Photography - 1

I.Digital Cameras and Camcorders - Digital Zoom vs. Optical Zoom

The zoom lens of digital cameras and camcorders is the ability to vary focal length and, thus the angle of view. Both digital cameras and camcorders have zoom capability. For the consumer this can be confusing because there are two different types, known as Digital Zoom and Optical Zoom. When in doubt always go for optical zoom when shopping for cameras and camcorders.

Digital Zoom vs. Optical Zoom

The digital zoom enlarges images by magnifying the actual pixels. The finished image is thus affected and lacks clear definition. Simply put, digital zoom merely captures pixels and magnifies those and produces inferior photos, always go with Optical Zoom, which is a much better quality zoom capability.

Optical Zoom, unlike Digital Zoom, actually utilizes the movement of the lens. The focal length is changed and the image that passes through the lens is captured with optical zoom. Higher optical zoom ratings give better image quality. Simply put, optical zoom magnifies the size of an image by adjusting the lens. Unlike digital zoom, optical zoom enlarges the subject without sacrificing resolution.

Optical zoom ratings vary from 3PX to 20PX and the higher ratings give the best image quality. Optical zoom gives you all the benefits of the camera's and camcorder's maximum resolution, combined with the camera's ability to focus in tight on faraway action.

Often times an optical zoom is more important than resolution because it means you won't have to magnify your subject and then use software to crop the image and discard some of the resolution as a result. Optical zoom works much like the zoom lens on a 35 mm film camera. It changes the length of your camera lens and draws the subject closer to you.

Digital zoom has its place. It can be used if the only destination for your photos is to view them on your computer, and send them via email. Photos online can be a much lower quality in the camera and still appear acceptable when sent through e-mail or posted on a web gallery. But, if your goal is to print any of your photos you need a camera that has a high optical zoom rating and if your camcorder or camera also has a digital zoom function you should turn it off when taking those pictures. Your digital pictures will be much better in the end, even if they are not as close up.

Another important camcorder or digital camera shopping tip is to ignore digital zoom ratings within optical zoom. Some vendors tout a high total zoom that includes digital zoom, and it is not the true Optical Zoom rating. Always look for the true optical zoom rating.

II.Five Things That Can Go Wrong With Your Custom Website and How to Avoid Them

These days, every business needs a website but launching one isn't always straightforward, and it definitely isn't cheap. While there are thousands of companies out there who will try to sell you a cheap product, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here are five things that can go wrong if you choose the wrong website developer.

1. Your website doesn't get built at all.

Many young developers will promise you the world while quoting you your dream price. They might have the best of intentions. Perhaps they're business is new and they really want to get started so are willing to work for less. Maybe they don't have much experience and think they can do things faster than they really can. What usually happens, however, is they find themselves many hours into your design project with very little done. Maybe they thought they knew how to build what you were asking for, but are now struggling with tasks far over their head. Instead of being honest with you that they made a mistake, many of them will just stop answering your emails or phone calls. They can't give you your deposit back because they've already spent it. You lose whatever money you gave them and end up with nothing.

2. Only your developer knows how anything works.

Website programming is complex business, but maintaining a website should be easy. A good developer knows how to make a user-friendly website. An inexperienced developer is often making things up as they go along, programming your website based on trial and error. It's a miracle if they can even figure out how they did things once they're done, let alone teach you how to use it.

3. Your ideas are bigger than your budget.

This is a common one. Of course we all want as much as we can get for as little as possible. But when it comes to website development, you really do get what you pay for. If you want a lot of fancy features, you're going to have to pay for the extra time it takes to build them, as well as find a professional with the skill to build them. Professionals aren't going to work for free. Expect to pay at least $50 an hour for a quality website. If you can't afford everything you want, scale back your expectations. A good developer should be able to make suggestions for a satisfactory website that's within your budget.

4. Your developer says they can do what they actually can't.

This one is related to the first, but even experienced developers can fall into this trap. There's a diverse range of expertise that goes into building a website. This includes photography, graphic design, database management, an understanding of information architecture, business and time management, and programming. Many web developers will tell you they can do what you want, even if they can't. Maybe they're hoping they'll be able to figure it out after they get the job, that they can just take a quick photograph and it'll look fine, or that designing your logo will only take a few minutes. They may be an expert programmer, but that doesn't mean they've got good aesthetic taste. When someone agrees to do work they aren't experienced at, the finished product is a shoddy-looking website.

5. Your developer gets you to buy features you don't need.

Many web development companies will try to sell you all sorts of extra features, for plenty of extra money. Many of these can be useful in the right context, but many of them require even more time and money to make them do what they are supposed to do. If a feature is going to need ongoing maintenance and information input long after your website is complete, ask yourself if that's really within your budget.

So before you fall for someone's siren song, do your research and get references. A truly professional web developer isn't going to try to sell you the moon. They're going to listen to what you need, consider your budget, and come up with a website that works for you.