A Few Photo Tricks for Your Halloween Treat Bag

The kids have been dreaming of costumes and candy, and their excitement to hit the streets searching for sugar can be felt days before Halloween. In the frenzy for fun, make sure to take these photo tips in your bag of tricks so, when Halloween is over, you’ve got some treats of your own!

Keep the Kids’ Perspective: This holiday is all about the kids, so make sure the photos you take keep their perspective into account. Shoot lower than normal, at their eye level, as opposed to standing over them and shooting downward. The images will highlight the sense of play and connectedness to the subjects.

Have Fun with Flash: What better time to experiment with lighting than during the spooky celebration? If you’ve got an off camera flash, use it! Experiment with position and let the kids get involved, too. You can also hand out flashlights and ask the kids to strike their scariest poses. Have them hold the lights under their faces for extra spooky shots. Bump up the ISO on your camera a bit for extra help and encourage a little clowning around.

After the sun goes down, experiment with flash and without. Flash-free photos might better capture the scary aura of the evening but some other shots may escape you unless you have flash as an option. Check out our line of quality flash products here: http://www.fortworthcamera.com/flash

Grab the Glow Sticks! We use them as a signal to cars that our kids are walking on the roads trick-or-treating, but they’re also the perfect lighting accessory for tricky photos. Use them to illuminate Jack-o-lanterns, put them underneath decorations and experiment with angles to give your photos that extra eerie effect.

Give Glare the Boot!

Photographers know how important it is to be able to manage and manipulate available light. Sometimes with light, we end up with too much of a good thing. Fortunately, we have the PROMASTER SystemPRO Universal Lens Hood!

The PROMASTER SystemPRO Universal Lens Hood is specifically designed for the wide focal lengths required by today’s digital SLR cameras. Its petal shape design is instrumental in helping to reduce glare while minimizing the potential of vignetting of your images.

The clever two-piece design allows you to quickly reverse the hood for storage. The mounting collar is compatible with your standard lens cap for the ultimate in protection. We have them here! http://www.fortworthcamera.com/lenshood

Sports Shot Tip:

When we think of shooting sports, one of the most important skills is the ability to capture the action in a variety of situations and conditions. A tripod is a great partner in helping keep your gear steady so that sharp images are the end result. However, there isn’t always room for a tripod, especially when the prime picture-taking territory is crammed with other shutterbugs vying for the same space. However, a monopod is a great alternative for providing stability in tight situations: http://www.fortworthcamera.com/monopod

Also, try bumping up your ISO to freeze sports action. This technique often works in low-light conditions but some pros also shoot at a high ISO even when they have favorable light available. Today’s digital cameras are far more powerful than previous generations, so experiment with ratcheting up your ISO higher than normal and evaluate the results. You may end up with the best action shots of the season!

Pet Adoption Event at Fort Worth Camera

Fort Worth Camera, West Side Animal League, and Glamour Paws Present:

A Pet Adoption Event, and Pet Food Drive for

“Don't Forget To Feed Me: Pet Food Bank”

October 8th, 2011

From 10-2 p.m.

Fort Worth Camera

2900 West 6th Street

Fort Worth, Texas 76107

Join your friends from Fort Worth Camera, West Side Animal League,

and Glamour Paws on

Saturday, October 8th, from 10-2 p.m.

for a pet adoption event, to be held at Fort Worth Camera.

West Side Animal League will be bringing fostered

animals who are seeking homes with compatible prospective owners.

A representative from Glamour Paws will be on-site with

treats and samples of their premium lines of food that they

offer in their store, along with information about

their full line of grooming services. With every animal that is adopted,

Fort Worth Camera will offer a $25 gift card to our store, and

Glamour Paws will offer a free bath at their grooming salon.

In addition to the Pet Adoption, Fort Worth Camera

will also be conducting a pet food drive for

Don't Forget To Feed Me: Pet Food Bank beginning

September 26th, in store. During the economic

downturn, Americans have been hit hard. Many

families struggle to find enough food for their whole

family, including beloved pets. While animals are

known to increase our quality of life, many families

cannot afford the rising cost of food and care for

themselves as well as their pets. The Don't Forget to

Feed Me Pet Food Bank recognizes the challenge

facing families as a record number of pets are being

abandoned or left in shelters, often as a result of the

downturn of our economy. They offer hope to

families who feel as if they are losing everything,

including their furry best friend.

