JumpStart Video Training Guide on DVD, for the Canon Digital Rebel XT Camera.

Taking pictures is more than just pointing the camera and pressing a button. To get the kind of photos you really want, you'll need to learn a little bit about your camera. You can transition from taking snapshots to producing inspired images that you will cherish forever. It's not hard; these JumpStart Guides from MasterWorks will show you how. The following topics are covered on each DVD: The Features and Functions of Your Camera. Manual and Automatic White Balance. ISO Settings. Different Quality Settings. Reading and Using a Histogram. Basic Principles of Photography. Depth of Field. Aperture vs. Shutter Priority. Program Mode. Composition. Getting Sharp Images. Storing and Carrying Your Camera. Selecting and Using a Tripod. Lenses and Filters. Digital Media Options. Getting Your Photos into Your Computer. Tips and Tricks. Freebies and Discounts: Each DVD includes money saving coupons and offers that enable you to get the most out of your camera
Customer Review: Don't waste you money!
For that price, I expected much more. You only get an overview of the camera's features. No editing tips or raw format handling tricks. Really not worth the money. Read your manual; you'll learn more.

If you've been wondering what it means when you hear the term ultra compact digital camera then you're not alone. It can certainly get a bit confusing, discerning between the ultra compact and the compact. But there's definitely a difference, and the difference can be quite large.

The fact is that ultra compact cameras are exactly that...ULTRA COMPACT! Fortunately, these little cameras pack a powerful punch for their size, while maintaining an ease of use that's a force to be reckoned with. The ultra compact camera is basically perfect for the photographer who's constantly on the move, and wants to be able to simply point and shoot...and be able to have the confidence that the shots he or she grabs are going to be of high quality each and every time.

One amazing thing about these tiny little cameras is the performance that they offer. These are cameras that can easily fit into a shirt pocket, or purse, but at the same time can grab very good and high resolution shots. Most have a lot of menu options that actually help the photographer choose which is going to be the best menu option to grab the best shop possible.

In the digital camera world, the number of megapixels is often a chief determination of which camera to buy. You wouldn't think it, but the ultra compact digital cameras can very often have a very high megapixel count and take clear and detailed pictures. The range varies from three megapixels to up to eight or ten. Honestly, nowadays, you'll rarely find one offered with less than 5 or 6 megapixels. But with these cameras you'll get crisp, clear, and brilliantly colored photos that will amaze you.

A great many of the ultra compact cameras are outfitted with an incredible zoom and are capable of using this power to get in close on shots to get you right on top of the action. You'd probably be very surprised by how powerful a digital camera - the size of a playing card can be.

Since these are very portable and meant to be taken out and about and be ready to shoot in an instant, the response time is incredibly fast on most of the ultra compact digital cameras. Many come with the same processing technology that the regular compact cameras come with and therefore start up very quickly, and shoot at incredible speeds. If action is your thing, then you'll also be pleasantly surprised to find that many of the ultra compacts have a rapid fire response of 3 to 5 frames per second. This lets you get right in on the action and not miss a beat.

One of the luxuries of the ultra compact can be the very large LCD Screens used to frame the shot in, as well as review the photo after it's been taken. There are a few of these cameras that actually have a 3.5 inch LCD Screen which nearly covers the entire back of the camera itself. These LCD screens are exceptionally clear with a high resolution and allow you to see the photos even at terrible angles or in direct sunlight. Passing around a camera to view pictures when the entire back is the screen is pretty remarkable and you'll be glad that you're able to show it off like that.

Another surprising feature of these cameras can be the fact that you're able to actually record movie clips on them and get a very clear picture with it. These are movies with sound and you'll be very proud to send video clips of the kids off to grandmother, and most likely, she'll never guess it was from an ultra compact camera.

So now that you've gotten the answer to "what is an ultra compact digital camera", you can make a much more educated and logical buying decision.

Bruce Hunter is the publisher of CORE Magazine and writes about digital cameras. Visit CORE now to get free access to information on ultra compact digital camera.

Canon ELPH Digital Camera

Canon NB-6L Li-Ion Battery Pack for Canon SD770IS Digital Cameras

Marketing description is not available.
Customer Review: Works as well as the battery that came with the camera
...as it SHOULD, since both are Canon-branded. You've got to keep a spare, charged battery around. Murphy's law says that if you don't do so, you WILL miss your best photo ops. Don't mess with Murphy.
Customer Review: Works.
Functionally identical to the Canon PowerShot SD770IS stock battery. What else would you need to know??

The first thing your child's photographer should do is to meet you and your child in advance of your portrait session. They should meet you on a day before the actual session just to meet you and your child and discuss ideas to personalize your session. During this "design consultation," your photographer will get down on your child's level and get to know them so that on the day of the session, the photographer will not be a total stranger to your child, making the session go smoother and be much more successful. Your photographer should do this design consultation at no extra charge to you.

The second thing your photographer must do is to do the session on location, instead of a boring studio, at no extra charge. This is so important to making your session successful. You should be able to choose a location that is special to you or your child, an environment that your child is comfortable in. This could be a local park or playground, or other favorite location, or even your own home. Being photographed on location is so much more fun for everyone involved, and the results are creative and unique images of your child.

The third thing your photographer should do is to be flexible. As a parent, you know that for some reason, a perfectly healthy child can (and often does) become ill on important occasions, such as Christmas Day, their birthday, or the day you have scheduled for their portrait session. Your photographer should understand this and allow you to reschedule the session at no extra charge. This goes for any other unforeseen problems that may come up.

The last, and most crucial, thing you should make sure your photographer does is to guarantee you will love your portraits. Many photographers say that satisfaction is guaranteed", but this is not good enough. If your photographer cannot guarantee that you will be thrilled with your portraits, or your money back, it's time to move on and find another photographer. A portrait of your child should be something that moves you every time you look at it, not something that you are just "satisfied" with. It is so important that your photographer has such a strong guarantee.

If your photographer does not do all of the above things, move on to another one and don't stop looking until you find one that does. The kind of photographer I have described is one who truly cares about you and your child as people and about giving you the highest quality photographs to preserve for you the precious years of childhood.

As you have seen, price is not the only thing to consider when choosing the best photographer for your child. Think of photographs of your child as investments, as you would when buying a house, or as important a decision as choosing the best doctor when you need surgery. While those photographs won't bring you financial gains later on, if they were created by a photographer who does the things I discussed above, you will reap priceless rewards of the heart for years to come.

Angela Griffin is photographer and owner of Angela's Portraits in Denton, Texas, which is now in its 6th year. Photography is Angela's passion, particularly photographing babies and children. To view her portfolio and get portrait session information, visit her website at http://www.angelas-portraits.com

Portable Generators