In mid 2000 I purchased my first digital camera, a Kodak DC290. This was my first camera, apart from basic point and shoot cameras we all have used, and I was quite a learning curve trying to understand things like aperture, depth of field and focus levels etc.

About 8 months later I bought a digital video camera, a Panasonic NV-DS50A.

In October of 2003 I purchased my news camera, a Nikon 5700 with a incablitz hotshoe flash mounted on a tripod.

As well as good camera equipment I also have a powerful computer and a photo printer that can fulfill all the requirement that digital photography requires.

Advantages of using a digital camera:

• Digital images taken by a digital camera are instantly available and usable. As soon as you take a digital photograph, you can use it.
• You can tell as soon as you take a picture whether or not you got the shot you wanted. If not, you can take more shots until you get the ones you want.
• Digital images are immediately ready to be used on the Internet.
• You can delete bad shots and keep only the good ones before they are printed, so there is no cost for bad photographs.
• Digital images can easily be sized however you want.
• Digital images can be used in many ways including for printed photographs, web sites, printed publications, and e-mail attachments.
• Digital images can be easily stored on hard drives, CD-ROMs, and Zip disks.

Here are

1. My still shot cameras in more detail [Kodak DC290] [Nikon 5700]
2. My digital video camera [Panasonic NV-DS50] (I have had nothing but trouble with this camera and would suggest you buy a different brand)
3. Some basic [Photographic tips]

The Kodak DC290

Here are some after market parts I have bought for my Nikon 5700, on Ebay. They came from SOHO ELECTRIC / PANWEB located in New York. The total, including US$49.99 Shipping, was US$227.17 (AUS$316.38). To buy the telephoto lens is Australia would have been $329.00 plus another $29.95 for the adaptor. It certainly was cheaper for me to buy from overseas Below each piece is described in detail
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Hi-Quality Carry Case Ideal for most camcorders, digital and 35mm cameras Hidden interior pocket with memory stick, film canister and battery strap storage Interior mesh pocket Padded, adjustable shoulder strap and soft-grip handle Easy access wide-mouth opening Inside: 8 3/4w x 7 1/4h x 4 3/4d
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Digital Optics 0.45X Wide Angle Lens With Macro Professional Titanium .45X wide angle lens Multicoated High Resolution Day or night Vision Infrared Compatible Great for every type of photographic situation Lens Bag Included Lens covers are included 1 Year Warranty Infrared Compatible Take a look at the "Before & After Pictures"
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3x Telephoto Lens A telephoto converter brings everything closer. The 3X Telephoto extends the focal length of camcorder or digital camera lenses 3.0 times, bringing things three times as close and keeping you from using the digital telephoto feature where pictures begin to lose resolution and pixelate. Its lightweight and small size make this a valuable accessory for added versatility. Magnification: 3.0x Optical construction: 3 Elements / Groups Mount Thread: 37/46 mm Adapter rings included: 49/52 mm Filter Thread: none Diameter: 2.7 in. (68mm)
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Crystal Optics 3 piece Filter Kit UV - Safeguards your lens from fingerprints, dust, scratches etc. and absorbs UV light. Circular Polarizer - removes unwanted reflections from non-metallic surfaces such as water or glass, and also saturate colors providing better contrast FLD - Provides correct color, removing harsh cast caused by artificial or florescent lighting. Take a look at the "Before & After Pictures" back to top
Tube Adapter
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Full Size Tripod
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4" Tabletop Compact Tripod Perfect for travel Legs are flexible and easy for positioning
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Deluxe 5 Piece Lens Cleaning Kit Cleans Interchangeable Lenses, Camera Lens & filters Cleans Lenses, Camera Lenses, and Filters Lens cleaning solution - made for lenses Micro-Fiber cleaning cloth

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Basic Tips

Here are some basic tips that I follow before I hit "Click." They are easy to learn, and even a beginner can take professional-looking portraits that are suitable for framing.

Prepare for the shoot
Schedule a quiet 30 minutes to take your pictures. Make sure you and your subject have eaten a light meal and are well-rested. Gather props and clothing, and prepare a background that is free from clutter.

Have fun
Loosen up and find humor. Often the best pictures occur when something silly happens behind the scenes. Then your subject laughs or gives a funny expression, which results in a masterpiece you can cherish for years to come.

Get closer
Try to get within 2–4 feet of your subject. You want to have 90 percent person and 10 percent background in your picture. Get close even when it’s uncomfortable. This is where you get the best photographs.

Cut the clutter
Nothing ruins a photo like stray objects that detract from your composition. If there’s a phone wire, an aluminum can, or anything else that isn’t part of your picture’s focus, then eliminate it.

Try a new angle
Consider using a different angle. Get a little creative. Get down on the ground and look at your subject from a different perspective. Nobody is using a stopwatch, so take your time to find the best viewpoint.

Consider composition
For an image to be successful and meaningful, it needs to be composed correctly. Do whatever you can to guide the gaze of the viewer toward your subject. And don’t be afraid to experiment! If your subject isn’t in the best position, have them move around until you achieve the best composition.

Find the right lighting
Turn off your flash. Using a flash destroys your pictures and gives faces a harsh and unnatural look, like deer caught in the headlights. To get a more flattering tone and higher quality, use natural light. Have your subject sit sideways next to a window or door reflecting the bright midday sun…indirect light makes soft and beautiful pictures. It also makes one side of your subject's face light and the other shadowed, which creates strong emotion and mood.

Take more pictures
Most of us are frugal when it comes to taking pictures. But with a digital camera, you can simply delete the pictures you don't like, so snap away! Fill the entire picture card with one subject. You are sure to find a few pictures that will thrill you.

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