Tori's Antique Cameras

Colour or Black and White?

Colour or black and white? The debate regarding the use of colour or black and white for photographs has been going on for decades. Many traditionalists still prefer the formal appearance of black and white photographs. However, these days there seem to be only a few traditionalists left as more and more photographs are being developed in colour.

Many people are opting for color pictures simply because they are simpler and cheaper to produce. This was not always the case, as it took sometime before the required technology for colour photographs could surpass the quality of black and white photos.

Before colour, black and whites were the standard print used for on film. Many historical materials that may contain pictures are often in black or white. During the early days of photography, black and white processing and printing was more inexpensive than colour. At the same time, black and white photographs had better quality than colour.

At the start, colour photographs were to expensive to process and print compared to black and white. Plus, the outcome of colour photographs was not as crisp or sharp as black and white. It was only until after the eighties when the quality of colour photographs surpassed black and white.

Colour In Today's Photographs

Unfortunately the entrance of colour printing into the main photography scene meant the decline of black and whites. As a result, the supply of black and white film dwindled as well as the facilities that could process and print them. In just a short time, black and white photographs became the exemption in photography while colour became the rule.

In today's world almost everything is in colour. Photographers, amateur and even professionals prefer using colour in order to better express the details of the pictures that they take. In addition, photographs processed and printed in colour are cheaper than black and whites. In fact these days it is easier to get photographs printed in colour than black and whites.

The technology used in photography these days is able to produce photographs that capture each and every vivid detail in colour. Furthermore, the advances in photography have also made it possible for people to convert their existing black and white photographs into colour. The results are astounding as the photograph is vibrantly reprinted in colour without leaving any detail out.

The Resurgence Of Black And White

Following the current trend in revivals, black and white photographs are experiencing a comeback as photographers are rediscovering the power of black and white imagery. Many people now view black and white photos as an innovative take on the usual coloured pictures. At the same time, black and white photos impart a sense of reality that can be lost in coloured pictures.

Print advertising was the first industry to revive the interest in black and white pictures. Gigantic billboards across the country featured ads done entirely in black and white. Since then, black and white photographs became requested all over the place.

Black and whites became popular with brides who wanted to add a historical and classic touch to their wedding pictures. Photography classes have also used black and white photographs as a great way to teach students on how light affects film. However the resurgence of black and white was inevitable because it's simply beautiful.

What Goes With What?

In the early days, people had no choice but to use black and white since it was the only medium available to them. But today, people can choose what they want for their photographs. In most cases, the choice of using colour or black and white is a matter of personal preference.

Keep in mind that most subjects can be taken in black and white. However there are times when using colour can help bring out the true beauty of the subject. You may want to pass up a black and white motif for subjects that are known for color like an autumn settings, flowers and colourful butterflies.

Use a black and white theme for subjects where colour may become a distraction to the viewer. Scenes of war or an accident are more compelling and less violent to look out minus the colour of blood. In this way, black and white photographs relay more emotion without being too disturbing.

Canon 7D Digital SLR Camera and 28-135MM Lens Bundle

Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens Overview

Canon is the multinational Japan-based company that deals in the manufacturing of optical and imaging products like digital cameras, handycams, steppers, computer printers, photocopiers and many more. The company has established a strong grip over the market with its extensive and exclusive range of digital cameras, and is enjoying a good fraction of the total market share.

If you are serious about camera picture quality and performance then DSLR or SLR cameras are the best options for you to opt for. There are various features and technically sophisticated functions that collectively result in excellent images, and good lenses are among the vital ones. It is the imaging optics that play an important role from focusing, exposing and capturing an object. Canon camera lenses are well-renowned for their quality and value that attracts enthusiastic photographers. A variety of Canon camera lenses are compatible with other brand cameras as well.

The quality and price of Canon lenses are the two key factors that make them leaders in the market. From the wide range of Canon lenses available, the 'Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS' is a full frame lens which is good for telephoto work. It is especially designed for Canon EOS DSLRs cameras having a APS-C format sensor. The AF of the Canon EF-S18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is very quick compare to the conventional DC motor or USM. It proves to be an ideal Image Stabilized lens for professional photographers who are looking for wide-angle zoom lens with telephoto compatibility.

