If you have a favorite photography blog you’d like to share, I encourage you to share it with us in the comments section. Enjoy!

1. Lighting Essentials for Photographers
2. Photobiz-In Focus
3. Amy Dunn
4. DPReview
5. Your Photo Tips
6. Shutter Sisters
7. Photo District News
8. Chris MacAskill
9. Joe McNally
10. Photopreneur
11. Traveling The Journey of Light
12. A Picture’s Worth | Photoshelter
13. Cutcaster’s Blog

13 Great Photo Blogs You Will Love is a post from: Digital camera reviews, digital camera news, forums, and more

Related posts

• Tuesday in Tucson
• iN-PUBLIC | For Lovers of Street Photography
• Weekly Photography Links: 02/12/2010
• VisionMongers [Book Review]
• Top Selling Microstock Photography | Dreamstime

Photography is visual art and photographing nudity has been around since the camera was invented. Nude photography can involve either half or the full body. An appropriate location can set the mood together with a variety of poses. Nowadays, we can take advantage of the benefits that digital photography brings us. But it is not all about the camera. There are 3 contributory attributes that will make a perfect nude photograph and these are the camera, the model and the location.

The Camera

There is an extensive list of benefits as why digital photography is so superior to film cameras and why all photographers now use them. This is no different in nude photography. Many seasoned professionals and keen amateurs choose the single lens reflex digital camera (or SLR). Pictures are previewed before the shutter is pressed via the built in LCD screen. Pictures are also reviewed after the shutter is pressed via the built in LCD screen so the photographer can choose to keep or discard the photo. Memory sticks are used instead of film – the main difference being is memory sticks are reusable which means once the photos are upload into a computer, the memory stick can be wiped clean and is ready to use again. Images can be transformed by the camera or by software to a vast array of photo effects including black and white or sepia.

The Model

This is the person either chosen or volunteered to pose in the shot as nude and must be someone who is completely confidant and comfortable with baring all in front of the camera. This person does not have to be a magazine glamour girl or guy but appropriate to how the photographer wishes to portray his art. Often photographers take portraits of their models before they are nude.

The Location

The photographer may choose to take pictures in a variety of locations and not only in the studio. Depending on the mood he wishes to set, he could opt for the park, beach or any place where he can use natural light to its advantage in order to emphasize the natural skin tones.

Digital Nude Photography – Top Tips on How it is Done is a post from: Digital camera reviews, digital camera news, forums, and more

Related posts

• Digital SLRs for the People
• Working With DSLR Lenses
• What You’ll Use Your dSLR For
• Photography and why its never been a better time to buy a digital SLR
• NEW: The Art of Digital Photography CLUB : Mainstage Center for …

Lumix digital camera reviews are very useful to find out what others have to say about a particular digital camera. The manufacturer reviews give you the information about the specific camera, but it does not give you verify a user. Many entries are with the advantages and disadvantages of the possession and use of digital cameras. Usually there are ratings for each brand and model of the camera. The Lumix DMC-FZ8 has a positive review. The camera iseasy to use, robust and has excellent battery life. As for the shutter, the camera comes to the top. This is a good contribution to a 7.2-megapixel camera.- Review camera

Lumix DMC LZ7 Digital Camera Reviews are cheaper as well. The camera has good image quality and is very easy to use. This camera is compact and lightweight. It has 7.2 megapixels viewing, two and a half inch screen, and other functions. The camera isWork with rechargeable batteries. The camera is idea for beginners and for those who need a compact camera with good image quality. The camera does have a good battery life, but have some noise problems.- Review camera

The other Lumix DMC FZ30 Digital Camera Review, the LZ6 and DMC. The DMC LZ6 is a 7.2-megapixel camera with six-times optical zoom. The camera is easy to use and offers a high quality image. The FZ30 has a body stylea SLR camera, so it is not as compact as some users would be happy. The noise level is a bit high and there is some distortion of the image at times. Would you choose a camera, the DMC-FZ8 would probably READ MORE http://www.reviewcamera.pannipa.com/2009/09/07/lumix-digital-camera-reviews-news/

