Color. Digital. Action!

Photo Contest: WINTER WONDERLAND

2012-01-11T13:23:00.002-05:00

Photos that celebrate winter, snow, cold,

frost or maybe just staying warm inside!

Entry Dates: January 1 - March 31, 2012

Winner to be selected by guest judge(s) and

will be announced online and in-store on April 16, 2012.

There are three ways to enter:

Submit your entry in the store using our store kiosks, using your digital file or printed photo. You may order your print at that time and tell the staff member who helps you that the photo is meant for the “Winter Wonderland” photo contest.
Submit your entry via www.lacameras.photofinale.com. Upload your photo and order an 8x10. In the Special Instructions, write “Winter Wonderland photo contest entry.”
Drop off a completed 8x10 to our store and tell the staff person it is your entry for the “Winter Wonderland” photo contest.

Contest Rules:

1. Entries accepted only as 8x10 printed on silver halide photo paper. Enhancement and/or manipulation of the photo is accepted.

2. Limit one entry per customer.

3. Photos must be taken by person entering them. Prizes will be awarded only to the original photographer.

4. Amateur photographers (those who earn less than 25% of their income from photography) ages 13 and over are eligible to win. Photographs taken by professionals are not eligible.

5. All photographs must be previously unpublished.

6. Photos that violate or infringe upon someone else’s copyright are not eligible for entry.

7. All winning entries become the property of sponsoring organizations and may be used solely for marketing and promoting the current and future L.A. Cameras Photo Contests.

8. L.A. Cameras employees and members of their immediate families are not eligible to win prizes.

How Winners Are Selected: The photo contest winners will be chosen by guest judge(s) and will be announced via store posting and online on April 16, 2012. Winners must pick up their prize within 30 days after results are announced.

Christmas Idea: Candy Cane Centerpiece

2011-12-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

This adorable candy cane vase will add the perfectfestive touch to your Christmas table. Place one on each table and fill with redroses. Don’t prefer roses? Use any festive blooms, holly, evergreen oreven bittersweet!

Materials Required:

Cylindrical vase or clean empty can
Two sided tape (found at most hardware or scrapbookingstores)
Rubber band
Candy canes
Wide ribbon (must be wider than rubber band)
Roses

Instructions:

Wrap the two sided tape around the vase/can onceapproximately halfway down the vase/can. (The two sided tape will help keep thecandy canes from sliding out from under the rubber band.)
Slide rubber band around the vase/can.
Begin inserting the candy canes behind the rubber band.
Tie the ribbon around the vase/can taking care to coverthe rubber band with the ribbon.
Fill with water and arrange flowers or greens.

Another Idea: Use mini candy canes and baby food jars orsmall fruit cup cans to create small individual vases which can serve as placecards. Just attach a label with your guests’ names to the ribbon.

courtesy http://myecochicwedding.com

Sony Deals!

2011-11-16T17:49:00.001-05:00

Cinnamon Stick Candles - A great Thanksgiving table centerpiece idea!

2011-11-07T16:10:00.000-05:00

This looks easy to do! Just hot-glue cinnamon sticks to several candles and tie with jute or twine! or even ribbon! Here's to a festive table!

2011 Camera Accessory Kits!

2011-10-27T14:13:00.002-04:00

Every year, we build accessory kits to help you give the complete gift--not just a great camera, but also a memory card, case, and other necessary tidbits. Here's this year's kits--and as usual, you can count on us for quality and value!

Each kit is available with various sizes of memory cards. Pick the one that suits you best.

New! Mug Templates

2011-10-27T12:43:00.000-04:00

NEW! for 2011: Porcelain Ornaments

2011-09-23T12:08:00.001-04:00

Last week we gave you a sneak preview of our new Spiritual Sentiments cards, desk calendars, and metal cuff bracelets. This week, we have new templates to show off. Every year, we sell thousands of photo ornaments, and we find that you love us best when we find a balance between style and value. Our goal was to create an ornament that allowed you the flexible templates that you've come to expect from us, and respects your shopping budget.

We think we have found a winner with our 3x3" Round Porcelain Ornament. We have more templates coming, but we are in testing phase, so these are the templates we have tested so far.

Enjoy!

Candy Cane (double-sided)

Vintage Snow

Trees (double-sided)

Faded Text Box

Pet (double-sided)

Forever In Our Hearts (Gold)

Snowflake Accent (double-sided)

Retro Christmas

Whaddya think? :)

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT! Sun & Summer Fun Photo Contest

2011-09-23T11:24:00.001-04:00

WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

1st Place
ANNISA MEYERS
Winner of a Sony Cybershot HX9V

Annisa took this photo during vacation in Virginia Beach this summer. Her son Dixon (age 2) is shown here being launched by his daddy.

Annisa used her Nikon D5000 D-SLR to capture this photo--Annisa purchased the camera from us (she's a smart cookie, we gotta say) and often captures great images of her kids like this one.

When we called to congratulate her on her win, she mentioned being excited to use her new camera to encourage her daughters' interests in photography, since this powerful point-and-shoot is smaller and easier for them to learn to use. She thinks she might also grab it when she just doesn't have enough hands to juggle her kids and her D-SLR bag, which we find to be a common condition among busy moms. She'll be impressed--this "little" point-and-shoot is full of features that we here at the store have been super impressed with!

Congratulations again, Annisa!

2nd Place

SHEILA SOUDERS

Winner of a $25 L.A. Cameras Gift Card

Honorable Mention
Roy Himelfarb

Honorable Mention
Elizabeth Wilson

Honorable Mention

Tonya Reichard

Honorable Mention

Deb Grave

Honorable Mention
Tiffany Houp

Sony A33 and A55 Firmware Update

2011-09-16T11:55:00.001-04:00

Ok, so even owners of A33 and A55 SLT cameras might not be sure what a "firmware" update is. I'm writing this blog and I'm only about 50% sure. But thankfully, I own an A55 and can vouch for this update: it contains several new features that you should take advantage of--and they're free!

Here are some of the new "creative and operational enhancements" that Sony has made available on your camera via this update:

1 - Support for the ‘Picture Effect’ function (same as the features on the new α35).

