Eventually, you'll want to plan out just where everything will go and set it up without finalizing the layout by doing it at will. This involves laying down the pictures on the cardboard exactly where you want them to be for the final project. It also involves cutting down pictures, creating borders if that's the way you go and taking care of any other modifications of the pictures, such as adding studs, beads or stars. Once you have everything laid out, you'll want to move each picture and border with it off the cardboard completely. You'll lay out the entire poster next to the cardboard so that it's easy for you to reach when you begin to glue down the pictures. You don't want to do this in a room where pets or babies might mess up the order, so, make sure you lay these out in a place that can't be disturbed by even walking around the room.
Use glue sticks, never water glue, to put the pictures on the cardboard. Glue will run, causing clumping and otherwise be messy. You don't want to ruin the cardboard, the pictures or any other art-related material you'll be using for the poster, so, glue sticks are the best bet to go. Make sure you apply a semi-thick layer to the back of each picture on all four sides and diagonally through the middle, this way it will be very secure on the cardboard.
Lay down the picture softly, use a piece of lined paper and place it on top of the picture, then press down in all four directions and diagonally to make sure all the glue takes to both picture and cardboard. Then, take off the lined paper and marvel at your first picture being properly placed. Repeat this until you are finished with all the pictures. Make sure you work from top to bottom, left to right if at all possible, to avoid having to smudge and otherwise scuff other pictures as you work with getting them all onto the cardboard.
When all the pictures are properly placed on the cardboard and glued down, if you want to make any other types of artistic changes, such as adding cardboard or stickers, then, by all means do so. If you are using some sort of theme, this would be the perfect time to add to it before the finished product is protected and unable to be worked on any more.
Once the photo poster is laid out, secured and generally finished, you'll want to work on protecting it from wear and tear. There are many made-for-home laminating kits out thee, and lamination is the best way to go, especially with a very thin lamination. If this is a big project, however, you might find taking it to a professional might be more worth your time. If this is the case, make sure to cover the entire poster during travel with a trash bag or other covering that will keep it safe completely for the trip.
For smaller posters, though, laminating at home will be the best bet. The goal is to laminate the entire poster, front and back, to ensure that wear and tear doesn't degrade the pictures of the hard work you've put into it. Thin layers are always best, as thicker layers of lamination might make the poster look unsavory and otherwise clouded from view when looked upon at close ranges. Make sure you follow the directions of the particular lamination system you use, and just take your time, being gentle for the whole time you're laminating.
Finally, you'll proudly display your photo poster in the room or place of your choice. Depending on how thick the poster is and how big it is, you can use run of the mill thumb-tacks to keep it in place. In some cases, you might want to use nails, or if you're fancy, you can attach a picture frame holder to it so as not to damage the poster itself, especially if you're planning to move it more than once or twice a year.
After making photo posters the first few times, you'll get the hang of creating a beautiful way to showcase your family and their photos to friends and your loved ones. You can play with sizes, styles and other factors, as well as get the rest of your family involved. You can make posters for gifts and for special occasions as well to commemorate certain events, such as a new baby, a marriage or a graduation. Posters can be used for any purpose and as long as the maker is having fun making them, it will show when you hang your work proudly for all to see.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Make Your Own Photo Poster
What better way to commemorate those precious moments than by making your own photo poster? With a little bit of hard work and time on your hands, anybody can make a photo poster poster that will last a lifetime. It's not that hard, and depending on how large it is, it won't take much time to set out and complete. You'll never know if you don't try, so, here are a few steps that you can modify as you go through to make photo posters for you and your family.
First and foremost, you need to determine what type of photo poster you'll need. Do you want to focus on one person in your family, your children, your entire family? What is the subject of your poster? If you don't have enough photos to actually make a poster, then, you might want to choose a different subject and focus; otherwise, you're going to be stuck with a half-finished project for your efforts. Once you narrow down what your subject will be, you can move on to the next step.
Next, you'll want to gather supplies to make the photo poster. Making a photo poster is quite simple once you have the right tools. You'll need glue sticks, several depending on how big you want to make the poster. You'll also want to cut a piece of thin cardboard that you can either salvage from a package or buy at an arts and crafts store, and cut it to the size you want. Make sure the cardboard is as thin as possible, that way when you use protective sheets to make sure it's safe from wear and tear, you'll be able to protect both sides. Scissors are a good tool to have by you, though you might find a box cutter will be more effective to cut down the cardboard. Photos, of course, it goes without saying are the most important ingredient.
Depending on how artistic you are or want to be, you may get other additional supplies such as colored construction paper, beads, glow in the dark stars or anything else that captures your eye. You can use these as borders for pictures, borders of the entire poster or just to decorate individual pictures as you see fit. It all depends on your individual style, flair and effect you're going for with the particular poster in question.
Walk through an arts and crafts star and go down the different aisles. This will be your best way to find things that might go well with your particular poster's theme. You don't necessary have to have a theme, but it always helps to spice up your poster and make it unique. Of course, you can always just use pictures to make a statement. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and this is all about showcasing your photos in whatever capacity that tickles your fancy.
Then, one of the most important steps, you need to pick out exactly what photos to use. This is where knowing what your subject is will be key. Now, you pick out the pictures you want to use and get them ready. If you don't want to use originals, you can use a photo printer or get reproductions done so that you still have a hardcopy of the picture for whatever purposes, such as albums. You'll roughly want enough pictures to cover the entire piece of cardboard, even if you are using some sort of border, because this way you might be able to cut down certain pictures to smaller sizes for use as well. Once you have all your pictures set, you can begin to figure out how to go about setting the poster up to your liking.
First and foremost, you need to determine what type of photo poster you'll need. Do you want to focus on one person in your family, your children, your entire family? What is the subject of your poster? If you don't have enough photos to actually make a poster, then, you might want to choose a different subject and focus; otherwise, you're going to be stuck with a half-finished project for your efforts. Once you narrow down what your subject will be, you can move on to the next step.
Next, you'll want to gather supplies to make the photo poster. Making a photo poster is quite simple once you have the right tools. You'll need glue sticks, several depending on how big you want to make the poster. You'll also want to cut a piece of thin cardboard that you can either salvage from a package or buy at an arts and crafts store, and cut it to the size you want. Make sure the cardboard is as thin as possible, that way when you use protective sheets to make sure it's safe from wear and tear, you'll be able to protect both sides. Scissors are a good tool to have by you, though you might find a box cutter will be more effective to cut down the cardboard. Photos, of course, it goes without saying are the most important ingredient.
Depending on how artistic you are or want to be, you may get other additional supplies such as colored construction paper, beads, glow in the dark stars or anything else that captures your eye. You can use these as borders for pictures, borders of the entire poster or just to decorate individual pictures as you see fit. It all depends on your individual style, flair and effect you're going for with the particular poster in question.
Walk through an arts and crafts star and go down the different aisles. This will be your best way to find things that might go well with your particular poster's theme. You don't necessary have to have a theme, but it always helps to spice up your poster and make it unique. Of course, you can always just use pictures to make a statement. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words, and this is all about showcasing your photos in whatever capacity that tickles your fancy.
Then, one of the most important steps, you need to pick out exactly what photos to use. This is where knowing what your subject is will be key. Now, you pick out the pictures you want to use and get them ready. If you don't want to use originals, you can use a photo printer or get reproductions done so that you still have a hardcopy of the picture for whatever purposes, such as albums. You'll roughly want enough pictures to cover the entire piece of cardboard, even if you are using some sort of border, because this way you might be able to cut down certain pictures to smaller sizes for use as well. Once you have all your pictures set, you can begin to figure out how to go about setting the poster up to your liking.
Photo Blogging
By Christina VanGinkel
While many of you may be familiar with the written blog, there is another similar trend that is growing nearly as rapidly, and that is the photo blog. Because server space is used up more quickly than those offering just space for journal entries, free photo blogs are not as popular, but they are growing in popularity.
Why someone would want to create a photo blog, you might ask. Well, they may just want an online space to share photos with family and friends, then again, they may be a budding photographer or someone who feels they have something to share with the world, and this would be an easy and direct way to go about it. Others I think are just exhibitionists, and I do not mean that in a perverse way. They have a need to share themselves, their daily lives, with the world. A photo blog will allow them to do that as long as they are not over the edge with the content of their pictures. Every blog-hosting site I visited had strict rules against pornographic and other illegal activities, which made me feel good about browsing through them without having the fear that I may open up something I really did not want to see. In addition, while I did uncover a lot of lousy photography, I uncovered several surprisingly good snapshots that I actually enjoyed browsing through and reading the accompanying journal entries.
I visited a few photo blogs that I discovered and found a wide variety of subjects. Some that were about the photographers everyday life, specific subjects, one of just restaurants that the photographer had visited, and one that was of single items, like a single flower, a single shoe, a single guy, as long as the subject was a single, it was fair game to be included. Moreover, when looking through that one, I knew that I would not be viewing any reunion or class photographs!
Along with the photographs, there is usually a space for a caption or even a complete journal entry. With paid subscriptions available that give the subscriber much more liberty as to how many photos to upload in a day, and what they can add word wise, I realized as I was viewing the selections I uncovered, that there were a lot of paid subscribers. People really seem to take this idea of blogging with photographs quite seriously, or it could just be that I live on a budget and they do not. Either way, the amount of people taking photos and posting them on blogs to share is quite phenomenal. Once your photographs are on a blog though, most places I visited had no restrictions on visitors using these pictures, so keep in mind that once you post something it is more or less in the public domain. I have many nice nature photos including several beautiful ones of black bear, which I have snapped through the years that I would love to share, but at the same time, I would not like to have them available to anybody to use them in any manner they choose, so for now I will not be creating a photo blog. Then again, one blog I came across was just of things snapped on a person's camera phone, not exactly top quality, but fun nonetheless. If I ever got a photo phone, I might be tempted.
While many of you may be familiar with the written blog, there is another similar trend that is growing nearly as rapidly, and that is the photo blog. Because server space is used up more quickly than those offering just space for journal entries, free photo blogs are not as popular, but they are growing in popularity.
Why someone would want to create a photo blog, you might ask. Well, they may just want an online space to share photos with family and friends, then again, they may be a budding photographer or someone who feels they have something to share with the world, and this would be an easy and direct way to go about it. Others I think are just exhibitionists, and I do not mean that in a perverse way. They have a need to share themselves, their daily lives, with the world. A photo blog will allow them to do that as long as they are not over the edge with the content of their pictures. Every blog-hosting site I visited had strict rules against pornographic and other illegal activities, which made me feel good about browsing through them without having the fear that I may open up something I really did not want to see. In addition, while I did uncover a lot of lousy photography, I uncovered several surprisingly good snapshots that I actually enjoyed browsing through and reading the accompanying journal entries.
I visited a few photo blogs that I discovered and found a wide variety of subjects. Some that were about the photographers everyday life, specific subjects, one of just restaurants that the photographer had visited, and one that was of single items, like a single flower, a single shoe, a single guy, as long as the subject was a single, it was fair game to be included. Moreover, when looking through that one, I knew that I would not be viewing any reunion or class photographs!
Along with the photographs, there is usually a space for a caption or even a complete journal entry. With paid subscriptions available that give the subscriber much more liberty as to how many photos to upload in a day, and what they can add word wise, I realized as I was viewing the selections I uncovered, that there were a lot of paid subscribers. People really seem to take this idea of blogging with photographs quite seriously, or it could just be that I live on a budget and they do not. Either way, the amount of people taking photos and posting them on blogs to share is quite phenomenal. Once your photographs are on a blog though, most places I visited had no restrictions on visitors using these pictures, so keep in mind that once you post something it is more or less in the public domain. I have many nice nature photos including several beautiful ones of black bear, which I have snapped through the years that I would love to share, but at the same time, I would not like to have them available to anybody to use them in any manner they choose, so for now I will not be creating a photo blog. Then again, one blog I came across was just of things snapped on a person's camera phone, not exactly top quality, but fun nonetheless. If I ever got a photo phone, I might be tempted.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Grab the Cameras and Head for San Antonio!
If San Antonio, Texas, is your place of choice to take some fabulous pictures, you will not be disappointed. The city offers everything from history to amusement parks to spectator sports.
So where does a photographer begin? The River Walk will be a good first stop. Take a cruise, take a walk, and take lots of great photographs. This is definitely one of the spots in the city that a visitor should not miss. There are shops, music, cafes, and many other things to see along this "Paseo del Rio."
Another thing that you definitely won't want to miss while photographing the area is the Alamo. This is, of course where Davy Crockett met his fate. You will get some excellent pictures here because the mission has been restored to the way it looked when Crockett saw it during the battle of the Alamo.
If you enjoy photographing marine life, stop by Sea World San Antonio. You will be covering 250 acres, so give yourself enough time to see everything that you will want to see. If you prefer a theme park that isn't mostly marine life, try Six Flags Fiesta Texas which is 200 acres in size. There are shows and fireworks, rides and games.
There are many museums of all kinds around the city (including a Ripley's Believe It or Not). As with any other museum that you visit with your cameras, be sure to check the policies on photos at each museum. Some have no restrictions, some allow no flash only, and others prohibit photography of any kind. Make sure before you go in (if it was strictly a stop for photographing) if you will be allowed to take your pictures.
Some other historic places to photograph include Fort Sam Houston, Mission San Jose, King William Historic District, Spanish Governor's Palace, and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (9 miles long and includes four missions from the 18th century).
As if all that isn't enough to keep you busy, check out these ten additional photo ops in the city.
1. San Antonio Botanical Gardens and Conservatory - More than thirty acres of plants from all over the world.
2. Brackenridge Park is the largest one in San Antonio and it is where to find the zoo, a merry-go-round, a golf course, and many other things to do.
3. If heights will not bother you, a trip to the top of the Tower of the Americas is a must while in the city. It is 750 feet high and you will get some spectacular pictures. While you're up there, you may consider getting a meal in the rotating restaurant.
4. The San Antonio Zoo
5. The Natural Bridge Caverns
6. Japanese Tea Gardens
7. Take a hot air balloon ride with Incredible Journeys for some photographic shots from the air.
8. The numerous and picturesque cathedrals and churches in San Antonio.
9. Find all kinds of Tex-Mex treasures at the Mexican Market. There are more than 150 merchants here and you should be able to get some good pictures with the colorful sombreros and other Mexican goods that are displayed.
10. McAllister Park - Stop by here if you want to do a hike, camping, or fishing at the lake. There are various lakes around San Antonio.
So where does a photographer begin? The River Walk will be a good first stop. Take a cruise, take a walk, and take lots of great photographs. This is definitely one of the spots in the city that a visitor should not miss. There are shops, music, cafes, and many other things to see along this "Paseo del Rio."
Another thing that you definitely won't want to miss while photographing the area is the Alamo. This is, of course where Davy Crockett met his fate. You will get some excellent pictures here because the mission has been restored to the way it looked when Crockett saw it during the battle of the Alamo.
If you enjoy photographing marine life, stop by Sea World San Antonio. You will be covering 250 acres, so give yourself enough time to see everything that you will want to see. If you prefer a theme park that isn't mostly marine life, try Six Flags Fiesta Texas which is 200 acres in size. There are shows and fireworks, rides and games.
There are many museums of all kinds around the city (including a Ripley's Believe It or Not). As with any other museum that you visit with your cameras, be sure to check the policies on photos at each museum. Some have no restrictions, some allow no flash only, and others prohibit photography of any kind. Make sure before you go in (if it was strictly a stop for photographing) if you will be allowed to take your pictures.
Some other historic places to photograph include Fort Sam Houston, Mission San Jose, King William Historic District, Spanish Governor's Palace, and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (9 miles long and includes four missions from the 18th century).
