The Original Magnet Frame 4 x 10 inches/Panoramic-Clear
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If scenic landscape pictures are something you love, then you probably love panoramic pictures. Panoramic pictures have grown in popularity with the increasing use of panoramic format cameras and the popularity of digital photography. If you’re unfamiliar with panoramic pictures, now is the time to start learning why they’re so popular and how they can add a new look to your home decorating.
Why are panoramic picture frames so popular among photography enthusiasts?

  • They’re a unique way to capture tall landscapes and breathtaking vistas. Now you can take a full picture of the Eiffel tower or the Statue of Liberty or capture an entire cityscape.
  • Their non-standard shape gives an creative touch to your picture wall making your photo stand out. A panoramic frame adds a unique dimension to your picture display whether hanging alone or in a wall picture display.
  • They are less expensive than having to buy a larger picture frame with a mat to fit the panoramic photo size. Now with panoramic picture frames widely available you can find the perfect frame and avoid the expense of custom framing.

Panoramic Picture Basics

There are a three primary ways to take panoramic pictures: a camera using APS film, a digital camera with a panoramic setting or to digitally “stitch” together multiple pictures into a panoramic photo.

Originally, panoramic pictures first became popular with film cameras using Advanced Photo System (APS) film. These cameras are still used today and took pictures in specific panoramic sizes. These days with digital cameras and the software for photo “stitching” there are really no restrictions to the size of your panoramic photo. Now the limit for panoramic photos comes to framing your picture. The options for framing your panoramic photos are limited to three common sizes of ready made panoramic picture frames. The sizes are 3.5×10, 4×12 and 4×10. Ready made frames are most popular because they’re significantly less expensive than custom picture frames.

Ready made panoramic frame styles are usually simple with clean lines and are available in either metal or wood frames. Wood panoramic frames are generally more popular because they’re available in a large variety of stained colors so you can better highlight tones in your photo. The wide variety of colors and the classic simple style of panoramic frames complements almost any decor and will add a new dimension to your photo displays.

Even though the popularity of APS film is decreasing, that doesn’t mean panoramic photos are going away. With the enormous popularity of digital photography, panoramic frames and pictures will be around for a very long time. So keep taking those beautiful panoramic views and have fun creating a unique look with your panoramic frames.

Photography has seen many changes over the years. Firstly, cost has decreased meaning many more people can afford to be serious about photography. As a matter of fact, all it takes nowadays is a good camera, a computer or laptop and a photo enhancement and editing software to start a professional career in photography.

Digital photography is one of the many forms of photography that has gained a lot of popularity. This is no different from traditional photography. The only thing that sets them apart is the fact that digital photography, as the name suggests, utilizes digital technology. Before, photography required a negative and a developing process before an image was produced. On the other hand, digital images can be printed, stored, edited, archived and displayed using the computer without the need for any chemical processing.

Photography is a pleasure for many people. Anyone can use a camera and take some photos. For this very reason, a lot of people are trying their hand at the digital photography business. This is a good way of earning extra income while enjoying yourself. So, how does one turn what we do for pleasure into profit? Some of the most useful tips for starting a digital photography business are as follows:

1. Have focus on what you do
You really need to decide which type of photography you are best suited to before starting a business. Do you prefer wedding photography? Or maybe you would like to take images of babies instead? There is always the option of opening your own studio. It is essential that you decide on what kind of business you would like to put up sooner. This way, you can focus on your efforts. If, for instance, you decide to take baby photography, then you should advertise on people who would like to get their babies photographed. Once you make a name for yourself and you start acquiring more customers, you can move on to another specialty. Word of mouth can be as damaging as it brings success, so treat it well.

2. Continue to get more training
Photography is not something that should be taken lightly. Getting further photographic training would not hurt. In fact, it is useful if you want to improve more on specific aspects that you are not that good at. Trainings also provide you with a proficiency level that lets you know what you are doing. While your career prospers, you should start taking more courses, particularly specialty courses, so that the range of your business will grow. Courses also add to your credibility and reputation.

3. Start networking online and offline
To make yourself known it is very important to network. The best place to start is with family and friends. Tell them you are currently involved in the photography business. Put your business details on to a printed business card. You may even create your own website and provide a gallery where everyone can see your work. Remember to put your website details on your cards so people can look at your work. You can also join local clubs for networking in your area. Try Facebook and other social networking sites as well. These websites create a lot of traffic and ads will be widely viewed.

