nicholasmitchell

Nicholas is a staff writer at Photodoto. His interests include photography, collecting cameras old and new, video editing, and all things 3d. If a new gadget comes out on the market, he's sure to be the first to try it. He enjoys experimenting with low light photography, very long exposures and high speed filming.

How Many Camera Bags Do You Need?

Camera bags. Who knew there would be so much choice? I certainly didn’t as I took my first steps into the world of photography. From small camera shaped bags which perfectly fit the contours of your camera to large wheeled suitcases designed to store and transport a whole range of photographic equipment the choice can be overwhelming. Then, after talking to your photography buddies and reading about pro-photographer’s choices of camera bag you start to wonder if you were naive to think that one camera bag would be just fine.

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After all, exactly how many camera bags do you need? Not to worry, we’re here to help you figure that out.

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Are Camera Tripods Universal?

A tripod is an essential part of every shutterbug’s gear. It is used by every type of photographer, hobbyist, or professional, no matter what they specialize in. When you start looking out for a tripod, you’ll notice that there are thousands of tripods available from different brands and different price points. Which brings us to the topic of this post—are camera tripods universal?

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The short answer is yes; camera tripods are universal. But, it is a bit more complicated than that, and you might want to read the complete article before you head out and buy one for your camera.

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Why Your Extension Tube Won’t Focus (With Fixes)

You want to take a lovely photo of the delicate swirls of a seashell. The only problem is…you can’t figure out why your extension tube won’t focus.  Macro photography takes you into the beautiful and enticing world of the minuscule. A dewdrop hanging from the end of a calla lily, an insect drinking nectar from a flower, the brilliant sparkle of the diamonds in a wedding ring — these photos are made possible by macro lenses.

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But macro lenses are expensive so you may have opted to use an extension tube with a regular lens instead.

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Why Are Wide Angle Lenses so Expensive

If you could’ve taken one more step back, your shot would’ve been perfect. But one more step would’ve sent you plummeting to the bottom of the canyon. You decide it’s time to add a wide angle lens to your collection. But how do you justify the expense? And why are wide angle lenses so expensive anyway?

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Manufacturers encounter a few problems when designing wide angle lenses.

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Do You Need A Flash For Travel Photography?

Packing for a trip is arguably the worst part about travel. As photographers, not only do we have to choose which of our vast wardrobe of clothes to take with us, but we also have to decide which pieces of our ever-expanding portfolio of camera equipment to take with us. From picking which lenses and camera bag to remembering your spare memory cards, packing your photography gear for travel can be a nightmare. There is one decision, however, that can often make or break the standard of photographs you come back with. Do I need a flash for my travel photography?

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The answer to whether or not to take a flash with you on your travels will be different for everyone based on a few things.

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Photoshop Basics: Working with Layers

Photoshop.  For photographers, web developers and graphic designers alike, its the go-to program for creating and editing professional grade graphics.  And like every beloved piece of software, it has to have a strong foundation to build upon; a base system that supports all other operations.  For Photoshop, it’s layers.

Operations we describe here are applicable to all Creative Suite versions of the software.

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How to Buy A DSLR Camera For Beginners

Thinking of buying your first camera? Congratulations! Upgrading to a DSLR or mirrorless camera is an exciting time, and will open up many opportunities for you to expand your photography. Maybe you’re thinking of upgrading from your camera phone –and are looking for a DSLR that’s up to the task.

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Regardless of whether you’re looking to take your photography to the next level or if you’re just hoping for a decent camera that will allow you to take amazing vacation snaps and family portraits, you’ll want to ensure that the model that you purchase is the right one for you.

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Best Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals for Photographers

While Black Friday was born in the United States, people from all over the world now wait for this day to do some serious shopping too, and photographers are no exception. The Friday after Thanksgiving has become popular everywhere marking the beginning of the winter holiday season.

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Thanks to our connections in the photography market we get word of deals in advance and we’re able to bring them to you.

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50+ Great Gifts for Filmmakers

Since DSLRs are used today for both photography and videography, the lines are becoming  more and more blurred.  Filmmakers may not be the easiest to shop for, especially if you are not a techie and cant tell 1080i from 1080p.  Here we try to make your choice easier by giving you a wide range of gift ideas for your favorite filmmaker.

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The list is constantly updated as we scour the internet and add more items (you might want to bookmark it).  The latest version includes new technologies and products which are being released.

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