Picture Effects include:

Toy Camera: exaggerated colors and darkened corners

High Contrast Monochrome: stark black and white images

High Key: bright, washed-out tone curve

Partial Color (Red-shown, Green, Blue or Yellow): leaves only a single color in the scene

Retro: gives a faded color film look

Pop Color: creates highly vivid colors

Posterization (Black and White): produces a heavily-stepped image with a reduced palette

Posterization (Color): produces a heavily-stepped image with a reduced palette

Other new features:

High-Speed Synch is supported during wireless operation with a compatible external flash (only α55).
Ergonomics are further improved with revised menus and a new mode that lets users switch off shooting parameters overlaid on screen for clear, uncluttered composition.
The camera’s Digital Level Gauge can also be displayed when shooting via the optional CLM-V55 external LCD monitor.
Frequently used features can now be custom-assigned to the D-RANGE button for rapid, menu-free access.

To update your camera, click the links below. If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, or are unable to figure it out, feel free to stop by--we'll update your camera for $15. Easy as pie.

A33-SLT Firmware Update (click on System Updates/Firmware)

A55-SLT Firmware Update (click on System Updates/Firmware)

Love, THE LA CREW

Deck the halls? Really!? (PICS OF NEW STUFF!)

2011-09-05T10:26:00.000-04:00

It's Labor Day. I know lots of lucky ducks get today off, and perhaps I could have too, but me and my crazy family braved the threats of Hurricane Irene to vacation in Topsail Island last week. And I know for you Christmas seems a long ways off, but in the photo business, this is when we have to start getting ready. Because before we know it, you all will be descending on us with armloads of Christmas gift projects in mind...and we have to be on our game. Or at least pretend that we are! :)

So it is quiet in the back offices today--because again, all the smart people stayed home, except for the folks out front who come in to serve you guys. So I'm working on Christmas, before the leaves even change. It's actually hard to do--sometimes I actually have to put on Christmas music so I can get in the right frame of mind! For some reason, my first Christmas work every year feature images of surfboards, iced tea and sunburns. It is hard work to open up images of snowflakes and parkas! (see, there come of the hives--ick, cold weather...)

But here's a preview for some stuff we got coming up. We make really specific notes every year so we can try to incorporate your requests in the next Christmas season's lineup--that's one of the benefits of supporting local businesses and shopping local. Not only do you support local commerce and profits (since Walmart's profits go to Arkansas!) but also we care enough about you to think about you all year long. :)

One of our most requested new lines is finally in the finishing stages. Every year, hundreds of people ask us for photo card designs that have spiritual Christmas greetings on them instead of generic, politically-correct "Happy Ho-ho" or "Holiday Greetings". You know. And since no one makes them anymore (seriously, we couldn't find them to buy them anywhere!), we had to design them in house and send them out for coding for our machines. We're still in the finishing stages of that final step, but we're pretty happy with how they turned out. Here are some previews of our NEW "Spiritual Sentiments" PHOTO CARDS line--in total, there's about 150 different varieties and combinations...but here's some previews...

Retro Linen

Lace Canvas

Drifting Snowflakes

Joy to the World

Linen Evergreen

...there are SO many more...but I have other things to show you, so you'll just have to wait for the full release (hopefully mid-October!)

We're adding another really cool product. Last year, Snapfish offered 10"x5" desk calendars. We thought that was a great idea, but too big for a desk--when you put them on the surface, they took up so much space! So we created some of our own, this time in a slightly smaller 8"x4" size, and just as well-suited for a kitchen sink windowsill as a desk. There are five designs in our lineup--here are a few previews of our NEW 4x8 DESK PHOTO CALENDAR!...

Brown Swirl

Standard Black & White

Polkadots

We hope these can be launched mid-October as well.

OK, another new item...
Metal Cuff Photo Bracelets! We have several more ideas for these as well, so consider this a teaser...

And yes, there's so much more, but I have to stop for now...I've enjoyed our chat but there is MUCH to do. The elves are already whistling. So sorry for the Christmas thoughts but hopefully the previews were worth it!

-DRH

L.A. Cameras is excited to serve Pictures Plus customers!

2011-08-17T16:07:00.010-04:00

Pictures Plus came to us to ensure their customers continued to receive the best possible photographic service, and great online ordering. We worked with them to create a seamless transition. We even found a way to transition their customers' online photos and albums, so that nothing would be lost! As of August 24, PicPlus customers will be able to log-in to our online system nearly the same way they would have before, with the same user name and password. The only thing that will change is where they do it--instead of PicPlus's online system, they'll do with L.A. Cameras.

so, er, uh...

Want to read the email that Pictures Plus sent to their customers (contains more information)?

Click here

If you're one of Pictures Plus' valued customers,

click here to log-in to L.A. Cameras' system

to see your photos, upload new photos to your page,

or place an order. We think you'll like us!

Also, here's a quick checklist of ways to stay tuned and get coupons (we do a lot of them)...

1. Join our Email Club (emails come about once per week)

2. Like us on Facebook

Have questions? Call us anytime Monday-Saturday, 9am-8pm

(717) 263-0043

Ask for Fred Kuhn or Guy Crawford and be sure to identify yourself as a Pictures Plus customer.

That's it for now--welcome aboard!

Sincerely,

Fred Kuhn

owner

Job: Banners and Design for Penn National Golf Course

2011-07-27T14:57:00.004-04:00

For those among us who find their center on a sprawling labyrinth of greens, roughs, and tees, this logo will make your spine tingle:

This week we worked on several projects for Penn National. Here's a great example of the "sketch-becomes-masterpiece" method we find ourselves using fairly often. :)

The sketch:

And the finished product

(after we made some design tweaks and took some feedback from the customer)...

We liked how this turned out!

Here are some other projects we helped them out with--stay tuned because Penn National is on the move! We'll update as we get each thing finished....

Vinyl Banner

Adhesive Vinyl graphic applied to a window

If you have a project in mind but don't have a creative cell in your body, never fear. We'll start with what you have--even if its just a post-it note and some ballpoint scribbles!