Review camera – Lumix Digital Camera Reviews & News is a post from: Digital camera reviews, digital camera news, forums, and more

Related posts

• Nikon D90 Dx 12.3Mp Digital Slr Camera
• Actuations & Shutter Count – Someday our Cameras Will Die
• What is a Digital SLR Camera and How Does it Compare With a Digital Compact Camera?
• Tips on Creating Awesome Night Vision Digital SLR Photos
• Sony CyberShot DSC-WX1

That’s the way it goes with digital cameras: new is almost always better, even for much less cost.

The Nikon D90 is a D80 with Live View, ADR, an almost three-dimensional 3″ LCD, it can shoot movies, and has far more advanced ergonomics.

The difference with the Nikon D90 is that you can only focus in Contrast-detect mode, whereas the Nikon D300 and D700 allowed a choice between Handheld (Phase-detect) and
Tripod mode (Contrast-detect mode).

As Nikon’s newest camera incorporating over 60 years of continuous innovation, it’s got more clever features, like a multiple-shot self timer, and a 72-image and calendar display if you keep zooming out on playback, than any other Nikon to date.

The D90 has identical, or slightly better technical image quality than the D300, the exact same rear LCD,
and adds several very useful ergonomic features for faster handling compared to the D300.

Autofocus using 3d focussing does not work for me, and multipoint focussing always leaves me with the focus point highlight somewhere I don’t expect it.

If I am very alert and fully aware of what is going on, I can catch this and correct
it by half-pressing the shutter and manually moving the focus point where I want it using the click dial.

Autofocus Live View brings subjects into sharp focus; it is the perfect tool for macro, portrait or even landscape shooting.

Nikon D90 Dx 12.3Mp Digital Slr Camera is a post from: Digital camera reviews, digital camera news, forums, and more

Related posts

• Nikon D3x 24.5MP FX Digital SLR (Body Only)
• Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera with 2.7-inch Vari-angle LCD (Body Only)
• Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Nikkor Zoom Lens
• Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR and 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor Lens with 2 Nikon School DVDs
• Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II Lens

So Sony gave me a review unit of the Sony NEX-3 three days, explaining that they were so fearful of leaks that a Sony person would collect it from me when my time was up: “Can’t trust couriers — they’ve been known to open up boxes and leak the info to competitors!”

In the last six months it has been apparent that the Micro Four Thirds cameras have won great appeal in the market. Buyers have warmed to the smaller (than DSLR) form factor, light weight and interchangeable lens factor. And the price!

So Olympus and Panasonic have done very well. Now Samsung has entered the fray with its NX10: APS-C-sized sensor, small body, cheaper price.

While Sony has entered late, it has burst through the door with all guns blazing.

The camera currently in my hot, sweaty hands is the lesser of the pair: cheaper and slightly less featured but still highly specked.

The body is roughly similar to Olympus’ new PEN series: no eye level finder (although they are available as clip on accessories); no on board flash (accessory unit available); large 7.5cm LCD screen.

The major difference is the relatively large lenses that mount on this body. The review camera was loaned with an f3.5-5.6/18-55mm lens. The lens barrel was a huge 62mm in diameter. Why? Dunno!

The CMOS is much larger than the Micro Four Thirds sensor, leading to some major benefits: maximum image size is 4592×3056 pixels, or 39×26cm in print-speak. Note that a larger sensor leads to a more narrow depth of field, closer to that of a 35mm SLR.

It has two major and highly appealing features from the earlier, compact DSC-HX5V: an amazing panorama feature that can be used with the camera horizontally or vertically (you’ll love the rapid fire of the shutter as it shoots the sections!); high burst rate.

The Sony NEX-5 has one even better spec: AVCVHD movie shooting in Full HD: 1920×1080 pixels.

However, both models share an excellent tilting LCD screen — up by nearly 90 degrees from vertical, out and down by about 30 degrees. It’s also agreeably bright and sharp.

