With the sunshine season amongst us, it gives us all a good excuse to throw a party and enjoy the summer sun. Whether for a birthday, anniversary or a good old ‘knees up’, summer parties offer a fantastic chance to get the family together, along with your closest friends, to make some good memories (and take lots of pictures!).

Although the sun can often create problems for picture quality and capturing the perfect moments, here is a quick summer photography guide to make sure you get the perfect summer snaps for the photo album!

Recommended settings

When photographing parties, both indoors or out, ISO settings should be at least 400-88; especially when indoors. Shutter speeds of at least 1/125^th of a second will keep images sharp and quick, otherwise unexpected movement should still be captured.

Recommended equipment

Having a variety of lenses to experiment with will make capturing great party photography a little easier and create exciting pictures. Telephoto lenses of 300mm will help you to capture candid shots easier, and standard lenses of 50mm are versatile for both clear and more posed photographs.

1.       Capture the detail

If it’s a birthday party, be sure to catch every detail including candles, balloons, décor and, of course, the cake! Use natural light by a window for the best effect, and a larger aperture (f/2.8-f/4) to blur out background detail and focus on the subject. Shutter speeds of 1/100^th and upwards will also avoid blurring on running children or dancing grandparents!

2.       Photograph everyone

Sure, some people hate having their picture taken and will avoid the camera at all costs, but try to photograph everyone if possible. If the light is fairly low, you’ll need to push the ISO to 400 and open the aperture to f/2.8-f/4 to let a little more light in. Be creative with framing your guests and snap interesting photographs of everyone during different times of the day!

3.        Be natural

Natural photographs create picture-perfect images, and show momentary reactions in a beautiful way. Party guests are often full of energy, so be sure to keep an eye on all the guests and the goings on of your party whilst they chat, dance and even eat! A zoom lens is a great idea for capturing party moments, and the ISO should be between 100-800. Wide apertures of f/2.8-f/10 will provide images with a blurred background, giving strong depth of field and prominent subject focus. By using an external flash, capturing movement will be easier and create a higher quality image.

Here at Camera Exchange Store, we offer a unique service that allows you to trade-in your old camera for a cash exchange. If you require any advice regarding our fast and efficient exchange service, please feel free to get in contact with our friendly team on 0208 371 4179 or drop us an email at info@cameraexchangestore.co.uk!

We all love a good Polaroid camera due to their quirky, instant-picture making quality, and let’s be honest, we all have fond memories of snapping away as a child and enjoying its instant return.

Cameras have come such a long way over recent years, and long gone are the days of changing your 35mm film camera under a towel whilst on holiday, just so you didn’t lose the first few precious snaps of a new roll. SLR manufacturers are constantly on the improvement and with new technologies such as Go Pro, who knows what the future holds for today’s photography?

But are these technologies really as good as the trusty old snap Polaroid camera that provided us with so much entertainment? After their exit from producing film in 2008, Polaroid’s back! And is more sought after than ever, with camera and film prices rocketing.

So, put down the SLR for a day and get your old instant Polaroid camera out; here’s a quick guide to get you reacquainted with instant photography and take you back to basics – nostalgia not included.

1.       Firstly, acquire a camera

If you aren’t lucky enough to have an instant camera stashed in your attic, the camera you buy will depend on the kind of instant photography you wish to pursue and how much you are willing to spend. If on a budget, try out a few of the newer date versions of instant cameras, and if you are after the real deal, the Polaroid – car boot sales, antique shops and eBay are great places that may provide you with an ideal bargain buy if you search enough!

If wanting to get into instant photography but wanting a cheap and modern alternative that offers likewise results, the Fujifilm Instax, Instax Mini and Polaroid 300 take business card-sized photos in a similar fashion to the older styles. However, more modern cameras do not have the same ‘chunky’ and plastic appearance that traditional instamatics have.

2.       Find the right film

Depending on the model of camera, looking for the right film can vary in both difficulty and price. Be warned that serious Polaroid photographers can spend thousands of pounds a year on film.

