When I was asked if I would like to review the Portrait Pro 12 software package for Lightstalking.com, I got pretty excited. I became excited because – just like you; I like playing with new stuff! On top of that, I take my job seriously. When I’m asked to write a review, I attempt to […]
Camera Gear Articles
All the gear you need to shoot like a pro.
One of the biggest disappointments for photographers last year was Apple’s decision to discontinue its popular Aperture software. For nearly 10 years, Aperture along with its rival Lightroom had created and pushed forward the concept of easy image management. Whilst Adobe came through with a promise to create an Aperture to Lightroom plugin, Apple teased us, ever so slightly, with a new product, Photos. Now that product has hit public beta and we are going to take a brief look at it. As it is a beta, rather than give an opinion, this article will look at some of the feature that should make it into the final version.
As you probably already know, photography isn’t really “one tool fits all” kind of business. The amount of gear you’ll need in order to be able to do everything can be insanely high, thus the cost is high as well. Well, one way to cut down on the cost is to use things that have more than one purpose. Here are some suggestions.
From sunrises, sunsets, desert ranges, majestic mountains to fields of flowers, creating beautiful landscape images can be easy at times, and sometimes difficult. There’s a lot to think about when composing beautiful images. Sure, we have to determine our ISO, depth of field and exposure compensation. We also need our tripod, cable release and possibly even a filter or two. Then, we need to get our composition just right. A lot of sky? A hint of sky? Or, no sky at all? Finding and framing up our images is a lot of work creatively and technically. However, there are a few in-camera tools that, with a touch of a few buttons and inspection, will give us more “Yes” versus “Had I only made an adjustment” moments when we get back home.
Camera bodies, lenses and accessories are significant investments that require care. They start the day with us at sunrise, finish at sunsets and stick with us for the many moments in between. They attend parties, milestone events, embark with us on travel or when we’re just kicking around the house looking for something to shoot. Many take care of their gear after every outing. Some wait until it’s very obvious that a good cleaning and maintenance is well overdue. With a few dollars and a few minutes of routine care time, your investment will require less costly maintenance. Read on for simple care tips that will ensure your gear continues to provide you with beautiful, clear images for many years.
The incredible assortment of buttons on your camera can be intimidating. We’re not talking about just pro level DSLRs, either; even entry level cameras really pack it in when it comes to button array. It can be overwhelming, especially for those just getting started in photography. How do you know, of all the features available on your camera, which ones you should learn first? While some might suggest it’s worth the effort to learn everything your camera is capable of, the more measured approach is to master the essentials first then move on to other features. The importance of being comfortable with your camera cannot be understated; mastering the following DSLR features will help you take control of your camera and, by extension, your creativity.