Care and Maintenance of Your Camera

I found this article this morning when searching the internet.  I thought it would be helpful for all levels of experience to be reminded about how to take care of your camera.  I know I need it!  This information applies to all type of cameras not just DSLR cameras. 

If you would like additional information about photography terminology, classes offered, etc. please go to this website:  http://www.ritzpixphotopatrol.com/glossary/

All cameras are highly tuned, electro-mechanical marvels. They operate at peak efficiency when they are kept clean, handled properly, and cleaned and checked regularly. Here are some guidelines when working with your equipment. Dirt, Dust, and Sand Keep your camera in a case, when not in use. A case will not only protect your camera from the elements; it will also cushion minor impact. Periodically you should clean your camera body and lens. A soft blow brush or low-pressure compressed air can be helpful. When cleaning the lens, use a blow brush to remove loose particles then use photo tissue and cleaning solution to clean the lens. Always use tissue and cleaning solution made for camera lenses; eye glass tissue is often treated with chemicals that can damage the delicate coatings found on photographic lenses. Apply the cleaning solution to the tissue, not the lens, and wipe in a circular motion. Then, with a dry tissue, remove any remaining solution. A micro-fiber cloth is another way to keep your lens clean. (They also work great for eyeglasses.) Be especially cautious at the beach, sand is a camera killer. To be cleaned properly, sand damaged cameras require total disassembly. That means a qualified technician. Moisture Water, or fluid of any type, can seriously damage your photo equipment. It is vital that you protect your equipment from fluids. A handy plastic bag may help to protect your equipment in a sudden downpour. It is also advisable to keep a moisture absorbent packet in your camera bag. If your camera should become wet, remove the batteries immediately, wrap it in plastic, and get it immediately to any Ritz Camera location. We will then forward it to the service center. Sometimes a fluid damaged camera can be saved, however; a camera that has been submersed is probably rendered beyond economical repair. Temperature Never leave your equipment in a car where it can experience extreme temperature changes. Extreme heat can turn internal lubricants into very thin liquids that will migrate to other areas within the camera. Excessive heat can also warp or distort plastic parts. Extreme cold can freeze lubricants. The lower the temperature, the more likely your battery will not work. Temperature changes can also cause a moisture build up within the camera and lenses. Impact Of course, everyone's intent is to be careful. Still, one of the most common causes of camera failure is due to impact. Continuous care must be taken to ensure a safe environment for your camera. Impact can severely damage cameras and lenses. Always use a comfortable neck or wrist strap in case your camera "Gets away from you." You should also be especially careful when your camera is on a tripod. Tripod accidents are a leading cause of impact damaged cameras. 

Backlit Portraits with Natural Light

I found this article on online and wanted to share it with you.  This is a simple way of getting and using lighting to its full potential.  You don't need to have a fancy camera to try this.  Just read the article and at sunset follow the tips that Lisa has laid out for you!

Follow this link:  https://iso.500px.com/backlight-natural-light-portrait-photo-tutorial/

Enjoy your day!

Deanna  :)

Lisa Holloway is an internationally-published, award-winning fine art portrait photographer from rural Northwestern Arizona. In this tutorial, Lisa will demonstrate how she created backlight with natural light for capturing dreamy portraits outdoors. Plus, she shares her expert tips on how to photograph and connect with children as subjects. Read on and get inspired!

Engagement Session with Rachel and Jacob

Summer got off to a rough start for me this year.  I had to have surgery on my shoulder and was down for quite some time.  In order to keep myself busy with picture taking while I recovered, I spent some time watching out the window at the birds coming to my bird feeder.  When I started feeling better I started taking pictures of our feathered friends!  There will be another day for that blog post!

Anyway, it was good that I had the surgery when I did because my daughter Rachel got engaged to a wonderful young man.  I was pretty well recovered from the surgery and ready to get to work taking some pictures.  She of course is one of my favorite subjects to photography.

Rachel and Jacob are doing well and are very happy together.  My husband and I could not be any happier for them.  Even though the wedding has past I wanted to post some of my favorite pictures from their engagement session.

Enjoy!

Deanna  :)

To see more pictures of my work please go to my website at:

www.indigi.photoshelter.com

Pic of the Day: From Fun to Fabulous

Hello Everyone,

I was editing one of my daughters pictures from a recent shoot and decided I would like to have people see how much work can go into photo editing.  I feel that a lot of people simply don't understand the time that can go into one picture to make it really shine.  They think you just point and shoot and it all looks great.  This picture is fun and could stand on its own without any edits, but when I put the time into editing this image it goes from fun to fabulous.  This picture took about 40 minutes to take it from Fun to Fabulous.

To get a really good feel of the difference, just double click on the image and it will come up larger.  This way you can see the detail and changes in the image more clearly.  

Let me know what your thoughts are on this. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Deanna  :)

Pic of the Day: Beautiful Brown Horse

My "Pic of the Day" comes from one of my many drives that I love to take.  Always looking for a photo opportunity.  I know I drive my family crazy sometimes.  O.k.  If the truth were told by them they would probably say I drive them crazy more than I want to realize and more than they are confessing.  I usually have a camera in tow and ready to shoot!

One of my favorite subjects to take pictures of is horses.  I am constantly looking for horses.  I have always loved horses.  Growing up I had a horse named Cowboy.  Yeah.  Original, I know.  The truth is, I didn't pick his name.  That was his name when we bought him so we left it that way.

Well, enough of that.  Here is the picture that I choose from my many images of horses.  He is just beautiful and looking right at me.  Love it when there is eye contact in a picture.  Even when it is with a horse!  

Have a good night and thanks for stopping by!

Deanna  :)

Pic of the Day: Hydrangea Photo

Hello!

I just wanted to share my favorite photo of the day.  Last week I bought this beautiful Hydrangea plant for my front porch.  I love taking macro pics of flowers!  This is one of my favorite flower plants.  I don't know why I waited so long to buy one.  On my trip to Missouri my sisters inspired me with their green thumbs and I came back home wanting to put plants everywhere!  Since the budget won't allow that, I will have to start with a few at a time!

Enjoy!

Deanna  :)

Pic of the Day: Cute Squirrel

The pic of the day goes to this cute squirrel trying to get into the bird feeder.  He ate a lot of seeds on the ground but decided to try for the mother load!

Enjoy!

Deanna  :)