As if all that isn't enough to keep you busy, check out these ten additional photo ops in the city.
1. San Antonio Botanical Gardens and Conservatory - More than thirty acres of plants from all over the world.
2. Brackenridge Park is the largest one in San Antonio and it is where to find the zoo, a merry-go-round, a golf course, and many other things to do.
3. If heights will not bother you, a trip to the top of the Tower of the Americas is a must while in the city. It is 750 feet high and you will get some spectacular pictures. While you're up there, you may consider getting a meal in the rotating restaurant.
4. The San Antonio Zoo
5. The Natural Bridge Caverns
6. Japanese Tea Gardens
7. Take a hot air balloon ride with Incredible Journeys for some photographic shots from the air.
8. The numerous and picturesque cathedrals and churches in San Antonio.
9. Find all kinds of Tex-Mex treasures at the Mexican Market. There are more than 150 merchants here and you should be able to get some good pictures with the colorful sombreros and other Mexican goods that are displayed.
10. McAllister Park - Stop by here if you want to do a hike, camping, or fishing at the lake. There are various lakes around San Antonio.
Losing the Hard Drive
Photography has always been a big part of our family life. My father started me out in photography back in the 70s when he used to take family pictures every chance he got. I ultimately got my own big, clunky camera with a pop-flash bulb that had to be changed each time the flash was used. By the time I was in high school in the early 80s, I had a small, pocket camera, much like the ones that are popular today. When I met and married my husband in the early 90s, I found that he had an affinity for photography much like me. He had a nice camera - nicer than mine - and loved to use it. After renting a video camera several times to make movies of our son, we finally bought a video camera just as our daughter was born. We used it constantly, taking hours of boring pictures of the baby lying around or jumping in her baby swing.
Finally, a few years ago, we joined the 21st century and purchased a digital camera. It was the most fun we'd had in a long time. With a whole library of photo albums, as well as boxes of photos still waiting to be put into the photo albums, we suddenly had a place to keep all our photos - on our computer. Not only that, but we had instant gratification with our photos, not having to wait three or four days to see the pictures, but having the ability to load them onto the computer and see them on the big screen in just seconds. Yes, this era of instant gratification had sucked us in and we were hooked.
We took more pictures than we ever had, and now we didn't have to worry about paying for development or storing them in photo albums. If we had a photo that didn't come out, we simply deleted it without having to pay for it. We went on hikes and took amazing pictures; we took family vacations and commemorated them with lots of photos; and of course, we recorded every birthday, holiday, and special event with more and more photos. We had them all kept neatly inside our computer to view whenever we chose.
And then the unthinkable happened. Somehow along the way, we had neglected to continue backing up our hard drive. We did it for a while, regularly, especially since we had the photos on there, but then as life got busy and we got lazy, we simply forgot. Earlier this year, our hard drive crashed and burned. We lost absolutely everything. We took the hard drive to several technicians but were told that it would cost us well over $1000.00 to even try and retrieve anything; and that it was no guarantee. We couldn't afford that, so we grieved and took the loss as a big lesson learned.
Thankfully we only lost a couple of years worth of family photos. We are still saddened by the loss, but we learned a lesson about backing up the hard drive, which we now do weekly, like clockwork. And thankfully we have the memories in our heads that no one can ever take away.
Finally, a few years ago, we joined the 21st century and purchased a digital camera. It was the most fun we'd had in a long time. With a whole library of photo albums, as well as boxes of photos still waiting to be put into the photo albums, we suddenly had a place to keep all our photos - on our computer. Not only that, but we had instant gratification with our photos, not having to wait three or four days to see the pictures, but having the ability to load them onto the computer and see them on the big screen in just seconds. Yes, this era of instant gratification had sucked us in and we were hooked.
We took more pictures than we ever had, and now we didn't have to worry about paying for development or storing them in photo albums. If we had a photo that didn't come out, we simply deleted it without having to pay for it. We went on hikes and took amazing pictures; we took family vacations and commemorated them with lots of photos; and of course, we recorded every birthday, holiday, and special event with more and more photos. We had them all kept neatly inside our computer to view whenever we chose.
And then the unthinkable happened. Somehow along the way, we had neglected to continue backing up our hard drive. We did it for a while, regularly, especially since we had the photos on there, but then as life got busy and we got lazy, we simply forgot. Earlier this year, our hard drive crashed and burned. We lost absolutely everything. We took the hard drive to several technicians but were told that it would cost us well over $1000.00 to even try and retrieve anything; and that it was no guarantee. We couldn't afford that, so we grieved and took the loss as a big lesson learned.
Thankfully we only lost a couple of years worth of family photos. We are still saddened by the loss, but we learned a lesson about backing up the hard drive, which we now do weekly, like clockwork. And thankfully we have the memories in our heads that no one can ever take away.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Not Just another Photograph
By Christina VanGinkel
With all the talk about photo memory books and other gifts such as tote bags and aprons that could be personalized, I wondered what all else was available that I could have a photograph printed on for either my own use or as a gift. What I found surprised me greatly!
Notebooks, including lined and blank books, address books, baby books, and wedding planners, puzzles, stickers, a clipboard, and posters
Baby items such as bibs, diaper bags, and onesies
Boxer shorts, golf towels, pillow shams, pillowcases, wallets, placemats, neckties, scarves, sweatshirts, t-shirts, stadium blankets, throws, even a teddy bear in his own shirt that is decorated with your choice of photograph
Calendars, candy tins, coaster sets, frosted steins, clocks, boxes, mugs, glassware, playing cards, ornaments,
Dog collars, dog leashes, pet bowls
Stationary of all kinds, including postcards and envelopes
For the kids, I even found baseballs, soccer balls, and softballs
Mini flipbooks, which make ideal picture books for the youngest to the oldest member on your gift recipient list
Keep in mind the above items are only a sampling of what I found. There are quite a few more items available, depending on what store you are shopping. I found all of these at Snapfish online.
My son is an avid sports player, and the idea of being able to create for him his own personalized baseball or a poster to hang on his bedroom wall is actually exciting. I cannot think of how often he has said it would be cool to have a poster of his favorite snowboarding hill on his wall. I have some decent pictures I took of his favorite terrain park at the start of last season. I will have to look back through them and see if one is worthy of being blown up to poster size to adorn his wall with. With the upcoming school year, a personalized notebook or stickers would also be a cool idea.
For the perfect gift for a new mother to be, a baby album with a snapshot of the newborn gracing the album cover would be a definite favorite, as would a wedding planner with the intended couple. I cannot think of better way to keep the bride and groom to be focused on what the wedding is really about (them as a couple!), than for their snapshot in a loving moment on the cover of the planner.
The keepsake box could be adorned with a snapshot of a nursing home resident's loved ones for a reminder during those times when visitors are not present, as could the shams.
The puzzles open up all sorts of ideas where both kids and adults are concerned. They would be ideal for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, just about any gift-giving occasion, as long as the photograph is relevant.
In addition to all the gift ideas listed, photo albums and cards are always a great way to use your photographs. Send a greeting card decorated with a special photograph to share your favorite snapshots with those you hold near and dear.
With all the talk about photo memory books and other gifts such as tote bags and aprons that could be personalized, I wondered what all else was available that I could have a photograph printed on for either my own use or as a gift. What I found surprised me greatly!
Notebooks, including lined and blank books, address books, baby books, and wedding planners, puzzles, stickers, a clipboard, and posters
Baby items such as bibs, diaper bags, and onesies
Boxer shorts, golf towels, pillow shams, pillowcases, wallets, placemats, neckties, scarves, sweatshirts, t-shirts, stadium blankets, throws, even a teddy bear in his own shirt that is decorated with your choice of photograph
Calendars, candy tins, coaster sets, frosted steins, clocks, boxes, mugs, glassware, playing cards, ornaments,
Dog collars, dog leashes, pet bowls
Stationary of all kinds, including postcards and envelopes
For the kids, I even found baseballs, soccer balls, and softballs
Mini flipbooks, which make ideal picture books for the youngest to the oldest member on your gift recipient list
Keep in mind the above items are only a sampling of what I found. There are quite a few more items available, depending on what store you are shopping. I found all of these at Snapfish online.
My son is an avid sports player, and the idea of being able to create for him his own personalized baseball or a poster to hang on his bedroom wall is actually exciting. I cannot think of how often he has said it would be cool to have a poster of his favorite snowboarding hill on his wall. I have some decent pictures I took of his favorite terrain park at the start of last season. I will have to look back through them and see if one is worthy of being blown up to poster size to adorn his wall with. With the upcoming school year, a personalized notebook or stickers would also be a cool idea.
For the perfect gift for a new mother to be, a baby album with a snapshot of the newborn gracing the album cover would be a definite favorite, as would a wedding planner with the intended couple. I cannot think of better way to keep the bride and groom to be focused on what the wedding is really about (them as a couple!), than for their snapshot in a loving moment on the cover of the planner.
The keepsake box could be adorned with a snapshot of a nursing home resident's loved ones for a reminder during those times when visitors are not present, as could the shams.
The puzzles open up all sorts of ideas where both kids and adults are concerned. They would be ideal for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, just about any gift-giving occasion, as long as the photograph is relevant.
In addition to all the gift ideas listed, photo albums and cards are always a great way to use your photographs. Send a greeting card decorated with a special photograph to share your favorite snapshots with those you hold near and dear.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Connecting with Web Cams
I live more than 1,000 miles away from my parents. That never really posed a problem until I had my son. After that, I was subjected to almost constant guilt trips because my parents couldn't see their first grandson as often as they wanted to. This went on for a while until I finally smartened up. I bought a web cam, enabled voice chat on my Instant Messenger application, and now have daily video chats for my son and parents. Web cams are a great way to stay connected when you are physically separated from your friends and family.
Web cams are not a replacement for digital cameras, of course. Instead, they have their own range of applications that are worth considering. Ask any grandparent out there: Still photos of their grandchildren are nice, but a live video feed from a web cam is far superior for obvious reasons. What grandparent wouldn't delight in seeing how their grand child moves around and goes about his regular daily activities? These are things that a digital camera doesn't give you a proper sense of.
Web cams are so common now that they are relatively inexpensive and very easy to set up. You can get a pretty good web cam with installation software for less than $100. You can also go beyond that price range, of course, if you wanted something that can process more frames per second for a much better and smoother picture. But for all intents and purposes, a $50 web cam works perfectly well for communicating with friends and family.
If you think web cams are difficult to set up, you are definitely have the wrong impression of them. Your brand new web cam will come with a CD-ROM that contains the installation program. You simply load that into your computer's CD/DVD drive, and proceed through the installation wizard. Then, if you want to integrate the web cam with an Instant Messenger program, such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, or AIM, all you have to do is follow the easy instructions that each of those applications contains. I wouldn't describe myself as particularly tech-savvy, and I had my new web cam up and running in less than 30 minutes.
If you enable the voice chat function of your messenger program, you can even deliver audio with your video feed. This means having a web cam and a microphone could realistically save you lots of money on long-distance phone calls. Sure, the connections aren't the greatest all the time, and you would be subject to the hiccups that normally accompany Internet use. But overall, you would be able to have decent chats with your friends and family without paying anything over and above the cost of your monthly Internet service fee. That's yet another fantastic reason to get yourself set up with a web cam right now.
Technology is advancing at incredible rates these days. There's no reason to rely on old-fashioned communication methods anymore. "Calling" grandma and grandpa has gotten a lot more sophisticated!
Web cams are not a replacement for digital cameras, of course. Instead, they have their own range of applications that are worth considering. Ask any grandparent out there: Still photos of their grandchildren are nice, but a live video feed from a web cam is far superior for obvious reasons. What grandparent wouldn't delight in seeing how their grand child moves around and goes about his regular daily activities? These are things that a digital camera doesn't give you a proper sense of.
Web cams are so common now that they are relatively inexpensive and very easy to set up. You can get a pretty good web cam with installation software for less than $100. You can also go beyond that price range, of course, if you wanted something that can process more frames per second for a much better and smoother picture. But for all intents and purposes, a $50 web cam works perfectly well for communicating with friends and family.
If you think web cams are difficult to set up, you are definitely have the wrong impression of them. Your brand new web cam will come with a CD-ROM that contains the installation program. You simply load that into your computer's CD/DVD drive, and proceed through the installation wizard. Then, if you want to integrate the web cam with an Instant Messenger program, such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, or AIM, all you have to do is follow the easy instructions that each of those applications contains. I wouldn't describe myself as particularly tech-savvy, and I had my new web cam up and running in less than 30 minutes.
If you enable the voice chat function of your messenger program, you can even deliver audio with your video feed. This means having a web cam and a microphone could realistically save you lots of money on long-distance phone calls. Sure, the connections aren't the greatest all the time, and you would be subject to the hiccups that normally accompany Internet use. But overall, you would be able to have decent chats with your friends and family without paying anything over and above the cost of your monthly Internet service fee. That's yet another fantastic reason to get yourself set up with a web cam right now.
Technology is advancing at incredible rates these days. There's no reason to rely on old-fashioned communication methods anymore. "Calling" grandma and grandpa has gotten a lot more sophisticated!
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Creating Artistic Photographs
In this day and age, there is a lot of high-tech equipment that is priced affordably enough for regular consumers. This means that we can now do things on our own that in previous years we would have had to pay a professional to do for us. Take digital cameras, for example. There are some digital cameras that are so good and that take such high-quality pictures that even an amateur can get superb results. So now a lot of the photographic chores that we used to go to the studio for, such as family portraits, passport photos, and other things, can be done in the privacy and comfort of our own homes. In addition, you can also create your own artistic photographs that are suitable for framing and hanging throughout your home as wall decorations.
Many people prefer decorative photographs to paintings when it comes to interior design. If you are one of those people, then you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on professional prints or reproductions from world famous photographers such as Ansel Adams. Chances are you already have a digital camera. Next, all you need is some photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or a freeware product called GIMP (www.gimp.org). I personally have Photoshop Elements, which is a scaled-down version of Photoshop that cost much less than the original. I will therefore be talking about features in Elements, though other editing software probably has very similar functions.
I am not going to be talking about photo enhancements in this article. I'm going to assume that the quality of your photo is already as good as you want it to be. One of the most basic things you can do to give your photo a more artistic feel is to make it black and white. This works great for both landscape and people photos. In my software, all I have to do is go to Enhance, then Color, then Replace Color. In an instant, my full color photo is changed to a completely black and white version.
Another thing you can do is use filters. I really like the graphic pencil filter. It turns your photograph into something that looks more like a sketch than a picture. I occasionally like to add a lens flare effect. This makes your subject look like it is absolutely gleaming, and is a fun thing to use on cars, motorcycles, etc. Another great filter is something called ink outlines. When you use this effect, your photo will end up looking like someone hand drew it in pastels. I have gotten beautiful results with this filter. You might also want to try adding "noise". When you do this, your photo will look like something you might find in a newspaper or something from an old film camera.
Once you have adjusted your picture with the effects that you want, you can print it out as usual, and then frame it. These kinds of photos are a welcome and refreshing change that will liven up your home.
Many people prefer decorative photographs to paintings when it comes to interior design. If you are one of those people, then you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on professional prints or reproductions from world famous photographers such as Ansel Adams. Chances are you already have a digital camera. Next, all you need is some photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or a freeware product called GIMP (www.gimp.org). I personally have Photoshop Elements, which is a scaled-down version of Photoshop that cost much less than the original. I will therefore be talking about features in Elements, though other editing software probably has very similar functions.
I am not going to be talking about photo enhancements in this article. I'm going to assume that the quality of your photo is already as good as you want it to be. One of the most basic things you can do to give your photo a more artistic feel is to make it black and white. This works great for both landscape and people photos. In my software, all I have to do is go to Enhance, then Color, then Replace Color. In an instant, my full color photo is changed to a completely black and white version.
