Photography is art at its most subtle and overt at the same time. A good photograph does not say much, but still simultaneously says a lot. The old “worth more than a thousand words” rings true, and for hundreds of years humanity has etched indelible marks across history books with timeless photographs.

Many photographs have won awards and millions have gone unnoticed, but what exactly distinguishes a good “pic” from a great photograph? This is not a sort of photography Bible for seekers of greatness. This is a combination of components that make a very good photograph, and anyone can get this right. Do not take my word for it, however, since I do not have any awards either!

1.      A decent camera

When it all boils down to the bare basics, nothing beats a good ol’ camera. You may be armed with your grandpa’s trusted Fujifilm Vintage Instax or a modern high-tech DSLR – it’s a matter of taste, preference and style, and you can grab valuable advice and a huge collection of cameras at camerasexchange.co.uk.

2.      That one magic shot

Could the sky be clear enough to capture that dreamy sunset, or that picturesque wide angle mountain photo? We all wish and dream for that one priceless shot that has the makings of a 1950s postcard. The good news is it does not have to be a thing out of a Stanley Kubrick. Any subject can be made into a great photo with the right kind of lighting, patience, timing and a touch of luck.

3.      If only that deer had stood still

For nature photographers, there’s nothing quite as frustrating as patiently stalking and waiting for an animal to majestically hold a tad bit as you take your money shot, only for them to gallop away without a care in the world! Good thing the great people over at camerasexchange.co.uk have some marvellous tips, tricks and advice for the right kind of camera for your specific experience!

● Resolution (MP) – before buying any camera, it is important to first take a step back, and check out its resolution. Do not rush into any making a quick purchase, without putting deep thought into your actions. When it comes to the resolution, the higher you go, the better the quality of the pictures and the videos. Clarity is also better with a high resolution camera. A good camera will have a resolution of up to 10mp.

● Flash – When considering the flash, it is important to think first about the use that the camera will be put into, and also the working hours. When recording night pictures, a camera with an infrared flash is the best choice, because it does not produce a bright light when capturing an image. This therefore means that it will not scare away the target, and it does not also attract curious onlookers with malicious intentions, such as stealing the camera. The demerit of this type of flash is that it produces pictures in black and white, though they are still clearly visible.

The other type of flash is known as an incandescent flash, and it has a bright flash. Due to the bright flash, it produces cool colour pictures, whether day or night. The major demerit of this type of flash is the fact that the bright flash normally scares off the game, and is therefore not good for night recording. It is also more prone to theft.

●Trigger Time – This refers to how fast a camera reacts when the motion detectors record some sort of movement, and actually captures the image. Faster trigger speed is required in order to take the best shots, especially when capturing game, which is most often in motion. The trigger time also determines the quality of the photo, to a certain extent.

The best cameras usually have a trigger time of less than 0.5 seconds.

● Detection Zone – This refers to the length or width that a camera is capable of stretching, so as to capture the detected target. It can be very frustrating if a camera detects movements, but once it stretches to capture it, it comes back with no results. This actually shows the importance of investing on a camera which has a good detection zone.

Good cameras have a detection zone of up to 100 ft.

●Recovery Time – It is always important to consider the recovery time, before purchasing any camera. This refers to the time it takes for the camera to take a certain image, and then proceed to take the next. This feature is essential when taking multiple game pictures, especially if the targets are constantly moving which is a common thing with most animals.

If you do not want to miss any movements, you need a camera with a quick recovery time and this ensures that you do not miss anything important at the scene. The best recovery time should be less than 10 seconds, or even lower. If it is higher than this, lots of important details will not be captured.

●Battery Life – A camera with a long battery life will save you from constant replacement and checking time. A longer battery life means that you can leave the camera for weeks at the scene, recording what you want, all this while leaving it unattended. Having a camera with a long battery life is very beneficial.

Infrared cams usually have a longer battery life, as opposed to incandescent cameras which have a lower battery life because of the power consumed by the flash.

Battery life also depends on other factors, such as temperature. A camera operating under extreme temperatures will have a lower battery life.

How to Select a Camera That suits Your Needs

There are many factors that one has to choose when selecting a camera that suits their specific needs, namely:

●Memory – if you are taking photos and videos for a long duration of time, it is important to have a camera which is fitted with enough internal memory. The camera may also need an external SD card slot, which allows the user to add extra external memory which can accommodate more files. Latest trail cameras have SD card slots which can support up to 32GB of external memory.

●Durability- If the camera is to be used on an outdoor scenery such a game park or in the woods, it is important that the camera`s external build is compact. This is because the camera will be working under harsh conditions, and risks being toppled over or stepped on by moving game. A good camera will be able to overcome such conditions, and still continue to work efficiently. Latest tech camera models have steel holders which act as some sort of protective cover.

