STACK #186 Apr 2020

LIFE TECH WELCOME

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TECH LIFE I t’s an argument for the modern age: why do I need a camera when I’ve got a smartphone? Well, let’s just stop it right there. You simply can’t compare the two. Yes, smartphone cameras have come a long way, but there simply isn’t a substitute for a decent DSLR or mirrorless camera over your shoulder. These cameras capture a far greater colour range, feature an expansive range of accessories and allow an abundance of adjustments to capture the perfect photo, and there really is no substitute for that. But it’s not just traditional cameras we’re focusing on in this month’s LifeTech. There are many great options for taking photographs these days, from aerial propositions to cameras that deliver a photo in less than a minute. Are you ready to create content like a pro? Read on.

CAMERAS top facts you didn’t know about them

Neil Armstrong used a $500 Hasselblad 500C to shoot pictures on the moon. However, weight restrictions meant he had to leave the camera on the lunar surface bringing just the film home instead. The first colour photograph was taken in 1861 by Thomas Sutton, although the method was developed by physicist James Clerk Maxwell six years earlier. He used three filters; red, yellow and blue were projected onto a photosensitive plate. A gentleman called Steven Sasson working at Eastman Kodak invented the world’s first digital camera in 1975. It weighed in at a hefty 3.6kg! Back in the early days of photography, people would rarely smile. The reason? It could take hours for a photo to expose – try holding a smile for that long! The world’s first

5 TIPS

for the amateur photographer So, you’re ready to ditch the phone for a proper camera. Here are some pointers to get you started.

2. It’s time to learn. This is vitally important and the essence of success in capturing the right image that you have in your head. Understand what every setting on the camera is and how best to employ it in any given circumstance. Learn which aperture, ISO and shutter speeds deliver the best results. It’s even worth enrolling in a beginner’s photography class to get a good handle on the basics.

1. Keep it simple in the equipment stakes. It’s human nature to want the biggest and the best but here’s no need to go out and spend up big straight off the bat. Buy a good entry level camera – these are easy to transport and handle and more importantly, you’ll learn faster on a basic model.

3. Practice makes perfect. In any field, the more you practice, the better you get. Take photos in the morning and at night. Try different styles of photography. The more you understand the process of taking photos, the better you will become.

4. Tripod essentials. Talk to a professional and they’ll tell you to use one whenever the opportunity presents itself. Tripods exponentially improve the stability of your camera and help you take much better photos.

5. Three’s your lucky number. The rule of thirds is an essential tool to learn for the fledgling photographer. Imagine your photo is dissected with two horizontal and two vertical lines forming a grid. Try to keep the subject of the photo within the central line of the imaginary grid – it will draw the eye of the viewer into the photo.

selfie was taken by Robert Cornelius in 1839.

Fun Fact Humanity will purportedly take 1.4 trillion photos in 2020.

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Coming next month

42 APRIL 2020

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