By Victor Epand
Home video cameras used to be something which only a very few people could afford, and then only the super fit could carry around with them for very long at a time, since the cameras themselves were bulky and heavy, and the batteries and other equipment were very nearly like carrying a case full of bricks around with you.
Today it is an entirely different story, with camcorders being no bigger in some cases than a standard 35mm camera, and even some as small as a phone. Not only that, but these cameras now come at a price which is very affordable, and usually include a wide range of extra features, options and accessories.
However, this reduction in price and expansion in range means that today, the average consumer going out to find a camcorder is inundated with options, features and choices which can make the whole process quite bewildering.
Should you go for digital, or analogue? What about the media storage - should that be tape, and if so, which type, or disk, or even flash cards? What's the difference between optical zoom and digital zoom, and do you really need night mode, auto fade and the other range of effects that seem to come as standard?
Before hitting the shops the best thing to do is some preliminary research to find out what options you have, and what suits not only your needs bu also your pocket. The cheapest option is not necessarily the most appropriate one for you, and at the same time, the most expensive cameras will not represent value for money for the average consumer, but are more aimed at the high end market.
The first and most immediate choice will probably be whether to go for analogue or digital. A lot of people aren't even aware that analogue cameras are still made, and just assume that digital cameras will be better. This isn't necessarily true. Many professional photographers still use film based cameras, rather than digital cameras because of the higher quality, and the same is true for video cameras. Digital camcorders compress the image quite significantly, allowing more to be stored. However, this compression results in a considerable loss of quality, and whilst this may be quite acceptable for the average family out on holiday, for a more professional film maker it will not be sufficient.
As far as the media you use to record the footage onto, this will vary depending on whether you're going for digital or analogue. Tape provides a reliable, reusable and affordable media which will provide high quality, whereas media cards, flash cards and disks will be even cheaper, very reusable but may have less space for lengthy recordings depending on the size of the card you use.
There are a range of other features which you will see listed for cameras, such as optical and digital zoom. What's the difference? Basically, optical zoom is achieved using the lenses, a little like a pair of binoculars, meaning that the quality of the image stays the same, it just becomes magnified. Digital zoom on the other hand takes the image and simply enlarges it. This adds no further detail to the image, but simply stretches it to a larger size, which can result in a loss of quality. For this reason, optical zoon is preferable, although digital zoom is cheaper. Again, it depends on what your needs are, and whether quality or price are the overriding factors.
There are also a number of magazine publications available, as well as websites, which offer reviews and recommendations, and before confronting keen sales people in the shops, you would be wise to read through some of these to make sure you are armed with a good understanding of what kind of customer you are, and the sort of camera you intend to buy.
Victor Epand is an expert consultant about luggage, cruises, hotels, and shopping. You will find the best marketplace for luggage, cruises, hotels, and shopping at these sites for bags, luggage, hotels, cruise, and shopping, camcorder, cameras.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Victor_Epand
For more camcorder ideas go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Evolution of the Video Camera
By Jeffrey Saunders
It's incredible to think just how far camcorder technology has come and evolved from its humble beginnings. Video cameras, like all forms of technology and gizmos and gadgets, have improved and become more user-friendly and more innovative over the years. That's nothing new, and there's no reason to trump the advancement of the video camera onto a higher pedestal than anything else. But, when one looks at the history, timeline and growth of the video camera, it is remarkable to see where it has come from, where it has gone, and where it will venture to in the future.
When video camcorders first arrived on the scene, they were big, heavy and awkward contraptions that need tapes or reels. They sat on your shoulder or were mounted on legs. Their dependency on wires, cords or cables hampered their ability to move and go. Only specialized technicians and trained individuals could operate them. And, perhaps most stunning of all, video cameras could only record, broadcast and play back in black and white.
Skip ahead a few decades where we now are upon the digital age, with digital video cameras. Some dwell in the higher price range, with all the requisite bells & whistles and features. While others are more simple and affordable. Most of today's modern digital camcorders do not use tapes at all. They are now capable of recording the movie directly onto a hard drive that is contained with the digital video camcorder itself. Which, in and of itself, also shows how far computer technology has evolved over the years.
Video cameras are now so powerful that they have embedded themselves into other devices. Camcorders are now found in a variety of devices, including cellular phones, portable digital assistants, hand-held video game consoles and a whole host of other portable devices. Whereas before, perhaps only an important event warranted to use of the video camera, today's generation uses the Digital camcorder in the same regard as they would a pair of scissors - they are a tool of convenience.
Digital camcorders appear to be everywhere these days, even if we are oblivious to their locations and whereabouts. Certainly, the hand-held video camera will always be in favor and in style. But, more and more people are choosing to own a digital video camera that is part of another item altogether, rather than just a stand-alone item. And, just as interesting as the technology itself, is how it is being used. Video cameras are being used regularly to document, record, create and share. Digital video cameras are playing a bigger role in today's society.
Jeffrey Saunders is a video enthusiast, journalist and historian.
