04 Nov 08 Today on Twitter: 2008-11-04

LifePics launch a new Photo-Book Creation Engine http://www.imaginginsider.com/?p=82799 Check it out live at http://mackcamera.lifepics.com #
Hiring electronics technician’s - Digital SLR, TV, Video Cameras, Digital Cameras, etc… D me to inquire (Mack Camera for repairs) #
RT @bittbox Google’s live election results map: http://tinyurl.com/6rtt26 #
a new look on twitter http://www.twitter.com/mackcamera #
Close to New Jersey? Can you repair cameras? D me to inquire about job openings #
RT @imjustcreative: SoulTweet » SoulTweet Voice - Alicia - @stales (http://ping.fm/CVwJG) #

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28 Oct 08 Getting Great Halloween Shots

Photographing excited (and constantly moving) costume-clad children at night can pose a few challenges, but taking great Halloween pictures can be a snap if you use a few simple techniques.

Use that Jack-o-lantern! Jack-o-lanterns can serve as great props as well as a creative light source for super-spooky shots. You can pose your children close to the jack-o-lantern—either with the pumpkin below their faces or in a silhouette pose, and the light coming from inside will cast a soft and scary light on their faces.

Go for the Action: Go beyond the traditional ‘say cheese’ shot and snap pictures of your trick-or-treaters on the go! Consider photographing them from behind as the run down the sidewalk, fully costumed with treat bags in tow, or walking up the steps to a neighbor’s house. Have them act the part of their costumes and keep snapping!

At Dusk– To Flash or Not to Flash: Most trick-or-treaters try to hit the trail before dark, and using natural light as the sun goes down can yield some wonderfully warm Halloween images. Turn off your flash and use natural light to capture the rich colors of the costumes and painted faces. If possible, snap some of your shots before dark; your Halloween photos will contain a nice range of moods between the dusk and nighttime hours.

Nighttime Shots: The right flash can make all the difference when it comes to creating that perfect image. Most cameras have a flash that is effective somewhere between five and ten feet from the subject; just don’t stand too close or else you may find your picture looks too bright or overexposed.

If you shoot using a DSLR, a high-quality add-on flash unit can greatly improve your images and allow you to capture fantastic nighttime pictures. PROMASTER has the most complete flash line in the industry with a product to suit everyone’s needs and budget. http://www.promaster.com/electronicflash

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10 Oct 08 Today on Twitter: 2008-10-10

Get a Grip http://tinyurl.com/3ggkkq #
@MaryDanielsen I would consider a new rebel. xs or xsi or even moving up to a 40d #
Watching @hubspot webinar on @twitter for PR #
Sign up for our free photo class November 10, 2008 7PM http://tinyurl.com/5nzgjx #freephotoclass #
Canon 5D Mark II HD Video samples http://snipr.com/48zco #
@MaryDanielsen You’re looking to spend around $1500 most likely if you go with a Canon 40d #
@MaryDanielsen You just have to call the library to sign up. *FREE *FREE *FREE #
@MaryDanielsen just so you know, the class is based towards beginners with point and shoots. SLR’s welcomed but it’s not an advanced class #
Question about your repair? Don’t feel like Tweeting it? Contact helpdesk@mackcam.com #

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06 Oct 08 A Good Back-up Plan

A Good Back-up Plan

*written by Chuck Pace at Roberts Imaging*

I see it all the time. Fledgling photographers landing a “paying” job for the use of their photographic eye and camera gear coming back to the store frustrated after having a technical or equipment problem on their “big break” shoot. The first time you shoot for someone else the anxiety levels are higher, and mistakes or errors are more likely.

It feels great to have someone place their confidence in you and your craft. It is a big ego boost, and can get you started in a secondary (or even primary) revenue stream. Still the most important thing is if you accept a job you should be prepared to do the job. The best advice is to have back-up gear ready for a possible failure. Similar if not identical equipment is recommended. If you are shooting with a Nikon DSLR Camera have another Nikon DSLR as a back-up, the same goes for Olympus, Pentax, Sony or Canon, if you have a Canon DSLR camera have a back-up Canon DSLR camera. A Canon Digital Rebel can be an excellent back-up for a 30D, 40D or even higher end Canon DSLR. Rember that many of the newer DSLR cameras now use SD memory cards while older or higher end units could still be using CF cards.

40d and XTiIf you are using a camera system that uses SD cards have extra SD cards ready (the prices have come way down so stock up), the same goes for Compact Flash Memory (CF) cards of course. If you are doing flash photography take lots of extra batteries, and have a back-up flash too. Canon Flashes and digital camera accessories are exclusive to Canon Cameras, so it wouldn’t help to have an Olympus Digital Camera or a Nikon Coolpix Camera as a back-up solution. If money is tight (and it often is for people doing their first few paying jobs, or ‘favor’ photography) consider backing up with used cameras or consider renting a reliable back-up system; camera, flash, even camera tripods are available. Remember that Roberts Imaging has a large used department, and an extensive rental department too. Above are quick links back to those departments.

Preparation is the key to building your reputation. Have a back-up plan. I know wedding and portrait photographers who even have a ’substitute shooter’ on call just in case they themselves get tied up or ‘break down”.

http://blog.robertsimaging.com