PhotoRavlik

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T90 Digital Camera

2010-07-15T07:28:00.001-07:00

Think thin. Measuring under 5/8″ thin, the ultra-chic Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T90 Digital Camera is perfect for stashing in your pocket or a small purse. But the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T90 Digital Camera doesn’t just impress on the outside. Built into its compact body are powerful features that make taking great pictures a cinch. Not sure which mode to use at sunset or when shooting sporting events? The iAuto mode does the work for you. It automatically adjusts the settings for fantastic results no matter what you’re shooting or where you are. There’s also Face Detection mode for capturing subtle detail and natural skin tones in faces. And when still photos aren’t enough, you can record HD video clips (720p) and play it back on the 3 touch screen LCD. Available in silver, black, pink, blue and brown.

Video Rating: 4 / 5

How to Pick a Digital Camera - The Complete Guide

2010-07-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

How to Pick a Digital Camera – The Complete Guide

A complete guide on how to buy the right digital camera for both beginners and more advanced users. Contains information on both what camera is best for each individual and why. Additionally, the guide contains general information on digital photography

How to Pick a Digital Camera – The Complete Guide

Professional Sports Photography 101 Guide.

2010-07-06T22:22:00.001-07:00

Professional Sports Photography 101 Guide.

A Great Illustrative And Professional Guide For Beginner, Intermediate And Professional Sports Photographers, With A Lot Of Photos, Product Information And Examples!

Professional Sports Photography 101 Guide.

Panasonic lumix dmc-zs3 10mp digital camera Review

2010-06-14T05:41:00.000-07:00

Product Description From the Manufacturer

The new Lumix ZS3 features 10.1-megapixels, a 25mm ultra-wide-angle lens and 12x optical zoom, meaning it has added 2x optical zoom to the award-winning TZ-series camera, yet reduced its size. The ZS3 also features a Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens and High Definition (HD) video recording ability, known as AVCHD Lite.

SanDisk Launches Professional Photography Contest On Facebook

2010-06-10T02:16:00.000-07:00

Participants Can Display Their Work to the World and Compete to Join the SanDisk Extreme Team of Professional Photographers What: Milpitas, Calif., June 8, 2010 SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), the global leader in flash memory cards, today announced that it will launch a professional photography contest on the SanDisk Extreme Team Facebook page starting June 8. Participants will be able to submit photos in four different categories …
(read more)

Imaging Resource News Page

Canon EOS 40 D camera review by What Digital Camera magazine

2010-06-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

Canon EOS 40 D digital camera review by What Digital Camera magazine www.whatdigitalcamera.com More camera reviews www.whatdigitalcamera.com

Video Rating: 4 / 5

7 Tips to Make Money With Your Digital Camera.

2010-06-07T04:32:00.000-07:00

7 Tips to Make Money With Your Digital Camera.
Sell Photos, Images, Screensavers And More Ways To Profit.
Make Money With Your Digital Camera.

Quantity is almost as important as quality.

Adding titles, categories, descriptions and keyword data to your images is the key to gaining extra visibility in the global search database.

Professional, Artistic Web Design
The design and layout of your photography website is an important first impression for visitors and potential customers.

Flash Introduction of Your Work
Just like many other artists, your site may contain too many pictures or types of photographs for a visitor to get through in a single sitting.

Introduce Yourself
Be sure to include a page about yourself, the artist, on your photography site. Customers are often interested in the person behind the great work they are seeing.

Photo Gallery
This page will be the bread and butter of your site. Depending on your preference, you can display your entire line of work, separated into albums based on date or type of photography, or you can offer a selection of your work and areas of interest.

Plagiarism - don't do that!

Sell Photos, Images, Screensavers And More Ways To Profit.
Make Money With Your Digital Camera.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 & DMC-FT1 Underwater Digital Camera Review

2010-06-07T02:58:00.000-07:00

Olympus E410 camera review by What Digital Camera

2010-06-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

Olympus E410 camera review by What Digital Camera magazine www.whatdigitalcamera.com More camera reviews www.whatdigitalcamera.com

Wedding Photography Tutorial EBook.

2010-06-02T09:39:00.000-07:00

Wedding Photography Tutorial EBook.

Contains Valuable Information And Ideas From The World Of A Working Wedding Photography Team. It Is Aimed At Budding Professional Wedding Photographers But Amateurs Would Also Gain A Lot Of Knowledge.

Wedding Photography Tutorial EBook.

Digital Camera Tips : How to Diffuse Light in Digital Pictures

2010-06-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

Diffusing light on digital cameras can improve your pictures! Get tips for using tissue to diffuse light in this free video clip about taking professional digital pictures. Expert: Erin Neumeyer Contact: www.ephotola.com Bio: Erin Neumeyer is a professional children’s photographer in Venice, California. Filmmaker: Nili Nathan

2.7" inch LCD Screen Protector for Digital Camera - 2.25" (L), 1.8" (W)

2010-05-31T12:09:00.000-07:00

2.7″ inch LCD Screen Protector for Digital Camera – 2.25″ (L), 1.8″ (W)

High quality LCD Screen Protector compatible with near all Digital Camera with 2.7″ LCD display

Against scratching, scraping & abrasion

Removable without leaving residuary mark

Resistance to erosion and finger-print

Dimensions: 2.25″ x 1.8″ inches (5.7cm x 4.5cm)

2.7″ inch LCD Screen Protector for Digital Cameras.

Fits:

Canon Powershot SD1400 IS

Canon Powershot SD1300 IS

Canon Powershot A3100 IS

Canon Powershot A3000 IS

Casio Exilim EX S7

Casio Exilim EX Z550

Casio Exilim EX FC150

Fujifilm FINEPix XP10

Fujifilm FinePix JZ500

Fujifilm FinePix Z70

Kodak EasyShare M550

Kodak EasyShare M530

Nikon Coolpix S3000

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus SP-600 UZ

Olympus Stylus Tough 8010

Olympus Stylus Tough 6020

Olympus Stylus Tough 9010

Olympus Stylus 7030

Olympus Stylus

Rating: (out of 4 reviews)

Price: $ 0.30

Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS reviewed: great shots

2010-05-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Canon PowerShot SD4000 IS reviewed: great shots but no cigar

Liked the lop-eared design and low-light sensitivity of Canon’s latest point and shoot , but wanted to be sure you’d get 0 worth of camera for the asking price? You’re in luck: the PowerShot SD4000 IS, aka IXUS 300 HS, has just received its first painstakingly detailed review. Photography Blog found the back-illuminated 10 megapixel CMOS sensor snapped excellent low-noise shots in a variety …

Read more on Engadget

Jaybilizer.com Introduces the Jaybilizer HDSLR, a Camera Stabilizer Designed Specifically for the Canon 5D mk2 DSLR

The Jaybilizer HDSLR is the First Affordable Camera Stabilizer that is Optimized for Shooting with the New Generation of Digital SLR Cameras that Shoot High Definition Video.

Read more on PRWeb via Yahoo! News

Canon PowerShot SD780 IS ELPH 12MP 3x Digital Camera for $150

2010-05-27T12:51:00.000-07:00

Canon PowerShot SD780 IS ELPH 12MP 3x Digital Camera for $150

Sears offers the Canon PowerShot SD780 IS Digital ELPH 12.1-Megapixel Digital Camera in Black, model no. 3590B001, for 9.97. With .95 for shipping, that’s below last week’s mention (which included a 4GB SDHC card) and the lowest total price we’ve …

Read more on I4U

Canon IXUS 300 HS Review

Photography Blog published a Canon IXUS 300 HS Review. Quote from review: Want a stylish compact camera that takes great pictures and lets you take control? Then look no further than the brand new Canon IXUS 300 HS / SD4000 IS Digital ELPH, which brings…

Read more on I4U

An original Romero zombie is heading to town

2010-05-26T23:00:00.000-07:00

My R-D1s returned from Epson

Image by Lars Plougmann

Augmented Reality for Your GPS (w/ Video)

(PhysOrg.com) — GPS may no longer have to be about following audio directions only, and looking at maps on your screen. Wikitude Drive for Android offers an augmented reality feature that lets you actually see the road ahead.

Read more on PhysOrg

Art meets Main Street

For Tim Kump, photography is part of his “creativity with purpose” slogan, a means to achieve a marketing strategy while capturing that moment in time.

Read more on The Herald News

Epson PhotoPC

Image by Louis Abate

Digital Foci Photo Book 8-Inch Portable Digital Photo Album (PBK-080)

2010-05-26T12:39:00.000-07:00

Digital Foci Photo Book 8-Inch Portable Digital Photo Album (PBK-080)

8-inch 800×600 high-resolution digital LCD with LED backlighting – Comes with soft leather-like case that protects the Photo Book

4 GB internal flash memory – Supports CF, SD/HC, MMC, MS/PRO, xD, USB flash drive – Copy albums directly from cards or USB flash drives

Displays each photo album with folder name and thumbnail photo preview – Automatic photo slideshow with adjustable time interval

2.5 hours of battery life on rechargeable battery – Ideal for passing around while sitting on a living room sofa or at a business presentation

Supports RAW image viewing from DSLRs – Perfect for professional photographers to display photo collections in a elegant portfolio

Digital Foci Photo Book is a portable digital photo album with an 8-inch 800 x 600 pixel LCD screen supported by LED backlight and 4GB internal flash memory. Featuring a slim design encased in a soft leather-like case for a convenient, elegant photo presentation, Photo Book is a great way to carry collections of digital photos for enjoying and sharing in a variety of settings. Photo Book has a battery life of over 2.5 hours. It’s an ideal family brag book and presentation tool. To use, simple

Rating: (out of 10 reviews)

List Price: $ 169.00

Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Black)

2010-05-25T21:56:00.000-07:00

Canon PowerShot SD780IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD (Black)

12.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality poster-size prints

3x optical zoom lens with Optical Image Stabilizer

HD movie shooting capability plus HDMI output

2.5-inch widescreen PureColor LCD II screen; Face Detection

Compatible with SD/SDHC, MMC/MMC Plus/HC MMC Plus (not included)

It may be the slimmest Digital ELPH Canon has ever created, but the impact couldn’t be bigger. The PowerShot SD780 IS Digital ELPH captivates the senses with bold saturated colors and a daringly original design that matches the intensity of Canon’s most innovative camera technology. Even when picture-taking conditions seem pretty unforgiving, you’ve got Canon on your side. So the shots you used to miss are the images you’ll now be sharing, and the movies you never took before will be HD unforget

Rating: (out of 528 reviews)

List Price: $ 240.99

Price: Too low to display

Find More Canon Camera Products

Sony Ericcson S003 Ditches the Phone Camera for a Camera Phone

2010-05-25T13:42:00.000-07:00

Sony Ericcson S003 Ditches the Phone Camera for a Camera Phone

The horrible images captured on a cell phone camera have become such a regular part of our everyday lives that they’re all but inescapable. But, what if there was a way to escape the fuzzy, barely distinguishable photos captured by your average cell phone and add a little crispness back to still-captured life? Now there [...]

Read more on GadgetCrave

Sony Pushes 3D at Display Week

3D can be the most important change in the display landscape in our lives, but poorly executed 3D haunts the technology and threatens its success, according to Stan Glasgow, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics.

Read more on PC Magazine via Yahoo! News

Sony Ericsson sets up in Atlanta

Sony Ericsson has leased a new office in Atlanta as the cell phone maker winds down operations in Research Triangle Park.

Read more on The News & Observer

DALSA Delivers Color Imaging at High Frame Rates With New Falcon Cameras

2010-05-25T00:13:00.000-07:00

Hard to handle

Image by work the angles

DALSA Delivers Color Imaging at High Frame Rates With New Falcon Cameras

WATERLOO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – 05/24/10) – Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release. DALSA Corporation (TSX: DSA – News ), a global leader in machine vision technology, today launched four new models in the Falcon high performance area scan camera family . Three of the color models are part of DALSA’s Falcon High Gain (HG) series, and one is part of its extended …

Read more on Marketwire via Yahoo! Finance

Class of Nuke ‘Em High (Blu-ray)

Recommended The Movie: The brainchild of one time Troma editor Richard W. Haines, Class Of Nuke ‘Em High was originally going to be directed by him as well, though when the fledgling filmmaker found himself in too deep, head honcho Lloyd Kaufman came on board to help out. As such, the film has Kaufman’s stamp all over it, meaning that those who appreciate the sense of humor and style of …

Read more on DVD Talk

~Zero FX~

Image by ViaMoi

Sony DSC-W350 14.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 2.7 inch LCD (Black) Reviews

2010-05-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

Sony DSC-W350 14.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 2.7 inch LCD (Black)

26mm equivalent Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar lens with 4x optical zoom

Capture breathtaking images in Sweep Panorama Mode

14.1-megapixel resolution; 2.7-inch LCD screen for easy viewing

Capture your videos in HD Movie mode (720p); Optical SteadyShot image stabilization reduces blur

Accepts Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo (not included)

The DSC-W350 captures images with amazing detail with its Carl Zeiss 26mm wide angle 4x zoom lens. Take breathtaking panoramas in Sweep panorama mode and review them on a 2.7” LCD. Record 720p high definition movies while Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilization, iAuto and Face Motion Detection makes taking great images in various conditions easy.

Rating: (out of 18 reviews)

List Price: $ 199.99

Price: Too low to display

Timelapse Guide (Compact Digital Cameras - Part 2)

2010-05-22T23:35:00.000-07:00

Onward we go to the compact cameras that I’ve found with a built-in interval timer (intervolometer). Please add to the list in the comments! I’m always looking for more compacts that have timers. Sorry that I lingered on the almost impossible to find Epsons but they served some other important points.