For every pet food donation (either a bag of dog or

cat food, or six or more cans of dog or cat food),

Fort Worth Camera will offer a coupon good for

25 4x6 prints from our in-store printing lab in

appreciation for your donation.

Thanks again for your support!

When Hard Light is Helpful

The term ‘hard light’ refers to the bright, direct light the daytime sun provides, particularly between the hours of noon and early afternoon. While we’re often counseled--with good reason--to shy away from shooting in hard light, there are some instances that would benefit from the intensity of this form of available light.

Showcasing Textures:

Hard light can be very effective in enhancing textures in an image. Whether it’s the splintered detail in an old wooden fence or the intricate pattern in an article of clothing, hard light can become beneficial in making sure these details are brought to the forefront. If you’re looking to photograph an object--be it a commercial project or a personal one--learning to use hard light to enhance an object’s details is a skill that can add new dimension to your work.

Capturing Creative Contrast: Hard light creates intense shadows and using those shadows as part of your image is yet another way that this form of illumination can add rather than detract from your images. Shadows from tree branches and other tall objects can throw unique designs onto other surfaces, creating a compelling element.

Bring on the Backlighting: The term ‘backlight’ refers to lighting an image from behind, which is a popular technique in photography. Hard light can illuminate the lines and edges of the subject. This technique can be used in a variety of situations ranging from human interest to nature photography. Consider using a lens hood during these sessions to battle the potential complication of flare intruding on your images. Check our line of quality lens hoods here:

http://www.promaster.com/lens

With backlighting situations, there is also a risk of overexposure so exposure compensation adjustments may be necessary. An adjustment of one to two stops should help combat the camera’s meter being overwhelmed by the bright background.

How Photography Calms Anxious Kids While Traveling

Those who travel with kids, especially younger ones, understand that there times when these pint-sized companions get cranky. Maybe they’re tired of waiting to board an airplane or they’ve spent too much time in the car. This is where your digital camera can help improve their mood--and yours.

Hand it over.

That’s right. Take your digital camera, place the security strap around your child’s wrist, and ask him to take a few pictures for you. Of course, you wouldn’t do this with a high end DSLR (although you could let the child ‘help’ you take photos while you hold the camera), but today’s compact cameras are actually a great fit for a grade-schooler’s hands.

The digital camera is a wonderful way to redirect a child’s energy, and at the same time, it can help you see your vacation travels in a new light. A child’s perspective is distinctly different from our own, something that is readily apparent when viewing the photos after the travels have ended.

Sure, there will be plenty of blurry photos and some odd choices of subjects, but there will also be a few gems hidden in the bunch. Print a few of your favorites and put them in your child’s room as a reminder of your summer adventure.

So, consider sharing your camera with your child. Even if you don’t get a photo worth framing, you might get an opportunity to improve his mood, and that alone is worth it.

Also consider investing on one of our many selection of Water Proof, Shock Proof and freeze proof camera. I will give you a piece of mind knowing that they will not break it and to keep from loosing it, add a neck strap, they will be less likely to set it down and forgetting it.

Aperture Priority or Shutter Priority: Which Mode To Use When

Many people keep their digital cameras in auto mode because it’s the easiest path to taking good photos. It’s true that today’s digital camera functions are more sophisticated than ever, so shooting in auto is a safe bet, but for those who want to stretch out a bit, consider experimenting with Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority Modes.

Aperture Priority Mode: Aperture Priority mode is an excellent choice for those times when you want to play with DOF (depth of field) and deciding what portion of the image should be in focus. The camera will determine which shutter speed is best for the particular situation. If the camera must adjust to slower shutter speeds, such as in lower light conditions, having the camera mounted on a tripod will help improve image sharpness by combating camera shake. Consider these fantastically ultra-portable tripod models: http://www.fortworthcamera.com/tripods

Shooting in aperture priority mode can also guard against images being underexposed or overexposed. While it is always a possibility depending upon the particular shooting conditions, chances are that the camera settings will properly adjust to the lighting conditions and that aperture priority will serve your needs quite well.

