Written on Dec 1st, 2008 by Dave Adams

Posted In: Camera Tips

Minimising Camera Shake

DSLR, Gorillapod, ISO, Lens, Low light, Photography, sensitivity, shake, Shutter Release, Shutter Speed, Stabilisation, Technique, Vibration 0 comments

Camera shake (unintended camera movement while taking a photograph,) can potentially ruin all your hard work in getting the perfect photograph. Camera shake can occur for a number of reasons - a heavy camera, a slow shutter speed and the forces of nature (especially wind) can all contribute to a photograph that is unintentionally blurry.

However, there are a few things you can do to minimise the chances of camera shake creeping into your photographic technique.

Use a tripod or other support

This is the obvious answer to reducing camera shake - use a tripod or other support, such as the Gorillapod (aff), to stop the camera moving. Add a remote shutter release and you don’t even need to touch the camera while taking the shot, which is the number one cause of camera shake.

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Written on Nov 27th, 2008 by Dave Adams

Posted In: Camera Tips

Black and White Photography - in-camera vs post-processing

Black, colour, Courtyard, DSLR, film, In-camera, Lyme Park, Photography, Post Processing, Processing, White 0 comments

Digital cameras often give you a choice of shooting in black and white or in colour. At one time, this choice was dictated by the film you loaded into your camera, meaning that you would have to shoot a whole roll of film before you could switch. With digital, you can quickly switch between black and white photography and colour photography simply by selecting the relevant option as and when appropriate.

However, before you jump in and select that black and white photography mode on your camera gives some consideration to what this will actually acheive.

In-camera vs Post-Processing

If you decide to produce black and white photos direct from your DSLR camera, you are conciously deciding that you are not interested in the colour aspects of the scene your are shooting. Is this correct? Are you sure that you will never want to see that image in full colour?

Lyme Park Courtyard in Black and White - converted in Photoshop

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Written on Nov 26th, 2008 by Dave Adams

Posted In: Camera Tips

Choosing which DSLR Camera to buy

DSLR, eBay, ISO, lcd screen, Low light, Manfrotto, noise, Photography, photos, pixel, price, purchase, Shutter Speed, Tips, Tripod 0 comments

Selecting which DSLR camera you should buy can be a tricky business, with confusing specifications and prices making it difficult to compare like with like across different manufacturers.

The aim of this article is to highlight some of the features you should look for in your next DSLR, and some of the hidden costs that might not be apparent from reading the manufacturers sales material.

We’ll start off by assuming that you are used to using a camera in one form or another, whether it’s a simple point-and-shoot or a film DSLR that you wish to upgrade to digital.

Nikon D700, Nikon D90, Nikon D40 DSLR Cameras

• Nikon D700
• Nikon D90
• Nikon D40

Why upgrade to a DSLR camera

There are a number of reasons for wanting to upgrade to a DSLR camera, including the manual control they offer you over your work, the speed they operate (lack of shutter lag), functionality and final image quality. While a DSLR isn’t going to turn you into a photography god overnight, it can help extend your abilities and force you to think carefully about what you are doing in a way a point-and-shoot never will.

However don’t think that the point-and-shoot will become entirely redundant if you buy a DSRL, they still come in useful for those times when a larger DSLR isn’t convenient to bring out with you.

Upgrading from a film DSLR camera

If you are upgrading from a film DSLR (or wish to simply complement your film camera with digital,) one of your first considerations will be to the lenses you already own. Do you require compatibility between your current lens collection and your potential new digital back? If so, you will become tied to a particular manufacturer from the get-go.

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