Video Rating: 4 / 5

Solar and SaaS powered remote monitoring via Next G

2010-05-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

Solar and SaaS powered remote monitoring via Next G

Armidale based RMteK has developed a system, RMCam, for video monitoring of remote locations that combines a camera, motion and other sensors, solar power and Next G wireless modem supported by processing power ‘in the cloud’. The key attribute of the system is the host software, configurable via a web interface, that enables users to specify a wide range of parameters that will cause an image …

Read more on iTWire

DocuLex Announces Customized Business Process And Collaborative Workflow With WebSearch 4.2 Content Management Software

DocuLex, creators of content management software, announces the addition of customized business process and collaborative workflow capability to DocuLex Archive Studio’s just released WebSearch version 4.2, equipping organizations with decision making power via automation of any business process through the benefit of systematic workflow.

Read more on EnterpriseContentManagementConnection-ECM

Developing the next generation digital camera with 300fps

2007-09-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

Developing the next generation digital camera which can do the connected copying of worldwide most speed

It loads also the high speed animated picture photographing function of 300fps which catches the movement discernibly

This corporation selling the liquid crystal digital camera “QV-10” for personal it becomes beginning of the digital camera in 1995. In 2002, in the silver salt camera e.g., liquid crystal digital camera “EXILIM®” of the card size which is superior in portable characteristic and nimble characteristic is sold, original function only of the digital camera which is not produced and it pursued the convenient using selfishness, started developing the always new market.
The experimental model which this time was developed, by the new high-speed CMOS sensor and the fact that high speed processing LSI is combined, is super high-speed connected copying and the advanced digital camera of the effective picture prime 6,000,000 pixel optical 12 time zoom which actualizes high speed animated picture photographing. As for still picture photographing, worldwide most speed *With 60 it becomes/actualizing the super high-speed connected copying of second with the Kousei small picture of the full pixel. Furthermore, before pushing the shutter, from the scene connected copying to photograph it is possible not to let escape the decisive instant due to the function “[pasuto] connected copying” which it is possible at super high speed. In addition, because the high speed photographing of 300fps can do also VGA suitable animated picture, the super slow image which cannot be taken can be recorded with only the image equipment and material for the business which is limited until now.

Main specification of experimental model

Effective picture prime 6,000,000 pixel
Image pickup element 1/1.8 type high-speed CMOS sensors, entire picture prime 6,600,000 pixel
Super high-speed connected copying 60/second (6,000,000 pixel), JPEG
High speed animated picture photographing
300fps and AVI type, Motion JPEG conformity, VGA
Lens focal length 12 9 groups, F2.7~F4.6 and 35mm format conversion 35mm~420mm
Zoom Optical 12 time zoom
The hand blurring revision function CMOS shift system
Monitor 2.8 Type wide TFT color liquid crystal, approximately 230,000 pixels
Finder Color liquid crystal, approximately 200,000 pixels
Size weight 127.5mm (width) X 79.5mm (height) X 130.0mm (thickness),
Approximately 650g (electric battery accessory not being included)

Furthermore, sale time of the concrete product, price and brand name, specification is undecided. In the future, it assures further efficiency and the improvement of function, it starts advancing development as a method of enjoying new photographing and the digital camera which can propose use.

The picture is the experimental model. Printing and the hallmark which are designed to the experimental model are temporary ones.

source

How to Hire a Web Designer for Business Women

2007-04-26T07:21:00.000-07:00

Before Hiring a Web Designer...

By Cyndi Egbert

There are plenty of poorly done websites online for which a handsome price was paid. This problem is distressing for the small business owner as they often don’t have the funds to pay a competent professional to redo or repair shoddy work. Thus, it becomes of utmost importance to recognize quality work before hiring someone to create your site. The following tips can help you identify a competent web designer. (I would suggest reviewing three sites before hiring someone.) This list is important for recognizing which things don't reflect on the web designer and which things do.

Broken links- if the page is more than a few weeks old, it is probably not the web designer's fault if some off-site links are no longer working. The web changes very quickly and pages disappear. If the broken links are to other pages within the site, it's a red flag for shoddy work.

1. Special effects- many duffers have an impressive array of special effects on their websites. People are wowed by the tricks and don't notice that it's the only thing done properly on the page. This is important for two reasons. One is that these codes are available free on the internet. This means anyone with web access and a search engine can find and recreate these effects with very little time or effort (i.e. it's no big deal). Reason two is that these special effects damage load time significantly. If people surfing to your site can't quickly assess your page or get knocked offline because you have too much "stuff" on your site, it won't bring you any business or return visits. Each graphic, special effect, and audio file adds to your load time. If that’s not taken into consideration, the website is not useful to your audience or you.

2. Title bars- the title bar is the wording on the top line of the window. When someone marks a page, this identifies the page. If you see pages marked "untitled" or "new page 3" or " http://mysitesucks.com" you are looking at pages done by a duffer.

3. Backgrounds- it's feasible to overlook background choices and accompanying graphics. If they are poorly done, feel free to ask the designer if s/he created them before making a decision. Sometimes the client insists on backgrounds that are less than optimal and the designer has to work within those limitations. Even so, if every site you view by a particular designer has terrible graphics and overwhelming backgrounds, that may be the designer's personal style and needs to be considered.

4. Text- the text appearance is within the designer's realm to fix. If you can't read the text, you don't want this person designing your page. Some people leave the text color in default, which means the text appears in the color that is specified by your computer. This is acceptable if there’s no background or color, but it is sloppy otherwise. If one aspect of the page (i.e. the background) is changed all aspects of the page (i.e. the text color and link colors as needed) must be changed to ensure viewability.

5. Graphics- there are several points to assessing graphics. Alternate tags and size specifications mean attention to detail which is important. Less experienced web designers leave out size specs and alt tags, while more professional designers do so only by accident. The alt tag is the name that pops up when you place the cursor over a graphic. Occasionally this will not pop up even when it's specified, but you usually see something if there is a tag specified. There are two ways to tell if the graphic sizes have been specified (which is important to load time). One is that you will see a box in the proper size while the page is loading. If a size isn’t specified, you will see a very small box that flows into the proper size as the graphic loads. The second way is more complicated and requires knowing a little bit about HTML. If you right-click over a text area on a page, you can choose "view source" or "view page source" and view the HTML coding. Graphics files appear as IMG SRC="image.jpg" (or something similar) and then ALT=#, HEIGHT=#, WIDTH=#. If you don't find those last three attached to any of the IMG SRC codes, you might want to continue your search for a web designer. Also keep in mind that any designer worth the price will suggest keeping graphics (especially animated graphics) to a minimum, but again, sometimes a client has specific ideas and compromises are made.

6. Frames- multiple "windows" on one webpage are called "frames". Their purpose is to allow part of the page to reload as you switch from page to page. It is supposed to reduce load time by keeping graphics and links constantly on the screen while you are surfing the site. Poorly done frames may reload every window (doubling or tripling load time) with each page change. They can also "trap" you in the frames, making the next site you visit appear within the frame specified by the last site. Many people like frames because they look "fancy" but they reduce the viewable screen area, increase the initial load time and some computers don't support them and may shut down.

7. META tags- these are descriptive words and phrases that many search engines use to categorize your page. This is important and frequently overlooked by less experienced designers. The only way to check for META tags is to right-click on the page and select "view source" because they are invisible. They are clearly marked "META=" near the top of the HTML codes and the ones of concern say "KEYWORDS=" and "DESCRIPTION=" although there may be other tags listed. If your designer doesn't use them, your page will not be picked up properly by the search engines and no one will find your site.

I hope these suggestions are helpful to you. A bad choice can be VERY costly.

from here

10 Tips For Fabulous Publicity Photos

2007-04-16T07:38:00.000-07:00

By: Kristie Tamsevicius

Photos, photos, photos. As an author, speaker, or expert, you need publicity photos for your marketing. In edition to your standard head shot, you’ll need photos for your press kits, speaker kits, product packaging, book covers, and your website.

“EEEK: I don’t know what to DO during the shoot!”

Relax! The photographer will work with you to suggest poses, help you to relax, and take great photos. You’ll want to get some shots of you with a toothy grin and others with a more relaxed expression. In addition to the standard stuff, try doing something fun, exciting or unexpected.Above all have fun…you are in the spotlight!

Beyond the standard head and shoulders shot, you might also want to get you doing a three-quarter body shot, holding a sign, sitting down, lying down, pointing to something.Next, you’ll definitely want to get an in-action-doing-your-job type of pose. This could be of you speaking, typing on computer, talking on phone etc. Also think about getting a doing-your-personal-thing-kind of pose. This could be one of you with family, pets, boxing, motorcycle, doing your hobby, well, you get the idea…

In addition to doing some head shots against a soft background, you’ll also want some poses done on a white background. You can use these images to become an interactive part of your website graphics. That way you can be "pushing" a title across the screen or leaning on top of your ezine subscriber box. It's a fun way to literally ZAP yourself right into your webpage.
So how do you get great photos – the kind that make people smile when they see it? Here are some tips to keep in mind to help you capture that perfect shot!

DO’s of Fabulous Publicity Photos
1. Find examples of photos or poses that you like and bring them on the shoot. By showing them to the photographer, they can get an idea of what you hand in mind.

2. Try to capture your own personal unique look, one that will make you stand out.

3. Get smiling shots of you with lots of energy and personality.

4. Smile. It doesn’t have to be cheesy – it just has to be you.

5. Do your hair and makeup. You can even hire a makeup artist. Then bring along your makeup so you can do touch ups if necessary.

6. Bring a variety of outfits with you to the shoot. Take some formal outfits as well as some more casual ones.

7. Pack a snack so you keep your energy level up.

8. If you are a music lover - bring a tape of your favorite songs to play during the shoot. The right music can set the mood and help you cut loose so you take a better shot.

9. Be on time. Have directions and map. Bring the phone number of the studio in case you get lost. You don’t want to be late, look stressed, and have to hurry getting changed.

10. And finally have fun – your photos will show it!

DONT’s of Fabulous Publicity Photos

1. Don't party and work late the night before. You’ll have saggy baggy eyes. Get plenty of sleep the night before so you look and feel great.

2. Don't stuff your clothes into a bag and expect them to look great. Iron your outfits and hang them up the night before so they are ready to go the next day.

3. Don't wear stripes, prints, polka dots, checkerboards, or a busy pattern.

4. Don't put on bold distracting jewelry. Keep jewelry small and simple.

Ten Best Living Photographers

2006-12-27T12:58:00.000-08:00

I find a great blog about photography: The Online Photographer

Here the list of ten photographers.

10. Jill Freedman.
9. Duane Michals.
8. Kim Kirkpatrick.
7. Nicholas Nixon.
6. Sally Mann.
5. Roy DeCarava.
4. Ray McSavaney.
3. Edward Burtynsky.
2. James Nachtwey.
1. Elliott Erwitt.

High speed flash photography kit

2006-12-15T03:51:00.000-08:00

With the kit you can take "impossible" pictures, leaving everyone wondering "How did you do that?" Capture high-speed events -- A splash. Popping balloons. Breaking glass. Use your imagination! Adjustable flash controller triggered by light or sound. Kit includes a high-speed flash, disposable camera, flash controller and fully assembled flash trigger that synchronizes the high-speed event and the flash.

More details you can find here

Almost opensource digital camera

2006-12-15T03:16:00.000-08:00

The Dakota Digital Camera is one of several inexpensive ($10.99 MSRP) single-use digital cameras currently on the market in the US. Picture quality is a bit lacking, but acceptable for Web images and the like, and certainly not bad for the price. These are available at participating Ritz or Wolf Camera stores, or can be ordered by phone at 1-877-690-0099 (no online ordering, apparently). The camera is easily adapted from single-use to many-use following the instructions below, and is powered by two easily-replaced AA batteries. While they are sold with the intention that you return them at some point for processing (they give you prints and a photo CD, but keep the camera), there is nothing (no contract, rental agreement, deposit, etc.) that actually requires you to return it--once you buy it, it's yours to do with as you please.

Software
Dakota USB Driver: A portable driver to access the Dakota camera via USB. The driver permits development of software for the Dakota that does not depend on a particular implementation of the USB stack.

Dakota Memory API: An API that provides read/write access to the camera's external memory space, the firmware flash, and the DRAM.

Dakota Firmware Update Tool: Firmware update is done in cooperation with the currently installed firmware, so an update failure will ruin your camera.

Dakota Configuration Tool: A tool that lets you alter the dynamic non-volatile configuration of your camera.

Original site here
Other Dakota sites
John Maushammer (see his Dakota page)
Tim Gipson (also has a Dakota page)

Yahoo and Reuters have launched paparazzi website

2006-12-06T08:45:00.000-08:00

Who needs paparazzi when Yahoo! and Reuters make us all photo journalists?
By Stuart Corner

The world's celebrities should be getting nervous. Yahoo and Reuters have launched a website where members of the public can submit photos and videos of news events.

According to a Reuters news report, the two companies have created a news contribution system called "You Witness" which will collect, edit and distribute selected photos and video to other news outlets. Yahoo also plans to run selected images contributed by users as part of topical packages on Yahoo News, which already aggregates news from dozens of professional news organisations including Associated Press, CNN and Reuters.

The two companies have given on indication that the scope of You Witness will be extended to sneak photos of the rich and famous, but given the high price paid for such material, and the likelihood that members of the public will serendipitously get chances to take such shots, it would seem inevitable.

According to Reuters the initial focus is on news, but Yahoo! aims to expand the system to solicit user contributions for sports, entertainment and other sections of its site. Photos and videos can be submitted via http://news.yahoo.com/you-witness or http://www.reuters.com/youwitness. However the only option for submission from the Reuters page is to email the content to pics@reuters.com. While the Yahoo! page has lots of hints and tips on how to shoot good photos and video, there is almost no information on the Reuters page, and neither site has any information on payment, ownership of copyright of submitted material etc.

According to Reuters, it and Yahoo are working out a plan to compensate contributors when their images are selected for commercial syndication. The report quoted Scott Moore, head of news and information at Yahoo Media Group, says that the service could be extended to take text contributions as well as images and video.

