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i think like all things it comes naturally to some, some develop it, and some can never achieve it. experimenting is the key to inspiration. you must really look at things. and differently. a professor once told me that in order to define something you must think of everything is not. like a dog- a dog is not a cat, it does not fly, etc etc. in defining it by what it is not, you are seeing it differently like in drawing studio they teach you about positive and negative space.

 

the way to see things differently begins by observing-staring... treating yourself like an outsider...like maybe somebody that is not from this earth and when you take notice in this way, you see the wonderful opportunities. a plant in your backyard may not look interesting but dont look at it through your eyes, look through your camera, frame your shot..take your camera and put a macro lens on it and capture the texture, shape, etc of the leaves.

 

and another piece of advice...try leaving your backyard to take shots. maybe its too familiar for you to see its treasures.

i would recommend getting some filters. you can use filters to get a macro effect instead of buying a new lens. how about a fisheye lens or tilt shift lens. i have a 7.5mm fisheye & 15 mm fisheye...those are fun...there is also a tilt&shift lens which u have that is 35mm one. go to used camera shops and try stuff on your camera.

Naveen, you have an egytptian name. well they are right, it depends on how you look like. and chances are if you are a girl, they will not bother you either.

i would leave the laptop at home if i was going backpacking but if youre taking it Eagle Creek make a great item to protect your laptop called the Computer Vault. you can view it and buy it at rei.com ($25). I have one. eagle creek also has a web site called www.eaglecreek.com

 

as for camera- you should go to the store and see what photo bag suits you and your eguipment. try rei also-they have a whole section of bags for cameras. and as for an over all backpacke i would go for an eagle creek backpack with dtachable day pack- those can also be found at rei.com- the one i have is the Eagle Creek World Journey (Women). their stuff lasts and has a lifetime waranty.

start with a 50mm macro

try a Canon EOS-1...it was my upgrade.

i backpacked for 6 months during my 2 years study abroad in college- i needed my camera for photography classes. the only cameras that truly withstand the rigors of roughing it would be some old manual camera like a Pentax or a Canon AE-1. If you can operate it then you will have a camera that will withstanding dropping and bumping and they are cheap to acquire.

if a lens has a scratch i dont see how it repairable except to sell it or donate it for parts to fix another salvageable lens. if the coating on a lens is scratched its probably okay but if the lens is scratched-its useless. the best way when acquiring older lens (which i do because they dont make lens anymore for my camera) is to see if they have a return policy or if you can leave a deposit and take it for a couple hours- go immediately take photos with it and then develop them and see how the pictures turn out- the photos will tell you how good the lens is working. i know this is hard but used lens can be costly and you have to becareful.

i agree. panoramic camera.

buy a new one. i got a Tiffen one recently and it was $15 from B+H Photo

its actually cheaper to fix things than you think. take it to a shop...in NYC i take my stuff to Chrysler Camera (43&Lex in basement of Chrysler bldg) or FotoTech. The other places like Olden Camera or Panorama that also fixes cameras. they usually will take a look at it right away and give you an estimate for free at the first two i mentioned. you wont lose anthing having someone take a look at it.

Craig-

 

where did you get a magnifier S for a Canon- i have been looking for one!

What to look for in buying a new or used light box? are there

things i should be specifically looking for when searching a

new/used light box? the new ones are expensive so i thought for

going for a used one. advise is appreciated.

shopping for a tripod is infinitely more disturbing and confusing than buying the camera itself...you wont know until well into its use whether it was the right choice or not. Thanks for your advice. I am going to start trying equipment out at B+H this weekend.

What head goes best with a Bogen 3021 Pro...thats the tripod i am

looking to buy. I have a budget limit of $200 and i need to get a

heavy Canon AE-1 on it.

i am loyal to canon because i learned on it and my friend camera is a canon that runs like new and my father passed down to me and its 31 years old.

 

the truth is both are good. what matters is the person behind the camera..thats what makes a great photo. not the camera. a great photographer can take great photos on a disposable or a LeClic which are better than someone who just doesnt have the talent for it.

