I have mentioned SLR cameras a few times on this site. I have received a few emails asking what “SLR” means and what the difference is from a regular point and shoot camera.

SLR stands for “single-lens reflex.” This means that when you look thru the eyepiece of the camera, you are seeing the exact same thing that the lens will “see” when it captures the picture. This is usually done using an angled mirror in the camera body. When you press the shutter on the camera, this mirror moves, revealing the film or sensor to capture the image.

The opposite of the SLR camera is the point and shoot camera. With these cameras, you are basically seeing a video of what the lens sees. When you press the shutter button, you are basically taking a freeze frame from that film.

SLR cameras offer a lot of opportunity for photographers but there are also some cons.

Pros

• SLR cameras give you the ability to change lens for different kinds of shots. You can have one for portraits, close-up photography, zooms, etc.
• There is almost no lag when taking a picture. This is one of the best features. You press the button, and the image is taken. No more trying to time the shot just right.
• Startup is very, very fast.
• There are so many settings and options to change for creativity.
• Photos taken with a SLR are usually very crisp and clear.

Cons

• SLR cameras are usually more expensive. (Although they are much more affordable in the last few years.)
• They are usually bigger than point and shoot cameras. If you have a huge zoom lens, they are much larger.

Overall, SLR cameras are incredible to use. If you want to be serious about photography, an SLR camera is the only way to go. In fact, the strange thing about an SLR camera is once you have one, photography is so much more interesting and enjoyable.

I recently made an Amazon.com list titled Getting Started With An SLR Camera. Yes, buying the items from the list will give a cut to FMP, but the reason I made it was so many people were asking what I recommend. This was the easiest way to do it. If you can find a cheaper (reliable) price elsewhere, go for it. I own and use all of the items on the list and I feel they are the best recommendations for someone who wants to dip their foot into creative photography. If you have any recommendations to add to the list, please feel free to leave a comment about it.

Recently on FreeMacBlog, I wrote about a friend of mine who had his house broken into. The theif took both his Macs, his backup drives and other electronics. (Thank goodness they didn’t find his new Canon D30.)

The post is called How To Prepare For A Stolen Mac. If you take the time to read the post, you’ll read that he lost all of his digital photos. He had about 30,000. He backed them up to his external drive, but that was stolen too.

My friend’s one photography saving grace was that he would often share his images with family and friends. He enjoys sharing his work (and we enjoy seeing them.) Because of this, he has been able to email friends and family, asking them to send back any pictures that he may have sent them in the past. Obviously he won’t be able to retreive all of his images this way, but he will be able to save some.

I hope you take the time to share your photos. If you take family shots, be sure to send them out to your family. Most of my best shots are on my Flickr.com account. It feels good know that if my machine was ever stolen or ruined, I’d always be able to pull down my best shots from my account. The inexpensive amount I spend yearly on Flickr is a very cheap way to back up your favorite images…and it lets others enjoy your work.

Tell me if this sounds familiar. You are going to take a photo of your family so everyone lines up facing the sun and you snap the shot. Everyone has shadows under their eyes and mom hates the way tht her wrinkles look. Is that about right?

When people start taking portraits, a common mistake is to assume that you don’t need the flash while taking photos on a sunny day. This is false. In fact, famed photographer Derrick Story offers, “that the one killer tip that will inprove your pictures more than any other is to turn on your flash for outdoor portrais.”

The reason is simple. Regular outdoor light is hard to control. If is it shining across the face, the texture and bumps will show. If it is straight on the subject, the shoadows will be strong.

So, what to do? Mr Story suggests that you “finda comfortable spot for (the subject) to stand in the open shade…with a complimentary background.” Next, you’ll want to turn on your flash. Now, as you take the shot, the subject will be lit with the flash. This light will come from their front so the light smooths over texture and blemishes. However, your camera will still recognize the bright background. This is called “Fill Flash.” It “fills in” the shadows and angles.

There are some things to consider:

• The flash will drain your battery faster. Be sure to have a backup.
• Stay close to your subject. Most flash only travels about eight feet. External flashes will travel further.
• Changing your ISO to 200 will let give you a little more room to play with the flash.

Below is a picture I took at my sister’s wedding. It was in Las Vegas in the middle of the Summer so it was hot, bright, and everyone was sweaty. Using the fill flash really brought out the vibrant colors of the flowers and softened the shadows from the strong sun.

Here are the last two shots from the Photo Booth contest. I’ve posted quite a few shots and I also have some that the submitter wanted eligible but didn’t want them to be posted to the site. (I can understand this.)

The contest is officially over now. I’m going to show the photos to my wife and have her pick a winner then I’ll contact that person. Thanks to everyone for playing!!!