Saturday, November 29, 2008

making Your Children Happy : 8 Ideas For Presents This Christmas

 

Christmas, as they say, is for kids. And if you're like me, it's always tricky to get the right gifts for them? As the mostawaited day nears, the stampedeto toy stores begins. But with hundreds of  toys to choose from - Cuddly Toys, video games, vehicles, dolls, the choices are endless. So what are the most popular toys this Christmas?

Fisher-Price Elmo Live. Get to play with Elmo! He actually opens his mouth to speak and moves his limbs, and even dances, just like the real Sesame Street Muppet. He can also recite stories, tell jokes and sing songs with your little ones. It is definitely a wonderful experience for a child to see his toy come to life.

Nintendo DS Lite. With a tremendous number of games to choose from, little ones would definitely find something that they will love playing. These games can be so educational for kids, with games like Nintendogs, which helps kids take care of pets, and Brain Age, which stretcches the brain.It's also available in loads of great colors such as Nintendo DS Lite Cobalt Blue.

Fur Real Friends Biscuit My Lovin Pup. The joysof having a puppy, with zero mess! Via voice recognition, this pup will obey commands such as “Sit” and “Lie down”, shakes a paw and wag his tail just like a real pup. At 21 Inches tall, with soft real like fur, Biscuit is the perfect playmate for any young child.

Fisher-Price Kid Tough Portable DVD Player Blue. This tough and durable portable DVD player is great for kids. Let them watch their favourite DVDs without the fear of them breaking anything. The large, bright buttons are perfect for little hands. Put the disc in the machine, and let your child do the rest.

Pleo Dinosaur - A UGOBE Life Form. This robo-dinosaur is one of the most intelligent electronic pets by far, and what is taught to it may affect its attitude as it ‘grows’ older. The high tech artificial intelligence buit in Pleo would enable him to create his own personality as you interact with him.

Fisher Price Kid Tough Waterproof Digital Camera.Let your child’s creative side expand through pictures. This rugged working camera is made to survive any child’s rough play, and is even now waterproof. Now your little one can take fun pictures while splashing about in the water.


Playskool Kota My Triceratops Dinosaur. Kota is eager to join your child in an amazing imaginative quest. With authentic sound effects and body movements like tail-swishing and horn movements, Kota is a play friend your child will love playing with.

 

I hope that gives you some great food for thought for kids gifts this Christmas. Admittedly some of them cost a few dollars - but hey, the look on their little faces, it's worth every penny!

 

 

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Things You Need to Weigh before Buying a Digital Camera

With the entry of digital cameras, photography has never been so exciting.

Today, there are varieties of digital cameras to choose from already. You can find them in any department store or you can browse and buy them over at the Internet. Different digital cameras offer different features and capabilities. This is the why choosing one is getting more and more difficult. Once you see what each have to offer, you will obviously have a hard time deciding which one to buy.

One of the usual mistakes that people commit when buying their own digital camera is to be enticed by what the advertising mediums have to say about them. By the time they own that camera, they will realize that they are not as good as they first thought they are. It would then be too late to return it and opt for another kind.

Keep in mind that getting a digital camera should take a lot of consideration. Just like buying a car, you have to consider all aspects since this is one thing that you want to work well and would want to have for a long time.

Below are some of the things that will aid you in your decision making process before buying a digital photography camera?

1. The cost

Ok, so you wanted the latest Sony digital camera out in the market. But are you ready to shed the needed amount of money for it?

Cost is a big factor when buying digital camera. It is obvious that the best camera comes with a price. And your budget may not exactly encompass its high cost.

This is not saying that cheap ones are not as good. There are those that you can get for a reasonable price and still works just as well as an expensive one. You need to shop around for the best deal first before you decide on one. Better yet, you can save up on that expensive camera that you wanted all along.

2. The purpose

Will you be using the camera for family affairs alone, or are you planning to shoot some good photos worthy to a professional?

