Battle-of-the-bands.info/blog

How can I establish an open account?
Please send three trade references and the name of bank and your account number to establish an Open Account. Initial credit approval takes weeks.Yes. We have a 5,000 square foot showroom in Orlando. Please feel free to visit our showroom Monday ? Friday 9am until 5pm EST. For a personalized map to our showroom, takes the privacy of its customers very seriously. Credit card orders are secured through Thawte using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption. For more information on this security service, please click on the Thawte icon in the lower left hand corner of this page.We currently ship to Arab Emirates, Bahamas, Bermuda, Guam, Mexico & Virgin Islands.

I have a catalog and I know what the item number is there an easy way to find those items?
Yes. Simply enter the item number in the search all at the top of the page and it will take you to that item.We currently ship to Arab Emirates, Bahamas, Bermuda, Guam, Mexico & Virgin Islands. There is a minimum charge of $65.00. NO COD!! Shipping and processing charges will be no less than $65.00 but no greater than 150% of merchandise total.Yes, please keep in mind all charges and prices are quoted and must be paid in U.S. dollars.

Can I return items?
Yes, please View Return Policy for details. Merchandise must be returned within 30 days of receipt of order with a return authorization number. Only unused and unopened merchandise with its original packaging and accessories will be accepted. All returns are subject to a minimum 15% restocking fee, therefore we encourage you to estimate your needs as closely as possible. Due to health concerns, costumes, headwear, and food items cannot be returned.Most items in our catalog are available in our warehouse. Your order will be processed and shipped via UPS within 48 hours and should be in your hands within 7-10 days.

How far in advance do I need to reserve equipment?
Demand for effects equipment is particularly high around holidays. We often run out of bubble machines for June weddings, cobweb machines for Halloween haunted houses and fog machines for church Christmas pageants. Please be sure to look ahead on your calendar so you can be sure of getting everything you need in one quick stop. Use vulcanizing fluid-available from PNTA-and have at it! Spiders not included.Most items in our catalog are available in our warehouse. Your order will be processed and shipped via UPS within 48 hours and should be in your hands within 7-10 days.

Can I return items?
Yes, please View Return Policy for details. Merchandise must be returned within 30 days of receipt of order with a return authorization number. Only unused and unopened merchandise with its original packaging and accessories will be accepted. All returns are subject to a minimum 15% restocking fee, therefore we encourage you to estimate your needs as closely as possible. Due to health concerns, costumes, headwear, and food items cannot be returned.Yes.

Can I return items?
Yes, please View Return Policy for details. Merchandise must be returned within 30 days of receipt of order with a return authorization number. Only unused and unopened merchandise with its original packaging and accessories will be accepted. All returns are subject to a minimum 15% restocking fee, therefore we encourage you to estimate your needs as closely as possible. Due to health concerns, costumes, headwear, and food items cannot be returned.Yes, please View Return Policy for details. Merchandise must be returned within 30 days of receipt of order with a return authorization number. Only unused and unopened merchandise with its original packaging and accessories will be accepted. All returns are subject to a minimum 15% restocking fee, therefore we encourage you to estimate your needs as closely as possible.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Schultz Barker
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When choosing a piano, most people want to ensure they get a good quality one and the best way to do this is to buy a popular brand that has been around for a while and has an established reputation. There are quite a few popular piano brands available to select from.

Baldwin Pianos

This company was established back in the late 1800`s and still provides some of the best pianos on the market. They also own a number of piano companies including Wurlitzer. Created by Dwight Hamilton Baldwin, the first Baldwin piano was an upright, though they later manufactured grand pianos, as well. The Baldwin piano is well-liked because of the high quality available. As a family piano, it`s very good choice. Liberace and Bela Bartok both played this piano.

Steinway Pianos

Of all the different piano brands, Steinway and Sons is definitely at the top of the list in popularity and best known. It`s a real boon to have a Steinway in your home and is a goal for many true piano students who dream of owning one.