●Weather – it is always important to select a camera, with the weather conditions under which you work in mind. Good cameras are normally weather proof, meaning they can be left unattended for hours. This feature is especially essential for an outdoor camera.

●Ability to rotate- If the scenery under which work involves constant motion, it is important to select a camera that allows taking of pictures from multiple angles. Good cameras can rotate up to 150 degrees.

●Sensors – If you are spotting game from a long distance, you need a camera which is able to capture pictures automatically, the moment it detects any movement. This requires very strong sensors.

            For anything about cameras, check out: https://cameraexchangestore.co.uk/blog/ and you will not be disappointed.

There’s always room for improvement in photography, and whether you are an experienced photographer at the camera exchange store, there is a lot that you can learn to perfect your skills. 

Here are some essential tips we’ve gathered to help you along the way.

1. Capture Photos with the Rule of Thirds

This is one of the first rules you will learn that’ll take your photography to better levels. This is one of the tips that’ll help you take photos that your clients will love. To implement this rule, imagine splitting your image into nine, even boxes by creating horizontal and vertical lines.

For the best images, either put your focal point right in the middle square or place it a little off-center to make it appear more appealing. If you do this, you’re going to create a photo that looks more aesthetically pleasing. Taking a photo or image with this rule ensures.

• Have a Steady Camera

There’s nothing that can spoil a fantastic photo moment like a blurred camera. To prevent a blur, you have to learn the best way of holding your camera. You have to use both of your hands to ensure that the camera has enough support. Use one hand around the camera lens and the other around its body. Ensure that the camera is close to you for the best support. 

Also, ensure that you’re using an appropriate speed for your shutter. If your shutter speed is slow, you’re bound to make your photos blurry if you make any sudden movements. To ensure that your photos are perfect every time, use a shutter speed appropriate to the focal length of your camera. Additionally, to ensure that your photos aren’t blurry, ensure that you use a monopod or a tripod every time that you can.

• Navigate the Exposure Triangle

Whether you’re a newbie photographer or an experienced one, there are three essentials of taking great photos that you shouldn’t ignore. These are ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed. For one, you have to understand how these three elements work together. 

Additionally, you should know that once you change one setting, you’re going to have to adjust the settings of one other element. If you don’t know how to improve the settings, use your camera on Auto Mode. 

With this setting, however, you may not get your photos to look exactly as you want, so you must learn to change the different settings. Other modes that are better than Auto Mode are Shutter priority, Aperture priority, and Manual mode.

• Use a Polarized Filter

If you have to buy a filter, there’s only one option you should take—the polarizer filter. The best polarizer filters are circular, as they’ll let your camera use through the lens metering. Additionally, a polarizer will help you to lessen reflections from things like metal, water, and glass. Besides, the filter will also help to brighten up colours of the sky, giving your photos a wow factor.

Are you puzzled by how you can get rid of that old camera and lenses that are no longer useful.? Do you save them for historical purposes? Do you donate them? Do you resell them? Do you throw them away in the landfills? As people become more knowledgeable about recycling ordinary garbage, there is still a lot that needs to be done about recycling electric waste. That’s why the importance of e-cycling is being addressed by leaders in the consumer electronics sector to deal with electronic waste.

Importance of Recycling Cameras and Lenses

Recycling cameras helps reduce the level of toxic materials in the soil. Old cameras have toxic substances like chromium, cadmium, mercury, or lead. Proper recycling ensures that these toxic materials aren’t released into the environment. Moreover, by recycling electronics, manufactures don’t have to purchase as many raw materials because they can reuse the recycled ones. When you think about disposing of your digital camera, ensure it is recycled.

How to Recycle Camera and lenses

There are several ways that you can recycle your old camera and lenses that you want to get rid of. Moreover, you can recycle the camera and support a cause by donating it to a charitable organization. These organizations sell MP3 players, cell phones, old cameras and lenses, and other electronics to raise funds for their cause.

Furthermore, several camera manufacturers such as Samsung and Canon provide take-back programs for their products. Sony takes back cameras at no charge. Also, confirm with your local waste management district to check whether they have an e-waste collection program. When recycling old cameras and lenses, ensure you include things like cords, chargers, and batteries as they contain plastics and metals that can be recycled.

