How to get white snow – Winter shooting tips
Why are my snow pictures dull grey?
Here’s the first in some winter picture taking tips that we are putting together. A common complaint we hear when people bring their winter pictures in is – “my pictures look dull,” “the snow looks grey, not white.” Read on for the short and the long answer.
The picture you see is the one above with white snow . . .
The more technical answer
This is all caused by a camera’s meter system which is designed to see “18% grey” ( the solid gray image to the left ). Essentially anytime you take a picture that is predominantly white or black the camera will make the wrong exposure. Since the cameras meter can only see grey, an “average scene”, we only need to make adjustments when our scene is predominantly white or black. Luckily 98% of what most of us shoot are scenes with average lighting values and need no adjustment.Using histograms to further understand
A histogram is just a map of the tonal values in our image from black (left most point) to white (right most point) with the height representing how much of the image is at a particular level of brightness. Your histogram will look the same in camera and when you open that image up in your imaging program.
^Black Middle^Grey White^
In the grey snow example above our histogram has a good deal of room before the white point on the right so the image represented by this histogram is a shade of grey not white. By overexposing one stop ( +/- +1.0) the camera automatically adjusts and allows 1 extra stop or twice the amount of light. As you can see from the histogram below we still have a small amount of room before the white point (this room indicates we have not blown out our highlights. If this histogram started all the way to the right and did not build to a peak, this would indicate over exposure and blown out highlights. The fix would be to reduce the exposure compensation from +1.0 to +0.7 and check again. The peak will move to the left each time you reduce your exposure. More on histograms in an upcoming tutorial.
Please let us know what you think of this tutorial and let us know what else is causing a challenge in your photography.
Canon Basic Class: Essential Functions of your EOS Camera
February 17, 2010 7:00pm-10:00pm – Tickets – $25
This event will take place at the Park Ridge Marriott, 300 Brae Blvd., Park Ridge (map and directions) Tickets are availabe from Bergen County Camera in Westwood or Englewood or by calling 201-664-4113. Tickets will not be available at the door.
This will be the third time we’ve hosted a Canon basic class at the Park Ridge Marriott. This class is always highly rated, and is a great way to learn more about your Canon EOS Digital SLR. Everyone who attends will receive a 100 page Canon basic guidebook to follow along with during class and to review afterwards.
Canon Digital Learning Center Class
Here’s the course description from Canon:
Enter the world of the digital SLR and learn about your camera, and how to make great pictures with it. We’ll take you out of “automatic”, but we won’t overload you with too much detail. You’ll see many examples of great photography, and learn techniques to use exposure, composition, flash, and a variety of lenses to get the same types of results. Our Basic Discovery Day class is a three-hour investment in your EOS digital SLR that will pay dividends over and over as you grow with your camera system.
During this course you will:
- Become familiar with the operation and features of your EOS camera, and discover how and when to control them for dramatic results
- Learn to expand your creative options, using different camera features and photographic techniques to evolve your pictures from snapshots to photographs
- See actual examples of how Canon lenses and Speedlite flashes can be used to add impact to your pictures
Eager to learn more about your EOS Digital SLR before attending an EOS Discovery Day? Just stopy by Bergen County Camera or give us a call 201-664-4113 (Westwood) or 201-871-4113 (Englewood)
Nikon D700 Firmware v1.02 released
Nikon D700 DSLR
Firmware uprades are part of routine maintenance and give you all the latest and updated functionality for your camera. Bergen County Camera is always ready to assist you to upgrade your firmware. Many times when can do this on the spot, but it is always better to call ahead and let us know when you are planning to stop by. If you are more DIY, you can visit the Nikon D700 download page and choose the v1.02 firmware and follow the instructions. The process is pretty straightforward and takes less than 15 minutes.
Nikon’s list of fixes for this firmware update include:
Nikon’s download center for all digital products is located here
Sensor Dust – Full Service or DIY
Ever take a picture and have it look like this? We hope not. This is an extreme case of sensor dust — probably as bad as you’ll ever see. Dust is a part of everyday life and getting it on a digital SLR’s imaging sensor is a problem every photographer has to deal with.
We offer a full service sensor cleaning available for $49.99 (DX sized sensors and smaller) or $79.99 (full frame sensors). We’ll take a picture before and after the cleaning, so you can see the results first hand. We also can show you how to do it on your own, and sell you all of the supplies you’ll need. Either way, sensor cleaning is a regular and expected part of normal maintance on most all digital SLRs.
A DSLR’s sensor carries an electronic charge and it loves dust, just like a tube television. Changing lenses, zooming, even something as minute as focusing can bring dust into the camera. We find the best way to determine exactly how much dust is on your sensor is to take a photo of the sky at f16 or higher. Make sure your camera is set to manual focus – otherwise the lens will keep seeking a focus point. Next, load up your image in Photoshop and enlarge it to 100%. That’ll give you the ability to see every tiny bit of dust that’s plaguing your sensor. Don’t worry if there’s a Boeing 767 on your sensor – it’s most likely just in the sky.