Henry Steinway was originally a cabinet maker who began to manufacture pianos professionally back in the 1850`s. Some of the most famous pianists of all time have use Steinways, including Wagner, Liszt, Rachmaninoff and Gershwin among others. With an elegant quality about them, these pianos are on the wish list of every pianist.

Schimmel Pianos

This German piano brand is a good one, as well. Many pianists and aspiring pianists find Schimmel pianos to be a dream for playing on and as a result, Schimmel pianos can be found around the world, not just in Germany. It`s a great option for anyone who is looking for a high quality piano, but doesn`t want to invest in a Steinway.

Wilhelm Schimmel was the founder of this company in 1885, but it was later passed on to his grandson in the 60`s. It is one of the few piano companies that is still run by the original family, while most other piano manufacturers have been bought out by larger companies.

Kawai Pianos

A Japanese brand, the Kawai piano is an interesting one. Most people think of electronic keyboards when they think of Japanese pianos, but for those in the know, Kawai is the place to go for high quality, decently priced pianos that offer great sound.

As far as first pianos go, this Japanese model is ideal to get started in the world of owning your very own piano. The Kawai piano brand is well liked and well known, but still not the most popular, which means prices haven`t gone through the roof like they have with many other models. This alone, makes these pianos a hot commodity.

Mason and Hamlin Pianos

This is a company that actually went bankrupt in 1995, but they have made a comeback and are still one of the most popular piano brands in existence. The pianos have been around since the founding in 1854. Though the original families are no longer involved in the business, it continues to do well after the bankruptcy.

The financial struggles in the past of this company hasn`t affected the quality of their piano design. It`s still an excellent design that people from around the world long to have.

Choosing the right piano brand is an important choice and one that must be made with care. If you go with a more popular brand of piano, chances are you will be more than happy with it. The years of growth and development have made these pianos some of the best in the world and they are popular brands for good reason.

Tags: Music by Amy Nutt
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Are you sick and tired of watching everyone fly around with their Epic Mount, wearing the most elite gear in the game… while you are walking around wearing crap? If that is the case, then you have to check out what am about to tell you. I want to teach you how to be one of those people with the awesome gear and the Epic Mount. I want to teach you how to Farm WoW Gold so fast that you will have no idea how to spend it all!

I used to be in the exact same position as you. I couldn’t figure out how everyone was so rich and I was so broke. I decided to go on a mission to learn everything I could about how to farm WoW gold. You will not believe what I discovered until you try it for yourself.

I spent a lot time trying to figure everything out… probably a lot more time than I needed to, but the good point here is that I learned how to farm WoW Gold in HUGE amounts.

Honestly, once I discovered it, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to farm WoW gold. I learned every single secret spot to farm WoW gold and ever single strategy to gain the most out of my WoW gold farming adventure.

When I started, I was a little intimidated by using the Auction House, but before long I literally became an Auction House expert. Now, I am to the point where I can farm enough WoW Gold to purchase my Epic Mount in 2 days! How many people do you know that can do that?

Each and every day I meet more people that are in the same place I used to be. They are walking around aimlessly with no gold. It really make the game frustrating; but when you can farm WoW gold in abundance, the game becomes so much more enjoyable. This is why I have decided to share my information and help other achieve my level of success.

Tags: Games by Ryan Moran
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Where can I buy / rent gear?
The best outdoor gear store in the world, in our opinion, is Mountain Equipment Co-op, a Canadian company. MEC has an outlet in Calgary. They rent anything you might need. If you are not stopping in Calgary, a number of shops in Banff and Canmore sell fuel and basic gear. The best of those stores is Monods in Banff.Choosing the right clothing is very important. You want to have enough clothes to stay warm or cool yet not over pack. Usually you will have warm days and cold nights. A warm jacket either fleece or down can be nice for the evening . Long under wear and wool socks are good for warmth too. We encourage people to bring a light pair of pants and shorts for hiking. Sunscreen and glasses are a must .