There are other ways to recycle an old camera, which include:

• Asking art and graphic departments at universities, colleges, or high schools if they are interested in your old camera for their projects.
• Inquire with the local camera clubs
• Find out if your local camera stores need old photo paraphernalia for use as replacement parts

How to recycle SD cards

SD cards from your cameras are challenging to recycle. They aren’t in most take-back programs and no companies take them in the stores or by mail. The best option you have when it comes to recycling SD cards is contacting a solid waste management district near you to find out if they have a recycling initiative that can take SD cards. Another way is by using your SD card with another device like your smartphone or tablet. Moreover, if you have four SD cards you transform them into an SSD.

You don’t have to throw away your old Lenses

If you are disposing of your old DSLR or SLR camera, you might consider keeping the lenses if you do not want the body anymore. If the lenses are in great condition, you can use them in another camera. You only need to purchase camera lens adaptor rings which will enable you to use the lenses on many different cameras.

These days nearly every mobile device comes with a camera built-in. In fact, with most of the top of the range devices, the camera is the major selling point of the device. It has changed the way that we experience photography forever and everyone is taking photos of everything. However, you might still have an old film camera knocking around that you are not sure what to do with. Here are some ideas on how to make the most of the old camera.

Sell

Some people may be thinking that because digital cameras have been around for quite a while then their old film camera might be worth a pretty penny and they can sell it for profit. Unfortunately, this isn’t really the case. The switch to digital produced a glut of old film cameras on the market and it is still flooded with them. This means that unless you have something particularly special or expensive then you are not going to get much for it.  The best bet for selling an old camera is the classic 1960s polaroid cameras. These tend to be sought after in today’s instant gratification market.

Donate

There are a few charities and/or schools that are always on the lookout for older film cameras. This is so that they can either be used as part of a photography class or to train people in the art of photography. The Shutterhub Camera Amnesty is a charity that collects old film cameras and donates them to homeless people all over the world so that they can capture images of life as it happens. They are always happy to accept any donations of cameras or equipment.

Lenses

If you have an old DLR or SLR camera with detachable lens, then you shouldn’t get rid of the lens. Even though they were designed for an older camera there are several different adapter rings and other converters that will allow you to use the older lens with newer cameras. So if you have a lens that you particularly like or gives you great effects then you will be able to keep on using it in the future even if you switch to digital.

Experiment

One of the other great things you can do with an old camera is experiment with it and try out new techniques without fear of breaking an expensive camera that you are going to want to keep using. Whether this is by changing or adapting the camera, adding a lens, or trying different filters etc. Then an old camera is a great tool for trying new things.

Lomography

This is a new trend that is emerging that has parallels to the resurgence of Vinyl records. Many people are going back to the old-style film photography as a method of taking ‘purer’ photos. They are also then able to create an old-school photo album with the results which make great presents or gifts for members of the family and friends. This is a growing trend amongst youngsters who have never experienced film photography before.

Photography is something that entices a lot of people some people want to pursue it as a career, some simply want to study it and some enjoy it as a hobby. It doesn’t really matter which category a person falls into they will always need a camera. Which is why the used camera market is always thriving.
But if you have an old camera you want to sell on where should you go to do it? You aren’t exactly short of options but knowing which to use isn’t always easy. Let’s look at your main options when it comes to selling a used camera in more detail.

eBay and Other Similar Websites
The internet has made selling things we no longer need incredibly easy and listing a camera on a website like eBay is sure to get you some money in return. While eBay is the most popular online second-hand marketplace there are plenty of others to choose from.
However, while you will often get some money by selling your camera on websites like these there are some potential downsides. For one, there is no real way to know how much you will get if you go for a traditional auction-style listing.
You can instead set your own price but you will still likely see people haggling on it. You will also have to deal with postage costs and sellers fees as well finally you also need to consider the risks of your parcel going missing in postage and online scammers.

Social Media
Social media websites like Facebook are becoming a commonplace to sell unwanted goods. But you can expect to encounter many of the same problems as you would with websites like eBay. Sellers will often attempt to haggle on the price and you could fall victim to scammers as well. However, if you can find someone local who wants to buy then you can avoid postage costs. Just make sure your buyer in a busy public place to ensure any transaction is safe.

Second-hand Shops/ Pawn Brokers
While you will almost certainly be able to sell a camera at a second-hand shop or pawn brokers you shouldn’t expect a great price in return. Of course, there is a lot of variation depending on the condition, model and age of your camera but you shouldn’t expect a lot of money in return even if your camera is brand new and in great condition.
If you go to a few different brokers/ shops you might find one offering a bit more money but if you want to get the best value for your camera there is a better way to sell it. Let’s look at this method in more detail below.