Another thing you can do is use filters. I really like the graphic pencil filter. It turns your photograph into something that looks more like a sketch than a picture. I occasionally like to add a lens flare effect. This makes your subject look like it is absolutely gleaming, and is a fun thing to use on cars, motorcycles, etc. Another great filter is something called ink outlines. When you use this effect, your photo will end up looking like someone hand drew it in pastels. I have gotten beautiful results with this filter. You might also want to try adding "noise". When you do this, your photo will look like something you might find in a newspaper or something from an old film camera.
Once you have adjusted your picture with the effects that you want, you can print it out as usual, and then frame it. These kinds of photos are a welcome and refreshing change that will liven up your home.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Get Into the Picture
I was organizing my house this week when I came across all of my photo albums stacked in the back of my closet. I started looking through them (more as a way to put off cleaning than out of real curiosity about what they contained) and was surprised to discover a very distinct difference between the kinds of pictures I took 10 years ago and the kinds of pictures that I take now.
In my vacation photos (or whatever) from 10 years ago, I have nothing but scenery: wide shots of the Grand Canyon; a panoramic view of White Sands National Park; ocean views from my hotel in Daytona Beach, FL; the Statue of Liberty from a distance, etc. In my more recent pictures, there is an added element to these scenic shots: people. Nearly all of my newer photos taken on vacations and outings have either my husband, my son, or myself in them. I have to say that I enjoy looking at the newer photos much more than I enjoy looking at the older ones.
I started including people in my sightseeing photos after living in Japan. I have to admit that I was camera shy before spending time in that country, but there's no way to live in the Land of the Rising Sun for a significant amount of time without getting used to having your picture taken. It seems that every little occasion over there warranted a photo, not just sightseeing. There were likely to be pictures taken even when just eating a casual dinner at a friend's house. It was a bit annoying at the time, but once I left, I was happy to have those photos.
That doesn't mean I think that my old picture-taking style was unusual. A lot of my friends also have photos consisting mostly of just scenery, so I don't feel too bad about that. But when I look back at those old photos now, I wish I had taken more people shots. It's one thing to have a great shot of the Grand Canyon looking almost purple in the fading light of dusk; it's quite another to have that same shot serve as a background with loved ones in the foreground. The same thing goes for almost all the other photographs in my old albums. I wish I would have had enough sense and foresight to get into the picture.
So my advice to you is to make the most of your photo opportunities by taking more people shots than scenery shots. Your photos will evoke specific words, incidents, and feelings rather than just serving as a reference for place and time. When there are people in your photos, you'll rarely have to ask where the picture was taken. The pose, the clothes you are wearing, and your companions in the photo will trigger your memory. After just a short time, this style will become second nature to you. Then years from now, you will have treasured memories of your friends, family, and yourself rather than just pictures of monuments and landscapes.
In my vacation photos (or whatever) from 10 years ago, I have nothing but scenery: wide shots of the Grand Canyon; a panoramic view of White Sands National Park; ocean views from my hotel in Daytona Beach, FL; the Statue of Liberty from a distance, etc. In my more recent pictures, there is an added element to these scenic shots: people. Nearly all of my newer photos taken on vacations and outings have either my husband, my son, or myself in them. I have to say that I enjoy looking at the newer photos much more than I enjoy looking at the older ones.
I started including people in my sightseeing photos after living in Japan. I have to admit that I was camera shy before spending time in that country, but there's no way to live in the Land of the Rising Sun for a significant amount of time without getting used to having your picture taken. It seems that every little occasion over there warranted a photo, not just sightseeing. There were likely to be pictures taken even when just eating a casual dinner at a friend's house. It was a bit annoying at the time, but once I left, I was happy to have those photos.
That doesn't mean I think that my old picture-taking style was unusual. A lot of my friends also have photos consisting mostly of just scenery, so I don't feel too bad about that. But when I look back at those old photos now, I wish I had taken more people shots. It's one thing to have a great shot of the Grand Canyon looking almost purple in the fading light of dusk; it's quite another to have that same shot serve as a background with loved ones in the foreground. The same thing goes for almost all the other photographs in my old albums. I wish I would have had enough sense and foresight to get into the picture.
So my advice to you is to make the most of your photo opportunities by taking more people shots than scenery shots. Your photos will evoke specific words, incidents, and feelings rather than just serving as a reference for place and time. When there are people in your photos, you'll rarely have to ask where the picture was taken. The pose, the clothes you are wearing, and your companions in the photo will trigger your memory. After just a short time, this style will become second nature to you. Then years from now, you will have treasured memories of your friends, family, and yourself rather than just pictures of monuments and landscapes.
Where to Photograph Hemingway Sites
Author Ernest Hemingway is perhaps best known for his terse, direct writing style and his stories about big outdoor adventures in exotic locations, as well as his tales of war. If you are a Hemingway fan, then there are several places you can go to view and take photographs of his old homes and haunts. Hemingway traveled far and wide, so there are many places around the world, such as Cuba and France, where he spent significant amounts of time. However, for the sake of simplicity I'm just going to tell you about some of the more prominent sites right here in the United States.
Oak Park, Illinois
Hemingway's birth city is located just west of Chicago and contains several places that are worth photographing. First, you can visit Hemingway's birth home. It is a house built in the Queen Anne fashion, and has been restored over the years, so it looks great. The home is located on a busy street with enormous shade trees, so you might have a few problems with lighting when taking exterior shots. The front lawn is expansive, so you will definitely have enough room to set up your camera for a picture that captures the entire house. You can also take a tour and take photos of the interior rooms.
While you are there you might as well check out the Ernest Hemingway room at the high school that he graduated from. It's a beautiful room that is still in use today. With public school security being what it is today, it would be best to phone ahead and schedule an appointment for your photographs. The room is on the third floor and has big south-facing windows that let in plenty of light. You should be able to capture wonderful images inside.
Key West, Florida
Hemingway spent more than 10 years in Key West, so there are a couple of places that are worth visiting. First, check out Hemingway's home and museum on Whitehead Street. I recommend going to the house during business hours even for exterior photos. Trees obscure your view of the house from the street, and the brick wall surrounding the property limits your access. You'll get the best vantage point from the backyard. If you really want a picture of the front of the house, you're going to have to bring a good lens to accommodate the tight shot.
No Hemingway photo shoot in Key West would be complete without a visit to Sloppy Joe's Bar. Hemingway was a regular at this local drinking establishment; there are still many photos of him on the walls. It is a tourist attraction now, so it might be difficult to get some decent pictures. At the very least, you should be able to get a shot of the front that includes the famous sign.
Ketchum, Idaho
To see where the writer affectionately known as "Papa" is laid to rest, visit the Ketchum Cemetery. There, you can pay your final respects and add to your collection a tranquil photo of the tombstone nestled between two pine trees.
Oak Park, Illinois
Hemingway's birth city is located just west of Chicago and contains several places that are worth photographing. First, you can visit Hemingway's birth home. It is a house built in the Queen Anne fashion, and has been restored over the years, so it looks great. The home is located on a busy street with enormous shade trees, so you might have a few problems with lighting when taking exterior shots. The front lawn is expansive, so you will definitely have enough room to set up your camera for a picture that captures the entire house. You can also take a tour and take photos of the interior rooms.
While you are there you might as well check out the Ernest Hemingway room at the high school that he graduated from. It's a beautiful room that is still in use today. With public school security being what it is today, it would be best to phone ahead and schedule an appointment for your photographs. The room is on the third floor and has big south-facing windows that let in plenty of light. You should be able to capture wonderful images inside.
Key West, Florida
Hemingway spent more than 10 years in Key West, so there are a couple of places that are worth visiting. First, check out Hemingway's home and museum on Whitehead Street. I recommend going to the house during business hours even for exterior photos. Trees obscure your view of the house from the street, and the brick wall surrounding the property limits your access. You'll get the best vantage point from the backyard. If you really want a picture of the front of the house, you're going to have to bring a good lens to accommodate the tight shot.
No Hemingway photo shoot in Key West would be complete without a visit to Sloppy Joe's Bar. Hemingway was a regular at this local drinking establishment; there are still many photos of him on the walls. It is a tourist attraction now, so it might be difficult to get some decent pictures. At the very least, you should be able to get a shot of the front that includes the famous sign.
Ketchum, Idaho
To see where the writer affectionately known as "Papa" is laid to rest, visit the Ketchum Cemetery. There, you can pay your final respects and add to your collection a tranquil photo of the tombstone nestled between two pine trees.
Ideas for Memory Photo Books
By Christina VanGinkel
Kodak, Snapfish, and Shutterfly, all offer memory photo books. Available in hardcover and paperback in various sizes, these books are ideal for assembling photographs on one or several subjects into a book format. To take the idea one-step further, adding text to your layout can take the printed photo book format, and essentially turn them into real picture books in the truest sense.
When I was telling an acquaintance about these books the other day, she immediately shared with me an idea that she had. Every year, she collects caterpillars to show her grandchildren how they make their cocoons and then turn into butterflies. She said that through the years she has snapped literally hundreds of photographs of the complete process. She thought it would be nice to assemble some of the better photos, along with text she wrote, and assemble them together into a book to share with her grandchildren all year long.
This got me to thinking about all the different personalized books that could be assembled in this manner. When I first saw these books, I know I thought they were wonderful and full of possibilities, but I never thought of doing a book on a theme such as the one she mentioned. I was more or less thinking strictly photographs of the kids and grandkids, maybe something to do with our dogs, but never a theme as abstract as butterflies.
When I arrived home that day, I sat down at my computer and opened up Picasa, a free program I use to organize all my photos. Scrolling through my different folders, I was struck with a similar idea. My youngest son and I had taken a trip to a zoo this past spring. I snapped many photographs of the animals themselves. I also took a few snapshots of some new exhibits as they were being constructed. Remembering how many questions my grandson had when he saw these photographs; I decided to create a personalized book for him about who lives at the zoo and how the animal's houses are built. By adding a short amount of text to each book, it became a very personalized story geared directly to his inquisitive questions.
When I showed my husband what I was doing, he suggested it would be nice to have a book of all my garden snapshots. An avid gardener, he has grown some dramatic Peonies, Bleeding Hearts, and Asian Lily's, just to name a few, throughout the years. I thought this was a wonderful way to combine some of his favorites along with some of my poetry. This will make a lovely coffee table book for us to enjoy together.
Nearly any subject could be used to create a personalized memory photo book, from kids, to vacations, any subject that is of interest to you really, and adding text will only increase the pleasure one would get from it in the future. My only problem I see coming from this new idea of mixing text with pictures, is finding the time to create all the ones I know I will want to make!
Kodak, Snapfish, and Shutterfly, all offer memory photo books. Available in hardcover and paperback in various sizes, these books are ideal for assembling photographs on one or several subjects into a book format. To take the idea one-step further, adding text to your layout can take the printed photo book format, and essentially turn them into real picture books in the truest sense.
When I was telling an acquaintance about these books the other day, she immediately shared with me an idea that she had. Every year, she collects caterpillars to show her grandchildren how they make their cocoons and then turn into butterflies. She said that through the years she has snapped literally hundreds of photographs of the complete process. She thought it would be nice to assemble some of the better photos, along with text she wrote, and assemble them together into a book to share with her grandchildren all year long.
This got me to thinking about all the different personalized books that could be assembled in this manner. When I first saw these books, I know I thought they were wonderful and full of possibilities, but I never thought of doing a book on a theme such as the one she mentioned. I was more or less thinking strictly photographs of the kids and grandkids, maybe something to do with our dogs, but never a theme as abstract as butterflies.
When I arrived home that day, I sat down at my computer and opened up Picasa, a free program I use to organize all my photos. Scrolling through my different folders, I was struck with a similar idea. My youngest son and I had taken a trip to a zoo this past spring. I snapped many photographs of the animals themselves. I also took a few snapshots of some new exhibits as they were being constructed. Remembering how many questions my grandson had when he saw these photographs; I decided to create a personalized book for him about who lives at the zoo and how the animal's houses are built. By adding a short amount of text to each book, it became a very personalized story geared directly to his inquisitive questions.
When I showed my husband what I was doing, he suggested it would be nice to have a book of all my garden snapshots. An avid gardener, he has grown some dramatic Peonies, Bleeding Hearts, and Asian Lily's, just to name a few, throughout the years. I thought this was a wonderful way to combine some of his favorites along with some of my poetry. This will make a lovely coffee table book for us to enjoy together.
Nearly any subject could be used to create a personalized memory photo book, from kids, to vacations, any subject that is of interest to you really, and adding text will only increase the pleasure one would get from it in the future. My only problem I see coming from this new idea of mixing text with pictures, is finding the time to create all the ones I know I will want to make!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Want to Go Pro?
Everyone enjoys looking at pictures and I am rather certain that it's safe to say most adults have used a camera at some time or another in their life. It is fun and it's often a hobby or something we simply do without thinking much about it when a special occasion happens.
If you truly enjoy photography and are looking for a new (or first!) career, however, there are a number of jobs in the field for which you may want to consider seeking training.
The first thing that comes to mind for most people is the career of a newspaper photographer. This takes some steel nerves sometimes although it's a good field to find a niche in. You will most likely at certain times be photographing sights that are not pleasant such as the aftermath of fires, disasters, and accidents. You also need to take into consideration that news happens at all times of the day and night and if it's not national news where the picture will come in over the AP wire, you will need to wake up to photograph big local stories.
Another job for which photographers are needed is wedding photography. Unlike working with the newspaper, for this branch of photography you will be photographing happy events with smiling people for the most part and it is a lot less stressful than newspaper work.
I would not recommend it as a career because of the uncertainty, but as a freelance photographer (stringer) you would be submitting your photographs to magazines and other publications and hoping for sales. It can provide decent supplemental income for good photographers but it is too risky to plan to make it your sole source of income.
That said, some periodicals have in-house photographers so don't automatically give up the idea of working for a magazine; it is just the freelance photographers with the uncertainty.
Some other photography careers include studio work (even many stores are now hiring in-store photographers); taking pictures of homes that come on the market for real estate companies; and many times insurance companies need to hire photographers to take pictures of accident sites. Keep in mind, though, that for that kind of work, you can be given a call at any time of day or night.
Many manufacturers need pictures of their products so that the public knows what it is they sell. Magazine and cookbook publishers need people to photograph the finished dishes after they have been prepared for articles or books that include pictures.
I opened by mentioning training and that is always a good step so that you know and understand all aspects of the career but if you have already been taking excellent pictures of all kinds, consider putting a portfolio together. If you feel that you know what is necessary for great pictures and can use various cameras including digital, you might want to try submitting your portfolio to places looking for a photographer.
To create a portfolio, be sure that you take all genres of pictures so that you can show them to a potential employer. If you know what kind of photographer they want to hire, show those types of pictures.
If you truly enjoy photography and are looking for a new (or first!) career, however, there are a number of jobs in the field for which you may want to consider seeking training.
The first thing that comes to mind for most people is the career of a newspaper photographer. This takes some steel nerves sometimes although it's a good field to find a niche in. You will most likely at certain times be photographing sights that are not pleasant such as the aftermath of fires, disasters, and accidents. You also need to take into consideration that news happens at all times of the day and night and if it's not national news where the picture will come in over the AP wire, you will need to wake up to photograph big local stories.
Another job for which photographers are needed is wedding photography. Unlike working with the newspaper, for this branch of photography you will be photographing happy events with smiling people for the most part and it is a lot less stressful than newspaper work.
I would not recommend it as a career because of the uncertainty, but as a freelance photographer (stringer) you would be submitting your photographs to magazines and other publications and hoping for sales. It can provide decent supplemental income for good photographers but it is too risky to plan to make it your sole source of income.
