Ten rules for choosing a Digital Photo Frame

In the 21^st century, for many homes, the old picture frame, which holds a single matted photograph for display, is “old hat,” as are those photo albums most of our parents kept of family adventures. Today, when travelers return home, they want to show off every place they've been dynamically, to friends, family and neighbors.

They want a “digital photo frame.” Digital photo frames resemble regular photo frames, except you don't slide a print under the glass. In fact the glass is actually an LCD screen which can display slideshows of your photographs.

Photography Exhibition: The Art Institute of Chicago - Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Modern Century

The Art Institute of Chicago, regularly has extraordinary photographic exhibitions. This exhibition, Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Modern Century is a great example of this wonderful photographer of the 20th century.

This exhibition will run through October 10, 2010

Eight deadly travel photography hazards

When we travel, there are hazards which can prove deadly to digital cameras, and even modern day film cameras.

When we travel, we need to exercise our “street smarts” to keep ourselves safe and secure, as well as, keep our photography equipment safe and sound. Virtually all traveler photographers worry about keeping their photography equipment safe from theft. Fewer worry about the many other photographic equipment hazards they may encounter, which can do just as much harm.

Photography Exhibition: The Getty Museum - Engaged Observers: Documentary Photography since the Sixties

The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, regularly has extraordinary photographic exhibitions. Engaged Observers: Documentary Photography since the Sixties is no exception.

This exhibition will run through November 14, 2010

It's not sharp! Are you sure it's in focus?

One of the most asked questions I receive by email is, “My close-up photos are sharp, but the ones taken from 25 feet away or longer aren't. Do I have to have my camera focusing fixed?”

Many photographers expect that if a camera has focused properly, all their photos will look sharp.

Let me dispel that idea immediately. It's not true.
Sharpness is, to a large extent, in the “eye of the beholder.” While one person may consider a photograph sharp, another person might not. Don't ask me to define sharpness, I can't. Nikonians tried, but personally I think its definition (below) is gobbledygook.

Photography Exhibition: Philadelphia Photo Arts Center: Daydream Nation

The Philadelphia Photo Arts Center is devoted to the study, practice, and appreciation of photography in the Philadelphia region, through educational programs, photographic exhibitions, lectures by practicing artists, and affordable access to high-end digital equipment for the creation of photographs. Its photographic exhibitions like Daydream Nation are imaginative and innovative, and are producing some of the best exhibitions of contemporary photography in the US.

The exhibition will run through August 21, 2010.

It's July 4th...time for the fireworks challenge.

On Sunday, we in the US celebrate the birth of our nation. If you've traveled to Philadelphia, the nation's first capital and America’s birthplace, immediately after the Life, Liberty & You Concert in front of the steps (Some call them the “Rocky” steps from the Rocky movies in which the fictional character, Rocky Balboa runs up the steps.) to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, more than 500,000 people will enjoy one of the largest and most spectacular fireworks displays in the nation.

That’s my segue for my tips for photographing fireworks. Here’s what you need to do to capture them this July 4^th.

How to travel with a tripod and carry it daily.

Traveling with a tripod is easy, except perhaps when traveling by air where you're limited on the amount of luggage you can take.

If you're traveling by car, train or ship, get a good tripod bag, preferably padded, in case the tripod/bag gets dropped or accidentally roughly handled. You can carry the tripod on the back of your backpack, however, while that's a great way to take your tripod while hiking, I personally don't believe it's ideal when traveling by car or ship. I strongly suggest a tight fitting bag too.

Another reason to use a separate bag is while you're away from your stateroom, or hotel room, during those times you don't plan to use the tripod, you can store it out of sight in the bag. When traveling with the tripod bag, it can be used to carry your tripod for your shooting.

When traveling by air, you have to take into account your luggage limitations. For the most part, you can count on a bag of checked-luggage, a carry-on bag and a personal bag. According to the airline, location, etc. you may be restricted in the number and weight of both your checked-in luggage and your carry-ons.

Photography Exhibition: The Museum of Modern Art - Pictures by Women: A History of Modern Photography

The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), in New York, NY has some of the most amazing exhibitions of contemporary photography in the US. Pictures by Women: A History of Modern Photography looks like it will be another in their series of wonderful exhibitions at the Museum. If you’re in the New York City area, don’t miss this exhibition. I plan to go myself, if at all possible. 

The exhibition will through March 21, 2011.