Finding film for Fujifilm Instax is easy, and is fairly cheap if purchased from Fuji stockists directly.

For those willing to spend a little more and put in more effort to find the perfect film, real Polaroid film is still available if properly searched for.

If someone you know has had a Polaroid camera, it may be worth asking if they have any film left, and if you come across a supplier selling the rest of his stock – and the price is right – buy it all, as deals like these are hard to come by. Unfortunately, most is expired due to its last manufacture date in 2008; however these can be a benefit and have interesting and unique artistic outcomes.

3.       Load it up!

For more modern designs, instructions will be provided. However, if you have managed to get a real Polaroid that has come unboxed, check out this fantastic step-by-step guide to putting the film in and getting ready to take some instant-photos!

4.       Accept the limitations

Instant cameras offer enough with their instant photo-process, and if you want sharpness, high quality colour and definition to your images – instant photography is probably not for you! Polaroid and other instant camera models offer a unique photographic type, although it is not a particularly high quality one. The advantages of good Polaroid photography offer an artistic take where colour distortion can often work to the photographer’s advantage.

Once you have accepted that you are not going to produce a perfectly balanced, composed and focused image – you will be free to experiment and create some of the most stunning and non-traditional instant photographs possible. Instant cameras offer a great attitude that even when it goes wrong, it goes right. Check out this fantastic series entitled ‘Ruined Polaroids’ by William Miller for ultimate expired instant-film inspiration!

5.       Enjoy the process!

If you are used to shooting digital, using a Polaroid camera will be a liberating experience. Here are a few quick tips to keep in mind when taking instant pictures:

• Instant cameras only offer an ‘exposure compensation’ dial, so don’t worry too much about settings
• Polaroid film needs to be shielded from light in order to develop well. The first few seconds after the picture is ejected is crucial, and as soon as it comes out – shield it from light for at least 90 seconds to develop properly

Instant cameras are a fantastic, easy and modern concept way of taking photographs with great results! Here at Camera Exchange, we are passionate about all things photography, and offer a unique service that allows you to trade your old camera in for cash exchange – the perfect option if you want to upgrade but don’t know what to do with your trusty old cam! For further information, please feel free to get in contact with our friendly team on 0208 371 4179 or visit our website for a free price quote!

Photography is a great hobby, career or interest to have, and individuals of all experience can give it a go and get imaginative with a camera. It is a fun and unique way to get your creative juices flowing with immediate results. There are loads of types of various experimental photography, one of the most common being ‘Long Exposure’ which allows photographers to create special effects such as motion blur or light trails, and allows high quality imagery to be produced in low-light situations.

Here are a few tips to help you create striking long exposure shots:

1.       Use a sturdy tripod

So this may seem obvious, or you may feel you have a steady hand, but seriously, use a tripod that is stable and won’t let you down midway through a time-consuming shot. Most experimental photography should entail a tripod and the difference in results between hand-held shots and those shot on a tripod vary dramatically.

2.       Shoot RAW

When shooting in digital, the longer the time lapse, the more chance there is for noise disturbance within your image. A way to minimise unnecessary blurring or out of focus areas is to shoot in RAW format. RAW format is of a higher quality and reduces the risk of noise, resulting in a higher quality image suitable for post editing and digital manipulation.

3.       Be experimental

If you are lengthening the shutter speed of a long exposure, start with the lowest ISO your camera has and use the smallest aperture available on your lens. This allows for a more dynamic depth of field and an overall sharper image. Experiment with these settings by increasing and decreasing; fully understand your camera to produce higher quality and more interesting results.

The longer the shutter speed, the more surreal and ‘blurry’ moving objects or vivid stationary objects will become. Longer shutter speeds reduce natural detailing and enhance unique and unusual effects.

Avoid using an ‘auto white balance’ setting, create your own and experiment with your camera white balance settings, automatic qualities risk the rendering of colours being incorrect and can look faded.

