across from our house to check a bear bait.
The backpacks I have looked at all include spacious storage. Most are made to include a laptop. While I do not have a laptop, I do have a few additional accessories I carry with me nearly everywhere I do my cameras, and it would be nice to be able to store everything in one bag. I always carry my Dell Axim, a cell phone, a wide-angle lens, and extra batteries. I now carry additional CD's for my Sony Mavica and I am sure I will be purchasing additional storage cards for the Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5. I also like to carry a cleaning kit, as I have the bad habit of using my cameras in places where dirt and grime are second nature.
The Velocity series sling packs have several designs that offer the features I want. Their line includes camera bags that have optimum storage with digital needs a major factor in many. Storage space is not their only selling point though. It is how they distribute that space, with numerous compartments to keep everything in its own space, so things do not jostle together, scratching each other. The sling packs are also worn like a backpack, keeping your hands free, yet slide around to your front for easy access to your equipment without having to take the pack off. This is obviously the best features of both a camera bag and a backpack combined! Available in several different sizes, I am sure I can find one that would tailor to my needs perfectly.
When shopping for a bag, you should also consider the interior and exterior fabric. The exterior should be made of a tough, waterproof fabric to help keep debris and moisture out. The interior should have a lining that is soft, and will not scratch an LCD screen. The Velocity line of bags takes full advantage of both of these necessities, so it is now a toss-up between their Velocity 7 Photo Sling Pack 5747 and their Velocity 9 Pro Sling Pack 5749.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
My DiMAGE Z5 is on Its Way!
by Christina VanGinkel
My Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5 Digital Camera that I ordered from Dell is on its way! When I ordered, it was stated as being ready to ship within twenty-four hours. From when I placed the order, the website changed the next day and said it was on backorder. It stated in one place on the website that it was on backorder only three to four days out, but another spot said that it was one to two weeks out. Therefore, when it shipped right away I can honestly tell you that I was more than pleasantly surprised. Dell was offering the overall best price I could find on this camera, with its 12 optic lens and built in anti-shake technology, so I really wanted to get it from there, and was hoping beyond hope that the back order notice was just some glitch.
I ordered my first digital camera, my Sony Mavica 350 from Dell several years ago, and was more than pleased with the pricing and service then, so that also played a part in my decision to shop with them again.
When ordering camera equipment online, it is beneficial to you, the consumer, to order from a company that you feel will be easy to deal with. Having purchased several computers, my first digital still camera, my digital camcorder, software, and other miscellaneous items from them, Dell was my first logical place to shop. That they had the lowest price just sealed the deal. Would I have ordered from somewhere else online? Definitely! I price comparison shopped at numerous online stores. If I had chosen to go with a store that I was not as familiar with as Dell, I would have also spent some time researching the store itself on top of just researching the camera and price. I would have checked their rating at BizRate.com, and I would have popped into any online discussions I could have found about the store I was considering, to ask about any issues that people had run into with the store in question and how it was handled.
As to Dell, I have personally had some issues with them, and so have some first hand knowledge of how well they resolved them. They are usually easy to deal with, beyond the fact that because they have several ways to reach customer service, via phone, email, live chat, and through their customer service boards, I sometimes am unsure of what would be the ideal way to get a hold of them. Each time I have had to reach them though, they have been quick to respond to my questions, and quick to try to resolve the issues in a favorable way. For instance, when I ordered my Sony Mavica, I had questions about available accessories. In addition, how the camera would connect to my computer, and what size pictures the camera would clearly produce without distortion.
I am looking forward to the arrival of my new camera, and as soon as it gets here, and I have a chance to try it out, I will let you all know if it lives up to my expectations!
My Konica-Minolta DiMAGE Z5 Digital Camera that I ordered from Dell is on its way! When I ordered, it was stated as being ready to ship within twenty-four hours. From when I placed the order, the website changed the next day and said it was on backorder. It stated in one place on the website that it was on backorder only three to four days out, but another spot said that it was one to two weeks out. Therefore, when it shipped right away I can honestly tell you that I was more than pleasantly surprised. Dell was offering the overall best price I could find on this camera, with its 12 optic lens and built in anti-shake technology, so I really wanted to get it from there, and was hoping beyond hope that the back order notice was just some glitch.
I ordered my first digital camera, my Sony Mavica 350 from Dell several years ago, and was more than pleased with the pricing and service then, so that also played a part in my decision to shop with them again.
When ordering camera equipment online, it is beneficial to you, the consumer, to order from a company that you feel will be easy to deal with. Having purchased several computers, my first digital still camera, my digital camcorder, software, and other miscellaneous items from them, Dell was my first logical place to shop. That they had the lowest price just sealed the deal. Would I have ordered from somewhere else online? Definitely! I price comparison shopped at numerous online stores. If I had chosen to go with a store that I was not as familiar with as Dell, I would have also spent some time researching the store itself on top of just researching the camera and price. I would have checked their rating at BizRate.com, and I would have popped into any online discussions I could have found about the store I was considering, to ask about any issues that people had run into with the store in question and how it was handled.
As to Dell, I have personally had some issues with them, and so have some first hand knowledge of how well they resolved them. They are usually easy to deal with, beyond the fact that because they have several ways to reach customer service, via phone, email, live chat, and through their customer service boards, I sometimes am unsure of what would be the ideal way to get a hold of them. Each time I have had to reach them though, they have been quick to respond to my questions, and quick to try to resolve the issues in a favorable way. For instance, when I ordered my Sony Mavica, I had questions about available accessories. In addition, how the camera would connect to my computer, and what size pictures the camera would clearly produce without distortion.
I am looking forward to the arrival of my new camera, and as soon as it gets here, and I have a chance to try it out, I will let you all know if it lives up to my expectations!
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