You Should Sell To The Camera Exchange Store
If you want to sell a used/ second-hand camera then going to the Camera Exchange Store is the best method. The process is simple and easy you simply enter the make and model of your camera and get an instant quote in return.
Once you accept the quote you will receive an order number and postage details, you will get a free postage address by email and if your camera is of a particularly high-value a collection will be arranged for you. Once the item is received and inspected the funds will then be released to you.
You can even choose from a variety of different payment methods including bank transfers or a personal cheque. All you need to do is to is ask for a certificate of postage from the post office when you sent it, these are available free of charge.
Going to the Camera Exchange Store is the best way to ensure you get a fair price for your used camera. You can also avoid the extra postage costs and scammers that you find on many other alternative websites. The process is simple, quick and the all-round best way to sell a used camera.

Every now and then, photographers are bitten by the bug which causes them to desire new, better and generally more advanced camera equipment to meet ever-changing photography demands, be it lenses, camera bodies, lights or any other gear.

Perhaps you’re one of them – and once you’ve been bitten, you need to do something about the old gear, right?

In this article, we discuss the top ten most important things to remember when selling your camera gear so that you can fetch the best price for it:

What to do before Selling Your Old Camera Equipment – Top Five Golden Rules

1. Patience is Your Friend

If you’re really, really lucky, your camera gear might sell within the hour. However, in many cases, you may need to wait days or even weeks. You see, photographers’ desires is something you don’t have any control over. They tend to fluctuate and the only thing you can do is roll with the ride.

Still, if you’re looking for a super-quick sale, then you may have to lower your price – a route we would not typically suggest.

2. Honesty is Key

It goes without saying that you should be 100% honest and upfront about what you’re selling, the condition it is in, and everything that’s included or not included. The online camera selling industry is blessed with a fair amount of trust, which means you shouldn’t take advantage of it.

Any misleading information can prove to be a major headache for you in case the buyer decides to raise a dispute through whatever channel you have chosen to sell your camera equipment.

3. Include All Paperwork

Include every piece of paperwork with the equipment that you’re selling. This will not only instil trust between yourself and the buyer but pave the way for breezier future sales.

By paperwork we don’t just mean the user’s manual or purchase receipt but all receipts from repairs, maintenance, cleanings, etc.

4. Don’t Discard the Old Camera Equipment Packaging

You will find that by keeping the original packaging in which your camera and camera equipment came, you can fetch a better price. We’re not quite sure why, but in the photography circle at least, there are plenty of hoarders when it comes to camera equipment in its original packaging.

So we would encourage you to include all boxes, padding, plastic and whatnot along with warranty cards and user manuals when it’s time to sell.

5. Keep Those Date Codes Handy

Date codes may not be important to you, but they are to many photographers out there. Lenses incorporate a date system to help determine when they were built. Always include the date code with your listing, as this would mean less questions from the buyer, helping you sell quickly and establishing a better sense of trust.

Where to Sell Used Camera Equipment?

While places like eBay or Facebook might offer interesting ways of listing and selling your used camera equipment, you will most likely not find an easier and more hassle-free 3-step process than the one at Camera Exchange Store.

Whether you’re a recreational or professional photographer, honing your art and becoming good at it is something that often requires a lifelong learning curve. And as you learn the ropes and experiment with different cameras and lenses, the need to upgrade or swap your camera for a better one is always there.

Or perhaps the new camera you got simply doesn’t live up to the hype created in all those great reviews. In any case, you’d want the best value for your money, which is why it’s probably time to sell you old camera, or better yet, swap it with a better one.

Here’s what you need to do before you sell your old camera:

Give Your Old Camera and Gear a Good Clean

Ideally, the first thing you’d want to do is give your camera and all associated equipment a thorough clean so that it’s nice and presentable for potential buyers. Believe it or not, as a buyer, one of the most annoying things to deal with is camera equipment that’s received in a dirty or otherwise unkempt condition.

Make your camera and gear look as new as possible, and you can easily fetch a great value.

Categorise for Multiple Items

You may have accessories or other camera gear that you will most likely sell with the camera. It’s always a good idea to group items under specific categories. For instance if you have a camera along with cleaning materials, a memory card and kit lens to sell, you can call it “Beginner Camera Kit” or something along those lines.

As a bonus, bundling items under an appropriate category can make your offer more attractive.

Take a Few “Beauty” Shots

Before putting up your camera for sale, take a few shots. But you’ll need to make sure that these shots are high-quality and clearly show all the essential parts of your camera and any gear you’re selling with it. Buyers need to see from a variety of angles that your camera has been kept well – always highlight ‘areas of concern’ like lens surfaces, buttons, hinges, etc.

