How to use built in flash on a point and shoot or DSLR

We've all used point and shoot cameras in birthdays, parties, clubs, etc, and we've all used the dreaded "built in flash" only for the pics show up with no background and very harsh shadows. The reason being is, the smaller the light source, the harsher the shadows are. This is why professionals use diffusers and light boxes in studios to diffuse the light and create soft shadow. But really, who wants to carry a light box into a bday party or a club !! it's just not cool, and the chances of you walking around without knocking someone out or poking someone's eye is very slim.

So, here is a quick solution, get a piece of kleenex / soft napkin and hold it in front of the flash, you'll be surprised at the results !

And that's your tip of the day :)

I will post a couple of pics later on showing the results of using this technique.

Enjoy

Air Show, September 2009

some pics I took while at the airshow in toronto. The key for taking those photos is simple, use a telephoto zoom, fast lens, very fast shutter speed (I was using 1/5000), and needless to say, a DSLR that can focus in milliseconds. Those planes are travelling at hundreds of miles per hour, if your camera isn't fast enough, you won't catch it.
Also, PANNING is a useful skill for shooting planes.

Enjoy

another try to post multiple photos

I think I'm technologically challenged :P ... here is another try to post more than one pic

Distillery District photos

I was roaming around the Historic Distillery District in Downtown Toronto and thought I'll snap some pics. I think they turned out okay. Enjoy, and feel free to comment :)

back to blogging

ok, so I started this blog in 2008 and only posted 3 posts, that makes it 1 post per year !! only the 3 posts happened in 2008. Anyway, I'm back to blogging now. I realized how interesting, and liberating blogging can be. Also, blogging again should push me to produce more and better photos as I really need to work on my photography.

Tomorrow is bound to be a beautiful day (weather wise), and I'll be heading to kensington market in downtown toronto to snap some pictures. I have to admit, I was influenced by a blogger I ran into (on twitter) during the olympics. So, here I am rambling again and hopefully I'll produce some nice posts / photos.

Stay tuned for the photos :)

Cheers

My Gear

I decided to buy a DSLR camera after a friend of mine bought the Canon Rebel Xti (a beautiful camera). I was on a budget so I had to find a good deal. Luckily, Olympus had a deal that day (they were trying to promote their new line of DSLRs). Basically, it was a bit cheaper than Nikon and Canon, and it came with 2 lenses (as opposed to only one lens from Canon and Nikon). It was very easy for me to make the decision because, 1. I'm not really experienced with SLRs, 2. the sales representative was really cute, 3. I grew up in Egypt and Olympus is very well known over there. I have to say I'm not disappointed at all with my camera, which is Olympus Evolt E-410. It is packed with features, and for a beginner photographer, it's pretty good. The two lenses are: Zuiko ED 14-42 mm, and Zuiko ED 40-150mm. Those are the entry level lenses (no professional photographer will use them) from Olympus. However, They do a pretty good job. The professional lenses have their advantages but I'll tackle this in a later post.

interaction

The main idea behind my blog as I mentioned is to share my experience as an amateur photographer. I'll share everything from buying my DSLR camera, to which books  read or consider reading, etc. I also count on feedback. If you have any suggestions or comment, please post them or email me :)

cheers.