Amazing sunset. Ideal picture opportunity

Last night I was walking home after a couple of post work drinks and couldn't help but notice the most awesome sunset. Of course I didn't have a camera with me at the time...that is until I remembered my trusty HTC Hero. I only got it recently and other than the occasional pub shot, never really used the camera, probably because I don't like cameraphones that much.

Better than nothing, I opened the digital camera app and clicked at the sky, and I have to say I was quite impressed with the results.

I remember the sky was a little more red, but the colour range displayed in the image is quite striking and makes for an atmospheric sky, with the silhouette of the houses below.

Maybe these cameraphones aren't so bad after all....

A Beginners guide to focal length, or camera zoom lenses.

Cameras – to zoom or not to zoom

Cameras come in all shapes and sizes, some zoom some don’t – but there seems to be a misconception that a zoom is just for one thing “getting closer to the action”, it’s not. Using the right zoom lens can dramatically change the picture, but first I think I need to just touch on a few terms

Explanation of a few terms…
A ‘zoom’ lens is a lens which can change its focal length, focal length (to put it simply) is how much it magnifies the image – if you “zoom in” you increase the focal length, “zoom out” decreases it, a wide angle has a low focal length and a telephoto has a high focal length.

So why is focal length important, and why did professionals prefer not to have zoom lenses?
Zoom lenses aren’t favoured by professionals too much, instead they prefer having a few “prime lenses” which don’t zoom – they typically are better quality and have higher “aperture”, but for most of us taking half multiple lenses with us isn’t really an option, and the quality of budget optics is often ‘up to the task’.

Focal length impacts on “depth of field” and also how dynamic an image is.
Longer focal lengths = less in focus (only the point you focus in will be sharp)
Shorter focal lengths = more in focus and more dynamic (3 dimensional) the image seems

It is also common for shorter focal lengths to distort the edges of an image, giving a curved and almost stretched effect. This isn’t usually noticeable if you’re going for a large panoramic skyline or street view, but can provide unwelcome changes to a close up subject.

Because of this, portraits typically look better with longer focal lengths, particularly if your subject has an unusually big nose, and landscapes look better with wider (smaller) focal lengths.

So for most people they want a zoom range, not just to get a bit closer to the action but also to impact the look of the photo itself, this is something a digital zoom or a touch up afterwards in Photoshop isn’t truly able to do.

So what do the numbers mean
There are two numbers that are used when describing lenses, and these seem to vary according to who is talking about it and the nature of the camera, it needs to be noted that the numbers will change according to the format, and digital and “film” cameras numbers aren’t quite the same.

Focal Length
24 or less = extreme wide, down to “fish eye”
28 – 35 = wide angle
35 = 70 = “standard” focal length
70+ = telephoto

3 X or some other number X zoom
Found when describing the majority of compact, or fixed lens cameras for the average consumer market, this is a measurement of how many times you can zoom in – a camera or lens that can zoom in from 20 to 100 would be a 5x zoom (5x20=100) common numbers at the moment are 3x, 5x all the way up to 12x zoom (sometimes even more). The bigger the number, the more you can probably zoom in.

It has to be stated that anything over than 12, is frankly a lot and you may find the quality of the camera is questionable at this point, it’s also wise if you do have a “long zoom” to make sure that you use it with good light or a suitable tripod / support.

Written by Gerry White

Making Digital Photography cheaper for your DSLR

Wow it’s been a busy couple of weeks at work, so apologies for being away. It seems a lot has been happening in the digital camera world too, with the Canon 7D digital SLR being the hot pre-order topic. A quick look at the specs show it to look like a fast little machine, but unlike its older brother the Canon 5D mark 2, it doesn’t feature a full frame sensor, settling instead for an APS-C, (about half the size). More on that when we get a chance to look into it properly though.

My big news from the week has to be the rediscovery of old m42 Pentax screw fit lenses. My supplier at Hilton photographic in Hull managed to get an adapter for my Samsung GX10 that allows you to fit the old style lenses and simply change any settings manually. Of course this means a little playing around to get use to it and I’ll be sure to post some results once we’ve had some better weather.

The GX10 DSLR, like the Pentax K10, allows you select on the camera body whether to use auto focus settings or manual, so it’s perfect for using these old lenses. Of course the other advantage is cost. Sure the screw fit lenses may not be as practical as their newer alternatives, but with a decent entry level macro lens from Sigma, or Tamron, costing several hundred pounds, being able to jump on Ebay and find the screw equivalent for around £50 is a bargain. Ideal for those situations where you might want to try a new kind of digital photography without the expense.

My Weekend with a Canon 1Ds MkII

Last weekend got off to a great start with a cheeky text. A friend had told me they could borrow a Canon 1Ds MkII Digital SLR from work and of course I jumped on this chance. After all, the Canon 1Ds mkII is one of the best Digital SLR Cameras on the market and it came complete with a Canon EF 50mm macro lens and a Canon EF 45mm Tilt Shift Lens. To those who are now puzzled a macro lens lets you get really close to little things, like bugs, while a tilt shift lens gives you a chance to get creative (or blurry depending who is giving you an opinion).


Also the timing couldn't have been better, with sunny blue skies meaning optimal photography conditions for hard contrasts and a chance to really capture some bright nature photographs. Of course, it wouldn't have been fair to leave my trusty Sansung GX10 at home (after all, not many Digital Cameras in that price range have the same features and quality), so I filled my camera bag with lenses and started outside. Driving out to the country I've never really looked at my surroundings in detail, so being on foot I took my time and eventually came to a small footpath which lead to a public bridalway. The views were fantastic, being able to see right over towards Leeds, and the hedgerows and plantlife meant the butterflies and other insects were out in full force. I excitedly prepared for my fist ever true macro shot.......a beautiful red emporer had settled just in front of me, almost as if posing for the camera....light meter....check...focus....check...press the shutter and.....it's gone.
Maybe next time.