That said, some periodicals have in-house photographers so don't automatically give up the idea of working for a magazine; it is just the freelance photographers with the uncertainty.
Some other photography careers include studio work (even many stores are now hiring in-store photographers); taking pictures of homes that come on the market for real estate companies; and many times insurance companies need to hire photographers to take pictures of accident sites. Keep in mind, though, that for that kind of work, you can be given a call at any time of day or night.
Many manufacturers need pictures of their products so that the public knows what it is they sell. Magazine and cookbook publishers need people to photograph the finished dishes after they have been prepared for articles or books that include pictures.
I opened by mentioning training and that is always a good step so that you know and understand all aspects of the career but if you have already been taking excellent pictures of all kinds, consider putting a portfolio together. If you feel that you know what is necessary for great pictures and can use various cameras including digital, you might want to try submitting your portfolio to places looking for a photographer.
To create a portfolio, be sure that you take all genres of pictures so that you can show them to a potential employer. If you know what kind of photographer they want to hire, show those types of pictures.
Keychain Cameras
By Christina VanGinkel
Browsing Overstock.com, I came across an innovative little camera that was just so cute (You heard me right!), that though I have no need for one, I am compelled to buy one. Sized to fit on a keychain, the small formed digital camera can be carried with you wherever you go. You will give it little or no thought, until you need to snap a picture or two. Browsing further, I actually found three different cameras, two very tiny, keychain sized, and one about the size of a business card. Selling for between $14.95 and $25.99, their cost was as cheap as they were small, and with Overstock known for its low shipping charges, sometimes even offering $1.00 shipping specials, the price of these cameras stay a bargain if purchased there.
The one that was comparatively sized to a business card, an SDAT Link-depot MDC-13S 1.3MP Digital Camera, the most expensive of the three, not only functions as a digital still camera, it can also take video, and be used as a web cam. With a maximum resolution of 1.3MP, you may not be able to take pictures that can be later blown up for framing; you can take pictures that are perfect for emailing or printing up to a 4 x 6 inch print. With a universal USB interface, plugging in the camera to work with your computer should be simple. Add in that it has 16MB of built in memory, an integrated viewfinder, built-in rechargeable battery, auto shut-off after 30 seconds, and all the software needed to use it with your computer included, $25.99 is a bargain that is hard to beat.
If you want an even more inexpensive small-form camera, then maybe the Innovage Mini Digital Camera, with a sale price of $14.95, is the one for you. Advertised as a Keychain digital camera, it has many of the same features as the SDAT Link-depot MDC-13S 1.3MP Digital Camera. It is a three function camera, capable of taking still, video, and to be used as a web cam. It plugs right into your computer via an included USB cable, and has 16MB of built in memory, and all needed software. A small carrying case is also included for no additional charge.
The second one advertised as a Keychain camera, a Bell Howell Keychain Digital Camera, comes complete with attached keychain, and a price of $24.95. It records up to 10 seconds of digital video, doubles as a web cam, and has a self-timer. The included software, Arcsoft Digital Imaging software, is known to be easy to set up, and the camera will hook up easily to most any computer with the included USB cable. A protective carrying case is also included, as is the needed battery, an AAA.
While none of these cameras is capable of taking award-winning photographs due to their small resolution, I can see where they would be a fun gift to give or receive. With all the uses for photos on websites and email, any of these would make ideal first cameras, or as a secondary one just for the fun of it!
Browsing Overstock.com, I came across an innovative little camera that was just so cute (You heard me right!), that though I have no need for one, I am compelled to buy one. Sized to fit on a keychain, the small formed digital camera can be carried with you wherever you go. You will give it little or no thought, until you need to snap a picture or two. Browsing further, I actually found three different cameras, two very tiny, keychain sized, and one about the size of a business card. Selling for between $14.95 and $25.99, their cost was as cheap as they were small, and with Overstock known for its low shipping charges, sometimes even offering $1.00 shipping specials, the price of these cameras stay a bargain if purchased there.
The one that was comparatively sized to a business card, an SDAT Link-depot MDC-13S 1.3MP Digital Camera, the most expensive of the three, not only functions as a digital still camera, it can also take video, and be used as a web cam. With a maximum resolution of 1.3MP, you may not be able to take pictures that can be later blown up for framing; you can take pictures that are perfect for emailing or printing up to a 4 x 6 inch print. With a universal USB interface, plugging in the camera to work with your computer should be simple. Add in that it has 16MB of built in memory, an integrated viewfinder, built-in rechargeable battery, auto shut-off after 30 seconds, and all the software needed to use it with your computer included, $25.99 is a bargain that is hard to beat.
If you want an even more inexpensive small-form camera, then maybe the Innovage Mini Digital Camera, with a sale price of $14.95, is the one for you. Advertised as a Keychain digital camera, it has many of the same features as the SDAT Link-depot MDC-13S 1.3MP Digital Camera. It is a three function camera, capable of taking still, video, and to be used as a web cam. It plugs right into your computer via an included USB cable, and has 16MB of built in memory, and all needed software. A small carrying case is also included for no additional charge.
The second one advertised as a Keychain camera, a Bell Howell Keychain Digital Camera, comes complete with attached keychain, and a price of $24.95. It records up to 10 seconds of digital video, doubles as a web cam, and has a self-timer. The included software, Arcsoft Digital Imaging software, is known to be easy to set up, and the camera will hook up easily to most any computer with the included USB cable. A protective carrying case is also included, as is the needed battery, an AAA.
While none of these cameras is capable of taking award-winning photographs due to their small resolution, I can see where they would be a fun gift to give or receive. With all the uses for photos on websites and email, any of these would make ideal first cameras, or as a secondary one just for the fun of it!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
What do you Use your Camera For?
By Christina VanGinkel
Someone asked me the other day what I use my cameras for, as I always have them with me, they went on to ask me if I was a professional photographer when I first did not answer them. No, I ma not a professional photographer, though I have sold a photo or two. I really did not know how to answer them though, as I never really gave it much though. My cameras have become to me like clothing is too many people, a life necessity. Where I go, they go. It was not always like this though, only since I purchased my first digital a few years back. Up until then, I loved taking pictures, but being a young mother with a budget did not allow me extra for film or money for film developing, or other camera supplies, so even though I would have loved to tote along my camera back then, I never did, except for special occasions.
With my digitals though, I can snap away to my heart's content, and with a cable I leave attached to a USB port on the front of my computer, because I use it constantly, I can quickly download those same pictures. From there, I can edit, tweak, delete, and print, compliments of a fantastic little photo printer my daughter and her family purchased me last year for my birthday, any photographs I deem worthy.
What do I take pictures of though?
My children and their families, including tons of ones of my grandson
Anything interesting in our rural area that I discover, including farmhouses, barns, fields, sunsets, sunrises, eagles, hawks, deer, turkeys, chipmunks, black bear, and our dogs
Friends and their families, of which I have taken several family photos over the years so everyone could be in the shot
Graduation pictures for a graduating senior this past year who could not afford traditional photos, and I come cheap, i.e. free!)
Our vacations
Stuff to sell on Ebay
Cataloging personal possessions for insurance reasons
Pictures taken specifically for a scrapbook layout…I have been known to snap a photograph of fabric that I loved, just so I could print it on paper to use in my scrapbook
While this is just a partial list of items that immediately come to mind, there are probably at least a dozen more ways I use my cameras throughout the year. A camera is useful for much more than just snapping the occasional vacation layout in today's world. You can use it as a tool in many areas of your life. With advancements in cameras coinciding with the dropping of prices for new technology, it is even possible for an amateur photographer with a good eye, to make their love of photography a part time money earner. You can always rent yourself out to do personal inventories of peoples houses, to snap team photos at local sporting events, even to sell the occasional photo to a newspaper or online venue. The more I reflect on the answer to the question of what I do with my cameras, there is really only one correct answer, the answer I gave when asked. I have fun with them. What do you use your camera for?
Someone asked me the other day what I use my cameras for, as I always have them with me, they went on to ask me if I was a professional photographer when I first did not answer them. No, I ma not a professional photographer, though I have sold a photo or two. I really did not know how to answer them though, as I never really gave it much though. My cameras have become to me like clothing is too many people, a life necessity. Where I go, they go. It was not always like this though, only since I purchased my first digital a few years back. Up until then, I loved taking pictures, but being a young mother with a budget did not allow me extra for film or money for film developing, or other camera supplies, so even though I would have loved to tote along my camera back then, I never did, except for special occasions.
With my digitals though, I can snap away to my heart's content, and with a cable I leave attached to a USB port on the front of my computer, because I use it constantly, I can quickly download those same pictures. From there, I can edit, tweak, delete, and print, compliments of a fantastic little photo printer my daughter and her family purchased me last year for my birthday, any photographs I deem worthy.
What do I take pictures of though?
My children and their families, including tons of ones of my grandson
Anything interesting in our rural area that I discover, including farmhouses, barns, fields, sunsets, sunrises, eagles, hawks, deer, turkeys, chipmunks, black bear, and our dogs
Friends and their families, of which I have taken several family photos over the years so everyone could be in the shot
Graduation pictures for a graduating senior this past year who could not afford traditional photos, and I come cheap, i.e. free!)
Our vacations
Stuff to sell on Ebay
Cataloging personal possessions for insurance reasons
Pictures taken specifically for a scrapbook layout…I have been known to snap a photograph of fabric that I loved, just so I could print it on paper to use in my scrapbook
While this is just a partial list of items that immediately come to mind, there are probably at least a dozen more ways I use my cameras throughout the year. A camera is useful for much more than just snapping the occasional vacation layout in today's world. You can use it as a tool in many areas of your life. With advancements in cameras coinciding with the dropping of prices for new technology, it is even possible for an amateur photographer with a good eye, to make their love of photography a part time money earner. You can always rent yourself out to do personal inventories of peoples houses, to snap team photos at local sporting events, even to sell the occasional photo to a newspaper or online venue. The more I reflect on the answer to the question of what I do with my cameras, there is really only one correct answer, the answer I gave when asked. I have fun with them. What do you use your camera for?
Friday, August 19, 2005
Exposures
By Christina VanGinkel
As I become more interested in scrap booking, and using photographs in them, I am constantly on the lookout for more ideas, products, and projects. I had thought I had discovered just about every online site dedicated to the art of photography and scrapbooks, including sites that were a combination of supplies for both. So imagine my surprise when I was right here at this site, CamerasAndCameras.com and I realized there was a link on the left hand side of the page that I did not recognize called Exposures. I first thought, from its name, that it was going to be a site for film developing. It was not. What it is, is a site that has a huge array of top quality journals, scrapbooks, scrapbook kits, scrapbook supplies such as glues and adhesives, jewelry, frames, storage items, photo albums, specialty cards, and much, much more.
If you are looking for anti corrosion sleeves to store your CD's that contain your treasured photos, then head directly to this site, as they have them, for $7.95 for a set of ten. Archival mist, which I saw on a television show about scrap booking several months ago, but have not been able to find anywhere, is available for $39.00. With this spray, you will never have to worry about newspaper clippings or other ephemera wasting away once you spend countless hours assembling it into your scrapbook layouts. Metal photo corners, mini friend brag books, scrapbook totes, a basic scrapbook tool set, paper sets, embellishment kits, fancy albums, leather albums, fun albums, and more. If you have been searching for it, chances are if it has something to do with quality scrapbook supplies, you will find it at this store.
If storage is an issue you struggle with as a scrapbook enthusiast, be sure to check out their Storage and Frames/Display section. Under storage, you will find many ideas for storing both your supplies and all the books and magazines that seem to in hand with scrap booking. Under Frames/Display section though, they have a subheading of furniture. There, I found storage towers in various sizes, perfect for assembling all the shoebox-sized containers so popular among photo and scrapbook enthusiasts. They also have a scrapbook station desk, hutch, and cart, available in either black or off white; it is the perfect unit to use to gain control of all your scrapbook clutter, with a place for everything, and everything in place once you store it an all their specific cubbyholes and spaces.
If not all of this were enough, Exposures also has numerous gift ideas including jewelry, customized photo items such as monogrammed photo key rings, glass paperweights, custom photo tin ornaments, silk photo handbags, photo totes, even Sweet Celebration Photo Cookies. That is right, you can actually order cookies with your favorite photographs emblazoned right on the cookies. Two dozen of a single shape for $75.00, this may seem high priced, but for a special occasion such as a reunion with a loved one, or a milestone birthday, these are sure to be a huge hit!
If you have been searching for one more photo or scrapbook store that just might carry the one thing you cannot find anywhere else, be sure to check out Exposures, from the link available right here at CamerasAndCameras.com.
As I become more interested in scrap booking, and using photographs in them, I am constantly on the lookout for more ideas, products, and projects. I had thought I had discovered just about every online site dedicated to the art of photography and scrapbooks, including sites that were a combination of supplies for both. So imagine my surprise when I was right here at this site, CamerasAndCameras.com and I realized there was a link on the left hand side of the page that I did not recognize called Exposures. I first thought, from its name, that it was going to be a site for film developing. It was not. What it is, is a site that has a huge array of top quality journals, scrapbooks, scrapbook kits, scrapbook supplies such as glues and adhesives, jewelry, frames, storage items, photo albums, specialty cards, and much, much more.
If you are looking for anti corrosion sleeves to store your CD's that contain your treasured photos, then head directly to this site, as they have them, for $7.95 for a set of ten. Archival mist, which I saw on a television show about scrap booking several months ago, but have not been able to find anywhere, is available for $39.00. With this spray, you will never have to worry about newspaper clippings or other ephemera wasting away once you spend countless hours assembling it into your scrapbook layouts. Metal photo corners, mini friend brag books, scrapbook totes, a basic scrapbook tool set, paper sets, embellishment kits, fancy albums, leather albums, fun albums, and more. If you have been searching for it, chances are if it has something to do with quality scrapbook supplies, you will find it at this store.
If storage is an issue you struggle with as a scrapbook enthusiast, be sure to check out their Storage and Frames/Display section. Under storage, you will find many ideas for storing both your supplies and all the books and magazines that seem to in hand with scrap booking. Under Frames/Display section though, they have a subheading of furniture. There, I found storage towers in various sizes, perfect for assembling all the shoebox-sized containers so popular among photo and scrapbook enthusiasts. They also have a scrapbook station desk, hutch, and cart, available in either black or off white; it is the perfect unit to use to gain control of all your scrapbook clutter, with a place for everything, and everything in place once you store it an all their specific cubbyholes and spaces.
If not all of this were enough, Exposures also has numerous gift ideas including jewelry, customized photo items such as monogrammed photo key rings, glass paperweights, custom photo tin ornaments, silk photo handbags, photo totes, even Sweet Celebration Photo Cookies. That is right, you can actually order cookies with your favorite photographs emblazoned right on the cookies. Two dozen of a single shape for $75.00, this may seem high priced, but for a special occasion such as a reunion with a loved one, or a milestone birthday, these are sure to be a huge hit!
If you have been searching for one more photo or scrapbook store that just might carry the one thing you cannot find anywhere else, be sure to check out Exposures, from the link available right here at CamerasAndCameras.com.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Memorable Photo Gifts
By Christina VanGinkel
I use my photo printer quite regularly, and I occasionally use the printing service at our local Wal-Mart. I also have the sporadic need for an online printer, for those times that I am not sure what I am going to want, but know it cannot be printed on my personal printer. And in the same breath, I do not want to stand in line at the store waiting impatiently for someone to help me, someone who oftentimes has no idea how to answer a question I have, let alone offer real assistance.
