How to Spot Fake Memory Cards

Sorry for the lack of articles! I’ve been busy planning and getting married!

To get back on track, DigiSniper has a good article on how to Spot a Fake Memory Card! Don’t be a victim of fake imitation goods!

The “Sorry Corporation” on the fake memory stick is hilarious. You should be able to spot that the next time you’re shopping for a memory stick.

 Click here to read the full article!

Histogram: What is it trying to say?

Aperture Histogram (RGB) by tychay

Most modern DSLRs and some compact cameras are equipped with a built-in histogram. Most photo editing applications like Photoshop will also include one or more histograms for you to analyze your photos.

But what is it trying to tell us? This is another aspect of digital photography that has stumped me for some time. For the longest time, I’ve only been able to check if my photos are overexposed or under exposed from the histogram. After reading this article from the Professional Photographer website, I finally have a clue.

Here’s some extract that helped me the most:

What does a histogram show?

It shows how the luminance values in a in a digital or digitized photograph are distributed. The linear scale in a histogram runs from black at one end to white at the opposite end.

What does it represent?

The horizontal scale of the histogram measures exposure latitude, and the vertical scale measures quantity: it tells us how many pixels in the image have a specific luminosity value.

The article also brings up a very interesting point that I didn’t know. The histograms in some camera’s LCD is based on a highly compressed low-res JPEG.

More than likely, the data being sent to the preview is based on a highly compressed low-resolution jpeg using an 8-bit-per-channel version of the color space you’ve chosen and possibly incorporating the tone settings you (or the camera manufacturer) have set as in camera processing parameters.

Head over to Professional Photographer for the full article. Maybe you’ll be able to understand it better than me and perhaps write an article for Photography7.

Holiday Shopping: Tips on buying your next Digital Camera

The holidays are here and it’s time to shop for gifts for your loved ones and even yourself! (What better excuse to splurge on your expensive hobby then Christmas?!)

I’ve done a fair amount of shopping for photography equipment, including cameras, DSLRs, lenses and tripods. So here are some tips from my personal experience:

1. Don’t be in a hurry to purchase a newly released camera or DSLR body - There are usually issues in the first batches of production. Wait for a few hands-on review and more discussions online before making the purchase.
2. Spend more on lens and less on the DSLR body - New DSLR bodies are released too quickly. It is impossible to keep up unless you’re loaded. (Please send me an email if you’re loaded with cash. I’m sure we can work something out :P)
3. Factor in extra costs for additional items like memory cards, spare battery, camera bag and tripod - Memory cards and a camera bag are a necessity and will add more damage to your wallets.
4. In countries with high humditiy, consider getting a Dry Cabinet to store your equipment - High humidity causes fungus to grow in your cameras and lenses. Once infected, it is very difficult to get rid of. So take extra care of your equipment!
5. Buy 2 smaller capacity memory cards instead of 1 large capacity - You never know when it will happen but when it does, you’ll be glad you took my advice A memory card can and will fail you when you least expect it to. I have heard horror stories of memory cards failing during a wedding, honeymoon and important projects. So split that 4GB SD Card into 2 x 2GB SD Cards.
6. Beware of scams - Lifehacker has a great article on avoiding “Bait and Switch” scams while purchasing Digital Cameras. Such scams typically start after you placed and an order:

Months later, you still haven’t received your camera. You call the vendor, and you’re given a song and dance about it being back-ordered because of X excuse, (but) would you like to buy the camera bundle with some accessories for $1,700? … If you fall for the up-sell … you’ll notice that your package bundle includes (only) the battery and charger (which are normally included with the camera for MSRP). If you give up and cancel the order, you’ve wasted a ton of time, you don’t have a camera, and the company has had your $600 for three months.

Personally,  I don’t like to place a cash deposit especially if the camera is not released yet. It binds you down to the retailer because there is no way that they will return you the deposit.

Do you have any tips to share? Let us know in the comments.

60 seconds - That’s all you need

The Hidden Pond by Stuck in Customs

iDigitalPhoto has a great compilation of tips to improve your photos. Here are some of the tips that I find extremely enlightening:

Lighting

Light from the side brings out shapes, textures and structures. That’s why early morning and evening are rich times to photograph.

