In Focus Blog

Focus sessions are Free and will take place in the Westwood store from 9:30 – 10 am and our Englewood location from 10:30 am – 11:00 am (except social media profile session).  All sessions will allow for question and answers. Please bring your camera and any images along that you have questions about.

February 26 – Westwood Only – How to get a great LinkedIn or social media profile picture. With the growth of social networking and its growing importance in business, it has become important to make a good first impression online . . .  this starts with a great profile picture. During our 30 minute session, we’ll talk about lighting, posing, flash, studio lights, backgrounds and more. We’ll also talk about shooting pictures with the proper audience in mind – a LinkedIn profile picture may look nothing like your Facebook, MySpace or Twitter profile picture depending on how you use each.

Not ready to go shoot your own portrait? For $50 a professional photographer will take your portrait and provide about 8 images on a CD for you to use. If you are planning to have your photograph taken, please be sure to dress for the type of portrait you are seeking – social networking, professional networking etc. Please call the store if you have any questions – 201-664-4113.

Here’s the schedule going forward
Mar 5 – Digital Video with your DSLR
Mar 12 – Great Party Photos
Mar 19 – Sensor Cleaning – howto
Mar 26 -Night Time Photography – Time Exposures
Apr 2 – What you need for Flower Photography
Apr 9 – Micro 4/3′s cameras what’s it all about

These are free events – be sure to bring a friend along if you’d like.

Hazardous Waste Days open to Bergen County, New Jersey Residents Only

BCUA Hazardous Waste Days Flyer. No business waste and ID is required. Also please do not bring computers, electronics, batteries, latex paint or tires to these collections. If you have questions please call the Bergen County Hazardous Waste Hotline 201-807-5825. Information for other New Jersey Counties can be found at the NJ Hazardous Waste Co-ordinators website. Businesses must pre-register before the collection day by calling 201-807-8696 to make arrangements.

Next Hazardous Waste Day: BCUA Moonachie, March 12, 2011

Campgaw Mountain Reservation 9 a – 3 p

200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah, NJ

Saturday, May 14

Saturday, September 10

Saturday, November 19

Bergen Community College 9 a – 3 p

400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ

Sunday, April 10

Sunday, June 12

Sunday, October 16

Bergen County Utilities Authority 9 a – 3 p

Foot of Empire Boulevard, Moonachie, NJ

Sunday, March 12

Sunday, July 16

Please feel free to leave your own suggestions by commenting on this post.

Shooting in the winter (especially when snowing, sleeting or below freezing) can certainly be a challenge.

Here are a few pointers to make your winter shooting that much easier.

Batteries – The number of frames you can take can drop dramatically the colder it gets especially below 30. When you plan on shooting outside for an extended period of time keep one or two spare batteries in a coat or pants pocket that is warm and close to the body. As soon as your low battery indicator flashes stop shooting and rotate a warm battery into the camera.

Rain, Sleet and Snow – Always keep an inexpensive plastic bag in the bottom of your camera bag. If you get caught out in precipitation simply put your entire camera bag inside and make your way back. If you need to shoot in rain, sleet, or snow you can always purchase an Aquapac or any protective rain-sleeve to protect your camera and lens from damage.

Polarizing Filters – Great for reducing glare especially off of snow and glass. Colors always look better when glare is reduced. Don’t stack your filters and remember to remove your polarizer when it gets darker or you move inside. Always remember – a polarizer can cut the amount of light entering the lens in half ( 1 f-stop).

Hand Warmers – this years addition to the list comes from outdoor sports enthusiasts. Available at most sporting goods stores and for about $2 can keep your hands warm for 4 – 6 hours. Special versions are available to keep your toes warm as well.

Additional Winter Picture taking resources

Getting snow that’s white not gray – read this helpful how-to – How to get white snow – Winter shooting tips

Stay warm and have fun shooting pictures throughout the winter. Need some ideas? Remember to visit Bergen County Camera’s “Where to take pictures” page.

Adobe Labs has completed beta testing of Adobe Camera Raw version 6.3  (adds support for several newer digital cameras). You can get this update by using the check for updates option in your Adobe software or by visiting the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page for this download. The Adobe Labs Camera Raw page is the place to visit for the latest ACR release and beta test versions when available.

Newly supported camera models include: 

Lightroom 3.3 has just been relased after completion of beta testing. You can get this update by checking for updates inside Lightroom.

Nik Software Demo Day 11 – 4 pm, Sat, Sept 25

Two presentations – 11:00 am – 12:15 pm and 2:00 – 3:15 pm

Nik Software Tools, Techniques and Tips for creating your best digital images.