I work in the outdoor industry and would like to buy Black Diamond gear. How can I do this?
If you are a certified mountain guide, a pro patroller or an outdoor professional and would like information regarding pro pricing or service on an order you have placed, please go here for further information or contact the Black Diamond Pro Purchase Department or call If you are an individual or an organization seeking donations or sponsorship please go here for further information.The Sunshine Coast offers a West coast marine temperate climate. The fall, winter and spring weather is amongst the mildest in Canada. Snow at ocean levels is a rare and temporary occurrence. Clothing should be similar to what you would wear in Vancouver, B.C.

Should we bring all trekking equipment with us?
You can easily rent needed equipment for reasonable price in Kathmandu or Pokhara before trek but it’s always preferable and more convenient to have your own equipment during trekking, so we advise you to bring equipment with you or to buy here as most of the outdoor equipment can be bought in Kathmandu or Pokhara in one of the many outdoor gear shops.The best outdoor gear store in the world, in our opinion, is Mountain Equipment Co-op, a Canadian company.

What do I need to buy for my trip?
Please see the equipment list. Most importantly, you want well-broken in hiking boots, waterproof rain-gear and as little cotton as possible. New outdoor gear from specialty backpacking stores can be expensive, but going on the First-Year Trip doesn’t have to cost a fortune. OA has some gear you may borrow, such as backpacks and sleeping bags.Certainly, this will be the rule rather than the exception. For example if your site sells tents, you might associate the same image for the terms “tents”, “camping”, “camping gear”, “outdoor equipment” and “xyz brand name”.

Can I use the same image for several keywords?
Certainly, this will be the rule rather than the exception. For example if your site sells tents, you might associate the same image for the terms “tents”, “camping”, “camping gear”, “outdoor equipment” and “xyz brand name”.There are plenty of large grocery and variety stores around Alaska. After Sterling, as you drive into Soldotna, you’ll see a big Fred Meyer’s on the left-hand side of the highway.

What other attractions are surrounding Hershey?
SHOPPING HERSHEY Resorts and HERSHEYPARK offer an array of shopping choices, including signature HERSHEY’S products and apparel, at Sweet Memories at HERSHEY LODGE and, the finest selection of jewelry, watches, and gifts at The Jeweler At THE HOTEL HERSHEY. Enjoy outlet shopping, antiquing, and other attractions in Lancaster’s Pennsylvania Dutch Country.Yes!! If you have specialty gear like a mountain bike, climbing equipment, backpack, camping supplies, etc.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Newman Haynes
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Piglet has always felt a little scared, a tad inadequate, because of his size. In A.A. Milne’s original “Winnie The Pooh,” the poor little one is quoted as saying, “WHAT?”, with a jump, to show that he hadn’t been frightened, he jumped up and down once or twice more in an exercising sort of way. In Chapter Seven, “It is hard to be brave,” said Piglet, sniffling slightly, “when you’re only a very small animal.” In Chapter Nine, Piglet says, “It’s a little anxious,” he said to himself, “to be a very small animal entirely surrounded by water.” Piglet’s catchphrase was, “Oh, dear! Oh, d-d-d-dear-dear!

Released in 2003, Piglet’s Big Movie is an animated feature based on the characters in the Winnie-The-Pooh books and opened as #7 on it’s opening weekend and a total box office for the movie run of over 23 million dollars. It was preceded by “The Tigger Movie” in 2000 and followed by “Winnie The Pooh: Springtime with Roo,” released in 2004. The plot involves Piglet feeling ashamed of being small. Thanks to his friends and Christopher Robin, he learns you don’t have to be big to do big things.

There are three flashback sequences are the first adaptations of the original Winnie The Pooh stories, but edited to make Piglet the hero of the stories and conform the rest of the characters personalities as Disney portrayed them but it still manages to retain much of the original plot, but makes that statement that you don’t have to be big to do big things. The movie is a wonderful story of friendship, fun and appreciation filled with adventure, laughter and heart-felt moments.