Check out Millennium3000.com for great deals on Refurbished Electronics like the Digital camcorder
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Saunders
For video camera ideas go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com
It's incredible to think just how far camcorder technology has come and evolved from its humble beginnings. Video cameras, like all forms of technology and gizmos and gadgets, have improved and become more user-friendly and more innovative over the years. That's nothing new, and there's no reason to trump the advancement of the video camera onto a higher pedestal than anything else. But, when one looks at the history, timeline and growth of the video camera, it is remarkable to see where it has come from, where it has gone, and where it will venture to in the future.
When video camcorders first arrived on the scene, they were big, heavy and awkward contraptions that need tapes or reels. They sat on your shoulder or were mounted on legs. Their dependency on wires, cords or cables hampered their ability to move and go. Only specialized technicians and trained individuals could operate them. And, perhaps most stunning of all, video cameras could only record, broadcast and play back in black and white.
Skip ahead a few decades where we now are upon the digital age, with digital video cameras. Some dwell in the higher price range, with all the requisite bells & whistles and features. While others are more simple and affordable. Most of today's modern digital camcorders do not use tapes at all. They are now capable of recording the movie directly onto a hard drive that is contained with the digital video camcorder itself. Which, in and of itself, also shows how far computer technology has evolved over the years.
Video cameras are now so powerful that they have embedded themselves into other devices. Camcorders are now found in a variety of devices, including cellular phones, portable digital assistants, hand-held video game consoles and a whole host of other portable devices. Whereas before, perhaps only an important event warranted to use of the video camera, today's generation uses the Digital camcorder in the same regard as they would a pair of scissors - they are a tool of convenience.
Digital camcorders appear to be everywhere these days, even if we are oblivious to their locations and whereabouts. Certainly, the hand-held video camera will always be in favor and in style. But, more and more people are choosing to own a digital video camera that is part of another item altogether, rather than just a stand-alone item. And, just as interesting as the technology itself, is how it is being used. Video cameras are being used regularly to document, record, create and share. Digital video cameras are playing a bigger role in today's society.
Jeffrey Saunders is a video enthusiast, journalist and historian.
Check out Millennium3000.com for great deals on Refurbished Electronics like the Digital camcorder
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Saunders
For video camera ideas go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com
Monday, June 29, 2009
10 Ways to Make Better Movies With Your Camcorder
By Mark Etinger
While more families own high-end camcorders than ever before, it doesn't necessarily mean that more great home movies are actually being shot. On the contrary, even though cameras have become easier to use and feature much higher resolutions than their predecessors, people still can't seem to figure them out.
With our directorially-challenged friends in mind, we present the following list of essential tips for getting the most out of your camcorder.
Tips for Making Better Movies with your Camcorder:
1. Take off the lens cap. Just kidding! Our first tip is actually to use the Manual Focus option if it is offered on your camera. Manual focus will allow you to get sharper images throughout your video without experiencing the blurriness that occurs when an auto-focus takes time to readjust itself.
2. Always keep the sun behind you. When shooting outdoor video, always be sure that the sun is behind your back. This will greatly reduce glare and "white-out" caused by the brightness of the natural light source.
3. Craft a plan. Unless you're capturing the most spur of the moment events, why not plan what you are going to shoot? This will help you keep a steadier hand as you move from shot to shot, and you won't forget to include anyone or anything that you intended to capture on film.
4. Don't fall in love with the ZOOM. Yes, we know that zoom is one of the most fun features on your camcorder, but that doesn't give you right to create an amateur 3D movie every time you shoot something. Choose a zoom length ONCE in your shot and stick with it. You don't want to be handing out Dramamine during your premiere.
5. Keep movement to a minimum. Even the steadiest-of-hands will cause a disruption of the image when they begin to move the camera around. We realize that some movements are unavoidable, but try and stick to the tri-pod as much as possible.
6. Always use a tripod. See note above. A tripod is truly a sound, "steady" investment for the amateur filmmaker.
7. Stop "rooting" around. There are those among us who think that they are next Fellini (but trapped shooting families at Chuck E Cheese). Consequently, they will stumble all over the place in search of the perfect angle from which to shoot. Stick with the basics - shoot from the areas directly ahead of (or to the side of) your subject and you can't go wrong.
8. Be natural. Try and stay inconspicuous when shooting video of friends and family. You want your subjects to act naturally, and waving your arms around like a madman and telling everyone to "smile and say something" is not going to create everlasting memories.
9. Keep a spare battery handy. Nothing kills a shoot quicker than a camera with a dead battery. Charge up a spare and keep it in your camera bag in case of emergencies.
10. Record in widescreen. If your camera offers widescreen shooting, and you have a high-end TV at home, take advantage of both. Shooting in widescreen allows you to capture your subject at its most majestic!
If you want to make the most informed decision possible when it comes to your next TV, digital camera or any important purchase, visit http://www.everyprice.com/. Everyprice.com is the leading online price comparison website where you are always just a couple of mouse clicks away from the absolute best deals on the web. At http://www.everyprice.com/, we're dedicated to providing you with the best, most unbiased product information on the web.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Etinger
For camera gift ideas go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
While more families own high-end camcorders than ever before, it doesn't necessarily mean that more great home movies are actually being shot. On the contrary, even though cameras have become easier to use and feature much higher resolutions than their predecessors, people still can't seem to figure them out.
