Digital photography technology has given us so many great new tools with which to experiment and improve our images.  Image editing software allows us to correct blemishes, add special effects and color correct images to our heart’s content.  However, when it comes to image editing and correction, it can often become a crutch that actually ends up taking MORE time overall, and time seems to be our most scarce resource these days.  Managing your total time invested in an image is particularly important if you make a living as a photographer.  Even if you just love snapping shots on the weekends, a little bit of preparation on the front end can make sure you get great shots that need very little, if any, post processing.

Incident Light Meters are Still Immensely Useful: Some photographers believe that shooting digital means no longer using an incident light meter for outdoor portraits, but these handy devices are more useful than ever before.  Today’s in-camera light meters are quite good but can still record true white and true black subjects as gray due to the fact that they are metering reflected light as opposed to the actual light hitting your subject.  If you’d like to learn more about incident light meters, drop by the store and we’d be glad to show their benefits.

Benefits of Custom White Balance: A custom white balance can save all kinds of post-processing time and the CWB is particularly useful this time of year when many of us are shooting winter snow scenes.  If the sun is bright, a CWB will come in very handy in making sure your snow doesn’t have a blue cast.  You may wish to lower your exposure value (EV) since your primary subject (snow) will be lighter than your background.

These techniques are also beneficial to those who prefer not to become masters of an image editing program.  Become a master of your camera technique instead.

Is it Better to Be Overexposed or Underexposed? When it comes to your digital images, it is usually better—if given the choice—to underexpose and image and not overexpose it.  This is one area where an image editing program can really help you in a pinch as they have tools to help pull detail from the darker shadow areas.  If an image is overexposed, or ‘blown out,’ there will likely be very little detail that can be salvaged.  We believe this same advice applies to celebrities…underexposure is definitely better.

Benefits of a UV Filter: Did you know that ultraviolet rays can have an impact on your images? These rays can make your images appear hazy or blurred.   Our Promaster  Digital HGX UV filter is a multipurpose fine-weather filter for color as well as black and white photography. The exclusive PROMASTER REPELLAMAX element resistant coating repels moisture, fingerprints, dust, dirt, and grime to make sure the sharpest image possible.   As an added bonus, this filter can double as a lens protector! Learn more about this quality UV filter here:

http://www.promaster.com/digital

Sports Photography Tip: When it comes to photographing winter sports, it’s often the athlete’s expressions that pull us into the shot.  Next time you’re shooting a sporting event, think about the best place to occupy that would allow you to capture your subject’s expression during key moments.   Try to spend a few minutes before the event starts to scout a place that will let you capture the exhilaration of the athlete as well as the action.

“…not a lot of surprises here so far. Here are some initial thoughts on the iPad”

via Apple iPad first hands-on! update: video! — Engadget.

When I first saw the G11, it was like love at first sight.  I liked the heft, I realize some of you might not like the weight but being old-fashioned and accustomed to old cameras like the Kodak Retina pocket cameras I did not mind the weight.

Now let’s get down to business. I wanted a camera that I would carry all the time and have it as an emergency unit when not carrying my DSLR.  I wanted what I call a “restaurant camera” – something that I could use in low light levels and still have a decent picture.  The unit amazed me in its “Candle light” mode.  Though the pictures were of a lower resolution they were at least comparable to pictures that I had taken in the past using a full size 35mm SLR and Tri-x film.  In a way I found the noise a bit less with the G11 in comparison.  So my first need was fulfilled magnificently.  I was amazed at the manual mode that when used in conjunction with the moveable rear LCD viewer let you actually see what the exposure was going to look at when you change the shutter speed or the aperture. You do not have to shoot first and then check in the LCD the actual result. I consider the manual mode to be great when you are working with light situations that you want to control how the final image should look.

You do not have to let the camera’s electronics dictate your final result.  Granted, you can use the camera in auto and just use the plus or minus dial to force the pictures to over or under expose.  In manual mode you see the result immediately. I particularly like the fact that the flash can be turned off even in Auto mode so you can use the camera discreetly in a museum and not be embarrassed by the flash going off unexpectedly.  In my opinion the auto white balance is great in full auto mode.  The Av mode let you control depth of field up to a point, it is not as effective as it is with a DSLR and a fast lens but that is the nature of the beast when using small CCD units.  The small lenses that are used in point and shoots have a greater depth of field inherently.  The foldout, swivel LCD monitor lets you place the camera in a very low position like even the floor and photograph a pet at is own height, or hold it over your head and take a picture over the crowds heads in front of you.  Try that with most DSLRS. At this writing Nikon has introduced this item on one of their DSLRS.  I would recommend this camera to anyone who wants a camera that can go anywhere pretty much and that can take pictures under most average situations.

This is not a catch a bird on the fly or an action camera but it will perform extremely well in the situations for which it was designed.  Money well spent.

Douglas John Vergara – 12-28-2009

Tamron 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC (Vibration Compensation)

Tamron’s Vibration Compensation—Blur-Stopping Power With No Annoying Motion Delay In Your Viewfinder!

With the advent of the latest 15X zoom lens from Tamron, the pioneer of high power zoom lenses, the high power zoom lens has steadily evolved from a 7.1X to a 10.7X to a 13.9X and now to the world’s largest zoom ratio of 15X by combining advanced high power zoom design technologies accumulated by Tamron since 1992. The lens covers an angle of view equivalent to that of a 28mm wideangle to a 419mm ultra telephoto with just one lens, letting the user capture once-in-the-lifetime images of panoramic landscape images or close-up pictures of children smiling, without having to get too close to the subject and without having to change lenses.

