15 Nov 08 When to Send Your Camera In For Repair

Today’s digital cameras are a marvel of tiny electronics combined to work in synchronicity to capture those moments that matter most. Unfortunately, technology doesn’t always work as expected, and when your digital camera starts behaving badly, it’s time to determine if it’s a minor issue or something that requires professional intervention. Here are a few tips to try before taking it in for repair:

Check Your Batteries: A fresh set of batteries can fix everything! Insert a fully charged battery or replace the AA set and see if the camera responds. Sometimes it is the most common but overlooked issue that keeps your camera from turning on, so start with the batteries.

Check Your Memory Card: Did you know that your camera may not turn on if the memory card is full? This happens sometimes, so try offloading all the images from your camera card to your computer and then reformat the card. Once that’s complete, try turning on your camera and see if it responds.

Give Your Camera a Break: Like other electronics, sometimes your camera needs a reset, so consider taking out the batteries out for a day or so to let the camera reset. Make sure the battery is charged and then re-insert it after 24 hours. If your camera continues to malfunction, it’s time to consider sending it in for repair:

Next month we’ll provide tips on how to decide if it’s better to repair an existing camera or replace it with a new one. The answers may surprise you!

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10 Nov 08 Taking Your Show on the Road This Thanksgiving

The Thanksgiving holiday provides us an opportunity to pause and reflect upon the many joys in our lives. That week is also considered one of the busiest travel times of the year, requiring many to venture across state lines or even cross country to celebrate with loved ones.

Here are a few tips so you won’t have to spend a moment worrying about whether your camera is ready to capture those smiling faces around the banquet table.
Preparation Pays: Those Boy Scouts know what they’re talking about when they advise us to ‘be prepared.’ This is certainly true when it comes to digital camera batteries. Make sure to pack an extra set of AA batteries or an extra rechargeable battery (depending upon your camera’s requirements). It is a very small investment and can mean the difference between getting the shots you want and hoping a relative will send copies of her pictures to you after the event is over. Stop by our store or give us a call, and we’ll make sure you have the right battery for your needs. http://tinyurl.com/4g84j6

Lens Cloths Save Time Later: Keep a lens cloth in your camera bag and spend a few seconds cleaning your camera lens before you start shooting. Finding a recurrent smudge on your favorite Thanksgiving photos can make you feel a little less joyous, and cleaning your lens before the event is far less time consuming than trying to correct the images using a photo editing program later.

Try a Travel Charger: The digital camera travel charger may be one of the most important accessories you can keep in your camera bag. You don’t need to worry about keeping up with extra cables or other attachments because our PROMASTER XtraPower Traveler series of chargers have a built in switching power supply and a flip up plug. It’s a very compact and simple charger to use. The internal 110V - 240V power supply means you can use this charger worldwide; this combined with the compact size makes it PERFECT for the traveler. http://tinyurl.com/48wpvl

Bring the Right Bag: Not all camera bags are created equal, and cramming your camera and accessories into a backpack or briefcase isn’t always the best idea. For special family visits and vacations, it pays to pack your camera and accessories in a properly-padded camera bag. There are designs for every budget and style preference, and when it comes to getting ready for a trip, a camera bag is the one accessory that can keep all your gear properly organized and protected.

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03 Nov 08 Stress-Free Scrapbooks:

Digital Photography for Busy Women by Laura Oles

I marvel at how much straightening and organizing I need to do at the precise moment I sit down to tackle a tough task. I’ve been on a mission to teach my grade school daughter the importance of tackling the most pressing issue of the day first. So, if she’s dreading cleaning her room or finishing a particular homework project, I tell her to do it now so she’ll spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the fact that the task is now complete.

Let’s just say that Mom’s still a work in progress where this lesson is concerned.

One such project that people tend to avoid is organizing their digital pictures for a scrapbook. It seems like such an overwhelming task that few have the intestinal fortitude to start at all. I’m here to tell you that you CAN do this, and not only can you do it, you might even like it! And the best part? Once you’ve completed the task (in far less time than you thought possible), you can order several copies for loved ones and check off multiple shopping ‘to-do’ items off your holiday list.

Decide on a Theme: Some people fret that creating a scrapbook requires ‘going back to the very beginning’ and organizing all your pictures on a chronological level. While this works for some, others find the process far too constraining (and exhausting). You don’t have to cover an entire year if that’s too much of a challenge. Maybe you just want to highlight your favorite pictures from the last few years and note the stories behind why those pictures are so special. Take ten minutes to skim through the pictures you have on the computer. Which ones would you like to include and why? Once you’ve made a few notes, a general theme or format will present itself. Now that you know where you’re going, you’re on the fast-track to having that beautiful book in your hands.

Software Shortcuts: There are so many great software programs available today that will help you ‘tag’ your favorite images so you can quickly find the images you care about the most. If you don’t want to use a software program or fret it may take too much time to find the right one, consider asking your trusted photo retailer which ones would be worth considering. Another alternative would be to create a separate folder on your computer hard drive, name it ‘Favorite Photos,’ and then copy your top picks to that folder.

Get it on Your Calendar: Wouldn’t it be great to have this project completed by December 1st? Yes, it’s possible! Put this order date on your calendar. You can then work backward and pick two time slots to dedicate to picking and organizing your favorite photos.

Let Your Photo Shop Do the Hard Work for You: Your local photo retailer can give you great advice regarding which scrapbook options are available and how long they take—which isn’t long at all these days! Treat yourself to a visit to the shop to discuss your scrapbook ideas. Their knowledgeable staff can guide you through the process and show you just how easy it is to create this amazingly personal and cherished present.

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27 Oct 08 Studio Lighting on a Budget

By Derek Martin at Roberts Imaging

So, I’ve been busy the past few days moving product on our site into new, more visible categories (for your convenience), so I’m sorry I haven’t had time to finish the bokeh series yet, but I really want to have some nice reference shots to go with it. I’ll try and have that ready for you before the end of the week.

So, let’s talk a moment about a subject I’ve been reading up on lately: professional studio lighting. Now, as most of the world is aware, the US is currently having some jitters when it comes to the economy, and as most photographers know, studio lighting can be a very money-intensive thing. Can be. But, that’s not always true.

Lastolie Ezybox

First off, I’m seeing more and more studio-style lighting done with small flashes. That is to say, people are using their Canon flashes or Nikon flashes more and more. Flashes like the SB-900 or Olympus’ FL-50r now have wireless master controls built in, and with everything from bounce reflectors to small softboxes now available for these type of units, what used to be on-camera flash systems are finding their way off and opening up worlds of flexibility and portability in lighting.

RPS Studio 3-Light Kit And that’s all very cool. But, what if you’re like, just starting out on your equipment acquisition and you want to, say, shoot white seamless product and fashion shots (hey, I’m a designer, we’re all commercial at heart, baby)? For that you need at least three light sources, and SB-800s, SB-900s, FL-50rs, and 580EX IIs will add up in those quantities. So, how about three monolights with stands and umbrellas for less than any of those flashes? Well, then, take a look to your right at the RPS Studio RS-SB/SLK3. Three 160ws monolights (more than enough power for small studios and garage studios) with stepless output down to 1/8 power, two white umbrellas (you can shoot through them like softboxes for more diffuse light), a nice silver umbrella (I did say fashion earlier, afterall), and hey, it’s got IR triggers, so you can still work wirelessly. I’m budgeting one of these kits for myself, because it’s the perfect way for the newcomer to professional studio lighting to get their feet wet without making their wallet dry. And that’s pretty A-OK in my book.