April Showers Bring May Flowers…

While it’s true the month of April is known for the rain it brings, the wet weather is often an under appreciated opportunity to take pictures. While you certainly don’t want to be standing in the pouring rain with your best shooting gear exposed, that doesn’t mean you have to wait until everything is bone dry, either. If you can spot a body of water such as a pond river, you can capture reflections and rain patters forming on the surface. You may want to leave your shutter open for a bit longer in order to catching the falling raindrops. Once the rain has ended, opportunities to capture rain-kissed leaves, flowers and other subjects will be all around you. Just make sure to pack plastic bags and a towel or two to protect your equipment!

The Importance of Great eBay Photos:

The Importance of Great eBay Photos: Successful eBay sellers understand the importance of taking high quality photographs as a tool in closing the deal. If you’re currently selling online—whether as a way to turn some of your old things into cash or as a side business designed to bring in another stream of income, you’ll want to make sure your images demonstrate the value of the item you’re selling. Did you know that we can help you set up a table-top photo studio designed to help you get high quality pictures without breaking your budget or taking up a lot of space? We can also give you a few tips on how to best photograph reflective items such as jewelry, chrome or other challenging subjects. Just stop by our store so we can make sure you get just the right setup for your particular needs.

Quick Tips for Shooting Spring Sports

Spring has sprung and we are finally enjoying some warmer weather. It’s also time for spring sports, which means ample opportunities for getting great pictures. Here are a few tips to get you in the swing for spring:
Scout Your Spot Early: Figuring out where to stand is critical to getting the best shots because success means being in the right place at the right time. Try to get to the field a bit early to gauge which places are best for shooting the action as it unfolds. Is it possible to get a spot close to first base? Are there items that could obstruct your view? As you start shooting in this environment, you’ll get a feel for the best places to stand, and once you’ve got that down, you should be set for the entire season.
Getting Around the Fence: How many times has the fence proved a formidable opponent to your getting that perfect shot of your child sliding into home plate? Again, a little bit of planning can make all the difference. Play with various locations close to the fence to see if there is a particular angle that will allow you to shoot in the clear. You may also want to consider a monopod for these events as they can be a great asset in helping you shoot from a higher angle, which will not only allow you to secure the shot but also to create images from a new and interesting perspective. Want to learn more about our monopods?
Candid Camaraderie: Sometimes we’re so focused on the action that we forget about those wonderful moments of playful connection and camaraderie between teammates. Keep your eyes open for those high-fives and pats-on-the-back. These moments represent the heart of team sports and lend another dimension to our sports photography library

Scott Smith Lighting Seminar

September 10 - 12, 2010

November 12 - 14, 2010

Master of Photography, Scott Smith, will be training photographers to see the light in plain, easy to understand terms. No matter your experience, Scott will teach you how to take control of your lights and how to pose for better portraits. Visit his website for more information.

www.LightingMagic.com

1-800-853-1190

Photographing Pets

For many people, pets are an important part of the family.  They provide companionship, affection, protection and a healthy dose of laughter.  However, capturing your pet’s personality—or even getting him to sit still—can be a real challenge, but with a few tricks up your sleeve, you’ll find that photo that truly captures your furry friend’s fun disposition. 

Keep it Natural:  When it comes to lighting, try to shoot using available light even if you’re indoors.  Perhaps you can use the light coming in from a nearby window.  If possible, forgo using your camera’s flash.  In addition to possibly startling your pet and hindering his cooperation, the flash can also keep you from capturing your pet’s coat color accurately. However, if your pet has an all-black coat, a flash or direct outdoor sunlight can be an advantage because it will help bring out subtle shadings and variations that make your pet unique.

Follow Your Pet:  When it comes to posing your pet, it’s best to meet him where he is at that moment.  If he’s resting, consider taking a few shots from a distance first.  Move in slowly and deliberately.

