P.C. Richard & Son Blog » Digital Cameras http://blog.pcrichard.com The Official Blog of P.C. Richard & Son & the P.C. Richard & Son Theater Thu, 23 May 2013 17:12:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 5 Excellent Resources for Digital Photography Tips http://blog.pcrichard.com/5-excellent-resources-for-digital-photography-tips/ http://blog.pcrichard.com/5-excellent-resources-for-digital-photography-tips/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:52:45 +0000 Allison L. http://blog.pcrichard.com/?p=1473 Everyone wants to take nice pictures. After all, half of the photographs we take are going to end up on Facebook or Flickr for all to see, right? By watching a quick video or doing bit of light reading here or there, you can develop and hone your digital photography skills. We've laid out 5 excellent resources for tips on digital photography below that cater to any photographer on any experience level. What are some of your favorite resources and what's the best picture you've ever taken?]]> Everyone wants to take nice pictures. After all, half of the photographs we take are going to end up on Facebook or Flickr for all to see, right? By watching a quick video or doing  bit of light reading here or there, you can develop and hone your digital photography skills. We’ve laid out 5 excellent resources for tips on digital photography below that cater to any photographer on any experience level. What are some of your favorite resources and what’s the best picture you’ve ever taken?

1. Digital Photography School

Whether you are simply a casual point-and-shoot camera user or professional photographer, the Digital Photography School website has something for you. They are a strong community of photographers from all levels of experience and share photography, equipment and post production tips. You can also share your own photographs, participate in the reader poll, submit your entry for their photo assignments, participate in their forums, and more.



2. DPhoto Journal

DPhoto Journal is also a community of photographers and, as of this writing, feature almost 270 digital photography tips on their blog. These tips range from video how-tos, to how to sell your photos online, to creating special effects and more. This site also specializes in equipment reviews. Make sure to check all of their blog categories on the left-hand side of the page!



3. Digital Photo Tutorials from Cambridge in Colour

For step-by-step tutorials on camera and imaging basics, photo tools, color management, and advanced topics like specialty camera equipment and macro photography, head over to Cambridge in Colour. They have excellent visuals and spelled-out instructions to make you a photo pro in no time flat. Be sure to also see their list of photography techniques for more on image composition, how to shoot subjects or environments, and lens differences. For similar tutorials, you should also see this free digital photography tutorial site.



4. Digital Photo Magazine

Digital Photo Magazine is available both online and in print. They have an impressive collection of high-quality how-tos on their website that include step-by-step instructions and screenshots on how to achieve professional-looking photographs for even the “beginner shutterbug.” Some of my favorites are ten tips for photographing kids and 10 tips for better travel photos.



5. YouTube : http://www.youtube.com/

You may be thinking, “Really? YouTube?” Yes, really, YouTube! What can’t you learn on YouTube these days? There are some great channels and videos for nothing but digital photography tips, including those from DigitalPhotoGuy, WhatDigitalCamera, MomPhotographer, photo151, and camerahouse1983. There are thousands of digital photography videos on there, so you’re pretty guaranteed to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Image credit: kevindooley on Flickr

——————————

Stay informed on the latest P.C. Richard & Son sales product news, tips and tricks, contests, P.C. Richard & Son Theater shows and more! Subscribe today.