By knowing what use your digital camera will have, it would be easier to determine the type of digital camera to buy. If you buy a simple one that can be used at home, you will not get the capabilities that you need if you plan on taking really good photographic pictures. On the other hand, it would be a waste of your money if you have the latest digital camera only to be used for personal photos at home. Let's take the case of buying a digital camera for kids. In this case, you want to get something that is perfect for them like the fisher price digital camera, a perfect solution for kids and digital cameras.

Since digital camera is more expensive than the conventional film cameras, you definitely would want something that will stay durable for a long time. You want something that will last even through rough handling and seasons.

A typical digital camera can use some protective accessories to preserve it longer. It is best, however, to get one that is known to have a good quality and durability.

Get the best value out of your money for a digital photography camera. Think hard about these important factors first so you will get it right the first time.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

What To Look For In Digital Cameras

It is not easy to find the camera review that you can understand perfectly when there are so many different types and models that you can find in the stores today. Perhaps a few steps should be taken into consideration when choosing the right camera. Will the camera be for daily use, or just for special occasions like birthdays, family reunions, etc. Is the digital camera price going to influence the pocket?

Assuming that price is not an issue, one should choose a well known major brand camera and if possible, go for the latest model and with the highest number of mega pixels available. The higher the mega pixels, the better the picture will be specially if there is an intention of having photo enlargements quite often. What will really make a difference with the digital camera is the quality of the optical zoom lens. Choose a camera which comes with a battery that holds a good charge, this way you can enjoy lots of picture taking without having to be worried when the battery charge will come down.

The range of features available make a digital camera very cost effective and more than likely you will be able to find the right camera suited to satisfy your needs.

Check out what kind of mega pixels yuor camera should have in case you want to enlarge yuor photographs and print them in various sizes.

A lightweight digital camera is much easier to control and work with, and this is where the design and handling come into notion. Besides picking a camera that is easily used, you should also take one that has a good technical support if you get some problems in future.

If you are thinking of buying a digital camera, this is actually the right time to get one. This I say because the market is overflowed with good, feature packed models that have such low prices. It is wise to compare the several models among different manufacturers and also the prices from traditional and online stores. Make sure you do your research right, read the reviews and most likely you will find the digital camera you are looking for.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Basic Digital Photography

Enjoying the Basics in Digital Photography

Basic digital photography is easy for people of all ages to learn. These cameras are more sophisticated with great options that can help people capture special moments in their lives. Photographers can keep these wonderful photos for a very long time. Basic Digital photography is not difficult to learn. A photographer does not have to be a genius to take great pictures with a digital camera. Learning basic photography means learning how to operate your digital camera.

Basic digital photography includes capturing and saving the desirable photos in the memory of the camera. The photos that are not good or worth saving can be deleted with ease. After learning to take good photos with basic digital photography, you can download them to a printer or computer. Some people like to print out their photos while others like to keep the photos on their computers available for viewing. Using digital photography you can easily share all the photographs you have taken with others. Photographers can quickly send their photos with a simple push of a button to relatives, neighbors and friends around the world.

Taking Basic Digital Photography is a Great Beginning.

It is important for photographers to understand the basics of digital photography when taking pictures, and after learning the basics, many people desire to improve their skills. Learning to go further than the basics, photographers will start to work on the arrangement of their photos. They are motivated to make their photographs much more than just ’good enough’, they want them to be exceptional. There are some incredible examples of photos that are considered not to be good compositions. If the photographer was not aware of the pole in the back ground, and after the picture was taken it looked like it was growing out of someone’s head, or perhaps, they took a picture with a person accidently cut in half.

There are some great tools that photographers can use to move beyond basic digital photography. There are computer programs that can help photographers improve the image that they originally took with their camera. If the picture you took is too dark or too light you can fix it with one of these computer programs. There are cropping tools so a photographer can remove unwanted people and things. After mastering basic photography, people can learn to enlarge a photo or enlarge a part of the photo. Practically everyone enjoys having a photo of a loved one in their home or office area. After learning basic digital photography, people can print out some of their favorite photos and place them in frames for home or office display.

