We Wish You a Mini Tripod

Pre-Black Friday Sale & Expo November 22 & 23.

Pre-Black Friday Sale & Expo!

...it's the sound of early seasonal savings & inspiration!

Beat the "Black Friday" lines & take part in the fun and relaxed  shopping experience at Fort Worth Camera! Representatives from Nikon, Pentax, Sony, Kelly Moore bags, Manfrotto tripods & bags, Tamron lenses & more  will be on hand starting THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY 22nd,  23rd  for demonstrations & HUGE savings!   Fort Worth Camera has tons of gift ideas for the shutterbug in your life! GET A HEAD START ON YOUR HOLIDAY SHOPPING! The hottest brands, the best selection & the very best service is here at  Fort Worth Camera, this Friday & Saturday at both locations!

Inside Tech Tip: Back-Button Focus

This ‘inside tip’ is one that many pro shooters use – and with good reason.  This technique is used when you wish to focus on a particular subject/object and then subsequently re-compose the image, leaving the chosen object in focus.  Back-button focusing, in essence, gives you the freedom to move between a chosen subject and composition, all the while keeping said object in focus.  Your camera won’t refocus on something that momentarily leaves and/or re-enters the scene. 

The most common method of focusing on a subject is to press the shutter button halfway to signal the camera to autofocus on the subjects. Back-button focusing, by contrast, often uses the * button or the AF-ON button (on some models it is located at the top right hand side of the camera body).  This technique is commonly used in fast-action sports and in busy situations where capturing a moment at the ready is imperative. 

This technique takes a bit of getting used to but, once you do, this technique has many advantages. It can also help you in situations where you need to focus between two subjects, all while recomposing the shot.  Like all techniques, practice is key, and with a little bit of experimentation, you may find the back-button focus technique to be one of the most useful you use.

Get this Fabulous Filter for Holiday Photography:

One of the most important ways to protect your DSLR lens is by using a high quality protection filter.  Our ProMaster digital HGX filter is the perfect partner to keep your lens shielded from dust, dirt, grime and fingerprints.  Its colorless design won’t impact your images in any way other than to protect it from the elements. The REPELLAMAX™ element resistant coating is exclusive to ProMaster and protects your lens while making sure your images remain tack sharp.  Pick up yours today!

The Perfect Accessory for Portrait Photography

Learning to use available light in any situation is a skill that takes patience, creativity and practice.  It is also one of the most valuable and rewarding skills to harness as a photographer.  One thing to remember is that it’s better to follow the light than to fight it; if you first identify where the light is coming from and how it falls, you can then decide how to best utilize it for your purposes.

Having a few tools to manipulate light helps as well.  For example, the ProMaster ReflectaDisc5 in 1 Plus kit is the perfect light-taming tool to keep close.  Its versatile style can be used both indoors in studio or outside for field shooting and includes silver, black, white, gold and translucent reflectors. Whether you need to simply diffuse available light or warm up skin tones, this kit will help you best use the available light for your purposes. It also includes an 18% grey panel to help establish optimum white balance.  Everything’s wrapped up nice and tight in the carrying case.

The ABCs of LED Lighting

While many photographers have grown up – and grown comfortable – shooting with traditional electronic flash units, a growing number of shooters are finding that LED lighting provides some advantages

Promaster LED VL380

Unlike traditional photographic lighting based on flashes, LED lights are ‘always on’ and provide constant illumination.  Having a continuous LED light source may prove beneficial to your subjects when shooting.  When using traditional flash, your subjects’ eyes will continually respond by dilating and constricting due to the flashes of light.  This continued impact of light can result in headaches and can become generally uncomfortable.  It can have an impact on expression and overall mood over time.

LED Lights have also proven themselves to be extremely versatile for photographers that work on both still and video projects.  The right LED light can move between portrait photography and product video promotion as part of an overall lighting strategy. 

The ProMaster LED Studio Light VL380 can be the perfect partner in your venture into using LED lighting.  You can get yours here, just in time for Thanksgiving family photos.

Giving Thanks for Fabulous Family Photos

Thanksgiving brings the promise of food, football and family.  For many, it’s a most favored holiday and it’s easy to see why.   When families gather together to celebrate, we want to make sure we’ve taken plenty of fabulous photos to remember this special gathering. 