 

shop around, price compare and find out which one fits your style better.

i use all FD lens, i never used an FL lens. but i love my FD lenses. if you want to buy lenses for it..start with a 50mm that is a standard lens. then i would go for a wide angle of 28mm or 35. then if i want to buy more i would go for a 100mm which is portrait lens and then buy a 2X converter which would turn my 100mm into a 200 mm. or you could opt to get the 80-200mm lens. when you are happy and want more try speciality lenses like tilt shift or fisheye. i dont know what they make for your brand of camera mount. mine is canon. so definitely start with a 50mm and then secondly a wide angle lens.

beware. some lens have coatings, if the coating is scratched only then it wont affect the pictures...if the cratch is on a lens especially anything over a 50mm lens then it WILL show up even if it is just light. may i recommend 100 mm as a better option for a portrait lens? thats what i use.

 

my advice is dont buy anything unless you can go there, try it out, touch, and see how you feel about it, especially used equipment. its almost better to pay almost $100 more (maybe even more) to go buy it at a reputable store that will give you a return policy and a limited warranty. check the photo.net listings of camera shops in your area.

what manfrotto to use with Bogen 3021 Pro?

its the release for the batteries inside.

When i took Photo 101 in my first year in college all- the professor said all you need is the following:

 

Completely manual camera (he perferred a Pentax for students- its actually the choice for student photographers) I had a Canon AE-1 Program.

 

50 MM FD Lens (make sure its made for the mount of your camera and check to make sure there are no scratches ont he lens front and rear)

 

Black+White Film usually they use the 125 X-Pan B+W mad by Kodak because its the easiest to develop.

 

and MOST of all most instructors will NOT let you use FLASH or an AUTOMATIC CAMERA.

 

The places to get a USED Camera are:

B+H Photo 33rd&9th Ave

Adorama 18th St (between 5th&6th Aves)

Chrysler Camera (the have a sister store with more stuff in Lower manhattan)- 43rd&Lexington- Basement of Chrysler Bldg.

 

Shop around and in the smaller shops like Chrysler Camera they are willing to bargain so you can try to get a better price. AND KEEP THE STICKERS AND TAGS ON EVERYTHING. KEEP YOUR RECEIPT. And as soon as you buy the camera/lens go shoot a full roll and develop it that day AT A 1 HOUR FILM PLACE and make sure that both the lens and camera body operate properly.

 

but ask the instructor, he/she will better inform you.

if you are carrying 400 or less than you will be okay if the film goes a few times in the carry on with you. I just went for a project in Egypt and i kept the film in my carry on ( all 100/200 film) and it passed through the scanner at JFK airport then it passed the scanner again in Heathrow (i had a long layover and decided to visit friends in London) then on the way back it passed through Cairo Airport and Heathrow Airport again. So it went a total of 4 times under the carry on scanner and the film came out superb.

i go to third world countries alot for projects...this is what i do, i take electric tape (utility tape) in different colors- gray, red, and blue...and then i tape up my camera and make it look like its broken with careful attention to covering up any labels. i carry it in a plain tote bag, NEVER a camera bag. i take my shots, when i am not taking my shots i put it away. its difficult and if you can help it dont shoot alone, bring someone with you in the mroe dangerous countries.

I just flew back and forth between NYC London Cairo. I was in Egypt for 2 months shooting for a project. I had a ton of equipment with me Flash, tripod, 6 lenses, and other equipment. it weighed a ton, certainly more than what BA allows but they allowed me aboard with it when i told them it was fragile photo equipment, most of which is irreplaceable...and not just that i was carrying an Egyptian Passport...and no one hassled me or thwarted me from going on my merry-way aboard with all my film equipment.

i do alot of travel photography and i am looking for a tripod for my

Canon AE-1 Program...its a bit heavier because it has a data back,

an MA drive attached to it and sometimes those old FD telephoto

lenses can weigh a ton and be hard to balance. But i also need

something i can carry without hurting myself. any recommendations?