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.

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.

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.

Monochrome Magic:

Tips for Beautiful Black & White Images

While some people state that black and white photography is back in style, we contend that it never stopped being special.  Today’s software programs make it a snap to convert color digital images to stunning black and white.  The classic, vintage feel of monochrome images lends an entirely different viewing experience than that of its color counterpart.  Here are a few tips to help create stunning black & white images:

Visualize the End:  Although you may be shooting in color, consider what you’d like to create in black and white.  Visualizing a certain feel, mood or style can help you make better choices about which subjects or locations to shoot.  For example, an old building downtown might be a better subject than a suburban area when shooting black and white.  Know what you intend to create from the onset and you’ll be happier with the results.

Try Textures:  Choose subjects or locations with interesting texture, such as a rustic fence, a brick building with visually appealing facets or a model wearing layered accessories such as a scarf and hat.  Light will play an important factor in your final result so consider what available light you have in each situation and consider bringing an additional light source to use for experimentation.

Top-Notch Tonality:  When creating black and white images, make sure that your photograph includes a full range of tonality, which is measured from a 0-10 with 0 representing pure black and 10 representing pure white.  You can view your tonality range by referring to the histogram on your digital camera.  Again, having an additional light source to help expand the tonal range in an image may help create the image you’ve visualized.

Shoot RAW:  When you think you’ll want to convert color images to black and white or sepia, shoot your images in a RAW format.  RAW files have the greatest range because these files include everything captured by the camera’s sensor.  You can adjust the midtones, highlights and shadows, and these modifications can greatly influence the results once you convert the images to black & white.

Black and white photography is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and with these tips, you’ll be ready to create some fabulous vintage images.

Keeping Your Smartphone Photos in Sync:

Today’s smart phone cameras are often used as the primary choice for casual picture snapping.  After all, who leaves the house without their smartphone? And with the image quality continuing to improve and new applications that let us play with filters and other effects, some of our favorite images reside on our smartphones.

That’s why it’s more important than ever to make sure these images are added to your master photo library on your primary home computer (which you back up on a regular basis, of course!).  Fortunately, there’s an application called Photo Transfer App (clever name, we know) that is designed to easily transfer your smartphone photos via wireless or Bluetooth.  The sync process is simple, the interface is straightforward and the price is right at just $2.99. You can check the reviews and find more information here:  http://tinyurl.com/7hrunjl

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!

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.

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.