Friday, November 21, 2008

5 Simple Digital Camera Tips You Can Begin Using today.

Whether you are using your digital camera for recreational use or are considering a trip into the world of professional photography, you will find it helpful to understand these valuable tips to improving the overall quality of each picture that you take. 

1) If you are taking a picture of a person or your favorite pet, make sure that you place the camera at the subjects eye level. If you are photographing a child sitting down or your cute kitten lying on the ground, you will need to stoop down to their level. This does not mean that the subject has to be staring into the camera directly because just being at their eye level will create an inviting image. 

2) The best pictures will be those without a lot of buzy background movement. Instead, a plain background will bring more attention to your subject and less to what is going on around it. When you look through the camera lense, also take a moment to scan the surrounding area in an effort to make sure there are no distrations in the background. 

3) Did you know that using your digital camera’s flash outdoors can actually enhance the quality of your image? If you are taking photographs on a sunny day, especially, shadows can be quite a problem and can sometimes lessoned or eliminated altogether with the use of the flash. This was one digital camera tips I learned by accident. 

4) Don’t be afraid to move in close to your subject. You can use the zoom feature if you are unable to get as close as you would would like because your goal should be to fill the entire picture with your subject. This is where a little practice comes in. If you’re not quite sure take several pictures just to make sure you get the perfect one. 

5) Get creative with your digital camera pictures. Take both horizontal and vertical photos. Most people simply point and click and never give another thought to the option of taking vertical photos, which can greatly enhance an image of tall subjects. From {taking pictures of people} to skyscrapers to ocean waves, vertical photos are often the best way to capture a lot of detail in your subject. 

While you are taking photos, regardless of your subject matter,pay attention the lighting. Cloudy days often provide amazing photo opportunities, but you will need to be aware of much more than just the what’s happening in the sky as given in the tips above. If you are using your digital camera indoors, consider the lighting and try to avoid anything that may cause a glare in the photo. 

After all, the brightest thing in your photo should be your favorite pet, person, or outdoor scene. And of course, that would be the subject.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Looking for a new camera?

When you finally make up your mind that you are going to buy a digital camera, have you worked out what you are going to ask for. So what are the things to look for if you want to buy a digital camera? To get you kick started there are some useful tips outlined in this article. The most important question you need to ask yourself is: what sort of photography do you intend to use the camera for?

Will you be using it every day? As far as cost is concerned, no matter what your needs and wants are for the device, your financial resource will play a huge part in dictating the type of model you will buy. If you are using you home pc to carry out photo editing you will need to think about whether you pc is up to the task.Other features such as diopter adjustment for people with poor vision, a remote control and a tripod socket can all be considered when you look at different models. If you don't already have some proprietary image editing software then do not worry because it will usually be included when you buy a digital camera but a photo printer will have to be factored into the equation if you don't already have one.

Most people with computers will have a printer but you must check to see if it can be used for printing photos. The megapixel resolution of the camera will ideally need to be adjusted as high as it will go if you want to produce decent size images. When buying your digital camera, look for a large LCD screen version which many newer cameras have as standard,this screen allows for greater shooting flexibility in addition to making it easier to view them afterwards.

The more comfortable your choice is, the more likely it is you will use it. Take note of how easy it is to operate because although functions are important, if it isn't easy to use, it won't be! Many newer digital cameras come equipped with large internal rechargeable batteries but if not you shot invest in a couple of sets,not only are these extremely cost effective, less batteries means less are disposed of which helps the environment. All digital cameras have a LCD screen which is a small screen located at the back of the unit,large screens make taking the picture so much easier.