- Devika Rajpali

Top 10 Waterproof Digital Cameras

Choosing a Digital Camera: Clarity and Colour

A digital camera produces excellent photographs. For many years however, professional photographers have discussed the drawbacks to the digital camera from the perspective of image quality, which does not always match that available through a traditional 35mm film camera. The convenience afforded by going digital, however, far outweighs the minor loss in perceptible quality for most consumers.

For millions of potential camera shoppers, choosing the smallest, lightest camera is most important, while others may wish to hold down costs or only share photos online where image quality is limited anyway. For these and other shoppers, finding and paying for a more costly camera may be unnecessary. But for those who strive to capture images that record the most accurate and colour correct images, there are choices they can make during the shopping process that can help to assure they end up with equipment that will be capable of producing outstanding images.

The primary decision is not about megapixels - or at least, not entirely. A digital camera with 10 megapixels does not necessarily produce a better image than a camera with only 6 megapixels. Megapixels are important and a camera must have enough of them to provide adequate image information for the size of print being produced, so that there is less noise and better clarity in the resulting image. Unless a consumer plans on producing very large images, 5 megapixels is generally sufficient and 3 - 4 may be enough if prints will be 5 x 7 or smaller.

The sensor which captures the light entering the camera lens is even more critical however. The sensor stores and displays data, converting the light into electrons. The sensor can be either CCD (charge-coupled device) or CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor). CCD is the more mature technology and produces images with less noise. They also tend to be more expensive and consume more power but for those seeking the highest quality images, a CCD is the better choice at this time.

An important aspect of the CCD is the actual size of the sensor. Larger sensors provide higher resolution and less noise. Understanding how the size of the CCD sensor influences the quality of images and knowing what size sensor is adequate requires a bit more study. There are several articles available on line which could prove valuable for those wishing to learn more about this topic.

A final consideration regarding the sensor in a digital camera is the availability of 1 CCD and 3 CCD models. As one might suspect, more is often better. A camera with 1 CCD picks up image and colour information through a single sensor. A model with 3 CCD has a sensor that picks up each of the different colors (Red, Green, and Blue) resulting in superior colour reproduction.

Certainly the selection of a CCD sensor over a CMOS sensor, a larger sensor, or more sensors is not required in order to own a high quality digital camera capable of producing very good images. However, these features certainly do significantly enhance image quality and are the focus of attention for those seeking to produce the sharpest and most vivid images.

- John Smith

Canon EOS Rebel T2i Digital SLR Camera

Nikon vs Canon

Photographers are always biased towards a particular brand of digital camera. You will always find contemporaries quarreling about the quality of pictures, the resolution, the focal length, the pixels and all the implications involved in the art of photography. The most hilarious part of the story is that the debate never reaches a proper conclusion regarding the best brand prevailing in the marketplace.

The comparison made here is between the cameras made by Nikon and the ones produced by Canon. Nikon has of late produced some lovely versions like the D Series SLR cameras, the D-Series Digital SLR cameras, the L-Series Digital Cameras, the P-Series and finally the S-Series. Be it the optical zoom feature which helps in taking close shots, the LCD lenses radiating splendor or other enthralling features like the built in GPS, the Ethernet connection or the wireless flash, Nikon cameras are known for their quality.

Having said this, it is not as if Canon cameras are lagging behind. They have been selling for more than eight decades now and have produced some spectacular series of digital cameras. The DC series is known for its camcorders with the focus being its camcorders. The EOS series is known for its auto focus with the FS Series being stylish, slick and expansive. The HF series is renowned for its memory capacity with the HV series rising to fame for its ability to house SD cards. The IXUS series became famous for its ultra compact cameras which are portable, come with a case and has been very sleekly designed. The MD series shot to fame for its widescreen recording facility and quick start features. The microphone input connection ascertains that even voices can be recorder during the photography sessions. The advanced zoom facility is good which helps photographers a great deal in shooting objects from close proximity. Both organizations pride themselves for producing the most wonderful cameras and both enjoy wonderful reputations in the photography circle.