For those times, I head online to shop from the comfort of my desk chair. This morning was one of those times, and I thought I would check out Ofoto and Kodak online. Both have stores with a wide offering of products, so I thought I would check them out to see what they offered and to see if their prices were competitive to some of the other online stores, such as Shutterfly and Snapfish.
Kodak was my first stop and by clicking on their Shopping tab, I was taken directly to their storefront. The first thing I noticed that I liked, was that not only are their products broke down by individual item names themselves, such as Frames and Albums, but categories can also be browsed by Occasion! By clicking on Vacation for example, it brought me to a variety of suggestions for using vacation photos to their fullest potential, including calendars, mouse pads, even decks of cards resplendent in my favorite vacation snapshots! I could also order coffee mugs and poster-sized prints! Overall, the Kodak website was easy to navigate and offered me a nice assortment of products to choose from, that I could never print from my home printer. Prices were competitive, and when I signed in (Which I had to do before it would let me shop) I realized I still had fifty free 4" x 6" prints coming from when I had signed up at their site some time ago. There was even a notation that they never expired, so I will definitely be uploading some photos to check out their photo processing.
I also tried to click over to Ofoto, but I quickly realized that what was once its own site is now the same as Kodak. I thought I was having a problem with my computer, but it was nothing more than if you type in the address for Ofoto, you are merely routed right back to the Kodak site. A quick search online also turned up a few other names that I recognized as possible printing outlets, including PhotoWorks, which was a pleasant surprise. They not only offered the standard coffee mug for memorable gift giving, they had puzzles made from your favorite photos and porcelain Christmas ornaments! As I am already compiling my Christmas list, this was a very nice find for me. They also have a nice selection of the photo books that are becoming all the rage. So if you are looking for a new place to order photos and such online, be sure to check these two places out.
I use my photo printer quite regularly, and I occasionally use the printing service at our local Wal-Mart. I also have the sporadic need for an online printer, for those times that I am not sure what I am going to want, but know it cannot be printed on my personal printer. And in the same breath, I do not want to stand in line at the store waiting impatiently for someone to help me, someone who oftentimes has no idea how to answer a question I have, let alone offer real assistance.
For those times, I head online to shop from the comfort of my desk chair. This morning was one of those times, and I thought I would check out Ofoto and Kodak online. Both have stores with a wide offering of products, so I thought I would check them out to see what they offered and to see if their prices were competitive to some of the other online stores, such as Shutterfly and Snapfish.
Kodak was my first stop and by clicking on their Shopping tab, I was taken directly to their storefront. The first thing I noticed that I liked, was that not only are their products broke down by individual item names themselves, such as Frames and Albums, but categories can also be browsed by Occasion! By clicking on Vacation for example, it brought me to a variety of suggestions for using vacation photos to their fullest potential, including calendars, mouse pads, even decks of cards resplendent in my favorite vacation snapshots! I could also order coffee mugs and poster-sized prints! Overall, the Kodak website was easy to navigate and offered me a nice assortment of products to choose from, that I could never print from my home printer. Prices were competitive, and when I signed in (Which I had to do before it would let me shop) I realized I still had fifty free 4" x 6" prints coming from when I had signed up at their site some time ago. There was even a notation that they never expired, so I will definitely be uploading some photos to check out their photo processing.
I also tried to click over to Ofoto, but I quickly realized that what was once its own site is now the same as Kodak. I thought I was having a problem with my computer, but it was nothing more than if you type in the address for Ofoto, you are merely routed right back to the Kodak site. A quick search online also turned up a few other names that I recognized as possible printing outlets, including PhotoWorks, which was a pleasant surprise. They not only offered the standard coffee mug for memorable gift giving, they had puzzles made from your favorite photos and porcelain Christmas ornaments! As I am already compiling my Christmas list, this was a very nice find for me. They also have a nice selection of the photo books that are becoming all the rage. So if you are looking for a new place to order photos and such online, be sure to check these two places out.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Never Too Many Baby Pictures!
I know I do not need to tell parents to take a lot of pictures of the baby. It is just a normal part of becoming a parent and most of us have a camera nearby at all times. Movies of the baby are also important and as soon as a movie is filled, a copy should be made of it. Keep the original in a place that is secure and use the copy for watching.
If you are into scrapbooking, you may want to consider taking an extra photo of a certain event so that you can have one for your scrapbook but still have a photograph of the event for you regular photo album. The alternative to taking a couple of extra pictures is to just have double prints made. The extras that you don't use for your scrapbook pages can be given to the grandparents.
There are certain pictures that you may or may not think of snapping, but in years to come, you will wish that you had thought of doing it. The first thing that some families don't remember to do is to get pictures of the mom-to-be at various stages of the pregnancy. Take plenty of pictures at your baby shower, too, if one is given in your honor.
Pictures of the room that you will be turning into the nursery of the "before and after" variety are always fun and those work great for scrapbooks if you are beginning the book before the birth.
Photographs of baby's first few days and while still in the hospital are always a good idea. Not just of parents and baby, either. If the grandparents are allowed to hold the baby in the nursery it makes great pictures as well. Don't forget the picture of mom holding the newborn, and the same for dad and older siblings.
Be sure that as soon as you get the photographs into your hands (providing they are printed out even if digital) mark the date or event on back of the photograph. It is very frustrating in years to come to see a picture and try to remember the event only to turn it around to check the back and find blankness.
The day when you are able to bring the baby home from the hospital is another time to make sure to have the camera at the ready. Perhaps a shot of when baby is tucked securely into the car seat; also when you arrive at home.
Over the next couple of weeks, family and friends will be stopping by to meet the newest addition to your family. Don't forget to take pictures of baby's visitors ideally interacting with him or her. (Holding the baby, showing a gift they brought, standing over the bassinette, etc.)
As the weeks and months go by and then soon the years, there will be many "firsts" that you will want to photograph. These include things such as first smile, first steps, first tooth, first day of school, first Christmas, first birthday party, and countless other small and large milestones. Some things that might generally be overlooked are "fun" events such as first picnic, eating a first hamburger, first trip to church, baptism, and dozens of other things.
Have fun taking the pictures that documents baby's first years, and always have a working camera very close by.
If you are into scrapbooking, you may want to consider taking an extra photo of a certain event so that you can have one for your scrapbook but still have a photograph of the event for you regular photo album. The alternative to taking a couple of extra pictures is to just have double prints made. The extras that you don't use for your scrapbook pages can be given to the grandparents.
There are certain pictures that you may or may not think of snapping, but in years to come, you will wish that you had thought of doing it. The first thing that some families don't remember to do is to get pictures of the mom-to-be at various stages of the pregnancy. Take plenty of pictures at your baby shower, too, if one is given in your honor.
Pictures of the room that you will be turning into the nursery of the "before and after" variety are always fun and those work great for scrapbooks if you are beginning the book before the birth.
Photographs of baby's first few days and while still in the hospital are always a good idea. Not just of parents and baby, either. If the grandparents are allowed to hold the baby in the nursery it makes great pictures as well. Don't forget the picture of mom holding the newborn, and the same for dad and older siblings.
Be sure that as soon as you get the photographs into your hands (providing they are printed out even if digital) mark the date or event on back of the photograph. It is very frustrating in years to come to see a picture and try to remember the event only to turn it around to check the back and find blankness.
The day when you are able to bring the baby home from the hospital is another time to make sure to have the camera at the ready. Perhaps a shot of when baby is tucked securely into the car seat; also when you arrive at home.
Over the next couple of weeks, family and friends will be stopping by to meet the newest addition to your family. Don't forget to take pictures of baby's visitors ideally interacting with him or her. (Holding the baby, showing a gift they brought, standing over the bassinette, etc.)
As the weeks and months go by and then soon the years, there will be many "firsts" that you will want to photograph. These include things such as first smile, first steps, first tooth, first day of school, first Christmas, first birthday party, and countless other small and large milestones. Some things that might generally be overlooked are "fun" events such as first picnic, eating a first hamburger, first trip to church, baptism, and dozens of other things.
Have fun taking the pictures that documents baby's first years, and always have a working camera very close by.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Your Digital Camera as a Tool
By Christina VanGinkel
When I think there is nothing else new left for me to do with my digital camera, I find something that I never thought of. My mother-in-law has an extensive collection of Bradford Exchange plates and other collectibles of similar fashion. Wanting to create a recording of the collection in its entirety, we snapped photographs of each plate, front, and back, and stored the photographs on a DVD for future reference. This DVD is now stored in her safe deposit box, in case of a house fire or other disaster. She also had me make a duplicate and store it at my house for quick access.
Besides her collection of plates, we also took snapshots of various other collectibles and common items also, such as her television, DVD player, washer, dryer, bedroom set, and dining room table. Besides the still photos, we also took a small walk around the house with a video camera, creating a record of the entire house's contents. We also saved this to the same DVD, in hopes that if it a disaster ever did occur, she at least now has a record of what would be in need of replacing. I plan to create a similar log of my own house and collections. With insurance costs rising like everything else in life, it cannot hurt to have a clear record of your home's interior for your insurance company.
A fancy camera is not required to complete this task, but a digital will make it much easier. With the ease that digital photographs are transferred to a computer, and the capability of many of them to take video, you can have the task completed in very little time. If your digital cannot take video, either use your video camera or borrow someone's for an afternoon. While a typical film camera can also be used, you must then scan each photo into your computer before storing it on the DVD. While this is viable, it could take a large amount of time to accomplish in comparison to using a digital and downloading the pictures directly.
Simply take a walk through each level and room, narrating as you go. If you do have a scanner, you can add simple scanned images of any paperwork and documents that you feel will be a help in just such a situation. Insurance forms, sales slips, records of authentication, birth, and marriage certificates, etc. While a copy such as this may not be legally binding, it is often good enough to get the ball rolling on claims until you can get an authorized copy elsewhere, and if disaster strikes, your hard copy DVD can be used to print this documentation as needed.
While this may seem like a lot of work, consider the time you would have to spend after a disaster, trying to remember everything that was in your home, and the value of different items. With a visual record, it will be much easier to complete any forms your insurance company will want filed. Just tell yourself that the more prepared you are, the less likely it will be that you will ever need any of it, but if a worst case scenario happens, you can save yourself a lot of headaches by a simple visit to your safe deposit box.
When I think there is nothing else new left for me to do with my digital camera, I find something that I never thought of. My mother-in-law has an extensive collection of Bradford Exchange plates and other collectibles of similar fashion. Wanting to create a recording of the collection in its entirety, we snapped photographs of each plate, front, and back, and stored the photographs on a DVD for future reference. This DVD is now stored in her safe deposit box, in case of a house fire or other disaster. She also had me make a duplicate and store it at my house for quick access.
Besides her collection of plates, we also took snapshots of various other collectibles and common items also, such as her television, DVD player, washer, dryer, bedroom set, and dining room table. Besides the still photos, we also took a small walk around the house with a video camera, creating a record of the entire house's contents. We also saved this to the same DVD, in hopes that if it a disaster ever did occur, she at least now has a record of what would be in need of replacing. I plan to create a similar log of my own house and collections. With insurance costs rising like everything else in life, it cannot hurt to have a clear record of your home's interior for your insurance company.
A fancy camera is not required to complete this task, but a digital will make it much easier. With the ease that digital photographs are transferred to a computer, and the capability of many of them to take video, you can have the task completed in very little time. If your digital cannot take video, either use your video camera or borrow someone's for an afternoon. While a typical film camera can also be used, you must then scan each photo into your computer before storing it on the DVD. While this is viable, it could take a large amount of time to accomplish in comparison to using a digital and downloading the pictures directly.
Simply take a walk through each level and room, narrating as you go. If you do have a scanner, you can add simple scanned images of any paperwork and documents that you feel will be a help in just such a situation. Insurance forms, sales slips, records of authentication, birth, and marriage certificates, etc. While a copy such as this may not be legally binding, it is often good enough to get the ball rolling on claims until you can get an authorized copy elsewhere, and if disaster strikes, your hard copy DVD can be used to print this documentation as needed.
While this may seem like a lot of work, consider the time you would have to spend after a disaster, trying to remember everything that was in your home, and the value of different items. With a visual record, it will be much easier to complete any forms your insurance company will want filed. Just tell yourself that the more prepared you are, the less likely it will be that you will ever need any of it, but if a worst case scenario happens, you can save yourself a lot of headaches by a simple visit to your safe deposit box.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
The Power of Digital Cameras
These days, digital cameras are relatively cheap. You can get a basic 3.0 megapixel digital camera for less than $100 at many stores. I think that 3.0 megapixels is the lowest you can go and still get decent, printable pictures. If you don't have a digital camera yet, I don't know what you are waiting for! These products are so useful that even if you are dedicated to using film for your photos and snapshots, you should still have a digital camera on hand for use in a variety of situations. Digital cameras are not just for vacation pictures; they are very powerful tools that can be used to make everyday life a bit simpler.
I know several people who have two or more digital cameras. They have a good one that they use for their important photo-taking events like birthdays, Christmas, vacations, etc. Then they have a cheap one that they keep in the glove compartment of their car. This is a great idea that will help you capture unexpected shots that you would otherwise miss. For example, one of my friends got into a fender bender, and used his digital camera to take his own photos of the accident scene. He was able to turn these photos in to his insurance company on the same day. Not having to wait for the police department to send the photos meant that my friend's insurance company paid his claim a lot faster.
Some people have found a digital camera to be very useful on the job, as well. My husband keeps one of our old digital cameras in his desk drawer at work so that he can photograph the results of various mishaps that take place out on the manufacturing floor of his company. A picture is worth a thousand words, so instead of typing up long reports like he used to have to do, my husband now takes several pictures of whatever problem crops up and then just adds a few explanatory captions. This method is easier on everyone involved in the chain of command.
I also have a friend who is in the middle of writing her third book. For her previous two efforts, she spent a lot of time researching locations. She took pictures with her old film camera and also had to record her thoughts and impressions about each place in a spiral notebook. She decided to forget about her old ways and go digital for this new book. Instead of photographing each location and ending up with a bunch of still pictures, she used the movie mode on her camera as she walked around each place. That way she got moving pictures with a soundtrack of her first impressions all on the same medium. It's much easier to watch a movie and listen to her own narrative as the movie plays out than to sort through pictures, try to put them in order, and then try to figure out which of her notes correspond to which pictures.
As you can see, digital cameras are very powerful tools that can be used more often than a few times a year on special occasions. Bring your digital camera long with you when you go about your regular daily routine and see what new things you can discover!
I know several people who have two or more digital cameras. They have a good one that they use for their important photo-taking events like birthdays, Christmas, vacations, etc. Then they have a cheap one that they keep in the glove compartment of their car. This is a great idea that will help you capture unexpected shots that you would otherwise miss. For example, one of my friends got into a fender bender, and used his digital camera to take his own photos of the accident scene. He was able to turn these photos in to his insurance company on the same day. Not having to wait for the police department to send the photos meant that my friend's insurance company paid his claim a lot faster.
Some people have found a digital camera to be very useful on the job, as well. My husband keeps one of our old digital cameras in his desk drawer at work so that he can photograph the results of various mishaps that take place out on the manufacturing floor of his company. A picture is worth a thousand words, so instead of typing up long reports like he used to have to do, my husband now takes several pictures of whatever problem crops up and then just adds a few explanatory captions. This method is easier on everyone involved in the chain of command.
I also have a friend who is in the middle of writing her third book. For her previous two efforts, she spent a lot of time researching locations. She took pictures with her old film camera and also had to record her thoughts and impressions about each place in a spiral notebook. She decided to forget about her old ways and go digital for this new book. Instead of photographing each location and ending up with a bunch of still pictures, she used the movie mode on her camera as she walked around each place. That way she got moving pictures with a soundtrack of her first impressions all on the same medium. It's much easier to watch a movie and listen to her own narrative as the movie plays out than to sort through pictures, try to put them in order, and then try to figure out which of her notes correspond to which pictures.
