Don't forget to
check out our WebCams area for some really nice
cams. Two of our favorites: The "Hollywood
Sign" Cam and the Grand Canyon Cam.
SPOTLIGHT:
Traveling With Your Camera: Determining your needs
Whether you take your camera along to simply snap
some photos of favorite places, to document your trip for family
and friends or plan to share a full-blown video on Youtube once
you return, traveling with your camera is easier than ever
making photography and filming the best it has ever been.
Camera options are so numerous
today it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly which model
is the best suited for your needs. With the advent of cameras on
cell phones and
Smartphones, that may be all you need for a few quick, fun and
easy snaps. But if you want more from your camera, what should
you keep in mind?
Ask yourself what are you
going to do with the photos and/or videos? What are your needs?
Do you need a camera that does both as many now do? Will action
shots be a focus? If so, you will want a camera that can give
you the easiest and best quality shots. Some cameras now are
geared specifically for action and are small, mountable and
affordable. Will you want to print or just use the photos
digitally? Good prints require a larger resolution setting.
Smaller, less expensive cameras (especially on phones) do not
make quality prints.
Secondly, how often do you
travel and will you use the camera otherwise, if so then a
quality investment will not go unjustified. And if you do travel
often, you will want the highest quality to assure that your
memories or travel-related photos and videos can receive the
most enjoyment or exposure possible from others. With the new HD
(High Definition) cameras, your very own travels will look as
beautiful as something in the pages of National Geographic!
Auto/manual options are available so whether you are an amateur
or an aspiring pro, these cameras have placed the future of
photography into the hands of anyone in the present.
Thirdly, consider your budget.
Many camera models are all-inclusive, others require additional
accessories like lenses, external flash, external mics, extra
batteries, and tripods, and these considerations will reflect
back to what are your specific needs. Size and compactness is
another factor to consider. How do you travel? Do you travel by
car or vehicle with the space to carry everything you want with
you or do you travel minimally by air, train, bus, or even
hiking or biking? If so you may want smaller, more compact
equipment. And smaller doesn’t necessarily denote less
expensive. Like everything else, photography equipment has come
a long way from the dinosaurs we used to have to tote around.
Photo equipment is now lightweight and easy to stash.
So start thinking about these
questions early enough to do the research. Have everything ready
in time for your next trip so that when you arrive at your
destination you will be set to make the best photos possible.
And let us know how you did, we love travel photos! Who knows,
your photo may become a featured travel photo at Guidebook
America! Watch for more in this series on Traveling With Your
Camera and you’ll be ready!
Here's a few videos to give
you an idea of what's out there right now as far as what you might need to
bring home those photos and videos that will keep you going
until your next trip.
My favorites:
GoPro HD HERO2®
Looking to document the action of your trip;
skiing, snowboarding, surfing, snorkeling, hiking, biking,
balloon rides or parachuting, this thing has you covered in
every way! Comes with mounts for surfboards, helmets,
skis, etc., and a water proof housing. Shoots HD video and
everything you need for time-lapse and more. And, the
price is almost unbelievable ($299 all inclusive).
Note: all shots in this video were shot with
the GoPro camera. (click play and get ready for a rush!!!)
"The HD HERO2 is the most
advanced GoPro camera, yet. To celebrate its release, we
traveled the world with some of our favorite athletes,
adventurers, and filmmakers to see what we could capture and
create with the HD HERO2. We hope this film inspires you to
get out and do the same."
The Canon 60D (my camera of choice)
This camera will take you as far as you want to go. If you're after professional
looking video and photos, this is your guy! My personal
camera of choice, this fantastic DSLR (Digital Single Lens
Reflex) camera has it all. Several auto settings give you
great power over the outcome of your visuals, and the full
control over manual settings can really bring out the artist in
you.
Favorite Features:
Live view image
simulations so you can see exactly what you image is going
to look like before you click the button.
Electronic leveling function.
18.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor for
high image quality and speed.
ISO 100 - 6400 (expandable to 12800) for shooting from
bright to dim light.
Improved EOS HD Video mode with manual exposure control,
expanded recording, Movie Crop recording in 640 x 480, sound
recording level adjustment and an external microphone IN
terminal for access to improved sound quality.
Vari-angle 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor for shooting at
low angles and 1,040,000-dot VGA with reflection reduction
using multi coating and high-transparency materials for
bright and clear viewing.
5.3 fps continuous shooting up to approx. 58 Large/JPEGs and
16 RAW.
96% viewfinder coverage allowing you to see more of your
image in the viewfinder.
Enhanced iFCL 63-zone, Dual-layer metering system; and
9-point AF system utilizing a high-precision, f/2.8
cross-type center point.
New convenient in-camera features allow you to convert RAW
images into JPEGs and set the images to a 3:2 aspect ratio.
Compatibility with SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards.
Compatible with the full line of Canon EF and EF-S lenses.
This my friend is a
powerful camera. And this video... well, all I can say is
BEAUTIFUL!
