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New Camera RAW Format

Posted on February 25, 2014 · Leave a Comment

2014.01 Canon P1080033I have learned, from DIY Photographer, that the Camera RAW 8.4 release is now available for CS6 and CC. I have CC at work, so this may help me there. I have CS5 at home, so no help at all for personal files.

My new DLSR camera takes RAW format photos, which is supposed to give me more post-processing options for digital photos. The files are huge. However, my version of Photoshop can’t open the RAW format files my camera is producing.

I am told that the software that comes with my camera is supposed to allow me to access the RAW files and edit them. I have installed the software but not started using it yet.

In the meantime, I am not taking photos in RAW format. I am concentrating on learning to use the camera and getting my images in the highest quality JPG it produces.

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Learning to use my DSLR class — Assignments

Posted on January 26, 2014 · 2 Comments

I am taking an online course to learn more about the manual settings on my new DSLR camera. As a class assignment I had to post photos online to share. I will be doing that via this post.

Lesson two, assignment two

I don’t own any specialty lenses yet. I used the macro setting on my Canon’s 18-55mm lens.

IMG_1068-med

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A Photography #Fail

Posted on January 22, 2014 · 1 Comment

2014.01 Canon P1080033The third time I took out my brand new Canon DSLR, I had a glitch. Not with the camera, at least I don’t think it was with the camera. I had a problem with the memory card… or at least that’s what I think happened.

After placing the SD memory card in a card reader (both of them new; they “came” with the camera from the vendor), I placed the reader in my relatively new laptop (bought last September), and I started to view the images. Upon attempting to copy them over, the SD card folder closed, I got a “cannot read” message, and the card itself could no longer be seen in my computer. I had to remove and reattach.

It was at this point where I discovered that all my images were gone. I only had the images that had copied over before the failure happened.

I did research, asked friends, begged God… and the images are gone.

I’ve been told (and found the recommendation online) that I should reformat the memory card inside the camera after each time I place it in the computer to download my pics and before I start a new photo session. There seems to be some disagreement between whether this is a good idea or not. I’m not sure who’s right.

What I do know is that I’ve been working with digital cameras for more than a decade, with different models and brands, and in all that time I’ve had maybe 5 or 6 instances where we had a problem either with the camera, the card or the reader.

I think I’d be more worried if I were a professional photographer. Maybe when I start to get more serious about this the issue will become more critical.

Today I’m just upset that I lost more than half a work event and the entire birthday party at the zoo with my nephew.

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I’ve bought my first DSLR camera

Posted on January 7, 2014 · 3 Comments

2014.01 Canon P1080033I finally made the plunge and bought a DSLR camera. In fact, I bought a kit with a lot of accessories and pretty much everything I am going to need to get started. I opted for the Canon Rebel T5i. I have heard good things and it’s considered to be a good entry-level DSLR.

Now all I have to do is learn everything I can about it.

Coincidentally, the Digital Photography School’s website has Your First DSLR – now what?! in their current articles. That’s good timing.

Their tips include:

  • Get off Auto as a soon as possible and start shooting on Manual mode
  • Understand the terms ISO, shutter speed and aperture and how to use them
  • your camera manual is your second best friend

They do emphasize that you have to take your camera everywhere, practice a lot and not be afraid of making mistakes. I anticipate I’ll be doing that a lot… at least I hope I will.

You are warned that I’m probably going to start posting a lot more info on photography and cameras.

Even though I’ve upgraded to a DSLR camera, I do believe that I’m keeping my point and shoot camera. It fits very nicely in my purse and I like the convenience of it.


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