As Winnie and friends set forth to harvest honey from the hives in the forest, Piglet is told he is too small to come along. Distraught, Piglet decides to strike out on his own and sets out into the Hundred Acre Wood. When the honey hunters return, they can’t find Piglet anywhere, just his scrapbooks of their adventures of the past. As they look through the books, Winnie and his pals realize how much Piglet means to them and how much they’ve taken him for granted. They set out to find Piglet using his scrapbook for clues, to “think, think, think” for clues as to where he might have gone, and ask him to come home, and along the way the little pig makes a big difference when his pals need him.

“Piglet’s Big Movie” continues to air on Disney’s Playhouse. The little Piglet proves the point that size doesn’t matter when it comes to accomplishing big things, and it’s a lesson that not only children learn, but it’s a good one for adults, even if it is from a Winnie The Pooh character.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by Fabian Toulouse
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Since World of Warcraft is becoming a popular online game around the world, it is not a surprise that people create an account and play it up to certain levels and later on sell the account to make some money to those who want to start playing at a high level instead of starting at level 1.

This is more of a convenience for those players who are too lazy to start from the beginning since you need to spend a lot of time to play in order to get to a higher level but on the other hand, you cannot name the character as you like and train your character the way you want it to be.

When you buy an account, you have the freedom to play at a high level but there is no way you can change your character’s name or training. This is bad if you want a unique character unless if the account you purchase meets your requirements.

Very few people actually get to buy an account that fully meets the requirements because usually the sellers will create and play the way they want and for some, they simply name and play the characters because in the end, they only want the money from you. They are not interested to play the game seriously.

The worst part is if your character has a bad reputation, you will have to live with it for the rest of your life as you play the game. This is because the reputation is long established and if you want to change it you will have to do it slowly and it takes a long time.

So, when you want to buy an account, be sure to consider all the aspects before you decide on which to buy and how much you are willing to spend for the account. Be reminded that the higher the level, the more you will have to pay generally.

Tags: Games by Patrick G. Moore
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When it comes to finding an acoustic beginner guitar, there are many things to consider. It may actually be worth spending enough money for a high quality guitar, if you have it. The ease with which the guitar plays and the sound it makes really is related to the quality and price.

If you’re looking for a high-end acoustic beginner guitar, an excellent choice is the Seagull S6, costing about $400-$500. It may be more expensive than what most beginners are prepared to pay, but it is an exceptional guitar for the price. Even professionals often keep their Seagull S6 after they’ve purchased many other guitars. Another good high-end acoustic beginner guitar is the Washburn D10S. Acoustic Guitar magazine voted it #1 for guitars under $500. Most people looking in this price range will end up choosing the Washburn or the Seagull.

The Yamaha F310, Takamine G-240 and Fender DG7 are all good choices for the beginner. But in terms of price, the most affordable for the beginner is the Epiphone DR-100. Once you gain more experience you will want to trade up, but it’s a great acoustic beginner guitar at $120-$150.

When you are looking for your first guitar, avoid the very cheap ones. These are actually harder to play and can be hard for even an experienced player. A cheaper made acoustic beginner guitar is just not made well and usually have really high action, meaning there is more space between the strings and the fingerboard than the more expensive guitars. This can make a beginner just give up.

If your budget is less than $100, you are better off with a second-hand acoustic beginner guitar. If you see two of the same guitar, try playing both of them. Doing this will tell you the personality of the guitar, which might also tell you a little about the personality of the previous owner.

Ever hear the saying, “never buy a guitar from a jerk”? Whether a guitar picks up a “personality” from it’s owner is a point to be debated, however most guitar owners treat their instruments like people. So when you look for your first acoustic beginner guitar keep this in mind. Pay attention to the guitar’s “vibe”, and even if it sounds great, but doesn’t feel right somehow, pass on it.

When you are buying your first acoustic beginner guitar you should ask the salesperson to play it for you. The person selling the guitar shoud understand you can not yet play the instrument but want to hear what it will sound like when you can. You never know, maybe they are helping the next great guitar player to buy their first instrument.

Tags: Music by Paul Green
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Most people always searching for the creative tattoo design. The bird tattoo design is the most popular designs especially for girls. One such unique tattoo art, which you can get inked in, is the bird tattoo design. Bird tattoos are considered as one of the most stylish ways to flaunt your joy and happiness.

