Desicritics Author: Siddhartha Narayanan

The Practical Guide to Going Digital

Siddhartha Narayanan — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:59:57 EST

Digital camera technology is here to stay. A vast majority of people have already transited from film to digital. That's hardly surprising considering the slew of advantages digital cameras bring with them- instant feedback on the photos you take, being able to experiment in photography without wasting film, a chance to correct minor artifacts in your image or even creatively dabble with them before printing them out, and a greater ease in storing and sharing them with others. Ever falling prices of digital cameras and the pace of technological improvements have meant that only a few aficionados have resisted the crossover to going digital. This article is meant to act as a rough, layman's guide to buying a digital camera and the first steps to take in exploring the digital world.

The main steps involved in choosing the right camera are as follows- introspect on your interests and desires in photography, research and narrow down to a list of cameras that fit both your needs and budget, compare these for features offered and read more exhaustive reviews for each camera, and finally after zeroing down on one camera, begin to fraternise with colleagues who might have to travel abroad soon! It's very likely that a first time buyer may not know what aspects of photography might enthuse them; photography is after all an interest that only slowly grows and develops. Worry not, as most cameras should prove able enough in all normal scenarios. Over a period of time as you identify your interests (and the shortcomings of your camera), there is always an opportunity to upgrade your camera. It might be reassuring to know that most people having more than a passing interest in photography thus end up owning multiple cameras!

Which one is for me?
The first step in choosing the right camera is to identify the basic type of camera you intend to buy. Digital cameras can roughly be classified into the following three categories:

1. Point and shoots (P&S)- The most basic of the three, targeted predominantly at 'the family-user' whose main interests would be in taking pictures of relatives and friends, pets and interesting sights while on travel. The focus is on keeping the camera compact, easy to use and carry around. This does not necessarily mean that they produce poor image quality.

2. Prosumers- These offer the user a better control over photographic parameters, and in most cases a greater zoom range, allowing the user to capture a wider variety of pictures. These are targeted at photo hobbyists and passionate amateurs. These are not as compact as the P&Ss. In recent times their prices have fallen quite a bit, making them an attractive proposition even as a first buy.

3. Digital SLRs (DSLR)- The big daddy of the lot and meant for the serious amateurs and professionals. The main advantages of a DSLR are- a discernible improvement in image quality (especially when shooting in an uncompressed image format), faster response times when taking pictures, and an ability to accept multiple lens types suited for different tasks. But these advantages are to some extent offset by a marked increase in camera size (though many serious photographers prefer the secure feel of a big solid camera as compared to the smooth slippery hold offered by a similar credit-card sized device). This means that on a meaningful photo expedition you will be saddled with one huge camera, and a load of add-on lenses; not quite ideal if you would like to go skipping gleefully on a trek! A DSLR is prone to problems like dust entering the camera when lenses are changed, and hence requires greater care while handling. And finally the bottom line- with the buying of a DSLR (which itself is more expensive than either of the other two types- a decent entry level DSLR could cost you twice as much as a good prosumer camera) tags along the associated costs of purchasing additional lenses which in most cases are more expensive than the camera itself!

Other factors to consider
Having decided on the kind of camera, one also needs to consider preferences for other factors such as:

1. Camera resolution- The resolution of a camera (expressed in mega pixels or MP) decides how much detail you can capture in each photos. The higher the MP rating, the more the detail you can capture per photo. But this leads to a larger file size for each photo and hence the camera memory fills up faster too. Many people unwittingly fall prey to the MP race and buy cameras touting large MP values. In reality to start of with, one need not look at cameras with resolution greater than 5 MP. This is more than sufficient to take A4 sized printouts and to create wallpapers for a 19 inch monitor. A larger resolution is only required to make huge enlargement of photos or if one wants to only crop out a small part of each photo and still be left with sufficient detail.

2. Zoom and focal length- A large optical zoom is a must if one is interested in taking photos of animals or birds in the wild. If you decide to buy a camera with a large zoom factor (6x or more) ensure that it also provides Image stabilization as shaky hands at a large zoom end up producing very blurred images! Similarly if it is the private affairs of flora, insects or still life that interests you, a good macro focal length is a must. The smaller the macro focal length, the closer you can get to your subject, and hence the better are the details you can capture. A macros focal length of less than 10 cm should provide satisfactory results.