4. Practice makes perfect
In starting a business this is the most significant part. Try doing some work for free at first, you will be less nervous and gain better experience knowing your customers are not paying. For example. take a friends wedding photos for cost price. This voluntary work will be appreciated by your friends and they might start hiring you for other events. As well as this, you can add any pictures taken to you portfolio and then use this to sell to future clients. As word of mouth spreads and you become more in demand, you can increase your. This additional money may be used to upgrade your tools and equipment. You also might have more ads.

5. Create your own portfolio
A portfolio is the photographer’s resume. It is important if you want to impress your prospective clients. Collect all your best shots and place them in a binder. Your clients can use your portfolio as a reference. If they are impressed with your photos, the chances of being hired are obviously greater.

6. Let local settings be advantageous
What settings you choose will decide the final quality of the shot. If you live near a beach, take as many photographs as possible. A gazebo can also be a setting for graduation or wedding pictures. Wild animals or just friends can be a good start for taking pictures in a forest setting.

7. Do not hesitate to invest money
Equipment required for a photography business can be expensive, but you will find it is all worth it in the end. You do not need to buy everything immediately. Start off with a camera and a laptop or computer to edit the pictures with. Once you start to earn money, you can start to purchase more equipment to advance the business. When you have a regular customer base, every penny you spent and more.

8. Offer discounts and promos in exchange for referrals
Discounts and promos are very attractive to a customer’s eye. People love to make savings regularly. By offering such discounts, you can get customer referrals in return. This is a fair compromise for both you and your customer.

9. Have a good photo editing software
The ease of use in taking and editing an image is one advantage to digital cameras. Adobe Photoshop CS3 and Corel Paint Shop Pro X are some of the well known image editing applications used today in digital photography.

10. For a photography business, get a license
If starting a photography business be sure to check any required license’ and keep on the right side of the law in your area. Also, some customers are very particular about licenses. This is their assurance that they would not be scammed. You would not need a license, however, if you are only venturing out for assignments.

These tips are very helpful if you want to take your digital photography skills a step further. So what are you waiting for? Start your own photography business today!

MattsCanvas with over over 15 years experience offers quality Canvas Prints, Photos on Canvas and Pop Art Portraits.

Canon Digital Camera Blog Posts

Here are some recent posts containing useful information for photographers using Canon digital SLR cameras:

1. The “crop factor” on Canon digital cameras with sub full-frame sensors takes the “wow” factor out of many Canon wide angle lenses by effectively “lengthening” them by 1.6x or 60%. Canon’s range of EF-S lenses have helped by offering additional wide angle options, but many of the lenses in this line-up are fairly basic and of flimy build. There are, however, two EF-S lenses that stand out from the crowd — see Two Stand-Out EF-S Lenses from Canon for more.

2. While image stabilization (IS) is extremely useful for wildlife photographers using telephoto lenses, it can lead to over-dependance on the technology, resulting in disappointing results when the IS doesn’t live up to expectations. Savvy and experienced wildlife photographers will always opt for some form of camera support where possible. Even though it’s often not feasible to use a tripod in a game drive vehicle, there are alternatives — see Using a Camera Support to Counter Camera Shake for more.

3. A popular lens for wildlife photography is Canon’s EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom because of its wide zoom range and image stabilization. It is not excessively expensive, mainly because of the slow maximum aperture of f/5.6 at 400mm, even though it is an L-series lens. You can find out more about this particular lens and L lenses in general from this blog post: Cheetah Picture Using Canon L-Series Lens.

4. One normally associates wildlife photography in general, and bird photography in particular, with long telephoto lenses. However, it’s always worth experimenting and searching for a different “look”, especially as affordable compact cameras sporting powerful 24x ultra zoom lenses make wildlife photography more accessible to the man in the street. Read about one such experiment — Using a Canon Wide Angle Lens to Show Location — where the camera was placed on the ground and the photo taken using an electronic cable release.

5. If you’re a photographer using a digital SLR camera, then you’ll definitely want to make sure you have a wide angle lens in your arsenal of photographic gear. Of course, if you’re a Canon shooter, then it should be a Canon wide angle in your camera bag — or possibly one of the lenses made by independent manufacturers like Tamron or Sigma — but you do need a wide angle! For more on this, and the reasons supporting the recommendation, see Make Sure You Have a Wide Angle Lens in Your Camera Bag.

6. Telephoto lenses prove invaluable when you can’t get near enough to the subject you’re photographing, as in most sports, where you have to shoot from the grandstand or sidelines. See Telephoto Lenses are Essential Tools for Sports Photography to find out more and understand the differences between prime and zoom tele lenses when it comes to shooting sports pictures.