How to Choose the Best Camera Phone

2006-12-01T05:44:00.000-08:00

What is it with these all-singing all-dancing bells and whistles cell phones these days? They'll be going to the toilet for us next! I mean, just how much more gadgetry are the manufactures planning to cram into these tiny devices? Apart from the communication function of a mobile, the only other 2 features I've used are the radio and the camera. All the internet, games, planners, calculators and other bits that they come equipped with these days, fall by the wayside with me I'm afraid. Even the camera was nothing but a novelty to begin with, but now that the image quality is improving, it just might be a replacement for the standard digital camera. But just how do you choose the best camera phone?

All of the big cell phone brands have models with cameras and they're all are telling us that theirs are a cut above the rest, but they can't all have the greatest cell phone camera out there. This is why we need as much info as possible in order to make an informed decision prior to purchasing our new camera phone.

Although the technology is improving all the time, even the best camera phone is substandard to regular digital cameras, simply because they lack the versatility and functionality of the real deal. If you simply want a cell phone camera for quick snaps shots or to record images for reference material, then you may not care too much about image quality. If, on the other hand, you want to be able to take nice photos for posterity, then you really do need to compare between the models.

So, the biggest set back with the camera phones have been with image quality. Quite often the results are grainy, not too sharp, and lack perspective. Up until quite recently, the resolution on a mobile phone camera was around 640 x 480 pixels. Now compared to the digital cameras, which literally have millions of pixels, you can quite clearly see why there is such a drastic difference in image quality.

However, that was then and this is now. The new age of camera phone is upon us and there are models available which also boast resolution in millions of megapixels. In fact, in 2005, Pantech announced an impressive 5 Mega-Pixel Mobile Camera Phone and was hailed as the first ‘real’ camera phone, simply because it dramatically enhanced quality of images for users.

There are lots of other models too which are now introducing millions of pixels into their camera phones, so choosing the best one is becoming less of an ordeal than it was say a couple of years ago. There's the Samsung i320N 1.3-megapixel camera (inclusive of flash), which is great for happy snappers. The snazzy Palm Treo 750v also has a 1.3-megapixel camera but without flash. In fact the list is endless and at the time of writing 1.3 megapixel seems to be the new standard, but with the speed of technology, that'll all change pretty soon.

The bottom line is that the higher the resolution (resolution simply refers to the number of pixels in an image), then the higher the image quality will be.

The internet is a wonderful tool for consumers of all goods and services. With the pace in which technology changes, I urge anyone who is seeking to purchase a new camera phone, to hop online first and read 'real' reviews on the latest products. This way, choosing the best camera phone at that time will a much less arduous task.

from here

Top Ten 6+ megapixel compact cameras

2006-12-01T03:36:00.000-08:00

Photographers who want to make large prints (8x10 or larger) and capture lots of image detail need all the megapixels they can get. But that's not all these high-res models offer. Each of them has a distinctive feature set and design -- and they're not all made with the same kind of shooter in mind. So before you invest in a high-res camera, take a look at our top picks to find out what sets each model apart from its peers -- and which one will sync with your own photographic style.

1. Canon PowerShot S80
Aside from one or two very minor lens shortcomings, Canon's new flagship S-series model stands out in its class.

Resolution: 8 megapixels
Zoom: 4x digital, 3.6x optical
Display: 2.5 inch TFT active colour matrix
Dimensions: 104 x 38.8 x 57 mm
Weight: 225 grams

2. Nikon Coolpix 7900
Despite a few shortcomings, this handsome little camera packs a punch, with practical snapshot features and solid picture quality.

Resolution: 7.1 megapixels
Zoom: 4x digital, 3x optical
Display: 2 inch TFT active colour matrix
Dimensions: 88 x 36.5 x 60 mm
Weight: 150 grams

3. Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T9
Sony's new Cyber Shot DSC-T9 is a beautiful, highly pocketable camera that's fast and easy to use and has good image quality, to boot.

Resolution: 6 megapixels
Zoom: 6x digital, 3x optical
Display: 2.5-inch (230K pixels) Hybrid, clear photo LCD plus
Dimensions: 90 x 20.2 x 54.8 mm
Weight: 140 grams

4. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX1 has a broad set of manual controls, image stabilisation, and a wide lens and sensor crammed into a compact package.

Resolution: 8.4 megapixels
Zoom: 4x digital, 4x optical
Display: 2.5 inch TFT active colour matrix
Dimensions: 11 x 56 x 35 mm
Weight: 213 grams

5. Casio Exilim EX-Z750
The Casio Z750 marries form and function with a great design and satisfying manual controls.

Resolution: 7.2 megapixels
Zoom: 8x digital, 3x optical
Display: 2.5 inch TFT active colour matrix
Dimensions: 89 x 23 x 58 mm
Weight: 159 grams

6. Canon PowerShot A620
The Canon PowerShot A620's above-average feature set and great photo quality should make it as popular as the A95.

Resolution: 7.1 megapixels
Zoom: 4x digital, 4x optical
Display: 2 inch tilt LCD screen
Dimensions: 104.8 x 66 x 49.1 mm
Weight: 235 grams

7. Canon PowerShot G6
A very good camera that needs a speed bump to pull ahead of the competition.

Resolution: 7.1 megapixels
Zoom: 4x digital, 4x optical
Display: 2 inch low-temperature polycrystalline silicon TFT colour
Dimensions: 104.9 x 73.1x 72.8 mm
Weight: 380 grams

8. Casio EX-P700 Exilim Pro
A compact camera with enough manual controls to keep enthusiasts happy.

Resolution: 7.2 megapixels
Zoom: 4x digital, 4x optical
Display: 2 inch TFT active colour matrix
Dimensions: 97.5 x 67.5 x 45.1 mm
Weight: 225 grams

9. Fujifilm FinePix F10
This compact camera's versatile 2.5-inch LCD, usable high-ISO photos, and shoot-all-day battery are offset by a few image-quality issues.

Resolution: 6.3 megapixels
Zoom: 6.2x digital, 3x optical
Display: 2.5 inch TFT active colour matrix
Dimensions: 91 x 28 x 58 mm
Weight: 156 grams

10. Sony Cyber Shot DSC-W7
This compact camera's versatile 2.5-inch LCD, usable high-ISO photos, and shoot-all-day battery are offset by a few image-quality issues.

Resolution: 7.2 megapixels
Zoom: 2x digital, 3x optical
Display: 2.5 inch TFT active colour matrix
Dimensions: 91 x 61 x 38 mm
Weight: 196 grams

Fujifilm launches Pivi MP-300 portable printer in Japan

2006-11-29T06:36:00.000-08:00

The new Fujifilm Pivi MP-300 is the latest in portable printers from Fujifilm.The new model Pivi MP-300 besides transferred via IR is PicBridge compatible.If USB interface is used with PictBridge compatible digital camera, picture is transferred to Fujifilm Pivi MP-300 easily for print. With Image Intelligence technology you are assured of super high picture quality card size prints of 61×46mm size.

With date and sharpen function you are assured of best quality prints from such a palm size printer. Fujifilm Pivi MP-300 takes approximately 38 seconds to print a 5M/Fine image taken with Fujifilm FinePix Z3 digital camera and 1 minute 40 seconds from transfer of image to final print via the USB port.

The reprint function allows you to print many prints of the same image. The new Fujifilm PIVI MP-300 measure 146×102×29mm, weigh 225g (w/o battery & film) and is powered by 2x CR2 lithium electric battery. Pivi MP-300 will be available fo 15,000 Yen($127 ) in Japan.

from here

Top Ten Places to Find Free Images For Your Site

2006-11-22T04:11:00.000-08:00

If you're not a camera buff or you simply wish to use other people's images in your blog, then you might want to look in to free stock photography sites and services. Just remember when you use these services that each photo may have different licenses. Some are okay for non-commercial use only and some have no restrictions at all. So, always check before using the images in your blog projects.

Here's a short list of some of my favorite sources for royalty free, public domain, stock photos.

1) Stock.Xchang
Stock.xchang is definitely my absolute favorite source when it comes to royalty free stock photos. The site is well organized and easy to navigate. And, there are plenty of pictures to choose from. There are different licenses for each photo.

2) Flickr
Flickr is a very popular photo storage service. Some people who use this site offer their photos for use to the public. So, it's one good place to find easy-to-blog pictures. However, not all photos are available for re-posting in different blogs.

3) Buzznet
Buzznet is another photo storage service that's quite popular among bloggers. Again, each photo may have different types of restrictions.

4) PD Photo
PDPhoto.org has is a collection of stock photography. It's well organized and has a decent amount of images in its database. Some photos are restricted and some are in public domain.

5) Open Photo
A great looking stock photo community and resource. It's full of terrific photos under several categories such as animals, computers, landscapes, still life and technology. Creative Commons licenses apply to different photos.

6) Our Media
OurMedia.org is a resource for media materials such as photos, audio and videos. As always, it's important to check the license for each photo that you wish to use. One disadvantage of this site is that it's a bit difficult to navigate. Some photos are restricted and some are in public domain.

7) Google Images
This is a good service by Google, but it can be frustrating looking through the photos, as each one have different types of copyright use. It's not always easy to tell which ones are okay to use and which ones are restricted.

8) Free Stock Photos
This is a good but limited website dedicated to free stock photography. Some of its categories include: Animals,Christian, Scenery, Sky, Weather Wildflowers, and Plants. The photos are okay to use for both commercial and non-commercial use, but with attribute.

9) Image After
This is a collection of totally free stock photography. You can use the images both in personal and commercial blog projects.

10) morgueFile
Here's another free stock photo site that's available to the public either for personal or commercial use. There seems to be a good amount of photos in their database.

How Do the Paparazzi Sell Their Pics?

2006-11-06T02:15:00.000-08:00

An introduction to the celebrity photo game. By Daniel Engber

A paparazzo photographer crashed a minivan into Lindsay Lohan's sports car on Tuesday; he now faces a possible charge of assault with a deadly weapon. The next day, Cameron Diaz filed suit against the National Enquirer for publishing a candid picture with the headline "Cameron Caught Cheating." How do the paparazzi sell their photos?

Most turn their snapshots over to a celebrity photo agency, which in turn sells them off to the highest bidder. (Some paparazzi do work independently or start their own agencies.) A typical deal gives 60 percent of the proceeds to the photographer and 40 percent to the middleman. If the photographer used information from the agency—such as, say, "Lindsay Lohan will be driving an SL65 coupe near the Beverly Center at rush hour"—the agency might take an additional 10 percent. That extra money often goes toward paying off inside sources such as bodyguards or personal assistants.

The word "paparazzi" comes from the celebrity shutterbug in Fellini's La Dolce Vita. Today, the term is often used to distinguish between reckless star-chasers and more conservative photographers who work official events and studio shoots. (These conservative types sometimes call their competitors the "stalkerazzi.") There are plenty of agencies that represent paparazzi—some of the best-known in Los Angeles are MB Pictures, Bauer-Griffin, X17, and Splash News.

Agencies try to sell pictures within 24 hours. The agency crops the images, adds captions, and wires them in digital form to publications around the world. (Sometimes these are sent in low resolution or with a watermark to discourage freeloaders.) Typically, a different deal gets cut for every country; the biggest players are the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. A publication will typically buy exclusive rights to print the photo for a few months.

Celebrity magazines and tabloids will also commission agencies to get certain pictures. If the editors at People wanted a shot of Denise Richards coming out of the hospital with a baby in her arms, they might offer photographers a few hundred dollars a day.

Publications often bid against each other for exclusive footage, and prices can get very high. Pictures of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on the beach are said to have gone for $500,000 (though some paparazzi claim the actual figure was half that). The value of a photo depends on the story behind it: Shots of Denise Richards with her baby, for example, are worth more because of her separation from Charlie Sheen. Details are also important: An image of Denise smiling would be worth considerably more than a bland-faced equivalent.

With about 150 paparazzi in Los Angeles alone, it can be hard to find a photo that no one else has. If everyone gets the same red-carpet photo, it might only fetch a "space rate"—about $75 to $200, depending on the size of the published image. Exclusive shots net a great deal more, whether they're taken by the most aggressive paparazzi or a more austere agency like WireImage. An exclusive shot of a celebrity, taken by invitation in his or her home, can be worth tens of thousands of dollars.

from here

Top 10 Lies told to Naive Artists and Designers

2006-10-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

Mark W. Lewis

1 "Do this one cheap (or free) and we'll make it up on the next
one."

No reputable business person would first give away their work and time
or merchandise on the hope of making it up later. Can you imagine what
a plumber would say if you said "come in, provide and install the
sink for free and next time we'll make it up when we need a sink." You
would be laughed at! Also the likelyhood is that if something important
came along, they wouldn't use you.

2 "We never pay a cent until we see the final product."

This is a croc, unless the person is leaving the door open to cheat
you out of your pay. Virtually every profession requres a deposit or
incremental payment during anything but the smallest project. Once you
have a working relationship, you may work out another arrangement with
a client. But a new client should not ask you to go beyond an initial
meeting and, perhaps some preliminary sketches without pay on the job!

3 "Do this for us and you'll get great exposure! The jobs will
just pour in!"

Baloney. Tell a plumber "Install this sink and my friend will see
and you'll get lots of business!" Our plumber friend would say "You
mean even if I do a good job I have to give my work away to get noticed?
Then it isn't worth the notice." Also the guy would likely brag
to everyone he knows about how this would normally cost (X) dollars,
but brilliant businessman that he is he got if for free! If anyone calls,
they'll expect the same or better deal.

4 On looking at sketches or concepts: "Well, we aren't sure if
we want to use you yet, but leave your material here so I can talk to
my partner/investor/wife/clergy."

You can be sure that 15 minutes after you leave he will be on the phone
to other designers, now with concepts in hand, asking for price quotes.
When you call back you will be informed that your prices were too high
and Joe Blow Design/Illustration will be doing the job. Why shouldn't
they be cheaper? You just gave them hours of free consulting work! Until
you have a deal, LEAVE NOTHING CREATIVE at the clients office.

5 "Well, the job isn't CANCELLED, just delayed. Keep the account
open and we'll continue in a month or two."