With our directorially-challenged friends in mind, we present the following list of essential tips for getting the most out of your camcorder.
Tips for Making Better Movies with your Camcorder:
1. Take off the lens cap. Just kidding! Our first tip is actually to use the Manual Focus option if it is offered on your camera. Manual focus will allow you to get sharper images throughout your video without experiencing the blurriness that occurs when an auto-focus takes time to readjust itself.
2. Always keep the sun behind you. When shooting outdoor video, always be sure that the sun is behind your back. This will greatly reduce glare and "white-out" caused by the brightness of the natural light source.
3. Craft a plan. Unless you're capturing the most spur of the moment events, why not plan what you are going to shoot? This will help you keep a steadier hand as you move from shot to shot, and you won't forget to include anyone or anything that you intended to capture on film.
4. Don't fall in love with the ZOOM. Yes, we know that zoom is one of the most fun features on your camcorder, but that doesn't give you right to create an amateur 3D movie every time you shoot something. Choose a zoom length ONCE in your shot and stick with it. You don't want to be handing out Dramamine during your premiere.
5. Keep movement to a minimum. Even the steadiest-of-hands will cause a disruption of the image when they begin to move the camera around. We realize that some movements are unavoidable, but try and stick to the tri-pod as much as possible.
6. Always use a tripod. See note above. A tripod is truly a sound, "steady" investment for the amateur filmmaker.
7. Stop "rooting" around. There are those among us who think that they are next Fellini (but trapped shooting families at Chuck E Cheese). Consequently, they will stumble all over the place in search of the perfect angle from which to shoot. Stick with the basics - shoot from the areas directly ahead of (or to the side of) your subject and you can't go wrong.
8. Be natural. Try and stay inconspicuous when shooting video of friends and family. You want your subjects to act naturally, and waving your arms around like a madman and telling everyone to "smile and say something" is not going to create everlasting memories.
9. Keep a spare battery handy. Nothing kills a shoot quicker than a camera with a dead battery. Charge up a spare and keep it in your camera bag in case of emergencies.
10. Record in widescreen. If your camera offers widescreen shooting, and you have a high-end TV at home, take advantage of both. Shooting in widescreen allows you to capture your subject at its most majestic!
If you want to make the most informed decision possible when it comes to your next TV, digital camera or any important purchase, visit http://www.everyprice.com/. Everyprice.com is the leading online price comparison website where you are always just a couple of mouse clicks away from the absolute best deals on the web. At http://www.everyprice.com/, we're dedicated to providing you with the best, most unbiased product information on the web.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Etinger
For camera gift ideas go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Basic Video Camera Techniques - How to Shoot Better Video
By Jay Staudt
The video you capture when you press record is only as good as the sum of its parts - what's happening on camera, and what's happening behind it. There are certain ways to handle a camera that will take a little while to get used to, but if you master them you can go from shooting shaky, amateurish home videos to smooth and polished, professional-looking products.
Get a Grip!
Let's discuss the best way to hold a camera in your hands, free from support of any kind. Unless you have a shoulder-mounted TV camera, it's going to take more than one hand to stabilize. Most people simply slip their fingers through the hand strap and wave it around.
Let me explain something to you: your camera is not a magic wand. People don't make great videos by whipping their cameras around haphazardly and getting an epileptic's-eye view of their scene.
Standard Camcorder Grip
If you're shooting at eye level, the hand strap will allow you to keep a firm hold on the camera, but your off hand needs to be there too in order to keep it level. Put your hand through the strap and make sure it feels right. If you need to make it tighter or looser, put the camera down onto a flat surface and re-adjust the velcro, clasp or buckle.
Next, place your non-dominant hand on the bottom of the camera, using your thumb and fingers to support it. Your dominant, "grip" hand should be used to operate all the functions of the camera. Your thumb operates the record button and the on-off switch while your forefinger changes the zoom to frame your shots.
Loose Handle Grip
Certain shots may require you to be more flexible with the camera than the standard grip will allow. For instance, you might start with a low-angle shot and tilt or pedestal the camera into position. In a shot like this you can't have your hand through the strap and your elbow extending out underneath - there's simply not enough room between the camera and the ground!
A loose grip is maintained by again using your off-hand to support and cradle the camera, but this time the fingers on your dominant hand go down through the strap and wrap around it instead of coming up through the strap and wrapping around the camera. When using a loose grip you may find that flipping out your camera's LCD screen is not useful because the angle between you and the camera changes as you adjust your shot. Use the thumb and forefinger of your supportive off hand to adjust the tilt of the screen periodically, while keeping your other fingers beneath to support the camera.
Be One, My Son
Practice these two grips and pay close attention to your viewfinder or LCD screen and how the framed area moves as you hold the camera. Get used to balancing the weight of the camera in your hands so that even if you're one of those fidgety people like me, you maintain a natural and composed grip. Also be aware of your posture; you may even need to get on the ground and lie prone depending on the situation, but otherwise your steps and the arch in your back should allow the rest of your body movements to stay fluid and smooth.
Move It!
There are some specific terms that are used to describe the different camera movements, and we'll go over them here. Each of these terms relates to moving the camera along the horizontal, vertical, or depth axis (x, y, or z) in relation to your subject. Descriptions of other terminology can be found in our handy and helpful glossary.
