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I wanted you to know about this accessory because it is just so good at determining the correct white balance for any picture.
Leave your meter, gray cards and color charts at home. The ExpoDisc is a custom white balance filter that allows digital photographers to quickly and easily set an accurate custom white balance.
Using ExpoDisc will
greatly reduce the need for RAW or JPEG post-capture color adjustments. Simply place the ExpoDisc in front of your lens and capture the incident light (the light illuminating the subject) while setting your camera's custom white balance.
The Expo Disk comes in neutral or portrait versions in sizes from 58mm to 82mm. You don't need one for each lens. Just get a size big enough to cover your biggest diameter lens and it will work fine with any smaller diameter lenses as well. Prices range from $89.99 to $109.99.
ExpoDisc
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Important Announcements
Berger Bros. Camera will be open during the Passover Holiday.
Berger Bros. and Canon Explorers of Light are pleased to present a seminar by Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Vincent Laforet on Wednesday, May 21 from 7 pm to 9:30 pm at the Huntington Hilton. The cost is only $19.95 but will be free to camera club members and students. Anyone wishing to attend should contact ken@berger-bros.com ASAP as seating is limited.
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IN THE NEXT ISSUE
New Olympus E420 D-SLR. The smallest and lightest D-SLR yet and packed with features
Landscape Photography
Breaking News, Alerts, Firmware Updates, and other things you should know
Comments and suggestions about this and future newsletters are welcome: email me at ken@berger-bros.com
Ken Nadle - Editor
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More Beautiful Macro Shots
By Berger Bros. Camera employee Eugene Rosenthal
Carnival E. Rosenthal
Pumkin yellow E. Rosenthal
Eugene can be reached at roseprince11706@yahoo.com
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Tiger swallow tail on purple cone flower Photo Janis Dorfeld
Hurray! Spring is here. As this photo attests, Janis Dorfeld is another talented photographer teaching at Berger Bros. Camera.
Don't miss our tips for taking beautiful macro pictures such as this. See below.
Ansel Adams, one of the best known photographers in the world, has inspired millions of people with his wonderful photographs of natural scenes. Two favorite Ansel Adams quotes to take with you as you set out this spring, camera in hand - "A good photograph is knowing were to stand." And, "Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop." So, take a lot of pictures and edit, edit, edit! |
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Buzzy bee Photo Janis Dorfeld
Macro Photography
Many photographers find nothing more rewarding than a walk through a garden with an eye for capturing the beauty of flowers and/or the fascinating world of insects.
Following are some tips on how to get stunning Macro (close-up) pictures of flowers, insects, stamps, coins or anything else that upon closer inspection reveal unseen and very often magnificent details.
The very simplest approach is to just back up a bit and then zoom in. This is the approach used on these shots by Janis. She handheld a Canon 20 D with a 28-135 mm lens and mentioned, "you REALLY want to use a telephoto lens when photographing stinging insects!".
For tamer subjects, another simple approach is to set your camera to Macro - this is often depicted as a flower on your camera's mode dial - and move in close.
Because the depth of field in Macro mode is often shallow, it is important to carefully focus on what part of the flower you, 'the artist' want to have in sharpest focus, e.g., the stamen or maybe a tiny red lady bug on a yellow petal. This is where a tripod is very useful.
A clever accessory to use with a tripod is a Plamp - it hooks onto your tripod and has a clamp at the other end to grab flowers and position them where you need them to be. Investing in a macro lens for your DSLR or a close-up filter set can increase just how close you can get to your subject. Close up lens attachments are also available for some point and shoot cameras.
As you compose your shot, try reducing the elements that will appear in the image to increase the visual impact. And, using a wide open aperture will also add to the picture by throwing the background out of focus. In a sense, you are not only painting with light but with focus.
You can take close-up photography to the next level by learning different lighting techniques for macro photography including the use of macro ring lights and reflectors. Yvonne Berger will be giving a class on this very subject on Saturday, June 7th from 9am to noon at a private residence in Northport. An array of macro lenses, flashes, reflectors and ring lights will be available for use during the class. Please call Yvonne at 516 233-0479 or email her at YBassettstudios@aol.com if you wish to attend.
Incidentally, the newest crop of D-SLRs have incorporated live view in their arsenal of features. This can be very useful when shooting at awkward angles as it is not necessary to look through the view finder. You can compose that masterpiece by glancing at the viewing screen.
Have a happy spring!
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 Canon 450D Rebel XSi D-SLR
This latest offering from Canon features a 12.2 MP CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Silicon) sensor, EOS integrated Cleaning System, 3.0" LCD with live view and a new 9-point AF system - all in a compact and light weight body. It is fully compatible with all Canon EF and EF-S lenses and EX-series speed lights.
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Pentax K20 D D-SLR
Pentax is definitely keeping up with the other leading camera manufacturers. In fact they may have just upped the anti with the new Pentax K20 D. It offers a 14.6 MP CMOS sensor, shake reduction, live view, dust removal system and has a dust proof, water resistant construction.
IN STOCK!
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Hot Deals at Berger Bros. Camera
Rebate - Purchase a Qflash T5d-R and receive a $75 rebate from Quantum. Add any model Turbo to your Qflash order and double your rebate to $150. You must make your purchase April 1 through June 30, 2008
Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S lens for Nikon D40, D40x and D60 - $549.99
Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 - $699.99
SAVE $300 INSTANTLY on the purchase of a
Nikon 18-200mm VR - $399.99 (reg. $699.99) when you buy it with a Nikon D300 body. The incredible AF-S DX VR zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF ED lens has an 11x high-ratio zoom versatility and Nikon VR image stabilization. Also included with purchase - a free Nikon D300 class - a $50 value. Effective April 6 through May 11, 2008.
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