As you can see, digital cameras are very powerful tools that can be used more often than a few times a year on special occasions. Bring your digital camera long with you when you go about your regular daily routine and see what new things you can discover!
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Making your Photographs Pop in your Scrapbook
By Christina VanGinkel
I had not touched my scrapbook work in about a week, when I pulled out a few pages this past Thursday that had been bothering me. More or less done, they seemed to be missing some core element in their design. One, that had been created this past spring, was of my youngest son on the ski hill this past winter. I had used two photos, one of him getting of the chairlift, and one of him out in the terrain park practicing a jump with his snowboard. I also had his season ski pass and a sticker with a fun saying, along with various snowflakes.
What was wrong with it? It was dull, as dull as a scrapbook page could be. Each time I looked at it. It was as if it felt ok, but that was it, just ok. It was somewhat blah actually. Though I had looked at it numerous times, it was not until this time that I realized two blaring errors that I had created when I made the page, one, that it did not have a title, and two, for a page that was all about action, it was lacking color and motions.
The first was fixed relatively easily, and it partially corrected the second error at the same time. I created a simple title, by tracing the word snow on red cardstock and cutting out the letters individually. I used red, because my son's jacket he is wearing in the photographs is predominantly red. With a whole lot of white snow in the remaining parts of the photos, red seemed like the logical color choice. I applied the title in a downward slope, starting at the top left side of the page; I affixed the letter 'S', moved to the right and down a bit, and affixed the letter 'N'. I repeated this for the remaining two letters, drawing the viewer's eyes to the meaning of the word as much as the word itself.
To continue in this theme of color and movement, I again used the red cardstock and made mats for each of the pictures. I already had them applied to a piece of homemade blue paper, but they just somewhat laid there. The red matting behind each one really made them pop from the page, and they showed off the red of his jacket, really drawing your eye into the pictures themselves.
Did I learn a lesson from this? Yes, I learned to try different colors, besides what I first think go with a photograph. I had chosen blue, as I felt it was a nice compliment to the blue sky and white snow. It matched, but it did not 'work' the photograph nearly as well as the red cardstock matting did. I also learned to consider if movement is part of what your photographs are portraying, and to draw extra attention to that if possible in subtle ways. With it being about him snowboarding, the use of the lettering in the title in a 'falling' motion really worked a lot better than just a small sticker with a phrase on it! Remember that the best parts of scrap booking with photos are the experimentation of how to bring out the best parts of each one.
I had not touched my scrapbook work in about a week, when I pulled out a few pages this past Thursday that had been bothering me. More or less done, they seemed to be missing some core element in their design. One, that had been created this past spring, was of my youngest son on the ski hill this past winter. I had used two photos, one of him getting of the chairlift, and one of him out in the terrain park practicing a jump with his snowboard. I also had his season ski pass and a sticker with a fun saying, along with various snowflakes.
What was wrong with it? It was dull, as dull as a scrapbook page could be. Each time I looked at it. It was as if it felt ok, but that was it, just ok. It was somewhat blah actually. Though I had looked at it numerous times, it was not until this time that I realized two blaring errors that I had created when I made the page, one, that it did not have a title, and two, for a page that was all about action, it was lacking color and motions.
The first was fixed relatively easily, and it partially corrected the second error at the same time. I created a simple title, by tracing the word snow on red cardstock and cutting out the letters individually. I used red, because my son's jacket he is wearing in the photographs is predominantly red. With a whole lot of white snow in the remaining parts of the photos, red seemed like the logical color choice. I applied the title in a downward slope, starting at the top left side of the page; I affixed the letter 'S', moved to the right and down a bit, and affixed the letter 'N'. I repeated this for the remaining two letters, drawing the viewer's eyes to the meaning of the word as much as the word itself.
To continue in this theme of color and movement, I again used the red cardstock and made mats for each of the pictures. I already had them applied to a piece of homemade blue paper, but they just somewhat laid there. The red matting behind each one really made them pop from the page, and they showed off the red of his jacket, really drawing your eye into the pictures themselves.
Did I learn a lesson from this? Yes, I learned to try different colors, besides what I first think go with a photograph. I had chosen blue, as I felt it was a nice compliment to the blue sky and white snow. It matched, but it did not 'work' the photograph nearly as well as the red cardstock matting did. I also learned to consider if movement is part of what your photographs are portraying, and to draw extra attention to that if possible in subtle ways. With it being about him snowboarding, the use of the lettering in the title in a 'falling' motion really worked a lot better than just a small sticker with a phrase on it! Remember that the best parts of scrap booking with photos are the experimentation of how to bring out the best parts of each one.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Photo Blur with a Digital
By Christina VanGinkel
My camera went picture taking this weekend, even though I did not. My daughter and my youngest son used it when their father took them on an excursion that involved trudging through woods and swamp and seeing the occasional black bear. What they brought me home was a camera (still intact!), and a memory card that held over eighty photographs. Of these, about five were useable, while each of the other seventy-five photographs was only useful enough for the delete button.
What was the problem with the majority of the pictures? Blur! Even though my camera has a built-in anti shake technology that I feel works well, it is still a problem when a camera is being used in conditions such as mine was this past weekend. My son also told me that many of the pictures were snapped one right after the other, with no time taken in between for the camera to adjust. As the lighting conditions they were in were rapidly changing from light to dark, literally from footstep to footstep (They were in dark shade from thick brush and heavy tree coverage, with bright sunlight pouring through at different angles), this was also a big issue. Digital cameras, save for the most expensive ones with the highest technology, do not have the fastest shutter response. They need time between shots, plain and simple.
If I could have taken any better pictures than they did, under the same conditions, is negligible. Nevertheless, it still brought to question whether a tripod might be the answer to some of the problem. Now, a large tripod would not be ideal for carrying along in the types of conditions they were in, but a small one that would fit right in the camera bag itself would be ideal. Why I never purchased one before is hard to say. Probably because when I think of using my cameras, I think of them being in my hands, not screwed onto a stand, setting somewhere. I am sure professional photographers have all types of answers to problems such as this, including tripods that can be folded up for easier carrying, but I am thinking budget or i.e., cheap!
A quick search online showed me that I actually had several choices, and all well within the budget I had in mind. Looking through accessories, right here at CamerasAndCameras.com, I clicked on tripods, and found mini tripods less than $10.00! One, a Digital Concepts Silver Mini Tripod with Extension Legs and Tilt Head, retails for about $6.00, and fits any 35mm or digital camera that has a standard tripod socket. Another one, from Quantaray, retails for a mere $3.99! For such a small investment, I may not be able to guarantee 100% perfect pictures, but I am confident that I can raise the useable pictures to more than five out of eighty!
The next time my camera is put to such rugged use, I will at least snap some photographs while attached to a tripod, setting on even ground. If I notice a vast improvement in picture quality, I will be sure to let you know right here.
My camera went picture taking this weekend, even though I did not. My daughter and my youngest son used it when their father took them on an excursion that involved trudging through woods and swamp and seeing the occasional black bear. What they brought me home was a camera (still intact!), and a memory card that held over eighty photographs. Of these, about five were useable, while each of the other seventy-five photographs was only useful enough for the delete button.
What was the problem with the majority of the pictures? Blur! Even though my camera has a built-in anti shake technology that I feel works well, it is still a problem when a camera is being used in conditions such as mine was this past weekend. My son also told me that many of the pictures were snapped one right after the other, with no time taken in between for the camera to adjust. As the lighting conditions they were in were rapidly changing from light to dark, literally from footstep to footstep (They were in dark shade from thick brush and heavy tree coverage, with bright sunlight pouring through at different angles), this was also a big issue. Digital cameras, save for the most expensive ones with the highest technology, do not have the fastest shutter response. They need time between shots, plain and simple.
If I could have taken any better pictures than they did, under the same conditions, is negligible. Nevertheless, it still brought to question whether a tripod might be the answer to some of the problem. Now, a large tripod would not be ideal for carrying along in the types of conditions they were in, but a small one that would fit right in the camera bag itself would be ideal. Why I never purchased one before is hard to say. Probably because when I think of using my cameras, I think of them being in my hands, not screwed onto a stand, setting somewhere. I am sure professional photographers have all types of answers to problems such as this, including tripods that can be folded up for easier carrying, but I am thinking budget or i.e., cheap!
A quick search online showed me that I actually had several choices, and all well within the budget I had in mind. Looking through accessories, right here at CamerasAndCameras.com, I clicked on tripods, and found mini tripods less than $10.00! One, a Digital Concepts Silver Mini Tripod with Extension Legs and Tilt Head, retails for about $6.00, and fits any 35mm or digital camera that has a standard tripod socket. Another one, from Quantaray, retails for a mere $3.99! For such a small investment, I may not be able to guarantee 100% perfect pictures, but I am confident that I can raise the useable pictures to more than five out of eighty!
The next time my camera is put to such rugged use, I will at least snap some photographs while attached to a tripod, setting on even ground. If I notice a vast improvement in picture quality, I will be sure to let you know right here.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Sharing Your Digital Photos
Without a doubt, one of the best features of digital photography is the ease with which your photos can be shared. Prior to the advent of digital cameras, if you wanted to show your vacation pictures to distant family members or friends, you either had to go to the same physical location so you could hand over your photo album, or you had to send the photos through the mail. Either way, you were looking at a time-consuming and often expensive chore.
All of that has changed with the widespread availability of digital cameras. These cameras are so affordable now that almost anyone who wants one can get one. This makes the photo sharing process much easier. Let's take a look at the most common ways to share your digital pictures.
Email
If you only have a couple of pictures to send, then the obvious sharing option is email. Sending photos by email is very fast and convenient. While most people are probably very familiar with email these days, there are still some things you should keep in mind. First, not everyone has a broadband Internet connection, so don't send 10 pictures in a single email. This will make the email take a very long time to load. Second, you should crop and re-size your pictures to get the files down to a more manageable size. Not everyone has a 2GB email account, so the recipients might not appreciate having 50% of their Inbox capacity taken over by pictures of your dog.
Photo Hosting Website
Another great way to share your digital photos is to upload them to a photo hosting website. These are websites that exist for the sole purpose of serving as a storage spot for photos of all kinds. You have to pay for some of the better hosting sites, but you would most likely only need that kind of thing if you are a professional photographer. There are several free photo hosting sites, including PhotoBucket (www.photobucket.com), ImageShack (www.imageshack.us), and Yahoo Photos (http://photos.yahoo.com). These websites remain free by selling other things, like printing services or photo gifts. The nice thing about photo hosting sites is that you can organize your digital pictures into albums. Then you can limit access to your albums to make sure that they are viewed only by the people that you want them to be viewed by. There are a couple of other benefits too, such as slideshow viewing and automatic photo re-sizing.
CD-ROMs
When all else fails, or when you just have a massive amount of photographs to share, you can always burn the images to a CD-ROM. CDs have enormous storage capacity, so you depending on the size of your image files, you can easily fit hundreds of pictures onto a single CD. It only takes a few minutes to burn the CD using a program such as Nero. Then, you just have to distribute the CDs, either in person or through the mail. Finally, your friends or family can view the photos on their computers at their own convenience.
All of that has changed with the widespread availability of digital cameras. These cameras are so affordable now that almost anyone who wants one can get one. This makes the photo sharing process much easier. Let's take a look at the most common ways to share your digital pictures.
If you only have a couple of pictures to send, then the obvious sharing option is email. Sending photos by email is very fast and convenient. While most people are probably very familiar with email these days, there are still some things you should keep in mind. First, not everyone has a broadband Internet connection, so don't send 10 pictures in a single email. This will make the email take a very long time to load. Second, you should crop and re-size your pictures to get the files down to a more manageable size. Not everyone has a 2GB email account, so the recipients might not appreciate having 50% of their Inbox capacity taken over by pictures of your dog.
Photo Hosting Website
Another great way to share your digital photos is to upload them to a photo hosting website. These are websites that exist for the sole purpose of serving as a storage spot for photos of all kinds. You have to pay for some of the better hosting sites, but you would most likely only need that kind of thing if you are a professional photographer. There are several free photo hosting sites, including PhotoBucket (www.photobucket.com), ImageShack (www.imageshack.us), and Yahoo Photos (http://photos.yahoo.com). These websites remain free by selling other things, like printing services or photo gifts. The nice thing about photo hosting sites is that you can organize your digital pictures into albums. Then you can limit access to your albums to make sure that they are viewed only by the people that you want them to be viewed by. There are a couple of other benefits too, such as slideshow viewing and automatic photo re-sizing.
CD-ROMs
When all else fails, or when you just have a massive amount of photographs to share, you can always burn the images to a CD-ROM. CDs have enormous storage capacity, so you depending on the size of your image files, you can easily fit hundreds of pictures onto a single CD. It only takes a few minutes to burn the CD using a program such as Nero. Then, you just have to distribute the CDs, either in person or through the mail. Finally, your friends or family can view the photos on their computers at their own convenience.
A Deal on Photo Paper, Not!
By Christina VanGinkel
Always on the lookout for a deal, I was thrilled when I discovered photo paper for my inkjet printer at the local dollar store. To those of you unfamiliar with dollar stores, everything in the store is either a dollar, or two for a dollar or three for a dollar, even four for a dollar. Meaning nothing in the store is more than a dollar! They are one of my favorite types of stores. Usually, I stop in to grab items such as gift bags, shampoo, even the occasional book or DVD. However, one of the greatest things about dollar stores is that you are never sure what you might find.
Oftentimes the merchandise is manufactured specifically for the store, but sometimes they get closeouts from other stores and then offer that merchandise at the rock bottom price of 'a dollar'. So it was that I found photo paper in both 4" x 6" glossy and matte finishes, plus 8" x 10" in glossy and matte finishes. The 4" x 6" came in packs of twenty, and the 8" x 10" in packs of eight sheets. I grabbed a few packs of each size and each finish, happy with my savings and hardly containing myself on the way home. I could not wait to get home and print some photos I had been putting off because I was out of photo paper, that I wanted to use in a few scrapbook layouts.
For the first photo I printed, I used a sheet of the 4" x 6" glossy paper. The print turned out beautifully! I ended up printing several more in the same size and finish, plus two more 8" x 10", also on the glossy finish. I made a note to myself to stop and pick up some more of the paper before the store sold out, as I figured I would never get another deal like this again anytime soon. The thought of being able to print photos for my scrapbook and other occasions at will was thrilling. With this paper, the cost was minimal when I added the ink and paper together. It was actually coming out cheaper than running to the store and having prints made.
What I did not do though was do a test print on the matte finish. Let us just say that I am glad that most of the paper I purchased was glossy finish, as that is my personal preference, though I do like to print the occasional matte finish photograph, especially when printing in sepia tone or black and white. I new I was going to have a problem the minute I opened a pack of the 4" x 6" matte finish. I could not tell the front from the back. I studied it for quite some time, thought I had it figured out, ran it through my printer, and what I got was a mess. Apparently, I printed on the back of the paper, at least I think I did. The ink did not adhere, and just beaded up and ran off, literally. I tried a second picture, sure that I was printing on the opposite side of the paper than I did the first time. Same results! If you are wondering if I tried it a third time, I did, with the same results. Actually, I tried it a third and fourth time. I removed two sheets at the same time, flipped on over, and ran them both through. Both created a mess.
Inexpensive photo paper can be a deal, and I did purchase more of the glossy paper, but overall I wasted every dollar plus ink use spent on the matte finish. Deals are not what they are always cracked up to be!