The Pan is when the camera pivots horizontally while it stays otherwise stationary. Imagine an invisible, vertical line going down through the top of your camera, allowing it to spin left or right around this axis. Panning is used to slide a shot from one person to another, to add action to a tense scene, or to introduce a new element that was previously outside the frame.
Tilt is an up-down movement where the frame changes vertically as the camera stays in place. It can be thought of just the same as a pan, except that the camera pivots along its horizontal x axis and the framed area moves from the "ground" to the "sky," or vice versa. A tilt can show the base of a tree trunk all the way up to its tallest branches, or the foot of a giant, and extend up until you can see the top of the giant's head.
A Dolly is physical movement of the camera toward or away from its subject. For example, there are scenes in movies that begin in outer space. The camera begins to dolly in and you see the galaxy, the solar system, the earth, the continent, the country, the city, the building, the person, etc. This would be an example of an extreme (and at least partially computer-generated) dolly. A normal dolly is just movement along the ground in relation to whatever is being filmed.
The Truck is the movement past or alongside an object. You might see a train moving at a high rate of speed with the camera trucking along beside it. A truck does not necessarily keep anything within a certain distance, but is simply the camera moving along a path while facing sideways. When you're in the car and you look out the window, if your eyes were the camera they'd essentially be "trucking" along the scenery beside the road you're on.
Pedestal shots are another movement of the camera in space, this time along the y axis. The same situations mentioned with the tilt movements above could be applied to the pedestal shot, except that instead of pivoting up and down to view the range of areas in the shot, the camera actually moves (rather than rotating) up and down from the bottom point to the top, or the opposite.
An Arc is a fairly difficult shot to pull off free-hand. This is when the camera rotates around its subject, keeping the same distance but changing the angle at which it views that subject. The slow-motion arcs in the Matrix movies are perhaps the best and most widely recognized example of this technique (although those were done with multiple cameras instead of just one).
Steady Now...
For a still shot you can always use a tripod or other flat surface to rest the camera on. Too many action shots in a row can get kind of overwhelming, so for quieter or more relaxed moments in your video you'll want to throw in plenty of good old "picture frame" moments. The camera - along with your viewer - can just rest there, in place, and soak in what's going on.
A good, sturdy tripod will let you get a smooth pan or tilt, but for any other movements you could benefit from a home-made steadicam or another type of weight. I like to use the pendulum metaphor, because it's always true that adding weight to the bottom of an object stabilizes it and lowers its center of gravity. The simplest way to do this with a camera is to fold up or retract the legs of your tripod and keep the camera mounted on it. This gives you a good amount of weight beneath it and will prevent it from wobbling around to as great a degree as it would otherwise. Using your grips we learned earlier, your support hand goes around the legs of the tripod instead of resting underneath the camera.
Practicing Is Awesome
Without an electronically operated crane or a professional train track dolly, you're never going to get an absolutely flawless shot, but with practice and planning you can get pretty close. The key to good camera operation is to extend yourself into the camera and let it become an extension of your movements. Keep things fluid and smooth and you'll be heading in the right direction, no matter where your camera is going!
For lots more on creating your own videos, how to improve on your filming and editing, tutorials, articles, and informational videos, visit http://www.indie-film-making.com/
Jay Staudt has been producing, directing and editing videos and short films for a little over a decade. He's a graduate of George Mason University with a degree in Multimedia Studies, and currently works full-time as a professional Multimedia Developer for a nationally recognized architectural engineering firm.
In his spare time he produces short films with his video crew, the F4C. They produce a comedy series called Bachelor Pad that you can check out here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Staudt
For more camera ideas go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
The video you capture when you press record is only as good as the sum of its parts - what's happening on camera, and what's happening behind it. There are certain ways to handle a camera that will take a little while to get used to, but if you master them you can go from shooting shaky, amateurish home videos to smooth and polished, professional-looking products.
Get a Grip!
Let's discuss the best way to hold a camera in your hands, free from support of any kind. Unless you have a shoulder-mounted TV camera, it's going to take more than one hand to stabilize. Most people simply slip their fingers through the hand strap and wave it around.
Let me explain something to you: your camera is not a magic wand. People don't make great videos by whipping their cameras around haphazardly and getting an epileptic's-eye view of their scene.
Standard Camcorder Grip
If you're shooting at eye level, the hand strap will allow you to keep a firm hold on the camera, but your off hand needs to be there too in order to keep it level. Put your hand through the strap and make sure it feels right. If you need to make it tighter or looser, put the camera down onto a flat surface and re-adjust the velcro, clasp or buckle.
Next, place your non-dominant hand on the bottom of the camera, using your thumb and fingers to support it. Your dominant, "grip" hand should be used to operate all the functions of the camera. Your thumb operates the record button and the on-off switch while your forefinger changes the zoom to frame your shots.
Loose Handle Grip
Certain shots may require you to be more flexible with the camera than the standard grip will allow. For instance, you might start with a low-angle shot and tilt or pedestal the camera into position. In a shot like this you can't have your hand through the strap and your elbow extending out underneath - there's simply not enough room between the camera and the ground!