Read more about the lens at tamron.com

Stop in or give us a call to purchase the lens!

Rebate until April 30, 2010

Other rebates available listed below

Many a business guru will attest to the importance of following your passions when it comes to starting a business.  If you love photography and have entertained the notion of turning your hobby into a side business, here are a few tips:

What is Your Specialty? Are you interested in shooting weddings, seniors or other portrait-related venues?  Are you hoping to expand into commercial photography for real estate developers and similar interests? While you may want to do all of it, consider specializing in one niche arena until you have built up a reputation and client list.  You can expand into new areas once you get your footing.

Get Notable: You’ll want to start brainstorming in a notebook to explore you ideas and possible obstacles to getting your business off the ground.  Keep it with you and write down ideas as inspiration strikes.  The written process can also help you uncover new avenues that may not reveal themselves otherwise.

Start Local: Think about who might be in need of your services? Many small businesses have digital cameras but not the discerning eye to create a compelling image for their brochures, websites and sales materials.

Sharpen Your Business Skills: A thriving photography business is as much about powerful marketing as it is about high quality photography.  If you don’t feel you have the marketing and promotion savvy needed, enlist a partner or someone who can assist you in building the ‘business’ part of your new venture.

Be Social: Let your Facebook friends and Twitter followers know that you’re now open for business.  You never know where a new lead will come from, and your friends may help you spread the word about your new gig.

Stop in Our Store: We’d love to help you with your new venture.  Let us help you determine if you need any additional equipment or evaluate the camera and accessories you already own.  For example, we have a wide range of high quality studio lighting. 

http://www.promaster.com/lighting

Maybe we can help you spread the word as well!

“How To Protect Your Camera — from a Camera Repair Shop Perspective”

Scott wrote a great blog article for Outdoor Photo Gear.  He talks about how to keep your gear safe.  Go check it out!

“For a long time my employer only offered extended manufacturer defect warranties, but now offers extended warranties which covers impacts, sand/grit and liquid damage (not submerging).”

visit the article at  Outdoor Photo Gear.

With the end of the holiday season comes a new year and the promise of a fresh start.  Now’s the perfect time to consider a few new resolutions when it comes to your favorite photographs, but don’t worry—none of these recommendations include a treadmill or dessert bans! These three steps will have you organized and backed up in no time flat.  Just pick one half hour once a week and you’ll be amazed at how well-sorted your photo library becomes!

Out With the Old: Did you know that the average person has about 1,500 digital photographs on her computer?  Sometimes the mediocre pics crowd out the truly stellar ones, and too many random images can clutter your collection as well as your hard drive.  All you need is a half-hour in front of the computer to sort through your photographs.  Delete the blurred images, the duplicate photos and pictures of old acquaintances with whom you no longer stay connected.

For those who take photographs for school or fundraiser events, now is the time to copy the images to CD/DVD and deliver them to the proper people.  Your hard drive will thank you and you’ll feel better knowing they made it into the right hands.

Find Your Favorites: Many photo organizing software programs have a function that lets you mark your favorites so you can find them for the next slide show, gift, or scrapbook project.  It only takes a little time to scan through your pictures to find your favorites and tag them accordingly.  You can then easily select those favorites and copy them to CD/DVD to send to loved ones or relatives.

Hard-Copy Back-Up Made Easy: Now that you’ve deleted the old photos, marked and organized them, take one of the CDs that you made and bring it to our shop for 4×6 prints.  Viewing photos on the computer is fine but nothing compares to the experience of holding a printed photograph in your hand.  Plus, a printed-picture is the perfect back-up solution as paper doesn’t crash! Better yet, make two copies—one to keep and one to share.

So you’re iffy about buying an extended warranty because of all the horrible things you’ve read about them.  I decided to share these photos with everyone so you are aware of just how great our Diamond Warranty really is.  This Nikon D300s (purchased in September) was sent in for repair under the Diamond Warranty.  The customer’s problem stated “dropped in water”.

A few months ago we updated the Diamond Warranty to cover accidental liquid damage.  We will cover the liquid damage unless we can absolutely prove that it was intentional.

Check out these photos and you will just how bad a camera can get if dropped into water.  This one specifically has been dropped  in salty water which we can tell right away from the smell.

Hey, if you put the camera up to your ear you may hear the ocean.  Just kidding!!!  Yes we covered it and yes the customer is satisfied.  So why wouldn’t everyone buy a Diamond Warranty?

Thanks for reading!

Scott

Diamond Warranties are also available on Video Cameras, Lenses and Computers. They are also available worldwide

If you are wondering if there really are ways to tell if the damage is intentional, trust me… there are!

Happy New Year from everyone at Mack Camera & Video Service

Reminder of holiday hours:
January 1, 2010 – Closed
January 2, 2010 – Closed

We want to wish everyone a Happy Holidays and a healthy New Year!

Reminder of our Holiday Hours:

December 24, 2009 – Open
December 25, 2009 – Closed
December 26, 2009 – Closed
December 31, 2009 – Open until 4pm
January 1, 2010 – Closed
January 2, 2010 – Closed

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