Tattoo styles includes plethora of designs and choices to pick from. As there are so many species of birds in the nature, you can get inked in any species of bird on your body. Along with hundreds of various types of bird tattoos designs, there are numerous ways of inking the tattoo on the desired part of your body as well.

Tattoo is the best art to express your personality. Putting off tattoos is not so easy like different other replaceable things, which you possess such as home, car or marriage that you can leave anytime. Thereby, it is essential that the tattoo design you wear satisfy you completely.

Bird tattoos also signifies a connection with the nature and outdoors since they are made via including various nature colors. Besides, the love bird tattoos are also well-liked by the people who believes in love and can also be of different patterns, color and design. These include tiny parrots that are originated typically in Africa. The scientific name given to these small species of birds is Apogernis.

Tattoos featuring swallow birds are another popular option. They are especially popular among the girls who also sport tattoos with nautical stars and cherry tattoos. The popularity of the swallow tattoos design dates back the old school days during the era of rockabilly music.

Swallow tattoo can really be an interesting choice, not only are they good to look at but they also have a hidden meaning. The Swallow tattoos normally represent things like fidelity and loyalty. This is because the Swallow birds choose a single mate for life. Also they only nest with no one else but that particular bird.

Some tattoos represent a certain profession or line of duty. For an instance the Eagle tattoos are usually sported by men and women who are police officers, soldiers or even firefighters. The design of this tattoo is not old fashioned, in fact it is still considered very in and most of the youngsters still admire it a lot. There are many styles in various designs that have been popular for years now. An eagle with its wings spread is very popular. Similarly an eagle sitting in a roosting position catches the attention of the onlookers.

The bird tattoos are in style with masses of all sexes because it demonstrates strength, superb and your private persona. Bird Tattoos designs are identical fashionable for every group of people regardless of sexes, in addition to acquiring this type of tattoo demonstrates pride and strength to personalize your style.

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by David Morin
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It’s extremely difficult for anyone to determine exactly what piano will be the easiest for any beginner to start off playing. A beginning piano player will play any variety of piano exactly how he or she is taught to play it.

With that in mind – each brand, type and style of piano can sound differently and the sound and feel of each instrument may appeal differently to different players.

When considering purchasing a piano, especially when you don’t have a whole lot of experience with the instrument, there are several things that you should do before making your decision. A piano is a very large investment, so it isn’t something that should be taken lightly.

Some Valuable Tech Talk

One of the best possible things that you can do when looking for a piano is to talk to a good technician. A good piano technician can be worth his weight in gold when it comes to helping you decide what type of piano will be the best for you. They will know just about everything there is to know about many varieties of pianos – which ones hold their sound best, which are the easiest to repair, which may have recurring problems. Most techs are also players as well, so you’ll likely be able to get some good personal recommendations from this valuable source.

Visit Every Showroom in Your Area

This will give you the opportunity to sit down at all different types of pianos such as Fazioli or a Kawai to plunk away, giving you a good feel for what type of piano you’ll most likely feel comfortable at. It will also allow you the opportunity to compare pricing between the different dealers and different brands.

Talk to Sales People

Though some sales people may be pretty biased towards one brand or another based on what they are selling at their particular showroom, piano sales people can often provide you with some pretty good information as to the quality of certain brands or the difference in quality between different models of the same brand. They should also be able to provide you with different manufacturer’s warranty information without necessarily being too one sided with their commentary.

Talk to Teachers and Students

Sign up for a free introductory lesson, and while you’re there, pick the teacher’s brain about what type of piano they feel best suits a beginner. A teacher will often be totally unbiased in their opinion and have the student’s best interests at heart.

If you’re lucky there will be other students there that you can ask some questions of as well. Find out what different types of pianos they have played and what they feel would be the most comfortable and appropriate piano for someone who was just starting out. Who is better to ask than someone who was just recently in your position and had to go through the same things themselves?