A loose grip is maintained by again using your off-hand to support and cradle the camera, but this time the fingers on your dominant hand go down through the strap and wrap around it instead of coming up through the strap and wrapping around the camera. When using a loose grip you may find that flipping out your camera's LCD screen is not useful because the angle between you and the camera changes as you adjust your shot. Use the thumb and forefinger of your supportive off hand to adjust the tilt of the screen periodically, while keeping your other fingers beneath to support the camera.
Be One, My Son
Practice these two grips and pay close attention to your viewfinder or LCD screen and how the framed area moves as you hold the camera. Get used to balancing the weight of the camera in your hands so that even if you're one of those fidgety people like me, you maintain a natural and composed grip. Also be aware of your posture; you may even need to get on the ground and lie prone depending on the situation, but otherwise your steps and the arch in your back should allow the rest of your body movements to stay fluid and smooth.
Move It!
There are some specific terms that are used to describe the different camera movements, and we'll go over them here. Each of these terms relates to moving the camera along the horizontal, vertical, or depth axis (x, y, or z) in relation to your subject. Descriptions of other terminology can be found in our handy and helpful glossary.
The Pan is when the camera pivots horizontally while it stays otherwise stationary. Imagine an invisible, vertical line going down through the top of your camera, allowing it to spin left or right around this axis. Panning is used to slide a shot from one person to another, to add action to a tense scene, or to introduce a new element that was previously outside the frame.
Tilt is an up-down movement where the frame changes vertically as the camera stays in place. It can be thought of just the same as a pan, except that the camera pivots along its horizontal x axis and the framed area moves from the "ground" to the "sky," or vice versa. A tilt can show the base of a tree trunk all the way up to its tallest branches, or the foot of a giant, and extend up until you can see the top of the giant's head.
A Dolly is physical movement of the camera toward or away from its subject. For example, there are scenes in movies that begin in outer space. The camera begins to dolly in and you see the galaxy, the solar system, the earth, the continent, the country, the city, the building, the person, etc. This would be an example of an extreme (and at least partially computer-generated) dolly. A normal dolly is just movement along the ground in relation to whatever is being filmed.
The Truck is the movement past or alongside an object. You might see a train moving at a high rate of speed with the camera trucking along beside it. A truck does not necessarily keep anything within a certain distance, but is simply the camera moving along a path while facing sideways. When you're in the car and you look out the window, if your eyes were the camera they'd essentially be "trucking" along the scenery beside the road you're on.
Pedestal shots are another movement of the camera in space, this time along the y axis. The same situations mentioned with the tilt movements above could be applied to the pedestal shot, except that instead of pivoting up and down to view the range of areas in the shot, the camera actually moves (rather than rotating) up and down from the bottom point to the top, or the opposite.
An Arc is a fairly difficult shot to pull off free-hand. This is when the camera rotates around its subject, keeping the same distance but changing the angle at which it views that subject. The slow-motion arcs in the Matrix movies are perhaps the best and most widely recognized example of this technique (although those were done with multiple cameras instead of just one).
Steady Now...
For a still shot you can always use a tripod or other flat surface to rest the camera on. Too many action shots in a row can get kind of overwhelming, so for quieter or more relaxed moments in your video you'll want to throw in plenty of good old "picture frame" moments. The camera - along with your viewer - can just rest there, in place, and soak in what's going on.
A good, sturdy tripod will let you get a smooth pan or tilt, but for any other movements you could benefit from a home-made steadicam or another type of weight. I like to use the pendulum metaphor, because it's always true that adding weight to the bottom of an object stabilizes it and lowers its center of gravity. The simplest way to do this with a camera is to fold up or retract the legs of your tripod and keep the camera mounted on it. This gives you a good amount of weight beneath it and will prevent it from wobbling around to as great a degree as it would otherwise. Using your grips we learned earlier, your support hand goes around the legs of the tripod instead of resting underneath the camera.
Practicing Is Awesome
Without an electronically operated crane or a professional train track dolly, you're never going to get an absolutely flawless shot, but with practice and planning you can get pretty close. The key to good camera operation is to extend yourself into the camera and let it become an extension of your movements. Keep things fluid and smooth and you'll be heading in the right direction, no matter where your camera is going!
For lots more on creating your own videos, how to improve on your filming and editing, tutorials, articles, and informational videos, visit http://www.indie-film-making.com/
Jay Staudt has been producing, directing and editing videos and short films for a little over a decade. He's a graduate of George Mason University with a degree in Multimedia Studies, and currently works full-time as a professional Multimedia Developer for a nationally recognized architectural engineering firm.
In his spare time he produces short films with his video crew, the F4C. They produce a comedy series called Bachelor Pad that you can check out here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Staudt
For more camera ideas go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Should You Trust Reviews When Looking For The Best Digital Camera Deals?
By Chris Campbell
You will find digital camera reviews all over the internet and in photography magazines but should you trust the reviews when you are looking for the best deals? When the camera reviews that you read in print and online mediums are all packed full of praises can you really trust them as being accurate? Consumers really should be equipped with the information to determine whether or not a review should be taken as being reliable so that they are able to get the very best deals.
