Cameras are getting cheaper by the week, it seems, and with wider access to cheaper and better tools, new photographers are popping up everywhere. With a little twist of a dial, or a push of a button, the ordinary photograph you normally would have taken now can be a stunning Black and White image, or a high-contrast picture that shows off your artistic aesthetic.
One of the settings that some people wonder about is the image setting: RAW. What does this mean, and why do RAW images take up so much space? Is it really all that important to take pictures in RAW? Read on, and find out the differences to decide what’s best for your own photographic vision.
What is a RAW Photograph?
A RAW camera image file is a file thatuses data from the sensor that is minimally processed. You know the saying, “what you see is what you get?” This is the philosophy behind RAW images. These images have extremely wide dynamic ranges, so that they are able to capture a great deal more information than a JPEG. You get a wider range of colors, better contrast, and a clearer, sharper image.
It makes sense, then, that RAW images take up much more space on your memory card in your camera than JPEGs. It’s a good idea, if you choose to take RAW photographs that you carry an extra memory card with you, particularly on vacation or on a holiday.
Why Choose a RAW Photograph?
Most photographers will refer to RAW photographs as canvases for work that they plan to do on the image once the image is taken. With a RAW photograph, you have much more data to manipulate, and you can work on any number of post-production software programs to create the image you’re hoping to get. With a RAW photograph, you’ll be able to brighten up an image taken in a dim restaurant, or brighten up the cherry red of someone’s lips, or soften the background in a romantic picture.
Learning to use RAW
To choose a RAW setting on your digital camera is to choose greater artistic license and more options for post-production image tweaking. It’s the way to produce the most professional-looking images from any type of digital camera. When you use a RAW setting on your camera, it’s important to also make sure you have the proper software on your camera to process the RAW image into a JPEG or a TIFF, or another format that online photo albums will support.
With a little bit of practice on color and light balancing, you’ll find that your photos will take on a new, more polished sheen that will have all your friends asking how you accomplished such a professional look. Sometimes it is the camera that makes the difference, but also changing the way your digital camera takes and processes images can be that extra cherry on top of a perfectly good sundae. And an extra red cherry, at that.
While a lot of people are relatively savvy when it comes to understanding the various camera types, not too many are knowledgeable about the type of lenses that are out there. If you are a serious about becoming a photographer, or if would like to learn how to take better pictures, this is something you should definitely learn about. Let’s take a look at the different types of camera lenses and their features.
Telephoto Lenses
These are camera lenses that have a relatively long focal length that provide the camera with the ability to magnify on a specific object. As a result, these lenses are highly prominent in the sports industry where magnification is very important.
It is also used quite regularly in the photography of wildlife, since getting close to subjects without disturbing is crucial. Overall, telephoto lenses are used by photographers who want much more control over the picture when they are limited in their depth of field.
Wide-Angle Lenses
These are used when a photographer is trying to capture a wider view in their shots. People love them because it provides you with the ability to capture a wider scene without compromising video quality. This type of lenses is typically used when there is an extreme foreground that the photographer would like to focus on.
The properties associated with this lens allow the person taking the photographs to create a much more interesting perspective as well as develop a dramatic effect. Finally, wide-angle lenses are great for taking pictures of landscapes or buildings. Now, let’s move on to the final type of camera lens that we are going to be talking about in this article.
Zoom Lenses
Zooms lenses can very useful, especially when the target of your choice is located very far away. What makes these lenses different from the first two is that they are completely adjustable. This means that you can switch from a standard viewing mode to a zoomed one and vice versa. All it takes is the click of a button. Automatically, this eliminates the need to lug around a bag full of different kinds of lenses.
One real advantage associated with zoom lenses is that they can provide you with real depth, without compromising on image quality. Here are the three formats that they typically come in:
§ Optical Zoom: Every pixel on the image will contain a different set of data so the overall product is clearer and crisper.