3. Exposure settings- Chose a camera that allows you to tinker around with aperture and shutter settings. This will allow you to experiment with a variety of interesting photographic techniques like speed photography or shooting with a shallow depth of field.

4. Type of battery- Cameras either run on AAA batteries (normal and rechargeable), or on rechargeable Lithium ion batteries. I find that the later last longer per charge, and so if you are a very frequent camera user, repeated spending on AAA batteries will literally drain you out in the long run.

That's what the web is meant for!
One can get elaborate camera reviews on the Internet at popular websites such as www.dcresource.com, www.dpreview.com and www.steves-digicams.com. They analyze various aspects of a camera and compare it to similar competing products. The also display sample unprocessed pictures from each camera, which can give you a good idea of how sharp or saturated images from that camera would appear. These websites also post a number of user opinions which make for useful reading.

Where to buy from?
The US still remains the best place to buy a camera. Not only are the latest models not immediately available in India, when they do become so they end up costing almost one and a half times what they would cost in the US. If the need is not urgent, it might be prudent to wait for about six-eight months after a camera is released before buying it. Since the digital camera market is so competitive, and since models get outdated fairly soon, camera prices often drop a fair bit after release, especially during the Thanksgiving and Christmas season (if you really must buy the camera in India, then try posting queries on a city specific group of a photo-sharing forum like www.flickr.com). Buying the camera online is always more economical then buying it in a store. Details on the best deals available can be got from websites like www.pricegraber.com. Make sure you also invest in camera accessories such as a large enough memory card (at least 512 MB), a compact and well padded camera bag, and a protective neutral filter in case of a prosumer or a DSLR and a mini tripod that fits in the camera bag.

What next?
Once you lay your hands on the camera, read the camera manual completely (if you are really excited and simply can't wait, try reading an online version even before getting the camera). Experiment with different camera settings to evaluate what gives you the best exposed pictures. There are plenty of online tutorial sites to improve your photography skills. Subscribe to an online group dedicated to your camera where people share tips, problems and experiences (you will know that it's time to unsubscribe when the group gets inundated with offers on other products that 'excite' you). And finally, do join and participate on one of the many photo sharing sites such as www.flickr.com where you can share your photos with others, receive valuable critiques and get bright ideas on how to take pleasing pictures.

Do remember that the mythical perfect camera does not exist. The results from a camera will only be as good as the ability of the person peering through it! Here's wishing you good luck and success- the digital world awaits you!

The author, a passionate photographer, started with a Minolta Riva Zoom film camera and is now the proud owner of a prosumer Panasonic Lumix FZ7. He invites you to view his photo stream at http://flickr.com/photos/theelderlycamel/

Champions League Final: A French Treat

Siddhartha Narayanan — Wed, 17 May 2006 09:46:51 EDT

The French are well known for the gastronomical extravaganzas they serve up. Tonight, however, they will lay out a mouth-watering treat of a different kind, as Paris gets set to host Arsenal against Barcelona at the Champions League final.

This is perhaps a dream final - to have two well established powerhouses replete with international stars, and whose sole mandates are to play attacking, entertaining football. Although at face value it does seem so for tonight's match, on sounder consideration, one realizes that both teams also bring with them water tight defenses, with Arsenal now famously holding the record for ten straight shut outs in this tournament.

On paper, and going by achievements this season, Barcelona seems slight favorites for this encounter. On TV yesterday most English sports journalists were found saying that their hearts wanted Arsenal to win, but their minds chided them otherwise.

For us to decide, lets get down to analyzing the teams piecemeal.

In goal we have two solid, unglamorous goalkeepers, who are also capable of the occasional ludicrous gaffe. Lehman demonstrated that in the free kick goal conceded against Wigan, and Valdez had done so at least twice during the league season.