Frame Shots Tight:  When it comes to taking pictures of pets, a great zoom lens can work wonders. Whenever possible, fill the frame with your shot and shoot a bit tighter than you’re used to as it will create a more intimate and personal pet portrait.  If you’re looking for a new lens, we have a number of PROMASTER models designed to deliver high quality at a competitive price:  http://www.promaster.com/digital

Include Your Kids:  If you have children, this is a wonderful family project and a great way to spend time after school one afternoon.   Enlist your child to help with posing and using toys or other enticements to get your pet to look in a certain direction or to create an ‘action’ shot of him retrieving a toy.  You can capture some great interaction between your kids and your pet; just let the events unfold and shoot away.  Trying to control the interaction may end up stifling the images and losing the lightness you’d hoped to capture.

Let it Go:  Photographing pets can be challenging at times, and if your pet isn’t cooperating, put the camera away and try another time.  After a nice long walk or a game of catch, your pet may feel more cooperative and you can try again.

Spring Break Photography Tips

You can almost hear the squeals of glee coming from kids and adults alike when Spring Break arrives.  After plodding through winter weather, school, work and family commitments, the promise of a few days of freedom is enough to boost anyone’s spirits.  If you’re one of those lucky souls with a getaway planned during Spring Break week, here are a few tips to help you prepare to return with some fantastic photographs:

Pack the Right Gear:  Make sure you’ve got the right equipment for your trip.  If you want to travel light, you may find it best to choose your compact camera in lieu of your DSLR; however, if your destination includes some amazing scenery and landscapes, you may find it’s well worth taking your DSLR to ensure you are prepared to capture the grandeur of your location.  And remember to pack the battery charger, a lens cleaning cloth and an extra memory card.  It will only take a few minutes to properly prepare and it will be time very well spent.  If you need to pick up a memory card for your trip, we carry some of the best on the market:  http://www.promaster.com/memory

See the Signs:  While on your travels, make sure to photograph any interesting signs that display the uniqueness for your location.  Clever street names, signs displaying unusual warnings (Javalina crossings, anyone?) and mile markers can add a very local and interesting element to your vacation library of photographs. 

Define the Essence:  Each location has its own personality, its own attributes and distinctive markers.  While on vacation, think about what words you’d use to describe your vacation spot.  Having that clarity will help you with your storytelling and assist in identifying those sights that articulate your vision.

A New Twist on Famous Landmarks:   If you’re traveling to a well-known landmark, park or destination, take the opportunity to photograph it in a new and interesting way.  Look at corresponding architecture, foliage and surroundings to see how to take a familiar sight and uncover a new way of viewing it.  Experiment with zoom, distance, angle and lighting to unearth an interesting new perspective.  

Why a Photography Hobby is Good for Women’s Health

Today’s women find themselves with more tasks than time and juggling multiple roles that each have a long to-do list attached. For those ladies who say they don’t have the time to explore their love of photography, we’d like to share some good news. It turns out that a photography hobby can improve your health.

Dr. Elizabeth Weidmer-Mikhail, director of the women’s psychiatry program at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, stresses the importance of actively engaging in a hobby to deal with the tangible physical and emotional stresses that women manage during days filled with caring for others.

"Women need to do things that are soul-feeding that aren’t aimed at gratifying others,” Weidmer-Mikhail said. "Women need to take care of things, to do things that promote emotional growth. Find a satisfying hobby that doesn’t involve making money or drawing attention to yourself. It will increase your sense of self-worth, which leads to better health all around.”

Many medical professionals point to the benefits of a hobby to help with stress-reduction and related ailments. Photography is a wonderful choice because of the flexibility, low-cost of entry and creativity that can be explored.

So, the next time we send you an announcement about an upcoming event or workshop and you automatically think, “I wish I could go but I just can’t get away,” please reconsider. You do so much for those around you, and by enjoying your photography hobby and making time for yourself; you will also benefit your loved ones.

Rainy Day, Be Prepared!

• Two great styles to protect your gear in any configuration
  
• Designed for handheld use or tripod application
  
• Unique eyepiece opening adapts to most viewfinders for viewing through the lens— not plastic!
  
• Camera and lens controls are easily visible and operable through the RAINSLEEVE™.-$6.99
• The RAINSLEEVE™– FLASH version has an extra area to protect the flash unit -$8.99
  
• Drawstring lens opening offers easy access and a snug fit
  
• Includes two per package

Thanks for your understanding.