Always on the lookout for a deal, I was thrilled when I discovered photo paper for my inkjet printer at the local dollar store. To those of you unfamiliar with dollar stores, everything in the store is either a dollar, or two for a dollar or three for a dollar, even four for a dollar. Meaning nothing in the store is more than a dollar! They are one of my favorite types of stores. Usually, I stop in to grab items such as gift bags, shampoo, even the occasional book or DVD. However, one of the greatest things about dollar stores is that you are never sure what you might find.
Oftentimes the merchandise is manufactured specifically for the store, but sometimes they get closeouts from other stores and then offer that merchandise at the rock bottom price of 'a dollar'. So it was that I found photo paper in both 4" x 6" glossy and matte finishes, plus 8" x 10" in glossy and matte finishes. The 4" x 6" came in packs of twenty, and the 8" x 10" in packs of eight sheets. I grabbed a few packs of each size and each finish, happy with my savings and hardly containing myself on the way home. I could not wait to get home and print some photos I had been putting off because I was out of photo paper, that I wanted to use in a few scrapbook layouts.
For the first photo I printed, I used a sheet of the 4" x 6" glossy paper. The print turned out beautifully! I ended up printing several more in the same size and finish, plus two more 8" x 10", also on the glossy finish. I made a note to myself to stop and pick up some more of the paper before the store sold out, as I figured I would never get another deal like this again anytime soon. The thought of being able to print photos for my scrapbook and other occasions at will was thrilling. With this paper, the cost was minimal when I added the ink and paper together. It was actually coming out cheaper than running to the store and having prints made.
What I did not do though was do a test print on the matte finish. Let us just say that I am glad that most of the paper I purchased was glossy finish, as that is my personal preference, though I do like to print the occasional matte finish photograph, especially when printing in sepia tone or black and white. I new I was going to have a problem the minute I opened a pack of the 4" x 6" matte finish. I could not tell the front from the back. I studied it for quite some time, thought I had it figured out, ran it through my printer, and what I got was a mess. Apparently, I printed on the back of the paper, at least I think I did. The ink did not adhere, and just beaded up and ran off, literally. I tried a second picture, sure that I was printing on the opposite side of the paper than I did the first time. Same results! If you are wondering if I tried it a third time, I did, with the same results. Actually, I tried it a third and fourth time. I removed two sheets at the same time, flipped on over, and ran them both through. Both created a mess.
Inexpensive photo paper can be a deal, and I did purchase more of the glossy paper, but overall I wasted every dollar plus ink use spent on the matte finish. Deals are not what they are always cracked up to be!
Photography Along the I95 Corridor
If you are driving I95 from somewhere in the northeast to Florida, there are many places along the way to not only stretch but also to get some photography done as you are doing that stretching.
Starting in Virginia, you may want to get off the beaten path for a short distance and take a drive along the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I don't need to mention how spectacular the views are from here, and even from ground level you will get some magnificent shots of the mountains.
I95 will be taking you directly through the Richmond area so be sure to stop at some of the Civil War monuments and battlefield. Do your research ahead of time because there are many things to see and photograph around Richmond for history buffs.
Not too far away, and also Civil War related is the Fredericksburg / Spotsylvania / Chancellorsville / Wilderness area. Numerous battles took place in this area so if you have time for the stop, there are things like monuments and cannons to photograph and there is a visitor center. Be sure to walk behind the visitor center to see where Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson fell in May of 1863.
Between North and South Carolina, right at the border at a place called Dillon, S.C. be sure to stop at the place many I95 travelers stop for a rest and a smile. It is called Pedro's South of the Border and you will be able to get some novelty shots here. One example is the gigantic gorilla statue. He is wearing a tee shirt. This would be for a few fun shots, not necessarily serious photography, but everyone driving the corridor needs a break, and you will be able to grab food here, too, Mexican or all-American fare.
Don't even bother putting your camera away while driving through Georgia. It is one of my favorite views along I95 and you will be seeing some great opportunities to pull off to the exits for some great pictures. (That is very important, *DO* pull off only at safe places where you can step out in total safety or don't do it at all. I95 is generally very busy at all times, so I am certainly NOT suggesting you pull off of the interstate itself!)
In addition to swampland and many rivers, there are lovely views of marshes, etc. If you did not have a chance to stop for photos while driving through the state, take a little time to pull off at the Brunswick and Golden Isles exit. Brunswick itself has some great things to photograph including the ocean, and when you are traveling to the Golden Isles (St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, etc.) you will be seeing much marshland including the infamous Marshes of Glynn.
When I95 takes you into Florida, you can take exits for some excellent photo opportunities. These include St. Augustine (America's oldest city); Daytona Beach, and the Space Coast which includes NASA. Any of these places would make a tremendous stop for a day or two. Be sure to have plenty of film for your regular cameras or extra cards for the digital cameras for this road trip. Many of these places are fantastic for video if you are also using your camcorder.
Starting in Virginia, you may want to get off the beaten path for a short distance and take a drive along the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I don't need to mention how spectacular the views are from here, and even from ground level you will get some magnificent shots of the mountains.
I95 will be taking you directly through the Richmond area so be sure to stop at some of the Civil War monuments and battlefield. Do your research ahead of time because there are many things to see and photograph around Richmond for history buffs.
Not too far away, and also Civil War related is the Fredericksburg / Spotsylvania / Chancellorsville / Wilderness area. Numerous battles took place in this area so if you have time for the stop, there are things like monuments and cannons to photograph and there is a visitor center. Be sure to walk behind the visitor center to see where Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson fell in May of 1863.
Between North and South Carolina, right at the border at a place called Dillon, S.C. be sure to stop at the place many I95 travelers stop for a rest and a smile. It is called Pedro's South of the Border and you will be able to get some novelty shots here. One example is the gigantic gorilla statue. He is wearing a tee shirt. This would be for a few fun shots, not necessarily serious photography, but everyone driving the corridor needs a break, and you will be able to grab food here, too, Mexican or all-American fare.
Don't even bother putting your camera away while driving through Georgia. It is one of my favorite views along I95 and you will be seeing some great opportunities to pull off to the exits for some great pictures. (That is very important, *DO* pull off only at safe places where you can step out in total safety or don't do it at all. I95 is generally very busy at all times, so I am certainly NOT suggesting you pull off of the interstate itself!)
In addition to swampland and many rivers, there are lovely views of marshes, etc. If you did not have a chance to stop for photos while driving through the state, take a little time to pull off at the Brunswick and Golden Isles exit. Brunswick itself has some great things to photograph including the ocean, and when you are traveling to the Golden Isles (St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, etc.) you will be seeing much marshland including the infamous Marshes of Glynn.
When I95 takes you into Florida, you can take exits for some excellent photo opportunities. These include St. Augustine (America's oldest city); Daytona Beach, and the Space Coast which includes NASA. Any of these places would make a tremendous stop for a day or two. Be sure to have plenty of film for your regular cameras or extra cards for the digital cameras for this road trip. Many of these places are fantastic for video if you are also using your camcorder.
Photography Class
By Christina VanGinkel
I ran into a friend a few weeks back that I have not seen in a while. As we were talking, her husband became a topic of our conversation. Once owners of a small local paper, he was always known for his great photography. I asked her if he ever taught any photography classes, as I would love to take a class taught by someone that I know personally, who takes great photos.
He not only teaches, he teaches across a broad range of ages. So far this summer, he has taught a one-day class for young kids at the local library on the basics of photography, from how to turn on a camera, finding your subject in the lens, to using a zoom lens. He also taught an evening class at a local college for adults that ran over the course of several weeks.
As with anything I do lately, if I am considering purchasing something, going somewhere, or taking part in an activity, I end up researching it thoroughly before I actually do it. This was no different. Once we got to talking about his classes, it made me realize that I would love to take a photography class. My problem would be finding the time to fit such a class into my schedule. I could always look for an online course I thought to myself. A few days later, when I was online browsing for ink for my photo printer, an ad on the side of my search page popped up for an online photography class. Glancing at the not I had made to myself about just such a possibility, I clicked on the link.
What I discovered was a class set up like a virtual classroom. Students would meet online to follow a course (Depending on what level you considered yourself to be, which you were aided in figuring out by a set of guidelines) over a time span of 4 to 8 weeks, depending on which class you joined. Group size also varied, from 10 to 40. Classes were broken down into numerous headings, such as creating visual punch in your photographs to photo journalism. Classes that are more basic were also offered, such as using your new digital, to using your photo printer. Each class followed a course, as stated above, but they were also listed as self-paced. Each assignment is emailed to the class members, along with an actual photo assignment. You in turn will email your photos taken for the assignment back to the instructor for one on one feedback. You can work on your lessons during the week at a time that is convenient to you, and email questions to the instructor to be answered in a timely fashion. If you want more of a classroom feel, there is a forum where questions can be asked and answered for all class members to see.
Prices for these online classes are comparative to an in person class at our local college, ranging from just under $200 to over $400. I still have not decided on a course, I never knew there were so many options. I wonder if the library offers another class for kids if they would notice an adult observing quietly from the back!
I ran into a friend a few weeks back that I have not seen in a while. As we were talking, her husband became a topic of our conversation. Once owners of a small local paper, he was always known for his great photography. I asked her if he ever taught any photography classes, as I would love to take a class taught by someone that I know personally, who takes great photos.
He not only teaches, he teaches across a broad range of ages. So far this summer, he has taught a one-day class for young kids at the local library on the basics of photography, from how to turn on a camera, finding your subject in the lens, to using a zoom lens. He also taught an evening class at a local college for adults that ran over the course of several weeks.
As with anything I do lately, if I am considering purchasing something, going somewhere, or taking part in an activity, I end up researching it thoroughly before I actually do it. This was no different. Once we got to talking about his classes, it made me realize that I would love to take a photography class. My problem would be finding the time to fit such a class into my schedule. I could always look for an online course I thought to myself. A few days later, when I was online browsing for ink for my photo printer, an ad on the side of my search page popped up for an online photography class. Glancing at the not I had made to myself about just such a possibility, I clicked on the link.
What I discovered was a class set up like a virtual classroom. Students would meet online to follow a course (Depending on what level you considered yourself to be, which you were aided in figuring out by a set of guidelines) over a time span of 4 to 8 weeks, depending on which class you joined. Group size also varied, from 10 to 40. Classes were broken down into numerous headings, such as creating visual punch in your photographs to photo journalism. Classes that are more basic were also offered, such as using your new digital, to using your photo printer. Each class followed a course, as stated above, but they were also listed as self-paced. Each assignment is emailed to the class members, along with an actual photo assignment. You in turn will email your photos taken for the assignment back to the instructor for one on one feedback. You can work on your lessons during the week at a time that is convenient to you, and email questions to the instructor to be answered in a timely fashion. If you want more of a classroom feel, there is a forum where questions can be asked and answered for all class members to see.
Prices for these online classes are comparative to an in person class at our local college, ranging from just under $200 to over $400. I still have not decided on a course, I never knew there were so many options. I wonder if the library offers another class for kids if they would notice an adult observing quietly from the back!
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Family Holiday Photo Cards
By Christina VanGinkel
In all my years of fascination with cameras and taking an uncountable number of pictures, the one thing I have never done is to take a family photo for a Christmas card. This is the year.
Last year, we received no less than half a dozen photo cards from friends that were absolutely the trendiest cards we received. Even though every picture, save for one, was obviously taken during the preceding fall or summer, each one was the nicest way for those families to share their Christmas spirit with others. They let the recipients know that they had planned long before Christmas for the occasion. One card showed a family in matching holiday shirts, standing on a local bridge, smiling away. That it was fall, when the picture was snapped was of no consequence, as their outfits clearly spoke 'the holidays'.
Two others showed the givers families obviously on vacation (one family was in Hawaii!), yet each family member was holding something holiday oriented, a small ring of garland, some Christmas lights, etc., to show the recipients that they were definitely thinking about the holidays when they posed for the snapshot. A lot of planning obviously went into the taking of these photographs for use on their holiday cards. Planning that later spoke of their obvious joy in sharing the holiday spirit.
I normally think of doing a family photo card somewhere towards the end of November or the beginning of December. Living where I do, that corresponds with temperatures already well below zero. Getting my family together for a photo session outside would mean you might get them all together, but once everyone was bundled up, you would not be able to tell who was who underneath all the coats and scarves. As to taking a photograph indoors, I have thought of that, even one in front of the Christmas tree (we put ours up early every year as my husband loves the holiday season and he is of the opinion that it is not officially the Christmas season until the tree is up), but we never seem to do it.
So this is the year that I have designated the year we will finally send out photo greeting cards. I have my new camera, my own photo printer (though I may choose to have them printed at a store such as Shutterfly as they have such an assortment of borders and at prices that I know I can't beat, even with my own printer). With it only being August, I have plenty of time to coordinate everyone all together for a family snapshot. I have informed my daughter that when they take a trip home early this fall, we will be taking the photograph then. Our area is known for its beautiful fall foliage, so I just have to come up with something that will echo Christmas when the photo is taken. My camera also has a timer, but I am going to ask a friend to take the photos, as I would like to have several photographs taken, especially if I am going to talk everyone into getting all dressed up. I can hardly wait!
In all my years of fascination with cameras and taking an uncountable number of pictures, the one thing I have never done is to take a family photo for a Christmas card. This is the year.
Last year, we received no less than half a dozen photo cards from friends that were absolutely the trendiest cards we received. Even though every picture, save for one, was obviously taken during the preceding fall or summer, each one was the nicest way for those families to share their Christmas spirit with others. They let the recipients know that they had planned long before Christmas for the occasion. One card showed a family in matching holiday shirts, standing on a local bridge, smiling away. That it was fall, when the picture was snapped was of no consequence, as their outfits clearly spoke 'the holidays'.
Two others showed the givers families obviously on vacation (one family was in Hawaii!), yet each family member was holding something holiday oriented, a small ring of garland, some Christmas lights, etc., to show the recipients that they were definitely thinking about the holidays when they posed for the snapshot. A lot of planning obviously went into the taking of these photographs for use on their holiday cards. Planning that later spoke of their obvious joy in sharing the holiday spirit.
I normally think of doing a family photo card somewhere towards the end of November or the beginning of December. Living where I do, that corresponds with temperatures already well below zero. Getting my family together for a photo session outside would mean you might get them all together, but once everyone was bundled up, you would not be able to tell who was who underneath all the coats and scarves. As to taking a photograph indoors, I have thought of that, even one in front of the Christmas tree (we put ours up early every year as my husband loves the holiday season and he is of the opinion that it is not officially the Christmas season until the tree is up), but we never seem to do it.
So this is the year that I have designated the year we will finally send out photo greeting cards. I have my new camera, my own photo printer (though I may choose to have them printed at a store such as Shutterfly as they have such an assortment of borders and at prices that I know I can't beat, even with my own printer). With it only being August, I have plenty of time to coordinate everyone all together for a family snapshot. I have informed my daughter that when they take a trip home early this fall, we will be taking the photograph then. Our area is known for its beautiful fall foliage, so I just have to come up with something that will echo Christmas when the photo is taken. My camera also has a timer, but I am going to ask a friend to take the photos, as I would like to have several photographs taken, especially if I am going to talk everyone into getting all dressed up. I can hardly wait!
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Family Photos
by Christina VanGinkel
The walls in our newly renovated living room are covered mostly with family photographs, but to keep from crowding the walls though, we kept our photographs in groups, situating them together in areas that still allow the room's decor itself to show. One grouping consists of a mix of family photos dating back to when my two oldest children were small. Baby picture, pictures of family vacations, one of four of us, minus my oldest son, holding an alligator at an alligator ranch in the mountains of Colorado! Others show our oldest in action on his motorcycle and of him smiling over his birthday cake. Anything in this grouping goes, as long as it is a core family picture.
