Samsung Digimax S1050 is a compact camera with ergonomic grip, lightweight but not very slim, available in 2 colors: silver and black.
The features that make this camera be on top of the sales are the high megapixels, high optical zoom (5x instead of the usual 3x), advanced shake reduction (ASR) as image stabilization technology and movie stabilizer function, face recognition, high ISO 1600, super macro mode (1 cm close), the presence of manual features and the extra large LCD (3 inch).
An interesting feature, sometimes quite useful, is the Wise Shot: when activate, it takes 2 shots – one with flash on one with flash off, so that later on you can choose the best one. The Movie Mode is pretty advanced; allowing an impressive flexibility considering it’s just a photo camera. About the Effect button and what it does, it might look funny at the beginning, but after that, it’s useless.
The use of AA batteries and SD memory card has the advantage of an easy replacement in a short time anywhere. The image quality is above medium, concluding that S1050 it’s worth the price.
Samsung Digimax S1050 Specifications

Samsung Digimax S1050

Samsung Digimax S1050

Samsung Digimax S1050

Samsung Digimax S1050

Tags: Samsung digital camera, Samsung digimax, samsung digimax s1050, digimax s1050, Samsung s1050, ASR, antishake reduction, face recognition, 10 MP, 5x optical zoom

This is a camera with user-friendly ergonomic body design, considering an ergonomic grip. First of all, I like that Samsung thought putting a Manual Mode on a compact camera (but where are Shutter and Aperture Priority?). However, at this high resolution I would have expected at least face detection if not also image stabilization. Good that they put 45MB internal memory at this high resolution camera.
For those seeking a good camera with high megapixel resolution, the Digimax 1030 might be an option. However, if you can spear some more money, I recommend the Digimax 1050 because of the following improvements: face detection included, macro mode up to 1 cm close, longer shutter speed, Shutter Priority and Aperture Priority Modes included, even larger LCD and, the most important, 5x optical zoom instead of 3x.
Otherwise, the performance of these two cameras is quite similar, a good one. The Movie Mode is impressively for a camera meant to take photos. Another thing worth mentioning is the easy of use: the control dial on the top has all the Shooting Modes plus the most used Scene Modes; the Effect button is easy to access and the Direct Print also.
Samsung Digimax S1030 Specifications

Samsung Digimax S1030

Samsung Digimax S1030

Samsung Digimax S1030

Samsung Digimax S1030

Tags: Samsung digital camera, Samsung digimax, samsung digimax s1030, digimax s1030, Samsung s1030, 10 MP, 3x optical zoom

Functions:
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program, Manual, Movie, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, ASR
• Scene Modes: Night, Portrait, Children, Landscape,
Close-up, Text , Sunset, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow
• Movie Mode: 15 fps, 20 fps, 30 fps, 320×240, 720×480,640,480, 800×600, MPEG-4, with movie stabilizer, successive recording, built-in movie editing, Pause during recording, Still Image Capture, Time Trimming, Voice Recording (recording time : Max 10 hours),
Voice Memo in Still Image (max. 10 sec.)
• Effects: special color (color mask, color filter), color (B&W, Sepia, Red, Green, Blue, Negative, Custom), Fun (Highlight, Cartoon, Sticker, Composite, Frame), Sharpness (Soft +, Soft, Normal, Vivid, Vivid +)
• Flash Modes: Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Flash off
• White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent_H, Fluorescent_L, Tungsten, Custom
• Metering: Multi, Spot, Face Recognition
Technical Data:
• 3.0 inch LCD
• 10.1 megapixels
• 5x optical zoom + 5x digital zoom
• Focal Length: 7.8 ~ 39mm (35mm film equivalent : 38~190mm)
• Aperture: F2.8~7.4(Wide) , F4.5~11.7(Tele)
• ISO Range: Auto, 80,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
• Flash Range: Wide : 0.2m ~ 5.0m, Tele : 0.5m ~ 3.0m (ISO AUTO)
• Focus Range:
Normal : 80cm ~ Infinity(Wide).1.5m~Infinity(Tele)
Macro : 10 ~ 80cm(Wide), 50 ~ 1.5m(Tele)
Super Macro: 1cm~10cm(Wide)
Auto Macro : 10cm~Infinity (Wide), 50cm~ Infinity (Tele)
Manual Focus:1cm~Inf.inity(Wide), 50cm~Inf.inity(Tele)
• Exposure Compensation: ±2EV (1/3EV steps)
• Shutter Speed: 1 ~ 1/2000 sec.(Manual : 16 ~ 1/2,000 sec.)
• Self Timer: 2 sec .,10 sec., Double (10 sec., 2 sec.)
• File Format: JPEG (DCF), EXIF 2.2
• SD – Secure Digital memory + internal memory
• 2x AA battery, Rechargeable battery(0ptional) : SNB-2512B KIT(2xAA Ni-MH Battery & Charger)