Turning Your Photography Hobby into a Business

Many a business guru will attest to the importance of following your passions when it comes to starting a business.  If you love photography and have entertained the notion of turning your hobby into a side business, here are a few tips:

What is Your Specialty?  Are you interested in shooting weddings, seniors or other portrait-related venues?  Are you hoping to expand into commercial photography for real estate developers and similar interests? While you may want to do all of it, consider specializing in one niche arena until you have built up a reputation and client list.  You can expand into new areas once you get your footing.  

Get Notable:  You’ll want to start brainstorming in a notebook to explore you ideas and possible obstacles to getting your business off the ground.  Keep it with you and write down ideas as inspiration strikes.  The written process can also help you uncover new avenues that may not reveal themselves otherwise.

Start Local:  Think about who might be in need of your services? Many small businesses have digital cameras but not the discerning eye to create a compelling image for their brochures, websites and sales materials. 

Sharpen Your Business Skills:  A thriving photography business is as much about powerful marketing as it is about high quality photography.  If you don’t feel you have the marketing and promotion savvy needed, enlist a partner or someone who can assist you in building the ‘business’ part of your new venture. 

Be Social:  Let your Facebook friends and Twitter followers know that you’re now open for business.  You never know where a new lead will come from, and your friends may help you spread the word about your new gig. 

Stop in Our Store:  We’d love to help you with your new venture.  Let us help you determine if you need any additional equipment or evaluate the camera and accessories you already own.  For example, we have a wide range of high quality studio lighting. 

http://www.promaster.com/lighting

 Maybe we can help you spread the word as well! 

Give Your Photos a Fresh Start

With the end of the holiday season comes a new year and the promise of a fresh start.  Now’s the perfect time to consider a few new resolutions when it comes to your favorite photographs, but don’t worry—none of these recommendations include a treadmill or dessert bans! These three steps will have you organized and backed up in no time flat.  Just pick one half hour once a week and you’ll be amazed at how well-sorted your photo library becomes!

Out With the Old:  Did you know that the average person has about 1,500 digital photographs on her computer?  Sometimes the mediocre pics crowd out the truly stellar ones, and too many random images can clutter your collection as well as your hard drive.  All you need is a half-hour in front of the computer to sort through your photographs.  Delete the blurred images, the duplicate photos and pictures of old acquaintances with whom you no longer stay connected.

For those who take photographs for school or fundraiser events, now is the time to copy the images to CD/DVD and deliver them to the proper people.  Your hard drive will thank you and you’ll feel better knowing they made it into the right hands.

Find Your Favorites:  Many photo organizing software programs have a function that lets you mark your favorites so you can find them for the next slide show, gift, or scrapbook project.  It only takes a little time to scan through your pictures to find your favorites and tag them accordingly.  You can then easily select those favorites and copy them to CD/DVD to send to loved ones or relatives.

Hard-Copy Back-Up Made Easy:  Now that you’ve deleted the old photos, marked and organized them, take one of the CDs that you made and bring it to our shop for 4x6 prints.  Viewing photos on the computer is fine but nothing compares to the experience of holding a printed photograph in your hand.  Plus, a printed-picture is the perfect back-up solution as paper doesn’t crash! Better yet, make two copies—one to keep and one to share.

 

Meet Emma.

Well if you guys remember a while back we where asking for suggestions and recommendations on who should be the new face to represent FWC.... (Old Blog Post) and the majority agreed!

Meet Emma, she is a 5-year-old female Weimaraner.

Qualifications:  She is great with people, easy going, great listener, plays well with others, likes children, she is patient, and respects boundaries. All thou we find out she likes to express her verbally to people who wear hats.

Hrs of availability: All day Wednesdays

Her Duties: Is to save you money!

For the moment Emma is staying home recovering from her spaying surgery. Thanks to Dr. Spikes and the staff at A-Animal Clinic, Emma's recovery is coming along smoothly.

Please keep and eye for "Emma is in the House" savings. Savings will vary week by week and it will happen only when Emma is in, so don't miss out.