.........................................................................................................

(And we'll include a shameless plug for Penn National Golf Club, since they have such good taste in printshops. They have two ama-zing courses and some lovely real estate as well.

Penn National provides Internet-Only specials that are available to those who book online. And if you're a budget golfer, or work during the day, they have a great program that if you tee-off after 6:15pm, your green fee is only $10. Now that's guilt-free golf!)

Job: Logo Colorization for Big Hot Olive Tattoo

2011-07-14T14:16:00.000-04:00

Derek Bender, a talented new tattoo artist in our area, came to us with a great start---his clean pencil sketch of his new logo. Derek is opening up a tattoo shop and is ready to take his branding to a new level. We were impressed with the quality of his sketch--this is done freehand!

Derek also provided us with a more in-depth sketch of the "olive" portion of his sketch, with shading and flame detail.

So Diane got to work and started by digitizing his work. She scanned it in, adjusted the density, and applied some filters so we could work with a clean, streamlined image. She decided to started with the olive sketch, knowing that it would be simpler to coordinate the coloring of the rest of his logo if she started with the more complex areas first.

So color was applied...layer by layer until the result was edgy and urban.

Next, the colorized Big Hot Olive was dropped into the original sketch, providing context for the rest of the project.

Taking color cues from the finished flame, Diane layered on color gradients for the lettering

And then, coloring gradients were added to the dimensional shadows. It's starting to look great!

Finishing touches: white outline for pop, black background for edge. It's finished! Whaddya think?

Here's the business cards we designed for Big Olive Tattoo, after this logo was proofed, tweaked, and finished.

Derek's shop is located at 6537 Upper Strasburg Road in Pleasant Hall. You can contact him at big-hot-olive@hotmail.com or call (717) 530-1189.

"I Love My Family!" Photo Contest WINNERS

2011-07-07T15:20:00.001-04:00

We are proud to announce the winning entries of our "I Love My Family" Photo Contest!

1st PLACE

SEAN EBERLY

WINNER OF THE OLYMPUS TOUGH 8010 CAMERA (ooh, we're so jealous)!

Sean Eberly, age 14, took this photo of his cousin, Claire, with his Nikon P80 (which he purchased from us a few years ago). When we called him and told him he had won, he was excited--and told us his new Olympus Tough 8010 will be a great birthday present (which is Saturday July 9th!). Sean's photo garnered an impressive 164 votes, thanks in no small part to a steady influx of paper ballots in the store, and a strong Facebook fandom. Sean told us he loves L.A. Cameras for our service, our great photo quality, and the fact that he bought the camera from us that won him a brand-new one! Congratulations, Sean!

2nd PLACE

TOE THANE

WINS A $25 L.A. CAMERAS GIFT CARD

HONORABLE MENTIONS

WIN THEIR CHOICE OF 3 PRIZES FEATURING THEIR WINNING PHOTO:

a Photo Garden Flag, a Stickum, or a Mural Mount

DANIELLE FITZ

SUSAN NEILL

TINA FLOHR

MICHELLE FISHER

JANICE DALTON

If you entered a photo in this contest and would like to pick it up, it will be available to you at the front counter. The staff here at the store fell in love with so many of your entries and hope you find special places in your homes to display these beautiful photos.

Photo Contest! "Sun & Summer Fun"

2011-07-07T12:01:00.000-04:00

NOW ACCEPTING YOUR ENTRIES! Entry deadline is September 6

Click here to download the official flyer (including How to Enter and Contest Rules)

Entry Contest Dates:

July 8 - September 6

Contest Theme:

"Sun & Summer Fun"

Submit any favorite photo that shows a favorite summer moment,

vacation, destination, or memory!

Prizes:

1st Place / Grand Prize:

Sony HX9V Camera

Top 5 Tips for Shooting Fireworks

2011-07-01T12:01:00.000-04:00

Top 5 Tips for Shooting Fireworks
by Ed Krimen

Shooting fireworks is easy!

Fireworks are one of the easiest subjects to photograph, especially for novice photographers and digital camera neophytes. Shooting fireworks has a very high reward-work ratio; you basically set up your camera and continually snap the shutter. There are very few photographic subjects in which you can simply set up your camera, don't move it or change its settings, take a hundred shots in 30 to 45 minutes, and find a rather large percentage of your photos make you say "Wow! I shot that?!"

Here are the top 5 tips you need to know to shoot fireworks:

1. Use a tripod.
Tripods are very inexpensive, but definitely required when shooting fireworks because the tripod keeps the camera steady. L.A. Cameras sells tripods for as low as $20.

2. Use the remote control or timer.
It's practically essential to have a remote control or timer feature on your camera to minimize the amount of shaking when the shutter button is pressed. Even though the shaking may be slight and your camera will be on a tripod, there is still too much shaking going on when you use your finger to press the shutter button on the camera.

If you don't have a remote for your camera, check to see if your camera has a timer. Most cameras do. After you press the shutter button, remove your hands from the camera so the camera stops shaking; then, the camera waits a number of seconds, and snaps the photo -- clearly, without the shake.

It's a good idea to take a few practice shots with this method before you get to the location and after you've setup, but before the fireworks actually start. You want to make sure you understand how the remote control or self-timer features work. You also want to take this opportunity to review some test photos on the camera's LCD screen to make sure everything looks right before the fireworks begin. Of course, one of the joys of using a digital camera instead of film camera is that you can review and then delete these test photos to make room for the real ones!

3. Long exposure time and shutter speed.
Fireworks photos look as good as they do because the camera is actually taking the photo for a number of seconds -- not a fraction of a second as it normally does. (I'll save you the technical details for another time, but if you're interested in the fundamentals, read up on camera "exposure".)

Digital cameras vary in the longest exposure they allow. (A long exposure is synonymous with a low shutter speed.) Some cameras may only allow a few seconds, while others may allow for 15 seconds or more. For now, I'd set your camera to 3 or 4 seconds. When you're up to it, this is where you can get creative and try shorter and longer exposures. The length of time depends on the type of fireworks displayed and how you want the final photo to appear. Experiment. You can even experiment after the first few fireworks explode to see what a different exposure time looks like. And be sure not to bump or move the camera during the exposure time, or else you'll see the movement in the photo.