4.       Creative composition

Composition is SO important in any type of photography; it is the ‘set up’ or layout of an image and placing of your subject/s. Focus on your depth of field, where the viewer’s eye is immediately drawn to and if this is what you want your audience to notice first. Beautiful exposure effects do not make up for bad processing or composition.

Long exposure photography is all about knowing your camera, testing the possibilities and experimenting with settings and ideas to produce unique and imaginative effects. Just be playful and innovative in your design approach.

Camera Exchange specialise in camera trade-ins and we will pay you money for your old model and accessories. We buy a wide range of camera brands including Nikon, Pentax and Canon plus many more. For more information on how to sell used Samsung camera or any other brands, please enquire and get in contact with our friendly team today!

For those photographers among us that enjoy the hectic life of rock and roll and fancy trying their trade in the pits of a rock concert, these top tips for shooting live music will be helpful and save you  crucial time when shooting shows.

The first thing we recommend is to shoot in jpeg and RAW formats simultaneously on a DSLR. The RAW files are much easier to tweak whereas the jpeg files will provide you with a quick turnaround to send samples or if your client is in a rush for the images. RAW image files can be large so you would be wise to invest in a gargantuan-sized memory card.

The second thing to do is ditch the cameras automatic shot mode. With the stage lighting at a music concert always changing it is impossible for the auto mode to adapt fast enough. This means you will have to manually control your own aperture and shutter speed.

Photography pits at live concerts can be a horrible place to be, especially with other photographers all battling for your amazing shot. Using a lens hood on your cameras lens will not only protect the lenses glass from this barbaric pit but also stop stray light getting into your shots. This will then control that washed out milky look when shooting with bright lights.

As most events will only let photographers in for the first few songs of the concert it is crucial that you get your settings adjusted to the desired outcome as soon as possible. A great starting point with your settings is as follows; base exposure of 1/100 seconds at f/5.6 and with most events having a no flash policy, keep your ISO settings low. Remember to check your blacks; you want deep black’s not dark greys!

After you have mastered the live shot, don’t forget to make a name for yourself as bands and musicians always want more high quality content for various uses. Backstage shots and band portraits will always keep their fans interested and provide you with an opportunity to get some great shots too. Check out our portrait guide here.

If you are looking to sell your existing camera to upgrade to a more professional model, the Camera Exchange Store specialise in snapping up your old cameras. For more information on the services we have to offer please browse through our website and don’t hesitate to contact us.

Photography exhibitions are like no other, offering a range of imagery from all disciplines, styles and techniques meaning there is something for each individual’s tastes and interests. Photographers, whether contemporary or traditional, work in various different mediums in order to communicate a message to the audience. Digital photography is probably the most popular of all mediums at the present time, allowing experimental and unique outcomes with the addition of digital and creative suite support. Some photographers, especially the greats, choose to continue to work in film format, incorporating traditional methods to produce ‘one-off’ and unique results. Photography is an incredible art discipline, with so many artists and styles, making it one of the most enjoyable and interesting to view in an exhibition setting. To make sure you don’t miss out, here is a little list of the photography exhibitions we are excited about this coming summer ’14.

Deutsche Börse Photography Prize 2014, 11^th April – 22^nd June 2014, The Photographer’s Gallery, London

One of the most contemporary and diverse photography prize exhibitions, established in 1996, it has celebrated the best of modern day photography annually since. The Deutsche Börse Photography Prize is one of the most respected and prestigious art prizes on offer, the turning point of many creative careers, and shortlists creative minds from all walks of life. Artists are chosen from the previous year’s photography publications and exhibitions; when shortlisted, these bodies of work are then re-exhibited the following year to The Photographer’s Gallery audience. This year’s nominees are Jochen Lempert. Initially a scientist, Lempert specialises in black and white photography studying the human form and the natural world, displayed is his 2013 exhibition ‘Jochen Lempert.’ Alberto Garcia-Alix, nominated for his 2013 ‘Autorretrato’ portraiture collection, a series of black and white self portraits offering an insight into the artist’s intriguing and unconventional life over the past four decades. Richard Mosse exhibits his ‘The Enclave’ series, documenting the haunting landscapes of the Democratic Republic of Congo, touched by the tragedy of war. And Lorna Simpson, nominated for her exhibition ‘Lorna Simpson (Retrospective)’ which links text, video and image installations in a contemporary performance and conceptual style.