Shutter Priority Mode: Shutter priority is often used for those instances when you need to freeze action such as during sporting event or when you’re shooting anything in motion. It’s also one technique used when trying to create a blurred effect. You select the shutter speed and the camera will adjust based upon how much light is passing through the lens. If there’s not enough light for a particular shot, the camera will adjust the aperture to a lower number to allow more light into the lens.

Shutter priority mode is one that will require more experimentation primarily due to the fact that there is a risk of under or overexposure of an image. Your camera’s aperture limitations may not allow enough adjustment to having too much/not enough light. This mode certainly has its uses and can help you create some stunning action shots but be prepared to practice in different situations.

White Balance Isn’t Just for Winter: While it’s true that adjusting white balance settings are important for shooting images of snowy landscapes and frost-capped tress, adjusting your white balance is also useful in a number of other situations. When it comes down to it, a custom white balance can improve any image with white subject matter, whether it be a small segment of the image or a large component of your composition.

We can make white balance adjustment even easier with our SystemPRO White Balance Lens Cap. The SystemPRO Professional White Balance Lens Cap diffuses incoming light to create an average color temperature for any given scene. With this lens cap on, use your camera's manual white balance feature and then capture the most accurate color photos with your digital camera. It’s great for use in difficult lighting situations. They’re economical and designed to always be with your camera.

Capturing the Essence of Action

When it comes to photography techniques, capturing the essence of action through blurred motion is one of the most popular--and sometimes difficult--skills to master. Many professional shooters will tell you that an element of luck often plays a role, but there are a few techniques you can keep tucked in your toolbox when the opportunity arises:

Take a Tripod: A tripod is one of the most useful accessories a photographer (of any skill level) can own. When it comes to providing stability for shots, a tripod will quickly become your best friend. A tripod can be particularly useful when trying to shoot action and when you’re using a longer lens. We’ve got a tripod for every camera and budget.

Focus on the Face: A more advanced technique you can try is to focus on your subject’s face while in motion. The idea is to have the facial features remain sharp while allowing the rest of the body (and vehicle, if applicable) to appear more blurred. Just keep in mind that you may have to experiment with shutter speed and that the proper setting depends on what you’re shooting and the speed at which it’s moving.

Figure in the Flash: Using a flash is used more often to freeze motion as opposed to creating a blurred effect, but you can still compose an image of movement using this method. Using a flash will allow you to shoot at a higher shutter speed than you would otherwise use, but again, the overall effect you will create will likely be different than blurred motion. A quality flash can help you take your shooting to the next level. Consider our options.

Shooting blurred motion shots may require some experimentation on your part. Use your children running, cars driving by and other objects moving as opportunities to experiment with your settings. Over time, you’ll become more comfortable with what works and what doesn’t and will be able to shoot more intuitively. Yes, this technique takes practice but the results can be immensely rewarding.

So, get moving!

Doug’s Summer Vacation Photography Tips:

Play with Posing: “So many times, I see the photographer lining everyone up in a tight row, smashing them all together. I want to tell them to break it up a bit!” Doug laughs about this because it’s such a common occurrence with vacation shooters. “Pose your subjects around something. Let them sit, stand, kneel--just move them around a bit. It makes the image more visually appealing than having people in a single file line looking straight at the camera.” Doug adds that looking for a seated area such as a bench can be all you need to for a great family vacation photo.

Shooting in Strong Light: The harsh summer sun can create some obstacles to great photos, but consider using your flash as a fill flash in these situations. “Also, make sure to backlight your subject,” Doug adds. He also states that if you’re close to a building, go to the north side and shoot in the shade.

Interlace Video with Photos: “Inserting video clips into your still photo slide show is a great way to add additional perspective and interest to your summer story,” Doug offers. He states that it’s important to keep the video clips small--say, ten seconds or so--and use them at key points in the storytelling process. Video can provide a different dimension and make the overall experience even more compelling than still photos alone.

