42nd Street Photo News

42nd Street Photo’s Pet Photography Tips

Pet Photography can be tricky. If you are not careful you can cause pets to look blurry, angry or frightened. We are going to give a few tips that will help capture your pets personality.

- Avoid using a camera’s flash, this can effect your pet’s eyes and make them look red. Light can make or break the photos of your pet.

- Use outside light if possible. If you can go outside then out your pet next to a window.

- Lie on the floor and put your pet on a higher surface for an original perspective. Don’t look down at your pet. Try not to take shots where your pet is looking directly in the camera.

- Try to capture your pet at its best moments. Try to capture most characteristic expression and pose of your pet.

- Keep the picture simple. Your pet needs to be the focus of the picture.

- Fill the frame with your pet. Very little background is a good effect.

- Shoot close-ups of your pet’s face.

- Be patient. Don’t get upset, sometimes these things take time. You might want to bring out your pet’s favorite toy or treat if that gets his attention.

We hope these few tips help when taken photos of your pet.

Be sure and stop by 42nd Street Photo for all your camera and camcorder needs.

Photographing the Aurora Borealis

Today we are going to talk about photographing the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. If you have the chance to travel far enough north to witness this phenomenon then I suggest you take a few photos because it’s something you will want to remember. The lights in the sky are caused by the Earth’s magnetic field interacting with energy from the sun. Here are a few tips to help you along the way.

The best months to view the Northern Lights are March and September usually in the far northern or southern hemisphere. The times of best activity seem to be from 10:00 P.M. to 2:00 A.M.

A few things you might need

Tripod
Wide Angle Lense
Remote Shutter Release Cord or Remote Control
Extra batteries for the cold
Folding Chair (unless you prefer to stand and wait)

Lenses

You will need a fast wide angle lense. Most wide angle lenses that are included with SLR cameras are f/3.5. This is not fast enough. Try using a f/2.8 or, if you are serious then use a f/1.4. The faster (wider maximum aperture) the lens the better.

Get the best picture

If your camera has the ability, shoot in RAW mode to capture the most detail. For starters shoot in manual mode, roughly ISO 400 to 800, an aperture of f/2.8, and a shutter speed of 30 seconds. If you do not have the f/2.8 capability, you will need to bump up the ISO to 800 or 1600.

Focus

Since the Aurora is far away, set the focus to infinity. Be sure and test your lens in daylight. You may need to back off from full infinity for correct focus.

Patience

Aurora photography takes patience. You might have spend many nights waiting for the perfect shot.

We hope these few tips can get you started if you want to shoot the Northern Lights. Also be sure and visit 42nd Street Photo for all your camera needs.

Photography and Sports – Get In The Game

Today we are going to talk about sports photography and offer a few tips that may help you out. Sports photography can be challenging if you do not have the right equipment. This is also probably one of the purest forums of photography. Most sports are very quick paced events and usually there are quite a few players and plays happening at once. These few tips ensure great action shots on the field, court or wherever play is taking place.

Equipment

Snapshot digital cameras are difficult to use for sports photography due to the time lag while the camera focuses and the shutter opens. These cameras are not very good under low light conditions due to the very small pixels. They also have built in zoom lenses which may be good to shoot a sport like basketball, but not good enough for sports like baseball and football.

DSLR cameras like the Canon 40D and Nikon D300 are more suitable for sports photography. These cameras usually include a decent kit lens like an 18mm to 50mm zoom. The one issue with these lenses is that ther are usually slow in terms of focal ratio. For a sport like football you will need a lense that is at least 200mm to 300mm.

Get in the Game

Timing is of the essence for a sports photographer. Make sure you are paying attention to whats happening on the field/court as well as whats happening on the sidelines or dugout. Record the reactions of teammates and coaches to great plays and disastrous errors by their team or the opposing team. They just as effective in capturing the memory of a great play as the play itself. Be sure and also take photos as fast as possible. The action can move pretty fast in a game like football. Try to get as close to your subject as possible for the best resolution.

Understand the game you are shooting. If you understand that game and teams playing it will make it easier to capture those great moments.

Pay attention and expect the unexpected. In all sports anything can and will happen. The one time you put your camera down could be the one time a great play happens. You need to have the camera focused a second ahead or you’ll miss your shot.

Sport photography takes practice, so take as many photos as possible. You will get better as time goes with each shot. Good luck.

42nd Street Photo’s Tips for Shooting Star Trails

Today we will give you a few tips on shooting star trails. Many photographers work to capture the beauty of the heavens with their cameras. Photographing star trails is quite easy. Your lighting though will have to meet certain conditions.

- No ambient light is the best. Avoid light pollution. Most types of photography we concern ourselves with direction, intensity, and the color of light. Shooting start trails the opposite is required. The farther away from city lights the better. Moonlight is also undesirable.

- The sky should be as dark and clear as possible.

- Have all your equipment. Lens, tripod, memory, camera protection, flashlight, and power. Capturing star trails can even require 2-3 hours of continuous shooting so you need to be prepared.

- There should be a foreground subject. Star trails simply do not look good without it.

- Exposure (Aperture) The aperture partly controls how bright the trails are going to be in the photograph. If you use a very fast lens wide-open you will usually get more trails than you probably want.

- Exposure (Shutter Speed) – Exposure time partly defines how long star trails are going to be in the picture and does not influence brightness of the actual trails.

- Film speed. ISO50 and ISO100 are great.

We hope this tips will help and that you have an enoyable time while shooting star trails.

42nd Street Photo’s Photographing Sunrise and Sunset Tips

If you travel a lot during the holidays if might have the chance to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset in the location you are at. Here are a few things you might consider if you want to photograph these moments.