If your camera doesn't allow you to change the exposure time or shutter speed, look for one of the following modes and use one of them if it is available: fireworks mode, nighttime mode, or landscape mode. Fireworks or nighttime modes are preferred over landscape mode when shooting fireworks.

4. Turn off the camera's flash.
Be sure you turn off the flash on your camera. Digital cameras usually start with the flash on automatic; since it'll be dark, the camera will think it needs the flash, but it really won't need flash because the fireworks will be bright enough.

5. Location, location, location.
Location and timing are extremely important in all forms of photography. Silhouettes of people, trees, and buildings can sometimes make for interesting fireworks photos, but I would try to avoid them at first. Some silhouettes may be unavoidable, but strive to find an open area if possible, especially when shooting fireworks for the first time.

Arrive early and setup before the show starts to find a place where people will not walk in front of you. And try to avoid other sources of lights, such as illuminated signs on buildings and street lights.

With those 5 tips in mind and a little preparation, you'll have some great fireworks photos.
As a bonus, we've included more helpful tips below that you should keep in mind when shooting fireworks.

6. Know your camera
Practice a little and be familiar with your camera before you head out to see the fireworks. Spend an hour or so with the camera, the camera manual, and this article to ensure your camera is setup and ready to go. You don't want to be out there with your camera on the tripod ready to go, with your camera manual in hand trying to figure things out. In any case though, bring a small flashlight to adjust camera settings in the dark, if necessary.

7. Verify your memory cards are empty.
This is an important step before heading out anywhere with your digital camera. You want to make sure that you've transferred all of your photos to your computer for safe-keeping before heading out to shoot more photos. This step is just like checking to make sure you had enough film when using film cameras. If you, like most of us, find that transferring photos to your computer is a pain, consider using a memory card reader, such as one of the SanDisk ImageMate models.

8. Charge your batteries.
And bring spare, fully-charged batteries if you have them. You'll probably be using the LCD display a lot, and that uses up the most juice.

9. Zoom out.
You can try zooming in to adjust the shot for the fireworks, but zooming out is usually best because you'll want to capture as much of the sky and fireworks as possible. When cameras start up, they are usually zoomed out all of the way, but it can sometimes be too easy to accidentally zoom in.

10. Use the highest photo quality setting.
In fact, I recommend that you use the highest quality, size, and resolution for all of the photos that you take. The only reason to limit the size and resolution of the photos that you take is to reduce the amount of space they take up on your memory card, if you're running out of space. The recommended alternative is to simply buy more storage space with memory cards, whose prices continue to drop.

Finally, and most importantly, be sure to enjoy the fireworks display while you're there. Don't just spend your time working on shots, behind the camera. Relax a bit and enjoy the fireworks. This is true of all photographic subjects. Stop to smell the roses, and then take the picture. Or vice versa.

- Condensed from an article by photobird.com

Job: 4x6 Bible School Banner Design

2011-06-20T09:46:00.000-04:00

We don't often say that John is a genius.
Whether he is or he isn't misses the point. We're just afraid to tell him so. (haha)

But what John did with this job was nothing short of excellent work.

We often just encourage customers to scribble down on a piece of scrap paper what they have in mind for their project. Sometimes all we get is a few shaky marks in ballpoint ink with barely legible handwriting. And that's fine with us--we're professionals.

But Sara's sketch was intimidating. She clearly had a good idea what she had in mind--and we really wanted to make her happy.

Here's the sketch that John started with:

And after a little time, and a sprinkle of (dare we say, genius), this was John's result:

Nice job!

Denise's photography on display at Big Oak Cafe!

2011-06-15T13:55:00.001-04:00

So, unless you live under a rock (or are just reeeally loyal to your current lunch hotspot), you've enjoyed something delicious from Big Oak Cafe's menu. Even us photo junkies gotta get a fix from time to time. But there's a whole different reason why we think they're awesome this month...

Denise's photography is proudly displayed there! So stop by and grab a Meadow wrap (my fav) or a chocolate fondue (I hear they're to-die-for) and browse. And if you really fall in love, the pieces are for sale.

Nice work Denise!--we're proud of you!

John's pics from Watkins Glen International

2011-06-15T13:32:00.003-04:00

This is John. John is a racing fan. Spend thirty minutes with John and you'll find this to be true. He likes it enough to download full-length races from iTunes and sometimes listens to racing audio while he's working here at the store. Sometimes he finds fellow speed fanatics among you guys as he works with our customers, so he's not alone. (We think he's obsessed, but to each, his own.) Now if he'd just remember to wear sunscreen.

John took some friends, his Nikon D5000, a 18-200mm Sigma lens, a 10-24mm Tamron lens, and his 75-300mm Nikon lens to Watkins Glen International a few weekends ago for Sahlen's Six Hours at The Glen. This event, featuring "sleek and sexy sports cars, along with many of the world's best sports car drivers, will take your breath away during this six-hour competition of speed and endurance. The weekend kicks off with the Continental Tire 150 on Friday night!" (ok, I admit that's a direct quote from their website...I'm not the fan(atic), John is. :)

John came home with 3,000 photos. A bunch of them were good. We made him pick 5-10 of his favorites. Enjoy!

and girls, just for you... ...

McDrea--err, I mean, Patrick Dempsey. :)

John took this shot too. It's my favorite...but again, I'm not a racing fan. :)

Trace Adkins Loses Home In Fire

2011-06-13T09:47:00.001-04:00

(December 5, 2010 - Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America)

Trace Adkins loses home to fire, but safety plan saves kids, wife says

June 05, 2011
By Alan Duke, CNN

Trace Adkins was on a plane to Alaska for two shows and some fishing when the fire happened.

Country singer Trace Adkins lost his home to fire Saturday, but his three young daughters were saved by following fire safety tips they learned at school, Adkins' wife said.