More

The viewfinder menu is a stunner, resembling a computer screen in all its full colour, icon-splashed glory.

Expect to see a whole boatload of accessories and stunning lenses in the coming months.

Coming are accessories like a wide angle and fish-eye extender lenses; accessory flash; adapters for lenses made for the larger format Alpha lenses.

The camera’s face detection handles up to eight faces.

The optical stabiliser is built into the lens.

ISO Tests

Shots made at ISO 200 (pictured first above) and 800 (pictured directly above) indicate that this is a superior sensor and able to handle an extended sensitivity range.

By ISO 1600 we’re still looking pretty good: definition still good, while noise is low.

Now we’re at ISO 3200 definition is dropping a touch but noise and artefacts have yet to appear. A good setting for low light photography.

At ISO 12,800 we’re bumping our heads on the ceiling: definition is reasonable but noise and artefacts are visible.

With the right subject, still a useable setting!

This shot of carousel horses was made in soft light and ISO 12,800! Lens aperture: f5.5 and shutter speed of 1/1250 second. For me, a useable shot!

Startup

In two seconds from startup I could shoot my first shot; follow-ons came in as fast as I could hit the button. Good going.

Comment

This is a significant camera and I figure it will turn the whole business of sensor size completely upside down.

The quality of images in terms of resolution, colour fidelity and low noise is little short of superb.

Why you would buy the Sony NEX-3: to enjoy a very small, high res camera; you want high quality images; you already have some

Alpha lenses.

Why you wouldn’t: you still want an optical pentaprism finder.

SONY NEX-3 Specifications

Image Sensor: 14.2 million effective pixels.
Metering: Multi pattern, centre-weighted and spot.
Sensor Size: APS-C-sized CMOS (23.4×15.6mm).
Lens: Sony E Series mount.
Shutter Speed: 30 to 1/4000 second. Flash sync: 1/160 sec.
Continuous Shooting: seven fps.
Memory: Memory Stick PRO Duo, PRO-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC cards.
Image Sizes (pixels): 4592×3056, 4592×2576, 3344×2224, 3344×1872, 2288×1520, 2288×1280.
Movies: 1280×720, 848×480, 640×480 at 30 fps.
Colour Space: sRGB, Adobe RGB.
LCD Screen: 7.5cm LCD (921,600 pixels).
File Formats: JPEG, RAW, JPEG+RAW, MPEG4.
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 200 to 12,800.
Interface: USB 2.0, HDMNI, AV.
Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, DC input.
Dimensions: 117.2×62.6×33.4mm WHDmm.
Weight: 297 g (inc battery and card).
Price: Around AUD1000 for body and kit lens.

Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.

SONY NEX-3 [Review]

SONY NEX-3 [Review] is a post from: Digital camera reviews, digital camera news, forums, and more

Related posts

• Why Should You Use dSLR Cameras?
• Samsung ST550 Review
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Review
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 Entry Level DSLR, Micro Four Thirds Standard
• Canon SD4000 IS aka IXUS 300 HS High-Speed Digital Camera

—
First of all, check the shutter life expectancy of your camera. It can sometimes be difficult to find this out; camera makers may not even release the details at times. However, this is changing; there are a few resources online with the details. Olegkikin.com features the shutter life expectancy for numerous models from all the different brands; if yours is not listed there, then a quick Google search should provide you with an answer.

Now that you’re aware of how long your shutter should or will last, you need to find out the current shutter actuations or shutter count of your camera. It’s basically how many photos you’ve taken.

There are several free (freeware) sources on the internet which can be used for this.

Canon Cameras

It’s necessary to note that Canon doesn’t store the shutter actuation details in the EXIF data. So for Canon, things are a little different; the best program to check your shutter count is EOS Info.