Debating which brand is better would be waste of time, with the more sensible solution being trying out cameras of both brands and judging which suits the concerned photographer best.

- Mark Addison

Tips for Successful Digital Photography

Photography is an important medium to portray beautiful objects of the world in their heavenly forms. However, while testing one's skills in this field, basic tips on photography should be keenly followed. Nature photography is an important wing of photography. Let's throw some lights about it. Nature or wildlife photography has covered a great distance since its origin in 1826 when Nic�phore Ni�pce clicked the first ever permanent nature photograph. But it took a staggering eight hours to shoot the picture of the landscape. Now, with the help of ultra-modern digital camera and plenty of tips on photography, one can take magnificent snaps within seconds. High-end cameras with adequate protection like the Canon 5d Mark II enable professionals to enhance the appeal of nature photography. However, technology is not all. It may take very short time to click a photograph but professional wildlife photographers patiently wait for hours, days and nights to get the right opportunity for shooting images like snakes' fighting or some rare animal species. Nature photography is truly amazing but it demands an intimate bond with nature, a keen observation power and unflinching dedication. There are plenty of sources to avail tips on photography.

Professional photographers have scaled great heights with superior technology and deep passion for this sector. However, attaining latest information about photography is always beneficial. They never ignore common yet vital tips on photography. In this regard Photorein.com has established itself as a popular platform where amateur photographers get an opportunity to avail tips on photography from professional experts. It is a powerful photography-based social networking site where its members posts informative posts, comments or queries to get valuable tips on photography.

If you want to preserve a rare yet beautiful moment, just keep certain tips on photography in mind. For example, one should be present at the right place at the right moment to get right snap. Apart from bit of luck, prior knowledge about nature is a key factor to succeed in photography. If you want to capture the twilight magic of setting sun in the hilly area then it would be better if you know, under which cliff the sun generally sets during particular seasons.

Sacrificing personal comfort is an important part of the tips on photography. During extreme cold condition, when mercury dips below 'zero' degree just venture out of your warm bed. You may get opportunities of lifetime to capture the behavior of animals or birds in hostile conditions.

Proper camera movements are some important tips on photography. Use a tripod to strengthen the camera shots. Photographers often wait for hours even at the most suitable location like grazing grounds to get the right opportunity of snapping pictures of wild animals. This naturally curtails the hand movements. Stable support like tripod is an excellent support in nature photography.

Good photography also requires proper utilization of light effects. If the sun is near the horizon it will lower the contrast. One of the key tips on photography is that utilize low contrast Wildlife photography will ensure a pleasing effect in such light. For example the photography of an owl will look very much attractive at dawn with the combination of light and shades.

The list of tips on photography is quite long. Using right type of lenses is one of them. If you want to take a snap of deers grazing in a vast barren field in the twilight of the setting sun then wide angle lens will do the tricks. On the other hand, zoom lenses will take the image closer to you. To separate the main object of photography from surrounding object use telephoto lens. Use macro lens to capture the ripples of a stream or the crystal like dew on the grass. In the age of digital photography, SLR cameras are most cherished tools in professional nature photography.

Tips on photography ask photographers to acquire some basic knowledge about the landscape, endemic wildlife of a particular region or local weather. For example, you come across the rare fighting scene of rattlesnakes without knowing the significance of such an image and ignore it. How will you react when you become aware about the immense value of that missed opportunity? Enrich your knowledge bank about nature photography. In the age of online revolution, knowledge gathering and knowledge sharing is hardly an obstacle. For example, members of photorein.com benefit a lot through its informative sections. Have a look at it to explore more about tips on photography.

No one can tell when 'luck' will gift him with rare sights of nature photography. So, whenever you decide to enjoy nature intimately, you should pack you bag with camera and other necessary arrangements like fully charged batteries, lens brush, lens filter, tripod, food and drinks etc. These are some of the basic tips on photography. You need to follow them religiously. Remember, your eyes and ears can play major roles in nature photography. So, while on a photography-tour don't take it as fun but passion. Nature photography is a combination of art and human endeavor. Feel nature with your heart. You will never come back with empty hands. If you want to witness some magnificent examples of nature photography, just do a search online!

-Joel Ogedegbe