http://www.adorama.com/alc/ <p>Welcome to the Adorama Learning Center - an educational resource for&nbsp; photographers of all skill levels.</p> With 2,746 total votes, you chose the Pentax K7 over seven other very deserving models, by a w-i-d-e margin. Let's find out why. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12079 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Whether your hobby lies in beholding birds, following footballs or scanning the stars, there is a plethora of binoculars, spotting scopes and telescopes to meet your optical needs. </span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12080 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Get set for amateur astronomy and some cool winter stargazing with this handy guide on how to buy a telescope. Armed with the right down-to-earth info, your view will be unbeatable.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12082 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Here are some recommendations for digital camcorders in a wide variety of prices, styles, and brands.&nbsp; Combined with Adorama&rsquo;s Camcorder Buying Guide, this list can help you make the right camcorder purchase.&nbsp; </span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12084 <p><span style="font-size: small;">When it comes to photo printers, you shouldn&rsquo;t just point at one in the store and decide to take it home with you. After all, you&rsquo;ve spent considerable time and effort taking photos of your favorite subjects. </span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12089 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">Cell phones are no longer just a lifeline to friends and family&mdash;you can use them to organize your schedule, check e-mail, take photos, and get directions.</span></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12090 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">Buying a camcorder does not have to be a complicated process. With some key information, you can get exactly the right one for your needs.</span></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12078 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Laser printers have long been dominant in enterprise environments but not the go-to pick for home users with color printing needs. </span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12086 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Looking to make your home office more efficient? Consider a multifunction center (MFC) printer, also known as a multi-device or all-in-one printer. These machines combine standard printer functionality with the ability to fax, scan, and copy&mdash;all within one manageable footprint. </span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12087 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Dump that low-resolution, energy-inefficient CRT screen and upgrade to an LCD monitor. Here are the key features to consider when shopping for an LCD monitor for your computer system.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12088 <p>Which portable multimedia player is right for you?</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12074 <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Which MP3 player is best for you? Read these mini-reviews of ten of the most popular models currently available. You don&rsquo;t need to break the bank to put hundreds or even thousands of songs and hundreds of videos in the palm of your hand.</em></span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12075 Jack and Mason tackle another set of reader's questions in this episode of the Ask Adorama podcast. Got a question? Send it along to us at Ask@adorama.com! http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12081 <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>&ldquo;The lighting draws my attention right to her nose.&rdquo;&mdash;Jack Howard</em></span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12061 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Every photographer has different needs, and so every camera bag will have different stuff to suit those needs. Here are twelve useful and innovative items that you will probably be taking out of your bag and using.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12059 There are some really amazing tools for HDR photographers in Adobe Photoshop CS4, but much of the power of CS4 in 32-bit space isn't well-known. In this two-part screencast series, we'll explore ways http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12076 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Photography enthusiasts can be some of the hardest people to buy gifts for, especially given the scary-high prices of camera bodies and lenses...</span><!--EndFragment--></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12047 Stacy Pearsall has been named Military Photographer of the Year twice, is a founding member of LegionPhoto.com and she now runs the Charleston Center for Photography. We spend a few minutes with this http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12072 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">The size of a camera&rsquo;s sensor can directly affect image quality, especially when you&rsquo;re shooting above ISO 100. Here&rsquo;s what you should know when you&rsquo;re shopping for a new digital camera</span></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12046 <p><span style="font-size: small;">&ldquo;The fisherman was placed dead center, and the image lacks punch.&rdquo;&mdash;Mason Resnick</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12063 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Leica&rsquo;s 24mm f/1.4 Summilux is one of only two such lenses in production&mdash;the other one is the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II. How does this fast wide angle lens fare?</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12045 <p><span style="font-size: small;">As Leica proudly proclaims, the 21mm f/1.4 Summilux is indeed the fastest 21mm lens ever produced. Let's take a closer look.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12044 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">&ldquo;I feel like I&rsquo;m looking at a psychodelic interpretation of this scene&hellip;it&rsquo;s too much!