I would rate the Arsenal defense a bit better than Barcelona's simply because there are no old legs there but for Sol Campbell. Campbell despite being over thirty is always a monstrous, menacing, subduing presence in his half of the field and an intimidating physical embodiment in the opponent's penalty area. If Cole plays at left back it remains to be seen how well he copes up with playing a big game after being sidelined for much of this season with injury. I am not too sure how old Balletti and Marquez are, but I get the feeling that I have been seeing Puyol on TV forever; so all in all not the youngest and most fleet footed of defencive setups. Barcelona have looked tight and composed at the back in their recent games, but I would put it down to good strategy and teamwork rather than individual brilliance.

The Barcelona midfield seems more creative than Arsenal's with Deco, Iniesta and Ronaldinho pulling strings, and very frequently white rabbits from their hats. The Arsenal midfield is more of a quick paced, well-drilled unit. Wenger has denied that Ronaldinho will be given special attention, but I think that either Gilberto or Fabregas will probably shadow him all over the pitch.

Going upfront, Henry's solo brilliance is not completely matched by Eto'o. Henry is more creative, pacier and better at free kicks. Eto'o though is probably a more complete striker as he can head well too. Eto'o is luckier though to have a more potent strike partner in Larsson. Somehow Robin van Persie's contributions have dried up as the season has progressed, leaving Henry to shoulder most of the goal-scoring burden.

To sum it all up, I think Arsenal will pip Barcelona to the title. The Arsenal defense should prevent conceding too many, and Henry is sure to give Marquez and Puyol hell. To stick my neck out further, I see them winning 2-1, with Henry scoring twice, and Eto'o getting the consolatory goal for Barca. While Barca might already be partially satiated by winning the Primeira Liga, Arsenal seem hungrier and would be less pressured to win. Henry would love to leave an emphatic and emotional mark on this, possibly his last game for Arsenal. Ironically he might shift to the team they face tonight! This season has been just that - full of such quirky occurences. Sample another - it's been an English team against a Spanish team in the finals of both the Champions league and the UEFA cup!

For most football fans on the subcontinent, the champions league final is the culmination of the football season, the one last time you can brew up a hot cup of coffee and wait for the clock to strike midnight! Stay up and get ready to be treated.

Au Revoir Highbury

Siddhartha Narayanan — Tue, 9 May 2006 00:22:33 EDT

On the seventh of May 2006, a bit of English football heritage died. It was the day on which Arsenal played their last match at Highbury - their home for the last 93 years (1913 - 2006). They start next season in their swanky new stadium at Ashburton Groove, just a couple of blocks away from Highbury. Aerial pictures showing the two stadiums in proximity appear very poignant; Highbury's ancient looking edifice pales in comparison with the gleaming all-steel construction of the Emirates stadium. But as the fans trooped out of Higbury that evening for one last time, they knew that they had left a piece of themselves behind, a void that they may never be able to fill.

However all was not gloomy at Highbury a few hours before that. Arsenal put on a champagne performance in front of their home fans to beat Wigan - the fairy tale team of this season. And once Tottenham Hotspurs' 2-1 loss at West Ham United was confirmed, it was time for the Highbury faithful to start celebrating. This turn of events meant that Arsenal would participate in the Champions league next season irrespective of how they fare against Barcelona in the Champions league final later this month. For Spurs it seemed like a cruel twist of fate, and condemned them to the UEFA cup next season. This may actually prove to be a blessing, as doing well in the second string event may prepare them better for a decent shot in the Champions league the following year. Just look at how well Middlesbrough has done in the UEFA cup this season. They might not have lasted long had they been in with the big boys of the Champions league this season itself.

For Arsenal though, the events of the evening did not unfold so favourably right from go. Wigan made a real fuss and came into the match without reading the script. The result - they were leading 2-1 about half an hour into the match and were making a serious case of damping all celebrations at Highbury. But when the chips are down for Arsenal, they always look up to to one man to bail them out. And Henry honoured them yet again. His hattrick thereafter silenced a recalcitrant Wigan team and yet again confirmed his status as the greatest Arsenal import, and probably the best ever to have graced the grounds of Highbury. Even Henry appeared so awed by the occasion that he knelt down to kiss the turf after this third goal.

