Cameras-n- Stuff

Many photographers are always looking for the newest camera with the newest features. I know, because I do that. But it ain’t always the camera that gets the good picture. Sure, it helps. However there are those who could take a great shot with the digital camera on their mobile phone.

Unfortunately, I am not one of those. I have to work at getting good pictures. I read and research all the time on the Internet. When I go to the local Barnes and Noble bookstore, I look at the Photography magazines for hours.

The point here is, where do you get good instruction? Personally, I am a fan of Scott Kelby and the NAPP team. They have always put out great tips and tricks for taking good photos and processing them afterwards. If you join their website, you have access to some really wonderful tutorials by some of the best teachers on the planet. You can also sign up for Kelby Training and pay a monthly fee to get excellent video training.

Another place to try is Online Training. They are more into the post-processing part of photography, but their site is excellent, none the less.

Training and practice have given me a few good photographs. Take a look at them on my website at www.thewayeyeseeit.net. I continue to snap the shutter, hoping to get that one that causes folks to go “WOW!”

I love photo processing software!

I use Photoshop CS4.

Hey, did you know you can get Photoshop products for 80% below retail at the Adobe Education Store. — That is if you are an educator or a secondary student? Just thought you might be interested. (That’s the only way I could do it.)

Otherwise, I would use Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate
(Full $99.99 $59.99 )

OK, so I came across this new plugin for Photoshop (and it’s not just a plugin – there is a stand alone version if you don’t have Photoshop.) It’s called Green Screen Wizard.

Have your heard of Chroma Key processing? It’s been used in video for years. Like when the weather dude is standing in front of the weather map, but he really isn’t. Instead, he is in front of a green screen, and they can superimpose his body in front of the weather map.

It’s really funny when he wears a green tie, and you can see the weather map where the tie is.

Well, the makers of Green Screen Wizard have taken this chroma key concept and created software that is for photographers.

It is a great product, making the process sooo much better than “cutting” out your model and “pasting” him or her into a new background. I have done this so many times, and it takes quite a bit of skill and time to do it right. Even then, it may look like unnatural.

Here’s one I did using the cut and paste method. It’s my granddaughter standing in the doorway of a 10″ tall Lincoln Log house. Took me probably an hour.

However, now all I need to do is put the subject in front of a green (or blue) screen, shoot the photo and process the image with Green Screen Wizard. The makers have used a formula that actually integrates the two images together so it does not look pasted.

I suggest you give it a try. You can download a free demo of Green Screen Wizard to try it out before committing your hard earned cash.

Of course, you will need a screen. Green Screen Wizard also has a screen you can buy (surprise!), but I have checked prices, and theirs is actually cheaper than any I could find on Amazon or the photo sales sites.

Oh, did I mention that this is NOT just a plugin for Photoshop. You can get the software as a stand alone application, too.

Read my real review HERE. There is much more information and some great sample photos.

AUTO mode has always been a feature of point and shoot cameras -the photographer needs little expertise in camera modes to achieve satisfactory focus and exposure. During the last few years, digital cameras have become more popular, and there have been many technological advances and additional shooting modes, however AUTO mode remains the most common setting of many photogs. Research conducted by Canon also reveals that AUTO is one of the most frequently used shooting modes.
So Canon has taken a pro-active step in point and shoot technology, making the Canon Powershot SX200 IS “smarter”. Check out my article on Canon Powershot SX digital cameras.

Here is a blurb from dpreview (http://www.dpreview.com/news/0902/09021804canonsx200is.asp) on the SX200 IS:

Cameras with IQ
From today Canon are making AUTO mode different. The latest range of Digital Still Camera products launched incorporate a new smart system that uses Scene Detection Technology, which along with other advanced Canon technologies, leads to one of the most comprehensive and clever AUTO modes ever seen on a digital camera. Whilst complex in technology, Smart AUTO still delivers the peace of mind and ease of use for point and shooters that has always been expected from selecting the familiar green icon mode.

With intelligent and integrated use of key functions such as focus, exposure, ISO sensitivity, flash, dynamic range adjustments and Intelligent Contrast Correction, Canon Cameras have never been so smart. Added to these Canon Motion Detection and Face Detection Technology plus advanced Noise Reduction, together with pleasing colour rendition all delivered by the DIGIC 4 processor, mean when selecting AUTO mode on these latest models, users can be assured of the best in image quality even in more challenging shooting conditions.

Smart Auto overview:
Using Scene Detection Technology, Smart AUTO can distinguish parameters allowing the camera to carry out optimum processing for a shot by:

* Detecting people
* Evaluating Distances
* Evaluating Subject and camera movement information
* Analysing Scene Brightness
* Analysing Colour

You have to admit that these are some amazing advances in point and shoot technology. I invite you to take a closer look at my review of both of these AWESOME Canon Powershot SX digital cameras by clicking here.