Ummm, probably not. If something is hot, then not, it could be dead.
It would be a mistake to *not* bill for work performed at this point
and then let the chips fall where they may! Call in two months and someone
else may be in that job. And guess what? They don't know you at all.....

6 "Contract? We don't need no stinking contact! Aren't we friends?"

Yes, we are, until something goes wrong or is misunderstood, then you
are the jerk in the suit and I am that idiot designer, then the contract
is essential. That is, unless one doesn't care about being paid. Any
reputable business uses paperwork to define relationships and you should
too.

7 "Send me a bill after the work goes to press."

Why wait for an irrelevant deadline to send an invoice? You stand behind
your work, right? You are honest, right? Why would you feel bound to
this deadline? Once you deliver the work and it is accepted, BILL IT.
This point may just be a delaying tactic so the job goes through the
printer prior to any question of your being paid. If the guy waits for
the job to be printed, and you do changes as necessary, then he can stiff
you and not take a chance that he'll have to pay someone else for changes.

8 "The last guy did it for XXX dollars."

That is irrelevant. If the last guy was so good they wouldn't be talking
to you, now would they? And what that guy charged means nothing to you,
really. People who charge too little for their time go out of business
(or self-destruct financially, or change occupations) and then someone
else has to step in. Set a fair price and stick to it.

9 "Our budget is XXX dollars, firm."

Amazing, isn't it? This guy goes out to buy a car, and what, knows exactly
what he is going to spend before even looking or researching? Not likely.
A certain amount of work costs a certain amount of money. If they have
less money (and you *can*) do less work and still take the job. But make
sure they understand that you are doing less work if you take less money
that you originally estimated. Give fewer comps, simplify, let them go
elsewhere for services (like films) etc.

10 "We are having financial problems. Give us the work, we'll
make some money and we'll pay you. Simple."

Yeah, except when the money comes, you can expect that you will be pretty
low on the list to be paid. If someone reaches the point where they admit
that the company is in trouble, then they are probably much worse off
than they are admitting to. Even then, are you a bank? Are you qualified
to check out their financials? If the company is strapped to the point
where credit is a problem through credit agencies, banks etc. what business
would you have extending credit to them. You have exactly ZERO pull once
they have the work. Noble intentions or not, this is probably a losing
bet. But if you are going to roll the dice, AT LEAST you should be getting
additional money for waiting. The bank gets interest and so should you.
That is probably why the person is approaching you; to get six months
worth of free interest instead of paying bank rates for credit and then
paying you with that money. Don't give away money.

Now, this list wasn't meant to make anyone crazy or paranoid, but is
designed to inject some reality into the fantasy.

You are GOING to be dealing with people who are unlike yourself. Their
motivations are their own and their attitudes are probably different
than yours. There are going to be demands, problems, issues and all the
hassles that go with practically ANY work/job/money situation. Too many
times I see the sad example of someone walking in to a situation with
noble intentions and then getting royally screwed, because what they
see as an opportunity and a labor of love, the other party sees as something
else entirely, not at all romantic or idealized, but raw and simple.

How can you deal with this stuff and still do good creative work? Good
question. THIS is why an education is important. You learn, out of the
line of fire, how to deal with the art at it's own level and also how
to deal with the crap that surrounds it. You may have tough teachers
and think that it can't be worse, but wait until a business person has
a hundred grand riding on your art! Then you will know what "demanding" means.
You will then thank all those tough teachers for building up the calluses
that enable you to enjoy the job rather than just feeling like it is
all a big waste of time!

In the end, working commercially, being a terrific artist is about 25%
of the task. If that is the only part of the task that you are interested
in, do yourself a favor. Don't turn "pro."

Seitz 6x17 Digital panorama camera with 160Mp sensor

2006-09-25T02:19:00.000-07:00

Seitz anonsed a new digital panorama camera with 160Megapixel (7,500 x 21,250 pixels) sensor. It will be available as of early 2007.

Here some information:

Technical Data Seitz D3 Scan Back Sensor
Manufacturer DALSA Corporation exclusive for Seitz
Type TDI
Stages Multiple for sensitivity control
Vertical resolution 7,500 pixels (60mm)

Pixel size
8µm x 8µm
Noise level 19 electrons / 50,000
Dynamic range 1 : 2,600 (11 f-stops)

Anti-Blooming > 1,000x

Technical Data Seitz 6x17
Manufacturer Seitz Phototechnik AG
Lenses (interchangeable)
- on Seitz lens board
- on adaptor plate

- Schneider or Rodenstock large format lenses
- Linhof Technorama, Fuji, other large format lenses

Size of 6x17 image 7,500 x 21,250 pixels (60mm x 170mm)
Total resolution 160 million pixels

File sizes raw (16-bit): 307 MB
uncompressed tiff (48-bit): 922 MB

Time for 6x17 panorama ˜1 sec. at full speed/resolution

Exposure range from 1/20'000 sec.
Exposure control automatic or manual

ISO/ASA equivalent 500, 1'250, 2'500, 5'000, 10'000 by stage selection

Image format up to 6x17; adjustable vertically and horizontally

File format raw (16-bit), tiff (48-bit), jpg (24-bit), bmp

Image optimisation Seitz custom-built image optimiser

Camera body*
- dimensions width: 495mm, height: 175mm, depth: 95mm
- weight 2.8 kg

Image transfer Gigabit ethernet

Storage device Portable Mac Mini 1.66Hz Intel Core Duo (2 MB Cache, 2 GB RAM, Mac OS X, Windows XP) Portable industrial PCs on request
Control device Sharp Zaurus or other handheld PDA devices; connected to camera via WLAN

Power supply (camera, storage device) 12V 9.0A NiMh battery
Power charger Universal speed charger 100-240V

37 steps which invent digital photocamera

2006-09-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

Who invented the camera?

Answer

Many would say that George Eastmann invented the camera in 1888.

Some say the first 'camera' was designed before Columbus. It was by simple deduction that an artist noticed a faint image on the opposing wall of a small building where a small hole was in the lighted side of the building. He worked on a lens that could be placed in a similar hole of another building and he noticed that the image on the opposite wall was rather clear, color and all, although upside down. He then proceeded to use oil paints that were in use to paint portaits at the time. He simply mixed the oils to match the colors and painted directly onto the image he was looking at. Todays cameras do the same thing minus the oil paint. Film cameras have replaced the oils with both silver halide salts and dyes. Digital cameras simply use super miniature diodes that are photo etched onto silicone slices (chips)and translates different ranges of the color spectrum into binary or machine language digital code.

Here is more of the camera's complication history of invention:

5th-4th Centuries B.C.—Chinese and Greek philosophers describe the basic principles of optics and the camera.

1664-1666 Isaac Newton discovers that white light is composed of different colors.

1727 Johann Heinrich Schulze discovered that silver nitrate darkened upon exposure to light. 1794 First Panorama opens, the forerunner of the movie house invented by Robert Barker.

1814 Joseph Nicéphore Niépce achieves first photographic image with camera obscura - however, the image required eight hours of light exposure and later faded.

1837 Daguerre’s first daguerreotype - the first image that was fixed and did not fade and needed under thirty minutes of light exposure.

1840 First American patent issued in photography to Alexander Wolcott for his camera.

1841 William Henry Talbot patents the Calotype process - the first negative-positive process making possible the first multiple copies.

1843 First advertisement with a photograph made in Philadelphia.

1851 Frederick Scott Archer invented the Collodion process - images required only two or three seconds of light exposure.

1859 Panoramic camera patented - the Sutton.

1861 Oliver Wendell Holmes invents stereoscope viewer.

1865 Photographs and photographic negatives are added to protected works under copyright.

1871 Richard Leach Maddox invented the gelatin dry plate silver bromide process - negatives no longer had to be developed immediately.

1880 Eastman Dry Plate Company founded.

1884 Eastman invents flexible, paper-based photographic film.

1888 Eastman patents Kodak roll-film camera.

1898 Reverend Hannibal Goodwin patents celluloid photographic film.

1900 First mass-marketed camera—the Browning.

1913/1914 First 35mm still camera developed.

1927 General Electric invents the modern flash bulb.

1932 First light meter with photoelectric cell introduced.

1935 Eastman Kodak markets Kodachrome film.

1941 Eastman Kodak introduces Kodacolor negative film.

1942 Chester Carlson receives patent for electric photography (xerography).

1948 Edwin Land markets the Polaroid camera.

1954 Eastman Kodak introduces high speed Tri-X film.

1960 EG&G develops extreme depth underwater camera for U.S. Navy.

1963 Polaroid introduces instant color film.

1968 Photograph of the Earth from the moon.

1973 Polaroid introduces one-step instant photography with the SX-70 camera.

1977 George Eastman and Edwin Land inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

1978 Konica introduces first point-and-shoot, autofocus camera.

1980 Sony demonstrates first consumer camcorder.

1984 Canon demonstrates first electronic still camera.

1985 Pixar introduces digital imaging processor.

1990 Eastman Kodak announces Photo CD as a digital image storage medium.

The megapixel myth

2006-09-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

by Fazal Majid's

A digital photo is the output of a complex chain involving the lens, various filters and microlenses in front of the sensor, and the electronics and software that post-process the signals from the sensor to produce the image. The image quality is only as good as the weakest link in the chain. High quality lenses are expensive to manufacture, for instance, and often manufacturers skimp on them.

The problem with megapixels as a measure of camera performance is that not all pixels are born equal. No amount of pixels will compensate for a fuzzy lens, but even with a perfect lens, there are two factors that make the difference: noise and interpolation.
Noise

All electronic sensors introduce some measure of electronic noise, among others due to the random thermal motion of electrons. This shows itself as little colored flecks that give a grainy appearance to images (although the effect is quite different from film grain). The less noise, the better, obviously, and there are only so many ways to improve the signal to noise ratio:
Reduce noise by improving the process technology. Improvements in this area occur slowly, typically each process generation takes 12 to 18 months to appear.
Increase the signal by increasing the amount of light that strikes each sensor photosite. This can be done by using faster lenses or larger sensors with larger photosites. Or by only shooting photos in broad daylight where there are plenty of photons to go around.

Fast lenses are expensive to manufacture, specially fast zoom lenses (a Canon or Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens costs over $1000). Large sensors are more expensive to manufacture than small ones because you can fit fewer on a wafer of silicon, and as the likelihood of one being ruined by an errant grain of dust is higher, large sensors have lower yields. A sensor twice the die area might cost four times as much. A "full-frame" 36mm x 24mm sensor (the same size as 35mm film) stresses the limits of current technology (it has nearly 8 times the die size of the latest-generation "Prescott" Intel Pentium IV), which is why the full-frame Canon EOS 1Ds costs $8,000, and professional medium-format digital backs can easily reach $25,000 and higher.

This page illustrates the difference in size of the sensors on various consumer digital cameras compared to those on some high-end digital SLRs. Most compact digital cameras have tiny 1/1.8" or 2/3" sensors at best (these numbers are a legacy of TV camera tube ratings and do not have a relationship with sensor dimensions, see this article for an explanation).

For any given generation of cameras, the conclusion is clear - bigger pixels are better, they yield sharper, smoother images with more latitude for creative manipulation of depth of field. This is not true across generations, however, Canon's EOS-10D has twice as many pixels as the two generations older EOS-D30 for a sensor of the same size, but it still manages to have lower noise thanks to improvements in Canon's CMOS process.

The problem is, as most consumers are fixated on megapixels, many camera manufacturers are deliberately cramming too many pixels in too little silicon real estate just to have megapixel ratings that look good on paper. Sony has introduced a 8 megapixel camera, the DSC-F828, that has a tiny 2/3" sensor. The resulting photosites are 1/8 the size of those on the similarly priced 6 megapixel Canon Digital Rebel (EOS-D300), and 1/10 the size of those on the more expensive 8 megapixel DSLR Canon EOS-1D Mark II.

Predictably, the noise levels of the 828 are abysmal in anything but bright sunlight, just as a "150 Watts" ghetto blaster is incapable of reproducing the fine nuances of classical music. The lens also has its issues, for more details see the review. The Digital Rebel will yield far superior images in most circumstances, but naive purchasers could easily be swayed by the 2 extra megapixels into buying the inferior yet overpriced Sony product. Unfortunately, there is a Gresham's law at work and manufacturers are racing to the bottom: Nikon and Canon have also introduced 8 megapixel cameras with tiny sensors pushed too far. You will notice that for some reason camera makers seldom show sample images taken in low available light (like these ones taken at ISO 800 with my Canon 10D)...
Interpolation

Interpolation (along with its cousin, "digital zoom") is the other way unscrupulous marketers lie about their cameras' real performance. Fuji is the most egregious example with its "SuperCCD" sensor, that is arranged in diagonal lines of octagons rather than horizontal rows of rectangles. Fuji apparently feel this somehow gives them the right to double the pixel rating (i.e. a sensor with 6 million individual photosites is marketed as yielding 12 megapixel images). You can't get something for nothing, this is done by guessing the values for the missing pixels using a mathematical technique named interpolation. This makes the the image look larger, but does not add any real detail. You are just wasting disk space storing redundant information. My first digital camera was from Fuji, but I refuse to have anything to do with their current line due to shenanigans like these.

Most cameras use so-called Bayer interpolation, where each sensor pixel has a red, green or blue filter in front of it (the exact proportions are actually 25%, 50% and 25% as the human eye is more sensitive to green). An interpolation algorithm reconstructs the three color values from adjoining pixels, thus invariably leading to a loss of sharpness and sometimes to color artifacts like moiré patterns. Thus, a "6 megapixel sensor" has in reality only 1.5-2 million true color pixels.

A company called Foveon makes a distinctive sensor that has three photosites stacked vertically in the same location, yielding more accurate colors and sharper images. Foveon originally took the high road and called their sensor with 3x3 million photosites a 3MP sensor, but unfortunately they were forced to align themselves with the misleading megapixel ratings used by Bayer sensors.
Zooms

A final factor to consider is the zoom range on the camera. Many midrange cameras come with a 10x zoom, which seems mighty attractive in terms of versatility, until you pause to consider the compromises inherent in a superzoom design. The wider the zoom range, the more aberrations and distortion there will be that degrade image quality, such as chromatic aberration (a.k.a. purple fringing), barrel or pincushion distortion, and generally lower resolution and sharpness, specially in the corners of the frame.