If you do decide to have a go at taking a sunrise / sunset picture, then winter is probably the best time to start. Why? Because the nights are long and the days are short, which basically means, you don’t have to set off at a too late/early of an hour.

- Do a web search to find the time of the sunrise or sunset.

- Carry a notebook and log any great locations you find.

These are just a few tips and we hope they help you when shooting sunrises and sunsets.

Take a video tour of 42nd Street Photo

Check out our video tour of 42nd Street Photo and come by and visit us. We have everything you need from digital cameras to DVD camcorders.

42nd Street Photo’s Photography Techniques

There are all kinds of photo techniques you can use when shooting photos. Here are a few from 42nd Street Photo you can consider and learn more about.

High Speed Photography – This type of photography is considered a science by some people. It is a series of photographs that may be taken at a high sampling frequency or frame rate.

Black and White Photography – All photography was originally monochrome, most of these photographs were black and white. Many photographers continue to produce some monochrome images. Many full color digital images are processed using a variety of techniques to create black and whites images.

Infrared Photography – In infrared photography, the film or image sensor used is sensitive to infrared light. Due to the arrival of digital photography, we can take infrared pictures whenever we please. This depends on how your camera sensor array reacts to the infrared and, depending on the filter you are using.

Smoke Art Photography – Smoke art photography, in its simplest definition is photography that features smoke. The smoke can be considered the subject or the medium to create something else.

Panoramic Photography – is a technique of photography, using special equipment or software that captures images with elongated fields of view. It is sometimes known as wide format photography. You can create a panorama by using any camera1, even a disposable one.

These are just a few techniques you might enjoy or maybe even see or run across when admiring photos.

Photography Gift Ideas for Christmas

The holidays are right around the corner and many people have either started shopping for gifts or will right after Thanksgiving. Here are a few suggestions for that photographer in the family.

1. Top End Digital Camera

Just take a trip down to your local camera store or to 42nd Street Photo if you are in the New York City area. These stores usually have a great selection of all types of digital cameras.

2. Photography Magazine Subscription

Consider gift subscriptions to such photography-related magazines as American Photo, Outdoor Photographer, Professional Photographer, Shutterbug or Digital Photographer.

3. Digital Photography Course

You can check out photography courses being offered the New York Institute of Photography. Course types include NYI Complete Course in Professional Photography, Digital Photography Complete Course: Adobe® Photoshop® for Photographers, and NYI Short Course: Fundamentals of Digital Photography.

4. Digital Photo and Video Editing Software

Digital photography is about capturing a beautifully unique image, it’s also about manipulating that image to achieve the best from it. There is some excellent photo editing software out there like Corel Paint Shop Pro and Adobe Photoshop.

5. Photography Gear

You might also consider photography gear like tripods, lens attachments, carrying cases, clothing with camera brand logos on them.

We hope that these suggestions will help with your holiday planning for that photographer in your life.

42nd Street Photo recommends the Tomtom One XL 4.3″ GPS for holiday travel

It’s that time of the year when we find ourselves traveling quite a bit either by plane or car to a relative’s house for the holidays. Why not pick up the Tomtom One XL 4.3″ GPS before making that trip. The TomTom ONE XL has everything you need to make your trip safer, more relaxed and more fun. TomTom’s award-winning plug-and-go navigation software, new 4.3” touch screen and access to real time traffic services make navigating even easier. This is an inexpensive unit with preloaded maps from the US and Canada. It’s perfect for those trips that you might only make a couple of times a year. This unit is easy to use with full touch screen operation. The TomTom One XL 4.3” also has range of routing options; fastest, shortest, avoiding highways or toll roads, pedestrian or limited speed. It also comes with millions of points of interest pre-installed: including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, golf courses and many more! TomTom ONE XL makes getting there better than ever.

42nd Street Photo recommends the Sony HDR-XR200V 120GB High-Definition Hard Disk Drive Handycam Camcorder

If you are looking for a great compact high definition camcorder the the Sony HDR-XR200V is right for you. It weighs only 16 oz. with the battery which means its small enough to carry with you anywhere. This camcorder has a 120GB hard drive that allows 14 to 91 hours of shooting depending on video settings. This camcorder has all features you need for great video footage like NightShot mode for low light settings, auto and manual focus, and white balance settings.

If you are looking for a great camcorder for a decent price with all of the latest features then the Sony HDR-200V is worth a look. This camcorder also comes with items like an AC adapter, rechargeable battery pack, Application Software / USB Driver / (CD-ROM), and a USB cable.

42nd Street Photo is proud to offer the outstanding service and quality state-of-the-art products that our customers have come to depend on.

42nd Street Photo’s Thanksgiving Photography Tips

Thanksgiving is a great opportunity for taking photographs. The most important thing to know is your subject. This could be anything from family to the food or maybe both. You want to make sure whatever your subject is that it’s the most important thing in the frame and there is nothing distracting from it.

The second key element to capture in your Thanksgiving photograph is the spirit of the occasion, and we have already defined the spirit of Thanksgiving as family and togetherness. Let’s say you want to take some dining room table shots. A picture of all the food by itself is pretty boring so try adding family around the table.

Shoot from a higher level

What you do want to feature in your Thanksgiving photo are the family members, the elegant setting, and the turkey. Stand up or if you have steady hands get on a step stool. From this higher vantage you can get all the family in your picture, along with the turkey and the person poised to carve. This permits the focus to be on people, and not items on the table.

Become a director

Direct everyone in what to do. Take one photo with them all holding up their glasses in a toast and looking toward the camera. Take another with everyone looking toward the turkey as its about to be carved. Try not to take any photos of people eating.

Lighting

If you camera has flash, use it. But the problem with built-in flash on many cameras is that it may be too weak to light up the far end of a long table. When lighting is low, turn as many lights on in the room as possible, adjust the white balance setting to match the main source of light and up the ISO. If it’s early enough in the day, let outside daylight into the room.

