New Sony Digital SLR - the A200

The new Sony DSLR-A200 digital SLR targets the beginner and advanced amateur photographers with an easy-to-use, affordable as well as feature-rich entry-level digital SLR. The A200 replaces the DSLR-A100 while borrowing the noise reduction and image processing techniques from the more advanced DSLR-A700. It features 10.2-megapixel resolution on an APS-C size CCD image sensor with High ISO noise reduction that takes place in the RAW data stage before image JPEG conversion, providing a high ISO of 3200.

An enhanced Super Steady Shot claims to offer from 2.5-3.5 steps anti-shake performance with all alpha lenses. Since the anti-shake system shifts the CCD to compensate for camera movement, all alpha lenses benefit from anti-shake performance. Compatible lenses encompass all Minolta Maxxum® mount lenses, in addition to Sony a (alpha) lens lineup - including Carl Zeiss® lenses.

Changing lenses in a DSLR can allow dust to enter the camera -- so to keep the CCD imager clean for better pictures, the Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A200 camera utilizes both static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter and anti-dust vibration that automatically shakes the CCD to dislodge dust each time the camera is powered off.

The large 2.7-in. LCD monitor is high resolution at 230,000 pixels with the Clear Photo LCD™ design for easy playback viewing. The DSLR-A200 camera’s supplied lithium ion battery offers up to 750 shots per full charge. It supports JPEG and RAW file format. Note that the A200 has a slot for CompactFlash™ Type I/II media cards; an adaptor for Memory Stick Duo™ media cards is sold separately as an accessory.

The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A200 kit comes with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens, with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 27-105mm. The DSLR-A200W kit includes the DT 18-70mm lens and a 75–300mm f4.5-5.6 lens.

Great Photoshop Brushes You can Download

The PhotoshopRoadmap has put together a collection of 100 high-resolution brushes for Photoshop that are ripe for the browsing. Some looked more useful than others to me but the quality of the collection is still impressive. The article also provides some choice links to other Photoshop brush resources. Read 100 Awesome High Resolution Photoshop Brushes.

Photoshop Support Brushes

One of the best Photoshop brushes page available. It gathers links to some of the finest brush designers on the web. There you will find some amazing Photoshop brushes sets created exclusively for this site.

Brushes at Obsidian Dawn

Stephanie is a talented artists and a regular contributor to The Photoshop Roadmap. At her site she offers a vast gallery of beautifully designed brushes that you can download for free.

500ml Brushes

Loads and loads of unique and high quality Photoshop brushes. Go there and download them all.

Valhalla Vania Brushes

A great selection of high quality brushes.

Mutsie’s Brushes

An excellent collection of frame brushes of all kind. Lots of creative ideas.

Sage Brushes

A collection of beautiful classy brushes. Some commercial, some for free. .

Brusheezy, Ps Brush, Get Brushes, Ps Brushes, Chez Plumeau, Photoshop Mosaic and The Photoshop Roadmap

Photoshop Brushes directories.

Deviant Art Photoshop Brushes Section

Although I’ve been browsing this site for three days, I wasn’t able to reach the last page of the Photoshop brushes section. Huge Photoshop brushes source. The largest of all sites mentioned in this article.

10,000 Photoshop Brushes Collection from GraphicXtras

If you still believe you need more brushes, take a look at this commercial collection.

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Originally uploaded by RickBlythe.

Sometimes I like to capture images that don't show the whole object. Here is a classic example of a photo that is interesting in its own right even though we cannot tell what it is. The texture of the rust and the interesting shapes are enough. [click the image for a larger version].

For those of you who must know what this is, it's a portion of the base of a fountain (shut off for winter), taken in Hamilton, Canada. Those round globe objects are each about a foot in diameter and the whole think stands about 30 feet high.

I hope this inspires you to get close, to look at the interesting "parts" of the overall, to make a new story from something we see everyday.

Happy photo-taking!

When to use a soft box

Learn how and when to use a soft box in this free video clip on photography

Good Photography Tips

Some Good Photography Tips here shot on location in the Desert of Fire, NV from Rick Sammon Wiley with his Canon Rebel xti-

What is a Photopreneur?

A photopreneur is anyone who wants to earn income from their photography, whether as a full-time professional or as an occasional photographer. It’s anyone who can turn their skills behind the lens into cash. It’s you. It's also a website. Check out Photopreneur and some of their feature articles below-

What is Photopreneur?

"Photography is changing. Digital cameras have made taking photographs easier, cheaper and even more enjoyable than before. The Internet has created whole new markets — and new ways of reaching those markets. And even mobile phones have made it comfortable to carry a camera everywhere and all the time — a habit that once only dedicated professionals indulged in."

How to Get Paid for your Flickr Photos

How to Keep Your Job and Be a Part Time Photographer

How To Earn $1,000 An Hour As A Photographer

47 Things People Will Pay You To Shoot

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Professional Photographer?

52 Ways To Monetize Your Photos

17 Ways to Take Camera Phone Photos that Sell

Keywording Secrets For Big Photo Sales

Photo Tips Video

If you're the proud owner of a new digital SLR camera, then you know that it's a little more complicated than your average point-and-shoot pocket camera. So it's a a good thing that we have Thomas Hawk, photographer and CEO of the photo community Zooomr, to give us his top tips for using a dSLR!