Photography is the art of capturing a moment be it a picture of a stunning landscape or a portrait of rare visuals you come across while exploring. With what you take the picture, doesn’t matter! What matters is how you take that first click.
For some, photography is just a hobby. For others, it’s their livelihood, and everything depends on how well the picture has been taken. It doesn’t matter if you are just starting out, all photography needs is a passion for the craft and the patience to learn.
Here are a few basic things that will form part of your very own camera and photo essentials kit:
Camera
- Perhaps the most substantial and significant investment when you are just starting out.
- However with so many makes and models of professional DSLR camera’s available in the market, finding the right one for the best price can be very confusing.
- When you are just starting out, buying a high-end professional grade camera is not recommended, even if you can afford it.
- Instead, buy a DSLR camera which has basic yet useful functionality when it comes to different shooting modes and picture settings.
Lenses
- Just buying a camera body will not suffice, you will also need a number of lenses to shoot and click pictures for different settings and purposes.
- For a basic camera and photo kit, buying a prime lens and zoom lens, with one for specific wide angle shots will be more than enough to get you started on the basics.
Camera kit bag
- When you are investing a good amount of money in buying the right camera and photo kits and accessories, buying the right portable camera bag is the next logical step.
- Camera lenses and even the camera itself consists of delicate moving parts which are also expensive to replace in case of any damage.
- A good camera and photo essentials bag will allow you to carry your gear for both indoor and outdoor shoots with ease.
Tripods
- A good tripod will provide all the stability that you will ever need to click the best portrait and landscape pictures.
- Tripod forms an integral part of your camera and photo essentials kit, especially for people who are interested in travel photography.
- The tripod will allow a stable support even on rugged terrains to help you take a beautiful picture of that soaring eagle in the Grand Canyons, without having to worry about messing up manual focusing because you are too preoccupied trying to balance a heavy DSLR camera.
Memory cards
- Traditional cameras previously worked with film rolls, which would produce a negative print and the same would be then processed to provide with positive print on paper.
- This process was, however, time-consuming, which is why when digital SLR cameras were developed, memory cards replaced the film rolls.
- You want to purchase a high quality and capacity memory card for your professional grade camera, to get the best results when you process the finished product.
External flash and speedlight
- For the best results, professional photographers use external flash kits and speedlights as part of their camera and photo kit which are excellent lighting sources to click pictures in dim light or low light conditions.
- The traditional flash inbuilt in your DSLR will not provide the intended result when it comes to quality and color, which is why a speed light is used.
- The system is efficient since the speedlight is activated for a fraction of a second when the shutter releases to take the picture, which is why it is also not too harsh on the elements that you want to cover within the frame.
- However, speedlights are expensive accessories and generally should be bought only when you plan to take pictures professionally.
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4 ways to protect your kids from cold and flu
Read moreDue to their relatively weaker immune systems, children are most susceptible to cold and flu. This is especially true when the season is a bit chilly, and there is a slight nip in the air. Here’s what you can do to ensure your child safe from viruses and infections that can cause cold and flu.
- Eat a healthy diet: Make sure that your kid’s immune system is strong enough to fight infections and viruses. A healthy diet is crucial. Also, don’t forget that they should keep themselves hydrated by drinking sufficient water. Boil a liter of water, cool it and then give it to your kid. When it comes to diet, add a lot of fruits and veggies to the diet. This should include food items that have a high content of vitamin C.
- Maintain hygienic habits: It is necessary to maintain habits of utmost cleanliness and hygiene to stay away from cold and flu. Ensure that you child follows a daily routine of having baths on time, washing hands, and drinking clean water.
- Beat the mosquito attack: If your kids love playing outside, they might be at the risk of being exposed to mosquitoes and other bugs and insects that can potentially carry cold and flu viruses. Ensure that you maintain a clean environment to keep these insects and bugs at bay.
- Try home remedies: When you notice the first signs of cold and flu in you child, use home remedies such as ginger juice and honey to treat sneezing and other early symptoms of cold and flu. If the symptoms persist for more than two days, consult a doctor. Along with doctor prescribed medications, you can follow certain natural remedies that can make your child’s immunity system strong.
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Why prefer an All Wheel Drive (AWD)?
Read moreLet’s get this straight. All-Wheel-Drives (AWD) are not for all.
The AWD is a design and function where all four wheels spin all the time which gives an added traction to the automobile. Unlike the 4WD where you can shift from a two wheel drive to a 4 wheel drive, the AWD vehicles operate on a permanent drive. AWD’s made their first appearance during the late 1930s when General Motors first introduced them. Today, the AWDs have decked up a lot of technological improvements ranging from advanced traction controls to electronic systems and bold vehicle design. They have earned a separate genre among automobiles making them a necessity in certain types of terrain and climate. However, for anyone thinking of buying one, there are a set of pros and cons to consider.
Traction
Upside: The extra traction is needed for an efficient drive over the rough and slippery terrain. The AWD is usually preferred in places of harsh winters and slippery terrain. During times of a sudden snowstorm, one can feel safer in getting back on an AWD.Downside: Experts say that good traction help in moving over slippery surfaces and cutting corners but is not enough. A set of good snow tires and suspension are the fundamentals of the physics of optimum vehicle control.
Design
Upside: The AWDs design offers a huge space for at least 6 passengers and their luggage. Some of the AWD’s can carry up to 8 passengers and luggage efficiently. The vehicles are designed to drag weight across rough terrain ensuring safety to passengers. The modern all-wheel-drive design offers electronic stability control which gives more control to the vehicle.Downside: Due to the heavy weight and complex engineering, the AWDs are not fuel efficient. The AWD gain more power by during more fuel than the two wheel drives.
Money
Upside: The AWDs have a good resale value than the two wheel drive cars. You cannot me promised of a 100% resale value but your car will easier to sell for a better price than a two wheel drive. People living in the northern climate do not have to think about resale.Downside: The reason why the AWDs have a good resale value is due to their high cost of purchase. Many AWD manufacturers charge a premium between $1500 and $3000. The AWD are expensive to maintain as they have a more complex engineering.
The final verdict is that you need an all-wheel-drive if you are living in harsh winter storms and have to travel through slippery roads. But if you are in places with milder climates, the AWD might not be the right fit.