EOS Info  is a neat little program by AstroJargon. It’s freeware, although they do ask for donations if you can spare it. It will provide the shutter count, the serial number, the camera model, the firmware version as well as the owner and date the results as well. EOSInfo works with almost any DSLR, excepting the 500D (may/may not work; their website says not, but it’s worth giving it a shot anyway). How does it work? Simply connect the camera to your computer using a cable, run the program and – voila! Your details are there for your examinations. Prepare to be surprised, though, as sometimes it’s more than you think! It’s not available for Macs, though, only for PC’s; however, EOSInfo is the updated version of the 40D Shutter Count  a previous edition, which – despite the name – works on almost any DIGIC III/IV DSLRs, excepting the 1D series. It runs on Macs, using a cable as like EOS Info.

Nikon and Pentax Cameras

Nikon and Pentax store the shutter count details in the EXIF data. For Nikon and Pentax, you can either use My Shutter Count  - simply upload a JPG or RAW and get your results – or download Opanda IExif . Note: IExif should work with Pentax; this has not been tested/. However, if it doesn’t, you can still use My Shutter Count to get your shutter count.

Olympus Cameras

Olympus doesn’t store the shutter acutation details in the EXIF, but conveniently, there’s a nice trick one can use for Olympus bodies. Simply follow these instructions:

1. Turn your camera on
2. Open your memory card door
3. Press “PLAY” +”OK” at the same time
4. Press on the dial, in order: up, down, left and then right
5. Depress the shutter release button fully
6. Press up on the dial

Sony Cameras

Unfortunately, for Sony users, it might not be possible to find your shutter count. You can try using Opanda IExif, My Shutter Count or even EOS Info/40D Shutter Count – however, there’s not guarantee they will work. It’s worth a try, but at the moment, it doesn’t seem possible to find the shutter actuations for Sony cameras.

If you’ve found other ways to do this for the brands above or other brands of cameras we’d love to hear them in comments below so that this can become a resource for others.

Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.

Finding Your Camera’s Current Shutter Actuations

Finding Your Camera’s Current Shutter Actuations is a post from: Digital camera reviews, digital camera news, forums, and more

Related posts

• Actuations & Shutter Count – Someday our Cameras Will Die
• Tips on Choosing the Right Digital Camera
• Maximal Power DB CAN NB-6L Replacement Battery for Canon Digital Cameras/Camcorders (White)
• Lightroom 3 Beta 2 now available
• Is a Compact SLR Important to You?

Yes, I did say that: Your camera has a life expectancy. This is a troubling thing for an avid photo taker to learn for the first time because it’s not something we know until we are told. Although it makes perfect sense that your camera, like anything, will only last so long.

The inner workings of a camera are delicate and fragile and made to withstand around 100,000 shutter releases. Canon says that their 5D mkII is good for about 150k and the 1D, 200k. But life expectancy isn’t something you’ll find on the specs of a camera you’re looking at buying, much like mileage expectancy isn’t on the price sticker of a new Ford Focus. No manufacturer of items can assure how long an item will last and to do so would be a bad idea on their behalf incase your particular unit didn’t match those expectations.

Just like with cars, the best way to know what kind of mileage people are getting out of their cameras is to get on forums and see what people are reporting. You’ll find a host of certain cameras died around the 30k mark, others 100k. Just get out there and read the chatter because the manufacturers don’t say much.

When I first heard that magic 100,000 number, I was disheartened and frightened for the life of my camera. Isn’t it especially true that we have a false sense of security with digital cameras? We think there is no end to the photos we can take simply because we aren’t tied to rolls of film. But sadly, this isn’t so. We do have to think before we go hog wild with a heavy trigger finger. Although 100k is a LOT more than it sounds, a professional can easily hit this mark within a few years.

The best comment I read while scanning forums for actuations information was this: “If your car could only do 100,000 miles, would you be driving it 1000 miles a day?”

Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.