The flames apparently ignited in the garage, but quickly spread to the attic of the large home Saturday afternoon, said Brentwood, Tennessee, Fire Chief Brian Goss. The house is considered a total loss.

"Stuff is stuff," Rhonda Adkins told a reporter for CNN affiliate WSMV in Nashville as she stood on a neighbor's lawn watching her home burn.

Her three young daughters and their dog were inside the home with their nanny when the fire started. Rhonda Adkins was driving a few blocks away when a neighbor called her.

"She said that the house was on fire and we looked up in the air and we saw the black smoke," Adkins said. "And I said, 'Oh, my God, this isn't happening, this isn't real.'"

When she pulled up to her yard, she found her children there unhurt, she said.

"They ran to their safe place like we practiced, in the front yard at a big tree," she said. "And it worked. You know, fire safety is so important, and today we used it."

Brentwood firefighters, the same ones who were inside her home battling the flames, visited her children's elementary school to teach fire safety earlier this year, she said. One lesson was to place a yellow ribbon where the family should gather if the house caught fire.

"I tied the yellow ribbon around the tree to go to," she said. "It stayed there for about a month. Trace kept going, 'When you gonna take that ribbon down?' and I'm like, 'You know, I might need it one day.'"

Adkins said she never really expected it to be needed. "But we did what those firefighters told us and we practiced it today," she said. "It saved my kids' lives."

With her daughters, their nanny and the family dog safe, Adkins said it was easy for her to be calm and thankful despite the loss of her home. She did have one regret, though.

"I have not backed up all my photographs, and I'm just sitting here sick because those are the things that matter the most," she said. "It's your memories, our wedding pictures, I don't have, because the negatives are in the house.

"Please, everybody, practice fire safety, and back up all your pictures," she said.

Her husband was on a plane to Alaska for two shows and some fishing when the fire happened. His publicist said he immediately boarded a return flight to Tennessee when he landed.

"Trace wishes to express his gratitude for the immediate response of the Brentwood Fire Department and is humbled by the outpouring of concern from friends and fans," his spokesman said in a written statement to CNN Sunday.

Coincidentally, Adkins' newest single, "Just Fishin,'" is being released this week. The video, which features the singer and his youngest child, Trinity, on a father-daughter fishing trip, was released Friday.

Adkins, 49, was a finalist on NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" in 2008, but host Donald Trump chose Piers Morgan, now a CNN talk show host, as the winner.

Father's Day Gifts--High on charm, low on cash

2011-06-06T14:18:00.208-04:00

We know that a lot of you moms really love to do special things for Dad. And don't forget Granddad. Unfortunately, not all of us choose to buy concert tickets, golf outings or expensive dinners, choosing to invest that money elsewhere. That doesn't mean Dad has to go forgotten this year (even if Mother's Day was just a peck on the cheek and some flowers). We came up with 5 high-style, low-budget options for this year's Dad...the perfect way to remind him that he's valuable and appreciated.

#1: Dad's Fund

We picked vacation, but you can customize this gift to support whatever his back-burner dream might be... try phrases like "Dad's Golf Fund" or "Dad's Motorcycle Fund" or even "Dad's Silly Money". Or you could choose "Daddy's Hot Java" and pair instead with a favorite coffee variety.

If you opt for the "fund" idea, you can get creative on how you fund it--perhaps it sits on the dresser and collects loose pocket change. Perhaps each of your children can contribute a fistful of coins. We've even heard of placing it on the dryer, where it collects the pocket change from loads of laundry. It's up to you.

It's just a way to let Dad know that his back-burner dreams haven't been forgotten.

To wrap, bundle with an inexpensive accessory that demonstrates the goal (perhaps a key chain, tropical gum, or a small box of new golf balls and wrap with masculine ribbon. Or you can upgrade (sneak him a $20 bill to add to the bank or add a gift certificate to a favorite driving range).

Cost breakdown (as shown):
11oz Photo Mug: $8.21 (with this week's Email Coupon, reg $10.95 ea)
Box of 4 new golf balls $5.00
Photo Father's Day card: $1.75 (with this week's Email Coupon, reg $2.25 ea)
Total Price: $14.96 plus tax

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#2: Hand-Print Matted Photo

For Dads who work hard at a workstation or desk, this is a great way to remind him why he works so hard. Pick a photo you love, add text with your home software or our Picnik editing tools (on our website--and they're free!), pick a mat and assemble, complete with your little tyke(s) hand prints around the edge. You might opt to frame it (increases expense) but perhaps you already have a frame that would work?

Soon those little hands will wear adult gloves and play Xbox. Capture them now.

Add text with our free Picnik tools

To wrap, assemble the photo with the mat using some masking tape. If you're not opting to frame it, simply slide the matted photo back in the resealable bag your mat came in and seal snugly, removing all the wrinkles. To upgrade, include a home-printed gift certificate for a family run to The Meadows or Rita's for a frozen treat.

Cost Breakdown (as shown):

5x7 matte photo enlargement: $1.95

8x10 single mat (5x7 opening): $2.95

Adorable chubby handprint: childbirth (and a good soapy washcloth)

5x7 Father's Day photo card: $1.75 (with this week's Email Club coupon, reg $2.25ea)

Total Price: $6.65 plus tax

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#3: Get Your Grill On

Many moms prefer a chicken breast or grilled vegetables, but many of our dads just love a freshly grilled steak. Whether Dad is an accomplished grillmaster, or simply imagines himself to be, our new photo apron is a fun encouragement. (Side benefit: all Mom has to do is make some potato salad and cut up some fruit--wait, would Dad prefer a pie?)...

Perhaps all Dad wants for Father's Day is a burger, coated in cheese, straight off the grill.

To wrap, purchase Dad's favorite BBQ sauce (or make your own grilling rub--here's a recipe from Food Network's ultimate grill-meister Bobby Flay). Fold the apron neatly so the photo appears and wrap it around the bottle. To upgrade, add a set of grilling tools (we found this set at Walmart for $5), create a gift certificate for a family hotdogs-n-smores grillout, or even a gift certificate to Butcher Shoppe for some brats or steaks!

