Photography Articles

Infrared Photography

Infrared Photography

April 2010, Carl Garrard (Updated 4-12-2010 Part II)

Sony A500 Infrared Monochrome Image It seems not too long ago now that I happened upon a photographers website debuing some unique and awe inspiring monochrome images. Something was very unique about these images though, they had a quality that I had never seen before. There was something wickedly dramatic about them that just blew me away. When I clicked on the images and saw them full size on my monitor, I realized something very special was being presented to me. I couldn't believe my eyes when I realized that these images were shot in the Infrared Light (IR) spectrum. They looked somewhat outerworldly yet natural at the same time. The tonal range and redering of foliage was so dynamic, I realized right then that at some point in my career, I was going to be shooting IR images. I just had too.

Pentax K7 vs. Sony A700 Comparison

Pentax K7 vs. Sony A700 Comparison 

April 2010, Carl Garrard

 Pentax K7 DSLR  Sony A700 DSLR In this article we are going to showcase a comparison between an enthusiast DSLR that is a current model on the market- the Pentax K7 versus Sony's current (and outdated) incumbent, the Sony Alpha A700. Since Sony doesn’t have a successor to the A700 out yet, and we don’t know the price point or specifications or any of that, I really have no choice but to do a side by side sort of comparison using the A700.

Entry Level DSLR-Features Comparison

DSLR Shootout- Entry Level Features Comparison

March 2010, Barry Fitzgerald

 Pentax K-x  Sony Alpha A230 Nikon D3000
Canon EOS Rebel Xs (1000D)

Entry Level DSLR: Features Shoot Out and Comparison

For buyers in the market for a new DSLR that don't have a wad of cash to spend, we wanted to do a side by side analysis of these popular DSLRS currently on the market. This should be viewed as a quick reference guide based only on specifications and how they compete/compare with one another by those standards. As such we hope this article can also give you a snap shot look at what other makers are doing in comparison to Sony Alpha models.

One Hike and 26 Wildflower Species

One Hike and 26 Wildflower Species

March 2010, Carl Garrard

Prickly Pear Cactus Flower
 A beautiful sunny and warm Spring Sunday in Southern California was the setting I was wishing for, today was just begging to get me out of the house. Normally I hide indoors on blue sky days during summertime, as they tend to lack the dramatic effect of weather that I so crave and love to be in. However, today it is spring and I set out to capture something different. I wanted to try something I've never done before and the idea itself didn't hit me till I set foot on the trail. The trail I set out on today is called Belleview Trail, set in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita, and winds its way into the Cleveland National Forest.

Apple Aperture Video Tutorial - An Introduction

Apple Aperture Tutorial - An introduction

 

AlphaMountWorld.com
by: Andrew Woodhouse

This is AlphaMountWorld's second video tutorial, and the first in our new series on Apple's Aperture. In this video tutorial we briefly explain what Aperture is and how it can help with your photography, and how to import photos into Aperture. These new videos will be around 10 minutes Êand will deal with only one or two topics, making them easier to follow.

Sony A300/A350 PDF EBook By Gary Friedman- Review

Sony A300/A350 PDF EBook By Gary Friedman- An AlphaMountWorld Review

July 2009, Andrew Woodhouse

The Sony A300/A350 e-book is one of the latest e-books by Gary L. Friedman and aims to provide an easy to follow and understand guide to the cameras numerous features. It would be a mistake to think that this was a glorified camera manual - it's an awful lot more than that. It's designed to appeal to anyone that has the A300 or A350, but is primarily aimed at beginners to the world of digital photography, or those who don't want to be bogged down by all the techno babble we photographers are all too guilty of throwing around. How many new photographers know what bokeh is or refers to, or the relation between apertures and shutter speed etc. ? Gary Friedman A300/350 E Book

Sony FDA-ME1AM Magnifying Eyepiece- Product Report

Sony FDA-ME1AM Magnifying Eyepiece- Product Report and Review

July 2009, Carl Garrard (*Update 7-26-2009)

Sony's FDA-ME1AM magnifying eyepiece has been a long time coming. I have wanted Sony to make one of these eyepiece accessories since the A-100 was first announced in 2006. At last they have produced the one I was looking and begging them for. I got my hands on one from the first batch sent to the U.S. from Sonystyle (after pestering them for an in-stock date), and I think the wait was worth it. The price on the FDA-ME1AM is $34.99 USD. The eyepiece will magnify the view you see (does not affect the area captured obviously) through your viewfinder by 1.15X and is compatible with the A700, A380, A350, A330, A300, A230, A200, and the A100 Alpha DSLRS (all APS-C cameras). The eyepiece also extends the viewfinder relief 7mm further, and is stain resistant on the glass element and polyurethane cover. Prior to the announcement of this accessory there were other available options that weren't manufactured by Sony. The Pentax OEM-53 did some duty on my Alphas, but is now retired. Therefore, it is only fair that all my begging should yield an article on this product. FDA-ME1AM Magnifying Eyepiece Kit

The Hot Shoe Diaries, By Joe McNally- Review

The Hot Shoe Diaries, By Joe McNally- Review
May 2009, Andrew Woodhouse

The Hot Shoe Diaries is Joe McNally's latest book and follows on from the success of his internationally acclaimed book, The Moment It Clicks. As the title suggests it is a book which focuses on small flashes, strobes or Speedlights if you will. Now some of you might wonder why on earth I am reviewing a book by a self professed "Nikon guy", well Joe McNally is pretty much the man when it comes to flash photography, and small flash photography in particular.

As a result this book, whilst biased slightly towards Nikon (it is what Joe shoots with after all) is a must read for anyone who wants to learn how to use their flashes to better effect. I know there is a large amount of interest in wireless flash photography on AlphaMountWorld and as a result it seemed appropriate to review the book.

Hot Shoe Diaries-Joe McNally

A900 and Hi Sensitivity Jpeg Output

A900 Jpegs at ISO 3200- Camera Settings Count!

The A900 is an excellent hi-sensitivity machine. Capitalizing on retaining more color and dynamic range throughout the entire ISO range than most of its competition, the A900 manages this excellent performance characteristic for much less cost than its best rivals. What doesn't get talked about much when it comes to higher sensitivity settings is color output and print quality when processing is debated. Sure "some" companies work more noise reduction in the chroma category into their processing as well as make a bit nicer grain pattern, but does that translate into better prints? Color wise, no, it doesn't.
Raw software, ISO debates, who needs it? Lets have some fun using our A900 for Jpeg output and see what we can do.

Sony A900 ISO 3200 Image