Color

Our eyes naturally adjust to colored or tinted light sources to make them appear white and so will your digital camera but only within certain limits. (Ahh, so that’s why!)

Flash

Balance the flash with day light for stunning results. Your camera may offer a ‘slow flash’ or ‘synchro flash’ or ‘daylight synchro’ setting.

Direct flash on groups of people produces better-looking images than direct flash on a single person.

Read more >>

Make a Remote Shutter Release with your Old Mouse

Here’s a spiffy DIY project for all you photographers who’d like a weekend project. Transform your old mouse that’s collecting dust into a Remote Shutter Release! This little DIY is from Dave Schlier.

You’ll need to have the following things for this project:

1. Soldering skills
2. Spare mouse
3. 2.5mm Stereo Jacks with solderable contacts
4. 3 or 4 wire cable (I.E. Telephone Cable)
5. and of course, some elbow grease

Thanks to LifeHacker for the tip!

Aperture and Shutter Speed

Its been quite awhile since we talked about Shutter Speed and Aperture in photography. I came across a great video that demonstrates the relationship between aperture and shutter speed. It reminded me of the importance of the relationship and how it works to make a good exposure.

Have a look at the video and let us know what you think in the comments!

10 things to ask yourself before taking a photograph

Digital Photography School has a great article on asking yourself some questions before taking a photograph. I’ll be the first to admit that I generally have the habit of being shutter-happy. I guess it’s a bad habit from my point-and-shoot digital camera days.

I’ve been putting in more effort before taking photos lately and this article really helps me in understanding what I should think about before taking a shot.

Here are some of my favorites out of the 10:

1. What story am I telling?

This is an important question and one that should help you to make any number of decisions in terms of composition, framing, exposure etc. In essence what you’re asking is ‘why am I taking this shot? What is it’s purpose and what am I trying to convey?’ Is it purely a way to keep a record of a moment, are you trying to capture the emotion of a moment, is it possibly a shot to give to someone, is it part of a larger series of shots or will it be the only shot to commemorate the moment etc.

This is the hardest item for me. I’m not much of a storyteller. In fact, I do not have a story to go along with most of my photos. I just want to share what I see with anyone who views my photos. I need to put more effort to add a story to my photographs.

Read more >>

Choosing a tripod? Here’s some tips!

I’ve been shopping around looking for a tripod to add to my growing list of equipment. Photographers simply swear by having a tripod. The photos taken with a tripod are just so much sharper and crisp compared to hand holding your camera. Landscape, still life, night or low light photography all requires a tripod to get sharp images.

There are just too many tripods available in the market. Which tripod is the most suitable for you? Here are some tips:

1. Price - This is the most important factor for me personally. Finding a tripod within your budget will narrow down the choices. Don’t buy anything that you can’t afford or you will break your bank account.
2. Material - There are 2 good choices, Aluminum and Carbon Fiber. Aluminum tripods are generally more affordable. However, they are also considerable heavier than the Carbon Fiber tripods . Carbon Fiber tripods cost almost double of the aluminum alternatives.
3. Weight - Will you be traveling alot or bringing the tripod for photo shoots in many locations? If you answer yes to any of those, you may want to consider Carbon Fibre tripods. They weigh from under 0.7 kg (1.6 lbs) to 2 kg (4.4 lbs) . If you’ll only be needing the tripod in your studio, aluminum will do the job just fine and save you a bunch for other accessories. Aluminum generally weighs from 2.3 kg (5 lbs) onwards.

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All you need to know about Flash Photography!

Strobist is probably one of the best sources online for lighting techniques! Best of all, they look after your wallets by recommending more affordable ways to achieve professional lighting. This has to be one of my favorites sites that I go to visit daily.
Over 700 articles suitable for beginners like me, to professionals. If you’re serious about studio or flash photography, you have go read their articles. You’ll thank me soon enough

Great Tips for Beginner Photographers

Digital Photography School has some great tips for anyone thinking of dipping their toes into photography. Some of my favorites tips are:

1. Keep your camera with you all the time. - I carry my camera with me all the time. I need ALOT of practice and carrying my camera everywhere allows me to find precious gems like this little kitty:

Read more >>