Test Your Camera and Equipment (Again)

While parting with your beloved equipment might not be an easy experience, think about the hours and hours of creative pleasure it will provide the next owner. However, you should take this opportunity to test everything out one last time.

Take a couple of photos indoors and outdoors, make sure everything is working as expected, and if you do run into any issues whatsoever, you can certainly save yourself from the embarrassment of a negative review. It always pays to double check!

Where to Sell Your Old Camera

Places like Craigslist and eBay can prove to be quite risky at times, and there’s little guarantee that your stuff will sell even after months go by.

At the Camera Exchange Store, we take old cameras off your hands in three simple steps:

Find your current model, post us your camera in a package we’ll provide and get your payment instantly.

Have you ever looked at an image of food and wondered how exactly they get it to look quite so appetising? In the most part, the food should really be able to speak for itself, however, it seems that from time to time even the most delicious of food needs a bit of a helping hand.

In the food photography industry, there are some certain techniques and tricks that are used in order to make sure that food looks the very best that it can. If you are wondering more, then here is our rundown of some of the most commonplace secrets within the industry.

Perfect stacks of pancakes

Surely pancakes are the type of food that you can just trust to look amazing on its own? Well, even the fluffiest of pancake stacks can need a little help from time to time. When it comes to height, some photographers have been known to add in slabs of cardboard to give the stack some height, if that wasn’t enough, then instead of syrup, which can soak into the pancake and seemingly disappear, motor oil is used to keep that beautifully liquid look.

Brilliant looking burgers

When it comes to look, burgers seem to be the most common one that gets a helping hand. In fact, some of us have been really surprised by how a video is shown in an advert, and how it really looks in the real world. So, how do they do it? Burger photography can often mean heating cheese with a heat gun in order to get it nice and drippy, adding vegetable oil to the burger itself to look juicy and also adding in sponges to the burger in order to give it some height. You will really be surprised by the sheer amount of things that people will do in order to have amazing looking burgers.

Unsinkable cereal

Taking a photo of a bowl of cereal is not as easy as it seems. Once the milk is added the cereal will start to go soggy and sink down in the bowl. Not exactly what you are going to want when it comes to showcasing the beauty of the cereal. In order to stop this from happening jelly is sometimes covered with glue, which looks a whole lot like milk, but that stops the cereal from disappearing.

Wonderful whipped cream

Ever seen an ice cream sundae with some beautifully whipped cream on the top? Looks too good to be true? Well, the honest answer is that it is. In fact, rather than using normal whipped cream, which will disappear over time, sometimes shaving foam is used, to give a really impressive and long-lasting look.

The first place to start when it comes to food photography is buying a camera. If you are new to photography and don’t want to spend too much money, then you could always look at ways that you can save some money, perhaps by buying second hand equipment that will still work just as well for you when it comes to food photography.

There are a number of reasons why people decide to become a photographer, whether that is just as a hobby or perhaps to earn some money. For some people, it seems to be a relatively easy choice to make, with very little inspiration, however, for others, they may find that they need a little more of a gentle nudge in order to get them to grab a camera. If you are thinking about starting out in photography and you need a push in the right direction, then why not take a look through the reasons why becoming a photographer is the best idea ever.

You will start to notice the finer details

One thing about photography is that it will definitely help you to see things from an entirely different perspective, perhaps one that you would have never thought of before. It means that you will notice light, shapes, textures and even the finer details of everyday things that you would otherwise have taken for granted.

You will also see the beauty in the mundane

Not only will you find that as a photographer you see the finer details of things that are around you, but also that you will see the beauty in things that otherwise may have just seemed mundane and boring. You will notice things that you have never seen before and you will see things from a viewpoint that gives everything a very different look.

Photography helps to relax you

One reason that people who are a photographer as their career enjoy their work so much, is that it is actually quite relaxing. Sure, there are going to be times when it is stressful. But in the most part, being out there, focusing on the thing that you taking photos of, is going to help you to unwind.

You can take photos of the things most important to you

When you choose photography as a career you are going to be giving people the gift of capturing some of their most special moments. However, when you try out photography for yourself, you are going to be able to take photos and create memories of those people who are most important to you. This could be your family, your friends, even your pets.

You are unleashing your creativity

Some of us are creative in our very nature and it can be hard to find a way to let this loose. Photography is a great way to unleash your creativity. Sure, it might not be the same as painting or drawing, but you are still creating something that is artistic and that takes some creative flair.

Thinking about taking up photography as a hobby? Don’t want to spend out too much money in the first instance? If this is true for you then why not take a look at a second-hand camera? This gives you the chance to see whether or not photography is going to be right for you, whilst stopping you from spending out too much money.