Bailey’s Stardust, 29^th April – 1^st June 2014, National Portrait Gallery, London

David Bailey is one of the most influential and ground-breaking contributors to the visual art world. Most famous for his striking black and white unique portraiture photography, Bailey is highly ranked amongst the most respected and well known creative minds of the present day. This landmark exhibition will display Bailey’s old and most well known works, alongside new and unseen imagery to assemble a must see showcase. The exhibition spans over a series of rooms, illustrating the contrasting range in subjects that Bailey has captured through the lens; artists, writers, celebrities and musicians. The rooms are also influenced by Bailey’s time spent in Australia, Delhi, East Africa and Naga Hills during his broad and exciting career. The exhibition will feature over 250 images, each image having been selected and printed by the image maker himself making it an extremely personal and unmissable opportunity.

Sony World Photography Awards 2014, 1^st – 18^th May 2014, Somerset House, London

The Sony World Photography Awards is one of the leading photography competitions, encouraging every day people with a passion for the arts to get involved and submit their creative works. The exhibition showcases the winning and shortlisted photographers from the 100,000+ entries to create an exhibition exploring many photographic genres including fine art, photojournalism, experimental and lifestyle. Sony encourages anyone to enter and bring forth the most exciting, contemporary and unique artists of today in a collaboration collection with artists of all abilities and styles from around the world. Somerset House is a beautiful location for such a modern and forward thinking exhibition and sees artists from all backgrounds and inspirations present within its walls.

Here at Camera Exchange Store we specialise in camera trade-ins and offer a unique and exciting service to get your hands on the latest photography equipment. For more information please feel free to get in touch with our friendly knowledgeable team and trade your camera in today!

Nikon has recently unveiled the latest edition in their series of mirrorless cameras; the Nikon 1 V3. This compact camera will surely attract amateurs and professionals thanks to its revolutionary and powerful features.  Nikon’s new addition features the following:

• 18.4MP Sensor
• Built-in WiFi
• 1080/60p video capability
• Top ISO of 12,800
• Powerful new image processing chip
• 720p slow motion video recording
• Tilting 3 inch touch screen with 1,370 dot resolution
• 18.4 millon-pixel imaging sensor
• Sturdy hand grip

The V3 is able to shoot high quality stills continuously at up to 20fps without blur; thanks to its brilliant autofocus feature. This camera has an Expeed 4A image processor that allows it to realise 20 frames per second. The V3 also uses a hybrid AF system that features 171 AF points. This interchangeable lens camera is one of the fastest of its kind; therefore it is great for photographers who love to capture spontaneity and fleeting intimate moments.

With features like this, the Nikon 1 V3 can truly help photographers and filmmakers alike to create outstanding imagery. We would recommend this camera for wedding, action, sport, and wildlife photography. It certainly allows you to be more creative and produce high quality, professional photographs.

As a compact camera that offers you 720p slow motion recording, it is perfect for experimental photographers and artists. The camera is due to go on sale on the 17^th of April, and is expected to retail in the UK at a body-only price at £729.99.

Here at Camera Exchange Store we specialise in camera trade in, so that you can get your hands on the latest equipment and capture the best photographs possible. If you would like more information, take a browse through our website and trade in your camera today. If you have any queries, simply email us at info@cameraexchangestore.co.uk, or give us a call on 0208 371 4179.

Spring time is the perfect time of year to take glorious photos; new subject matter is arriving day by day, baby animals are being born, the sun is beginning to shine and, of course, the flowers are beginning to bloom. This means that it is the optimum time to practice your macro photo techniques by photographing all of those fabulous fresh flowers. You can create some absolutely outstanding imagery simply by using a dedicated macro lens or even the macro function (usually an apt flower symbol) on your camera! If you’re looking to create truly stunning images, then here is how to take the perfect spring flower photograph with macro technology.