Tags: Samsung digital camera, Samsung digimax, samsung digimax s1050, digimax s1050, Samsung s1050, ASR, antishake reduction, face recognition, 10 MP, 5x optical zoom

The Exhibit will unite a very large number of participants during a large period of time: November 16, 2007 – December 21, 2007.
A broad line of types of photography are expected to be exhibited: “Traditional, contemporary, avant-garde, creative and experimental works that include new processes, mixed techniques, and challenging personal, emotional or political statements” .

To submit you art at the exhibit, you need to me a member of The Center for Fine Art Photography, or, to become one. There is also a contest going on: an international audience of collectors, curators, art consultants and others appreciate the photos in order to determine who will get $500, $300, and, fifteen or more additional images will be selected for inclusion in the Center’s publication, Artists’ ShowCase, the feature section in the January issue of CameraArts magazine.
All this for $20 registration with 3 photos ($10 for each additional photo). You should decide sending your appliance by August 28, 2007, and, you’ll get an answer by September 6, 2007.

You may also want to take a look at the Current Black and White Exhibition (July 18th – Aug 20th, 2007).

Tags: international photography exhibition, the center for fine art photography

When going out of the city to the country side, every photographer has a few subjects in mind: domestic animals, old farmers, rusty old objects, fruits and vegetables, landscapes with old houses surrounded by cultivated lands and trees. And each of these encounters different shooting conditions and specific issues.

Domestic animals: usually represented by cows, can be photographed in groups or alone, or, with a farmer by their side. A normal lens will do just fine. But close-ups are not to drop away. Think a little about a cute fluffy chicken baby under the mother’s wing.

Rusty old objects can vary in size from an entire abandoned building to a pair of shoes. These pictures will be full of emotions and symbolism. Generally, the idea of old is well enhanced in slight sepia tones.

Farmers, if photographed at work, will contribute to the image as an attraction point of a bigger image. If you can talk to them, get close and shoot a portrait, you will be amassed by the natural honest expression on their faces and the amount of details of a skin exposed to hard weather and farming. Also, take a good look at the clothes.

Fruits and vegetables can be focused in macro or normal mode with narrow DOF to obtain the best out of it.

If you want to make a documentary about country side, you must know that most of the activities start very early in the morning. In Romania, in summer, around 6-7 am, the farmer milks the cow and gets the horses ready for a ride in the field. Around 7pm, the wagon returns full of dry grass and one hour later and the cows return from feeding around the village to be milked once again and go to sleep.

Off topic: try out traditional food and pay attention at the local dialect.
At the end: a panorama of the village where I took my shots.

Tags: country side, fruits and vegetables, rusty objects, house picture, old man, cow picture, horse picture, farmer

Two of the most appreciated, most used SLR digital cameras needed special attention from the photography books writers. No matter if you purchased a digital rebel from Canon or a d80 (d70, d50) from Nikon, you can find a Field Guide of over 250 pages on the market.

The advantage of having one of these books is that it explains the exact functions of your camera. Unlike a manual that comes with the camera itself, these functions are explained with pictures, you’ll find step-by-step techniques that enhance exposure, composition, and perspective, plus professional advice for photographing children, pets, sporting events, concerts, street scenes, landscapes, even fireworks.
The books guide you in the creepy job of finding the right lens for each situation, and, also goes a bit into the post shooting explaining the easy way of downloading photos to the computer and basic editing functions.
Nikon D80 Digital Field Guide is writen by David D. Busch and Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi/400D Digital Field Guide by Charlotte K. Lowrie.

Tags: canon EOS digital rebel, canon field guide, canon digital rebel field guide, nikon digital field guide, nikon d80 digital field guide

Photosummit 2007 will take place in 7 & 8 Sept, but, the locations is not yet chosen. So far, nothing special. But how about you choosing the kind of locations would you like to photograph during the summit? I like this involvement of participants in the organization.
http://www.photosummit.org/location-poll/
However, a schedule has been established and it includes discussions about Landscapes,Natural Lighting, Urban Street Photography and a shooting sessions at sunrise.
Thomas Hawk and Jim Goldstein, perhaps Richard Wong, will attend the event as guest photographers.