Photography in the Summer time - Child portraits with a difference.

Yesterday saw the start of a weeks visit from my sister in law (also a keen photographer) and her 5 year old son. Other than the extra-early wake up calls I’m quite looking forward to spending some time with them. Children and family portraits are a great way to use your digital camera in ways that get the most out of your environment, not just the image quality. Show a roomful of doting parents two photographs of their child, one while they frown with hi-def clarity and artistic lighting, the other snapped on a camera phone, where the child is beaming at the lens, and I would be willing to gamble a quality macro lens they would choose the camera phone.
That’s not to say that all child portraits should be snapshots with little effort, and the British summertime is great for getting vibrant, full of life, shots that really make the child come to life and add that extra depth to an image. Take them to a park or a nearby bridleway while the sun is shining and a little lens flare can help to make the image a little more interesting. Disobey the rules and face towards the sun while your subjects run around and the resulting silhouettes can capture the magic of moving and playing.

A child’s natural curiosity and desire to learn as they play means the expressions they pull will be priceless. Imagine capturing the first time they see a butterfly, or that guilty, cheeky smile as they run up to give you a mud-covered hug! Kids aren’t afraid to get dirty, touch strange insects or explore under rocks, and this is when their personality could really start to shine.
Another favourite of mine is quite simple. Lie down with your camera! Too many people stand up, point their digital camera at a downward angle and click. Bringing the lens down to a child’s eye level can really add depth to an image and will help you frame that smiling face without a sunhat blocking the way.

If you’re lucky enough to have a digital SLR then don’t be afraid to play with the settings. Over exposing pictures isn’t always the best thing to do but tweaking the aperture to allow in that extra bit of light can really emphasise contrast and make your photos that little bit different.
Of course not every day is perfect, but summer sun can break through rainy clouds to provide some great backgrounds if you want to put a little more time into a child portrait. Site them on a windowsill and capture a reflection with the sun streaking through, or while raindrops are still fresh on the window.

I mentioned earlier that even camera phones can work well in summer, and this is because they’re fun and simple – everything that digital photography should be. On the beach, park or even indoors, the quality may not be as good but summer photos aren’t always about the print, they’re about the memories, and what better way to cheer yourself up in the dreary winter months than seeing the sun shining when you answer a call – all ready for next year’s summer photography fun.

Festival Photography - Free and Easy

I managed to attract a lot of attention last weekend with my Samsung GX10 Digital SLR. Street Festivals are a great way to get some vivid colourful photos and there are always plenty of performers willing to strike a pose .With this in mind I popped along to Leeds Pride with a couple of friends. So why the attention? It seemed that anyone and everyone would take a quick glance at the camera, notice it had a speedlite and lens hood attached and instantly assume I was working as a professional photographer. When I told them the images would go on my blog or a Facebook photo gallery, they still seemed equally as keen to hang around while I sorted my light meter.

Back to the point, festival photography can really boost a portfolio with colour and diversity, not to mention it’s usually free and can be quite fun. Street Performers will often create an interesting image with striking movement, or simply posing, while stall vendors can offer a slice of life digital portrait unlike anything you’d find anywhere else. Of course, there are plenty of opportunities for live music photography (a personal favourite of mine) should the festival feature any open air stages.

Anybody can take a shot from the crowd with a camera phone, but getting into the pit is usually a different story. At local open air festivals you often find little to no security leading up to the local band stages so get creative, crouch down low and start building that rock star image portfolio. If security guards do happen to be blocking any stage access, they are more often than not a emotive bunch and like the stall vendors, another great opportunity for some reportage photography.

Last but not least is the colour. Festivals are more often than not a vibrant source of life and colour, especially in the summer months. With a bright blue sky you get the full effects of strong light bringing the most out of your subjects and depend on your choice of digital compact camera or digital SLR, playing with the manual settings here will really open up the possibilities of what you can achieve with a portfolio of digital pictures. But what if the weather turns? I hear you say. Simple, just use the grey skies to your advantage and try using digital picture editing software with good effects to make a creative piece.

Summer doesn’t last long in Britain so lets make the most of it, and we’d love to see your pictures here on Camera Wars!

Sony Digital SLR brings an affordable contender to the full frame market.

For many the idea of a Full Frame sensor in a digital SLR may seem like common sense, but for anyone who doesn't understand the benefits it's quite simple. A full frame sensor is roughly twice the size as that found in 'lower end' SLRs. If both cameras had the same resolution this means a bigger area for each 'pixel' to capture the light, which in turn means better quality at higher speed settings, for example when shooting in dark locations. Until recently this benefit was only available in the higher end Canon and Nikon Digital SLR cameras, but now Sony has entered the ring with what it hopes will be the new entry standard to full frames. So what are the benefits? To start with, Sony's A900 Digital SLR is cheaper than it's nearest competition (The Canon 5D MkII and the Nikon D700 respectively), and it features the largest resolution in it's class (a whopping 24 Megapixels). However it's a case of quality over quantity in the world of Digital SLR cameras and while the Sony A900 appears to do a fantastic job of keeping up in the features department with built in anti shake and a 5fps burst mode (holding down the shutter will allow you to take five shots a second in succession) a direct comparison in this months Digital Camera Magazine states that it delivers excellent results, however feels "crude and noisy" and rates the Canon 5D Mk II Digital SLR as the better of the three.

In summary, the A900 Sony Digital SLR delivers warm, rich colours and a high resolution, at a great price for those new to the market, however at high speed settings (that some would argue are the whole point of full frame digital SLRs) the Canon and Nikon Cameras appear have the advantage.