Actuations & Shutter Count – Someday our Cameras Will Die

Actuations & Shutter Count – Someday our Cameras Will Die is a post from: Digital camera reviews, digital camera news, forums, and more

Related posts

• Review camera – Lumix Digital Camera Reviews & News
• Q&A: What is RAW?
• Finding Your Camera’s Current Shutter Actuations
• What is the Oldest Piece of Camera Gear that you still Use Today?
• Washington DC area Sports Photographer | Mike Bahniuk

Dave McKane of the Institute of Photography shares some tips and hints on how can drop your shutter speeds more than normal so you can blur water even in bright light.

Photo Tip: Blur Water in Bright Light is a post from: Digital camera reviews, digital camera news, forums, and more

Related posts

• Stay away from the light!
• Why I don’t need an expensive camera.
• When RAW is not enough
• What Is England?
• Wedding Tips For Saving On The Photography Bill

BenQ C1250 is the latest digital camera from the companies 2010 line-up. It combines ease and style featuring a 12-megapixel sensor, 3X optical zoom, a bright 2.7” LCD display, and an array of smart technologies – all housed in a chic body with an elegant anti-slip metal ornament

The camera’s LCD is equipped with 2 LED modules for backlighting so it is visible even in direct sunlight, which makes shooting process more convenient regardless of circumstances. It also offers you high ISO capabilities, with the sensitivity can be raised up to ISO6400, which can give you more freedom in low-light conditions, but never forget that high ISOs mean more noise in your images.

The C1250 is a point-and-shoot digicam aimed at those who want to get great shout without bothering about camera settings. This model uses the Smart Scene Detection technology and automatically analyzes subject brightness, contrast, distance and overall hue in the scene being shot and then chooses the most appropriate scene from eight presets – Landscape, Night scene, Night Portrait, Sunset, Macro, Portrait, Backlight, and Backlight Portrait.

The camera is good at capturing evenly-exposed and sharp portraits. It is equipped with Face Detection and Tracking, as well as with Smile Catch & Blink Detector functions. They all are useful in capturing spontaneous moments – the camera can trigger the shutter when somebody smiles and will warn you every time your subject has blinked in the photo. Moreover, there’s a “Beauty Enhancer” pre-processing feature in the camera, which improves your subject’s skin tone, getting rid of unwanted blemishes.

The camera is powered by 2 AA batteries and will be available in Europe in two color options – black and silver – from April.

Benq C1250 –Key Features:

• 12 Megapixels of Resolution
• CCD Image Sensor
• 2.7-inch Backlit LCD Screen
• 3x Optical Zoom
• High ISO up to 6400
• Smart Scene Detection
• 8 Scene Modes
• Face Tracking
• Smile Shutter
• Blink Detection
• Skin Beautification
• Power Source: Two AA Type Batteries

BenQ C1250 Simple and Stylish Digicam is a post from: Digital camera reviews, digital camera news, forums, and more

Related posts

• Canon PowerShot A3100 Slim and Simple Digital Camera
• Sony CyberShot H55 Simple and Stylish Digicam
• Olympus Stylus aka Mju 9010 Long-Zoom Digicam
• Nikon Coolpix L21 Simple Digital Camera
• Fujifilm FinePix AX280 Point-and-Shoot Digital Camera

Last update (17 February10):
- Review by WDC

Casio Exilim EX-FC100 is a 9 megapixels compact digital camera features 5x optical zoom (Approx. 37 – 185mm equivalent to 35mm film) with optical stabilizer, 30 shot-per-second high-speed burst shooting, HD Movie function, High-speed movie recording at up to 1,000 fps, ISO 100-1600, Slow Motion View and a 2.7-inch TFT color LCD (Super Clear LCD). The camera measures 3.92” (W) x 2.30” (H) x .88” (D) and weighs Approximately 5.1 oz.
[More Features & Specifications Detail]

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars | Latest Price Info

Casio Exilim EX-FC100 is a post from: Digital camera reviews, digital camera news, forums, and more

Related posts

• Casio EX-Z33
• Casio Exilim EX-G1
• Olympus Stylus Tough-6000
• Fujifilm FinePix F70EXR
• Canon Powershot D10