We all like the convenience of the Ipod. We like our cell phones. In short, we like small things when we’re on the go. Digital cameras have gotten super small. And now, video cameras have as well. The Flip Video is a super small video camera that retails for only $150. In fact, it is easily small enough to fit into your pocket. I had an opportunity to give...

At first glance, some words/phrases used to describe features of a digital camera may be confusing. Here’s a list that will get you up to speed. [hidepost=1] Megapixel See next section, “Explaining the Megapixel”. SLR “Like” SLR-Like digital cameras are prosumer and not true professional, however they feel like full-size SLR because of the body....

Generally speaking there are three types of digital cameras, that being consumer, “prosumer” and professional. In layman’s terms you can think of each like this:Consumer: Basic Prosumer: Advanced (or “mid-grade”) Professional: Expert[hidepost=1] Consumer Digital Cameras With digital cameras that are specifically designed to be basic, almost all...

A shot which is very easy to accomplish by using a simple focus “trick” is focusing, moving slightly, then taking the shot. [hidepost=1] Example:You will notice the left is in focus while the right is out of focus. How is this achieved? It’s very simple.Place your subject directly in the center of the frame. Focus but do not shoot. Physically move...

These two terms can be easily confused but I will attempt to explain it as best I can. [hidepost=1] Shutter speed: The measure of time of how long it takes for the shutter to open and shut. It is measured in thousandths of seconds (e.g. 1/1000 = one one-thousandth of a second). F-stop: The amount of light “let in” to the camera during the time the shutter is...

Concerning a digital camera, ISO denotes how sensitive the image sensor is to the amount of light present. [hidepost=1] General rule of thumb: The lower the light, the higher the ISO should be. You can consider ISO the “eye” of the camera. To let in more light, move the ISO number setting up. For less light, have the number setting down. For example, if...

A panoramic photo is a “super-wide” image. It can be done in two ways:Have a camera with dedicated lens that has the ability to take super-wide shots (very expensive). Composite (“stitch”) a shot together from different shots.[hidepost=1] Being that most people won’t want to spend the money for option 1, option 2 is more desirable. The tools...

“Nanny” modes are auto-settings on consumer and prosumer digital cameras. They are recognized by name such as “Sport”, “Fireworks”, “Sunset” and of course “Auto”. [hidepost=1] The default shooting mode on all digital cameras is Auto. This is what makes a point-and-shoot camera truly point-and-shoot. The cameras makes its best guess and what...

The frame, simply put, is the area that a camera “sees”. It is whatever the lens can capture. One common mistake made by many beginner photographers is that what you see is what the camera sees. This is not the case. [hidepost=1] The single largest difference between a camera lens’ view and your view is that you have peripheral vision; the camera lens...

Indoor light is completely different compared to outdoor. Important note: The vast majority of digital cameras “prefer” outdoor light. The flash (should you have one) is designed to emulate outdoor light as well. When shooting photographs indoors, shots will not look the same as they do outdoors. [hidepost=1] The best indoor light is Fluorescent Digital...

The best way to begin this section is to give you examples of some bad shots. [hidepost=1] Bad shot example 1: Shooting human subjects with sun directly overhead (high noon) There are several reasons why this shot will come out absolutely terrible.“Raccoon Eye” effect. The human subject(s) will have large shadows under their eyes when the sunlight is...

When comparing indoor vs. outdoor, the factors to take into consideration are:Color of light Direction of light Intensity of light[hidepost=1] Color Outdoor is “warm”, indoor is “cool”. With outdoor light, the vast majority of the time you are using the sun as your light source. On a typical Spring day, the sun is obviously not white but rather...

Generally speaking, digital cameras can be bought in any one of the following places:Internet (BHphoto.com, eBay, etc.) Electronics Store (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) Department Store (Your local mall, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, etc.) Camera Store (various)[hidepost=1] Which is the Best? Camera store. In Florida USA one of the more popular stores is called Ritz...

The only thing you need to pay attention to as far as memory cards for digital cameras are concerned is whether it will physically fit in your camera or not. There is absolutely no significant advantage from one card format to the next. All that matters is that it can physically be connected to the camera you have. [hidepost=1] Question: Why have a memory card...

Digital cameras are everywhere today. Just about everyone owns one. Not only that, they are good cameras. Even the cheapest digital cameras today are capable of taking really great photography if in the hands of somebody who knows how to do so. Blatant Plug: We have just launched a brand new course at PCMech University which is designed to give you tactics you...

Rich looks at the complexities around the proprietary connections and cables that come with his Olympus digital camera. He finds a way around his connector...

Rich takes a look at a light-model digital camera from...