§ Digital Zoom: This is a type of zooms lens that will typically find on cameras that house a fixed lens.
§ Cropping Zoom: Also referred to as “Smart Zoom” this format of zoom lens will allow you record an image in the exact pixel size that it was taken. From there, you can crop or resize it without making any changes in the quality.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different types of camera lenses and each one is designed for a different purpose. Ultimately, the one you choose should be based on your level of experience, budget, and what you’re taking photographs of.
These days, there are plenty of ways to find high-quality digital cameras, whether you’re shopping online, or right in your own community. However, if you want a really great deal, you may want to consider buying your next digital camera via the World Wide Web.
To help you understand the benefits of buying a digital camera online, we’ve created a practical quick guide. Once you’ve perused our expert tips and suggestions, you’ll be ready to score the ultimate deal of the digital camera of your dreams.
Buying Online is Easy and Convenient
As long as you choose a reputable camera retailer that operates online, you’ll be assured of a smooth, simple and quick transaction. The best retailers will offer high-quality digital cameras, from basic to deluxe, and they’ll also provide warranties on the merchandise that they sell. For best results, seek out a well-known retailer with a great online reputation.
In addition, look for secure shopping services, great customer service (email queries should be answered within 24 to 48 hours) and money-back guarantee policies. When all of these features are in place, you may shop with true confidence.
Benefits of Shopping at Internet Retailers
The key benefits of shopping for digital cameras online are great selection and affordable prices. Since the World Wide Web offers virtually every digital camera in existence for sale, you’ll enjoy far more selection that you would at a local, community-based digital camera retailer.
In addition, since online retailers typically have lower overhead than community retailers, they are often able to pass on savings to their online clientele. That’s why it’s possible to save big dollars on these products when you shop via the World Wide Web.
The biggest Internet retailers in the world, such as Amazon.com and eBay.com, offer new and used merchandise for sale, and they also feature lots of interesting and informative review information, regarding products, buyers and sellers. By checking out these reviews (and buyer/seller feedback) before making a final decision, you’ll have a better sense of what a particular camera and/or retailer has to offer.
Online Comparison Shopping Will Be a Total Breeze
Since it’s so easy to compare prices, features and retailers online, comparison shopping will be very simple and straightforward. Instead of wasting gas (or pounding the pavement) to compare different models in your own community, you will be able to check out tons of different models, just by clicking your computer mouse or using your smart phone or iPad.
Since most reputable Internet retailers provide a range of product details, along with full-color photographs of digital cameras, comparison shopping online will also be very educational. You may use this comparison shopping phase to decide exactly which features you need, and which ones you don’t need to waste money on.
Features to consider include mega pixel levels, white balance, optical zoom features, and so on. Some people will need all of the bells and whistles, and others won’t.
As you can see, shopping online is probably the best way to get the nicest digital cameras for the lowest prices. So, why not shop for your next digital camera via the Internet?
Most people alive today do not truly appreciate the historical value of the device; they may feel as if its history only dates several decades. Studies have confirmed, however, that the concepts and overall science behind the camera dates back several millenniums instead. Understanding the brief timeline of where it began will allow any lover to appreciate these devices even more into the future.
Building the Foundation through Light
Historical studies and experiments that were conducted on optics and light overall built a solid foundation many centuries ago that would later become the building site for future growth in the world of photography. Philosophers from China and Greece were the first ones to start this construction in the 5th century B.C.E. but Isaac Newton was able to take those studies to the next level when he confirmed that white light is actually the combination of multiple colors in 1666. In the 1700s, Johann Schulze picked up where Newton left off through confirming that silver nitrate becomes darkened after it is exposed to light. That is when the production phase of the actual cameras really took off.