Telling Your Story

Telling Your Story: How to Create a Powerful Photo Essay 

Photography has long been considered a powerful storytelling medium, and the photo essay is simply a more deliberate method of telling a particular story or chronicling a certain event.   Photojournalists such as Lauren Greenfield and Deanne Fitzmaurice have captured our imaginations and touched us through powerful photo narrative, and with today’s digital technology and a few storytelling techniques, you can begin experimenting with your own photo essays. 

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

·       Clearly Define Your Story:  It can be as simple as the first day or school or something more complex such as a controversial topic or current event.  Whatever the case may be, make sure you can clearly define it and explain it in one or two sentences.  The clarity gleaned from this exercise will help guide you throughout the process.

·       Go a Little Deeper:  Consider what aspects of the story you wish to convey.  Is it the wonder of seeing a natural wonder for the first time? The excitement of playing in a first little league game? Spend a little time contemplating the topic as you may uncover other aspects of the event to explore.

·       Plan Your Images in Advance:  It doesn’t have to be exact, but think about each photograph as a paragraph or chapter of your story.  How many images you take is up to you as each story is unique.  You may find that ten images portray the event as you wish while others may take fifteen or twenty.  There is no right or wrong number;  just make sure that each photo serves a particular purpose and plays a role in moving the story forward.

·       Consider How to Share Your Story: Continue to play with your creativity by enlarging the photos and having them mounted or framed as a series. We’d be happy to help you put the final polish on your photo essay. The completed result can become a wonderful conversation piece hanging in your living room or even in a local community center or art gallery!  

Taking It All In:

Your Guide to Fantastic Panoramic Photographs

Summer vacations often include locations with amazing outdoor scenery and stunning landscapes.  The desire to shoot panoramic photographs once meant investing in expensive equipment, but digital photography advancements mean that you can create picturesque panoramic s with your existing camera and computer. If you’ve hit the road in search of the great outdoors, make sure your images do Mother Nature justice.

Get in the Mode:  Check your camera to see if you have a panoramic mode.  If you aren’t sure, thumb through the menu or the manual to find out.  The panoramic mode is designed to help stabilize lighting conditions between photos in the series, and it will not change exposures between pictures as it would in automatic mode. 

Learn to Stitch:  Most of today’s image editing programs have a stitching tool that is designed to create a panoramic image from multiple pictures.  You may also be able to find a free software plug-in specifically for this purpose.  Check online for the options available.  You should be able to get what you need at no cost.

Stand Strong: Make sure to stand in the same position throughout shooting your series of images.  A slight adjustment of your location can result in photographs that don’t properly line up during the stitching process.   A quality tripod can help you retain your position while also keeping your camera stable. We offer a number of quality models here: http://www.promaster.com/products/tripods

Be Open to Overlap:  Make sure to leave some overlap on each image so that the photos can be properly combined.  When shooting the subsequent image, consider a 15-30% overlap of scene from the previous one.

Keep it Clean:  Nothing can ruin a fantastic panoramic picture like a finger smudge or dirt spec on your camera’s lens.  Keep a lens cleaning solution and cloth in your camera bag.  Many vacation photos have been ruined due to smudges and dirt, so a little preparation really pays off. http://www.promaster.com/products/cleaning

 

Try it Vertical:  Shooting a waterfall or other vertical wonder of nature requires the same basic principles as shooting a traditional horizontal panoramic.  Feel free to play with the images until you get the feel for shooting vertically.  You may find that the vertical element gives an additional creative twist to your panoramic photography!

Getting Great Underwater Photos

Summer means swimming pools and ocean depths, and those fun moments can be photographed even when everyone is wet! Aquatic photography does require a bit more planning and additional equipment, but for those who venture into this form of imaging, the results are well worth the effort.

Many of the same basic photographic principles apply regardless of whether your subject is in the shallow end of a pool or immersed in the Pacific. However, different environments do require different considerations. It’s important to remember safety above all, so make sure that you have the proper training and certification, and always be aware of your environment. Shooting underwater requires learning how to work within certain constraints and limitations such as a confined space, fast moving sea life and limited light.

