SnapShot Archives - 10/18/1999

SNAPSHOT - PHOTO NEWS FROM BETTERPHOTO.COM
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Welcome to SnapShot, the weekly newsletter on the art
of photography from http://www.betterphoto.com

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IN THIS ISSUE
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Monday, October 18, 1999

* Quick Synopsis

* Photographic Happenings on the Web

* This Week's Photo Tip

* Camera & Photography Q&A

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
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Dennis Curtin's latest book:
A Short Course in Choosing & Using a Digital Camera
takes the technical and complicated and makes it easy
to understand. If you've been considering a foray into this
new world, - but you were unsure of where to start, take
this excellent first step:
http://www.betterphoto.com/books/featured/CurtinCUDC.asp

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QUICK SYNOPSIS
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* Agfa has been serving a lot of great tips on technique.

* Kodak has a fun presentation on an amazingly tough photographer.

* Seattle Art Museum is hosting a comprehensive exhibit on the art.

* Amazon's selling some low-priced, high-quality digital cameras.

* Recent digital cameras feature flash sync but not remote control?!

* Second light source always improves results but can be a pain.

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PHOTOGRAPHIC HAPPENINGS ON THE WEB
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Agfa's latest tutorial on photographic technique explores how different
camera angles can add variety into your pictures. By breaking away
from pictures taken at eye level, you can turn boring shots into exciting
photos. This is a great start for beginners.
http://www.agfaphoto.com/library/photocourse/9910/index.html

If you thought photography was difficult, just wait until you get a look at
Kodak's fascinating story of Frank Hurley, expedition photographer,
and his adventures in Antarctica with the Endurance. This is fun...
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/features/endurance/home/index.shtml

If you live near the Emerald City, the Seattle Art Museum is hosting a cool
exhibit, "An American Century of Photography: From Dryplate to Digital"
through Jan. 2, 2000. Even if you aren't a puddle-dweller, you can check
out their Web site at:
http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/exhibitions/hallmark/

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HOT DIGITAL CAMERAS AT AMAZON.COM
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With 1280 x 960 resolution, 1.8-inch color LCD viewfinder, uncompressed
TIFF recording, a 8MB 3.3V SmartMedia memory card that holds up to
122 images, it is no wonder the Olympus D-340R Digital Camera (at $299.99)
is one of the best selling cameras today:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JFIF/graphiqueA/

If you want a little more focal length flexibility, check out the Olympus
D-400 Zoom Digital Camera ($599.99). It is just like the above but also
has a 35 to 105mm zoom lens.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000G16K/graphiqueA/

If you need even more power and creative flexibility, try the Nikon
Coolpix 950 Digital Camera at $849.99. It sports an amazing 1,600 x
1,200 top resolution, a crystal clear 3x Nikkor zoom lens, a swiveling
2-inch LCD screen. The picture quality is fantastic and the many features
are among the best out yet:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JYWQ/graphiqueA/

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THIS WEEK'S TIP
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When traveling through an airport with film and camera, carry all film with
you rather than leaving it in checked luggage. Take film out of black
plastic containers and place in a clear plastic bag or case. As you go
through the security check point, hand this bag of film around the x-ray
machines. Avoiding the x-ray will keep your mind at ease about film
damage and using the clear containers will greatly speed up the process.

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CAMERA AND PHOTOGRAPHY Q&A
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------NEW Q&A-------
Q. I presently own a Kodak DC 210 digital camera and have very
much enjoyed using it for the last 2 years. Are there any digital cameras
that can be operated remotely from a tripod with a cable? If so, can
these cameras also power a lighting system to flash?

A. Most of the digital cameras - including your DC 210 - allow you to at
least use a self-timer and a tripod but few can be fired remotely using
an electronic or infrared trigger. In fact, I can't find any yet but I will
keep looking. Anyone else know of one?

The Kodak DC210 is, along with most models from Kodak, a great
digital camera. Learn more about it at Kodak's Web site:
http://www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/dc210/index.shtml
Or buy it:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/productDetail.asp?productID=154

The lighting system is even more sophisticated but is becoming more and
more common. Check out the Nikon Coolpix 950 for a camera that allows
flash sync:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000JYWQ/graphiqueA/

Depending upon the kind of external flash do you own, the best option
might be a plug for a sync cord, which would allow you to hold your
second flash off to the side. Other cameras feature a hot-shoe, which
makes it easy to place a flash unit but limits your ability to angle the
secondary light source. At the least, you can get a slave-triggered
flash.

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Q. I photograph homes inside and out for the largest real estate company
in my area. Although I use a mounted flash that I often bounce off the
ceiling, do you think getting a slave flash will greatly enhance my interior
photos of homes? Should I only use it in poorly lit areas or will it also
help the well-lighted area? Also, when shooting the exterior of a home
that's back-lit, is there a filter for the lens that would help eliminate
the sun spots, instead of me just putting my hand up?

A. 1. Having a second light source will dramatically improve the quality of
your interior shots. However, it is a big pain in the neck to carry about
and set up.

Back-lit subjects can be a tough problem. I am not sure any filters
other than a standard UV filter will help in this case. You can purchase
large hoods for your lens, though, that should eliminate the glare unless
you are shooting directly into the sun.

A polarizer may also help and will come in handy in many other
situations:
http://www.betterphoto.com/product/productDetail.asp?productID=464


*****
Ask a question of your own or answer a few from your fellow photographers:
http://www.betterphoto.com/qnaTOC.asp


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Until next week, enjoy shooting!

Thank you,
Jim Miotke
BetterPhoto.com

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