Top of the Range DSLR Cameras

If you closely at the specifications and functions of the models that are provided by the top brands you will notice that the differences are minor. Such that the one that you choose is then based on what you prefer rather than anything esle. Below I will just briefly look at the top 10 DLSR Cameras and their specifications just to give you an idea of what I’m talking about.

  1. Canon Rebel XS: has DIGIC III image processing, Can shoot 3 frames per second, is 10.1 mega pixels and 7 point wide area automatic focusing .
  1. Olympus Evolt: Has 2.5 inch LCD live view screen, is 10.0 mega pixels and accommodates different storage accessories such as Micro drive, CF and memory cards. It is very light and can be used with a number of lenses.
  1. Nikon D700: You can make light, brightness, color and contrast adjustments and it also has a wide area focus and has preliminary picture preview to allow you to see how the image will look like after you’ve taken it.

Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
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  1. Nikon D300 DX: Has the new 51 point auto focus system, a 3 inch LCD live view screen and is 12.3 mega pixels .
  1. Canon EOS 40D: Has 6.5 frame per second shooting, also has a 3inch live view LCD and is 10.0 mega pixels
  1. Nikon D80: Excellent quality pictures and very good optical image reolution.
  1. Canon EOS 50D: Has face recognition and motion sensor modes, uses standard USM lens, DIGIC IV sensor and is 15.1 mega pixels.
  1. Nikon D60: 2.5 inch LCD screen and is 10.2 mega pixels and comes with a G vibration lens.
  1. Nikon D90 DX: is12.3 mega pixels, includes scene recognition system and has a 3 inch LCD screen.
  1. Canon Digital Rebel XSi: capable of storing images on normal memory cards, Has DIGIC III image processor, is 12.2 mega pixels and has an integrated cleaning system .

These are the current popular models amongst DSLR cameras even though you can find products that are just as good under Panasonic, Kodak and Sony. To be able to compare the different types and models check out any of the following:

  1. Best Slr Digital Camera
  2. Best Choices For Digital Slr Digital Cameras
  3. Used Digital Slr Camera

Many people have asked about repairing their front covers/flaps on their Canon PowerShot SD series cameras, so I’ve written up some instructions. The barrier kit on most Canon PowerShot SD series cameras is a little tricky but not impossible to replace yourself. All you need is some patience, a steady hand and a small tipped screwdriver. We’ve been using dental picks for some time, they do a good job!

To start, you will need to turn on the camera and extend the lens, then open the battery door to turn off the camera and keep the lens out. This allows you to easily work on the lens barrier assembly.

First the part we need is the ‘barrel drive ring’, it’s the ring with the small piece that sticks down into the lens. Some cameras don’t have one, so if there isn’t one in your kit then your camera doesn’t need it. Be certain that it will rotate slightly after installation, otherwise it is probably not installed properly and can cause the lens to get jammed.

Next are the springs and flaps. There is a small little tab that holds the spring in place when you put it on the ‘flap’ or ‘barrier plate’ as they are actually called. They are TINY, they are hard to hold and if you drop it… please take my advice and don’t drop it, ok? We do have just the springs available for purchase, but please try not to lose them.

Gently put the flap in the hole with the spring laying towards the post that the free end will mount on; then with something with a very small tip (we use dental picks!) gently grab the loop of the spring and stick it on its post.

If you do this with the lens covers or ‘flaps’ in the open position they will stay in place once you get them properly seated. If everything pops off, just start again. Do not stretch out the springs as they must remain tight or nothing will work properly.

Then gently put on the barrier cover, it’s a flat plastic ring. There are tabs on the barrier cover, they match up with little slots on the lens and it locks into place. Be gentle, don’t force anything too hard or you will break it and the parts will not hold it place.

Now it’s time to test your skills! Put in the battery (cross your fingers) and press the power button! Is it working? Did it go flying across the room with a cute little *SPROING!* and maybe all the parts scattered all over the place? I hope not, but you’re not alone I’ve been there too.

Once you have it working smoothly …you’re almost done with your first digital camera repair!

Next put the dual sided tape on the barrier cover. CAUTION: Make sure to take the tape off of the backing paper but DON’T remove the paper that matches the shape of the tape on the other side!! If you take off the small paper part it will ruin the tape because it will fold and stick to itself. Bye bye tape!

The tabs fold over the edge, don’t let them stick out or the lens cover won’t fit and the lens will jam. The tape lines up with one tab at about the 11 o’clock position, then fold the tabs over and press them in so they don’t stick out.

Now put on your chrome or black lens cap, line up the cap with the small indentation at the bottom, you’ll see how it goes on easily.