Consider these tips the next time you consider shooting underwater:

Hone your Diving Skills: If you’re shooting in the deep, you’ll need to be able to keep yourself stable. Buoyancy control is very important in this environment and can have a great impact on the results you achieve.

Keep it Close: You’ll want to shoot your subjects closer than normal. Try to keep the distance less than two feet if possible. The water will ‘swallow’ light and getting well-illuminated shots is far more challenging if you’re shooting from farther away. You’ll also find that color fades the deeper you dive, so this is another consideration. Your flash won’t be as effective either, so try to close the gap between you and your subject.

Enlarge Your Subject: Try shooting upward to better capture your subject. This approach makes subjects appear grander and will allow you to show greater detail as well. This is a powerful technique in aquatic photography that adds scale and dimension to underwater life.

Pool Fun Photos: Try to shoot when the sun is overhead and strong, which is usually between 10am-2pm. This allows you to use the robust light to your advantage. You can also experiment with capturing action dive shots above and below water. Try a few test runs (kids love to ‘cannonball,’ so this shouldn’t be a problem) to make sure your placement allows you to capture the best shots.

Waterproofing Options: If underwater photography is something you’d like to pursue in a regular basis, consider purchasing a waterproof camera. There are a variety of models that can operate in wet conditions without fear of damage. If you prefer to use your existing camera, there are a number of watertight camera housings that will allow you to take your camera into the deep. Stop by our store and we’ll be put together the right solution for you.

Rent Scenic Backgrounds.com by Westcott

Would you like to save hundreds of dollars and have your images be the talk of the town? If you answered yes, then you've found the right place. Most companies charge about $300.00 to buy one single scenic background that only gives you one look for all the images you take. No one wants their photo to look the same as their neighbors did. Would you?

For only $49.99 (or $29.99 for those of you that most likely have "the coupon code") you could rent 6-10 backgrounds for the same price you could buy just one.

For you senior portrait and fashion photographers, options of over 100 backgrounds can set you apart from your competition ~ that has been using the same bench and garden background for years. Let your client choose backgrounds ahead of time, discuss clothing, then have it shipped in for the shoot and returned within a week.

For the photo enthusiast, get creative! Holiday cards, greeting cards, birthday invitations and more. The list is endless. The amount of things you can place an image onto now is mind boggling. Blankets, mouse pads, coffee cups, clothing...give a gift that is personalized and unique.

Take a look at what Westcott has to offer!

SAVE $20!

Use Code:AM0662QZ

Looking for Shiny Happy People.

We are so fortunate that Fort Worth Camera is continuing to grow. Due to this growth, we are looking to expand our fortune to "shiny happy people" (any R.E.M. fans?) who are looking for a fast paced professional environment?  We have both part-time and full-time positions available. Retail experience is a plus; reliability and  an energetic personality is a must. What are your strengths... we want to know!

Graphics: fluent in Photoshop, iPhoto, Aperture, Lightroom, etc.
Specialty Sales: cars, jewelry, boats, homes, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Retail: Department store sales, Jack in the box, Payless, etc.
Photography Experience: My Kids only, Point and shoot only, SLR's, Studio Photography, Weddings, Freelance, etc.

How to apply: Please come in to fill out a mini-application at Fort Worth Camera , 2900 W. 6th. St, Fort Worth, TX 76107 during store hours. Bring in your resume and INCLUDE your contacts and reference. 

In Loving Memory

David Pearson

1958-2009

Fort Worth Camera will be closing at Noon on Monday, July 13 to honor our beloved David Pearson. FWC staff will be attending memorial service.

He was a dear friend to many and forever will be missed.

Dallas Zoo Photography Contest

Feathers Fur & Scales

 Photographs taken at the Dallas Zoo between April 1, 2009 and September 30, 2009 are eligible for competition.

Registration Form

"Pic of the Day"

Visit our new blog and participate. Share your favorite images with friends, family and the Fort Worth Camera supporting community.

