If you are planning to escape to the sun, sand and surf this spring break, you’ll want to make sure you have the right equipment to capture all the action. This is especially important if you are jetting off to the beach, pool or lake. These watery wonderlands are great places for kids to frolic, but you don’t want your camera splishing and splashing without proper protection. Fortunately, you don’t have to drain your bank account purchasing a new underwater camera to document your adventures under the sea. These days traditional digital cameras can be modified to record beach explorations. … Continue reading →

Tis the season to ditch Old Man Winter for sunny skies, soft sand, and warm water. If you are fortunate enough to jet-off to a tropical locale you’ll likely do so to the chorus of “take lots of pictures.” Whether you are documenting your vacation under the sea for posterity or you just want to make your Facebook friends jealous, you need the right equipment. Fortunately, you don’t have to break the bank purchasing a waterproof camera for your upcoming trip to paradise. These days you can buy disposable point-and-shoot underwater cameras, though if you are a serious shooter, a … Continue reading →

A friend of mine just purchased a Nikon D7000—-my dream camera. I lust after the DSLR in much the same way I do a Dyson, and I know I am not alone. The Nikon D7000 is considered the best non-professional DSLR on the market. However, at $1,500 it’s not exactly within my economic reach. To temper my longing for the incredible piece of photographic hardware I have been asking myself if I really need all the bells and whistles that it offers. I do… okay, maybe I don’t. Actually, I do. Actually, I want them more than I need them, … Continue reading →

My daughter is part fish. In the summer it’s especially hard to get her out of the water. On warm days she lives in the pool and barely comes out to eat and sleep. Consequently, I’ve been looking to invest in a waterproof camera because using a Ziploc bag to take underwater photos is simply not cutting it anymore. Fortunately, waterproof cameras come in a variety of different price points, with the least expensive being disposable point-and-shoot versions. I’ve experimented with one-time use waterproof cameras during trips to Hawaii, but haven’t been very impressed with the results. Ideally, I would … Continue reading →

The holidays and summer are two of the most lucrative times for camera manufacturers. It makes sense, as both boast amazing photo ops for amateur and pro shutterbugs alike. So, should you purchase a new camera in anticipation of a major summer road trip? If you have the means and you are in need of an upgrade, then the timing could be right. However, before you drop a ton of money on a new camera specifically to use on your upcoming summer vacation, consider some simple tips: Know before you go: Whether you plan to purchase a new camera to … Continue reading →

Decent tripods are not cheap, so if you plan to invest in one of these photo tools, then you should learn how to get the most bang for your buck. In most cases, amateur photographers invest in a tripod so they can snap self-portraits or they want a steady surface to avoid blurry shots. However, there are a host of tricks out there designed to help photographers get the most out of their tripods. For starters, before you even shell out your hard-earned dough it’s a good idea to test out the tripod. Make sure the legs raise properly. All … Continue reading →

If the Easter Bunny hopped by your home and neglected to leave you the tripod you requested when you visited him at the mall, then I would suggest shopping on eBay. If you have the means, purchasing a new tripod is ideal, but if times are tight, then consider buying a used one. In most cases you can find decent deals and score a solid tripod in the process. The trick is knowing what to look for. With standard tripods you have two head options. The first is a pan-tilt head, which allows you to adjust it three different ways, … Continue reading →

Yesterday I spent way too much time shopping online for a new tripod. Not for me; rather, one of our family’s dearest friends, who happens to be new to the world of hobby photography, mentioned that he was looking to purchase a tripod. Since I am a huge advocate of camera tripods, I convinced a bunch of other friends to help chip in to purchase our hard-working-always-there-when-you-need-him-but-never-requests-or-accepts-payment-for-help-provided pal an invaluable photo tool for Christmas. There’s no arguing that a tripod is a worthwhile investment that will last for decades provided you care for it properly. However, well-made tripods don’t come … Continue reading →

Recently I updated my camera system by purchasing the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AF-S lens from Nikon. This is a great prime lens and really delivers when it comes to taking portraits. It drastically improved the quality of my photos. They are sharper, brighter, prettier (thanks to the large aperture) and the bokeh is simply beautiful. I can’t wait to use this lens in my upcoming portrait sessions this month. Many people assume that it is better to upgrade your camera body when it comes to DSLRs, but I firmly believe that true quality comes from the lens, not the camera. … Continue reading →

I recently ordered a bunch of new filters for my camera. I intended to buy only a UV filter to protect my lens when I’m photographing small kids who like to poke at the camera, but when I started shopping I discovered a few filters that I just had to try. One of the filter sets I bought was a macro filter set. Each filter is essentially a magnifying glass that you can screw onto the end of your lens just like a traditional filter. The kit came with several different magnification strengths and you can stack them for even … Continue reading →