]]> http://blog.pcrichard.com/5-excellent-resources-for-digital-photography-tips/feed/ 1 P.C. Richard & Son has the Best Mother’s Day Deals for Cameras & Camcorders http://blog.pcrichard.com/p-c-richard-son-has-the-best-mothers-day-deals-for-cameras-camcorders/ http://blog.pcrichard.com/p-c-richard-son-has-the-best-mothers-day-deals-for-cameras-camcorders/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:56:23 +0000 Allison L. http://blog.pcrichard.com/?p=761 We've already discussed some great Mother's Day gift ideas for less than $100, but now you can make your dollar go even further. You can save up to 50% off select cameras and camcorders at P.C. Richard just in time for Mother's Day! We have the best prices around, including the Coby SD Camcorder for 50% off at $29.94 with FREE shipping. This camcorder is perfect for capturing home movies. It captures files in AVI format, so they're easily shareable to friends and family and they'll be able to view them without special software. Mom can view her recorded videos on her TV with the included AV cable that's easy to hook up. The camcorder can also be used as a web cam and comes with ArcSoft media impression software that allows you to edit your creations and upload them onto YouTube. It doesn't get much easier for Mom to make great movies than with this Coby SD camcorder!]]> We’ve already discussed some great Mother’s Day gift ideas for less than $100, but now you can make your dollar go even further. You can save up to 50% off select cameras and camcorders at P.C. Richard just in time for Mother’s Day!

We have the best prices around, including the Coby SD Camcorder for 50% off at $29.94 with FREE shipping. This camcorder is perfect for capturing home movies. It captures files in AVI format, so they’re easily shareable to friends and family and they’ll be able to view them without special software. Mom can view her recorded videos on her TV with the included AV cable that’s easy to hook up. The camcorder can also be used as a web cam and comes with ArcSoft media impression software that allows you to edit your creations and upload them onto YouTube. It doesn’t get much easier for Mom to make great movies than with this Coby SD camcorder!

You’ll find the second lowest sale price for this item at Amazon for $44, so you can get this product for $15 cheaper and shipped free from us. If you’re thinking of getting your mother a camcorder, I recommend jumping on this offer now before they’re sold out.

We’re also offering a great deal on the Samsung Compact Full HD SD/DHC Camcorder, now 45% off at $98.88 with free shipping. This camcorder records in full High Definition quality that will amaze her. For the mom that’ll appreciate a digital camera more than a camcorder, check out the Olympus 10MP digital camera, which is 46% off at $68.97 and also includes free shipping. To view all of our great Mother’s Day camera/camcorder deals, check out our Facebook Offers & Deals page.

Tip: When you purchase a camcorder or camera, make sure to always check for how much built-in memory the product has and see if it’s expandable. We recommend that anything with a built-in memory of less than 2GB (especially anything with only a few MB) be coupled with a memory card so your mom can get the most out of her gift. A memory card can mean the difference between the ability to take a 30 second clip and a 10 minute masterpiece, so it’s an accessory she’ll really need!

Will you be getting Mom a camcorder? Let us know in the comments.

——————————

Stay informed on the latest P.C. Richard & Son sales product news, tips and tricks, contests, P.C. Richard & Son Theater shows and more! Subscribe today.

]]> http://blog.pcrichard.com/p-c-richard-son-has-the-best-mothers-day-deals-for-cameras-camcorders/feed/ 0 7 Great Mother’s Day Gifts for less than $100 http://blog.pcrichard.com/7-great-mothers-day-gifts-for-less-than-100/ http://blog.pcrichard.com/7-great-mothers-day-gifts-for-less-than-100/#comments Mon, 26 Apr 2010 19:40:19 +0000 Allison L. http://blog.pcrichard.com/?p=706 Mp3 Player Mp3 players are the most convenient way for Mom to take her favorite music with her. Many also come with radio tuners, so if she gets bored of what she had on there (which would be difficult as many Mp3 players under $100 can have as much as 8GB of storage, or hold about 1,750 songs), she can still listen to something new. Plus, they come in great colors! You can check out all the MP3 players we have available here, but we highly recommend the Apple 2GB Pink iPod Shuffle or Lyra 8GB MP3 Player for Mom.]]> Show your mother how much you appreciate her this year with a great gift from P.C. Richard & Son! We have some superb electronics for under $100 that your mom is sure to appreciate. If you’re looking for a fitting gift you know she’ll use, keep reading!