PIC OF THE DAY

Summer Travel

Summertime signals that adventure awaits. There are family excursions, girls’ weekend trips, father/son outings and solo journeys ahead. Now’s a good time to get your gear ready and pick up any accessories you might need to make your trip a photographic nirvana.

Whether it’s a weekend trip or a two month-trek, here are a few items you’ll need to make sure your travel bag is ready to go.

Expand Your View: There’s no better time to consider a new lens for your camera than when you’re about to embark on a new adventure. A new lens can help you see your environment in an entirely different way and help you take your photography to a higher level. Let us show you how a new lens can expand your view: http://www.promaster.com/products/lenses

Pick the Perfect Bag: The right camera bag is critical in keeping your photography gear protected and organized. Whether you’re looking for a backpack with compartments, a messenger style for hands-free access jet-setting or a waterproof model for turbulent weather conditions, it’s important to find the right fit for your travel needs. We have a variety of choices and can help you find the perfect bag to accompany you on your journeys. http://www.promaster.com/products/bags

Extra Memory Cards: It’s a safe bet that you’ll be taking tons of pictures so make sure you have enough memory cards to keep up with the entire trip. You’ll want to choose high quality digital memory cards with a high-speed transfer rate. We offer a wide selection here: http://www.promaster.com/products/memorycards

Rechargeable Batteries: Don’t get caught with a dead battery in the middle of your trip. Just tuck an extra rechargeable battery in your bag and it will help carry you through your entire trip. And don’t forget to pack the charger! Here are a few high quality batteries to consider: http://www.promaster.com/products/batteries

Travel Back-Up Method: Do you have a way to download and protect your digital pictures while you’re on the road? If you’re traveling with a laptop, consider using an online photo backup service or a portable external hard drive. Give us a call or come by the store so we can find which model would work best for your needs and budget.

Grand Re-Opening Sales Continue!

We invite you to come in and take advantage of all the clearance offers and great value.

How Do I Get to the New Store?

We have moved! Thank you for all of you patience. We are finally in our new store, we still have to tighten some loose ends but we are ready to help!

Photo Round-Up!

Hi Guys,

 Thank you for all your support.  Fort Worth Camera is inviting you, our customers, to help us improve our website, our blog, and our showroom, by displaying fresh and creative new images in our brand new store. We are encouraging you to submit images that are creative and best represent your talent.

Work may be on any category, including:  Landscape, Macro and Close-up, Stills, Sports, Travel, Pets and People-- lots of people!  People categories will include, but not limited to, Kids, Babies, Senior shots, Graduation, at play, at parties, at the lake, at the park, B-day fun and, remember, many happy people. We would also like images that highlight the core rules of photography, for example, rule of thirds, framing your subject, shutter speed and aperture priority, panning, shallow and great depth of field.

All images are subject to prior approval by Fort Worth Camera (FWC) staff before images may be used.  By submitting images you agree to allow FWC to use any or all images submitted in anyway needed, e.i. on our website, in-store artwork, and new product samples. Please be advised, you as a photographer, will be the copyright owner of the images, and you are only agreeing that the image(s) be used by FWC.  

Images should be submitted to:

fortworthcamera@gmail.com

In your E-mail please state the following:

• Title of your Image


• Photographers full name


• In your own words, please state that you are releasing copyrights to allow FWC to use all images for website, in-store use, product samples, classes and seminar material, printed ad's and uses as needed. 

New Position Opening!

We finally convinced Jeff we need a new fresh face for you guys to come and visit at the store. So we are looking for a talented individual with experience. The following qualifications are a must: Great with people, easy going, great listener, gets along with others, likes children, is patient, likes to play, respects boundaries, obedience as a first priority, and available to wag its tail when you come to visit.  Please let us know if you know of anyone qualified and with the following characteristics. Here are our three final candidates:

1) Blue Great Dane.

2) Vizsla.

2) Weimaraner.

So please cast your vote. Let us now your opinion and by whom would you like to be greeted by next time you come to see us at our new store!

Does Size Really Matter?

Well, it should when it comes to memory cards!