In addition, most superzooms have smaller apertures (two exceptions being the remarkable constant f/2.8 aperture 12x Leica zoom on the Panasonic DMC-FZ10 and the 28-200mm equivalent f/2.0-f/2.8 Carl Zeiss zoom on the Sony DSC-F828), which means less light hitting the sensor, and a lower signal to noise ratio.

A reader was asking me about the Canon G2 and the Minolta A1. The G2 is 2 years older than the A1, and has 4 million 9 square micron pixels, as opposed to 5 million 11 square micron sensors, and should thus yield lower image quality, but the G2's 3x zoom lens is fully one stop faster than the A1's 7x zoom (i.e. it lets twice as much light in), and that more than compensates for the smaller pixels and older sensor generation.
Recommendations

If there is a lesson in all this, it's that unscrupulous marketers will always find a way to twist any simple metric of performance in misleading and sometimes even counterproductive ways.

My recommendation? As of this writing, get either:
An inexpensive (under $400, everything is relative) small sensor camera rated at 2 or 3 megapixels (any more will just increase noise levels to yield extra resolution that cannot in any case be exploited by the cheap lenses usually found on such cameras). Preferably, get one with a 2/3" sensor (although it is becoming harder to find 3 megapixel cameras nowadays, most will be leftover stock using an older, noisier sensor manufacturing process).
Or save up for the $1000 or so that entry-level large-sensor DSLRs like the Canon EOS-300D or Nikon D70 will cost. The DSLRs will yield much better pictures including low-light situations at ISO 800.
Film is your only option today for decent low-light performance in a compact camera. Fuji Neopan 1600 in an Olympus Stylus Epic or a Contax T3 will allow you to take shots in available light without a flash, and spare you the "red-eyed deer caught in headlights" look most on-camera flashes yield.
Conclusion

Hopefully, as the technology matures, large sensors will migrate into the midrange and make it worthwhile. I for one would love to see a digital Contax T3 with a fast prime lens and a low-noise APS-size sensor. Until then, there is no point in getting anything in between - midrange digicams do not offer better image quality than the cheaper models, while at the same time being significantly costlier, bulkier and more complex to use. In fact, the megapixel rat race and the wide-ranging but slow zoom lenses that find their way on these cameras actually degrade their image quality over their cheaper brethren. Sometimes, more is less.
Updates

2005-09-08: It seems Sony has finally seen the light and is including a large sensor in the DSC-R1, the successor to the DSC-F828. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a trend.

2006-07-25: large-sensor pocket digicams haven't arrived yet, but if you want a compact camera that can take acceptable photos in relatively low-light situations, there is currently only one game in town, the Fuji F30, which actually has decent performance up to ISO 800. That is in large part because Fuji uses a 1/1.7" sensor, instead of the nasty 1/2.5" sensors that are now the rule.

BenQ introduces their new 7 Megapixel digital compact camera

2006-09-04T14:31:00.000-07:00

BenQ DC E720 : BenQ introduces their new 7 Megapixel digital compact camera: BenQ DC E720. The BenQ E720 features a 7 Megapixel CCD image sensor, 3x smc Pentax optical zoom lens and a large 2.5-inch LTPS LCD monitor for clear and comfortable photo viewing. The BenQ DC E720 camera supports high sensitivity (ISO) up to 1000 ISO to ensure clear photos in dark environment. Furthermore the new BenQ 720 captures photos in two modes, 3:2 resolution mode or 16:9 wide mode. The 3:2 standard mode is convenient for easy printing without trimming the edges of the composition. The wide 16:9 mode is the perfect mode for direct display on a 16:0 television set. Price or availability of the BenQ DC E720 compact camera has not been announced yet.

BenQ E720 camera - Secure Digital
The BenQ DC E720 supports VGA movie recording at 30fps with MPEG4 format and supports PictBridge function which provides direct printing via any PictBridge-enabled printer. In addition, the BenQ E720 digital compact camera is bundled with 9MB built-in memory and is Secure Digital card compatible. The BenQ DC E720’s 8 second shutter speed night scene mode function enables users to capture pictures with clearer and sharper details that disappear in general shutter speed.

BenQ E720 specifications
• 7 Megapixel image resolution
• 3x optical zoom smc Pentax lens
• 2.5-inch color TFT LCD display
• 13 scenes
• MPEG-4 VGA mode at 30fps
• 9MB built-in memory
• Secure Digital flash memory support
• 2x AA format batteries

BenQ DC E720 compact camera - Scene
Additionally the 13 built-in scenes (Program / Sunset / Backlight / Landscape / High ISO Portrait / Snow / Fireworks / Night Scene / Kids / Food / Building / Shake-Free / Text) will give the entry-level photographer all the freedom to capture his moment in a creative way. The multi-metering of the BenQ E720 is easy for the user to capture well-exposed photos when there contains many bight and dark objects in the scene.

BenQ DC E720 accessories
• USB cable
• Software CD ROM
• User’s Manual
• Hand Strap
• Pouch
• AV Cable
• Li-on battery
• Battery charger set

About BenQ
The BenQ Group is currently comprised of ten companies that operate independently while sharing resources and leveraging synergies among them. The BenQ Group companies include AU Optronics Corporation, the world’s third largest manufacturer of LCD panels; Darfon Electronics Corporation; Daxon Technology Inc; Airoha Technology Corporation; Copax Photonics Corporation; Darly Venture Inc; BenQ Guru Software Co., Ltd; Philips BenQ Digital Storage; and Cando Corporation. 2004 revenues for BenQ Group exceeded US$10.8 billion dollars.

Mitsubishi develops "flutter shutter" for deblurring pics

2006-08-31T04:08:00.000-07:00

This new tech from some Mitsubishi tackles the motion blur problem thanks to a relatively simple "flutter shutter" attachment on the actual camera. Their device uses a coded exposure sequence to cut a normal exposure into short burst, allowing processing software to sharpen any fast moving objects in the picture. The prototype is based on an 8 megapixel Canon PowerShot Pro1, but the method can apparently be applied to any camera, and would even work as a built-in feature on a consumer cam -- though it'll probably be a few years before it trickles down that far. In the more immediate future the tech seems a great fit for security cameras, since the system can help decipher blurry license plates. Senior research scientist Ramesh Raskar likened the method to a UV filter or a polarizing filter, and based on Mitsubishi's examples of the flutter shutter in action, the tech could really be a boon to all sorts of photography.

by digitalcameras.engadget.com

How Paparazzi Work

2006-08-28T04:38:00.000-07:00

by Robert Valdes

The worldwide obsession with celebrities spawns one of the most fascinating and feared by-products of pop culture -- paparazzi. Paparazzi are photographers who tirelessly hunt celebrities, public figures and their families for the opportunity to photograph them in candid, unflattering and at times compromising moments. What began as simple "street photography" is now a high-stakes game of cat and mouse that plays out in the everyday lives of the paparazzi's celebrity prey. As our cultures' voracious hunger for celebrity snapshots grows, so do the prices of these photos and the risks paparazzi take to get them. Many ethical, legal and privacy issues arise out of this questionable business.

How do paparazzi get those shots? How do they sell their pictures? To whom do they sell them? How do they get away with what they do? In this article, HowStuffWorks looks at those questions as well as the laws surrounding this issue and how celebrities are fighting back.

What's in a Word?
The word "paparazzi" is derived from a character in the Fellini film "La Dolce Vita." The character, a photographer named Paparazzo, reminded Fellini of "a buzzing insect, hovering, darting, stinging."

Fellini's inspiration for the character was the famous Italian "street photographer" Tazio Secchiaroli. Fellini consulted Secchiaroli for research while developing the script for his classic film.

Secchiaroli became famous as a photographer when he captured candid photos of the former Egyptian King Farouk turning a table over at a restaurant in rage. On the same night, Secchiaroli also snapped photos of actor Anthony Steele in a public spat with actress Anita Ekberg. These photos started a trend in European publications, moving away from posed promotional shots of celebrities and toward surreptitiously captured candid photos.

The Hunt
At the most basic level, paparazzi hang out on the streets and in public places waiting for an opportunity to photograph a star. In public, the paparazzi can snap away unhindered by laws. But for a paparazzo who wants to make the big bucks, this method is far too inefficient. Paparazzi must make sure they are in the right place at the right time to get the shot.

Paparazzi work a lot like private detectives. Each paparazzo culls a network of informers to help keep tabs on celebrity targets. These informers can be people who work in businesses frequented by celebrities, such as restaurants, shops or salons. The paparazzo often pays for this information. In many cases, people who work for the star might be bribed to divulge the whereabouts of their employer.

Paparazzi also work with autographers. Autographers basically stalk celebrities, approach them in public places and ask for their autographs. They make their living by selling these autographs to fans and resellers. Paparazzi pay the autographers for information on the celebrity's whereabouts. As an added bonus, when the autographer stops the celebrity on the street, the paparazzo gets the opportunity to take the shot.

The key for the paparazzo is to get the information and get the shot before other paparazzi do. But hunting stars is just one aspect of this highly competitive industry. Once the paparazzo knows where the target is, there are various tactics he or she may use to get a photograph.

Tactics
The tactics of the paparazzi center on this principle: Get a shot by any means necessary. The individual paparazzo is only limited by his or her resources, craftiness and nerve.

Technically speaking, in order to get the photo free and clear, the paparazzo must get the star out in public, away from a private residence or business. If the star is in a private area, the photo must be taken discreetly from a distance and with the photographer standing on public land.

In more extreme cases, some paparazzi have taken photographs from rooftops or tree tops. They have shot private events from rented helicopters or boats. In some cases, if the event is in a sealed building, paparazzi have staged fire alarms or bomb threats to cause an evacuation of the building that forces their subjects onto the streets.

Is that legal? The answer is no. But with the lucrative nature of the business, legal expenses have become part of operating costs and have contributed significantly to the high price tag on such photographs.

Throwing false alarms is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the illegal methods used to get a photo. Paparazzi have done much worse:

A paparazzo intentionally had a car accident with Catherine Zeta-Jones to force her out of her car.
Actor Sean Penn was intentionally provoked many times into physical confrontations to get photos and create lawsuits.
Paparazzi posed as Michael Douglas's family members to gain access to the hospital where his son was born.
Susan Sarandon found a paparazzi camp hidden on her property.
Britney Spears and her mother were surrounded at a pet store. Britney's mother injured a photographer fleeing the scene in her car.
An English tabloid published Gwyneth Paltrow's daily route while she does her household routines, as well as the location of her new house, based on information gathered from paparazzi.

Paparazzi Price
Paparazzi sell their photos to the highest bidder. Depending on the quality, subject and situation, photos can go for anywhere between a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The celebrity-photograph business is highly competitive and risky to both life and limb. Very few photographers make their fortune as paparazzi: Often, it costs more to get the shot than they'll make selling the photo.

In essence, paparazzi are freelance photographers. Once they have a photo, they must shop it around to the different publications. To offer a photograph, the paparazzo can e-mail a low-resolution copy of the photo, with a watermark embedded in the image, to prospective buyers. These precautions keep the digital photo from being stolen. If the buyer is interested, the price of the photo is negotiated. Some of the negotiating factors are:
Who is the celebrity?
Is the photo verifiable?
What is the celebrity doing?
How high is the quality of the photo?
What is the availability of similar photographs from other paparazzi?

More successful paparazzi have agents who will find buyers. This allows the photographer to focus on his or her work. The very successful paparazzo has an agent, a lawyer, drivers and additional photographers who all work together as a team to get the best shots possible so they can sell them at the highest price.

Paparazzi Technology
Paparazzi benefit from the digital age. The obvious weapon of the paparazzi is the camera, and new digital technology stacks the odds in favor of the celebrity photographer. With smaller digital cameras, it is easier for paparazzi to conceal their work. Digital photography also lowers film costs considerably and makes distribution of the photos for sale much easier. Even if the shots are taken with a traditional film camera, the paparazzo no longer has to rely on the mail or (even more dangerous) his own two feet to shop the photos around.

Camera phones help paparazzi get their equipment into events when no cameras are allowed. With camera phones growing more prevalent, certain places may have to adopt a "no phone" policy to curb unauthorized picture-taking.

Wireless video cameras are also becoming a regular staple of the paparazzi arsenal. Paparazzi can either wear the cameras or plant them to capture celebrities unaware. The tiny cameras sport increasingly powerful transmitters that broadcast digital video to receivers. Paparazzi can sell the video footage or else pull good photo stills from it.

Common specifications for many of the wireless video cameras on the market include:
300-foot range (91 meters)
Full-color image
Hours of operation off of 9-volt batteries
60-degree field of view
15 frames per second

Anti-paparazzi Tactics
Some stars develop some pretty imaginative ways to combat paparazzi. Russell Crowe beat the paparazzi at their own game by scooping them on his 2003 wedding. Crowe authorized his own photographers to shoot the wedding and then released the photos and video in exclusive deals with publications and networks.

Supermodel Heidi Klum took a similar approach to keep paparazzi away from her daughter. Celebrity children are a favorite of paparazzi -- "That's why I released the photos of her, instead of having photographers hunt for them," Klum told USA Today.

Everything from disguises to decoys are used to avoid recognition in public places. At times, celebrities use multiple cars to cover travel routes. False press statements and an alias can cover a celebrity's whereabouts. More low-tech solutions involve canopies over outdoor events and good old-fashioned bruiser security to keep the paparazzi at bay.

Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas took perhaps some of the most famous and extreme set of measures to keep paparazzi out of the picture at their wedding:
All of the caterers, help, suppliers and any other vendors associated with the wedding had to sign confidentiality agreements (even the ones that didn't get the job).
No wedding guests were given the time or location of the wedding until the last minute.
The day before the wedding, special tickets were hand-delivered or couriered to the invited guests.
Each ticket had a code in invisible ink alongside a special design. Only one person, wedding planner Simone Martel Levinson, knew what that design looked like. Before allowing each guest entry, Levinson personally authenticated the design on that guest's ticket.
Once admitted to the wedding, guests swapped the tickets for a gold "guest" pin designed by Jones and Douglas. The ticket swap and the pins were kept secret until the event.
No guests were allowed to have cameras inside the event.
Other hotel guests staying at the Plaza Hotel were not allowed anywhere near the wedding rooms.
Up until the moment the wedding started, all wedding rooms were swept several times for hidden audio or video recording devices.
The New York Police Department and Fire Department were on board for security. All of the hotel's fire alarms were monitored by personnel throughout the wedding to make sure no one would pull them during the event.
Three private security guards patrolled the corridors at all times.

The security bill for the wedding equaled more than $66,000, but even with all of those countermeasures, paparazzo Rupert Thorpe managed to infiltrate the wedding and snap shots of the bride and groom that he later sold to publications Hello! and The Sun.

As you can imagine, this boiled the blood of the newlyweds, who pursued legal action and won a nominal settlement against the publications.

Are there laws that protect paparazzi's rights to invade privacy in the name of a photograph? This becomes the central question when discussing how paparazzi work. In the next sections, we will look at laws related to privacy, photography and paparazzi.

Right of Privacy
The laws on the right of privacy vary from country to country. Under U.S. law, the right of privacy is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as:

1. The right to personal autonomy. The U.S. Constitution does not explicitly provide for a right of privacy or for a general right of personal autonomy, but the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that a right of personal autonomy is implied in the "zones of privacy" created by specific constitutional guarantees.

2. The right of a person and the person's property to be free from unwarranted public scrutiny or exposure. -- Also termed right to privacy.

So, if we are to understand that the law upholds our right to be "free from unwarranted public scrutiny or exposure," then it would seem paparazzi are not allowed to do what they do. There is, however, a loophole in the law. This loophole comes into the picture if you are legally defined as a public figure.

Public Figures
Celebrities, public officials and private citizens involved in newsworthy incidences are all legally defined as public figures. Public figures actually have far fewer rights to privacy than an "ordinary person." Public figures break down into three types:
Public figure: A person who has achieved fame or notoriety or who has voluntarily become involved in a public controversy. A public figure (or public official) suing for defamation must prove that the defendant acted with actual malice.

Example: Movie stars like Brad Pitt or Gwyneth Paltrow fall into this category.

All-purpose public figure: A person who achieves such pervasive fame or notoriety that he or she becomes a public figure for all purposes and in all contexts. For example, a person who occupies a position with great persuasive power and influence may become an all-purpose public figure, whether or not the person actively seeks attention.

Example: A company executive such as Michael Eisner or a politician like George W. Bush fall into this category.

Limited-purpose public figure: A person who, having become involved in a particular public issue, has achieved fame or notoriety only in relation to that particular issue.

Example: People involved in a controversy, such as the parents of JonBenet Ramsey, fall into this category.

These exclusions of the law give the paparazzi their rights. That is not to say that paparazzi don't break laws in the pursuit of a shot. But as long as there is a high demand for what they do, breaking the law becomes an acceptable risk. Us Weekly's editor-in-chief, Janice Min, says, "A celebrity is like an elected official. If you're getting paid $20 million a movie, you have to rely on public goodwill to stay in office. You have to accept the fact that you're a public commodity."

The Laws of Photography
The laws regarding public photography have always been a gray area. In the United States, photographs that are taken for editorial use in a public place generally enjoy Constitutional protection under the right of free speech. There are exceptions, however. Here are just a few of the gray areas:
While taking a picture in a public place is almost always legal, any public place can become a secured emergency area in the event of a police crime scene, disaster, fire or riot. In this case, photography is not legal without permission.

Even editorial photographs can come under scrutiny when a caption is added. If the caption implies something false or slanderous about the person in the photo, then it is no longer protected. And the gray area becomes even grayer when you talk about photos as fine art. That is especially true if the artist intends to sell the photograph.

Photographers cannot take pictures of a person in a public place without permission if that photo is going to be used to promote any goods or services.
Moreover, it is important to note that not all places that seem public are public. Malls, hospitals, restaurants and hotels are all privately owned businesses.

Anti-Paparazzi Legislation
In a 2003 interview with The Guardian, Ewan McGregor spoke out against paparazzi and the publications that buy their pictures:
Heat magazine's a dirty, filthy piece of sh-t and I'd like to put that on record. People shouldn't buy it because it sucks… If a guy comes up and asks me, 'Can I take a picture of your daughter?' that's one thing. But if he's hiding behind a bus and he takes a picture of me and my daughter he's legally allowed to publish that photo in the press. I have no rights to stop him and I think that's wrong. I think we should encourage people to beat up paparazzi.

More and more stars are taking paparazzi to court. McGregor won a case in the United Kingdom on breech-of-confidence and data-protection laws.

Michael Douglas and Katherine Zeta-Jones won their settlement on a separate legal issue. They had official wedding photographers and a deal with OK magazine. When Hello! and The Sun bought and published Rupert Thorpe's photos, they broke trade laws by destroying the exclusivity of the couple's deal with OK.

More and more stars are able to turn to other laws to protect themselves from paparazzi since their rights of privacy are contested. Specific anti-paparazzi legislation has gone into effect in various countries. France has very strict anti-paparazzi legislation. In the United States, California passed anti-paparazzi legislation into law after the death of Princess Diana. That event alone caused many governments to reexamine their paparazzi laws.

The controversy surrounding anti-paparazzi legislation is the question of where to draw the line between legitimate newsgathering and invasions of privacy. If laws are left as they are, a celebrity's privacy and, in some cases, his or her life will continue to be endangered by the ruthlessness of some photographers. On the other hand, if the laws become too restrictive then the freedom of the press could be jeopardized. The solution remains unclear.

So the question arises -- what is the source of the problem? While the tactics of paparazzi are repellent to most people, the same people clamber to buy magazines that carry such photos. Are paparazzi the problem or merely a symptom of a voyeuristic society?

Point & Shoot: Photographing Fun

2006-08-28T04:33:00.000-07:00

by Lynne Eodice

Beyond simply shooting someone's portrait, taking a picture of a concept like "fun" can be a real challenge. A photograph that makes a statement like this must make its point immediately—the viewer should get the message at first glance, and not have to guess at what you're trying to say.

The most obvious way to convey this message is to show people enjoying themselves in your pictures. A look of joy on a child's face while riding on a swing, or the gleeful look on someone's face as they play a practical joke says volumes about the fun he/she is having. And this idea isn't only restricted to children. Some of the most fun people pictures are those in which adults are caught off-guard, just being themselves.

There are always times when we step away from our controlled adult ways and behave in silly ways. We make faces in the mirror, wrestle with the dog, and play with our kids. We can relate to the spontaneity and good times people are having in these photos—the challenge is in successfully capturing the moment.

More opportunities to photograph people having fun occur during leisure-time activities and sports. Much like freezing action at a decisive moment, getting a great image of a contestant's face is a matter of timing and paying attention. When trying to capture the spirit of an event like this, you must work quickly.

Photographing someone winning a sport—such as a runner reaching the finish line first—can yield some jubilant facial expressions. Some ordinary sports pictures can become very compelling if the athlete's face reflects their enjoyment of the event. You might also take pictures of winning teams, like a group of Little League baseball players with their trophy. Encourage them to wave and shout, which will translate into exuberant team spirit in your photos.

One of the keys to documenting fun, candid moments is getting your friends and family used to being photographed—not only on holidays or family get-togethers—but most of the time. This way, they'll view the camera as a normal part of everyday life, and you'll feel more comfortable about pointing it at them. But be prudent when photographing people's activities. You don't want angry people who won't allow you to take pictures of them in the future.

To capture spontaneous moments when shooting film, it's best to shoot with fast film; ISO 400 or greater. You'll also need quick reflexes, and to constantly look through your camera's viewfinder so you won't miss anything. If your camera has a sports mode, you can use it to be more spontaneous. If your compact camera has a zoom lens, set it on a telephoto setting to allow you to work at a distance from your subjects. A fairly long lens will also enable you to isolate a subject in a crowd.

Although faces are usually key in conveying the idea of fun, you can move back and use your lens on a wide-angle setting to reveal the sport or activity in which your subject is participating.

If your photo session involves being around water, snow, or mud, you'll need to protect your camera. If there's a lot of splashing going on, keep your point-and-shoot camera inside a plastic bag and bring it out only when you're ready to shoot. If you get water on the outside of your camera, wipe it off immediately with a soft cloth, and be careful not to scratch your lens or the finish on the camera.

And finally, don't restrict your "fun" photo project to only taking pictures of people. Amusement park rides, funny signs, and comical pet behavior can all be good subjects for fun photos.

10 Common Photo Mistakes

2006-08-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

By: Scott Bourne

Everyone makes mistakes. Even Ansel Adams through some of his negatives away. But what causes those mistakes? They are usually caused by lack of concentration. So here's a list of mistakes that many photographers make. By studying them, you can avoid them.

1) Blurry Pictures

Blurry photos are usually the result of camera shake. The simplest way to remedy this problem is to buy and use a good, sturdy tripod. If you can't shoot with a tripod, remember to use a faster ISO on digital cameras or faster film on film cameras. This allows you to increase your shutter speed. The faster the shutter speed, the less likely you are to suffer from camera shake. A rule of thumb for handholding is to use a shutter speed that is 1/lens focal length or faster. In other words, if you're shooting a 200mm lens, you need 1/200th second or faster. Don't forget to compensate if you shoot digitally. If you use a 200mm lens on a Nikon D100, it is the equivalent focal length of 300mm, so you will need to shoot at 1/ 300th of a second if you want to handhold.

2) Contrasty Pictures

These come from high contrast lighting situations. Learn to recognize them. Photographing in the forest on a sunny day is an example of a high contrast situation. Photographing at Noon on a bright, sunny day is a high contrast situation.

Contrast can be mitigated with diffusers and fill-flash, depending on the circumstances. Usually the best solution is to wait for better conditions. Another trick is to shoot with low contrast film. Kodak's B&W Portra 400 is a good film to use in high contrast situations. It has nine stops of tonal latitude and that tends to compress the contrast ratios in the scene.

3) Underexposed Pictures (prints)

Underexposure often results from letting the camera make all the exposure decisions. Remember, the camera's meter wants everything to be medium (or gray.) If you do use the auto exposure functions, one common mistake comes from using auto exposure compensation and then forgetting you've done so. Make sure that you get enough light into the scene before you press the shutter. With print film, it's better to overexpose than underexpose, so when you bracket, do it to the high side, i.e., plus one stop, plus two stops.

4) Overexposed Pictures (slides)

Like underexposure, overexposure can result from letting your camera make all the decisions. With slide film, overexposure means blown out highlights and that means lost information. Basing your exposure on shaded or dark areas and letting the camera set the exposure is a formula for overexposed slides. Look for something medium to meter from or, better yet, meter the highlights. Just make sure your highlights won't be more than two and one half (2 Â½) stops lighter than medium.

Since overexposing slide film is bad, bracket your slide film to the low side, i.e., minus one stop, minus two stops.

5) Red Eye

This is a common problem resulting from on-camera flash. Move your flash off- axis. Use a flash bracket and connecting cord. You can also bounce the flash off a ceiling or wall. You can also use remote flash triggers to fire a flash that is mounted on a stand or anywhere else, as long as it is not on camera.

6) Lens Flare

Flare occurs when direct light hits the front element of the lens and light starts bouncing around inside the lens. This causes the light to reflect off all the elements. This can reduce contrast and make your pictures look "hazy". Most commonly, it results in a series of round highlights across your image. Be sure to use a lens hood to help prevent this. Sometimes you'll need more than a lens hood. Try using your hand or a hat to shade the lens. If someone is with you, ask him or her to stand so that they cast a shadow on the lens.

Sometimes it's hard to detect lens flare when looking through the viewfinder; using your depth of field preview button will make this easier.

7) Obstruction

Be on the lookout for intruders trying to make their way in to your pictures. Branches, out of focus grass blades, telephone wires"¦.all these and more can act as distractions.

Most viewfinders show only about 92-95% of the image. Keep that in mind while photographing. You may want to try shifting your camera around to see what's at the edges.

Some intruders are hard to see in the viewfinder simply because they're too close and not in focus. When you get your pictures back you see things you didn't see before. Remember, you're looking through your lens at its widest aperture, thus the shallowest depth of field. Some things won't be in focus. Use your preview button and you'll see any intruders. If you don't have a preview button, try focusing throughout the range of your lens to see what may show up.

8) Vignetting

This is what happens when items encroach on the outside edges of your camera lens' field of view. It's often caused by stacking filters, or by adding lens hoods to lenses that have filters attached. Other accessories, like filter holders, can also cause vignetting. If your viewfinder shows less than 100%, you may not be able to see this happening. Run some tests. Put on all the different filter/hood combinations you can think of and photograph a blank wall. Take notes and look at your images when you get them back. The depth of field preview button will also help reveal when vignetting may be a problem.

9) Color Casts

Color casts can result from using the wrong film, outdated or spoiled film or shooting in deep shade.

If you use daylight-balanced film like Velvia or Ektachrome Elite and shoot indoors, you could get some very strange results. Under tungsten lighting, regular lamp light, you'll end up with a very warm color cast. If you're shooting under fluorescent light, you'll see a greenish cast.

If the problem is the wrong film, the solution is to use a color-correcting filter. For tungsten, use a filter in the 80 series. These filters are blue and will balance out the yellow of tungsten light. For fluorescent, use an FL filter. If you're using flash indoors as your only source of light, you shouldn't have a color-cast.

The other solution is to use the correct film. Tungsten balanced film is made for use under tungsten lighting and will result in the correct colors being recorded.