Cost Breakdown (as shown):
Photo Apron: $13.46 (with this week's Email Club coupon, reg $17.95)
Bottle of BBQ Sauce: $3.99 (we like big bottles of Sweet Baby Ray's)
Photo Father's Day card: $1.75 (with this week's Email Coupon, reg $2.25 ea)
Total Price: $19.20 plus tax

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#4: Peaceful Easy Feelings, Chilled
Every dad has a way he prefers to unwind. Does yours like to meander through the aisles and pick a new brew to sample? Does he like to build his own six-pack and experiment, as a connoisseur might? Or does he have a favorite standby that he carries with him, to the garage, the bathroom, the basement? If so, consider our new zippable bottle coozie. Ideal for dad's who really deserve a break.

Maybe it's not a getaway, but it's certainly a moment away.

To wrap, buy a carton six-pack of one of Dad's favorites--yours might love a icy root beer, mine might prefer a smooth Corona--to each his own. Zip the finished coozie around one of the bottles and return it to the carton, running a loop of ribbon around the carton and tying nicely through the carton handle. Finish with a photo Father's Day card. To upgrade, pull some ice cream and whipped cream out of the freezer for some root beer floats, or go really crazy with a home-printed gift certificate for a guys game night party (whatever he enjoys with this friends--golf, MMA, chess?, etc), including wings, pizza, nachos...whatever would be a great night of laughter for him.

Cost Breakdown (as shown):
Photo Bottle Coozie: $5.96 (with this week's Email Coupon, reg $7.95 ea)
Dad's favorite beverage six-pack: $7 estimated
Photo Father's Day card: $1.75 (with this week's Email Coupon, reg $2.25 ea)
Total Price: $14.71 plus tax

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#5: Flip It Out

Our in-store kiosks make creating your own simple flipbook an easy process--all it takes is a memory card or CD full of images you love (and who among us doesn't have hundreds of photos of our children?) We have many templates available, including this one, a masculine (yet beautiful) Father's Day theme. We finish these books for you in-house and bind them between a frosted cover and sturdy black backer.

Every time you look through one of these books, memories come flooding back--and you fall in love with your family all over again.

To wrap, no need to complicate it! Just slip some ribbon through the spirals of the finished book and add a card. The charm practically provides itself! (sniff.)

Cost Breakdown (as shown):
6x6 Photo Flipbook: $6.95
Photo Father's Day card: $1.75 (with this week's Email Coupon, reg $2.25 ea)
Total Price: $8.70 plus tax

Customer Profile: The Beach Shop (Chris & Keri Little)

2011-06-06T09:46:00.003-04:00

(Note from L.A. Cameras... we were so charmed when we received the Littles' request for a garden flag to display at the front of their new little shop. We just thought their logo was inviting and eclectic, perfect for the new venture. We asked if we could feature them and they graciously agreed, even providing the following paragraph of explanation. Go see this new gem the next time you visit northern PA. We love the Littles, and we're sure they'll treat you just right!)

"Our family will be running a small restaurant/snack shop in Eagles Mere, PA this summer. Eagles Mere is located in Sullivan County which is a small county north east of Williamsport, PA. Eagles Mere is a vacation community whose summer life is focused around the natural spring fed "Lake of Eagles." Water sports abound, as well as plenty of opportunities for land lubbers.

The Beach Shop is located on the grassy green just above the natural white sands of the beach. We will be providing sandwiches, soups, salads, snacks, ice cream, candy and drinks for the lake community.

The good folks at LA Cameras have been so helpful as we prepare for the summer operations. We appreciate the customer service as well as the reliability of LA Cameras. When we have photos processed, or items created, we can be assured of a high quality product. LA Cameras is a prime example of a successful small business whose customer service and quality product make them an asset to the Chambersburg community."

Notice their colorful logo garden flag? Looks like Keri is also enjoying some coffee with her logo mug!

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Use my flash in the sunshine? Really?!?

2011-06-02T15:21:00.003-04:00

Tip: Using your flash (even in full sun) perfectly combats those under-eye shadows beautifully.

Here's an example using my daughter, Aly. (I'll just admit straight-up she's mine). :) Both of these photos were taken within 5 minutes of each other.

No fill flash, existing light, bright sunny day:

My camera read a lot of light in the scene (even in the shade of the tree, the sun was really bright) and using my auto mode, did not fire a flash. Each camera is built and programmed differently. Your camera may have a setting you can choose for "fill flash," or you can simply override the settings. If you're confused, don't worry--just stop by with your camera and we'll teach you how yours works.

Here's a better photo, snapped only a few moments later, with the improving assets of the fill flash:

Much better, right? This is a great time to master this tip--there are lots of sunny warm days ahead!
Happy shooting!

Photo Contest! "I Love My Family"

2011-05-27T10:11:00.007-04:00

ENTRY DEADLINE HAS EXPIRED...Click here to vote (ends July 2)!

Click here to download the official flyer (including How to Enter and Contest Rules)

Entry Contest Dates:
May 27 - June 20

Contest Theme:
"I Love My Family" - Submit any favorite photo that reminds you of your family, a special family memory, or a candid moment

Prizes:

1st Place / Grand Prize:

Olympus Tough 8010 Camera
sponsored by Olympus!
(see this camera in action!)

2nd Place:
$25 L.A. Cameras Gift Card

Honorable Mention (up to 5 will be selected):
Choice of 8x10 Mural Mount, 11x14 Stickum, or Photo Garden Flag of your photo entry

To Enter Your Photo:
Entries will be accepted only in the form of an 8x10 photo printed on photo paper. There is no entry fee for this contest other than the expense of the printed 8x10.
Option #1: Submit your entry in the store using our store kiosks, using your digital file or printed photo. You may order your print at that time and tell the staff member who helps you that the photo is meant for the "I Love My Family" photo contest.
Option #2: Submit your entry via www.lacameras.photofinale.com. Upload your photo and order an 8x10 in the Special Instructions, write "I Love My Family Photo Contest Entry"
Option #3: Drop off a completed 8x10 to our store and tell the staff person if is your entry for the "I Love My Family" photo contest.
Limit two different entries per household. All photos, except the winning and runner-up entries, may be picked up after the contest has ended.

