Forget Film, Go Digital?

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I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked about going digital. I don’t know why folks even bother asking in this day and age. In all honesty, it’s basically irrelevant what media you use from the photographic stand point. The skills and abilities used to create a good photo is still the same.

For ordinary uses of photography, such as family gatherings and snapshot opportunities, the digital format is the obvious choice. However, professional landscape shots required being photographed with film to allow the photographer to make larger prints. The technology of digital just didn’t allow for such large prints. But now that has changed. Digital cameras are quickly gaining ground among professionals.

Most if not all modern digital camera are more than capable of matching the quality of 35 mm film (35 mm is the current standard for professional photography, especially landscapes). But can digital cameras match the print quality that large format film provides? It’s quite the conundrum for photographers today.

Digital cameras also provide the benefit of an instant display of the image that was just taken on a LCD screen. The photographer is able to check the balance and composition of the image nearly instantly. This is a huge advantage, but the photographer must still spend hours in front of a computer editing the pictures that he or she took. A photographer’s time is best spent taking photographs, not editing them.

Even though the pros and cons of digital photography are mostly settled, some photography enthusiasts still swear by film. In all honesty, the digital camera won’t allow the user to take better pictures. The exact same tricks used for film must be applied with digital to ensure a perfect picture.

Capturing a breathtaking image is just as elusive and hard to do as it ever was. The leap to digital doesn’t change this fact or make taking great photos any easier. The slew of technical advantages with digital are great, but most of the techniques stay the same even if the quality of the camera as well as quality camera accessories may help. Like a songwriter creating the perfect lyrics, it still remains up to the photographer to get the perfect shot.

If you’re still undecided about which way to go, here’s a few reasons to stick with film:

  • Digital cameras sometimes call in to question the authenticity of the photo. Many assume the picture was edited to look great.
  • You may find yourself spending too much time in front of your computer editing photos
  • Film tends to produce the purest colors over digital (though with ever increasing rises in technology, this may not always be the case)

I personally have made the leap to digital and love it. I enjoy being able to take more shots than I would have with film because I no longer have to worry about wasting money on film and developing. I also enjoy editing the pictures after a long day of filling up memory cards. The only way to truly decide for yourself, is to go out there and try them both and see what’s the right fit for you. You may find that digital is better after all.

Southern Food: Pork Chops and Apples

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This recipe is for a great southern food combination – pork chops and apples. The apples give the pork a wonderful taste as they bake together, and the combination makes an attractive meal. For the best results, use tart apples.

 

Baked Pork Chops and Apples Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 4 center-cut pork chops, ½-inch thick
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 4 tart baking apples
  • Brown sugar
  • Cinnamon
  • 4 pats butter

Directions: Rinse pork chops and pat dry. Combine cider vinegar, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to form a thin paste. Rub the past on the pork chops. Bake chops, covered with foil, at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

While the pork is cooking, prepare the apples. Remove cores from apples, leaving about ½ inch of flesh at the bottom. Scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Fill the cores with brown sugar and sprinkle each with cinnamon. Place a pat of butter on top of each filled core.

When the pork chops have cooked for 20 minutes, remove them from the oven and arrange the stuffed apples around the chops. Bake, uncovered, for about 40 more minutes, until apples are tender and pork is cooked through.

 

Gift for Mothers

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Gifts for mothers are probably the most important gifts that we ever buy for anyone! Of course as children, we spend a great deal of time agonizing over Mother’s Day gifts. But there are also birthday gifts and Christmas gifts that need to be bought as well. I think a figurine is a great gift idea for a moms gift.

Depending on your Mother’s taste and home decor you can choose a porcelain figurine, crystal figurine or even hand-carved wood figurine – to name just a few. A Mother’s Day statue gift can definitely show a mother caring for a child. Because on that day we truly do say thank you for all the effort took to bring us into this world and then to raise us.

But on your Mother’s Birthday I think the figurine gift should be more personal. It should be something that represents her interests as a total person just not a mother. So if my mom loved gardening, I would either get her a figurine of a woman gardening or a figurine or statue for her garden.

My mother is an ardent sailor and has her own sailboat. She’s fitted the boat out just as she wants so it would be futile to get her a gift for her boat. But she does love nautical decor and she’s crazy about crystal sailboat figurines – as well as dolphin, whale and mermaid figurines. So I can always giver her one of those.

Florida Fishing: Mangroves

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These saltwater fishing tips are about fishing mangroves. One of the best parts of Florida fishing is mangrove angling – fishing around mangrove plants. Mangroves grow along many coastal waters in Florida, including islands, canals, backwater, and estuaries. The roots of the plants grown down into the water, creating a tangled haven for baitfish. And where the baitfish can be found, larger fish won’t be far away.

The best way to fish around mangroves is with a small boat or kayak. You’ll need a small vessel in order to put it where you want it. Also, sometimes mangroves are in shallow water or along narrow passages, where it would be hard to put a larger boat.

Obviously, the toughest part of fishing the mangroves is getting caught in the roots. You probably can’t see them, so it’s easy to get foul-ups. I’ve found the best remedy for this is to suspend a bait under a float. That way, you can put the bait right in among the roots with a lot less chance of getting caught on the plants.

Another good way to fish around mangroves is to cast parallel to the plants. Casting and retrieving as close to the mangroves as you can without any foul-ups might take a little practice, however. Be sure to have extra line, extra hooks, and extra weights with you. You’ll most likely loose several.