Group Photos

Thanksgiving presents one other classic photo opportunity – a large group portrait. Consider gathering the entire group outside, perhaps on the front porch. The key to a successful shot – the key to any successful group shot – is the way you arrange the subjects. Don’t line them up like soldiers at attention. Rather, aim for a casual up-and-down arrangement. If the porch has steps, have some people sit on the steps, sit some on chairs above, have some stand while others lean against the railing. Don’t forget the family pets. If necessary, ask people to move closer together to close up any empty spaces. Remember, togetherness is the theme. Show this togetherness in your picture. Don’t separate the family.

Get yourself in the photos

Just because you’re the family photographer, doesn’t mean you should be left out of pictures. Use a tripod and the self-timer so you can get into the photo. If you don’t have a tripod, set the camera on a level surface.

42nd Street Photo’s Underwater Photography Tips

Gear: Some may prefer a point-and-shoot system; others may want manual control in a compact digital, while others may want a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. So defining the ideal camera must start with the shooter’s needs. For a manual compact digital, the Olympus SP350 is great, and for SLR the Nikon D200 and D2x in Subal housings. For the point and shoot, there are several Olympus systems and even the SeaLife with a wide-angle lens.

Best use of your camera: Get a versatile strobe arm, such as the UltraLight, if you want to vary your lighting. This type of arm is for the diver who is comfortable in the water and wants to improve his style. For any camera, if there is a wide angle lens available, add it to your system.

Perfect Technique: Blurry photos are from too much movement or too slow a shutter speed. Master your balance and buoyancy because that is the most important part of getting great photos underwater. You can’t compose, adjust strobe angles and analyze your results if you are kicking, falling over and scaring your subject away.

Most common mistake: Shooting from too far away. You should take a photo, get closer and take another, and then get closer yet until either you can’t fit the subject into your picture area or the subject leaves. If the fish stays still, move in and shoot just the eye, but keep getting closer.

Here are a few other tips for underwater photography from 42nd Street Photo

- Get out and shoot. Find a place to dive near where you live.

- Don’t use digital zoom

-  Make sure you understand the focusing distance of your camera in and out of macro mode. Use macro mode when you are within the macro focusing distance.

- Bring a dive light with you to help your camera auto-focus

- If you turn your flash off, either manual white-balance your camera, or set it to underwater mode

- Anticipate what you might see underwater, adjust your strobe, f-stop ahead. It would be big mistake, to see a shark and having your camera at F22

- Learn how to use your histogram and highlights screen, and use them often

- Use a 100mm or 105mm lens to emphasize or isolate the subject, and reduce the background

- Get the exposure right in camera; don’t rely on post-processing

42nd Street Photo’s Tips On Choosing A Camera

The most important factor in photography is choosing a camera. Cameras usually fall into three categories: hobbyists, amateurs, and professionals. You might be taking pictures of your latest vacation or family during the holidays or maybe you are taking shots to build a portfolio. You will also want to consider quality and portability as cameras can range from large professional cameras to small portable cameras. Cameras can be broken down into groups which include ultra-compact, compact, hobbyist, and digital SLR. Most cameras will fall into the middle two categories.

If you are looking for a camera only by the megapixel rating means you will miss out on the other features of the camera like accessories, portability, and a good quality flash, but is still one the most important considerations. Cameras that are less than 3 megapixels are good for basic snapshots. These cameras are good for your standard size pictures but the images won’t be as clear if you want anything bigger. Cameras that are between 3 and 5 megapixels are good for everyday use and vacation cameras. Cameras in the 5 to 10 megapixel range are usually more serious cameras for hobbyists. These images will take up more hard drive space but are perfect for printing out in larger sizes. Anything over 10 megapixels is overkill for casual use. If you are using a 10 megapixels camera then you are probably a professional and expect to be paid for your work.

Zoom is another important consideration. There are two kinds of zoom, optical zoom and digital zoom. Optical zoom relies on the lens itself magnifying the light coming in so that what is distant appears larger and closer in the image. Digital zoom takes the resulting image and magnifies it after. Optical zoom usually produces better results.

Another factor to look at when choosing a camera is storage media. Some camera manufacturers have proprietary storage systems that are icompatible with cameras of other makes. Commom formats are Compact Flash, Secure Digital cards, and Sony Memory stick. The storage sizes can range from smaller 8mb cards/sticks to larger 32GB cards/sticks. Prices are quite reasonable these days so the selection of larger sizes is quite affordable.

42nd Street Photo’s Tips For Photography In The Rain

When the weather turns to rain most people lose their interest in photography. Yet rain provides some of the best conditions to explore your creative side. Photographing people in the rain creates an interesting photo opportunity. It will allow you to create some of the most interesting pictures. People of different ages all act differently when it rains which is a very important aspect of photography.

Take time to shoot pictures before the rain, during the rain, and after the rain. All of these times will give you great opportunities. You can shoot the sky when it’s fully covered in dark clouds. Storm clouds often create impressive back grounds for exciting images. You can shoot a long road that looks like it meets the storm clouds in the distance.

During the rain you can shoot people and animals that are usually seeking shelter or have found shelter. People running for shelter or even playing in the rain also make great shots.

After the rain is an exceptional time because you have different patterns, reflections, and textures that were formed by the rain. Patterns can vary from droplets of water on leaves to a spider web. Reflections can also be amazing to shoot where water is still accumulated on the ground usually giving great reflections of the sky. The reflections become mirrors of your subject.

Take safety precautions when shooting in the rain. Carry waterproof gloves, jackets, and pants. Take great care of your camera as rain drops can easily spoil your camera. Any accessories you carry for your photo shoot should be water proof. We hope this helps you in your experience in rain photography.

