Casio Digital Cameras

Casio Digital Cameras-Casio Computers, which was founded in Tokyo in 1946 and incorporated in 1957 as Casio Computer Co., Ltd., is the manufacturer of the world famous Casio products. It makes a wide variety of electronics that consists of PDAs, TVs, personal computers, calculators, watches, mobile phones and digital cameras (which are great for photography business) as well. Having entered the digital camera market in 1995, it introduced the world's first consumer digital camera that came with an LCD monitor.

On the Internet, there is a plethora of websites that advertise digital cameras produced by different manufacturers. As can be imagined, each of these manufacturers try their best to project their respective products as the most excellent ones available in today's market. Casio is no exception, but the only difference is that their products are quite exceptional.

It's interesting that some websites exclusively deal the company's digital cameras. They give you all of the needed information about the current digital model and types. This is quite useful because you do not have to go from site to site in searching for the model that you have in mind. It's no surprise that the details on discontinued products are still available.

Not everybody is a pro when it comes to photography. So, it can be quite difficult for one to figure out which is the best among the hundreds of models being offered on the websites. Some sites feature a novel way of choosing the best camera for you. All you have to do is answer several queries online wherein you get to select one of the suggested answers. After answering all of these queries, they will then suggest automatically the best camera model that matches your answers. Through this, the beginner will be able to find a straightforward answer to an otherwise complex question.

It's advisable to gather as much information as you can in advance on whatever gadget or product you're planning to buy. Read all of the reviews, comments coming from various users, and other tips that will be quite useful to you. The sites that advertise and promote these digital cameras are filled with these features. They present up-to-date details regarding their newest products and models, such as the Exilim compact cameras, which are built with Casio's high-tech innovation in high speed digital photography. Such products are just what you need in starting your own photography business.

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Your DSLR Camera

There is a manual that comes with every camera. Your first chore should be to read that thing. It is loaded with more information than you need (which is why most people do not read it... it will get the most hyperactive person ready for a nap).

The first thing you should pay attention to are the most basic of settings - Basic Zone Modes.

* Full Auto -- this isn't really a basic mode setting. It is, however, THE basic setting. The photographer allows the camera to use its artificial intelligence to make all the settings to produce the final photo. It's OK if you are in a real hurry, but it takes all the fun and creativity out of the photography experience.
* Landscape Mode -- produces vivid, contrasty colors. It is best used with a wide angle lens and a tripod. Flash is disabled (the flash would be useless in a true landscape shot because the main focus area is usually too far away for the flash to be effective).
* Portrait Mode -- the camera will set itself at a very wide aperture causing blurry backgrounds. Try to focus on the eyes of your subject because there is a very limited depth of field in portrait mode. Also use a semi-telephoto lens, say somewhere between 50 and 200 mm to get the right background blur. Skin tones are rendered smooth and flattering.
* Sports Mode -- your camera goes into A-1 Servo, or continuous focus, when in Sports mode. As you move the camera to follow the subject, the camera adjusts the focus to stay with your chosen subject.
* Macro (or Close-Up) Mode -- use the macro mode to get extremely short focal distance. It is good for photographing butterflies, solitaire flowers, and other small items of interest. The camera is usually very close to the subject.
* Night Portrait mode -- Useful for taking portrait images in very low light. Tripod is recommended because of slow shutter speeds necessary to let in enough light. Fill flash will activate to create a natural light look, as if the subject is lit by surrounding night lights.
* Flash Off Mode -- Great for getting more natural light photos. or when the use of a flash is prohibited. Tripods are definitely a must when taking night photos with the flash off.

Switching between Zone Modes can produce some spectacular images. Just keep in mind that when you dial in a Zone Mode, you are allowing the camera to have the final say in about what your image will look like. You have given up most of the control over the results produced by pressing the shutter button.

Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

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Tips For Beginners

Tips For Beginners-When asked by my students what I would rate as my top ten tips for someone starting out in photography, I didn't have to think. These are my all time top ten for anyone who is beginning their photography journey. Follow these simple steps and you won't look back.