The first thing that you should keep in mind while combing through reviews is that you should never trust any reviews that are in any way connected with a manufacturer of cameras. The only thing that they will reveal is what the good points of the camera happen to be and will not mention any potential negatives. Well of course you are going to be bombarded with all the wonderful things about a digital camera if you are reading something from the manufacturer because they are looking to boost sales.
If the manufacturer where to mention anything that could possibly go wrong they are not going to increase their sales are they? So if you are looking for the best digital deals you need to steer clear of press releases and reviews that have been created by the manufacturer. You need to be made aware of any potential issues that may have so that you are certain that you are getting the best possible deal. Promotional information created by camera manufacturers are simply trying to sell you on the good points of a camera so that you will purchase their product.
Home shopping network reviews of cameras should also be avoided if you are looking to get the best digital camera deals. They are packed full of all the positive points and will not tell you are whole lot if anything about any problems that you might encounter. However the good part of making a purchase through a home shopping network is that you have the ability to return your digital should it not work out for you.
The digital camera review that are going to help you get the best possible digital camera deals are the ones that you will find in specialty camera and computer magazines. If you look online you will also be able to find websites that contain reliable reviews that did not come directly from the camera manufacturer. The reviews that you will come across in these two mediums will cover both the good and the bad points. These types of reviews are very truthful and will often compare different models for consumers. The people that create these reviews are doing so from first hand experience using the camera equipment that they are writing about, they are not advertising professionals that are trying to sell you something.
Being a well-educated consumer and knowing which are the most reliable reviews will go far in helping you to get the very best digital camera deals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell
For more info on digital cameras go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
You will find digital camera reviews all over the internet and in photography magazines but should you trust the reviews when you are looking for the best deals? When the camera reviews that you read in print and online mediums are all packed full of praises can you really trust them as being accurate? Consumers really should be equipped with the information to determine whether or not a review should be taken as being reliable so that they are able to get the very best deals.
The first thing that you should keep in mind while combing through reviews is that you should never trust any reviews that are in any way connected with a manufacturer of cameras. The only thing that they will reveal is what the good points of the camera happen to be and will not mention any potential negatives. Well of course you are going to be bombarded with all the wonderful things about a digital camera if you are reading something from the manufacturer because they are looking to boost sales.
If the manufacturer where to mention anything that could possibly go wrong they are not going to increase their sales are they? So if you are looking for the best digital deals you need to steer clear of press releases and reviews that have been created by the manufacturer. You need to be made aware of any potential issues that may have so that you are certain that you are getting the best possible deal. Promotional information created by camera manufacturers are simply trying to sell you on the good points of a camera so that you will purchase their product.
Home shopping network reviews of cameras should also be avoided if you are looking to get the best digital camera deals. They are packed full of all the positive points and will not tell you are whole lot if anything about any problems that you might encounter. However the good part of making a purchase through a home shopping network is that you have the ability to return your digital should it not work out for you.
The digital camera review that are going to help you get the best possible digital camera deals are the ones that you will find in specialty camera and computer magazines. If you look online you will also be able to find websites that contain reliable reviews that did not come directly from the camera manufacturer. The reviews that you will come across in these two mediums will cover both the good and the bad points. These types of reviews are very truthful and will often compare different models for consumers. The people that create these reviews are doing so from first hand experience using the camera equipment that they are writing about, they are not advertising professionals that are trying to sell you something.
Being a well-educated consumer and knowing which are the most reliable reviews will go far in helping you to get the very best digital camera deals.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell
For more info on digital cameras go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Five Most Important Digital Camera Features
By Chris Campbell
Looking for the digital camera that suits you best can be hard. There are a lot of manufacturers and models on the market, each with their own set of features. It can get distracting when you try to find the one that will suit your needs best. This is especially true for those that are buying their first camera.
So, what features should a digital camera have?
Size Matters. If you're looking for a camera that you can carry around, you obviously need one that is portable, not too heavy or bulky. Being comfortable while keeping the camera steady is also important. Take it in your hands and see if you're comfortable with it.
What's the resolution. The bigger the resolution, the more you can do with the photos you take. They will be clearer and you will be able to increase certain details without losing any quality. If you want your photos to have high quality, you should buy a high resolution digital camera.
The Optical Zoom. Pick a camera that has a good optical zoom. Bigger is better in this case. In most cases, cameras will have both optical and digital zoom. Always choose based on the optical zoom, not on the digital one. The optical zoom will bring the target closer, by using the lenses, instead of using software, which happens with digital zoom.
Battery life. Digital cameras will drain the battery quite fast. You should check and see if there is the possibility of using rechargeable batteries. It's cheaper and more convenient, using batteries that are rechargeable. Another option is a digital camera that has an AC adaptor. You can simply plug it in and while it's charging you will be able to see the photos.
Storage memory. Make sure you buy plenty of storage memory, especially if you intend to make a lot of high resolution pictures. Check if you can add some extra memory through a memory card slot. It would be a shame to realize that your memory card is full while you're in the middle of your vacation.
The things above are just a few features you need to pay attention to when you go shopping for a digital camera. Take all these features into consideration when you choose the camera you want to buy. The most important thing to take in consideration will probably be the budget. How much money you have will influence your choice considerably.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell
For gift ideas go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
Looking for the digital camera that suits you best can be hard. There are a lot of manufacturers and models on the market, each with their own set of features. It can get distracting when you try to find the one that will suit your needs best. This is especially true for those that are buying their first camera.