The Development
Joseph Niepce created the very first image photographically through camera obscura in 1814, but that failed after about eight hours of consistent exposure to light. Alexander Wolcott received the first American patent for a camera in 1840 and the first panoramic one, the Sutton, was patented in 1859. Oliver Wendell Holmes became the inventor of the stereoscope viewer and paper-based photographic film. Eastman Dry Plate Company was established in 1880 and, only 8 years later, patented the first Kodak roll-film device.
The first 35mm photographic camera was created in 1914 and the modern flash bulb was invented by General Electric in 1927. Over the next 20 years, Eastman Kodak marketed Kodachrome film, Kodak negative film and eventually introduced hi-speed Tri-X film. In 1968, history was made when the first picture of the Earth from the perspective of the moon was taken and, 9 years later, both Edwin Land was well as George Eastman were inducted into the prestigious National Inventors Hall of Fame for their years of hard work, innovation and overall contributions to the expanding world of photography.
Joining the Digital Age
The evolution of the camera really took off exponentially in the late 1970s when Konica was able to create the very first autofocus device that could be operated just through pointing and shooting the subject. The first camcorder for consumers was demonstrated by Sony in 1980 and, 4 years later, Canon was able to demonstrate the first digital electronic still unit. The photo CD was patented through Eastman Kodak in 1990 as becoming the first of many storage units for digital media and the world of digital devices and photography has only continued to grow even further over the past 20 years.
There are so many changes, updates and modifications that are currently happening year after year within the world of technology that have directly affected the ever-growing world of photographic equipment. A lot can be learned and appreciated, however, just by taking a trip down memory lane to explore the true history of these amazing, portable devices.
Do you want to capture those important family occasions? If you are looking for a high-end video camcorder then there are now plenty of great deals on the market. The top brands will all have a range of cameras to suit different ability levels. For example, Panasonic and Canon both have a wide range of beginner and advanced camcorders. It is highly unlikley that most people will need the very best camcorder to record special occasions so it really does pay to look around for the best camcorder deals to suit you. Take a look at the video below for more information.
I have a friend who paints small plastic or metal figures. These are usually in the fantasy genre, but sometimes science fiction, horror, uniforms etc. He has won a number of competitions and is often asked to supply photographs of his painted figures for exhibitions, magazines etc.
He asked me to recommend what sort of camera he should get. Until now he had been using his phone, and they couldn’t get close enough to capture the detail. He also wants to be able to use it for a multitude of other things, so he didn’t just want a specialist macro device, but a handy pocket rocket!
Although this camera looks dinky, it is as sturdy as hell, great looking, and packs a punch when it comes to features and performance. Colour reproduction and auto-white balance were spot-on, ISO performance was brilliant and the it’s night mode allowed for great shots in low light conditions.
The IXUS 980 IS scored high in macro tests, and its ‘Digital Macro’ mode captured the minutest of details. It will allow my friend to focus on objects as close as 2-2.5 inches. That will be fine for his figure photography. It is also a verg good all-round camera for when he can pull himself away from his figure-painting!
This is a sleek, lightweight device with great looks and solid build quality – the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 pretty much impressed reviewers in every way. It features an excellent Auto-Scene mode that (as the name suggests) detects modes automatically, making it one of the most convenient point and click cameras out there. Also, it’s not that expensive, which is a boon, of course!
The camera’s macro performance was really good, and it could focus on objects as close as 2-inches. The fantastic low light performance ensured that there was barely any grain in the macro shots, even in low light conditions. I guess low-light macro photography isn’t going to be an issue for my friend as he’ll be shooting his painted figures “in the studio” and therefore can bring adequate lighting to bear. It also is a great little all-rounder, and to be frank I’d be hard-pressed to choose between the two. It may be a question of looking for the best deal around on price.
So there we have it. A difficult choice, but both models will hack it, and hack it good for my friend’s figure photography. There are others on the market that will do the job, but not really as well. Panasonic cameras that cannot focus closer than 3 inches won’t be much good at all. The other thing he may want to get is a mini-tripod to make sure the it is perfectly still when taking his shots. They are quite inexpensive.