Join us as we explore the various uses and applications of Nik Software within a digital workflow. This seminar will discuss how editing and retouching images can be fun, easy and enjoyable, and result in greater creativity coming through in your photography.

The class will begin with a basic introduction to Nik Software’s collection of plug-ins for Photoshop and proceed through demonstrations of their specific uses. Attendees of this seminar will learn how to trouble shoot images and correctly solve them with the proper Nik Software product.

Nik Software, Inc. is a privately held company that develops software solutions for the growing digital imaging and photography markets. Established in 1995, Nik Software has become the recognized leader in digital photographic filter development and produces award-winning technology and software products for digital photography and imaging professionals including U Point® technology, Dfine®, Viveza®, Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, and Sharpener Pro software.

Presentations at 11am or 2pm choose one on your registration form

Exploring HDR Photography with Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro

Join Victor Ha of Nik Software as he reveals the technology and creative possibilities behind Nik Software’s latest creation: software for high dynamic range (HDR) imaging!  Victor will explain the techniques of how to properly shoot HDR for the best results, and then demonstrate an exciting new software product for creating realistic to artistic HDR images.  The software is easy-to-use and has been designed for photographers of all levels, with one-click style presets as well as powerful and innovative controls for advanced editing and experimentation.  Join us as we explore the photographic possibilities of HDR!

Nik Software, Inc. is a privately held company that develops software solutions for the growing digital imaging and photography markets. Established in 1995, Nik Software has become the recognized leader in digital photographic filter development and produces award-winning technology and software products for digital photography and imaging professionals including U Point® technology, Dfine®, Viveza®, Color Efex Pro™, Silver Efex Pro™, and Sharpener Pro™ software.

About the Photographer

Victor Ha, Nik Software’s Channel Sales Assistant Manager, is a former professional photographer of 8 years. A transplanted Californian just recently relocated to New York, he has spent the past three years presenting Nik Software to photographers in the US, Canada and Australia. Well-versed in the demands of today’s working professional, Victor takes a very practical approach in applying Nik Software to his workflow and showing others how they can incorporate elements of his workflow within their own.

Please choose one session to attend ( presentations will be the same)

Visit – Bergen County Camera’s NJ Photo Expo website

NJ PHOTO EXPO SLATED FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3.
Highlighted by demos, seminars, world-class photographers.

The NJ Photo Expo is expected to draw large crowds to the Park Ridge Marriott on Sunday, October 3, 2010 as snapshooters, hobbyists and serious photographers gather to learn, listen and explore the latest and greatest in photography.

Attendance at the NJ Photo Expo is free with advance registration at www.NJPhotoExpo.com. The Expo is open from 10 am – 6 pm.  Seminar registration will be announced shortly to everyone registered for the Expo.

Demonstrations, exhibitions and seminars will give Expo visitors opportunities to:

• Learn how to shoot live models, portraits, close-ups, landscapes and more.
• Listen and learn from world-class photographers including Baron Wolman (Rolling Stone’s first staff photographer), Harry Benson (World famous photographer)  and Tom Franklin (whose 9/11 World Trade Center photo for The Record won accolades worldwide). More speakers will be announced shortly.
• See and try the newest and coolest camera equipment
• Learn how to shoot video with your camera
• Shop early for the upcoming holidays, with expert guidance
• Enjoy collectible photographic art from masters and up-and-coming photographers featured at galleries worldwide.

Launched by Bergen County Camera of Westwood and Englewood in celebration of the store’s 30^th anniversary, the NJ Photo Expo is presented by Canon Cameras and Video, and Nikon Cameras.

More than 20 leading photo brands will be represented at the Expo.

Hazardous Waste Days open to Bergen County, New Jersey Residents Only

BCUA Hazardous Waste Days Flyer.  No business waste and ID is required. Also please do not bring computers, electronics, batteries, latex paint or tires to these collections. If you have questions please call the Bergen County Hazardous Waste Hotline 201-807-5825. Information for other New Jersey Counties can be found at the NJ Hazardous Waste Co-ordinators website. 

Next Hazardous Waste Day: Campgaw Reservation May 15, 2010

Campgaw Mountain Reservation 9 a – 3 p

200 Campgaw Road, Mahwah, NJ

May 15

September 11

November 20

Bergen Community College 9 a – 3 p

400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ

June 13

October 17

Bergen County Utilities Authority 9 a – 3 p

Foot of Empire Boulevard, Moonachie, NJ

July 17

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.

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.