So, what features should a digital camera have?
Size Matters. If you're looking for a camera that you can carry around, you obviously need one that is portable, not too heavy or bulky. Being comfortable while keeping the camera steady is also important. Take it in your hands and see if you're comfortable with it.
What's the resolution. The bigger the resolution, the more you can do with the photos you take. They will be clearer and you will be able to increase certain details without losing any quality. If you want your photos to have high quality, you should buy a high resolution digital camera.
The Optical Zoom. Pick a camera that has a good optical zoom. Bigger is better in this case. In most cases, cameras will have both optical and digital zoom. Always choose based on the optical zoom, not on the digital one. The optical zoom will bring the target closer, by using the lenses, instead of using software, which happens with digital zoom.
Battery life. Digital cameras will drain the battery quite fast. You should check and see if there is the possibility of using rechargeable batteries. It's cheaper and more convenient, using batteries that are rechargeable. Another option is a digital camera that has an AC adaptor. You can simply plug it in and while it's charging you will be able to see the photos.
Storage memory. Make sure you buy plenty of storage memory, especially if you intend to make a lot of high resolution pictures. Check if you can add some extra memory through a memory card slot. It would be a shame to realize that your memory card is full while you're in the middle of your vacation.
The things above are just a few features you need to pay attention to when you go shopping for a digital camera. Take all these features into consideration when you choose the camera you want to buy. The most important thing to take in consideration will probably be the budget. How much money you have will influence your choice considerably.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell
For gift ideas go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Camera Buying Tips - Digital Versus Analog
By Chris Campbell
In my experience as a photographer I came across countless of cameras, both digital and analog. This article is meant to explain the differences between the two technologies and serve as a camera buying guide for the undecided shopper.
Digital and old 35mm film cameras look and are operated almost the same: you look through the viewfinder, frame your shot and push the shutter button. However, the great difference between them lies in the way they capture and process the image. While the 35mm predecessors used the film to capture the image, their digital successors use a charge-couple device (CCD) known as the image sensor. This silicon chip, not larger than a letter key on the keyboard you have in front of your now, contains several grids of photosensitive diodes called pixels and each one of these will store exactly the information contained in one pixel from the picture that will be rendered so nicely on your desktop.
So, when the shutter opens to take the shot, each pixel will memorize the intensity of the light that fell on it. Milliseconds later, after the shutter closes, this value is converted to a digital number, and the sequence of the several millions of numbers representing the pixels in the picture is compressed, then stored in the memory of the camera (be that internal or the memory card). When switching the camera in playback mode, this sequence is decompressed, and every single digital value is translated into a pixel on the LCD screen. So, in fractions of a second a lot of calculations are made, and this happens with every photo we take or replay.
There are two separate devices / media involved in the process: the image sensor, that captures and digitizes the image, and the storage device, similar in functionalities with the hard disk drive on your computer. With traditional 35mm cameras, the film is used both to record and store the image.
The technology behind digital cameras allows users to view the images on the built-in LCD screen (or TV set, if the camera has such an extension). Also, once captured, digital photos are already in a format we are all familiar with: you can insert them in Word documents, send them to your friends over your favorite instant messaging client, upload on Facebook, burn on DVD's or simply store them on your hard drive for later usage. This is not the case with the old 35mm-ers, where you had to drive downtown to have the pictures developed, then use a scanner to get a digital version.
To wrap it up, if you are to choose between buying a digital camera and an old film one, there are lots of reasons why you should go for the latest technology.
Getting the perfect camera, is never an easy thing, especially with the way digital technology is constantly changing. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful websites online, that can narrow down your search and help you find the camera with all the features important to you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell
For more info on digital cameras go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
In my experience as a photographer I came across countless of cameras, both digital and analog. This article is meant to explain the differences between the two technologies and serve as a camera buying guide for the undecided shopper.
Digital and old 35mm film cameras look and are operated almost the same: you look through the viewfinder, frame your shot and push the shutter button. However, the great difference between them lies in the way they capture and process the image. While the 35mm predecessors used the film to capture the image, their digital successors use a charge-couple device (CCD) known as the image sensor. This silicon chip, not larger than a letter key on the keyboard you have in front of your now, contains several grids of photosensitive diodes called pixels and each one of these will store exactly the information contained in one pixel from the picture that will be rendered so nicely on your desktop.
So, when the shutter opens to take the shot, each pixel will memorize the intensity of the light that fell on it. Milliseconds later, after the shutter closes, this value is converted to a digital number, and the sequence of the several millions of numbers representing the pixels in the picture is compressed, then stored in the memory of the camera (be that internal or the memory card). When switching the camera in playback mode, this sequence is decompressed, and every single digital value is translated into a pixel on the LCD screen. So, in fractions of a second a lot of calculations are made, and this happens with every photo we take or replay.
There are two separate devices / media involved in the process: the image sensor, that captures and digitizes the image, and the storage device, similar in functionalities with the hard disk drive on your computer. With traditional 35mm cameras, the film is used both to record and store the image.