Composing

Macro images are usually captured at plant level, the flower itself will be the sole feature of the photograph. To get the best out of the image you should experiment with the angles in which you shoot the picture; get down low to shoot towards the ground, then try the opposite and shoot upwards, towards the sky. By changing the perspective you can create some truly unique imagery. Although the background will be blurred, it can alter the entire mood of the photo depending on the colours included; for example deep colours will create a much moodier atmosphere, whereas yellows and blues will give your image the fresh feeling of spring.

Lighting Tips

Macro flower photographs (like most subject matter) look spectacular when taken at sunset and sunrise; this can give your imagery a warm, ethereal or even spiritual atmosphere. Macro images taken throughout the day will vary substantially, as there will be an array of unique contrasts dependent on where the sun is located in the sky. Try to avoid shooting at midday, as this light can be incredibly unflattering – even flattening!

Get Out There

To create truly astounding images make sure that you take the time to get out there and find some wonderful flowers; although even plain leaves can look beautiful with the art of macro photography. Experiment and practise and you’re sure to take some absolutely sensational spring flower photographs!

Be aware that to ensure you take truly beautiful, stand-out photographs you will need the best in camera technology. If you’re now thinking ‘I need to sell my camera’ then you’re in the right place, as here at the Camera Exchange Store we can exchange your camera quickly and easily, so that you can get yourself the very best cameras that are available today. If you would like more information with regards to our services then please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us by emailing info@cameraexchangestore.co.uk.

Portrait photography is different to other types of photography such as landscape or wildlife photography because, as the photographer, you get to interact wholly with your subject matter. This allows you to be much more creative and involved. Portrait photography includes wedding photography, fashion photography and simple family photographs; it is a great and engaging skill to develop. If you’re looking to enhance your photography skills then here is our helpful guide to portrait photography.

1.       Getting Started

Before even taking a picture, why not take a look at the work of prestigious photographers such as Mario Testino; you will see here that portraiture is more than taking pictures of people. Each composition is well thought out; it is not just an image, but it is a piece of art. Research the array of styles that are out there and use this inspiration to create your own masterpieces.

2.       Get the Right Equipment

If you are looking to create stunning imagery you will need high quality equipment. An SLR camera is recommended with external memory features so that you can take many versions and select your favourite final version. If you’re thinking ‘I need to sell my camera to get a better one’, then here at the Camera Exchange Store we can help, as we exchange many cameras to help you to get the best technology for your project. We also recommend that you get your hands on a tripod – a steady foundation leads to superb photographs!

3.       Get to Know Your Model(s)

Once you have done your research and got yourself a good quality camera, it’s time to get started. Before snapping away, take the time to get to know your models, as then you can express their personality in the best possible light through your images. If you have a certain theme in mind, then jot this down in a sketchbook and make sure you have the correct colours and clothing to create this. The key to excellent portraiture is communication, so make sure your model knows exactly what you want to achieve and ensure that they are comfortable.

4.       Lighting

When first starting out use basic lighting techniques; use one light and one reflector system. Lighting is exceptionally important, as you can create really exciting and dramatic contrasts which lead to really interesting and unique imagery. Once you have got your basic lighting technique down, try experimenting with a few more lights or even coloured bulbs, as this can create some absolutely fabulous photos.

5.       Enjoy Yourself

In order to create sensational photographs you need to be incredibly passionate about what you do, if you don’t enjoy yourself this will be reflected in your images and your models won’t respond positively to you. The key to success is to practice, plan and experiment. Believe in yourself and don’t limit yourself; go outdoors, create your own stage, and, most importantly, have fun!