Some lower specification versions only have a LCD screen and the larger this is, Try to buy a model with an optical zoom which usually start with 3x power, If you only want to take casual pictures of family and friends you will not need an all-singing-all-dancing model that will cost a small fortune. If you enjoy close up pictures then you need a model with an optical zoom. If you only want to take casual pictures of family and friends you will not need an all-singing-all-dancing model that will cost a small fortune. To improve the picture quality, you will need to increase the number of pixels that the camera has available. Now that you are looking to buy a digital camera, do you know what to look for.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Hot Toys for Kids this Christmas

What to buy your kids this Christmas? Well for sure that is one of the most difficult questions at the moment mainly because there are so many options and so many cool toys and products out there! Before we start talking about the best ideas for your kids, we need to be clear and understand that kids need smart toys. There is no point in thinking your kid is going to be happy with the old plain boring toy. Kids nowadays are modern and they want to be active and do things, instead of just playing with 1 toy. Interaction is the key for children around the world nowadays, and parents and toy companies are understanding this concept. So what are the best toys you can get? Well, it depends on what you really want, but my favorite are unusual and original toys, starting from Fisher Price digital Camera to the always popular and best selling Wii, this toys are a clear example that kids can have a great time while doing active things and moving their body.

What you need to understand when purchasing the toys is that kids need to be challenged. Toys that tickles the kids imagination and stimulates their body to move are the most loved this christmas. Many of these products have been designed with the understanding that christmas presents 20 years ago are not good options nowadays. Kids are more intelligent and they need to be entertained in the best way possible - as interactive as possible. So my advice is simple, follow your instinct and try to get toys that teachers will advice to purchase - meaning toys that promotes learning and well being. There are many top toy companies out there with amazing products that for sure will provide your kids long and joyfull hours of entretainment while helping them to learn new skills.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Professional Wedding Photography - Is It A Must Have Or Can I Manage Without?

Some couples on limited budgets might question if they need professional wedding photography. Wedding photography packages can be expensive, and many couples might try to cut corners by paying the photographer only for his or her time and the proofs. If you are one of these couples, take heart. There are affordable wedding photography packages out there, if you take the time to look for them.

Professional wedding photography bring a lot to the table that may be hard to replace. The professional is an expert at capturing subtleties of expression and nuances of the environment. Your friend or relative may be reasonably skilled with their digital camera, but unless he or she has professional experience, it is likely that the person will miss some of the fine details that a professional photographer would capture.

Professional wedding photography is more important than you might think. A good professional will make the job look easy, because professionals know what they are doing and are trained to recognize what looks good and what doesn't. Wedding photography involves a lot more than pointing the camera at the bride and asking her to say, "Cheese". The photographer has to think about lighting, film speed, what lens or filter to use, and a multitude of other factors that go into making a great shot. The job isn't easy at all.

Couples who choose contemporary wedding photography, such as wedding photojournalism, may not feel that hiring a professional photographer is necessary for them. Their shots will be candid, not posed, and will reflect the day as it unfolds. They may feel that a friend or family member will be able to capture these shots accurately.

However, it is important to keep in mind that a friend or relative does not have professional detachment in regards to your wedding. He or she will experience emotions, personal drama, and the gamut of reactions that come with attending a large family event. It is possible that even the most well meaning friend will inadvertently miss some shots due to other things that are happening throughout the day. Additionally, the photojournalistic style requires that the photographer remain completely uninvolved in the unfolding situation. This is a difficult position in which to put someone who obviously cares deeply about you.

Affordable professional wedding photography is available from trained wedding photography professionals. If your budget is truly tight, you may want to hire a wedding photographer who has just started out on his or her own and is eager to build business. Many times, he or she will have been well trained as a staff photographer with a larger company prior to starting his or her own company. Be sure to ask for samples of the photographer's work, but do not write someone off simply because the business is new.

Also, consider hiring a wedding photography professional solely for his or her time plus the original media, forgoing expensive wedding photography packages. Explain to the photographer that you are on a tight budget and enlist his or her help in saving money.