42nd Street Photo Review The Canon DC210 Handycam DVD Camcorder

It’s clear that we live in the digital age, no one can argue that, but when it comes to preserving your precious memories are you up to speed? Wouldn’t it be nice if you could record home movies and personal gatherings/events straight onto DVD and watch it? Well now you can, with the Canon DC210 Handycam DVD Camcorder.

Canon has always been known for their quality and value, so it should come as no surprise that their DVD camcorder is both of these. The first thing you’ll probably notice about the DC210 Handycam is the stylish design, both attractive and sensible. One could easily pick up the DC210 and begin shooting right away; although taking a look at the manual won’t hurt anyone.

Weighing in at 14.3 ounces (not even a full pound), this ultra-compact is light and among it’s competition, very affordable, even for tight budgets. It’s 35x optical zoom is impressive in such a small package.

The CD210 Handycam comes with all the basic features, plus a few extras that most other ultra-compacts don’t have, including various filters and multiple points of control for certain functions, like zoom. Some might find this confusing, but we think it’s simply all the more convenient to be able to accomplish some tasks in different ways. Afterall, much of the convenience of a digital camcorder depends on controls, so given more than one option to do so is a pleasant surprise for us.

All in all, if you’re a casual photographer that doesn’t want to break the bank, this camera is a great choice. For home movies, special events or just fun around the house, the Canon DC210 Handycam DVD Camcorder is a good buy.

42nd Street Photo’s Tips For Photographing In The Dark

When it comes to nighttime photography, there are plenty of surprises to be expected. The primary difference between capturing images in the day time andcapturing images at night is light source. During the day, sunlight will overpower any other light source around, so pictures are more consistently lit. Given, snapping photos closer to dawn or dusk will render various results, but the sun is still your main source of light.

Consider your location when taking pictures at night. Are you near a large amount of artificial light or out in the suburbs with less light pollution? If you’re anywhere near 42nd Street Photo, then you’re in the city that never sleeps, New York City, so there will be light sources from buildings, street lights, cars, and more. All of these light sources play a part in the outcome of your picture.

The key to interesting night photography is exposure. Many professionals will tell you not to use flash most of the time at night, especially in smaller, closed in areas, as this will wash out your subject(s), so you need to consider the amount of light available and adjust the exposure accordingly. Exposure is the amount of time that the lens of the camera stays open while exposing the film or digital sensor to the incoming light. The more time the lens stays open, the brighter the picture. In darker areas, it may be necessary to use a tripod for clearer pictures, since the longer the lens stays open, the more time there will be for the camera to shift and the picture may blur.

Depending on your camera, you may be limited in exposure options. Many point-and-shoot cameras will have fewer choices for exposure times, whether in the maximum time allowed or the increments of exposure times offered, so your best bet will be a manual single lens reflex. Most DSLR’s will have decent exposure options, but you may just have to work with what you have.

Below are some simple questions and answers to get you started, but beyond that, we like to recommend that you experiment a lot to see what works for your needs and what doesn’t:

• What kind of camera are you using? If you’re sporting a POS camera, you may want to focus on better lit areas, as exposure options will be limited. With a DSLR, you will be able to experiment in darker areas.
• Where is the Moon and how many other light sources do you have available? In rural areas, you’ll have softer, cooler light from the moon if it’s out and full. In more urban locations, your pictures will generally be warmer tones, as artificial light sources are generally of yellow and red tones.
• Do you have a tripod? A tripod can always be useful, since hands are not always steady. This is especially important with night photography, and moreso in very dark areas with exposure times that may surpass 10 or 15 seconds. Unless you’re able to keep your hands still for a good amount of time, a tripod will be necessary for crisp, clear photographs.
• Are things moving? If you’ve even seen a picture taken of a highway with a long exposure time, there will be streams of headlights and tail lights drawing lines across the frame. Consider this concept when capturing moving objects. Sometimes, this effect can be neat, but other times, it may compromise the intention for your image.

42nd Street Photo recommends the Sony HDR-XR500V digital camcorder

Whether you are an advanced amateur,  just starting out, or somewhere in between , the Sony HDR-XR500V is the perfect camera for you.  It weighs only 1.4 lbs with the battery and is small enough to fit just about anywhere. Many of the features on this camcorder are seen only in high end models, including a dial on the front that can be customized to be whatever you want it to be, manual focusing, white balance, etc.

This camcorder is also just fun. It includes smile technology. If the subject of your video smiles, it will automatically take a still image of the subject. And you don’t lose video or photo quality while it does this. The Sony HDR-XR500V shoots stills at  8.3 mp while shooting video. With the automatic settings,  you can switch from sunset to fireworks to snow easily and without losing quality.

The 120 gb hard drive can shoot nearly 50 hours of video in high definition mode. And, you can add a 16 gb Sony memory stick to give it another 6 hours.

42nd Street Photo is offering the Sony HDR-XR500V for under $1000, pick one up today.

Learning The Features Of Your Digital Camera

Many of us in our lifetime will hear someone say that learning through experience is the best way. At 42nd Street Photo, we’re inclined to agree with this way of looking at life, but when it comes to using devices, such as a digital single lens reflex camera, for example, a combination of formal and acquired information seems to work best. The thinking here is that being able to experience things helps one retain the information gathered while the formal training gives the person more direction. When it comes to learning the features on your digital camera, too much information can be good or bad depending on how you personally prefer to learn, but some strong advice and valuable tips can really help.

For beginners, the manual to your digital camera is a good start. While in store, asking a knowledgable member of staff can help you find the one that is right for you, but once you’re home, it’s up to you to learn how your camera works, but more importantly, how you work with your camera. The bond between a person and their equipment is one that only that person can understand, and therefore it is up to you to learn, whether by the direction of others or on your own accord. So, as per our previous recommendation to learn partly by others’ advice and partly by your own experience, checking out the manual will never hurt the process.