&rdquo;&mdash;Mason Resnick</span></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12058 Casio's first foray into the compact weather, shock and waterproof category is a very stylish model, with some seriously hardcore specs and a G-shock legacy to live up to on durability. But we want to http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12062 <p><span style="font-size: small;">For well over half a century, one of the chief attractions of the venerable Leica M rangefinder system has been its acclaimed line of interchangeable Leica lenses.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> This week, we look at three of the latest.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12043 In a year of Important Cameras, here’s an opportunity to choose which one you think is the most important. Voting is open now; we’ll reveal the winner on November 27! http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12041 Tamrac's ZipShot, which hits the streets today, is nothing like a traditional tripod. That may be a good thing. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12054 <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>&ldquo;This photo is strange and unsettling, and at the same time it is peaceful and familiar.&rdquo;&mdash;Jack Howard</em></span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12034 <p>M<span style="font-size: small;">emo to photographers: Share this buying guide with your generous friends. Maybe they&rsquo;ll get the hint. Memo to gift-givers: Read on to help decide what to get for the photographers in your life.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12042 Scott Kelby took a few minutes out of his week to talk with TechTock about what's happening now with NAPP, Kelby Media, the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta, among other things. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12052 Eye-Fi does it again! An incremental, but important, new feature is added for photographers who need to upload their pictures but don't want the cookie-cutter presentation of photo sharing sites. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12051 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">&ldquo;This image...expresses, visually, the opposite of what I think a wedding photo should say: The bride is isolated, lost in an oversized space. Has she been abandoned at the altar?&rdquo;&mdash;Mason Resnick</span></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12031 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Zeiss has recently introduced a series of spare-no-expenses, top-quality manual-focus lenses optimized for today&rsquo;s digital SLR cameras. Let&rsquo;s put one of them through its paces.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12032 It's not that there aren't some amazing tools for HDR photographers in Adobe Photoshop CS4, it's just that these tools and tricks aren't all that well-known. In this two-part screencast series, we'll http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12048 <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>&ldquo;Re-shooting on an overcast day would take care of the washed-out colors at the end of the road.&rdquo; &mdash;Mason Resnick</em></span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12030 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">It has a desirable focal range and a very tempting price tag, but can the Sony 75-300 f/4.5-5.6 Macro deliver good enough quality?</span></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12018 We tackle more great reader questions in this episode including what version of Adobe Photoshop is right for you, why so few compact cameras have filter threads, what happened to split focusing screen http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12033 asd http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12037 When switching lenses, why not swap out the sensor as well? Ricoh’s unique GXR digital camera system, unveiled this morning, may change the rules of camera design. And that's good. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12036 <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Made exclusively for Sony DSLRs with APS sensors, the Sony 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 has the Minolta DNA. Does it deliver what digital shooters need?</em></span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <!--EndFragment--> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12017 As new digital cameras are built for speed, low-light photography may become much more than a shot in the dark. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12029 <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>&ldquo;The vibrant blooms of the azaleas fill most of the picture, especially in the foreground, and overwhelm her face.&rdquo;&mdash;Monica Cipnic</em></span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12005 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">Minolta&rsquo;s demise as a camera maker brought Sony into the serious digital camera fold. Nearly five years have passed. Let&rsquo;s see how Sony&rsquo;s doing by looking at their current entry-level DSLR, the A230.</span></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12016 Moose Peterson is one of the foremost wildlife photographers working today. And in addition to his photography, he's busy blogging and hosting workshops. He's got a lot of great things to say to inspi http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12028 I have just joined the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP). Here’s why you may want to if you haven’t already done so…and an important announcement. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12023 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">&ldquo;For a humor shot, this one is dead-on.&rdquo;&mdash;Jack Howard</span></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12004 The first generation of this revolutionary camera created buzz, then complaints. Now Olympus quickly introduced the second generation E-P2. Have they been listening? http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12022 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">Truly, the Leica M9 is a camera unlike any other. Is this the rangefinder camera Leica aficionados have been waiting for?</span></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12011 <p>Here are the details behind the slide show photos in Jason Schneider's review of the Leica M9. For full-size images, visit Jason's review of the M9!</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12019 <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>&ldquo;This shot simply doesn't jazz me at all.