As a professional photographer, I know that a photograph that takes the viewer back in time will evoke the emotions of the day it was captured, and allow for hopefully a pleasant stroll down memory lane.  But as I recently was reviewing my own archive of images, I was taken by surprise at just how much of an impact such photos can have. And it reinforced for me just how important it is to preserve in photographs not only the milestones in life, but the little things that make up the fabric of that life too.

I’d like to share some snapshots of scenes that make up the fabric of our life here at the Viv Pix home. Our favorite images are of our dear pets. Some have gone to wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge, and others are now senior citizens who don’t have the strength to frolic like they used to. But these shots certainly make me smile as they take me back to a time when they did.

Little Spook up a tree–she loved to climb anything–trees, ladders–often ending up on the roof calling for rescue.

And Hogan, still a swimmer, will go anywhere to retrieve a stick, especially if he has to swim for it.  In his prime, he would leave quite a wake!

And as badly a Boris wanted to steal the stick from Hogan, the last thing he wanted to do was actually swim! Wading was ok, but absolutely no swimming!  That’s why we gave him the nickname “Coast Guard.”

I’d like to emphasize that although these are not the best for captures for many technical reasons, they are among my favorites. Yes there is a time to call upon the pros to capture images of life’s milestones, no matter how humble, and you will be very glad you hired a photographer for those moments.  But don’t allow yourself to miss these little moments so fleeting, but as time goes by, so precious too.

Regardless of what cool features your chosen model has, they will mean nothing if they don’t produce good images.

Here are a  few tips to keep in mind as you shop for the camera that will be the best value.

1. When it comes to megapixels, more is not necessarily better. In the early days of digital photography, improved resolution was essential to producing images that would print well at larger formats such as 11×14 or 16×20. But that additional resolution, measured in megapixels, also can impair the quality of low-light images by producing digital noise—those ugly red, green and blue speckles that you usually will find in the darker areas of the image. Plus, the higher megapixel count fills the memory card faster. Models in the 5 to 8 megapixel range will provide more than enough resolution to produce good quality enlargements, so go for the lower count, even if you can’t find anything as low as 8 MP.
2. Optical zoom is the only zoom that matters. Forget the digital zoom.  You know the big sticker on the box that reads 3x optical zoom, 10X DIGITAL ZOOM? Well that digital zoom is really just the camera’s best guest at what a close-up should be, based on the information it receives from the 3x OPTICAL zoom.  You may get lucky once in a while, but most of the time, the digital zoom range will produce pixelated, soft images that won’t be worth the paper it’s printed on when you enlarge it.
3. Choose a model with an Optical Viewfinder. In the race to produce thinner, smaller cameras with larger LCD screens, one of the unfortunate casualties is the optical viewfinder.  That large LCD screen is great for reviewing your captured shots, but when you must rely on it to compose a shot in bright sunlight, you’ll be guessing at best. Do you want to leave that once in a lifetime shot to a best guess in an LCD viewfinder you can’t see? Optical viewfinders are increasingly more difficult to find, especially on the smaller, less expensive models. If you find a model with one, seriously consider buying it, no matter when the other features, becausewhen all is said and done, it is about getting the shot.
4. Look for manual override options. It is quite possible that you may never want or need to switch away from the automatic mode, but at the very least you want to be able to disable the flash for those situations when flash is not permitted.  Also, if you find this camera ignites the shutterbug in you, then the ability to take control of the settings will allow you to express your creative side as you learn and grow as a photographer.
5. Buy a spare battery and memory card. When you finally find the right camera, you don’t want to be stopped dead in your tracks by a dead battery or a full memory card just as the good stuff starts happening. So, spring for an extra battery, rechargeable of course, and a memory card, and keep them ready to use.

It’s easy to be confused and overwhelmed when you start your search for a digital camera, so try to keep in mind that ultimate goal for your camera is to capture images that will preserve your memories. Don’t let the gimmicks trick you into choosing a model that will leave you wanting more in the end.

Happy shopping!!

Another technique to help your colors really pop is to use a polarizer.  This is usually used to remove reflections on water and in glass, but it also helps accentuate the blue of the sky and the reds and yellows of the leaves.

After getting the exposure properly set, watch for your composition next. It is very easy to miss the stray power line, or car roof in our haste and excitement to capture the photo.  So, check the edges of  your image to make sure there is nothing that would detract from the photo when you print it out.

If it turns out Mother Nature has dropped the leaves before you were able to get out and shoot, all is not lost.  Look for carpets of fallen leaves along paths and on grassy areas.  These will make lovely backdrops to a still life of harvested bounty such as Indian Corn, mini pumpkins and hay bales.  If you can’t find a carpet of leaves, look for colorful stragglers that you can zoom in close on. If you light it from the side (easy to do as the sun sets), the texture of the leaf will add interest to the photo.

Do you have favorite Fall Foliage images to share? Post a link to your gallery in the comments section.  Happy shooting!

Lake Maratooka, Mattituck

Belmont Lake State Park, Babylon

Belmont Lake State Park, Babylon

Belmont Lake State Park, Babylon

Maratooka Lake, Mattituck

Belmont Lake State Park, Babylon

So, if you need some help understanding the buttons and dials, the attached link is a downloadable tutorial. Just the basics here, but feel free to email with questions if you wish more info on anything.

HOW TO USE YOUR DIGITAL CAMERA

These birds are unique looking shorebirds.  They are about the size of a seagull, with yellow stilt-like legs about 6 inches long, and a long orange beak that they use to dig in the soft sand looking for, well, oysters, and other sand-dwelling crustaceans.  In flight they are just as distinctive with a hooting, laughing kind of call that demands your attention.  A very dear friend has admired them for several years, as he would often share the same tidal flats while clamming in Orient. I have been hoping to capture a usable image so I could convert it to a digital watercolor for him to enjoy.

And here are my results:

This was a photo that I processed in Photoshop, using filters and patterns.  If you would like to know more about how, just send me an email and I’ll give you some pointers to start you off. Hard to believe it started out as  photo, isn’t it?