Fire up the camera again and admire your handywork! Good for you! You now know how easy… and yet still hard digital camera repair can be, and the “Geek Squad” said that it was either unfixable or would be two hundred dollars and take several weeks to complete. Whatever Geek Squad… Whatever.

Hmm… I think I’m seeing the beginning of something big here; affordable do it yourself Canon camera repair!

Today’s cameras are not only digital but often waterproof. If you want to find a high quality digital camera that is waterproof and sure to last, then you should look into acquiring an Olympus waterproof digital camera.  In today’s day and age, you can even find waterproof shockproof digital cameras that are sure to make taking photos on the go, underwater, and during things like sporting events that much easier. The images that such cameras take are sure to look as if a professional took them. Don’t think that you have to break the bank to find a deal on an Olympus waterproof digital camera. If you know where to look, you can definitely find some great models at great prices. Some of the best places to look for high end and inexpensive Olympus waterproof digital cameras are following.

Outlets Offering Olympus Waterproof Digital Camera

Outlets today carry much more than clothing. In fact, today, you can find a great number of electronic items in outlets. When you come here, you will definitely be able to find a great deal on an Olympus waterproof digital camera. These models may be overstocked in a local store, not selling well, may be on sale because a local store sold them to an outlet when they went out of business, or may have small blemishes like a scratch or two. Buying an Olympus waterproof digital camera here is a surefire way of finding one of the best cameras in the world at an affordable price.

Olympus Waterproof Digital Camera Online

If you are serous about hunting down a deal on an Olympus waterproof digital camera, then you need to use the Internet. This way, you can see which stores are selling which models at the lowest possible price. You can have great deal on price of such a camera by taking help of some websites providing you with price comparison. Increase your chances of finding a stellar deal on different camera models by searching online. Similarly, there are online auction websites to look into. Here, people of all ages, backgrounds, and locations can be found selling cameras of all types. In fact, you can find both used and brand new models from which to choose. If you stay on the lookout for your desired model, you can be sure to find a great deal on an Olympus waterproof digital camera.

There so many people out there that have digital cameras, but don’t know how to use them.They get stuck looking at all the different camera settings and not knowing where to begin.

There are plenty of books available that teach about photography, most are severely outdated and therefore not very good.There are an almost infinite number of free online photo sites, so it can be hard at times to know which ones are good and which ones are just shy of worthless.

Is the site run by a real honest to goodness commercial photographer or is it a hobbyist that’s teaching as they learn the ropes themselves?

Just about everything about photogrpahy is subjective.  If you like someone’s photography, great.If someone’s photography doesn’t appeal to you, that’s ok too.Only you know what kind of photography you like.

Find someone you like and let them mentor you.  If you grow from the experience then it’ll be a good relationship for you and your photography will get better as you study and apply the techniques you learn.

Whether you learn only from free photography websites or you enroll in an online photography workshop is entirely up to you and your comfort zone.

The greatest advantage to the online photography workshop is when you get direct feedback from the instructor.  You can’t get that from a book or a free web site.

Learn from their experience and watch your own photographic abilities grow as you apply what you learn.If you choose your workshop wisely you’ll enjoy the benefits of it for years to come.

If you’re a beginner or new to digital photogrpahy be sure to find a workshop that speaks to your fears and photographic insecurities.  Make sure that it answers your questions and fills your photographic needs.

A beginning photography workshop should address basic camera settings, exposure settings, basic composition and lens choices.  You should also learn about cropping, props, wardrobe and how to use available light to it’s best advantage.

Most importantly, remember to keep it fun.  A good workshop will teach you how to uncomplicate things.  Simple is better.  Find a great photography workshop, get registered and enjoy the ride!

 

 

The best of any product, in whatever range, always comes at a high price. It comes as no surprise then that quality digital cameras are very costly. There are situations and ways that you can get a good discount on some of these gadgets. I will mention some of the things you should bear in mind when you next go shopping for your digital camera.

The last few years has seen a large number of companies manufacturing and selling digital cameras. It then becomes possible to negotiate prices because of the competition among the retailers.

One thing you should always know is any product will always have a high price in the period just after it is released and it’s still a hot seller. Over these months even the best negotiation skills will not get you a discount. It is better to wait for a reasonable amount of time and no doubt the prices will drop sooner or later as newer models arrive.

The internet is a solution for those who do not like the idea of negotiaing. Products do not arrive in all places at the same time. A new product in the area you are living might be three months old in another area and going for a cheaper price. I’m sure you know by now that you can buy most of these products online for relatively low delivery prices.