Mp3 Player
Mp3 players are the most convenient way for Mom to take her favorite music with her. Many also come with radio tuners, so if she gets bored of what she had on there (which would be difficult as many Mp3 players under $100 can have as much as 8GB of storage, or hold about 1,750 songs), she can still listen to something new. Plus, they come in great colors! You can check out all the MP3 players we have available here, but we highly recommend the Apple 2GB Pink iPod Shuffle or Lyra 8GB MP3 Player for Mom.

Bose Headphones
If your mom already has an MP3 player and uses it often, consider upgrading her headphones to get the most out of her music. People with portable music players are constantly listening to them on the go, so they should be equipped with comfortable headphones with the best sound quality possible. Enter the Bose TRIPORT ear buds. Ear buds help drown out surrounding noise and this model comes with removable silicone tips to provide an accurate, comfortable fit. The sound quality of Bose products can’t be beat, and Mom will really appreciate them.

Outdoor Speakers
Outdoor speakers are a particularly good gift if you’re planning on having an outdoor Mother’s Day party, as the Mom can use them right away. Hook them up to a stereo system or portable audio player and enjoy the sound quality. If it rains, don’t worry—outdoor speakers are made for bad weather, which makes them much better to use outside than regular speakers. You can choose between indoor/outdoor speakers that look like speakers themselves or like rocks to blend in with your mom’s outdoor landscape.

Point & Shoot Digital Camera
If Mom already has a point-and-shoot digital camera, think about what model it is. How old is it? Does the battery still hold a charge? Does it take quality pictures? It may be time to purchase a new one. You’ll see what a difference an increase in megapixels can make (especially if your mother tends to take pictures from 500 feet away from what they’re shooting—you can zoom in and crop the picture and still have a great photo). Like MP3 players, these cameras come in a variety of colors so you can choose her favorite.

Digital Photo Frame
So few photos are printed these days and are never enjoyed off the camera’s memory card, so why not change that? Relive memories with a digital frame that constantly changes with a new picture. Transferring photos to and from the frame is easy with a computer, or you can slide a memory card right in– just check to make sure the photo frame you select has a slot for the memory card type your mom uses. Many photo frames also play music and movies and come with built-in speakers, so any media taken by a digital camera will be supported. You can even pre-load the frame with pictures you already have and REALLY personalize the gift!

Universal Remote
These days many people have a remote for the TV, cable box, DVD player, Blu-Ray player, audio/surround sound system, and more. These universal remotes are easily condensed into one with a universal remote that allows you to execute the same functions as their originals. Mom’s days of searching through couch cushions for 27 different remotes are numbered! We especially recommend the Logitech Harmony 510, which was also previously covered on our blog.

Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
Alleviate the headache and sloppiness of wires with a wireless keyboard and mouse for your mom’s computer. So many of us spend countless hours on the computer so you know that this gift, while perhaps not incredibly exciting, will be appreciated and put to good use. They’re easy to set up, too—just plug the USB adapter into the back of the computer, wirelessly link the devices together and you’re all set.

What are you getting your mom this Mother’s Day? Let us know in the comments.

——————————

Stay informed on the latest P.C. Richard & Son sales product news, tips and tricks, contests, P.C. Richard & Son Theater shows and more! Subscribe today.

]]> http://blog.pcrichard.com/7-great-mothers-day-gifts-for-less-than-100/feed/ 0 How to: use the different modes on your digital camera http://blog.pcrichard.com/how-to-use-the-different-modes-on-your-digital-camera/ http://blog.pcrichard.com/how-to-use-the-different-modes-on-your-digital-camera/#comments Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:22:41 +0000 Allison L. http://blog.pcrichard.com/?p=270 Our "How To" series of blog posts are tips and tricks on getting the most out of your products available from P.C. Richard & Son. For an archive of past How To guides, click here. So, you have a point-and-shoot digital camera and like to take pictures while you’re out on the town, at family functions, and on vacation, right? I’m sure you’ve seen, either on your camera’s dial or in the menu system, a range of photo-taking modes. Do you know what each mode does? Do you use them? If not, you may want to explore these features to get the most out of your digital camera. Here are some automatic settings you’d usually find on your camera and how best to use them.
Automatic Mode This should be the mode you’ve been using if you haven’t fully explored your other options yet. Automatic mode is just that—automatic. It determines the best focus, flash, white balance, etc. based on the environment lighting. This is generally acceptable in most situations, but your camera misses some key points of information in this mode. Are you taking pictures of a sporting event with fast movement? Are you taking pictures of fireworks? These specialized situations are when other modes come in handy the most.]]> Our “How To” series of blog posts are tips and tricks on getting the most out of your products available from P.C. Richard & Son. For an archive of past How To guides, click here.