The Best Accessories for Travel: Doug feels that there are a few items that will help summer shooters make the most of their vacation photo opportunities, including:

· Polarizing Filter: This often-overlooked accessory can add new dimension to your photographs. If the sun is strong, it removes glare from windows and from other reflective surfaces. “You’d be surprised at how many things in your background can reflect light. Water, leaves and flowers all pick up reflective light. It’s like looking at them through glass--you have to view them at a very particular angle for the colors to be rich. A polarizing filter can bring the richness back to your skies and grass. The sky will be bluer and the clouds will stand out. Consider our polarizing filters.

Doug states that you’ll lose two stops of light using a polarizing filter but today’s camera are far more capable at shooting at higher ISOs so you can play with increasing your ISO settings and you should be able to shoot at the same exposure settings.

· Try a Tripod: Doug confesses, “I’m one of those people who’s always in a hurry so using a tripod forces me to slow down, and when I do, it improves my photography.” Doug says that using a tripod allows you to use two eyes instead of one, and it provides you the opportunity to see your shot more comprehensively. “You’re more likely to notice a pole growing out of someone’s head or some other obstruction if you look at the shot outside of the camera’s viewfinder.”

· Wireless Shutter Release: For people photographing children or other challenging subjects, such as birds or other wildlife, a wireless shutter release can be the deciding factor in whether or not you actually land the shot.“ A wireless shutter release offers numerous advantages including stopping camera motion.

It’s also a great asset when photographing kids. Children often freeze up or become very self-aware when a camera is pointed at them. “With a wireless shutter release, I can interact with the child and trigger the shot once I’m out of the frame.” Doug says that that learning the custom functions is important. In his situation, he can disengage the focus on the shutter release and trigger using the ‘back button,’ and this gives him freedom to move and capture the image once his subject is comfortable and relaxed. He adds that it’s also ideal when he’s photographing birds; they leave for a bit and he keeps his setup in place and triggers the shot remotely when they return to the location.

Doug contends that today’s new shutterbugs will become tomorrow’s professional photographers. Regardless of whether you wish to pursue photography as a hobby or career, with mentors like Doug Box behind the scenes, your chances of success just went up.

Telephoto Talk: Summer activities just beg for a telephoto lens. A telephoto lens, in essence, allows us to be closer to what we’re viewing from a distance. Telephoto lenses are sometimes called ‘long lenses,’ and allow you to have the best of both worlds--close and distant.

A common telephoto lens is 70-200mm range and there are also models that offer 70-300mm range. These are considered multi-purpose lenses and have proven to be a favorite among many pro shooters. Our versatile lens can help you get close to the action when you’re far away and fill the frame when you’re near your subject.

Beware of Flares: When it comes to summer shooting, one common obstacle that seems to interfere with fantastic shots is ‘flare.’ Flare can occur when you’re shooting in the direction of the sun or some other strong light source. Flare can often appear as a streak of light or washed out light source covering a portion or all of an image.

To combat flare, consider purchasing a lens hood for your camera lens. These accessories are quite inexpensive and provide a number of benefits. In addition to reducing flare, a quality lens hood can also provide some protection from dirt or scratches as the hood’s design makes it more difficult for these items to come into contact with your lens’ surface. A lens hood can also protect against fingerprints and oils from your hands.

The PROMASTER SystemPRO Universal Lens Hood is specially designed
for the wide focal lengths required by today’s digital SLR cameras. Its “petal” shape design is instrumental in helping to reduce glare while minimizing the potential of image vignetting. We have a variety of lens hoods for you to consider.

Summer Stretches of Light:

One of the many beauties of summer includes the promise of longer days, and these time changes in sunrise and sunset can impact your photography. If shooting sunrises tops your list, be prepared to get up earlier! Also, certain areas with extremely hot weather will mean an increased intensity of sunlight fairly early in the morning.

If possible, skip the midday sun as it can often be harsh and may wash out vivid colors. Because the evenings arrive later in the summer, you have more time to prepare your dusk shots. Feel free to start shooting a bit earlier than usual and see how the changing shadows and colors affect your photography.