Some of the places that you will be able to get good discounts include one of these: sony digital slr price south africacheap digital camerasolympus camera

Through the internet you have a wider choice to pick from. There are so many other models of cameras other than the popular brands that we know. You might be able to get a model that is as good as these high pricy range brands for way much cheaper if you give yourself time to look.

Want to Learn Green Screen Software Tricks

Taking a professional shot of a child comes with its own issues, not excluding the task of holding the child’s focus long enough to snap their picture. However, there are other major problems photographers deal with unknowingly. In no particular order, these problematic issues are: having the child not look as if they are truly a part of the backdrop, creating an image that does not hold the viewer’s attention, or especially creating a boring picture that feels flat. Even the best photographers will face these three issues every now and then, and this article will help you to eliminate them completely.

To begin with, when using a photographed background, such as a professional printed backdrop, people who view the end result can at times see that it was faked. Most of the time this isn’t a huge issue, but occasionally we all experience these nit pickers. Using modest props would be one approach you could use to fight back. As opposed to using a muslin or printed backdrop at the start, think about using a green screen as an alternative. By using a green screen with cheap chroma key software, positioning a digital photo would be a lot simpler than attempting to make your angle perfect with a printed cloth.

Now with the child standing or sitting in front of the chroma key screen, add in a prop or two that can add to the illusion that the child is really there. A holiday like Christmas, for example, could have the child carrying a cheerfully wrapped gift box for the picture. Or if the child is being shot as if on the beach, have them wear a swimsuit and then wrap themselves with a towel. The main idea is to make an effort to add natural elements to the child’s surroundings. Tricking your viewers with the perfect illusion can be done if you pair your props and digital backdrops correctly.

Now another benefit to adding in props such as these is that they can help to engage the viewer. Think about it: which of these two pictures would look more interesting to you? A picture of a child wearing a nice suit standing in front of a background of the Star of David, or one where it’s a three-quarter view of the child wearing his yamulkah and he’s lighting a menorah for Hanukkah? The first picture gives and overall understanding, but the second one is much more engaging and fun to look at.

On the other hand, these pictures also help to tell a story. A baby laying on a blanket is cute, but add in a background of a grassy field and you’ve got a nature spirit. On that very same field, retrieve the child and hand them over to their mother - you now have a gentle spirit, dozing in his mother’s arms. Remember this: Use props in conjunction with a green screen to help make the scene more solid and real, to engage the viewer on an emotional level and to tell a story. Why wait any longer?  Find out more about green screen software today!

Cheap Photo Prints

You probably won’t find a soul in the world who wants to throw money away on cheap photo printing . Anyone on a budget wants to spend as little money as possible. All thrifty shoppers are going to look at the cost to quality ratio when chosing a photo print or developing publisher or service. Otherwise, they will end up in a trash pile. Many of the best photo printing services (HP’s Snapfish, Photoworks, Shutterfly) offer cheap photo printing as low as 9 cents a print if you order in bulk, but you must consider that’s usually for smaller prints as well.

 

Where to find Cheap Digital Prints

  • Photobucket - One of the more popular choices on the internet, they offer membership levels ranging from free to paid and offers savings allowing you to purchase cheap digital prints. Edit and crop your photos or add special effects then head on over to the linked Koday Gallery to order your cheap digital prints.
  • Photoworks -  Has generous offers of fifty free photo prints for first time customers. Photo prints can be as low as 9 cents per print for larger orders.
  • Shutterfly - 25 4X6 prints at no cost They offer unlimited photo storage at no additional cost for customers.
  • Smugmug - A wide variey of membership prices to fit within your budget. You must foot the bill for a year upfront as no other payment choices are offered.There is no free membership option as paid memberships will not have to view any advertisements like you would with a free photo storage site. HIgh quality prints is their utmost specialty and you’ll never find any of your oldest photos purged from your account.

Free photographs are an industry standard for these online print shops. Frugal bbuyers are afforded a unqiue position of comparison amongst the quality of prints for each sevice to see which best suits them.

 

Shipping costs and savings for larger sized orders are 2 other key factors when on the lookout for digital photo developing. Make sure your cost to quality ratio is satisfactory. The quality to price savings ratio is an important factor to keep in mind. It’s always worth pursuing cheap photo prints but if your cheap photo prints turn out looking like they were made on the cheap, it’s not worth it.

 

You can also get in on cheap photo printing by doing the printing on your own! The industry contain many photo printers that offer nicely printed photos. Be on the lookout for some of the best photo printers on the market.