For someone who has just got their first digital camera it can be daunting to think where does one start. What is the first step in going past just taking snapshots.

I always ask the question, "What do you want to achieve with your photography?" Unless you have an idea where you are going you'll never reach your destination. So this leads on to my first tip.

1. Begin with the end in mind.

So many amateur photographers never consider the possibility that they can take photos like the ones they see in magazines. A good photo is taken by a good photographer and not a good camera. If you want to shoot those beautiful landscapes or stunning portraits then you will be able to if you set yourself simple goals to get there. Know what you want and it's only a matter of a few simple goals and you'll be there in no time. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.

2. Take your time

Rome wasn't built in a day. Yes, you can take those great magazine shots but you won't be doing it today. Time together with effort are the vehicles to stunning photographs. Take time to learn your art and time to practise what you learn. So often, when getting a new toy, we want to master it in the same afternoon. Because digital is cheap and instant assume that becoming a good photographer is just as simple. On the other hand don't procrastinate and dream too much. You have to get out and create images no matter how good or bad they are.

3. Think before you shoot

Coupled with taking your time this tip is a vital foundational principle to photography. One of the biggest advantages film photography had over digital was the careful thought process. Why? Because film, developing and printing was expensive by today's standards. In a matter of minutes we can take a few hundred shots with digital. Back then, you had only thirty six shots and needed to think before shooting the image. Even if you are just a beginner and don't know how to compose a great shot, think about what you are going to include or exclude when taking the shot.

4. The subject is most important

This should be logical and straight forward, but, we are all guilty of neglecting the importance of the subject in a photo. The subject is your lead actor, the star attraction. When someone looks at an image of yours the subject should shout out, "I am the subject". It should not compete with any other element in the image. Give it the importance it deserves and you will have a great photo.

5. Use your feet

A zoom lens should always be your last resort. If you can't walk in closer to your subject, only then should you use your zoom. Use your feet to walk around and find a better viewpoint. Some photographers act as if their shoes were lined with lead and they remain static and shoot from one position, right in front of the scene or subject. Photography is a dynamic art. Move around and find the best and most creative shot.

6. Get in closer

This tip is tied in with the previous point. Use your feet and not your zoom but also get in really close. Fill the frame with your subject. Don't include elements that you don't want to remember in twenty years time. If your subject is a loved one and one day when they are gone, do you want to see more of them in the photo? Be proactive and create your memories now.

7. Exclude clutter

That image of a loved one who has passed on often shows the garbage can or the microwave, the neighbours dog or part of a car and the loved one is relegated to a small percentage of the image. Too much unnecessary clutter that has no need to be remembered. If it's not important cut it out! If it doesn't add to the image then subtract it. When looking through your viewfinder watch the edges and make sure there is nothing there that shouldn't be in the image.

8. Change your angles

As I have said, photography is dynamic so move around and look for new angles. Don't stand right in front of your subject. Get down lower, climb up higher and move to the left and right of the subject. Find a viewpoint that is not common. How many people do you see lying down in public and shooting from low down. Try it and you'll get a shot that is unique.

9. Practise and shoot often

Practise makes perfect, so the old adage goes. Gary Player, the master golfer and winner of many international titles, says that the harder he practises the luckier he gets. You create your own luck. The more you shoot the more likely you are to get that great shot because as you practise you become more familiar with your camera and techniques are learned.

10. Start a structured learning process

Buy a basic photography book and learn the fundamentals of photography. Enrol in a photography course or join a local photography club. Look for courses and books on the internet and focus on learning techniques and skills that you can apply to your photography journey. If you don't get the basic building blocks in place you won't be able to build on your knowledge.

Treat your photography like any profession or art. Stay focused and allocate the amount of time you need to be successful at it. Experiment and have fun at the same time and make sure that you practise, practise and practise. Happy shooting!

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