Tag Archives: photo tips

Photography Week in Review for March 24-30, 2008

Whether you are shooting indoors, outdoors, during the day or at night there are a number of factors that can prevent you from snapping that frameworthy shot. This week I provided tips on how you can avoid the traps that can ruin a perfect picture. In addition, I covered a variety of issues that come up when taking your camera on vacation. The following Week in Review captures all of what you might have missed in the past seven days: March 24th—What To Do If Your Camera Gets Wet. I’m all for taking pictures at the beach or in a … Continue reading →

Tips to Remember When Shooting Indoors

One of the most important factors to keep in mind when shooting indoors is lighting. In your initial assessment of a room consider whether you will be using available natural light or your flash. Ideally you want to flood the room with as much natural light as possible. If the room has multiple windows open them to allow the natural light in. In the best-case scenario you will be able to fill the room with enough light so that you don’t have to use your flash. By eliminating the flash you’ll find your shots will not have those annoying orange … Continue reading →

Tips For Shooting at Night

I’m as diligent a photographer as they come… as far as taking pictures is concerned. It’s the printing, sorting, and cataloging of photos (all the incredibly time consuming tasks) that I struggle with. I am a horrible procrastinator when it comes to placing prints in photo albums and going through stacks of shots to find ones that are frameworthy. Which is why it is only now that I’m writing this blog on capturing night scenes. A few days ago I finally got around to printing the photos I took during our family’s trip to the Botanical Garden’s Holiday Festival of … Continue reading →

How to Protect Your Camera (From Yourself and Others)

I recently returned from a trip to Hawaii where my camera got in a serious workout snapping shots of everyone (including the dozen or so family member who flew in for our reunion) and everything (including my 3-year-old daughter trying to dangle her baby cousin from my dad’s recliner). My camera also took a beating during one of our trips to the beach and I had serious misgivings about how it would work for the remainder of our trip. Today I took it in to my local camera shop to get it assessed and have the technicians there give it … Continue reading →

More Ways You Can Protect Your Camera While on Vacation

In my previous blog I listed ways you could protect your camera while vacationing in a place with frigid temperatures. This blog is tailored to help those of you who are planning to take your camera to a tropical location. While the weather might be pleasant other elements could prove detrimental to your camera—-if you are not prepared. Before you head off on your island getaway consider purchasing a lens adapter and a skylight filter. Each provides added protection from the elements for both the lens barrel and the lens itself. Also, you’ll want to make sure your camera bag … Continue reading →

Photography Week in Review for March 16-22, 2008

Whether you are planning your family’s spring vacation or getting a jumpstart on your annual summer trip this blog will come in very handy. This week I covered what you need to know prior to taking your camera on an airplane. From film and airport security screening areas to tips on protecting your camera from drastic temperature changes, here’s a recap of what you might have missed: March 17th—–Why You Should Never Pack Unused Film in Your Suitcase. It’s a lesson I almost found out the hard way during my recent trip to Hawaii and I tell you all about … Continue reading →

Why Camera Buffs Should Invest in Silica Gel

If you expose your camera to a variety of different elements then you probably have some silica gel in your home. Silica gel acts as a shield of dry air in an enclosed storage area such as a camera bag. It is a blue colored “desiccant” that adsorbs moisture and condensation. You can tell if it is working because it will change color from blue to white or pink. The color change indicates that the gel has absorbed the maximum amount of moisture. The beauty of silica gel is that even when it has absorbed the maximum amount of moisture … Continue reading →

Why You Should Never Pack Unused Film in Your Suitcase

It’s a lesson I almost found out the hard way. Yes, the rule is posted in bold letters on the security placards to the right of the airline’s check-in desks, but I don’t typically travel with film (you might not either if you shoot with a digital camera). However, during my most recent trip home to Hawaii I brought along my favorite camera and had a few spare rolls of film packed in my suitcase. That’s a major no-no, according to the TSA agent who was in the process of lifting my checked bag onto the x-ray machine when she … Continue reading →

Photography Week in Review for March 10-16, 2008

T-minus 7 days until snap happy parents go wild on Easter Sunday. Are you ready? If not you’ve come to the right place. This week I provided tips on how to get ready for the upcoming holiday photo shoot. But that’s not all I covered. Find out what happened when I took my 3-year-old to take a picture with the Easter Bunny and why some people are so opposed to having others take their photos. Also, learn how to compose a unique shot, and much more in this installment of the Photography Week in Review. March 10th—-Preparing for Holiday Photo … Continue reading →

Creative Composition

Remember the “Family Tree” photo my pal took of her entire clan perched on various branches in an actual tree? I still can’t get it out of my mind. Each time I pass the photo (which now adorns my refrigerator) I have to smile. While I marvel at the creative composition of the photo I also have to chuckle because I know there would be no way I could convince my own family members to pose for a similar shot. (I have visions of my 5’1” 98-pound mother being hoisted on to an upper branch by my 5’11” brother and … Continue reading →