For those that have some experience in the world of photography, understanding the terms will give you the jump-start on understanding the manual, since at that point, all you’ll need it for it to know where these features can be manipulated. The on-screen menu section in the manual is important to understand how to set the features as you need in the middle of action, in order to get the shots you desire. While point-and-shoot cameras are a good deal and take quality pictures, we recommend DSLR cameras for those who count on that instant snap action for capturing those shots that you don’t want to miss.

For experienced photographers, the features of your camera may come naturally simply based on experience with other cameras. Still, it might prove useful to experiment with the camera just as well as beginners and amateurs alike. However, for those that have retained a good amount of knowledge throughout their years of photography, a simple read-up on the newest model you’ve purchased can shed all the light you need on the new features, and how they differ from previous models.

In the end, experience is a combination of former knowledge, current conditions and general direction, whether interior or exterior. It is up to each individual to decide how each of these things get us where we want to go when it comes to using our digital cameras.

42nd Street Photo Cherishes Your Memories

Here at 42nd Street Photo, there’s a good reason we’re in the business of digital cameras. Photography is a hobby for some and a necessity for others, but for all of us, it’s a way to remember people, places, events, and more. Photography and motion capture may very well be the closest we ever get to time travel, and while it may not make for a really cool science-fiction flick, there is a reason why we as people have coined the term “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

All of us, through our lifetime, will lose someone we love. This could be a grandparent, a parent, or other family member; it could be a friend. Whatever the case, having something physical to remind you of someone is a way to remember certain people and to help us get past the pain we feel from losing them.

Everyone will miss someone at some point as well, and being able to see a picture of someone you care about but can’t see in person is a great way to get through that time as well. The beauty of digital photography, and one of the main reasons 42nd Street Photo is in the business of digital cameras, is the ease of sharing. Film cameras will always be a classic way to share image captures, but for those who simply want to see someone a thousand miles away, digital photography makes it easy to snap a picture and send it to anyone in the world at the speed of light. With digital photography, there is no need to wait and no need to worry if a one-of-a-kind print was lost in the mail.

While every person experiences tough times during which photographs can help, each of us will also share happy times with another. Family gatherings, special events and precious moments are all things we’d like to remember, and with digital photography, saving these memories is simple and cheap. If we at 42nd Street Photo could travel through time, we’d probably go back to when cameras were first invented and give one to every family that didn’t have the technology, because it really is a shame that before these times, many people could not afford to capture the memories that others might take for granted.

We certainly are lucky to be living in a day and age that makes it so easy to get in touch and capture memories with little boxes. We may not be able to go back in time, but with a digital camera, we just might have the next best thing.

42nd Street Photo – Thoughts About The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3

While we can’t rightly tell everyone who reads our blog which camera they should purchase, we can usually make some good suggestions.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3, however, is a great suggestion, in our honest opinion. It’s versatile, affordable, and of great quality, both for image and video capture. If you’re an amateur photographer, or a casual one, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 just might be the perfect camera for you and your budget.

The TZ5 model, as a precursor to the ZS3, was a great camera, and highly recommended by friends and family alike. The ZS3, in all it’s glory, has improved upon everything that made the TZ5 great.

With a  newer processor, wider and more powerful 12x zoom lense, HD movie mode and improved face detection, image capture is not only easier, but of much higher quality. It has a 3″ LCD screen (460k pixels), 10.1MP resolution, 25-300mm focal length, and stereo sound recording.

It might not be classified as a super-compact POS digital camera, but this Lumix is lightweight and travels very well. And while many who purchase the camera may not do so because of it’s appearance, no one can argue that the ZS3 is a great looking camera.

42nd Street Photo Offers Tips For Photographing People

It has been the experience of the folks here at 42nd Street Photo that taking pictures is not an art form for everyone, but all of us like taking good pictures, especially of those we love. While photographing your family and friends may not be rocket science, we’ve found that a lot of people are unhappy with the way their portraits and group shots turn out, so we’re here to help with some handy tips that might help.

First off, you need a good digital camera. This doesn’t mean that you need to go out and buy the best DSLR on the market, it simply means that you should purchase a camera that suits your needs and can do what you need it to do.

The first step is to determine how you want to share your pictures:

• If you know for a fact that you will only be sharing your image captures online, then you don’t need to get a camera with a ton of mega-pixels. Anything over 8.0 is more than you’ll really need for digital sharing through email and to put on your personal websites.
• If you plan on sharing these images on a HD television however, check the resolution of the TV to see how large it goes. It’s best to capture these images at the same size as the TV if you want clean and clear pictures to be displayed correctly.
• If you wish to print your pictures and share them that way, it’s best to go with a larger MP count, at least 12.0 or greater – 14.0 is a great resolution, but for 4×6 or 5×7 printouts, 12MP should do the trick.

The second step is to determine what kind of pictures you will be taking. Do you tend to take a lot of pictures at your families sporting events or special occasions, or do you primarily plan to photograph those that stand still, smile and say “cheese”?

• If you only plan to take portraits, a fancy DSLR with a high shutter speed is not necessary. Simple point-and- shoot cameras go up to a great enough MP count that one of these will work for digital or print sharing purposes.
• If you tend to capture images of others in action, such as dancing at a wedding, playing sports, running, etc., you may want to get a camera with a broader range of features. Many POS cameras will tend to take blurry pictures when action is in the scene, so a higher-end POS or a DSLR with a good shutter speed and aperture is the key to sharper action shots.

The next step is anticipating your shot.