&rdquo;&mdash;Jack Howard</em></span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12003 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Sleek, portable, lightweight and low-cost, these ultra-compact notebooks are winning over a growing number of consumers. Let's take a look at some of the top models.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12010 When and where the sun and moon rises and sets can make a world of difference for stunning images. And this freeware program helps you figure it all out! http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12020 <p><span style="font-size: small;">If you're a pro shooter looking at lower-cost options or a hobbyist with ambitions to go pro, these cameras straddle the fence and offer durability, fine image quality and cutting-edge new tech. Here are the most significant ones currently on the market.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/8622 <p><span style="font-size: small;">If you haven&rsquo;t been in the market for a new notebook computer in a few years, you may be wondering just what in the world a &ldquo;netbook&rdquo; is.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12009 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">&ldquo;Most of us 'see' an image, but often feel the need to explain what it was that we were going after in the picture. If that's the case, we need to do a better job.&rdquo;&mdash;Monica Cipnic</span></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12002 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Selecting parts of an image in Photoshop is one of the most important skills you can develop. Whether you are going to replace an area or use the selection to limit any adjustments, learning how to make clean selections is key.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/12007 DC-based John Harrington is the current president of the White House News Photographers Association, and a great blogger and author on the business of photography. If you are serious about being a pro http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12006 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">&ldquo;I would have pulled back the blanket/towel from covering his left eye.&rdquo;&mdash;Monica Cipnic</span></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11979 <p>Think you&rsquo;ve got the photographic chops? Ready to take some constructive criticism from a trio of photo experts who will pull no punches? Jump into the fire and send us your near-perfect shots!</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11899 Everyone knows a handful of keystroke shortcuts in Adobe Photoshop CS4, such as CMD+Z for Undo, and copy/paste operations, but not too many people realize that just about every command in Photoshop ca http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/12000 <p><span style="font-size: small;">With high-end DSLRs producing 15-25MP images and HD videos, those 16GB memory cards that seemed like overkill are filling up fast. What to do? Get portable storage! (Updated for 2009 Holiday Buying Season)<br /></span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11757 <p><br /><span style="font-size: small;">Can you find photographic happiness for <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">$200</span> <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">$150</span> <em>$130</em> or less? These compacts offer great features and won't break the bank.<br /></span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/8052 We talk about previsualization for different types of shoots, and discuss different breeds of camera bags for hauling and shooting. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11996 <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>&ldquo;The [HDR] tone map process yearns for, searches for, and emphasizes contrast, even when it is slight or negligible, as is in the case with the nasty banding areas in the sky.&rdquo; &mdash;Jack Howard</em></span><!--EndFragment--></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11978 <p>Lots of photographers would like to own a really wide angle, fish-eye lens, but there has always been one major roadblock standing in the way: the price tag. These optical devices are complicated to design and build, and that complexity is ultimately reflected in the cost.</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11968 <p>Each autumn, the air becomes crisp and the sound of marching bands and cookouts fills the air, and it means football.</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11962 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Picture-taking tools for serious photographers who have outgrown their starter DSLRs...or want a capable back-up for their pro rig.</span><em><br /></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/8400 <p>When it comes to those typical rectangular photographs, change can be a good thing. Ovals, squares, extreme rectangles can all bring an accent and creativity to how you present your pictures.</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11942 <p><em>&ldquo;I&rsquo;d have shot this so the yellow-and-blue line was a more pronounced diagonal, because diagonal lines are visually more active.&rdquo;&mdash;Mason Resnick</em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11977 "Why are you at the show?" "What do you think of the show?" and "What photographers should we check out?" were the questions posed to a cross section of exhibitors, photographers, and media attendees http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11991 Actually, if I were to do a headcount, there probably were around 140 people in the PhotoPlus press room yesterday by about 5PM. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11987 <p><span style="font-size: small;">The goal of scrapbooking is to make pages that are appealing to anyone who picks up the album, even if they don&rsquo;t know the people pictured in the photographs. The other goal is to make each page tell a visual story. Let's get started!</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11941 <p>For scrapbooking...and for so many other ventures...an organized workspace is the key to happiness and creativity. Here's the story of Studio E, and how you can create your space.</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11940 <p><span style="font-size: small;">These small cameras have big camera ambitions...and some even deliver DSLR quality images! All take away any excuse to leave your camera home.