Author: John Tworsky

Better iPhone and Android Photos – Part 1 – Blurry Pictures

John Tworsky

Here’s a quick tip to get great photos from your iPhone or Android device. The number one issue we see at our imaging counter when customers want to make an enlargement from their smartphone is a blurry image . . . and preventing this is easy. Smartphone cameras have improved dramatically and can take some fantastic shots but the lens must be clean. Since we often keep our phones in a pocket or purse the lens often get smudged and dirty. Carry a lens cleaning cloth and clean your lens before taking photos (even a shirt can work in a bind).

Here are some before and after shots take with an iPhone 4s before and after cleaning. Thanks to our Special Projects Manager Abby for the before and after photographs taken with an iPhone 4s.

Be sure to join us for iPhone Photography Free Saturday Focus Session – September 21

Your comments are welcome – do you have iPhone questions or suggestions you’d like to share? Let us know. Commenting now works.

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Fireworks Photography – Where to Photograph – July 4, 2013

John Tworsky

Where to photograph fireworks – these links will be updates as we get closer to July 4th.
North Jersey’s parade, firework and celebration map
List of North Jersey fireworks, times and dates

Here are some basic starting points

If you have any questions, stop by the store, email or call. We’re here to help. Please let us know if you get some great shots we’d love to see!
Please feel free to leave your comments and suggestions. Have a great 4th of July Holiday weekend from all of us at BCC.

Find a fireworks display on NorthJersey.com’s 4th of July celebrations page.

Tripod
Electronic release (available for most cameras at BCC) or 2 second self timer to eliminate the motion caused by pressing the shutter button.
Manually set your camera ISO to 100 (You do not want Auto ISO)
Lens Choice – Wide Angle Zoom to frame what you’d like to capture
Auto White Balance or Daylight
Set your lens to manual focus then focus to infinity (take a test image and make sure things are sharp)
Set your camera to Manual exposure – Try 5 seconds at f/ 16
Carefully release the shutter if not using a release to capture from one to several bursts
Evaluate your exposure – Shorter exposures (or smaller apertures ) will darken the image and capture shorter trails, Longer exposures (or larger apertures ) will lighten the image and capture longer trails.
Evaluate sharpness by zooming in on your image – adjust as needed

If you are using a point a shoot, check your camera’s manual for fireworks mode.

Improving Fireworks photos
Shoot with a tripod – it will give a more natural cascade of light

Shooting the Finale!
The finale is many times brighter than rest of the show. Be ready to choose a shorter exposure or smaller aperture to prevent overexposure. The exposure you need is dependent on the number of simultaneous bursts. In some really incredible finales I’ve found myself shooting at 1/4 or 1/8th of a second. Experiment for best results.

Why use a tripod?

Hand-held image above shows motion from camera shake in the burst of light.

The image below is steadied by a tripod, 5 seconds, f16 at 100 ISO

Other Techniques
Set your camera to B and lock open your shutter – keep the lens covered with a dark hat and remove the hat to capture a burst then recover and repeat to capture several bursts. Just be careful not to bump your camera.
You can even zoom the lens during exposure for some interesting effects

Experiment and best of all have fun

Gallery images below shot mainly at 5 seconds, f16 at 100 ISO

Alan Schwab and Heather Lang – Photography show opening May 20th at the Rivervale Public Library

John Tworsky

Heather Lang and Alan Schwab will be exhibiting at the River Vale Public Library from May 20th through June 18th. An opening reception will be held at the River Vale Public Library on May 20th at 7 pm. Heather and Alan both work at Bergen County Camera in Westwood, NJ.

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Michael Massaia – Afterlife 2013 Opening April 18 at Gallery 270

John Tworsky

Here’s a preview of Michael Massaia’s next show “Afterlife 2013” featuring images from the Jersey shore – before and after Sandy. The photographs are split toned silver gelatin contact prints and gold platinum prints.

Gallery 270 will be hosting an Artist Reception on Thursday April 18, 2013 from 7 – 9 pm. Light refreshments will be served. We hope you can join us at our Westwood location for a great evening with the artist. This show will be on display from April 11, 2013 – June 8, 2013.  For gallery info please call 201-664-4113 or visit www.gallery270.com

Michael has just won the Hearst 8×10 award with a photograph from his “Seeing the Black Dog” portfolio of work. In the world of photography, this is a very prestigious award. It was chosen as one of the eight winning bodies of work from all fifty states, 2400 entries and 78 different countries. The judges are composed of the most respected photographers, gallerist and experts in photography.

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