Portrait photography is a lot of fun but it is also hard work. Hopefully, these tips will help you to develop outstanding photography skills. So, don’t just sit there, but get out there and get snapping – you never know, you could create a masterpiece. Take the time to plan the composition of each of your photos and ensure that you have a camera of excellent quality. If you are interested in using our camera exchange service then please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us here at the Camera Exchange Store.

Landscape is a subject that many photographers and artists choose to explore, and it isn’t hard to see why; there are marvellous mountains, unique twisted trees and shimmering lakes throughout the UK. If you’re a keen landscape photographer, or you’re a complete beginner to medium level, then here are 5 tips that will help you to develop your skills as a landscape photographer.

1.       Composition

The composition is a huge part of successful landscape photography. A great place to start is with the ‘rule of thirds’, this simply involves dividing your frame into thirds (in your head of course!) then placing the horizon along one of the lines, or placing an area of interest where the lines intersect. The best way to create beautiful photograph is to experiment; you never know when you may create a masterpiece.

2.       Time of Day

Experiment with the time of day when you take your photos; dawn, sunset and dusk are wonderful times to photograph scenery. There are many great opportunities throughout the day where you can take advantage of shadows, contrasts and gorgeous natural colours.

3.       Research

One of the best things that you can do to become a better photographer is to research other peoples work. Join a photography club, head to exhibitions, seek advice and get as much constructive criticism as you can. The more you learn, the better you will become.

4.       Slow Exposure

Many glorious landscape photographs are taken with slow exposure as this helps to increase the contrast of the image itself, providing you with a more dramatic picture. If you are looking to use this technique, it is imperative that you have a tripod to ensure that the camera remains steady and does not blur the image.

5.       Get Out There

Finally, the best advice that can be given to you is to practice! Simply get out there and get photographing. Wherever you live, you’re bound to find beautiful and spectacular pieces of scenery just begging to be photographed.

Here at Camera Exchange Store we specialise in camera trade in services, so if you’re looking to upgrade your camera we can help you to do just that. For more information with regards to our services, then please take a browse through our website, visit our ‘how it works’ page or email us at info@cameraexchangestore.co.uk.

National Geographic Traveller (UK) recently announced the winners of its 2014 photography competition. Launched last September in association with Quark Expeditions, the competition garnered a wide range of stunning entries in each of its six categories.

Entries were taken all around the world; in far-flung and exotic places like Cambodia and Borneo, in modern metropolitan locations like New York, Paris and Chicago, and even close to home, with pictures taken in London, Hastings and Cornwall all reaching the finals.

The grand prize winner was Jonathan Carvajal, with a stunning shot of the Colour Run in Colombia. This sharp, close-up shot from the Action category shows split-second timing and accuracy, perfectly evoking the crazy atmosphere of the event.

The winners of the other categories were:

Iconic: David Stearne, with a shot of the “Cutty Sark” in Greenwich taken from below her keel

City: Lynda Cosgrave, with a shot of Times Square in New York

Modern: Jenny Downing, with a shot of the Opera House in Oslo, Norway

Natural: Jamie MacArthur, with a shot of a common kingfisher in action

People: George Turnbull, with a shot of a young girl harvesting lotus flowers in Angkor Wat.

You can see the prize winning entries, as well as the shortlisted finalists in each category, on the National Geographic Traveller’s site here.

This is the third year of the competition, and with a very high standard of both quality and creativity in all categories, many keen photographers will be looking forward to next year’s competition, and perhaps already planning for the shots they want to achieve. Images such as these rarely come about by pure chance; for example, Jamie MacArthur had to wait for five hours in a tiny hide to achieve his beautiful image of a kingfisher in flight with its prey. However, while patience and planning can factor highly, the most important thing is being in the right place at the right time – with your camera ready.

Whilst it is possible to get astonishing results from almost any camera with the right amount of good luck, dedication and timing, a good camera can certainly make it a lot easier. If you are unsatisfied with the results you’re getting from your current camera, our camera exchange service can help you to upgrade quickly and affordably, giving you the tools you need to take stunning images which might just be worthy of next year’s title.