• For still shots, you have all the time in the world to tweak the settings on your digital camera, so unless you are shooting in auto all the time, it is best to read the manual that came with your camera to figure out the best settings for close to medium range portrait shots. Frame the shot however looks best to you, keeping in mind the position of lighting around you. Generally speaking, portraits come out best when the flash is not needed, and the camera is mounted on a tripod, so there is no worry to hold the camera steady. Light should come from behind you (or whoever is taking the picture) but at a slight angle, so the facial features stand out better.
• For action shots, manual settings are best, and a DSLR camera is preferred. The great thing about DSLR’s over most POS cameras is that they snap the picture right away, so that you wont get stuck with nothing but a foot or hand in frame, and miss out on the good stuff. Also, many DSLR’s have better auto settings, if you’re not comfortable with manual mode. Still, you should check out the manual and learn what the settings do, and experiment with different types of action shots in different lighting conditions.

When it comes down to it, practice and experimentation helps a lot to ensure better pictures. If you only take pictures when you want good shots, you may not be satisfied with the results. If you get in the habit of carrying your camera with you everywhere you go, feel free to snap away (since you wont be wasting film!) and if you think of it, mark down in a photo journal what the conditions and settings were, so you can make a reference later if you do or don’t like the way it turned out.

42nd Street Photo Loves the Nikon Coolpix P90

While the Nikon Coolpix P90 doesn’t have a lot to offer in the features and controls department, it more than makes up for it in the image processing department. In order to explain how well this DSLR camera captures images, we’ll use an analogy consisting of you and your doctor. Generally, when you go to your doctor’s office, you describe your symptoms and a medically licensed expert offers his or her diagnosis. It would be rather silly in this scenario to disagree and diagnose yourself in converse to a professional opinion, which is comparable to wanting more image capture options and features on a camera that already knows how to take a great picture in whatever conditions it faces. That is where the Nikon Coolpix P90 shines.

With a nice feel but not a lot of weight to it, the best feature of the Nikon Coolpix P90just might be the price tag – and this isn’t one of those “it’s okay for the price” sort of cameras, it’s way better than it’s price tag. Super zoom is a feature that one normally is required to shell out big bucks for on most DSLR’s. Many top-of-the-line DSLR’s might struggle to capture clear pictures in bright and low light situations, but here at 42ndStreet Photo, we’ve found that the Coolpix P90 handles all light conditions extremely well.

The LCD screen pivots, which is very nice for those akward angle shots. While it does take amazing pictures, potential buyers should know that this is not a camera for those just starting into the world of  photography. It’s relatively easy to use if you know what you’re doing, but an inexperienced user might find themself taking many uninspiring pictures if they don’t want to dedicate the time to learning how it works.

All in all, the Nikon Coolpix P90 is a good camera for anyone who wants to take good pictures, but for those that crave lots of features, this may not be the camera for them.

42nd Street Photo Recommends the Nikon D5000

When it comes to competing in the world of digital photography, Nikon has always held it’s own, but with the D5000 Nikon is surpassing expectations. The D5000 has been referred to as “the poor man’s D90 (made by Canon)”, but such a brief description, while accurate, doesn’t do much justice to the value of this diamond in the rough.

Unorthodox is the keyword here, from the model number to the appearance of the D5000, but this is likely what amateur and financially sound professionals alike are looking for in a digital SLR camera.

While it lacks the heft and solidity of many of it’s competitors’ digital cameras, the folks here and 42nd Street Photo have enjoyed the more compact size, lighter weight and ease of use. It doesn’t feel expensive, because it’s not (compared to the Canon D90), but this doesn’t mean the D5000 doesn’t take great pictures.

First off, the display is as unorthodox as the rest of the camera – but this just places the D5000 in a class all it’s own. This camera is one of the few which boasts a fully articulate preview display screen, which means the user doesn’t have to take pictures only from behind the lens, but from the top, bottom, and sides as well. This could prove very handy for those tough “over-the-crowd” shots, or for getting low-to-the-ground image captures. As if the sharp display, vivid colors and unmatched brightness weren’t enough, Nikon has added it’s GUI to the 2.7″, multi-angle display. This makes the extra 0.3″ of the Canon D90 seem almost pointless, at the sacrifice of these other features.

Compared to the Canon D90 (as it seems appropriate since these two models share so much in common), the Nikon D5000 takes strikingly similar pictures. The main difference we’ve noticed between the two is the saturation. While the D90 takes more vivid image captures, the D5000 captures the same amount of detail and clarity, which is most important. Since most photographers perform some manner of post-capture editing, a quick color correction is all it takes to bring the captures from the D5000 to perfection.

All in all, the D5000 isn’t the best of the best, but at it’s low price tag, it’s the best money can buy. Generally speaking, what you pay for is what you get with a digital camera, but the D5000 throws in just a little extra where it really counts.

Grab The Canon EOS Rebel T1i With 18-55mm IS Lens At 42nd Street Photo

While 42nd Street Photo is not biased towards one brand of digital camera or the other, we do realize that all cameras are not created equal. Having said that, might we suggest the Canon EOS Rebel T1i with 18-55mm Lens for the consideration of your digital camera needs? The Rebel is perhaps the best all around camera on the market today, with the quality you would expect from Canon, and a price that is unmatched for all that is packed into this Canon model.

Not only does the Canon EOS Rebel T1i offer a myriad of fun, as well as essential, features – it also is compatible with a wealth of accessories, from lenses to add-ons, to just about anything you would want to use with a digital camera in your image-capturing endeavors. So go on, grab yourself a Rebel from 42nd Street Photo and start snapping masterpieces!

• This compact DSLR is managable, light weight and very portable
• 15.1 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor for quality, high-resolution image captures
• Full HD 1080p video recording
• 3″ Clear View LCD screen for vivid preview
• Distinctive EOS quality
• Great Price!

For more information about the Canon EOS Rebel T1i, please check out 42nd Street Photo on the web at 42photo.com.