The technology behind digital cameras allows users to view the images on the built-in LCD screen (or TV set, if the camera has such an extension). Also, once captured, digital photos are already in a format we are all familiar with: you can insert them in Word documents, send them to your friends over your favorite instant messaging client, upload on Facebook, burn on DVD's or simply store them on your hard drive for later usage. This is not the case with the old 35mm-ers, where you had to drive downtown to have the pictures developed, then use a scanner to get a digital version.
To wrap it up, if you are to choose between buying a digital camera and an old film one, there are lots of reasons why you should go for the latest technology.
Getting the perfect camera, is never an easy thing, especially with the way digital technology is constantly changing. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful websites online, that can narrow down your search and help you find the camera with all the features important to you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell
For more info on digital cameras go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
Monday, June 15, 2009
Video Digital Camera
By Francisco Segura
In this day and age, video digital cameras are on the cutting edge of technology. They are constantly being redefined as powerful digital tools, not just for capturing videos but are also used in tandem with a plethora of digital devices. There are so many choices in today’s market that a buyer is literally spoilt for choice. When choosing a video digital camera, one should take into account what the actual use of it is going to be - quality and pricing are important aspects as well the type of media you are going to use it in conjunction with.
Today , the major aspect that differentiates analogue video from the video digital camera is the quality of picture. In an analogue camera, the video is transmitted as complete frames and the signal is processed into video and audio. Unfortunately at the interpretation stage, there is a progressive loss of data .Even though this loss is quite small, the loss of quality in the pictures are evident, especially when compared to the digital cameras. The advantage that digital video has is that it stays in the digital mode even when converted. When the assorted data is assembled the colors and brightness are true to the original shot ,without the slightest deterioration during the data transmission. Even when the data is delivered into another digital device, there is no breakdown in quality. This is the hugest advantage where the digital video camera scores over other digital media.
In camcorders, the digital video is the ideal format which makes it compatible to work with videos on the personal computer or the web. The quality and resolution which comes through working in the digital format is important as it retains a purity that is true to the original .Even editing on the digital video is far ahead of its peers for the sheer vastness of available modes.
The kind of picture and sound quality made available through the video digital camera with this digital technology has made even the common man, a potential movie maker. Anyone equipped with a video digital camera and a little vision can make movies worthy of a theatrical experience. There is absolutely no degradation even when processed and converted into other modes for transmission and replication. The camera can be easily fitted to any personal computer and the footage that is unspooled has absolutely no degradation. Handling the video camera too has become relatively easier - everything is user-friendly and does not intimidate the average person who has decided to invest in the digital video experience for himself.
Chronicling episodes from our lives has never been this easy, fun and true to life! The digitalization of the video camera has brought not only razor sharp picture quality, but the freshness of the moment captured without hassles in Technicolor by anyone who can lay their hands on a video digital camera.
Francisco Segura owns and operates http://www.digital-video-guide.com/ - Digital Video
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francisco_Segura
For more info on Video digital cameras go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
In this day and age, video digital cameras are on the cutting edge of technology. They are constantly being redefined as powerful digital tools, not just for capturing videos but are also used in tandem with a plethora of digital devices. There are so many choices in today’s market that a buyer is literally spoilt for choice. When choosing a video digital camera, one should take into account what the actual use of it is going to be - quality and pricing are important aspects as well the type of media you are going to use it in conjunction with.
Today , the major aspect that differentiates analogue video from the video digital camera is the quality of picture. In an analogue camera, the video is transmitted as complete frames and the signal is processed into video and audio. Unfortunately at the interpretation stage, there is a progressive loss of data .Even though this loss is quite small, the loss of quality in the pictures are evident, especially when compared to the digital cameras. The advantage that digital video has is that it stays in the digital mode even when converted. When the assorted data is assembled the colors and brightness are true to the original shot ,without the slightest deterioration during the data transmission. Even when the data is delivered into another digital device, there is no breakdown in quality. This is the hugest advantage where the digital video camera scores over other digital media.
In camcorders, the digital video is the ideal format which makes it compatible to work with videos on the personal computer or the web. The quality and resolution which comes through working in the digital format is important as it retains a purity that is true to the original .Even editing on the digital video is far ahead of its peers for the sheer vastness of available modes.
The kind of picture and sound quality made available through the video digital camera with this digital technology has made even the common man, a potential movie maker. Anyone equipped with a video digital camera and a little vision can make movies worthy of a theatrical experience. There is absolutely no degradation even when processed and converted into other modes for transmission and replication. The camera can be easily fitted to any personal computer and the footage that is unspooled has absolutely no degradation. Handling the video camera too has become relatively easier - everything is user-friendly and does not intimidate the average person who has decided to invest in the digital video experience for himself.
Chronicling episodes from our lives has never been this easy, fun and true to life! The digitalization of the video camera has brought not only razor sharp picture quality, but the freshness of the moment captured without hassles in Technicolor by anyone who can lay their hands on a video digital camera.
Francisco Segura owns and operates http://www.digital-video-guide.com/ - Digital Video
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Francisco_Segura
For more info on Video digital cameras go to http://digitalmomento-n-more.com/
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