Digital Cameras & Digital Photography

Jim Johnson asked:


Not too long ago digital camcorders were very pricey, and so most bought an analog camcorder instead, but as always technology marches on and what was expensive yesterday can be very affordable today. So it is with digital camcorders. They have a lot of advantages that make them the clear choice if you can afford it, and here are some tips on how to choose a digital camcorder:

* It’s a good idea not to buy any camcorder until you have had a chance to actually hold and use it yourself. This is true because miniDV camcorders are the most popular camcorders out there, and they are so small that they may actually be too tiny for some folks with large hands to even use. They typically only weigh about a pound, and they can fit easily into the palm of your hand. So just imagine how difficult it can be for some to fiddle with the tiny controls and dials on these petite camcorders.

* Be sure that you understand the zoom feature and how it works so you get what you need when you buy. There two kinds of zooms used on digital camcorders, the optical zoom and the digital zoom. An optical zoom refers to the lens capability itself and zooms in on a subject before it is digitally recorded. The digital zoom is done by taking the digital image that has been recorded and magnifying it. What you need to know about this is that the optical zoom does not result in any video degradation, but because the digital zoom is just magnifying the image that is already recorded, you can easily begin to see graininess in the video image. So try to rely on the optical zoom as much as possible for most shots, and choosing a camera that has at least a 10z optical zoom should work fine.

* It good to try to get a digital camcorder that can also take still shots too as this makes it so much more convenient to take both video and stills at the same event. Otherwise, you would have to carry along both a digital camera and a digital camcorder at the same time and switch back and forth. But getting a camcorder that allows you to take still digital shots eliminates this hassle. Often the camcorder will even have a built-in flash for low light camera situations too. Most often the digital pictures are saved onto a removable media card that you can use to upload them to your computer and print them out later on.

A digital camcorder opens up lots of possibilities as it allows you to even transfer the video to your computer and add text or music if you like. In essence, you can become your own little movie director with the high quality miniDV camcorders that are available today.

Jim Johnson asked:


There has been such rapid changes and improvements in the field of camcorders over the last ten years or so that it may be confusing when you start looking to buy one today. There are a handful of competing formats that you should be aware of and know what they mean before you buy. So here is a digital camcorders review on what you should know before you buy:

* First of all the old bulky VHS camcorders of yesteryear are gone. They have given way to much improved versions that are lighter, smaller and produce much better video. However, you can still use VHS tapes for playback if you choose a VHS-C type of camcorder. This is an analog camcorder that records to tape that can be used in a VCR but the tape itself is small and compact to eliminate the big bulk of the old VHS camcorders, Once you record the video, you just place it into an adapter that lets you pop it into the VCR just as you would with any movie and view your video. Although they are small and compact, these are some of the most inexpensive camcorders that are available today and can be had for just a couple hundred dollars at many places both online and offline.

* 8mm camcorders also record to tape but the tapes are even smaller than those used by VHS-C camcorders. The disadvantage is that you can not play them through the VCR, but you can connect the camcorder straight to the TV and play it that way. Hi8 camcorders are just more advanced, better quality versions of an 8mm camcorder that produces the very best picture and sound that you can get this side of digital itself.

* Digital camcorders - These are currently the most expensive camcorders available but they are also becoming surprisingly more affordable too as time goes on. They record video images in digital format which allows them to be much more vivid and sharp, and the sound is vastly improved over the old analog camcorders. Because everything is recorded digitally there is no loss of detail when copies are made and this is a big advantage for some. Of course digital files themselves would take up huge amounts of disk space, so most digital camcorders still record to tape for the extra storage space capacity that tapes offer. The miniDV category of digital camcorders is extremely small and records to tapes that are even smaller than 8mm, while still recording hours worth of video at a time.

So many people think that all camcorders they find are now digital camcorders, but as this digital camcorders review indicates, you can still run across a lot of analog camcorders out there as well, and they are usually easily spotted by their lower price. If they will do the job for you, that may be all you need. But if you want the best audio and video possible consider either the miniDV or the 8mm digital camcorder instead.

David asked:


Is there any reason that YOU cannot take professional quality photographs? Not any more. We are in the digital age - and for photographers (by the way, that’s you) this is good news! You do not need a lab full of darkness and chemicals to set up a darkroom - digital allows you to take control of every step of your photography - from shooting, to loading on your computer, to editing and printing your images - all from your desk (or the kitchen table, if you so desire).

You can do it all! Rather than be amazed at what the pros can do - be amazed at what YOU can do! Digital photography allows YOU to do what, formerly, was reserved for the pros:

remove red eye

remove shadows

crop unwanted objects

crop for close ups

clone out undesirables

change an image to black & white or sepia

adjust the background

make a collage of special images

And this is just the beginning.

You can do a tummy tuck and never leave the house

You can melt away years with a clickety-click

You can wave goodbye to wrinkles

Of course, there is much more you can do in editing your images, but you get the point.

Another digital photography beauty is the ability to shoot your people or events and view them ON THE SPOT! This can be done either through your digital camera’s viewfinder or by loading onto your computer. When you are shooting special events in your life this is a real plus. Getting developed rolls of film back from a reunion or vacation is heartbreaking if something went wrong (and even someone having their eyes closed, if it is during a wedding portrait, is “something wrong”).

Practice makes perfect! If you believe this AT ALL, you can better understand why digital photography can help you learn to do great photography. Watch someone taking photographs with a medium format camera. At $$ per pop, notice how careful they are as to what they shoot, and how often. With digital you have no such limitations. You can shoot 300 pictures of sunsets, waterfalls, wildlife, wedding photos or your grandkids, and it is not a pain in the billfold.

This does not mean go out and shotgun blast everything you see. You still want to keep in mind the need to have a reason (theme) for taking a photography - think about how to focus attention on it, removing what distracts from your theme, and adding whatever attracts or highlights your theme, to make it a great photograph. However if you subscribe to “practice makes perfect” I hope you also agree with the guide “repetition for emphasis.”

When you learn ONE thing in the field of photography, digital allows you to put it into application immediately and without limit.

Digital cameras are becoming even more affordable for the average shutterbug. You can purchase a quality point and shoot digital camera or a pro-sumer DSLR and neither will require a home loan.

Yes, digital photography is not only the wave of the future - it is a wonderful way for you to enjoy one of the truly great hobbies and - for some - a very rewarding career!

For more information on digital photography and other related photography subjects you may want to read the article:

http://www.you-can-do-great-photography.com/digital-photography.html

This article authored by: You-Can-Do-Great-Photography.com