All thou is absolutely impossible to know the exact number of images that can possibly fit into any memory card, due to the inconsistency of the size of your image files. You can at least get an idea about what size of Memory Card you should purchase according to your needs. Hope that the following chart makes your decision a little bit easier.

Wide Angle on a Budget.

The PROMASTR Auxiliary Wide Angle, is a great alternative to achieving the wide angle "look" for a fraction of the cost.

Features:

The PROMASTER Digital Auxiliary Wide Angle Lens broadens the normal field of view when used with your standard zoom lens. This wider field is perfect for indoor photography where space is limited and for outdoor panoramic photos. This particular lens uses newly designed optical technology to ensure sharp, high-resolution photos with your digital SLR.*

We have tried and found out it works great! See for your self, it makes really makes a difference, notice how much more of the image is capture with the Auxiliary, then with out.

All of this images are taken with a Canon Rebel XS w/18-55 EF-S IS Outfit. The Images on the left are all taken with the Wide Angle Auxiliary, and on the right, with out the Auxiliary at 18mm. All images are shot fully automatic on "P" Mode. And all taken from the same spot and camera angle.

*Product specs and features information have been provided by PROMASTER.

Alkalines or Rechargeables?

Hi guys, Lets talk a little bit about Batteries.
Now more then ever people are asking lots of questions with regards to cost, recycling times and reliability on the life of the batteries and their chargers. And with everyone going green, the PRO AA rechargeables are a great green solution to save the thousands of AA’s from going into landfills every day. Plus they recycle flashes quicker (less wait time between flash shots) and they also work in many more applications that require AA’s. Perfect for Nintendo Wii remotes!!

These are some of the most common asked questions:

I charged my batteries three weeks ago and they did not last long when I tried to use them. What happened?
Rechargeable batteries lose approximately 20% of their charge in just 72 hours in warm conditions. Hot weather will accelerate this discharge. They will be almost completely discharged in 30-40 days. Simply give it a fresh charge before use.

How many times can I charge my NiMH rechargeables?
This varies depending on use and care, but you can expect up to 1000 charge cycles on average form properly maintained batteries.

How long will my rechargeable batteries last?
This varies as well. It is important to remember that the chemical reactions in your batteries are constant, even when you are not using them. The battery capacity will slowly decrease over time; you will lose approximately 10 - 15% after the first 350 charges and so on. You should expect to replace your batteries every few years.

My batteries get very hot during charging. Is this normal?
Yes, this is normal. Batteries can reach 120° F during charging. Your batteries will cool quickly after the charging cycle is complete. Do not install hot batteries into your device. Let them cool to room temperature before use.

How should I store my batteries once they are fully charged?
It is best to store your batteries in a plastic battery case. This will protect them from shock, short circuit hazards, and other damage. Leaving your batteries in your charger can accelerate the discharge. Carrying your rechargeables in your pocket or loose in your camera bag increases the likelihood of shock or short circuit damage.

How do I choose the best charger for my batteries?
Obviously, a quality charger is the most important factor in getting the longest possible life from your rechargeables. You may want a smart charger that can measure the charge in your battery and adjust accordingly. You may also consider a charger with a fan to reduce heat. A fan also increases battery life and reduces charge time. The best chargers will also have multi-channel charging systems (usually two or four) to treat each battery individually. While these chargers are more expensive, they will extend the life of your batteries and save you money in the long run.

But the most concerning question we have lately,(and with good reason!)is:

Are NiMH rechargeables better for the environment than the alternatives?
Yes. When you consider that standard alkalines are discarded after one use, and that NiCads contain potentially harmful cadmium, NiMHs are a good choice.

That is why we invite you to collect all (including alkaline, lithium, NiCad or NiMH) of your used batteries and bring them in to Fort Worth Camera, where we will gladly recycle them properly for you at no charge.

To help do our part, Fort Worth Camera and PROMASTER have teamed up to offer a fantastic recycle progam. Simply purchase a PROMASTER brand Lithium rechargable battery and Fort Worth Camera will warranty it for life* $15 handeling and disposal fee apply.

I want to know more about Chargers and which one is right for me.

*Only applies to PROMASTER brand Batteries.