So, you have a point-and-shoot digital camera and like to take pictures while you’re out on the town, at family functions, and on vacation, right? I’m sure you’ve seen, either on your camera’s dial or in the menu system, a range of photo-taking modes. Do you know what each mode does? Do you use them? If not, you may want to explore these features to get the most out of your digital camera. Here are some automatic settings you’d usually find on your camera and how best to use them.

Automatic Mode
This should be the mode you’ve been using if you haven’t fully explored your other options yet. Automatic mode is just that—automatic. It determines the best focus, flash, white balance, etc. based on the environment lighting. This is generally acceptable in most situations, but your camera misses some key points of information in this mode. Are you taking pictures of a sporting event with fast movement? Are you taking pictures of fireworks? These specialized situations are when other modes come in handy the most.

Portrait Mode
Another rather self-explanatory mode, this setting is best for taking a photograph of a single subject, or portrait. It focuses on what’s in the foreground and keeps the background out of focus. This brings more attention to your subject and portrays them in a softer way.

Macro Mode

Macro mode is perfect for photographing small objects such as flowers, handmade jewelry/crafts, and insects, or close-ups on larger objects like the buttons of a flute. This setting has a very small margin where your object will be in focus, so hold your camera very close. I recommend turning your flash off while using this mode, or your photograph will be very washed out.

Landscape Mode
This is a perfect vacation mode to use for those beach, mountain or hotel view shots. This setting makes sure that it keeps as much in focus as possible, so make sure to hold your camera steady (using a tripod or holding your breath is best) as it may use a slower shutter speed and any movement of the camera may result in a blurry picture.

Action/Sports Mode
Action, or sports mode increases your camera’s shutter speed, which eliminates blur in action shots. This makes it perfect for games, pets, cars, boats, or anything that moves.

Night Mode
Use night mode for those night, dark restaurant or low-light party shots to brighten your picture as much as possible. This mode really brings out background lights in an environment and can make really beautiful shots. Because night mode needs a longer shutter speed to work, a tripod or steady surface is recommended.

Beach/Snow/Fireworks Modes
These are other self-explanatory modes that help boost the quality of shots in the aforementioned environments.

You can improve the overall quality of your pictures by experimenting with these modes that come with most digital cameras. What modes do you use on your camera most often?

——————————

Stay informed on the latest P.C. Richard & Son sales product news, tips and tricks, contests, P.C. Richard & Son Theater shows and more! Subscribe today.

]]> http://blog.pcrichard.com/how-to-use-the-different-modes-on-your-digital-camera/feed/ 0 Sweepstakes of the Century April Giveaway: Win a Houseful of Electronics from Sony! http://blog.pcrichard.com/sweepstakes-of-the-century-april-giveaway-win-a-houseful-of-electronics-from-sony/ http://blog.pcrichard.com/sweepstakes-of-the-century-april-giveaway-win-a-houseful-of-electronics-from-sony/#comments Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:08:36 +0000 Allison L. http://blog.pcrichard.com/?p=222 enter to win over $10,000 in Sony electronics for your home, including a slew of TVs, Blu-Ray and DVD players, cameras and camcorders, and more. You could probably open up your own P.C. Richard & Son with all of the stuff you'll receive! This contest is open to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania residents over the age of 18 and the winner will be randomly selected from the entry pool. The lucky winner will receive 12 Sony electronics, amounting to a $10,120.00 value. These electronics include:]]> We’re continuing our celebration of 100 years of P.C. Richard & Son by offering a sweepstakes every month this year. This month, enter to win over $10,000 in Sony electronics for your home, including a slew of TVs, Blu-Ray and DVD players, cameras and camcorders, and more. You could probably open up your own P.C. Richard & Son with all of the stuff you’ll receive!