Tips From 42nd Street Photo On Capturing Those Wedding Memories

It’s wedding season, that’s for sure. Most of us have likely been to a few weddings already, which means there are probably more to come in May, June, maybe even July and August! It seems everyone carries cameras with them today, especially to special events like weddings, and other celebrations, but most couples would prefer to hire a professional to ensure their wedding snapshots will preserve those memories the way they remember them. It definitely helps to work with your wedding photographer, but many times it can become a chore to pose for pictures. Here are some simple tips from your friendly neighborhood New York digital camera store to make the process go easy and the result beautiful.

1. Hire a Professional – there are a lot of people that like to call themselves photographers, and chances are that one of your friends fall in to this category. Whether or not they have the skill and the experience to be entrusted with the memories of that once-in-a-lifetime celebration is ultimately up to your best judgement, but if someone really knows how to use a camera and capture quality snapshots, they will certainly have a portfolio that you can look at. Additionally, knowing your in good hands will relieve a lot of your own stress about the day, and while having a friend handle the task in order to save a little money might seem like a good idea, why not let your friend enjoy the day with the rest of the guests, instead of being trapped behind the lens for a day?
2. Be Yourself – it’s easy to get a little controlling throughout the day at your wedding. What you might not have considered is the affect this will have on your pictures. Sweat, redness in the face, fatigue – these things are all physical symptoms of stress, and there is only so much post-capture editing any digital photographer can do, so why not relax and see your better side appear in that wedding photo album. Many people would recommend a professional wedding planner, if you can afford it, but it may be just as well to entrust the task to a loved one, as long as you don’t have to worry about them enjoying themself while the planned events take place. Stress is no ones friend, and although your wedding should be the perfect day, we all know that this is not always the case, so letting a few things slide may be the difference between a stress-free or a stress-filled day.
3. Take It Slow – a wedding should be planned with plenty of cushions around events to leave ample time for conversation, interaction, transportation, and photos. One wedding-specific event that comes to mind where people may rush is walking down the isle after the vows are confirmed, the bride and groom say “I Do,” and the kiss seals the deal. When walking down the isle as “Mr. amd Mrs.” for the first time, this is a great opportunity for some truly magical photos. Walk slowly, look at eachother, smile at your friends and family, and soak it all in. You only get to do this once, so make it last, and ensure some better images by which to remember the moment at the same time.
4. Plan with Photographs in Mind – while you may have your hands free planning which flowers the bride’s maids should hold, what playlist to dance to, etc., planning your wedding with photography in mind should be just as important. Consider the time of day or night the ceromony and reception take place. Would it be better to take pictures of your party in a softer morning light or a bright afternoon sun? How about some moonlit shots of the bride and groom by the lake? The fact is, lighting has everything to do with photography, so while leaving some cushions between events can you get some extra shots, planning when photographs should be taken will only ensure the quality that much more.

All things considered, if you have a photographer that knows what he or she is doing, the worry on your end should be minimal. However, don’t forget that they are working for you, so try to take care of all the details beforehand so that they can concentrate on taking good pictures, and you can concentrate on having the best day of your life.

42nd Street Photo Recommends the Canon Powershot G10

For photographers of all shapes, sizes, styles and experience, Canon knows how to cover their bases. With quality digital cameras in the DSLR and POS arenas, Canon has something for everyone. But they also have one camera that may suit anyone just right, the Canon Powershot G10.

With it’s first glance wide range of features, generous display, and 14.7 megapixels, it’s hard not to take a closer look. Once you do, you’ll probably find what many other photographers, from the amateur to the professional, have found. The Canon G10 is the kind of digital device that gladly meets, and proudly surpasses expectations, especially for the price.

While not the cheapest digital camera on the market, the G-10’s modest price tag is the clincher for many. Still, for others, it’s the 28mm wide angle lens, 5x optical zoom, DIGIC 4 Image Processor, or perhaps it’s compatibility with a wealth of accessories that can spark that creative edge. Whatever your bread and butter, the Canon G10 has something, if not everything, you would want in a compact point-and-shoot digital camera.

42nd Street Photo offers plenty of other POS digital cameras, so if the G10, though unlikely, doesn’t fit your needs, come on in and we’ll help you find one that will, at a price that’s right for you!

Put More Memories On Display With A Digital Photo Frame From 42nd Street Photo

Chances are, if you like to take pictures, you also like to show them off. It’s certainly not uncommon to have photos framed and on display around the house, and many familys preserve memories in this fashion. Consider how many framed photographs one might have around the house.  It’s a good bet that there are old and new pictures in these frames, but one thing that these frames can’t do is change out the picture without your help – or display a picture that you captured just moments ago.

It might be that time of the millenium to look into a digital photo frame or two. If you’re a minimalist who isn’t very fond of cluttered tables and shelves, all you need is one digital frame, which can display numerous images you’ve captured with your digital camera. If you like the clutter, perhaps you can hang on to all those traditional framed photographs from when your children were young, but have a few digital frames that cycle through more recent image captures.

Another feature some of the Internet savvy folks might be interested in is the ability to email pictures straight to the digital frame, which many do offer. Even without direct email-to-frame functions, it’s easy to plug the frame into your home computer and transfer the images. Many digital photo frames have a myriad of effects that can be applied to transitions, including the amount of time each image stays on the screen, the order in which to show them, what time of day the frame will be on (in the interest of saving energy), and more!

Check out 42nd Street Photo to see what we have in the way of digital photoframes.

4 Tips For Taking Digital Photographs Of Art

When it comes to putting together a portfolio of your work, the photography of your body of work can be as important as the work itself. 42nd Street Photo knows what it takes to capture clean, well-lit images, and assuming that not everyone can afford a top of the line camera, here are four basic tips to photographing your artwork with a point-and-shoot digital camera.