Here are some of our favorite tips for making sure the snaps you shoot are cause for celebration:

Fifteen-Minutes Will Save Frustration Later: A few days before family arrives, spend a few minutes getting your gear in order.  If you have images on your memory card, transfer them to your primary computer, verify they transferred without incident and reformat the camera card.  Charge your camera’s battery and, if you have an external flash, make sure it’s charged with new batteries and is in working order.  Also, double-check that your lens cleaning cloth is in your bag.  One rogue fingerprint can kill an entire series of shots.  We have some quality cleaning products for your camera bag.

Also, remember to revisit how to use the timer function on your camera.  After all, you don’t want to just take the photos – you’ll want to be in them as well!

Learn Your Lighting Situation:  If the Thanksgiving feast is being held at your home or at a nearby relative’s house, scout the most likely areas to shoot family photos.  What lighting options are available? Are there large windows nearby to lend available light? Does the room have a low ceiling and few light sources? 

Surveying the possible posing locations and studying lighting can greatly improve your success rate when it comes to shooting quality holiday photos.  You’ll have a sense of where the best lighting is located and can bring additional lighting if needed.  You’re also much more likely to get cooperation from pint-sized subjects if you have all the tough stuff figured out in advance.  All you’ll need to do is pose and shoot!

Showcase Your Storytelling Skills:  Do you have an idea of what you’d like to capture this holiday season?  For example, maybe the all-day cooking marathon in the kitchen always brings a smile to your face.  Thanksgiving photos aren’t solely for the dinner table presentation, although that particular shot is certain to be a favorite.  Document the interactions between loved ones – the offhanded laughs, the shared smiles and the candid conversations exchanged throughout the day.  The outdoor football game, the long walk after an amazing meal and the kids playing in the yard are all great opportunities to create Thanksgiving memories. 

Picture Perfect Posing: Getting everyone to cooperate is particularly important when large groups and small children are involved so your careful planning is about to pay off!  When your family members know that you’ve put a bit of thought into the process, they’re more likely to realize it should be a quick and painless event!

For posed group portraits, you’re more likely to get cooperation from family earlier in the day.  For elderly family members, make sure posing includes a comfortable chair for them to sit and place others around them according to height.  Younger kids can sit cross-legged on the floor in front.  Getting engaged smiles is an easier task if you stay connected to them. One accessory that can assist you in staying connected is a remote shutter release.  It’s one of the most helpful accessories you can keep in your camera bag for shooting family portraits.  Our selection of quality remote releases is priced perfectly for your budget.

Share the Love: With so many choices online, sharing your family photos has never been easier.  Just make sure to get copies to all the family members involved.  For example, some grandparents have a Facebook account while others prefer to have hard copies, so take care to send a set of printed photos if they aren’t comfortable viewing images online.

How to Build an Instagram Following

 While there’s no question that Facebook is an important social media tool to use when promoting your photography, Instagram continues to grow in importance and influence as well.  With over 100 million users registered, Instagram is becoming increasingly important as the photograph takes center stage.  It’s an excellent vehicle to use to explore your shooting skills, promote your work or simply connect with others who enjoy shooting similar subjects such as travel or architecture. And if you shoot photography as a side business, Instagram is an excellent platform to showcase your work.

Use Hashtags with Your Posts

 As with Twitter, hashtags are helpful in finding categories of images or certain topics that are of interest.  When posting an image, consider which hashtags would work best for that particular image.  There are countless hashtags to use – really any word can be set up as its own category – but it’s best to try and pair your images with the most popular hashtags so that they have a chance of being seen by more people. You can search for hashtag words to glean how many posts are already in that category.

Some of the most popular hashtags include:  #picoftheday, #instagood, #instacool, #bestoftheday, #follow, #iphoneonly, #instamood and #iphonesia.   There are also very active categories for travel such as #traveling, #travelgram, #vacation and #wunderlust.  Location specific hashtags – #NYC, #london, and #paris – also elicit great interest.