So now that you see the dust, what do you do with it? There’s always the option of cloning out all the dust in Photoshop, but that’s an hour’s worth of time better spent behind the camera. If you have the courage, you can clean the sensor yourself with the right equipment and supplies.
If you decide to try it yourself, check to see if your camera has a “clean sensor” option in the set-up menu. Many DSLRs require you to have a fully charged battery in order to clean the sensor. If the “clean sensor” option is greyed out, a low battery is most likely the reason. Charge your battery fully and give it another go. If you have an older dSLR, it’s possible that it does not have a “clean sensor” option. At that point, in order to access the sensor yourself, your only option is to put the shutter on bulb and clean it that way — but it’s a very risky method. If you accidentally release that shutter while cleaning, it’s going to be a costly repair. Also, the sensor will be activated, increasing the chances of even more dust appearing.
Okay, so now you have access to the sensor. What now? Whatever you do, DO NOT use compressed air to clean your sensor. Many types of compressed air emit tiny particles of liquid propellant which can damage your sensor. Always use products meant specifically for sensor cleaning, such as Sensor Swabs and E2 solution available from BCC. Bulb blowers are a great way to do a quick cleaning; never do a wet cleaning unless it is absolutely necessary. You can even buy small, travel-friendly bulb blowers for cleaning on the go.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to try it yourself, but beware – some camera manufacturers’ warranties become void if you clean the sensor yourself.
If you’re having dust problems please feel free to stop by one of our stores. If you’d like to purchase the cleaning products and try it yourself we’ll be happy to walk you through the process. If you’re more of the butterfingers type and don’t want to risk it, bring your camera into the store and we can clean it for you.
Adobe Labs releases ACR 5.6 beta
Adobe Labs is currently beta testing Adobe Camera Raw version 5.6 to accommodate several newer digital cameras. This is an Adobe Labs beta product so there can be some issues but for someone who’s just purchased a new camera without current Adobe Camera Raw support, you may want to give it a try. Rest assured though a full tested version will be released soon. If you’d like to try the beta software visit the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page for this download. Please feel free to offer you feedback on this beta product by using the link from the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page listed above.
- Canon EOS 7D
- Canon PowerShot G11
- Canon PowerShot S90
- Leaf Aptus II 5
- Mamiya DM22, DM28, DM33, DM56, M18, M22, M31
- Nikon D3s
- Olympus E-P2
- Pentax K-x
- Panasonic FZ38
- Sigma DP1s
- Sony A500
- Sony A550
- Sony A850
Gallery Show by Bergen County Camera Employee Alan Schwab
"Ghosts of Tulip Springs"
Thanksgiving Card Contest Entries Gallery
Visit the complete gallery of entries into this year’s Thanksgiving Card Contest. Thanks again to everyone who participated in this year’s contest. We certainly had a tough job choosing a winner from all the great entries. All entry fees were donated to Table to Table of Englewood Cliffs - “delivering food to those who need it the most.” This years contest was won by Jim Nooney.
Lightroom 3 now in Beta
If you like being on the cutting edge with your favorite imaging programs, Adobe Labs is giving you an opportunity to try Lightroom 3. Just released to beta testers, version 3 is promising a better import feature, easier file management, publishing to photo-sharing sites, better shareable slideshows with audio, watermarking and more control over custom print packages. As with any beta program there can be unforeseen issues so be sure to have a complete backup before installing. Adobe Labs welcomes and appreciates your feedback – a driving force to get the functionality that the users are looking for in the release version.
You can get the download from the Adobe Labs Lightroom page. Have Fun!
New Jersey Meadowlands Photo Contest
Hackensack Meadowlands Photo Contest was just announced last week to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Cash prizes of up to $300 will be awarded for photographs that best reflect the beauty of this unique area, as seen in its places, people and wildlife. Winners will be announced at the NJMC’s Nov. 23 meeting, and the top entries will be displayed at the NJMC’s Flyway Gallery during December.
Adobe Camera Raw 5.5 in beta
Adobe Labs is currently beta testing Adobe Camera Raw version 5.5 to accommodate several newer digital cameras. This is an Adobe Labs beta product so there can be some issues but for someone who’s just purchased a new Nikon D300s, D3000, or Olympus E-P1 you may want to give it a try. Rest assured though a full tested version will be released soon. If you’d like to try the beta software visit the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page for this beta software download.
- Nikon D300s
- Nikon D3000
- Olympus E-P1
- Panasonic DMC-FZ35
