TWIPPHOTO.COM Photo Book Reviews #37 – Digital Masters: Travel Photography

Digital Masters: Travel Photography Author: Bob Krist Publisher: Lark Books (Sterling Publishing Co., Inc Review by Conrad J. Obregon I sometimes wonder if there is such a thing as travel photography. Isn’t what the travel photographer does already covered by such genres as landscape, architectural and portrait photography, among other things? Bob Krist obviously doesn’t think so. He’s been taking wonderful photographs during his travels and writing about travel photography for years. In

Coolpix S550 Digital Camera (Blue)

Coolpix S550 Digital Camera (Blue)

The Nikon COOLPIX S550, is a stylish new camera that elegantly packs high performance and advanced functions into an ultra-compact body. The S550 boasts 10 effective megapixels of sharp resolution, a 5x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, Electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization and two new modes that enhance portrait photography: Smile Mode and Blink Warning. The COOLPIX S550 will be available in an array of new colors – plum, cool blue and graphite black – allowing consumers to not only express themselves with their photos, but with their cameras as well. Built on a custom application of Nikon’s innovative EXPEEDTM image processing system for enhanced noise reduction and improved the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and incorporating the precision optics of a NIKKOR lens, the COOLPIX S550 brings new ease and fun to capturing smiling faces and special moments. A first for the COOLPIX camera line, the S550 will feature Smile mode, which automatically fires the shutter when the subject smiles as well as a Blink Warning, which displays a warning message when the subject has blinked. In addition to the aforementioned features, the COOLPIX S550 incorporates Electronic VR Image Stabilization technology, which is designed to help produce sharper and clearer images, especially in lower lighting conditions or when capturing moving subjects. It also offers high ISO capabilities (up to 2000), ideal for capturing images in low-light situations. For consumers that might be unsure about the correct ISO settings for their photos, the S550 is equipped with Automatic Sensitivity Control and High-Sensitivity Mode, which selects the optimal ISO setting for the environment and automatically adjusts to reduce blur. For sharing and composing, the S550 has a bright 2.5-inch LCD monitor, with an anti-reflective coating and protective acrylic panel, easing the composition of photos and preventing scratches and scuffs. Ideal for sharing photos in a group setting, the COOLPIX S550’s LCD monitor features a 170-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angle. The S550 continues Nikon’s tradition of including its unique image innovations in its COOLPIX cameras. The S550 features enhanced Face-priority AF*, which can now detect and focus on up to 12 faces in a single shot; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which can automatically detect and correct red eye in a photo; and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images. The COOLPIX S550 is compatible with SDHC cards and utilizes the ultra-compact EN-EL10 rechargeable Li-ion battery. The camera comes bundled with the new COOLPIX Software Suite for editing, organizing and sharing images. Style Comes Standard! 5x zoom that fits anywhere beautifully 10.0 Megapixels for stunning prints as large as 16 x 20 inches 5x Optical Zoom-Nikkor Glass Lens – Nikkor optics provide exceptional pictures and gets you close to the action Electronic VR Image Stabilization minimizes the effect o

Price: $199.99 Buy/More Info

70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Lens

70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Lens

The all new high-powered 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lens – (4.3x) – featuring Nikon’s Enhanced Vibration Reduction (VRII) technology is ideal for sports, wildlife, travel and portrait photography, among other telephoto applications. It incorporates many of Nikon’s most advanced lens design attributes such as Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass, Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM) and Enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR II), in a design engineered for use with both Nikon DX format digital and 35mm film SLR cameras. With a high-powered 70-300mm focal length range, the lens is ideal for sports, action, wildlife, travel and portrait photography, among other telephoto applications. When used on a Nikon DX format digital SLR, this lens approximates the picture angle performance of a 105-450mm lens on a 35mm SLR camera. Beyond the lens’ incredible optical versatility is the benefit of Enhanced VR II Vibration Reduction — an innovation that makes it possible to take substantially sharper handheld pictures at slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible. This provides the distinct advantage of being able to shoot more effectively in a much broader variety of challenging conditions. With the new Nikon VR II advantage, users can take pictures at shutter speeds as many as 4 stops slower* than they ordinarily could shoot without the image degrading blur associated with camera shake at slow shutter speeds. Nikon’s advanced VR technology further enhances picture taking potential with a choice of two modes to match most shooting conditions. VR Normal Mode primarily compensates for camera shake, and includes automatic panning detection, as well as automatic tripod detection. VR Active Mode effectively compensates for vibration in situations where it is more pronounced and more frequent, such as when shooting from a moving vehicle. To further ensure outstanding optical performance, the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor features two Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and three complex aspherical lens elements that provide for higher resolution, high-contrast images while minimizing chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion. The lens also features Nikon’s compact Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM), which combines fast and precise autofocusing with super-quiet operation, as well as Internal Focusing (IF) construction that allows the lens to focus without changing its external size, improving balance and handling characteristics. 67mm filter attachment size.