Experimenting with sunrise and sunset shooting can be one of the most satisfying and interesting aspects of vacation photography. Taking into account the local landscape, unique architecture and weather patterns can combine into creating a series of images that move friends and family and possibly even inspire them to visit the locale themselves!

Make Dad Smile with our Father's Day Gift Guide

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and we know that you want to show him how much you love and appreciate all the things he does for you each day. We’ve put together some of our favorite gifts for you to consider. Trust us--he’s going to love what you choose!

Bring the Binoculars! Pick the perfect pair of binoculars for Dad this year; he’ll be able to use them in all of his summer adventures! Our PROMASTER series of binoculars incorporate the highest quality optical glass and our exclusive REPELLAMAX element repellent coating is designed to protect your lenses from dust, dirt, scratches and hazardous elements. And we also offer our lifetime no-fault PROMASTER warranty! See our selection here: www.FortWorthCamera.com/Binoculars and scopes

For the Hunters and Birding Enthusiasts: Hunters and adventure enthusiasts agree that a quality spotting scope can make all the difference in an outdoor experience. Consider our PROMASTER spotting scopes for this Father’s Day. The enhanced optics including PROMASTER’s high tech TRANSBRIGHT™ coatings and extra low dispersion optical elements deliver unsurpassed sharp, high definition images. We have several models to choose from!

What the Pros Wear: If Dad has never tried a high quality photographer’s shooting vest, he’s in for a treat. The ability to have shooting accessories organized and on your person while out in the field can greatly impact the entire shooting experience--and possibly help get great shots that would otherwise be missed. Our PROMASTER professional shooting vests are made to withstand the elements, carry everything from pens to lenses and more, and are built oversized to accommodate fully-filled pockets--no more tight fits! www.FortWorthCamera.com/Vests

Keep it All Together: If Dad is schlepping his gear in an old gym bag or a beat up sack, it’s time to treat him to a quality camera messenger bag or backpack. We have a variety of models designed for the weekend warrior, the traveling professional or the pro shooter. His gear is one of his most prized possessions, so give him something that will keep his technology protected, safe and organized. www.FortWorthCamera.com/Bags

How To Read a Digital Histogram

Your digital camera has a simple but powerful tool that can help you evaluate the exposure of your images. It’s called a histogram, and it’s essentially a representation of the contrast and dynamic range in each image. A histogram shows the content of each exposure typically using a range from 0 (true black) to 255 (true white). You’ll find the ‘true white’ illustrated at the far right of the graph and the ‘true black’ on the far left. A well-exposed image will show points close to both ends. If a histogram is abruptly cropped on one end, this usually indicates that your image is under or over-exposed.
Each histogram image tells a story about the exposure of the image and can help guide you in making adjustments so that future images are properly exposed.

JOBY Ori for iPad Stop Motion

Migrating Birds: Photo Tips

Spring marks the time when many birds migrate to their summer homes, and this annual event is an opportunity for bird lovers to witness-and capture--this intriguing behavior. You’ll want the steady support of a quality tripod (we have several options here: www.FortWorthCamera.com/tripods) When photographing birds in motion. You’ll also want to choose the longest lens you have and shoot in continuous AF mode when the birds are in flight.

Photographing migrating birds is a skill that does require practice and patience; don’t get discouraged if you don’t get a stellar shot on your first attempt. Consider this experience another step in expanding your skills and becoming a more versatile photographer.

An Easy Way to Get Great Shots?

Keep your camera with you! How many of us have come to rely on our cell phone’s camera function for most situations? While today’s generation of camera phones is improving, they still can’t compete with your compact digital camera.

While DSLR shooters may find it difficult to have their gear with them at all times, if you own a compact point-and-shoot model, think about keeping it in a place where you can access it more often. It might mean tucking it in your purse, briefcase or backpack. It’s just a slight shift in thinking from bringing your camera on special occasions to giving it the same priority as your phone. Imagine how many mediocre cell phone photos could have been elevated to fantastic if you’d had the right gear in hand. After all, today’s models are so powerful, sleek and light that it takes very little effort to make sure you’re prepared for the adventures that will come your way!