Many new photographers are intimidated by the thought of shooting their images in Raw as apposed to JPG. I think that this is a HUGE mistake and one you may regret later! Stephen Shankland wrote a great article today shooting raw versus shooting jpg that I thought you would enjoy – follow the link for the whole article!

Using my then-new SLR in 2005 and 2006, I photographed everything from my new son to otherworldly canyons we visited in Utah. The only problem: the photos were taken only in JPEG format.

JPEG is fine as far as it goes, and indeed for most folks it will suffice. But having rediscovered my enjoyment of photography in the digital era, I wish I’d used the raw image format that comes with SLRs and higher-end compact cameras.
This illustration shows the checkerboard Bayer pattern of a typical digital camera's image sensor. Each pixel captures either red, green, or blue.

This illustration shows the checkerboard Bayer pattern of a typical digital camera’s image sensor. Each pixel captures either red, green, or blue.
(Credit: DxO Labs)

My initial regret was from the realization that raw photos, although taking up about three times the storage space as a JPEG and requiring manual processing, offer higher quality and more flexibility. But what I’ve come to understand since then is a second advantage of raw: because processing software improves over time, raw photos in effect can get better with age.

For that reason, I’ve begun recommending friends who show some enthusiasm for photography that they should think about shooting important events in raw format alongside JPEG. You don’t have to mess with the raw files today, but if it’s an important event like a wedding, you might want them for later.

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Joe McNally and Scott Kelby have fun with lighting in this video. I love when photographers get goofy!

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How To Take Great Baby Pictures

There are some useful tips you can use to take your own baby’s picture and become their personal photographer. Here are some of them:

1. Consider natural lights – Babies’ skin is still glowing and supple. You will find that they do not really need to have all those excessive studio lights to make them appear adorable on print. It would also be best to photograph them within a natural environment because it would help them become more comfortable with the photo shoot. You need to understand that babies can be sensitive to harsh lighting. Their eyes might hurt from the flash of the camera when they look at it. Plus these flash lights tend to highlight your baby’s skin too much, whereas natural lighting tends to hug your baby’s natural curves.

2. Photograph them on the same level – Go down on your knees or elbows if you must. Going down on the same level as the baby helps make them feel more comfortable around you. Although they may not know that their parent has suddenly turned into their very own photographer, they may feel a bit uneasy with the weird bulky black object you now have with you. Being on the same level as theirs also allows you to focus more on their reactions and take great spontaneous snapshots as they happen. Proximity allows you to capture their expressions much better.

3. Consider their mood and be wary of distractions – Before doing the baby photography session, the most important thing that you should consider is your baby’s mood. You would not want to press on them when they are already feeling cranky because it will just cause angst for both of you and unwanted stress. Since you know your baby so well, you might want to make an environment that would help stimulate their good mood. Just make sure that there are not many unwanted distractions that will hinder you from taking great pictures.

4. Fix your camera settings beforehand – If possible, don’t make adjustments when you are already in the middle of the shoot. Do all the technical preparations beforehand so that the only thing you need to think about is your angles and making the baby feel happy. Set the ISO and preferable F-Stops before the shoot.

It would also be a great idea to photograph your baby at spontaneous moments. Like when they are playing in the crib, spending time with family pets, or even while taking a bath, especially if they enjoy taking them. You don’t really need a formal environment to become a great baby photographer. After all, kids are best captured in an image when they are within the environment they are most comfortable with.

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The Canon EOS Rebel XS SLR Digital Camera Kit is a great budget oriented camera if you are looking to move on from a point and shoot like the Canon PowerShot G10. My expert advisor is a Nikon user right now but maintains that it is your own personal preference whether to go with Nikon or a Canon, and he says you can’t go wrong starting out with the Canon EOS Rebel. He does say that if you find you are an avid photographer, you might outgrow it in a year or so, but he was able to sell his old one to help pay for the next one!

Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
According to Amazon, “For perfect photos, fast and simple, there’s nothing better than Canon’s new EOS Rebel XS. With powerful features including a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, Canon’s DIGIC III processor, fast shooting and more, it’s a digital powerhouse. With simple, easy-to-use controls, a compact design, a 2.5-inch LCD monitor, and Live View Function, it’s a beginner’s dream come true. ”

Some of the best features of the Canon Rebel are the large 2.5″ LCD screen, the Self Cleaning Sensor Unit, and that it is compatible with all Canon lenses in the EF and EF-S lineup, ranging from ultra-wide angle to super telephoto lenses!

Find Out More About The Canon Rebel XS Digital SLR Camera

Note: Product links are included for your convenience, a commission for the purchase of one of these products will be made.

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According to my resident expert John Jacobsen, “I think the Canon PowerShot G10 is the only point-and-shoot I would recommend to anyone. It’s got a bunch of advanced features and several photogs that I follow on the web use it.”

Why choose a Point-and-Shoot digital camera? Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras are perfect for people who want to have ease of use for their photography needs! They produce photos of great quality and do not require much in the way of techincal knowledge to set up.

Canon Powershot G10 14.7MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom

What’s so great about the Canon PowerShot G10? Let’s start with price, there are numerous listings on Amazon for this camera, all under $500!

Also it features a High-powered 5x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer plus a 28mm wide-angle lens. These keep the image from blurring, even in low light!

Additionally it corrects for red-eye three different ways and offers a huge 3 inch PureColor LCD II that allows you to see your shots AND show your friends!

Find out more about the Canon Powershot G10!

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