Shooting in the shade on a sunny day will result is a bluish cast. After all, the predominant light source is the blue sky. Use a filter in the 81 series. These yellowish filters will balance out the blue.

For outdated film"¦.well, good luck. You get what you get and the only way to correct color is after the fact, either at the lab or in the computer.

10) Tilted Horizons

Off-center or tilted horizons are probably the most common mistake that we all make and there are several ways to quickly solve this problem. Our favorite is to use a focusing screen with a grid etched into it. These are available for many cameras; check your manual. Two cameras, the Nikon N80 and the Nikon D100, even have grid screens that you can turn on or off as a custom function.

Another solution is to simply step back and see if your camera looks level to the world. Then take another look through the viewfinder. Sometimes we need to approach the viewfinder from an angle because of the camera position. Taking another look through the viewfinder with your head level will help too.

One of the easiest solutions is to buy a bubble level for your camera. These levels fit in the flash hot shoe. This way you'll always know that you're level.

There are times, however, when your camera may be level but the horizon will appear tilted. This apparent tilting results from receding shorelines; the closer parts of the shoreline are lower in the frame. Just be aware of this phenomenon so you can decide if it's something that will be a distraction or not.

CONCLUSION

Whether you are a seasoned pro or a new shooter, these ten problems can creep up on you. So review this list often and make a mental checklist to use every time you photograph. You will notice an immediate increase in the quality of your images

from www.picturecorrect.com

Top 10 List for Buying a Digital Camera

2006-08-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

by Ed Krimen - Published December 2003

For most people, choosing which digital camera to buy can be like exercising: You know it's the right thing to do, but the process can be so painful!

I hope that the following summary and in-depth article will help improve your understanding of the technical terms and jargon associated with digital cameras. My goal is to help you understand the most important criteria so that you can find the right digital camera for you.

No digital camera is perfect for everyone, but considering the variety of choices available today, you should be able to find a digital camera that's close to perfect for you -- and you should be extremely happy with your choice.

1. Type of digital camera
If you want a digital camera that's easy to use, one you can put in your purse or pocket, a digital camera to quickly take pictures of friends and family, then you want a point-and-shoot digital camera -- or what may be more commonly called compact or ultra-compact digital cameras. In the Photobird Digital Camera Buyer's Guide, they are referred to as compact and tiny digital cameras, respectively.

2. Price
Luckily, most of the point-and-shoot digital cameras are in the $200-$400 range. You should be able to get a digital camera that takes excellent photos at that price -- photos that are at least as good as consumer film-based cameras.

3. Size
Checking the actual, real-life size of the digital camera you are interested in and even "test driving" the digital camera in person is extremely important. Be sure to visit a physical store that sells the digital cameras you are interested in, or, if you like your friend's digital camera, ask to borrow it for a while to see if it fits you.

4. Easy to use
Finding an easy-to-use digital camera is important because you won't use it if it's too hard to take pictures. For the most part, point-and-shoot digital cameras are easy to use: Turn it on, and start clicking the shutter button to take pictures.

5. Popularity
You don't want to spend a lot of time looking for accessories for your digital camera, or trying to find help to answer a question or resolve a problem with your digital camera. Therefore, it's a good idea to purchase a digital camera that is relatively popular.

6. Features you want and need
Of course, be sure to get the features you want and need. This area is where digital cameras offer the most differences between manufacturers and even different models by the same manufacturer. You won't be able to find a digital camera with every feature you want, however, so you'll need to prioritize your needs and make some trade-offs.

7. Battery type
Regardless of the digital camera you get, you need to make sure you have enough battery power at all times. It's always best to have fully-charged, extra batteries with you in case you need them. You don't want to miss any shots.

8. Memory card storage -- your "electronic film"
If you're buying a new digital camera, it really doesn't matter which memory card type your digital camera uses. Focus more on which digital camera features you want, as listed above in item #6.

Keep in mind though that the various memory cards are not interchangeable. For example, you cannot use a Sony Memory Stick in a digital camera that uses CompactFlash, and you cannot use CompactFlash cards in a Secure Digital device.

9. Megapixels
The number of megapixels your digital camera has doesn't necessarily mean that you will get better pictures. When using the highest resolution settings on a 3-megapixel digital camera, you will get very good prints at the smallest print sizes all the way up to 8"x10", and sometimes larger.

The photos on the left were taken with a 3-megapixel digital camera and were printed at 11"x14" by an online photo print service. When printed at their highest resolution, most people can't tell if the photos were taken with a digital camera or a film camera.

10. Picture quality
Picture quality is last on the list because it's one of the few things you need to worry about when purchasing a point-and-shoot digital camera. Most, if not all, of the digital cameras available today meet a minimum level of picture quality that is suitable for the average consumer.

Ultra-camera with the 30- multiple optical zoom

2006-08-14T01:32:00.000-07:00

The Japanese company Kowa Prominar lets out, although most likely, were let out 30- multiple binoculars combined with the digital camera.

Name: Prominar TD 1

Site of the producer: Kowa Prominar

Price in Japan: $1900

Optics of the digital binoculars Prominar TD 1 with a thirty times zoom serves for the built-in it camera as powerful objective with an equivalent focal length of 1350 mm (standard 35-mm camera with such parameters it must have an objective with a length of more than meter). This gives the possibility to radically enlarge the possibilities of survey and to photograph even those objects, that to the naked eye they are seemed black points. Only do not forget to use support - with similar an increase the least trembling in the hands will lead to the loss of picture.

The matrix of the built-in the device camera has sizes of 1/2,5"and permission of 3,14 million pikseley. The size of photograph - 2048 X 1536 or 1024 X of 768 pikseley, compression ratios two, display 1,8- one inch. As the maps of memory are used most common Secure Digital. The camera is had manual focusing, but other tuning it is very small. The overall dimensions of device are 38,5 X of 13 X of 12,5 cm, weight - 2,3 kg.

For someone TD 1 will be expensive toy, for someone - by useful tool in the work. But in both cases it is possible to focus attention on the cheaper analogs: InstantReplay from Bushnell ($400-600), Digibino DB200 or DB100 from Pentax ($250) or Binocular DigiC@m from Trust ($120).

How to select objective?

2006-08-11T02:22:00.000-07:00

Objectives Canon

With the development of their system Canon EOS engineers Canon placed motors for the focusing and controls of diaphragm directly in the objective. Therefore in bayonet Canon EF there is no mechanical joining whatever, all information is transferred at a high speed by electronic method. Each focusing motor is developed in accordance with the characteristics of objective, which ensures optimum operating characteristics and speed.

At the present moment in the majority of objectives EF of middle class is used annular ultrasonic motor (ring-USM). It is direct-drive motor without the mechanisms of transfer; therefore its work is characterized by rapidity and reliability. The advantages of ultrasonic motors are not limited to an improvement in the performance characteristics of self-focusing. The majorities of objectives of the type EF USM are equipped with the function of the constant manual focusing FTM (full- Tim manual), with the aid of which at any moment of time it is possible to correct the focusing, determined automatically, which makes it possible to obtain excellent effectiveness in the work. Only low-order objectives Canon EF (such as Ef28-90 mm f/4-5,6 USM) is used the simplified version USM- motor - micro-USM. Such objectives do not permit implementation of manual self-focusing, without being switched into the manual regime of focusing, or they possess the lower speed of focusing. Only objective with the focusing motor micro-USM, which possesses possibility FTM - this EF 50/1.4.

Among objectives Canon EF it is worthwhile to isolate the professional high-quality objectives of series L, which use the most contemporary technologies and possessing the highest technical characteristics.

Objectives Ts- e of 24 mm f/3.shchL, Ts- e of 45 mm f/2,8 and Ts- e of 90 mm f/2,8 have manual focusing. Reduction "TS" in the names of these objectives designates "tilt-shift" (inclination- shift) and reveals the method of using the data of objectives. Objective Canon EF 135 mm f/2.8 soft-focus makes it possible by optical means to give softness to image. This property makes it possible to obtain very beautiful effects, for example, during the photographing of portraits.

Extension rings (Extension Tube EF12 and EF25) and adapter lenses (Close-Up Lens 250D, 500D, 500) will be necessary by you, if you want to remove from the distance of altogether only of several centimeters from the object and to obtain photographs with the high level of an increase. Specially for the surveys on a scale 1:1 with use EF 50 mm f/2,5 Compact Macro it is proposed Life-Size Converter EF. An even large selection of equipment becomes accessible with the use of adapters for macro objectives FD-EOS - Lens Mount Converter FD-EOS and Macro Lens Mount Converter FD-EOS.

By index "IS" (Image Stabilization, the stabilization of image) are designated the objectives, equipped with the stabilizer of image. The optical stabilizer of image makes it possible to use longer endurances during the photographing from the hands, without fearing to obtain "blurry". The stabilizer of image uses two gyro-sensors; signals from gyro-sensor are transferred to the compensating optical system, which neutralizes vibration.

One cannot fail to note the special protected version of bayonet O- ring. Canon EOS 1V with one of the new IS-superteleob7ektivov are connected practically air tightly because of it. This substantially improves the protection of camera and objective. For example, now they can completely safely be located even in the rain

Objectives Minolta

Quite high-aperture, best according to quality images and mechanical strengths objectives Minolta, intended for the use for professional purposes, are designated by index "G".

Objectives Minolta, which have in their name index (D), are equipped with the built-in decoder of the distance of sharp focusing, necessary for the valuable work on apparatuses Minolta Dynax 7, Minolta Dynax 5 and Minolta Dynax 4 systems ADI (Advanced Distance Integration) - control systems of the flash, which makes it possible to gain a maximally precise dosing of the light of flash under the most different conditions. Some of the objectives of series D (for example AF 24-105/3.5-4.5(D), AF 100-300/4.5-5.6(D) Apo, AF 100/2.8(D) macro and AF 85/1.4G(D)) - are equipped with the built-in mechanical switch, unlocking the drive of self-focusing with the focusing ring with the switched one auto-focus. This solution made it possible to make a ring of manual focusing sufficiently to wide and convenient, after avoiding inconveniences from the revolving ring of focusing with the use of auto-focus.

Abbreviation SSM in the name of recently announced professional objectives Minolta AF 28-70/2.8 G (D) SSM, Minolta AF 70-200/2.8 G (D) SSM and Minolta AF 300/2.8 G (D) SSM designates the presence in their construction of the built-in direct-drive ultrasonic motor of the type SSM (structurally close to the drives type USM, HSM and SWM from Canon, Sigma and Nikon respectively). This type of drive makes it possible to considerably improve dynamics and to increase the rate of conducting the process of self-focusing.

In long-distance objectives Minolta, which have in their name index "APO", special attention given the minimization of the chromatic aberrations, which worsen the clearness of the reproduction of small image details. Objective Minolta STF 135mm f/2.8 [T/4.5 ] - only in system Minolta Dynax objective with the manual focusing. This objective gives to photographer the unique possibility to govern smearing background independent of the diaphragm, with which the survey (first of all this possibility it is claimed in the portrait survey) is produced.

Objective AF 100mm f/2.8 SOFT FOCUS, also oriented in essence to the portrait survey, is capable to create image from the clear and the contrasting to the soft and the air. The adjustment of the degree of the "softening" of image is produced by the turning of ring on the objective, with

This degree of effect easily is checked on the image in the viewfinder. Zoom lenses Minolta of a series "- the xi", differ in terms of the ability to change focal length in the signals from the camera. The production of these objectives is at present ended, since none of the now produced cameras Minolta uses entirely the possibility of zooming motor.

Objectives Nikon

With marking of objectives Nikon adapt the following designations: D - the auto-focal objectives of series D transfer information about the distance of focusing into the camera. Therefore with the calculation of exposure the object distance of survey is considered that it helps to more accurately select the exposure parameters with the work with the flash.

G - in contrast to objectives D- type, objectives Nikkor of series G do not have ring of control of diaphragm, and, correspondingly, mechanically is not transferred the value of diaphragm to the camera. Therefore the objectives of series G cannot be exploited with the apparatuses with the manual focusing, but with the auto-focal apparatuses for earlier releases (F501, F601, F801/801s, F70, F90/90x) the objectives of series G they can be used only in the program regimes and the regime of the priority of endurance. The distance of focusing is transferred.

AF-S - in objectives Nikkor of the type AF-S is used the ultrasonic motor (Silent Wave Motor), with the aid of which is accomplished the self-focusing. Each motor is developed under the concrete objective, which makes it possible to in the best way ensure rapid and precise self-focusing.

M/A - in this regime objectives AF-S with can be practically instantly switched from the regime of self-focusing into the regime of manual focusing.

VR - the system of the suppression of vibration - one of the last novelties in objectives Nikkor, with its aid you will be able to remove from the hands without "blurry" the subjects, in which earlier could not be manage without the support.

DC (Defocus-image Control) - in these objectives is used the unique system for control of defocusing image. It makes possible for photographers to check the degree of spherical aberration in the front or rear track layout of rotating the established on the objective ring DC. in this case it is formed the round ring of defocusing, ideal for the portrait survey.

IF - system of internal focusing, because of it focusing is achieved due to the displacement of the internal groups of lenses. This makes it possible to decrease the overall sizes and the weight of objective, and to also produce survey on the shorter distances of focusing. The speed of self-focusing also grows.

RF - "rear" focusing. With use RF the focusing is achieved due to the displacement of rear, lightest, the groups of lenses. This also accelerates self-focusing.

CRC (Close- rank Correction) - correction for the survey at the close distance. This system assumes displacement with the focusing not only of the focusing lens component, but also independent from it displacement of the corrective component (usually locating v in the rear group of lenses). System CRC makes it possible to attain maximum image quality not only during the focusing to infinity, but also with the focusing to the closely spaced objects.

ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) - for decreasing the chromatic aberration in objectives Nikkor is used the specially developed glass- with the ultralow dispersion.

SIC (Super Integrated Coating) - the firm "super-integrated" multilayer coating of lenses decreases the effects of reflection and fulguration.

ASP - for eliminating the aberration are used aspherical elements.