The best piano to start out with is definitely the one that you will happily play and that you will find yourself wanting to play often. That’s why it’s so important to do a lot of research before jumping into a decision. In addition to following the aforementioned advice, there are several good books available that will give solid advice when considering purchasing a piano, and today there are an abundance of internet communities that have sections devoted to providing advice to beginning piano players. If you don’t happen to see a line of questioning that you think will help your situation, pose the question yourself and let the advice of experienced piano players come to you.

Tags: Music by Amy Nutt
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Purchasing a new digital camera can be a very overwhelming experience. Technology is continually changing and there seems to be upgraded cameras available every month! With these changes you can still ensure that you purchase the right camera for your needs by understanding the technology. You will not be able to understand all of it, however you can gain the knowledge to make the right decisions. This article will cover the features of digital cameras that are most important for you to understand.

To begin with me will discuss the similarities between film and digital cameras. Basically a camera is a light airtight box that allows exposure of a light-sensitive material through the use of a shutter and an aperture. This process is the same with either a digital or film camera.

Both types of cameras have Lenses, which focus the image and control how the image will look (wide or telephoto). The lens is also one of the most important factors in determining overall image quality. The better the lens quality, the sharper and more clear your image. In film or digital photography- poor lenses=poor image quality.

Both types of cameras also use shutters to maintain the duration of the exposure. Both film and digital cameras need an aperture to control how much light hits the sensor during the period that the shutter is open. Very large apertures (2.8 or 4) will let in a lot of light, while small apertures (16 or 22) will let in very little light.

Whatever type of camera you may use, Focusing will always be a necessary step in creating sharp photographs. Manual and auto focusing can be found on both types of cameras.

Film Advance, Lag and Response Time The digital sensor takes in light much like film. Once the light strikes film it becomes”exposed” and the camera must advance the film to the next film frame to carry on the development. With digital cameras, the information that was acquired during exposure is moved on to the processor and the sensor is then freed up to grab another image. The length of time it takes for the sensor to “unload” its information and be ready to record again is called Advance Time. The speed of the digital camera is also influenced by how many images it can retain in the memory before the camera needs a time out to process them. A typical statistic could be “23 full-res(resolution) JPEGs or 6 RAW images at 5 fps”(Canon 20D). All this means is that the camera will shoot 5 frames per second until the memory fills up. The memory will become full at 6 exposures if you are shooting RAW and 23 if you are shooting the highest quality JPEG.

Something called Lag Time was a major issue when digital cameras first became popular. The “lag”, or amount of time, in between the time you pressed the shutter and the time the shutter opened was very noticeable. Fortunately with recent advances in technology lag time has reduced significantly. Today even most of the budget friendly cameras have a very quick turn around time in between shots or during a series of quick exposures. To sum it up, if your photography requires fast shooting (i.e. sports photography) and requires many frames per second, it would be a good idea to do some research and check out the frames per second and lag time statistics before purchasing a camera.

ISO In traditional (film) photography ISO (or ASA) was the indication of how sensitive a film was to light. It was measured in numbers (you’ve probably seen them on films – 100, 200, 400, 800 etc). The lower the number the lower the sensitivity of the film and the finer the grain in the shots you’re taking.

ISO One of the many benefits of digital cameras is the ability to change ISOs at any time. ISO refers to the sensitivity of the sensor in a digital camera and film in traditional cameras. The higher the ISO the less light you need to strike the film. With traditional cameras, if you needed to get a faster shutter speed because of low light or fast action, you needed to change to a higher ISO film. This could be wasteful or inconvenient at best. With digital cameras you can change the ISO on the fly. Now it is possible to be photographing outside in bright sunlight with a low ISO (for better color and image quality) and then walk indoors, change the ISO and continue shooting.

Resolution Resolution is probably one of the most talked about but least understood features of digital cameras. Most people believe the higher the resolution the better. This is true, generally speaking. However more resolution doesn’t always mean better photographs.

Resolution Probably the least understood and most talked about feature of digital cameras. The more the better, right? Well, most of the time. More resolution doesn’t always mean better photographs.