Create Conversations & Combine with Hashtags

 A picture may be worth a thousand words but that doesn’t mean the words aren’t important, too!  When posting an image, the photo is a great start but adding an important detail regarding the photo or asking a question, such as “Where is your favorite weekend getaway?” can encourage connection and conversations.  Coupling your photos with questions or fun facts will encourage others to respond, generating more attention for your posts.

Connect Your Facebook Account

 If you haven’t connected your business’ Facebook account to your Instagram account, now’s the time to do so!  Many of your family and friends also have Instagram accounts – about 20% according to recent data – so this makes it easy for your customers to find and follow you.

It can also give you the opportunity to return some support by liking and commenting on customer photos, which will reflect favorably on both your business and your brand.

Invite People to Contribute

 Collaborate with friends and give them center stage by inviting them to submit photos for you to share on your Instagram account.  For example, ask them to contribute their favorite vacation photo and ask what made it so special.  They will enjoy being featured on your account and you’ll continue to have fresh and interesting images to promote. They may also ask you to do the same.

Highlighting others’ images can also give you another way to cross-promote on Facebook, as you can give them props for their images and they can share your attention with their Facebook friends.  This strategy can then lead to their friends finding you as well – on both social media platforms.

Take Time to Comment

In the Instgram world, comments are preferred over likes.  Likes are great, and you should spend a bit of time finding other photos and liking them, but taking the time to comment can help bring more people to your account. 

Pick a few hashtag categories that fit with what you’re promoting on Instagram and add comments to your favorites.  A simple “nice shot!” or “love this view!” will encourage those accounts to look at your account and what you’re posting.  This is one of the most proven ways to earn more Instagram followers.  Yes, it takes a bit of time but creating an Instagram following is a combination of online science metrics and relationship building.  

The Working Photographer: Best Books to Build Your Business

Q:  What’s the difference between a photographer and a pizza?

A:  A pizza can feed a family of four.

The joke brings a knowing smile to working photographers because it makes light of a common issue.  How can you make a living doing the thing you love?

The first piece of practical advice is to quit treating your hobby like a hobby.  Most photography studios don’t fail because of poor creative work; they fail because of a lack of understanding and implementation of the business aspects of this field.  Fortunately, there are professional organizations to provide education and some excellent books that can guide you through what is sometimes a confusing compilation of sales, marketing and financial strategies.   Here are a few of our favorite choices:

Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition by John Harrington

ISBN-10: 1435454294

John Harrington deftly tackles many issues ranging from how to effectively market your business to how to get through an IRS audit.  His CV includes editorial credits with the Associated Press, the New York Times, USA Today and many others.  Harrington is generous with his knowledge and experience and his teaching chops translate well onto the page.  Consider adding this edition to your bookshelf or download it to your e-reader; it will serve as an excellent reference for anyone who is currently working in the business or one day dreams to do so.

Photography Business Secrets:  The Savvy Photographer’s Guide to Sales, Marketing and More by Lara White, ISBN-10:  1118488407

Author Lara White states up front that a successful photography business is 20% photography and 80% business, and many in the industry would agree with her assertion.  This book is especially valuable if you’re at the stage where you’d like to take those steps toward building a photography business but aren’t sure how to start.  White’s book offers strategies for choosing a specialty or niche, building a brand and marketing your services to the public.  White also covers how to create a business plan and pricing strategies for services.  White’s writing style is easy and relatable, making the material accessible for the photography novice or those who have little prior business experience. 

Legal Handbook for Photographers by Bert P. Krages Esq.,

ISBN-10 1608954757

The legalities around shooting and selling images can be confusing even for well-schooled photographers, so Krages’ legal expertise proves helpful in this book.  This isn’t a dry tone filled with legalese, but rather, Krages provides scenarios and demonstrates how legal issues can impact the photographer based upon the situation.  This edition also covers the important issue of photographing in public and how laws are applied in such environments.  An important reference for working photographers or even those who enjoy shooting street photography. Being current on laws surrounding the business and craft of photography is key to keeping yourself on the right side of each shooting situation.