Contest Rules
1. Entries accepted only as 8x10 printed on photo paper. Enhancement and/or manipulation of the photo is accepted.
2. Maximum of two entries per household.
3. Photos must be taken by person entering them. Prizes will be awarded only to the original photographer.
4. Amateur photographers (those who earn less than 1/4 of their income from photography) ages 13 and over are eligible to win. Photographs taken by professionals are not eligible.
5. All photographs must be previously unpublished.
6. Photos that violate or infringe upon someone else's copyright are not eligible for entry.
7. All winning entries become the property of sponsoring organizations and may be used solely for marketing and promoting the current and future L.A. Cameras' Photo Contests.
8. L.A. Cameras and Olympus employees and members of their immediate families are not eligible to win prizes.
How Winners Are Selected: The photo contest winners will be chosen by popular vote by L.A. Cameras patrons. Voting will end July 2. and will be announced via store posting and online on July 8, 2011.

New fleece blanket sample

2011-05-25T10:26:00.003-04:00

Yes we know it's going to be 85 degrees outside today. But our blankets are one of our most attention-getting products during the cooler months, and during the summer we try to update everything as we get down time. Last week, we realized the sample we had on the wall for our standard fleece blanket was actually an older style--the new style has a finished hem instead of the former whip-stitched style.

So it was time to order a new sample. And it arrived yesterday! The hardest thing about this job was picking one image out of thousands to use as the sample. We ultimately opted to use this Easter shot of Diane's one-year-old daughter Aly. We think it turned out so sweet!

Make sure you keep it in mind for your college students this fall (great for dorms), weddings, new babies, and gifts...this is an all-around versatile hug-in-a-blanket! :) After this warm conversation though, might be time for a tall glass of iced tea--whew, it's steamy out there today!

Customer Profile: Rob Keller

2011-05-24T10:53:00.005-04:00

Customer Profile: Rob Keller

We were going to write a formal profile for Rob; when we got this email, however, we thought it was great and decided to let him speak for himself. Thanks Rob!

I've been interested in photography ever since my mom bought me a 110 camera for Christmas when I was a young teen. I took photography class as a freshman at Red Land High School and I learned that I had a knack for taking good photos.

I also learned that I enjoyed making videos even more, and went to Shippensburg University for a degree in Communications/Journalism with a concentration in Radio/TV. After I graduated, I didn't do much with my degree, other than videotaping some weddings and working part-time as a DJ at WIOO-AM 1000.

I have been a fan of auto racing since my mom took me to the races as a young boy to watch my dad race in the early 70's. I was working at Path Valley Speedway as the announcer but had to quit early in 2007. Later that year, their photographer became ill, so I volunteered to help him. Ever since, I have been the official photographer of Path Valley Speedway. I've also gone back to announcing, so some nights are very busy for me at the track.

We did not have a website until 2010. A fellow race photographer, Jason Walls, gave me a lead for a great webhost--and now we have a site!: http://www.fastfotos.zenfolio.com/. Not only are we the official photographers of Path Valley Speedway, but we also take photos at other tracks in the area. I have had many contributing photographers to our website, and want to thank them all. L.A. Camera's own John Miller (woot woot) joins us on Sunday nights once a month to take pictures of the enduro races at Big Diamond Raceway. My photography is still just a hobby. We make a few dollars at it, but we do it so the racers and their fans have something to relive their memories. I remember when I was young, I used to love when Mom would buy me a pack of photos at the race track.

I purchased a Nikon D40 in 2007, and it is still working well after countless shots and all the abuse a dirt track environment puts on a camera. I purchased a used Nikon D80 last fall, and have been using it this year enjoying the 18mm-200mm lens that came with it.

The one thing that I have learned about photography is that it's not about the equipment, it's about the photographer. Sure, good equipment in the right hands helps, but you don't have to have the best equipment to take good photos. I learned this the first time I took photos at the races, with that old 110 my mom had given me for Christmas.

I also want to give a shout out to the entire staff of L.A. Cameras. They have been great to work with, and have become my friends every time I stop in. Thanks!

And thanks to you, Rob--we think you're awesome and we are glad to feature you! Enjoy this slideshow of some of Rob's favorite shots!

RobKeller - slideshow maker

Introducing our Summer Lineup: LIFEproof Cameras

2011-05-18T13:33:00.014-04:00

Hello, I am Fuji XP-10
I come in two lover-ly colors: Green, Black
12.2 Megapixels, 5x zoom, 2.7" screen
720p HD video
Facebook / YouTube upload

$149.95 (after a nifty $30 Instant Rebate)

The FinePix XP10 is the ultimate lifestyle camera. You can drop it, soak it, freeze it, and even cover it in dirt, and this camera will come out unscathed. Not only is the FinePix XP10 waterproof up to 10 feet, but it is also shockproof up to 3 feet, freezeproof up to 14°F and dustproof, giving you total confidence that they can take it with them wherever they go, whatever they are doing, regardless of the conditions.

Who would love me, you ask? Watch out water parks, it's ready for the ride!
Check out this cool video of a dad and his son in the swimming pool from YouTube.

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Hello, I am the Olympus Tough3000
I hit the LA runway in cool tones of Green and Blue.
12 Megapixels, 3.6x zoom, 2.7" screen
720p HD video

$149.95 (after a smooth $50 Instant Rebate)

The Tough-3000 is loads of fun for the whole family. Whether you’re relaxing at the pool or away on a ski weekend, it lets you take perfect photos—and record HD movies—without worrying about a thing. You can drop it in the pool. Drop it on the ground. Even in the snow. It bounces right back.

Would I fit in with your family? You like taking photos that impress people. This tough camera makes people wonder how you got that shot. Watch this video in case you want to drop it in the pool...

