I was watching a flock of birds flying past yesterday and had a thought (just the one you understand ..)
If Birds are the descendents of Dinosaurs then we are surrounded by flying Dinosaurs.
Then I had another thought ...
I wonder what the morning chorus sounded like all those millions of years ago ?
It must have been amazing - did Tyrannosaurus Rex Sing ?
Did the Velociraptors croon ?
Did they do it in harmony ?
Barber Shop Quartets of Velociraptors - what a thought ...
..
If I had a Time Machine would I want to go and hear for myself (I think it might be more than a bit scary)
As a Professional photographer, the question I'm asked most nowadays is :
Which Digital Camera shall I buy ?
Gosh that's a hard one to answer - because there is no one all-purpose answer.
If you just want a snap and shoot camera then I'd suggest a compact one with a built-in flash and a zoom with about a 4 or 5 Megapixel resolution (the more pixels,the better the quality).This will give you grerat pictures at up to 10"x8" size from your local photostore or on your own printer.
A MUST is an LCD viewing screen on the back of the Camera to look at the photos immediately after taking them - the great thing about digital photos is that you can junk your rejects !
The main thing to remember though is to get one that takes memory cards
(The bigger the memory card the more photos you can take) and to buy a spare memory card when you buy the camera - You WILL need it ! I like cards over 128 Megabytes - but I take lots of photos ...
Make sure you can download the pictures to your computer and that a cable and software are included in the camera price.
The other essential is that you have RECHARGEABLE batteries and a charger included.
Buy spare rechargeable batteries as well as you'll certainly need them.
AA size are the most easily available and if you run out of power you can buy AA batteries really cheaply anywhere.
One of the best reasons to buy a digital camera though is the fact that you can copy the photos from the memory card onto a cd or dvd (or get an internet cafe to do it for you - they almost all offer this service).
You can then delete all the photos from the memory card and reuse it - hundreds of times. But check they reall are on the cd first !
Keep memory cards away from silk clothes - silk can produce static electricity and this can damage your card.
Look around for prices on memory cards - you can save 50% by shopping around.
Do not rub a memory card to clean it - you'll again produce static electricity.
Only digital cameras that are sold as underwater cameras should be taken in the sea !
I like Fuji Cameras -but most major brands are really good - I'd suggest Fuji,Nikon,Canon or Olympus as the brand leaders and there's not a lot to choose between them.
If you really are more serious about photography then you'll want a single lens reflex.
I'd suggest getting one with a large non-interchangeable zoom lens as when you change lenses on a slr you almost always get dust spots in the camera and these are really annoying.
Your local camera store is the best place to buy but first you should check out prices on a camera that has caught your eye on eBay or 7dayshop.com and try to get your local dealer to match (or come close) to that price.
eBay is one of the best places to shop for cameras, if you are in the USA I'd suggest looking at the B&H Photo Store in New York but there are many others.
QVC shopping channel on TV offers outstanding bargains - they of course have HUGE buying power and camera manufacturers fight to get their goods shown on their channels.
(I bought a Fuji camera there and saved over 100 UK pounds)
The Morgan Computer Company in London is another good place to compare prices - they sell manufacturers ends of lines and refurbished cameras and computers at very low prices.
Do shop around though - it might be worth buying last years model if you are not too bothered about getting the latest gadgets on your camera.
I would avoid buying a secondhand digital camera because they really are a bit delicate and you don't know what has happened to them. (Refurbished cameras though have a full manufacturers guarantee which is really important)
If shopping in person always ask if the store will throw a sweetener in to make the sale - maybe a spare memory card or carrying case for instance.
Digital pictures are a bit harder to take than film photos but you should remember to use the inbuilt flash with any contrasty light conditions (and ALWAYS indoors) or the shadows will fade to black !
In Snow or beach scenes test the camera first before taking friends or action photos - these are notoriously difficult conditions for digital cameras to cope with and you'll have to read the instruction manual for the settings to change for your own camera choice.
PLEASE, PLEASE , READ the Instruction Manual !
I've never had a question from a camera user that wasn't answered in the manual !. You WILL get better pictures by using the suggestions in the manual.
If you want to use an external Flash to photograph parties,weddings etc -
THE FLASH MUST BE DIGITAL COMPATIBLE !
The reason I'm shouting this at you is that older flashguns for film cameras work at HIGHER Voltages than those designed for digital cameras. You'll FRY your new camera if you use that flashgun from the spare room drawer !
Come and see my Digital photos on my website at
http://www.fotos4web.comThere is however an Erotica section for over 18's so don't look there if you're easily offended (not too naughty though).
Pet Photography - ALWAYS keep your camera handy - especially with young animals - you'll be delighted you did !
Look after your digital camera - they don't like wet ! Keep them out of the rain.
In very,very cold weather the batteries can pack up on you if they are not at full power - always carry a spare battery and keep your camera in an inside pocket to keep it warm and snug.
Using the lcd screen to look at photos is great but it REALLY runs the batteries down.
Try to choose a camera with a mains adaptor so you can look at your photos at home or in your hotel at the end of the day.
NEVER use the LCD to frame your photo - that's what the viewfinder is for. If you use the LCD to frame your photos you'll run out of batteries faster than you can believe !
Recharge your camera batteries every night when on holiday or it's a certainty that you won't be able to buy any locally when you need them ... (Thats why I told you to get a spare set of batteries !)
Keep your fingers off the lens - fingers are very bad for lenses as your fingers (mine too !) are covered in slightly acidic stuff that eats camera lenses !)
If you are thinking of buying a Fuji S2 or Fuji S3 SLR then go for the S3 - the S2 has two sets of batteries and the little ones don't last long and are sometimes hard to find. (Lidl sell them if you need them) The S3 has all AA batteries and these are easy to find and last longer.
Digital cameras are very high targets for thieves - don't leave yours lying around on a cafe table or you could lose it and that would be a shame.
Beware of buying a Digital camera from Far East Suppliers - some are reputable but some are not.
The usual scam is a huge postage bill and You'll also have to pay VAT on top whatever they say.
Check their feedback on ebay carefully - you can actually BUY feedback on ebay so check what the items were that the feedback refers to - it should be relevant to that business.
Happy Snapping and have loads of fun with your new camera
Keith
This article may be freely distributed or used on a website providing you don't alter it in any way or remove the link to my website. If you publish it in a magazine or newspaper I would like a fee though !
Wow, my Gamblingfun website is getting larger now - the Vegas listings are getting bigger and I've now signed up 888.com and PartyPoker.com (the biggest players online I think..)
I decided to give away a Free ebook called Beat the Bandit - a guide to slightly older style machines that are still in use and are seemingly very predictable.
I don't think I'd be able to remember the payout sequences myself but if you have one of the older machines you could make yourself a fair few bob every week just following the instructions - and it's LEGAL !
I saw an ebook being advertised on several website on how to cheat at online poker... hmmm sounds like an invitation to meet some rather large and unsmiling gentlemen to me !
Oh yes - I nearly forgot -I'm also publishing a free gambling e-zine every 10 days to anyone who signs up for it on the website. Ask and you'll get it FREE ! 1st issue is on scams and how to avoid them - this will be a series as many people seem worried about being ripped off ... I've been very careful about who I put on my webpages but it looks like there are quite a few dicey website around pushing crooked casinos. So I decided to stick with the big guys and avoid problems.
Please remember - if you are gambling don't drink too much .