ProMaster Guide to Digital SLR Photography, 2^nd Edition, by Jenni Bidner

For those looking to brush up on their shooting skills or to get the most from their digital SLR, the ProMaster Guide to Digital SLR Photography, Second Edition, by Jenni Bidner, is the perfect partner for the job.  The craft of photography is a lifelong exploration and Bidner’s guide is designed to help you make the most of the skills and equipment you currently possess.  You can pick up your copy here: www.FortWorthCamera.com

Capturing the Majesty of National Parks

When it comes to summer holidays, visiting another state or national park is high on the list for many vacationers.  Sometimes the vastness of these natural beauties can overwhelm our senses and interfere with our ability to decide how to best photograph such a vast space.  It’s an issue that puzzles many photographers – how do we do justice to the grandness and detail of our country’s natural treasures?  We have a few tips to help you capture the essence of the beauty that surrounds you:

Be Prepared:  Shooting in nature requires the right accessories, so think about what kind of images you’d like to create while you’re in that amazing environment.  For example, a tripod is invaluable, as it will provide stability and flexibility, allowing you to compose images that you might otherwise miss.  We have a complete range of quality tripods for you to consider here.

Take it In:  Those first moments when we arrive at the park can open the floodgates of ideas, but reaching for your camera immediately can be a mistake.  Instead of shooting as soon as your reach the park’s entrance, consider taking in the scenery first.  Let your eyes and senses experience the views around you; let your imagination wander as your drive along the path.  Your creative mind needs a bit of time to process this new space, and this patience will pay off in your composition.

Shoot a Quick Memory List:  When taking in a park’s many views and vistas, it’s easy to forget certain areas that you wish to shoot.  Use your camera as a visual ‘to-do’ shot list and take quick photos of the areas that interest you.  Don’t be too concerned about composition or details at this point; the goal is to simply create a shot list to remind yourself of which areas you plan to explore in greater detail.

Choose Different Times of Day: The sun’s changing position throughout the day can create a wealth of different images even though the scenery remains the same.  Areas with trees can cast interesting shadows based upon the sun’s position, so you’ll want to explore those options, as the day stretches on. 

One Location, Many Viewpoints:  Instead of rushing from one location to the next, take a bit of time and study your space from several angles.  Shoot from numerous angles – high, low and close up – to examine how the same area can provide so many distinct and different views.  Find a focal point and shoot it from different vantage points.

Macro Made Easy

 If you’d like to experiment with macro photography but don’t have a macro lens, we’ve got an alternative that provides excellent quality while being budget friendly.  Our ProMaster Automatic Extension Tube Set is the perfect accessory to assist with your macro shooting adventures. 

Extension tubes are a perfect solution to allow ultra close focusing without sacrificing the optical properties of your lens or the need to buy a more expensive dedicated macro lens. ProMaster Automatic Extension Tubes are precision engineered for a precise fit and proper communications between your camera lens and body.  The ProMaster Automatic Extension Tube Set includes a 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm tube that can be used individually or in combination to gain the right magnification for your particular need.

Back to Basics: Rule of Thirds Revisited

The Rule of Thirds is one of the most well-known and frequently practiced techniques explored by budding photographers.  While many photographers agree that rules are meant to be broken in the name of creativity, your composition will improve if you understand how to apply the rules first.

To understand the Rule of Thirds, visualize two vertical lines and two horizontal lines dividing your image into nine equals squares.  You then place your key subjects and points of interest along these lines.  The primary subject will reside where the lines intersect.  The intersecting lines are sometimes referred to as crosshairs.

To better understand this concept, take a few of your photos and imagine the nine squares atop the image.   Where are your primary items of interest? Choose a few of your favorite photos, the ones that really speak to you and apply this rule.  You may be surprised at how often the Rule of Thirds is already at play in your favorite images.

Most camera manufacturers offer a virtual screen overlay that can divide your viewfinder into the Rule of Thirds format and this may help you get used to seeing your images in this way.  You may prefer not to use this guide, but if it is available on your camera and you are new to the concept, it’s worth the time to experiment. The Rule of Thirds, when properly applied, can create a sense of scale and drama and will direct the eye to the perfect place in your image.

