Resizing Photos for E-mailing

E-mailing photos is a great way to share your memories and the fun things that happen in your life. You’ve no doubt at least wanted to share a digital print if you shoot with a digital camera. But have you felt a little intimidated by getting the files the correct size? If so, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Below are some practical things to remember and try when resizing your digital files so they’re ready to e-mail to all your loved ones! The first thing to remember is that most digital cameras these days take pretty large photos. There are … Continue reading →

Flip Video Ultra Review

I’ve never owned a camcorder before (gasp!). My parents used to have one of those huge ones from the Eighties, and I remember using it a couple of times, but our family was never too big on home videos. Then I got a point-and-shoot camera that could take videos. I thought that was a fun option, but unfortunately it didn’t record sound, so I rarely used the function. What good is a video without sound (sorry Charlie Chaplin)? It only captures part of the action and ambiance. So when my husband came home the other day with a Flip Video … Continue reading →

Taking Scrapbook-worthy Photos

Scrapbooking is a hugely popular hobby. And it’s rewarding to come away from your creative space with something that both preserves memories and was fun to create. While I enjoy scrapbooking, one of the challenges I face is finding scrapbook-worthy photos. I spend a lot of time taking photos of nature and architecture. Trees, flowers, symmetry, lines, and other abstract things. I don’t take a lot of time to photograph people. And while a few photos of some of these other things are nice in a scrapbook, they’re not what you generally are looking for in a scrapbook. I’m not … Continue reading →

Photography Week in Review for April 15-21, 2008

How can you snap a prize-winning photo of your child during her soccer game? What company is the leader in the production of indestructible cameras? And where do you begin to sort a pile of pictures the size of a small child? The answers to those questions and more are included in this edition of the Photography Week in Review. April 15th—Have Camera Will Travel. With the busy summer travel season just a few weeks away I thought it would be a good time to review some basic tips on how to make the most of photo ops while you … Continue reading →

Are You an Astrophotographer?

Are you a backyard astronomer looking to document a starlit sky with your own camera? Recently fellow blogger Courtney Mroch asked me for tips on how to shoot constellations and I thought I would write a simple post on camera set up, focusing, and lighting. Then I realized there is much more to astrophotography than one blog could accommodate. Therefore, I have decided to devote an entire series of blogs to astrophotography beginning with this one on the types of cameras used to capture stellar shots of constellations. The introduction and subsequent swift evolution of digital cameras has made astrophotography … Continue reading →

Can You Take Your Video Camera on an Airplane?

Yes, you can; however, using it to record images onboard a commercial aircraft is an entirely different story. It’s a lesson I learned the hard way during my recent flight to Hawaii. Since the birth of my daughter I have diligently brought my camcorder on all of our family’s vacations. When we fly I simply place my video camera in my carry-on bag and shoot at will. However, during our recent flight departing from Chicago to Honolulu I was told that shooting at will was no longer acceptable. Actually, this is a more precise recounting of what happened on board … Continue reading →

Cameras and Video Gadgets for the Business Traveler

My cousin is not passionate about photography, but his job requires him to carry a video camera on all of his business trips. He uses it to snap a few pictures for his family and to record pictures, documents, and interviews for his boss. Since the primary purpose for him owning a camera is business related he is able to afford the latest and greatest high tech gadgets. (You know the ones that can turn the average traveler into a multimedia professional.) Lately he has been testing Samsung’s new high-definition camcorder, the SC-HMX20. It may be small (it’s a 10.9 … Continue reading →

Do You Own a Flip Camera?

About 300 fans of “The View” can now answer that question with a hearty “YES!” On Monday, the ABC daytime chatfest gave Flip cameras to everyone in the audience. If you are a parent of a teen or are part of the YouTube generation yourself then you know the importance of having one of these snappy pocket-sized video cameras with the stylish exterior. The basic Flip video camera retails for about $120 and can hold about 30 minutes of video. It features a one-touch recorder that allows instant playback of video on your TV or PC, with no required software … Continue reading →

Cutting Edge Camcorders

Is there anyone who doesn’t have a camcorder these days? Take a trip to Hawaii or a local high school football game and you’d probably answer no. But, I have news for you. A recent study found that camcorder sales are down 6% from last year. Hard to believe, isn’t it? With the amount of videos being shared on the Internet nowadays one would believe that the camcorder is at the height of popularity. But, apparently a relatively small percentage of videographers (especially the ones who upload video on YouTube) use traditional camcorders. Instead, studies found they use more PC-friendly … Continue reading →

Do You Need A Wedding Videographer?

I’m sure you know what it’s like to walk into a room just after someone has revealed the punch line to a hilarious joke. People are rolling on the ground cracking up and you’re left wondering what you missed. I feel the same way about looking at still pictures of people doubled over in the midst of a laughing fit. I’m always left wondering what was so darn funny. In my opinion, nothing captures the true experience of being at an event than having life-like moving images… and audio. These are elements that still photography simply can’t match. For instance, … Continue reading →