Objectives Pentax

All objectives Pentax have the firm multilayer enlightenment SMC. the auto-focal objectives Pentax FA (in contrast to the earlier objectives Pentax F) they transfer into the apparatus the value of the diaphragm (for zoom obectives - with each focal length), with which frequency contrast characteristic (MTF) of objective will have maximum value. This information some apparatuses Pentax are used, selecting optimum diaphragm with the work in the program regimes.

Objectives Pentax FA power zoom have a control capability of the zooming process both of the apparatus and by hand - by the built-in motor or by the turning of the zooming ring by hand. Entirely the possibility of objectives Pentax FA power zoom it can use only removed recently from production apparatus Pentax Z -1P.

In the objectives, whose name includes index LD, are used lenses from the glass with the ultralow dispersion.

The application of aspherical lenses, which make it possible to improve the quality of the image of objective with a smaller number of lenses, is mapped into the name of objectives Pentax by marking AL. Index [ IF ] attests to the fact that the focusing of objective is produced by the displacement of the internal components of objective, but not by front component. Internal focusing makes it possible to accelerate the process of guidance to the sharpness (due to the smaller mass and the moment of the inertia of moving elements), and also - to make a front objective lens of fixed, giving the possibility of applying the light polarizing filters and effective "Cruciferae" of blends. Quite high-aperture, best according to quality images and mechanical strengths objectives Pentax, intended for the high(ly)-class professionals, have in their name a symbol "*".

The objectives of series Pentax FA Limited are characterized by uncommonly compact sizes and very rugged construction with the high quality of image.

Objectives Sigma

Company Sigma lets out now the rule of the specular cameras Sigma SA, change optics and flashes to them. However, it is most widely known as the most fruitful and most active of the "independent" producers of change optics to reflex camera of other stamps. The rule of objectives Sigma consists in essence of the zoom lenses of different class, high-aperture wide-angle, long-focus and macro- objectives. In the construction of optics Sigma find use all quite advanced technologies - for example aspherical optical elements and lens from the glass with the ultralow dispersion. Also, in the number of the first, company Sigma developed and injected direct-drive ultrasonic engine in the drive of self-focusing (HSM - HyperSonic Motor - analog USM (Canon) and SWM (Nikon)). On the exhibition Photokina-2002 passed recently by company Sigma is presented the objective with the optical stabilization (SIGMA AF80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 EX OS), which acts similarly to similar systems of IS (Canon) and VR (Nikon). The distinctive special feature of all objectives Sigma are the convenient rubber-lined ring of manual focusing, the scale of distances with the hyperfocal marks, metallic bayonet. Bulk of objectives Sigma they are completed by the special blend (perfect hood), and some - even and by convenient case for the transport and the storage.

In the names of objectives Sigma adapt the following indices:
Aspherical - indicates the application in the construction of the objective of one or several optical elements with the aspherical surfaces. Aspheric makes it possible to decrease the number of lenses in the construction of objective, and consequently - to decrease the mass and the dimensions of objective. Also the application of aspherical lenses can improve the definition characteristics of optics.

EX - Excellence. The objectives of series EX are characterized by professional characteristics - high candlepower, convenient control, intensified by construction, high quality of image. Is separated them from the remaining mass of optics Sigma and unique design.

APO - apochromatic design. In the objective- apochromats special attention is given to the elimination of the chromatic aberration, which leads to worsening in the sharpness and appearance of colored edging of small image details. Apochromatic correction is achieved due to the application in the construction of the objective of lenses from the glass with the ultralow dispersion (SLD - Super-Low Dispersion glass), and also the specially calculated optical diagram.

IF (or RF) - the focusing of this objective is produced with the aid of the displacement of small over the mass and the dimensions of internal (or rear) lens component. This diagram of focusing gives the possibility not only to accelerate focusing and to unload the engine of the drive of auto-focus, but also it makes it possible with the large convenience to use effective petalous blend, polarization and shading filters.

HSM - indicates the built-in the objective ultrasonic focusing motor (Hyper-Sonic Motor). This motor in the comparison with the traditional has the high speed of focusing, best dynamics, minimum noise with the work. The versions of objectives Sigma with HSM- motor are produced for the installation to apparatuses Sigma, Canon and Nikon.

UC - separately compact objective (Ultra Compact), which has minimal sizes and weight.

DL - Deluxe. The inexpensive objectives of this series are equipped at the level of more dear fellows, for example they have the valuable scale of distances with the markers of depth of focus and the indicator of focusing for the IR beams, metallic bayonet, special blend.

DF - Dual Focus (the double focusing). The objectives of series DF are conveniently use both in the regime of self-focusing and in the regime of manual focusing. "craftiness" consists in the special construction of the ring of manual focusing. In the regime AF it remains of fixed, while in the regime manual focusing ring automatically will be unblocked and has characteristic "oily" motion with a certain effort (as in objectives with the manual focusing).

HF - Helical Focus. In the objectives with the helicoid focusing the front focusing lens component with the focusing does not revolve, what gives the possibility to use the shaded and light polarizing filters, and also - effective "petalous" blend.

DEG - Digital Grade - a series of the wide-angle lenses, which are intended for the use both on the tape and on the digital cameras.

Macro - this objective can be used for the survey on a large scale (to 1:4 or to 1:2). Specialized macroobiectives Sigma (50/2.8 and 105/2.8) make it possible to gain scale 1:1.

OS - Optical Stabilisation - objective with the device of the optical stabilization of image.

Objectives Tamron

The Japanese company of Tamron obtained reputation not only as one of the "independent" producers of optics for the reflex cameras of other firms, but also as the producer of objectives for the sredneformatnykh specular and ranging apparatuses Zenza Bronica. Among the production of company Tamron are very interesting the objectives of professional class with the best optical and mechanical characteristics (series of optics SP - super performance). This series of optics absorbed into itself all best contemporary optical technologies and 50 years experience of the opticians of the company Of tamron. However, in the assortment of firm Tamron there is one additional separately interesting part - this of "superzoom" (compact objectives with the very broad zooming band). In the development of this category of production the company succeeded so, that superzoom from Tamron are already traditionally considered best in their class. As one additional proof that serves the close collaboration of companies Pentax and Tamron with creation and production of some amateurish objectives Pentax.

In the names of objectives Tamron adapt the following indices:

SP - Super Perfomance. Professional series of the objectives, which are characterized by maximum image quality, by high candlepower and by extra-heavy construction.

Xr- Extra Refractive Index. In the construction of objective are used the lenses from the glass of special it is quality, that are characterized by the superhigh refractive index of light. Such lenses are more compact and light, which makes it possible to decrease weight and overall sizes of entire objective.

LD - Low Dispersion Glass - indicates the application in the objective of lenses from the glass with the ultralow dispersion, which makes it possible to make a reproduction of outlines and fine details along entire image field clearer.

IF - Internal Focusing the focusing of this objective is produced with the aid of the displacement of small over the mass and the dimensions of internal (or rear) lens component.

Aspherical - indicates the application in the construction of the objective of one or several optical elements with the aspherical surfaces. Aspheric makes it possible to decrease the number of lenses in the construction of objective (and consequently - to decrease the mass and the dimensions of objective) with best image quality.

Objectives Tokina

Objectives Tokina it develops and is produced the Japanese concern THK (Tokina-Hoya-Kenko), known also on light filters Hoya and Kenko, lengthen rings and teles-converter Kenko. Optics Tokina of all series is characterized by extra-heavy construction because of the wide application of light metallic alloys for preparing the hull details of objectives. The special interest cause objectives Tokina of the professional series AT- X AF Pro and AT- X AF. In the objectives of these series widely adapt the most contemporary achievements of rasschetnoy optics - aspherical surfaces of lenses, lens from the glass with the ultralow dispersion, the "floating" with the focusing optical elements, internal and the "internal rear" focusing of objectives. Also is very remarkable the design of optics of series AT- X pro. Deep incision on the rubber revetment of the zooming rings and manual focusing, ergonomic "rough" surface of the housings of objectives, disconnected ring of manual focusing "Focus Clutch Mechanism" and other design and ergonomic special features of objectives Tokina AT- X pro add pleasures with the work by them. The basic carrying structural parts of objectives Tokina of series AT- X are made from duralumin with the special coating, the contiguous details are covered with special lubricant. Therefore the ease of the motion of all moving parts with the minimum gaps remains over a wide range of temperatures, and the construction of objectives Tokina of series AT- X easily maintains long-term usage with the professional loads.

In the construction, the names and the descriptions of objectives Tokina are encountered the following designations: AT- X ("Advanced Technology-Extra.") - the concept of uncompromising counting and production of optics, using all most contemporary and perfect methods and materials. The objectives of series AT- X have high optical characteristics, durable, long-lived construction, and they are designed for the lasting operation under the quite severe conditions.

Focus Clutch Mechanism - the system of manual focusing, which made it possible to use with the manual focusing wide and convenient ring with the smooth "oily" motion. With the self-focusing this ring remains fixed, it does not interfere with conveniently being held for the objective and does not overload the engine of self-focusing. For the switching from the regime of automatic focusing into the regime of manual focusing it suffices to only move the ring of focusing to itself (in the direction of vehicle). The special construction of this mechanism completely excludes the possibility of random switching. In the construction of some objectives of the last issue (for example At- X 280af PRO 28-.80mm f/2.8), designed for the operation with cameras Canon EOS and Nikon AF, is used the extended modification of this mechanism, which was called name "One-Touch Focus Clutch Mechanism", which made it possible to pass from the regime of manual focusing into the auto-focal regime by one motion of the ring of focusing, without the need for on/off the regime of self-focusing by separate switch on the apparatus or the objective.

IF (Internal Focus System) - the system of internal focusing, i.e., the focusing of objective by the motion of small throughout the mass and according to the sizes to the internal group of lenses. Therefore the process of self-focusing is conducted more rapid and it is more dynamic, with smaller noise and load on the AF- engine, is excluded the unbalance of objective in the process of focusing. Furthermore, internal focusing makes it possible to prepare more compact objectives, and also - with the large convenience to use the polarization and shading light filters, to use the effective "Cruciferae" by blends. IRF (Internal Rear Focus System) - the version of the system of the internal focusing, when focusing is achieved by displacement in the last group of lenses.

AS (Aspherical Lens - aspherical objective) - in the construction of objective are used optical elements with the aspherical surfaces. Aspheric makes it possible to decrease the number of lenses in the construction of objective, and consequently - to decrease the mass and the dimensions of objective. Also the application of aspherical lenses improves the definition characteristics of optics.

SD (Super-Low Dispersion Glass) - indicates the application in the objective of lenses from the glass with the ultralow dispersion. Such types of glass make it possible to considerably decrease the chromatic aberration, and it means - to make clear a reproduction of outlines and fine details not only on to center sequence, but also along entire image field.

Floating Element System (system with the floating elements) it makes it possible to avoid worsening in the sharpness with the focusing to the close distances. For this in the objective is provided one additional mobile ("floating") group of lenses, whose displacement with the focusing makes it possible to compensate aberration and to improve definition characteristic of objective during the photographing on any scale.

from www.stereosvit.com.ua

Gyrostabilizer for the camera

2006-08-09T04:59:00.000-07:00

No so long ago I was found under the bed broken CD-ROM and I solved that from its remainders it is possible to attempt to make a mini-gyroscope, for the stabilization of camera. Idea was pleased to me, but further to idea it did not leave, since it stumbled on the problem insoluble for me, since the CD-ROM engine (little motor) approach not 2 wires, as it was expected, but 8. I.e., some controller for control of little motor is necessary. As a result it was necessary to search for, it can already eat the finished solution. After not long searches, was found the site of firm SkyEye Corporation, which manufacture gyrostabilizers and systems of remote chamber control. So that in all for $2000 it is possible to purchase to itself stabilizer, and to make a photos of everything which will be wanted, from the hands and to throw out its support. In Konektikute there is firm Kenyon Laboratories LLC, which already 50 years lets out stabilizers for the cameras. The smallest gyrostabilizer (Explorer KS-2) weighs about 700 grams. In it it departs 4-5 minutes, to that so that it will untwist to 22000 revolutions in minutes. Company clearly serviceman, since for the nourishment of this device are necessary 115 volts with the frequency of 400 Hz. there is truth automobile power unit with the adapter under prikurivatel'. Costs this achievement of the American of defense industry somewhat cheaper, only 800 dollars. But its fellow, the largest stabilizer (Admiral KS-8) costs already 3100, but it weight narrower than 2.3 kg.

Single-Lense Reflex Paper Camera

2006-08-09T02:26:00.000-07:00

The Belarus LJ-user alejandros has decided to make impossible to make the mirror camera the hands. The results of his work you can see at his LiveJournal. As on me so it has turned out not badly.

For more photos visit the site of Single-Lense Reflex Paper Camera Project

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1 "Do this one cheap (or free) and we'll make it up on the next one."

2 "We never pay a cent until we see the final product."

3 "Do this for us and you'll get great exposure! The jobs will just pour in!"

4 On looking at sketches or concepts: "Well, we aren't sure if we want to use you yet, but leave your material here so I can talk to my partner/investor/wife/clergy."

5 "Well, the job isn't CANCELLED, just delayed. Keep the account open and we'll continue in a month or two."

6 "Contract? We don't need no stinking contact! Aren't we friends?"

7 "Send me a bill after the work goes to press."

8 "The last guy did it for XXX dollars."

9 "Our budget is XXX dollars, firm."

10 "We are having financial problems. Give us the work, we'll make some money and we'll pay you. Simple."

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1 "Do this one cheap (or free) and we'll make it up on the next
one."

3 "Do this for us and you'll get great exposure! The jobs will
just pour in!"

4 On looking at sketches or concepts: "Well, we aren't sure if
we want to use you yet, but leave your material here so I can talk to
my partner/investor/wife/clergy."

5 "Well, the job isn't CANCELLED, just delayed. Keep the account
open and we'll continue in a month or two."

10 "We are having financial problems. Give us the work, we'll
make some money and we'll pay you. Simple."