</span><em><br /></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/8637 <p>Welcome to the most fun part of scrapbooking. Here's a look at some of the most popular kinds of decorative embellishments that you can use to jazz up your scrapbook.</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11939 <p>&ldquo;It's a really cute snapshot in the best sense of that word&mdash;it'll never win the Pulitzer, but that's totally OK.&rdquo;&mdash;Jack Howard</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11957 Lexar is touting 600x (90MB/s) guaranteed minimum sustained write speed on its new top-of-the-line Compact Flash cards and an ExpressCard reader that'll write at up to 866x (133MB/s) for the current c http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11980 On the surface, the Canon EOS-1 Mark IV, introduced today, and the Nikon D3s, unveiled last week, seem to be cut from the same cloth. But a closer look reveals striking differences. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11984 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Are you ready to take your photographs out of retirement and start scrapbooking? Good! Let&rsquo;s look at the supplies you&rsquo;ll need.</span><!--EndFragment--></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11931 Photo Plus returns to New York this week. In addition to its many workshops for professional photographers, assistants and aspring hobbyists, you can stroll the trade show floor and get to fondle the http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11975 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Scrapbooking has evolved from a quaint craft into photo albums on steroids. Here&rsquo;s how to get started.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11930 <p><span style="font-size: small;"><em>&ldquo;This photo is an example of too much strobe, too much reliance on equipment over aesthetics.&rdquo; <br />&mdash; Monica Cipnic</em></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times;"><em></em></span> <!--EndFragment--></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11954 <p><span style="font-size: small;">&ldquo;This scene cries out to be studied, walked around, and shot at different angles and distances.&rdquo;<br />&nbsp;&mdash;Mason Resnick </span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11955 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Here&rsquo;s a selection of cool, compact, submersible cameras designed to ride in and under the waves and withstand the rigors of rugged outdoor use! </span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11795 <p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: small;">Getting bored with your point-and-shoot? Ready to grow as a photographer but afraid of all the technology? Here are some great low-cost DSLRs that will get you pro results easily.</span><em></em></span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/8102 A great videojournalism site turns one, Jeff Synder does a guest spot, Art Wolfe talks about Lighting, and an amazing collection posthumously recognizes an amazing Chicago street photographer. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11971 Rock climbing in the Appalachian Mountains was how Harrison Shull got his start as a photographer, but he has since taken his career to new heights shooting for editorial, commercial, and stock client http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11969 <p>A professional sports photographer takes this $1,000 lens on assignment to a football game to see if can capture the action.</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11928 <p><em><span style="font-size: small;">Do you need a camera that matches your wardrobe? Do you like to shoot in style...but still bring back stunning shots? Here are very capable cameras that also happen to be real lookers.</span><br /></em></p> <p><em><br /></em></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/8095 <p>With digital cameras of all varieties dominating the market, now is a great time to buy a film camera. Yes...a <em>film</em> camera! Updated for the 2009 holiday season.</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/8092 Like autofocus technology, one of the most important developments in photography did not come from the camera industry. Nor will the next one. http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11944 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Will photographers pony up more than a grand for this jewel of a lens? We put it through its paces.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11922 OK, so I knew Nikon's claim that the D3s's sensor's top ISO of 102,400 was just to get our attention. But how did it do at ISO 12,000? http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11960 In our first episode of Ask Adorama, we talk about cold and wet- weather gear, tips for aerial opportunities, troubles with telextenders, ND filters and much more! http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11963 <p><span style="font-size: small;">If you&rsquo;re buying your first Micro Four Thirds camera, this may be the first lens you&rsquo;ll use. Can it deliver quality images throughout its full 10x range?</span><!--EndFragment--></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11921 At first glance, the Casio Exilim EX-FS10 doesn’t appear much different from so many other slim cameras on the shelf, but there’s not many other cameras smaller than a deck of playing cards than can c http://www.adorama.com/alc/blogarticle/11958 <p>If you&rsquo;re searching for the perfect home theater experience, you&rsquo;ve probably been considering the new 240-Hz high-definition televisions (HDTVs) that are all the rage right now.</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11950 <p>Every home theater system includes a few basics: a high-definition television (HDTV), a surround-sound A/V receiver, a DVD or Blu-ray player, and speakers.</p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11956 <p><span style="font-size: small;">Panasonic&rsquo;s second Micro Four Thirds claims to be responsive on the street. Let&rsquo;s find out.</span></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11920 <p>Why venture out to a movie theater when you can stay home and watch almost any movie you want in the comfort of your own home?<!--EndFragment--></p> http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/11949