This climactic last day brought the curtains down on yet another fascinating season in the world's most popular football league. How things may turn out for Arsenal next season is not yet clear. Will they be able to convince Henry to stay on for longer? Or will Henry decide to follow in the footsteps of teammates Wiltord and Vierra and return to the continent. Even if he does so, no one can question the commitment he has shown by dedicating his prime years to the club's service. There is no doubt that Arsenal, and in particular Arsen Wenger, have transformed Henry into the potent striker that he is today. But he has repaid all that and more many times over during his stay with the North London club.

The evening was nonetheless more than about Henry. It was drenched in the melancholy of saying goodbye to an institution of English football. There are so many fond memories that I personally have of Highbury even though I don't consider myself a true Arsenal fan: the low camera angle that brought you that much closer to the game, the sea of red and white cheering fans, and more recently the giant squirrel who popped up when Villareal were visiting and which refused to be shooed away (and which has since become something of an icon at Highbury!). Highbury will in the future no longer physically exist. It will soon be torn down to make way for an apartment complex (one wing of the stadium though, being a heritage site, will be spared). One banner in the crowd the night before last aptly summed up the mood - "Gone forever, but not forgotten."

Where ever they may move, Arsenal will forever remain synonymous with Highbury.

England's Chances In The World Cup: A Bane Of A Bone

Siddhartha Narayanan — Sat, 6 May 2006 09:53:41 EDT

The dreaded "fragmented metatarsal" claims another English victim. Till now the list of English internationals suffering metatarsal injuries in the recent past included Beckham, Gerrard, Ledley King. Last weekend against Chelsea, we saw how Wayne Rooney got pissed, got wild and came under the knife (sorry...had to copy the style! and to be politically correct, it would be 'will come under the knife'). Rooney unluckily gets his name on that infamous list for the second time (the previous injury being suffered in Euro 2004).

Very optimistic opinions suggest that he may recover in eight weeks (assuming England progress that far), but even if he does so, I think he will not be as potent as he was of late. You can well imagine the anxiety one would face in stressing a fragile, hardly healed foot. He is sure to be circumspect and play within himself.

I commiserate with Rooney. Reportedly, he himself had commented a few days prior to the incident on how getting injured before the world cup could be the worst thing that could happen to a player. Prophetic indeed. But Rooney apart from Gerrard is the only real live wire of the English team, the pulse of the team, the one reason why British bookmakers (in a rather father fetched vein I felt though) were quoting them at second best odds to win (after Brazil).

After the disaster in Wayne's world though the English have slipped to the third place in the odds, with Germany leapfrogging them. I am as surprised as you are about that list. Germany at second (where are the Italians, the Argentines, the French)? Mind you I was a big German fan at one time, and even now dearly hang on to my faded, patched worldcup'94 German jersey. But I really don't see enough firepower and creativity in them to proceed beyond the second round. I possibly don't know about a third of their national squad as they remain confined to playing in the Bundesliga (the German football league), which rarely gets much coverage but from Ten Sports. I only regard Ballack and Schwinsteinger as real quality players in their team. They promised so much in the final last time around, but instead put in a shocking and inept display. Being the home team may spur them on to achieve more than they would have on foreign soils, but they surely can't reach the last four.

Returning to the sorry fate of Rooney, some analysts were quoting his new shoes to be the cause of his injury. They claim that the studs on his new shoes did not come out of the turf easily as he fell. Rooney however exculpates his shoes and stands by them (pun intended...digressing - I wonder why people write 'pun unintended' when very clearly it's a deliberate attempt at punny phraseology).

Where does Rooney's injury leave the English team? Hoping I have traced the progress charts correctly, I think England will beat Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago, draw with Sweden, but top the group on better goal difference. They will then face the runners up of group A, whom I predict will be Ecuador. England should beat them to make it through to the quarters (on July 1) to face Holland. This is such a tough match to call, and I give the edge to Holland.

Had Rooney been fully fit at this stage, I would (albeit with a slightly heavy heart as my loyalties lie a bit with the Dutch) tilt the balance in the favour of the English. So it looks like yet another QF exit for the English - predictable aren't they. I am tempted to analyze the strengths and weakness of the English team here, but doing that after Sven announces his squad seems more prudent. At the time of writing this, the media is abuzz with who will be his successor. The English FA is about to announce this any time now, but from the recent build up to this announcement, Steve McClaren taking over seems like a done deal!