If your wedding is extremely small and simple and you have a friend who is an excellent photographer, you may be able to get away with forgoing professional wedding photography. Otherwise, it is truly worth budgeting your money to pay for the skills of a professional. After all, the other elements of the wedding will be around for only one day. The photographs will last a lifetime.

Is It Wise Purchasing Discount Digital Cameras

Quality digital cameras can be expensive and you may be reluctant to purchase a new camera for this reason. There are many venues where less expensive digital cameras can be purchased, but people are often unaware of this.

Online consumer services provide sales of overstock items and it is one of the best ways to find discount digital cameras. For those not familiar with overstock items what this refers to are older items that have been sitting on the store shelf and have not sold. The cameras are not inferior it is just the demand did not meet the expectations of the stock purchased.

In order to move them so as to have more shelf space the store will drop the prices drastically. Often the retailer may seek the services of an online seller of overstock items, as the people that visit his store may be limited in numbers. As such, these online overstock services can provide excellent deals for the thrift minded shopper.

Going from store to store in your city looking for these discount digital cameras can be very tiring. Shopping from the comfort of your own home via the Internet, can be very effective time wise.

The only drawback for some people is the fact that the cameras are not new releases so they have hesitations in purchasing a discount digital camera. These cameras are not new releases but they are not second hand or reconditioned either. The cameras are factory sealed and are untampered with, they simply did not sell in the store at full price. There really is not much difference between an overstock discount digital camera and a brand new one, except the price is significantly different.

Ultimately, there is always a risk when it comes to purchasing any product that is not brand new, but the risks associated with overstock sales are generally minimal. The other benefit with most overstock online distributors compared to a site offering second hand cameras is there are often refund options available.

The advantages of purchasing a discount digital camera far outweigh the disadvantages, so your purchase would be an investment, and any savings on the purchase price will surely be appreciated.

Monday, November 17, 2008

How to sell photography online

The internet has created millions of ways to profit from home.Everyday people can and do make money working from home selling products and services online.

One way to make money in your spare time is to sell your pictures to buyers looking for stock photography.  No longer is an amateur or hobbyist photographer at a disadvantage in selling pictures.There are many ways you can sell your high quality pictures online, make sure they are crisp, clear and high res.Make sure you use at least 4 megapixels for your photos and touch up the lighting as much as possible. 

Spend a little time finding out what people are buying before submitting work people have no interest in.When you sell what people are searching for, you will sell more and they will come to you again and again. 

There are may ways to sell pictures online.Some of the most popular methods are selling niche CDs, prints and stock or microstock photography.

Usually you are not going to sell just one file or picture but many at a time.Compilations of pictures are usually sold on a CD or even DVD.  And in order to make it worth the buyer's while, the CD has to have enough material in it.You can create a CD with a single focus all about one topic and make it interesting and useful.

Alternatively, instead of selling a file copy, you can sell a print of the picture.Your customers can visit your stock photography portfolio and have a print mailed to them.Use the highest resolution you have to showcase your photos, use thumbnails with links to the big files.

Back in the day before high speed internet connections, only professionals could do stock photography.But now just about anyone including beginner and hobby photographers have ways to submit their pictures and earn money through the sale or download of those photos.Make sure you do some touch up work to each picture before you submit it, make it the best possible.

Get more tips on how to sell stock pictures and where the best places to submit and sell photographs online at how to sell pictures.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Freelance Writing and Photography

Thinking of becoming a freelance writer? Then you should also think about photography. Your articles will be much more valuable if you can include some good, original and pertinent photographs in your articles.

As a freelance writer you will have to travel. Sometimes you will have all of your expenses paid for you, but most of the time you will have to pay for your own expenses and then get them reimbursed. Make sure that you have the deal in writing, you don't want to go and spend your hard earned money, thinking that you will get it back and then find out that you are out of pocket for your photographs.