This contest is open to New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania residents over the age of 18 and the winner will be randomly selected from the entry pool. The lucky winner will receive 12 Sony electronics, amounting to a $10,120.00 value. These electronics include:

  1. One (1) 52” BRAVIA NX800 Series HDTV (KDL52NX800)
  2. One (1) 46” BRAVIA EX700 Series HDTV (KDL46EX700)
  3. One (1) 40” BRAVIA EX500 Series HDTV (KDL40EX500)
  4. One (1) 400 Disc Blu-ray Changer (BDPCX960)
  5. One (1) Blu-ray Disc™ Home Theatre System (BDVE570)
  6. One (1) Blu-ray Disc™ Surround Sound System (HTSS370)
  7. One (1) Blu-ray Disc™ Player (BDPS570)
  8. One (1) VAIO® Notebook (VPCEB12FX/BI)
  9. One (1) VAIO® L Series All-in-One 24″ Touchscreen Computer (VPCL111FX/B)
  10. One (1) 16GB HD Handycam® Camcorder (HDRCX150)
  11. One (1) Cyber-shot® Digital Camera (DSCW330)
  12. One (1) 9” Portable DVD Player (DVPFX950)

Entering is simple and there’s no purchase necessary. There are two ways to win:

In-Store
Stop into your nearest P.C. Richard & Son store during business hours and locate the promotional displays at Point of Sale terminals throughout the store and/or ask a P.C. Richard & Son employee to assist you in entering the sweepstakes during normal store hours.  At the counter, there will be a computer where you can access the electronic entry form and follow the directions to complete it.

By Mail
On a 3”x5” card, hand print your full name, address, city, state, zip code, telephone number (area code included), date of birth and email address (optional) and mail in an envelope with proper postage affixed to: Houseful of Sony® Sweepstakes II, P.O. Box 1443, Midlothian, VA  23113. All mail-in entries must be mailed separately, postmarked by April 30, 2010 and received by May 8, 2010 to be eligible.

Only one entry per person will be accepted, no matter how many times or by what means you enter. For more details and further rules, check out the sweepstakes page. Good luck!

If you won this contest, what would you do with all these products?

——————————

Stay informed on the latest P.C. Richard & Son sales product news, tips and tricks, contests, P.C. Richard & Son Theater shows and more! Subscribe today.

]]> http://blog.pcrichard.com/sweepstakes-of-the-century-april-giveaway-win-a-houseful-of-electronics-from-sony/feed/ 0 Celebrate the Season with Spring Colors! http://blog.pcrichard.com/celebrate-the-season-with-spring-colors/ http://blog.pcrichard.com/celebrate-the-season-with-spring-colors/#comments Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:31:48 +0000 Allison L. http://pcrichard.powweb.com/?p=151 With the spring holidays upon us (like Mother’s Day!) and the winter months behind, why not treat a loved one to a bright gift that’ll lighten their mood? Brighten up and celebrate the season with some of the unique color options we have available. Here are some of our favorite products that come in a wide range of colors. Click to view their product pages!

Digital Cameras

Appliances

Computers and Computer Accessories

Video Games and Portable Media

——————————

Stay informed on the latest P.C. Richard & Son sales product news, tips and tricks, contests, P.C. Richard & Son Theater shows and more! Subscribe today.

]]> http://blog.pcrichard.com/celebrate-the-season-with-spring-colors/feed/ 0