Road Trip Photography: The Big Picture

Road trips are the kind of vacation often met with a combination of anticipation and dread.  Traveling with family, especially with small children, isn’t easy and the logistics of planning a driving holiday can confuse even the most organized among us.  Still, the rewards far outweigh the hassles, which is why we still load up the car and the kids and take off down the interstate.   So, the adventure begins and so does the opportunity to share your story.

A road trip is really a fantastic adventure story, isn’t it? Documenting the fun and frustrating parts is key in sharing the entire narrative, so it’s important to remember that during the entire trip.  Here are few tips to help you make the most of this experience:

Begin at the Beginning:  So often, we don’t start taking photos until we’ve arrived at our destination, but taking photos even during the packing and planning stages helps set the stage for what is to come.  Snap a few shots of the suitcases being filled, of what your daughter is planning to put in her backpack, of art supplies being prepared to keep kids entertained while on the road.  No need for posed pictures or asking the kids to smile.  Candid photos are best at the beginning, and in fact, some photos of only the cases or preparations may be more visually interesting from a storytelling perspective than requiring family members to occupy every shot.

Shoot Every Stage:   Keep your camera in hand and feel free to shoot during the day.  Don’t wait until you arrive at a particular location, as you will find rich material and interesting sights out your window during the entire journey.  We don’t always know which images will resonate with us until we review them later, so shooting throughout the day may reveal some gems you might have otherwise overlooked.

Experiment with Multiple Viewpoints:  Whoever owns the camera is usually the one behind it, but that also means that the primary photographer is left out of most of the photos!  Also, each of our travel partners will have his own perspective and viewpoint.  Share the camera and encourage others to take photos of what interests them.  Even the younger kids can take great photos with a bit of instruction but counsel only on how to handle the equipment and not what to shoot.  Let each person’s imagination wander while behind the lens.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Stop for Signs:  Road trips are a fantastic opportunity to discover unique, interesting, historical and funny signs alongside of the road.  Keep your eyes open and your camera ready.  If one catches your eye, pull over for a posed photo.  You can use the image to create a postcard to mail to friends or enlarge and frame it for your desk to remind you of the holiday.  Check out the many ways we can turn your memories into mementos: 
www.FortWorthCamera.com

Car Capture:
Photographing objects while shooting from a moving car can be a challenge but the opportunity to experiment makes it more fun.  It’s better to shoot objects that are far away as opposed to close up; your ability to get clearer shots will improve if your subject is father away.  You can also play with a panning technique, but usually panning is used when the subject is moving, and in this case, you’re the one moving!  You may shoot some blurry duds, but you may get a few photos that capture your moment in contrast with the scenery.  It’s worth a shot (pun intended)!

Taking Your Show on the Road

One of the best ways to celebrate summer’s arrival is with a road trip.  With the expense and hassle of traveling by air, packing up the car for a weekend adventure is an increasingly popular alternative. 

All great road trips require a bit of planning.  Our camera gear is often an afterthought, but with a little preparation, you can be ready to capture all the great moments during your holiday. 

Location, Location, Location:  Where you will be traveling and what you plan to do will make an impact on which items you’ll need to pack in your camera bag.  For example, will you be in the countryside enjoying nature? This means packing your macro lens would be in order so that you’re ready to capture blooms and bugs.  Or, if you’re going to be spending time in a city or hill country locale, using a multipurpose lens such as a 70-200 or a 28-300 might be all you need.

You’ll also want to consider how much walking you’ll be doing during your holiday.  If you plan on having three kids in tow and walking in a variety of terrains, less is more in this instance.  You’ll also want the right bag to handle being on foot for much of the day.  Don’t have one? Check out our extensiveselection of quality bags, perfect for your next trip! 

Often Overlooked, But Oh So Important:  Smudged or hazy images are often the result of a dirty lens.  Don’t let a stray fingerprint or dust ruin your vacation photos.  Keeping a compact cleaning kit in your bag is an easy way to keep your gear in tip top condition.  We know you want to use your shirt to clean your lens but don’t risk scratching your glass.  Use a microfiber cloth designed for lens cleaning.  Our compact cleaning kit takes up minimal space and will come in handy – trust us!