Please remember, it is very common to see cameras that are equal in resolution but have different sensor sizes. In cases such as these it is a better idea to go for the larger sensor. Now you may be wondering, “how do you know how much resolution you do need?” It’s simple really. You need to ask yourself how large of a print you want to eventually make. 3 and 4 Megapixel cameras are plenty sufficient for everything up to 8×10. If you need to create larger prints you will want to move up to the 5 and 6 Megapixel cameras.

White Balance White balance refers to the processors ability to create “correct” color in your pictures. The digital camera sensor always captures “raw” information and then the camera processor processes it and sends it to the memory card.

The human eye is an amazing thing. What is even more amazing is that it is excellent at ignoring color casts. When we are indoors under typical house lighting the color is quite orange/yellow while office lighting (fluorescent) is very green. Our eyes are able to ignore this, but film and digital cameras faithfully record all color nuances. When using film photography it is often necessary to put filters on your camera or to purchase film that is balanced for the particular lighting (color) that you are using. With digital photography we can easily change the white balance. All digital cameras come with a good variety of choices for correcting typical lighting situations with white balance. They also generally include an auto setting as well which is useful if you do not know what kind of light you are working under. Typically the more expensive cameras will also include the ability to custom balance to any color light!

The human eye is excellent at ignoring color casts. When we are indoors under typical house lighting the color is quite orange/yellow, office lighting (fluorescent) is very green. Our eyes are able to ignore this, but film and digital cameras do not. They record faithfully. When using film it is necessary to put filters on your camera or to buy film that is balanced for the particular lighting (color) that you are using. With digital we can simply change our white balance. All digital cameras come with a fine selection of white balance options for correcting typical lighting situations. They all will include an auto setting as well. This is useful if you do not know what kind of light you are working under. The more expensive models will come with the ability to custom balance to any color light!

Choose a digital camera that is right for you Understanding how the sensor works allows us to make informed decisions regarding resolution and camera speed. White balance is a fairly uniform feature across the entire line of cameras (with the exception of the high end models), negating any serious consideration in this arena. Given what we have covered I am sure you are wondering what other features exist that may influence your camera purchase?

Choose a digital camera that is right for you Understanding how the sensor works allows us to make some intelligent decisions surrounding resolution and camera speed. White balance is a fairly uniform feature across the entire line of cameras, negating any serious consideration in this arena. So what other features exist that may influence your camera purchase?

Buying a new digital camera

Focal length is the next consideration you should think of before purchasing a digital camera. Do you like to shoot with wide-angle lenses? Long telephoto lenses? Do you enjoy shooting up close with macro lenses? Digital cameras have all the same lens options that your film camera does. It is simply a matter of choosing the camera with the qualities that you want. By looking through magazines or surfing on to the web and going to www.dpreview.com you can easily find the specifications that describe all of the options.

Two sets of specs are commonly given when you begin to look into focal length . The first set is generally the actual focal length of the lens. For example, 7mm-28mm. This example would be an extreme wide angle on a film camera. The digital camera however, has a smaller sensor area than the film camera which makes the 7mm lens look more like a 35mm lens. So the second set of numbers on this lens would be 35mm-136mm. This is typically considered the 35mm equivalent. It is these numbers you should pay attention to when researching different cameras for focal range as they will be more recognizable to you.

Most amateur digital cameras do not provide real wide angle lens choices. They will commonly go down to 35mm or even 28mm but rarely can you find a 24mm or wider. This is mainly due to the difficulties in building such a small focal length lenses. So if you enjoy wide angle photography you many want to think about moving up to a digital SLR.

When it comes to long telephoto lenses the digital cameras have a big advantage to film cameras! Their smaller sensor size turns even moderate telephotos into very long lenses. For example a real 57mm focal length behaves like a 370mm! This is a real advantage to people who like to shoot “long”. Please note, beware of cameras which claim their longest focal length as Digital Zoom. You should always avoid Digital Zoom. For these purposes we are concerned only with real or actual focal lengths.