Price: $549.99 Buy/More Info

Coolpix S550 Digital Camera (Black)

Coolpix S550 Digital Camera (Black)

The Nikon COOLPIX S550, is a stylish new camera that elegantly packs high performance and advanced functions into an ultra-compact body. The S550 boasts 10 effective megapixels of sharp resolution, a 5x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, Electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization and two new modes that enhance portrait photography: Smile Mode and Blink Warning. The COOLPIX S550 will be available in an array of new colors – plum, cool blue and graphite black – allowing consumers to not only express themselves with their photos, but with their cameras as well. Built on a custom application of Nikon’s innovative EXPEEDTM image processing system for enhanced noise reduction and improved the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and incorporating the precision optics of a NIKKOR lens, the COOLPIX S550 brings new ease and fun to capturing smiling faces and special moments. A first for the COOLPIX camera line, the S550 will feature Smile mode, which automatically fires the shutter when the subject smiles as well as a Blink Warning, which displays a warning message when the subject has blinked. In addition to the aforementioned features, the COOLPIX S550 incorporates Electronic VR Image Stabilization technology, which is designed to help produce sharper and clearer images, especially in lower lighting conditions or when capturing moving subjects. It also offers high ISO capabilities (up to 2000), ideal for capturing images in low-light situations. For consumers that might be unsure about the correct ISO settings for their photos, the S550 is equipped with Automatic Sensitivity Control and High-Sensitivity Mode, which selects the optimal ISO setting for the environment and automatically adjusts to reduce blur. For sharing and composing, the S550 has a bright 2.5-inch LCD monitor, with an anti-reflective coating and protective acrylic panel, easing the composition of photos and preventing scratches and scuffs. Ideal for sharing photos in a group setting, the COOLPIX S550’s LCD monitor features a 170-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angle. The S550 continues Nikon’s tradition of including its unique image innovations in its COOLPIX cameras. The S550 features enhanced Face-priority AF*, which can now detect and focus on up to 12 faces in a single shot; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which can automatically detect and correct red eye in a photo; and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images. The COOLPIX S550 is compatible with SDHC cards and utilizes the ultra-compact EN-EL10 rechargeable Li-ion battery. The camera comes bundled with the new COOLPIX Software Suite for editing, organizing and sharing images. Style Comes Standard! 5x zoom that fits anywhere beautifully 10.0 Megapixels for stunning prints as large as 16 x 20 inches 5x Optical Zoom-Nikkor Glass Lens – Nikkor optics provide exceptional pictures and gets you close to the action Electronic VR Image Stabilization minimizes the effect o

Price: $199.99 Buy/More Info

Coolpix S550 Digital Camera (Plum)

Coolpix S550 Digital Camera (Plum)

The Nikon COOLPIX S550, is a stylish new camera that elegantly packs high performance and advanced functions into an ultra-compact body. The S550 boasts 10 effective megapixels of sharp resolution, a 5x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, Electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) Image Stabilization and two new modes that enhance portrait photography: Smile Mode and Blink Warning. The COOLPIX S550 will be available in an array of new colors – plum, cool blue and graphite black – allowing consumers to not only express themselves with their photos, but with their cameras as well. Built on a custom application of Nikon’s innovative EXPEEDTM image processing system for enhanced noise reduction and improved the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and incorporating the precision optics of a NIKKOR lens, the COOLPIX S550 brings new ease and fun to capturing smiling faces and special moments. A first for the COOLPIX camera line, the S550 will feature Smile mode, which automatically fires the shutter when the subject smiles as well as a Blink Warning, which displays a warning message when the subject has blinked. In addition to the aforementioned features, the COOLPIX S550 incorporates Electronic VR Image Stabilization technology, which is designed to help produce sharper and clearer images, especially in lower lighting conditions or when capturing moving subjects. It also offers high ISO capabilities (up to 2000), ideal for capturing images in low-light situations. For consumers that might be unsure about the correct ISO settings for their photos, the S550 is equipped with Automatic Sensitivity Control and High-Sensitivity Mode, which selects the optimal ISO setting for the environment and automatically adjusts to reduce blur. For sharing and composing, the S550 has a bright 2.5-inch LCD monitor, with an anti-reflective coating and protective acrylic panel, easing the composition of photos and preventing scratches and scuffs. Ideal for sharing photos in a group setting, the COOLPIX S550’s LCD monitor features a 170-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angle. The S550 continues Nikon’s tradition of including its unique image innovations in its COOLPIX cameras. The S550 features enhanced Face-priority AF*, which can now detect and focus on up to 12 faces in a single shot; In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which can automatically detect and correct red eye in a photo; and D-Lighting, which compensates for excessive backlight or insufficient flash in images. The COOLPIX S550 is compatible with SDHC cards and utilizes the ultra-compact EN-EL10 rechargeable Li-ion battery. The camera comes bundled with the new COOLPIX Software Suite for editing, organizing and sharing images. Style Comes Standard! 5x zoom that fits anywhere beautifully 10.0 Megapixels for stunning prints as large as 16 x 20 inches 5x Optical Zoom-Nikkor Glass Lens – Nikkor optics provide exceptional pictures and gets you close to the action Electronic VR Image Stabilization minimizes the effect o

Price: $199.99 Buy/More Info

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