Tags: photosummit, photography summit, photo summit

The Canon A series gained in January 2007 a new member with a higher number of megapixels: 7 MP A560. An important improvement is the fact that this model is capable to take 500 shots before the 2xAA batteries rune out. The system now includes Face-detection autofocus, Higher light sensitivity, ISO 1600 (but this is not very useful) and Red-Eye correction in PlayBack Mode. Compared to A550, the LCD is 5 inch wider.
The multitude of functions and menu may be too much for someone who only wants a camera for creating a family album, but it’s a perfect choice for someone who wants a high capability camera, compact enough to fit in a small bag, instead of an expensive heavy SLR.
But one thing here bothers me: the Aperture and Shutter Priority Modes are not present anymore and the Manual Mode only controls the exposure and white balance. The Panoramic Mode is also missing and this is even less understandable.
The long time between the shots taken with flash on is a problem on previous models that still hasn’t been fixed. Another add to the camera usability is the composition grid and I’m mentioning this because it really is useful not only for beginners.
Canon PowerShot A560 Specifications

Canon PowerShot A560


Canon PowerShot A560

Tags: canon digital camera, canon powershot, canon powershot a560, canon a560, powershot a560, face detection, manual mode, red eye reduction

Functions:
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, Manual
• Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Night Snapshot, Kids & Pets and Indoor, Night Scene, Foliage, Snow, Beach, Fireworks, and Aquarium
• Movie Mode: x 480 at 60,30,15 fps; 320 x 240 at 60,30,15 fps, avi (motion jpeg)
• Flash Modes: Auto, Auto w/ Red-eye Reduction, Auto w/ Slow Synchro, Flash On, Flash On w/ Red-eye Reduction, Flash On w/ Slow Synchro, Flash Off
• Flash Modes: Auto, On, Off, Manual (Red Eye, Slow Sync)
• White Balance: 5 positions plus manual – Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Custom
• Metering: Evaluative, Center-Weighted, and Spot
• Effects: vivid colors, sepia, black and white
Technical Data:
• 2.5 inch LCD
• Optical Viewfinder 80% accuracy
• 7.1 megapixels
• 4x optical zoom + 4x digital zoom
• Focal Length: 35 mm – 140 mm
• Aperture: F2.6 – F5.5
• ISO Range: 80 ,100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
• Flash Range: 1.5-11 ft./45cm-3.5m (W), 1.5-7.2 ft./45cm-2.2m (T)
• Focus Range: Normal 45 cm, Macro 5 cm
• Exposure Compensation: -2 to +2 EV in 1/3 EV steps
• Continuos Shooting: 1.7 fps, unlimited
• Shutter Speed: 15 sec – 1/2000 sec
• Self Timer: 2 or 10 sec
• File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
• SD/SDHC – Secure Digital memory
• 2xAA NiMH battery

Tags: canon digital camera, canon powershot, canon powershot a560, canon a560, powershot a560, face detection, manual mode, red eye reduction

This Canon A model stands out from the A series of digital cameras because of the image stabilization. No other camera from this series has it. Otherwise, manual controls, optical viewfinder, robust, solid design not fitting small pockets and rather resembling the buttons and controls of a SLR, good performance represented by low noise (except very high ISO), sharpness, vivid colors, slight warm white balance. This means that if don’t have a steady hand but you want to have flexible camera adjustments at a low price, the Canon A570 IS is the right digicam for you. It runs on AA batteries and stores the pictures on SD card type, meaning it will be cheap and easy to recharge any time, anywhere.
Another important feature included in this camera is the Face Detection – focuses on the person’s faces. Red eye removal in now included as in-camera software (playback mode), which is more effective than a pre-flash light on compact cameras. Shot-to-shot time with flash on is slow: 4.82 seconds, but still better than on previous models of compact Canon (around 10 seconds).
Canon PowerShot A570 IS Specifications

Canon PowerShot A570 IS

Canon PowerShot A570 IS

Canon PowerShot A570 IS

Canon PowerShot A570 IS

Tags: canon digital camera, canon powershot, canon powershot a570 is, canon a570 is, powershot a570 is, face detection, manual mode, red eye reduction