Focusing distance is the last lens specification to consider. If you desire to shoot macro, please look for a lens that focuses very close. They will usually be signified by a “macro mode” or be called “close focusing”.

Shooting your digital camera in the field Shooting your digital camera should be the fun part. Do not let all of the bells and whistles confuse you out in the field. There are many choices and they can be a bit overwhelming. Here a are three of the most important things you should always check before you start photographing.

ISO- If you are outdoors or in areas where you have plenty of light keep the ISO set to a low (100 or 50). Raise the ISO only when you need to prevent camera shake. Typically most digital cameras will provide great images all the way up to 400 ISO. If you need to go higher than 400 ISO, you must know that you may run the risk of introducing a visible amount of noise to your photos. Take some time and play with your digital camera to figure out which ISO produces unacceptable noise levels.

Jpeg vs. Raw- This is an easy choice. If you want to manipulate every photograph in your computer, shoot RAW. This format is much more flexible and enables you to correct errors in exposure and color cast without downgrading the quality of your image. If you do not have the time or desire to work on every image, then use the highest quality Jpeg mode. Jpeg mode uses a minimum amount of image compression and provides extremely high quality pictures.

Image Size- Many cameras automatically come with multiple resolution choices. The options may look like this: 2304×1728, 1600×1200, 1280×960, 640×480. Basically, always choose the highest resolution. In this case that would be 2304×1728. This setting will supply you with the highest quality images possible.

Digital Camera Accessories It is an understatement to say that there are a lot of accessories for the digital camera! It boggles the mind the number of choices available such as cases, cards and storage units. Not all of the accessories are a necessity, in fact there are only a very few accessories that are absolute necessities.

Compact Flash-The first is the type of storage that your camera uses. Personally I prefer cameras the use Compact Flash storage option. This medium seems to be the best all around Flash Card. These cards are sturdy, durable, and not too small to lose or to big to be bulky. It also comes in very large capacities-up to 8 gigabytes! I recommend you have a least two cards on the off chance one becomes damaged or lost. The total amount of storage available to you will be determined on how much you want to spend on your cards (cameras rarely ship with a card that is adequate for most photographic purposes). Having two 512Mb cards seems to be adequate for most shooting situations, unless you are very trigger happy. Having 4 of these cards or two 1 GB cards will ensure that you will never be without storage.

Portable Storage-If you have an ample amount of Flash Card storage, you will not need a portable storage unit. This is however contingent on downloading your cards on a daily basis. If you are in a situation where you will not have access to your computer for long periods of time you may want to consider a portable storage unit. The most basic form of storage is one that allows you to plug your card into the unit, and download your images. You can then put the card back into your camera, reformat it, and continue shooting. When you get home you simply attach the storage unit to your computer and transfer the images. Most of these units come with enough storage space for many days of shooting. I would consider a unit with at least 10Gb of storage.

Storage and transfer are the most basic functions which all of the models will perform. At this point they can get really fancy. There are units that will automatically create Cds from your cards, which produces an immediate archive of your images. Others come with an LCD screen that allows you to preview your photos right on the storage device. Advanced features will even allow you to organize your images into folders and albums. Prior to purchasing one of these units you may want to think about the length of time you will be away from your computer as you may not need one with these advanced features.

Extra Batteries / Charger Digital cameras use batteries at an alarming rate. You will definitely need to have back up batteries. Because you will be using so many, rechargeable batteries are the intelligent choice. Most digital cameras come with a proprietary battery with a charger. This is a good thing as it allows a stronger battery. If this is your situation, purchase extra batteries when you buy your camera. If your camera is powered by common AA batteries, you would be wise to buy a couple sets of rechargeable batteries.

Bulb blower- this is a must if you are considering purchasing an interchangeable lens SLR. Often when you change the lens on these cameras dust is introduced into the camera body. Ultimately the dust will migrate to your sensor and manifest itself as small blurry splotches on your final image. A few seconds with the blower bulb will save you hours on the computer cleaning up your photographs!

Tags: Arts & Entertainment by James Beck
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