It isn’t too difficult to take clear, focused and colorful photographs, anyone can do this. The difficulty is taking photographs of pertinent subjects that relate to the articles you are writing, and then getting paid. Every magazine editor wants photos, but are they willing to pay for them.

A handshake deal will always cause you problems, either you or your client will remember something differently. Trust is a good thing, so trust in your contract or written agreement, not in yours or your clients memory or honesty.

If your client asks you to do something or go somewhere that isn't covered in your contract get him to redo your contract before you comply with his wishes. You could find that you have gone to a lot of extra expense, and not get paid for it.

No matter how good your article on Spain is, you won't get paid for it if your client wants and article on Portugal or photos of portugal. Along the same lines, if you are writing an article about Oranges no one is going to pay you for photographs of Apples, are they.

You may be lucky enough to get a pic of something that may have historical significance. If you give away the copyright, you give away any potential future income from that photograph. So my advice is never give or sell the copyright of any photo you take.

When photographing your subject, be sure to take lots of snaps, this may seem to be a waste of time and effort, but believe me, when you get back home and you are choosing the pics that will embellish your article, the better your pic the more you will be paid.

Digital cameras are a wonderful invention, gone are the days of expensive film. Now you can take as many photos as time permits rather than as finances permit. Digital photos can be stored or discarded as you see fit.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Buying a Digital Camera

Digital camera technology moves forward so quickly these days that it often alienates its potential customers. Finding the best digital camera should really be quite simple with all the consumer reports and comparisons available both online and in written periodicals. Drawing the money to pay for it out you decide on a top of the range 10 megapixel resolution, 12 times optical zoom compact camera with a two and a half inch LCD screen for excellent viewing of the images afterwards. Can you imagine your surprise when you find that the camera you have researched so diligently and have set your heart on has been usurped from its position of best model with a newer more expensive version.

So we have a dilemma because now there is this new version, we simply must have this latest best digital camera. However, the decision to purchase the best digital camera has been made for us because why would we now want second best. If you are new to digital cameras and photography the tips below might be useful and point you in the right direction. First off try and search out a model with a higher number of pixels, referred to megapixels; you ideally need over 5 although with today's cameras it would be hard to find one under that anyway.

Generally speaking the higher the mega pixels, the better the actual photograph will come out where a mega pixel is equivalent to one million pixels. This increase in megapixels means that poster size pictures can be easily printed. The best models will often have a large LCD screens to help you frame your subject without having to squint in the viewfinder. The best quality digital cameras are able to touch up and edit the images this is an excellent feature to have as standard.

However, if you remember that a large screen equals higher power consumption, smaller screen, lower power consumption you can't go wrong so just carry a spare set of rechargeable batteries with you everywhere. More and more digital cameras are coming equipped with an optical zoom and this is the sort to try for even if it is only a three times power. Low spec cameras that only cost a fraction for their quality cousins will only have a digital zoom; unless you really aren't at all fussy about your shots you would be well advised to stay clear of buying a digital zoom only camera. As there are so many types of storage card available you will have to ensure you buy the correct one.

Memory cards are used in all sorts of electronic gadgets and you may already have heard of the main ones: Sony's Memory Stick, compact Flash, Secure Digital and XD cards for example. Fortunately the price for digital memory seem to fall in line with the size of cameras resolution increases so buy the largest you can affords and that is compatible with your version. For example, for the price of a 64mb card a couple of years ago you can probably now buy a 1 gigabyte and now some memory cards can go up to 16 gigabytes. Remember, the camera must suit the type of person you are as much as your wallet as there is no point having the best digital camera if you do not use it. If you enjoy taking shots with your new toy and use it regularly then that is all you can ask from a camera isn't it?