1. Composition – How your art fits into the frame can make a big difference. For sculpture and other three-dimensional works of art, centering the piece in the frame with about 20%-30% empty space around it will usually look right. It may also be preferable to set up a scene around it. If your art is something that one would display on a dining room table, feel free to set the table around the piece. If it’s something that would be displayed on a bookshelf, then set it up on location. As long as your piece is irrefutably the focus of the image, and the center of attention, it will look right.
2. Lighting – Most point and shoot cameras have a built-in flash, and the default setting for the flash is usually auto. 99% of the time, you will want to turn the flash off and get as much indirect lighting as you can. Be mindful of the types of light you use, as well.  Natural sunlight will always be the best source, since it is powerful and contains all colors of the specturm. With artificial lights, bulbs, spots, etc., certain colors will be more dominant. Whatever your situation, the key is to get as much indirect lighting as you can, since there is a greater dispursion from reflected light than direct light. If you absolutely must use your flash (and we mean if it’s night time, only one light in your house works, and you need these pictures now!), then it’s a good idea to use the highest resolution setting on your digital camera, step further away from your subject, and capture it closer to the corner of the frame, so the flash does not wash out the piece. Later, you can crop the photo the way you want, but for the initial capture, you want indirect flash, which if yours is attached to your POS camera, you need to aim it to one side or the other.
3. Stability – If you’ve taken a lot of pictures before, you may have noticed that darker pictures (aside from just being hard to see because they’re darker) tend to be more blurry than a well lit photograph. So, when photographing artwork with no flash (so as not to wash it out), having the camera still is a must. If you have a tripod, then your set, but if you don’t have one, you may have to get creative. We’ve found that a tall stool, or a pile of sturdy books atop a table can do the trick. Just be sure to place the camera closer to the edge, so you don’t get a blur of the edge of a book or stood in the bottom of your frame. Also, if your camera has a self-timer feature, use it. This will give you plenty of time to snap the picture and step away from the location.
4. Post-Capture – It is very rare that you will take a digital photograph that can’t be improved upon in some way. Take advantage of the fact that you’re using digital technology instead of film, and don’t be afraid to do some post-capture editing to your image. A lot of times, simple brightness/contrast adjustments can make a world of difference. Also, a lot of photo-editing programs have auto-fix features, that work the best on a well captured image. Feel free to use these first, and try various combinations of these filters in different orders. WHen all is said and done, you want to have a picture that is sharp, balanced and accurately dipicts your art.

42nd Street Photo Recommends the Leica D-LUX 3 For Portable Professional Photography

When it comes to quality, medium to high-resolution image captures, most DSLR’s on the market can handle the task, but there are very few that can do so, and fit into your pocket for easy portability. While many professional and amateur photographers alike enjoy toting around a big bag of accessories, lenses and bodies to show off their plans for the day, others will prefer to be more modest, and carry their tools with ease before they get to work. The Leica D-LUX 3 is just what this brand of photographer needs.

Comparing the D-LUX 3 to it’s rival, the Panasonic DMC-LX2, the perks are clear. The D-LUX 3 generally comes bundled with Adobe Photoshop Elements 4 and a variety of manual options that the DMC-LX2 does not. However, quite similarly to its Panasonic counterpart, the sensor is optimal for taking shot in 16:9 apect ratio. Basically, with a 4:3 ratio, 16:9 shots can be taken, but the camera will only be utilizing a fraction of the sensor to acheive these dimensions, while a camera that is equiped with a sensor already optimized to take 16:9 shots can still take 4:3 shots, without losing as much of its sensors capability.

The Lecia D-LUX3 has also been known to snap pictures with much reduced noise on all ISO settings. This accounts for the less than super-fine quality of the image being displayed on preview, but these images will print just as well. We thought we would make it a point, so you won’t be too surprised when you’re under the impression that the lens isn’t working correctly.

All in all, the D-LUX 3 is a finely crafted camera which offers its perks at the price of a few drawbacks, but like we always say, since everyone has their own preferences, you might find that this camera is the perfect one for you. You can check it out on our site at 42photo.com, or by visiting the 42nd Street Photo digital camera store in New York City.

42nd Street Photo Recommends The SONY Alpha DSLR A 200K For The Amateur Photographer

If you’re a more-than-casual photographer looking for the package deal, the SONY Alpha DSLR A 200K just might be the perfect camera for you. From a company known for finely crafter electronics and superior quality, a single-lense reflex digital camera with all the features should be a no brainer, but in case you’re still not convinced, we’ll give you all the details.

This DSLR from the Alpha series by SONY comes paired with a 18-70mm zoom lense, which will come in handy for those far shots. With a 10.2 megapixel resolution and a 2.7″ clear LCD screen, along with on-board shooting info and histogram display for confirmation of an image well shot, knowing that you have captured your perfect shot is much easier. Add in a center-cross 9-point autofocus with SONY’s exclusive Eye-Start activation, which automatically focuses when you look through the viewfinder, and you’ll be taking professional quality digital photographs in no time.

All DSLR cameras run the risk of dust contamination between lense changes, it’s just a fact – however, the Alpha DSLR A 300 lens (available for purchase separately) employes a built-in self-cleaning sensor system to keep shots clear and free of grit. Additionally, pictures are perfectly balanced by an advanced D-Range Optimizer, which automatically adjusts lights and darks for a beautifully balanced image.

As you can see, the Alpha A 200K comes standard with a load of features which increase the quality of your photos drastically over any point-and-shoot digital camera, as well as beyond that of many DSLR’s in its class, plus the option to upgrade your lenses is alway nice. Feel free to stop by the 42nd Street Photo website to view the complete list of accessories available, or simply visit the 42nd Street Photo store located in New York, NY.