Take Your Tripod!   There’s a reason that we regularly promote the use of a tripod.  A quality tripod can greatly affect not only the quality of your images, such as eliminating camera shake by providing stability, but a tripod can also expand the kinds of images you are able to shoot.  It can help you shoot locales and people with a kind of flexibility that you may not enjoy with strictly handheld shooting.  We have a variety of styles, designed for every trip and budget.  Check out our impressive array of choices here.

Storage Solutions:  Camera image files continue to grow, demanding more and more space on our camera cards.  Make sure that you’ve tucked away an extra media card (or three) so that you’re free to shoot away without worrying about running out of space.  Our ProMaster media cards are known for their lightning fast read/write speeds and quality construction.  Pick up a couple before you hit the road.

Make Macro Magic this Season

With warmer weather finally here, it’s time to take our cameras in hand and head outdoors.  Nature photographers rejoice as we find our surroundings flourishing and endless opportunities to capture the splendor of spring.  It’s also an ideal time to experiment with macro photography.  Macro photography is essentially taking the size of your object in an image and enlarging it to several times (such as 5x) life size.

Ladybugs, bees, tiny creatures atop flower petals and leaves are all amazing subjects to capture from a macro standpoint.  Another benefit of shooting macro is the fact that you will have a shallow depth of field with this method, so clutter or background issues will have less of an impact than they would in traditional photography.

Here are a few tips to make your macro photography magnificent:

Try Texture:  One of the most powerful aspects of macro photography is how textures are magnified to complement your subject or add interest to the background.  For example, the fine hairs on a bumblebee will be magnified and the texture of the insect’s body will immediately draw the eye.  You can also use the texture of a leaf or flower to provide contrast to a smoother subject, such as a ladybug.   Combining textures works beautifully in nature and it also makes for stunning macro images.

Delight in the Details:  Macro photography brings the smallest of details to the forefront, so it’s important to consider this when deciding what to photograph.  For example, a blemish on a petal might not be noticed in a standard shot but a macro image might enhance it to the point of it impacting the overall effect.  A practice snap or two can help you decide if an issue is really an issue at all.

Experiment with Focus:  Consider shooting with a larger lens aperture to throw a portion of the scene or subject out of focus.  This technique provides some artistic play and will lend a different feel to your images.  You can reposition yourself to determine which portion of the subject looks best in soft focus.

Learn Lighting Tricks:  As with all other forms of photography, learning how to manipulate available light is an important skill.  For example, with macro photography, using front light will result in more intense color saturation whereas side lighting is perfect for those instances where you wish to showcase texture.  Playing with your position with respect to available light can have a substantial impact on your final image. 

Your macro lighting can also be helped along with our ProMaster LED 120 Camera/Camcorder light.  This model accommodates cameras and camcorders and can help you achieve well-lit photos and video with more natural color. The continuous light source eliminates the red-eye effect caused by your camera's flash and helps you get sharper pictures by providing a good source of illumination for your camera's autofocus system.

Your LED120 will have the perfect partner with our ProMaster articulating mounting arm. This handy accessory allows you to mount LCD panels and microphones on your DSLR for cinematography and has double ball heads to provide complete control over positioning. You can even use the arm to mount another small camera on your current camera to gain a new perspective.

Don’t Leave Home Without It:

Being prepared doesn’t always mean having everything perfectly in order before leaving – it can also mean having the tools you need when challenges arrive. That’s why our top two recommendations for what to keep in your camera bag this month are items sure to help you out in a pinch when things are less than perfect. 

Many photographers assume that tripods are only necessary with DSLR or hybrid cameras, but in reality, today’s compact cameras benefit greatly from the stability and variety that a tripod offers.  Compact cameras are perfect to take anywhere and use in any situation and we have tripods that are an ideal partner for your point and shoot models.  For example, have you seen our wildly popular Flexible Gripper Tripod?  It’s perfectly packable and can help you in a variety of tight situations.  Pick one up before your next trip.

Keeping your camera charged is imperative if you’ll be doing lots of shooting this summer.  In the hustle and bustle of our crazy schedules, we sometimes forget to charge our cameras before we head out.  For those situations, keep one of our Xtra Power Traveler Kits handy.  Your battery charger and accessories will be all in place and ready to go.  Just keep this kit in your camera bag and you’ll be ready to shoot anywhere, anytime.