The next grouping of pictures is of our youngest son doing what he loves best, and that is playing football. A few team photos, and several close-ups. My favorite in this group is of him being interviewed for television the second time he played at the dome. With football season kicking into gear just this week, I hope to add several more photos to this group in the coming months. I am also going to include one of him in front of the Green Bay Packer's field that was taken this past weekend when we surprised him with a tour of the stadium and field.
The next grouping of photographs consists again of a mixture of photographs. Predominantly family photos again, the majority of these are from the past two years and many include our first grandson. There are portraits and action shots, such as the one of my twelve year old in mid air taking his KX100 over a jump. Another shows my grandson sitting amid a pile of candy filled eggs on his first Easter egg hunt. Yet other shows him in his very own miniature recliner, that his grandpa said last Christmas just would not be complete without! A portrait studio shot photograph of our daughter, her husband, and our grandson, and a similar styled portrait shot photo of our youngest son.
Our fourth and final grouping consists of photographs of our grandson taken recently. One of him fishing (at the age of two he already casts and reels in his own pole, and is learning to both bait the hook and take off his catch!). One shows him walking on the oceanfront in North Carolina, and yet another shows him and his pet hamster Brownie. The newest addition, a close-up of him in a swing at the local park, from just a few weekends ago when he came for a visit.
We still have two large areas of wall space that we intend to turn into groupings of photographs. Call us camera happy if you will, but we are enjoying creating some groupings to share with family and friends that come into our home, as much as we enjoyed taking the original photographs! If you have a box or two of photographs, or memory cards filled to capacity with new ones, take the time to sort through them and pick the best of the best, plus a few of the ones that are just plain fun, and get them framed. What better way to create wall art in your home than with your very own family.
The walls in our newly renovated living room are covered mostly with family photographs, but to keep from crowding the walls though, we kept our photographs in groups, situating them together in areas that still allow the room's decor itself to show. One grouping consists of a mix of family photos dating back to when my two oldest children were small. Baby picture, pictures of family vacations, one of four of us, minus my oldest son, holding an alligator at an alligator ranch in the mountains of Colorado! Others show our oldest in action on his motorcycle and of him smiling over his birthday cake. Anything in this grouping goes, as long as it is a core family picture.
The next grouping of pictures is of our youngest son doing what he loves best, and that is playing football. A few team photos, and several close-ups. My favorite in this group is of him being interviewed for television the second time he played at the dome. With football season kicking into gear just this week, I hope to add several more photos to this group in the coming months. I am also going to include one of him in front of the Green Bay Packer's field that was taken this past weekend when we surprised him with a tour of the stadium and field.
The next grouping of photographs consists again of a mixture of photographs. Predominantly family photos again, the majority of these are from the past two years and many include our first grandson. There are portraits and action shots, such as the one of my twelve year old in mid air taking his KX100 over a jump. Another shows my grandson sitting amid a pile of candy filled eggs on his first Easter egg hunt. Yet other shows him in his very own miniature recliner, that his grandpa said last Christmas just would not be complete without! A portrait studio shot photograph of our daughter, her husband, and our grandson, and a similar styled portrait shot photo of our youngest son.
Our fourth and final grouping consists of photographs of our grandson taken recently. One of him fishing (at the age of two he already casts and reels in his own pole, and is learning to both bait the hook and take off his catch!). One shows him walking on the oceanfront in North Carolina, and yet another shows him and his pet hamster Brownie. The newest addition, a close-up of him in a swing at the local park, from just a few weekends ago when he came for a visit.
We still have two large areas of wall space that we intend to turn into groupings of photographs. Call us camera happy if you will, but we are enjoying creating some groupings to share with family and friends that come into our home, as much as we enjoyed taking the original photographs! If you have a box or two of photographs, or memory cards filled to capacity with new ones, take the time to sort through them and pick the best of the best, plus a few of the ones that are just plain fun, and get them framed. What better way to create wall art in your home than with your very own family.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
A Quick Look at the Nikon D70
Digital cameras are getting more and more affordable by the day. This is true for both point-and-shoot models, which I think a majority of people use for family and vacation snapshots, and for SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras, which most people use for more serious photographic endeavors. If you don't own a digital camera, or are thinking about getting a new one, here are some points to consider about the Nikon D70. Please bear in mind that I am not a professional photographer. These are simply opinions based on my personal experience as a D70 owner. Your results may vary.
Unless you are pretty well-off, most people would first set a price range before looking at specific camera models. With a camera like the D70, there are two distinct ways of making the purchase. First, you can buy the body alone; that is, without a lens. This will set you back about $900. What are you going to do with a camera body and no lens? Well, Nikon cameras are made to accept all Nikon lenses. So if you have a couple of Nikon lenses left over from your film days, you're in luck!
The second route you can take is to purchase the so-called D70 kit. When you purchase a kit, you get a lens along with the camera body. I think there are a couple of different kits with different lenses out there. I happened to buy the kit that contained the Nikor 18-70mm zoom lens. The cost of this kit was about $1400 nearly a year ago, but I've seen the same kit offered for less than $1200 these days. Again, prices are going down.
Most photographers who plan on using the D70 for professional purposes will buy additional lenses that cost thousands of dollars. But amateur photographers don't have to worry about that. You can get great, high-quality pictures from your D70 with the kit lens. The kit lens I mentioned above will suit most of your picture-taking needs with very little post-processing involved. The performance of the camera is unmatched for the relatively low price that you pay. You can adjust the D70 settings to ensure that you get well-lit pictures with crisp colors and sharp focusing right out of the box.
Speaking of the D70 settings, there are so many things you can adjust that there's no way I can cover them all here. The best thing for you to do would be to read the extensive owner's manual for advice on things like how to set your white balance and how to use the exposure metering system for the specific shooting conditions you expect to encounter. Knowing what the different settings mean and when to switch them up will allow you to take even better pictures than if you just kept all the settings on "automatic."
All in all, if you are ready to make the leap to a digital SLR camera, you won't be disappointed with the great performance, low price, and versatility of the Nikon D70.
Unless you are pretty well-off, most people would first set a price range before looking at specific camera models. With a camera like the D70, there are two distinct ways of making the purchase. First, you can buy the body alone; that is, without a lens. This will set you back about $900. What are you going to do with a camera body and no lens? Well, Nikon cameras are made to accept all Nikon lenses. So if you have a couple of Nikon lenses left over from your film days, you're in luck!
The second route you can take is to purchase the so-called D70 kit. When you purchase a kit, you get a lens along with the camera body. I think there are a couple of different kits with different lenses out there. I happened to buy the kit that contained the Nikor 18-70mm zoom lens. The cost of this kit was about $1400 nearly a year ago, but I've seen the same kit offered for less than $1200 these days. Again, prices are going down.
Most photographers who plan on using the D70 for professional purposes will buy additional lenses that cost thousands of dollars. But amateur photographers don't have to worry about that. You can get great, high-quality pictures from your D70 with the kit lens. The kit lens I mentioned above will suit most of your picture-taking needs with very little post-processing involved. The performance of the camera is unmatched for the relatively low price that you pay. You can adjust the D70 settings to ensure that you get well-lit pictures with crisp colors and sharp focusing right out of the box.
Speaking of the D70 settings, there are so many things you can adjust that there's no way I can cover them all here. The best thing for you to do would be to read the extensive owner's manual for advice on things like how to set your white balance and how to use the exposure metering system for the specific shooting conditions you expect to encounter. Knowing what the different settings mean and when to switch them up will allow you to take even better pictures than if you just kept all the settings on "automatic."
All in all, if you are ready to make the leap to a digital SLR camera, you won't be disappointed with the great performance, low price, and versatility of the Nikon D70.
Photo Gifts for the Holidays
by Christina VanGinkel
My upcoming holiday shopping listing is growing, and at a surprisingly fast rate. My mother-in-law is always difficult to buy for, but when browsing the Shutterfly site online, I think I found the perfect idea for what to get her. They have aprons that can be decorated with the photo of your choosing. They also have coasters, magnets, coffee mugs, and tote bags, besides several more items, that can all be personalized.
She spends a lot of time in the kitchen, so I figure if I order her an apron with a photo collage of all the grandkids and great-grandkids, not only will it be useful, it will be fun to wear and a conversation starter whenever she has company over for dinner. Just about any photo editing software will allow you to create a collage of different pictures and save it as one single photo. You then follow the instructions at Shutterfly (or other similar site that offers personalized gifts) on how to upload your photographs and any personalization's you want added, and ordering looks to be quite simple and clear-cut. The tote bag could be given with the apron inside, and decorated with the same picture. She shops a lot, often for just an item or two, and the tote bag would be perfect for those quick trips or for carrying books or magazines whenever she is going somewhere that she may have to sit and wait for a while, such as the doctor's office.
I also think it would be nice to order her a set of coffee mugs with each one a background for individual photos of each of the grandkids and great grandkids. I could actually give the set to both her and my father-in-law, as they are both big coffee drinkers. Along with a matching set of magnets to hang on the fridge, and a set of coaster for when they head to the living room to enjoy their coffee in front of their fireplace. I think together they would make an ideal gift.
When I told my husband about the idea, he liked it, but suggested not using the same grandchild theme for the set of mugs and coasters that we would be given to both his mother and father. He suggested instead that I look through the old photographs she passed on to me a few years ago, and pick out some of those. A perfect suggestion, as there are photographs of both sets of grandparents, along with photos of my husband, and his brothers when they were little, now those are conversation starters!
With all these old photographs stirring up ideas, I think I will also have calendars made for each household. In addition, one particular photograph of my husband's grandfather, that I remember being in the stack of photographs my mother-in-law gave us, of him dressed in authentic western gear from when he traveled on horseback from Wyoming back to Wisconsin, will be used to make t-shirts for all the kids. I can hardly wait to get started!
My upcoming holiday shopping listing is growing, and at a surprisingly fast rate. My mother-in-law is always difficult to buy for, but when browsing the Shutterfly site online, I think I found the perfect idea for what to get her. They have aprons that can be decorated with the photo of your choosing. They also have coasters, magnets, coffee mugs, and tote bags, besides several more items, that can all be personalized.
She spends a lot of time in the kitchen, so I figure if I order her an apron with a photo collage of all the grandkids and great-grandkids, not only will it be useful, it will be fun to wear and a conversation starter whenever she has company over for dinner. Just about any photo editing software will allow you to create a collage of different pictures and save it as one single photo. You then follow the instructions at Shutterfly (or other similar site that offers personalized gifts) on how to upload your photographs and any personalization's you want added, and ordering looks to be quite simple and clear-cut. The tote bag could be given with the apron inside, and decorated with the same picture. She shops a lot, often for just an item or two, and the tote bag would be perfect for those quick trips or for carrying books or magazines whenever she is going somewhere that she may have to sit and wait for a while, such as the doctor's office.
I also think it would be nice to order her a set of coffee mugs with each one a background for individual photos of each of the grandkids and great grandkids. I could actually give the set to both her and my father-in-law, as they are both big coffee drinkers. Along with a matching set of magnets to hang on the fridge, and a set of coaster for when they head to the living room to enjoy their coffee in front of their fireplace. I think together they would make an ideal gift.
When I told my husband about the idea, he liked it, but suggested not using the same grandchild theme for the set of mugs and coasters that we would be given to both his mother and father. He suggested instead that I look through the old photographs she passed on to me a few years ago, and pick out some of those. A perfect suggestion, as there are photographs of both sets of grandparents, along with photos of my husband, and his brothers when they were little, now those are conversation starters!
With all these old photographs stirring up ideas, I think I will also have calendars made for each household. In addition, one particular photograph of my husband's grandfather, that I remember being in the stack of photographs my mother-in-law gave us, of him dressed in authentic western gear from when he traveled on horseback from Wyoming back to Wisconsin, will be used to make t-shirts for all the kids. I can hardly wait to get started!
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Snapshots at Packer Training Camp
by Christina VanGinkel
I gave my new camera, a Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5, with its 12 optic zoom, a real workout this past weekend. My husband, youngest son, and I went to see the Green Bay Packers football training camp. Open to the public, the public is what was there. The fence surrounding the training field was so lined with people we wondered if we would even be able to see anything, let alone get any pictures. After parking our truck across the street in the parking lot of the stadium itself, we headed across the street to the crowded fence. One thing to keep in mind is football fans are friendly by nature and the people crowding the fence were more than willing to let those situated in the back up close, especially kids. I managed to snap a few photos, but then handed my son my camera, having had him leave his at home, and told him to snap away.
So easy is the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 to take pictures with, he soon had several photos of the players in practice, including their star player, Brett Favre. With the optic zoom, he was able to zoom in on the action, and he ended up with several photographs that look as if he was standing right on the field next to the players. Keep in mind my son is a huge fan of football in general, and I am sure he was more busy watching the practice than he was making sure he was getting anything suitable in the viewfinder. Still, he came away from the fence with some shots that were not only good, but also good enough to blow up and frame for his bedroom walls.
From the practice field outdoors, we next headed inside the Lambeau Field Atrium where we participated in a paid tour of the recently renovated stadium and atrium. The tour took us up into a private skybox, where we again snapped some photos. From the skybox, we went down into the depths of the stadium, right through the tunnel where the Green Bay Packers themselves come out of to enter the field. Again, snapping photos. From outside, to in a room with a glass wall and bright lights, to an underground area that housed the tunnel, all with different lighting conditions, and we snapped photographs in all of these. All with the automatic setting, I might add, as we are still not adapting at setting our own.
We ended up with a good assortment of photographs. A few would have been improved if we had used the flash, but even those looked good enough to print when we took advantage of our computer's photo enhancing software and applied some fill light. The 12 optic zoom, as I mentioned before, provided the perfect range for giving the allusion that we were closer to the action than we were. Along with all the opportunities, we had for taking photos, we were provided with more than enough photographs to record what a memorable weekend it was!
I gave my new camera, a Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5, with its 12 optic zoom, a real workout this past weekend. My husband, youngest son, and I went to see the Green Bay Packers football training camp. Open to the public, the public is what was there. The fence surrounding the training field was so lined with people we wondered if we would even be able to see anything, let alone get any pictures. After parking our truck across the street in the parking lot of the stadium itself, we headed across the street to the crowded fence. One thing to keep in mind is football fans are friendly by nature and the people crowding the fence were more than willing to let those situated in the back up close, especially kids. I managed to snap a few photos, but then handed my son my camera, having had him leave his at home, and told him to snap away.
So easy is the Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z5 to take pictures with, he soon had several photos of the players in practice, including their star player, Brett Favre. With the optic zoom, he was able to zoom in on the action, and he ended up with several photographs that look as if he was standing right on the field next to the players. Keep in mind my son is a huge fan of football in general, and I am sure he was more busy watching the practice than he was making sure he was getting anything suitable in the viewfinder. Still, he came away from the fence with some shots that were not only good, but also good enough to blow up and frame for his bedroom walls.
From the practice field outdoors, we next headed inside the Lambeau Field Atrium where we participated in a paid tour of the recently renovated stadium and atrium. The tour took us up into a private skybox, where we again snapped some photos. From the skybox, we went down into the depths of the stadium, right through the tunnel where the Green Bay Packers themselves come out of to enter the field. Again, snapping photos. From outside, to in a room with a glass wall and bright lights, to an underground area that housed the tunnel, all with different lighting conditions, and we snapped photographs in all of these. All with the automatic setting, I might add, as we are still not adapting at setting our own.
We ended up with a good assortment of photographs. A few would have been improved if we had used the flash, but even those looked good enough to print when we took advantage of our computer's photo enhancing software and applied some fill light. The 12 optic zoom, as I mentioned before, provided the perfect range for giving the allusion that we were closer to the action than we were. Along with all the opportunities, we had for taking photos, we were provided with more than enough photographs to record what a memorable weekend it was!
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