 

More ideas on digital cameras can be found here Best Ultra Compact Digital Camera

Monday, November 10, 2008

The Special Marine Digital Camera

The people that use genuine marine digital cameras are those where it is usually used in the course of their work as these cameras are very expensive Studying the life below the surface, a marine camera is only normally within the realm of marine biologists and other nautical scientists Waterproofing a camera is not an easy thing to do so many, so called, marine cameras aren't really designed for that type of work

Now if you're really serious about using an marine digital camera to capture those wacky and funny moments underwater, I suggest that you buy a specialty camera.

There is lack of real marine cameras owing to the problems of water ingress in to the camera and of water pressure Manufacturers have found it is easier just design a watertight case that goes around the digital camera instead. This type of casing will turn your conventional digital camera into an marine digital camera.

There are a few things you need to be aware of if you are taking photos underwater.

The water has a strange effect on light as I am sure you have experienced from time to time; it is called diffusion and the deeper you dive the more this distortion takes place. direct result of diffusion; a problem that can be overcome by changing the white balance settings. This diffusion effect also magnifies the image to give the impression the zoom function was used. To ensure the correct image will be taken you will have to pay a little more attention to the shot you are taking.

It is a good idea to make sure that the camera won't leak whilst you are diving so just hold it under the water for a few seconds to be on the safe side. which will allow water to access the case so look for this as well. It is also advisable to put a silica gel pack or two inside the case of your marine digital camera as long as they don't disturb the camera's operation.

Optional lenses are often available so if you can add these to your marine digital camera then do so. Lenses that allow you to get really close to the subject can also normally be fitted jus ask if the camera has a macro facility.

Also, remember to always wash of salt when you've used it under salt water because if the salts are not washed off, in time they will crystallize; and cause leaks in your camera case. It is not uncommon to experience the odd grain of sand getting into the case which will cause problems later on so rinse the case with a flow of clean water.

 

To find additional information on digital cameras visit Vivitar Digital Camera

 

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Medium Format: Is It Right For You?

You, as a photographer, are looking for the perfect image. In addition to being aesthetically and compositionally flawless, you also crave perfect representation of color, texture, and the finest of details. You want your photos to be as detailed as possible, showing on the subtle colors and sharp edges of your real world subjects. You're looking for the best possible image.

Medium format photography can help get you this image. Medium format, in contrast to 35mm, uses a much larger film size. By using a larger film area, medium format cameras, such as the famous Hasselblad H series can capture significantly more information, and therefore a much sharper, more vibrant image. The large a slide or a negative is, the better image it will give, since the larger area allows for so much more photographic information.

Additionally, since medium format cameras a generally all "professional" cameras, the quality of the lenses used is very high. In fact, some of the highest quality optics in the world can be found on the front of medium format cameras. You're not going to find much cheap, low quality consumer grade glass in the medium format world, though TLR cameras like the Yashica TLRs can be a little cheaper. Rather, the finest lens makers of all times have tasked their best engineers with the mission of creating amazing lenses for their medium format cameras. Some of these lenses are a wonder to behold, and can help you create some spectacular images.

All these factors add up to give you an amazing quality image that will blow away any 35mm image taken under similar conditions. If you look at a medium format negative or slide under a loupe, you will be shocked by the magnitude of detail that is visible. It's hard to describe, but the difference is immediately visible and striking. This is not a small quality improvement that is visible to only an elite few, this is a radical change in the quality of your photos.

Indeed, it is this quality that leads many professionals to deal with the added cost, size, and weight of medium format gear. To be sure, its not the most convenient and affordable of formats. The larger negative requires a larger, more complex camera to deal with. A larger lens is required to focus enough light to expose the medium format film pane. These larger, more complex cameras and lenses are also significantly more expensive than 35mm cameras. Medium format cameras are not for the average photographer, but rather for the professional or amateur who demands only the best looking images possible, while still allowing for some flexibility and portability, which large format lacks.

So, should you go out and buy a medium format camera today? Typically not, given the way medium format is so complex. If, however, you demand only the best, medium format is the way to go.