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Hello, I am the Olympus TG310
I come in two hot shades: Ocean Blue, Sunset Orange
14 Megapixels, 3.6x zoom, 2.7" screen
720p HD video
3D Photos (even underwater)

$169.95 (after a hot $30 Instant Rebate)

Tough on action, but soft on your budget. This Tough camera captures high-quality pictures and HD video of all your family's adventures. Waterproof, Shockproof and Freezeproof, the TG-310 is the perfect camera for a family ski vacation or just an afternoon by the pool. Reliable and economical – an ideal combination.

Who would think I'm sexy? People who want to capture life's big (and cutesy-small) adventures from a whole new perspective--like when they canonball-dive!

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Hello, I am the Olympus Tough6020
I come in one very sleek tone of excellent black.
14 Megapixels, 5x zoom, 2.7" screen
720p HD video
Creative Art Filters

$229.95 (after a smooth $50 Instant Rebate)

If you like to get out there and have fun, this is the camera for you. It’s rugged enough to handle whatever you can dish out, and smart enough to take incredible pictures while you’re doing it. Not only is it waterproof, freezeproof and shockproof, it’s packed with amazing technology like one-touch HD movie recording.

What would think I'm ultra special? Drop it--I dare you! Designed to deliver--get picture quality in even the roughest conditions. Performs with ease & precision. Watch Jess and Jake go down a waterslide...

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Hello, I am the Olympus TG610
I come in one very sleek tone of excellent black or fiery red.
14 Megapixels, 5x zoom, 3.0" screen
720p HD video
3D Photos (even underwater)

$269.95 (after a smooth $30 Instant Rebate)

Capture high-quality photos from the top of a wave to the top of the monkey bars with the TG-610. Waterproof, Shockproof and Freezeproof, this camera can take all of life's spills, thrills and chills. And with HD Movie, Wi-Fi compatibility and 3D photos (even underwater).

Who would most value my smooth moves? You like quality but not at the expense of your wallet--you just want to join your kids in the deep end or let your six year old experiment with the camera without worrying that he's going to destroy it. Here's a great example of how Tough I am.

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Hello, I am the Olympus Tough8010
I am a cool cat in stylish black (aren't I tough?)
14 Megapixels, 5x zoom, 2.7" screen
One-touch 720p HD video
Advanced Face Detection / In-Camera Panorama

$329.95 (after a smooth $50 Instant Rebate)

Attention adventure-seekers: this is the go-anywhere, do-anything camera you’ve been waiting for. It snaps stunning photos -- and records HD movies -- wherever you are. Hurtling down a rugged trail. Plunging underwater. Balancing on your snowboard. The Tough-8010 is engineered to thrive in any conditions.

Why should you run to me and take me home with you? You probably like high performance equipment that isn't high maintenance. I am a great friend to the extreme outdoorsy person--tough, rough and ready.

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Hello, I am the Sony Cybershot TX10
I am cool to the touch in slender Silver.
16.2 Megapixels, 4x wide-angle zoom
3.0" touchscreen LCD
Full 1080p HD video / 3D iSweep Panorama

$329.95

Live life on the edge with the DSC-TX10 Cyber-shot® digital camera. Designed to fit seamlessly into your active lifestyle, this innovative camera is certified waterproof, shockproof, dustproof and freeze-proof. Capture expansive landscapes with one touch iSweep Panorama or record crystal clear Full HD 1080/60i movies. A 16.2-megapixel "Exmor R" CMOS sensor delivers stunning low-light performance while the high-performance Carl Zeiss® Vario-Tessar® 4x optical zoom lens brings distant subjects close. Compose, review and share shots on the vivid 3.0" touch screen.

Why should you run to me and take me home with you? I am sleek and modern, ideal for your selective tastes. I am the perfect camera for vacation or just an afternoon by the pool. Here's a great test video of this camera in action at night, a great example of wide-angle....

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Hello, I am the Pentax WG1
I present boldly in a sporty blue tread.
14 Megapixels, 5x wide-angle zoom
2.7" touchscreen LCD
Widescreen 720p HD video
GPS functionality

$349.95

PENTAX’s 12th rugged generation waterproof digital camera is adventure proof, and suitable for almost any environment. Waterproof to 33 feet; shockproof design protects from drops up to 5 feet; also crushproof, coldproof and dustproof. Fast Face Detection technology, Smile Capture, and Blink Detection for portraits including a handy new Self-Portrait Assist mode perfect for Facebooking and other social networking activities.

Wonder if I should join you on your next expedition? I am suitable for almost any environment...plus I have a great eye. Here's a great slideshow featuring some beautiful shots from this camera.

Denise's photo wins honorable mention

2011-05-16T10:46:00.005-04:00

Congratulations Denise!

Michael Campbell of Shippensburg University chose Denise's photo, entitled "Never Forget", as one of seven "Honorable Mentions" in this year's Collector's Choice show.

Want to see the photo? Here it is:

"Never Forget" by Denise Dockey

If you would like to visit the show, it is open 8am-8pm daily through Thursday May 19.

Denise is far-and-away one of the most colorful... unique... knowledegable... individuals we get to work with here at the store. She has been with L.A. Cameras for eight years and is currently hosting a nest of baby robins on her back porch.

Now available: ProLustre Professional Photo Paper

2011-05-15T14:17:00.002-04:00

true, blacker blacks | thicker paper

deeper color saturation

copyright watermark | accurate highlight detail

ProLustre Paper is a professional-quality upgrade that is available to anyone!
Would you like the upgrade?

You have discerning tastes regarding your photo quality and/or prefer the highest possible detail
You are a photographer who plans to resell the photographs to your customer
Your photos are of important moments, like portraits, weddings, babies or lifetime achievements
You are having a favorite photo enlarged for display or to share with friends
You consider photographs to be an investment

Click here to download our informational flier

Available in-store or online! | Turnaround time: next day after 11am if order by 8pm the previous day

Customer Profile: Dr. T. Toe Thane

2011-05-09T13:24:00.005-04:00

For T. Toe Thane, M.D., imaging is a way of life. For nearly 30 years, Dr. Thane has been serving the Franklin County community as a radiologist with Chambersburg Imaging Associates. Dr. Thane's expertise is in viewing and interpreting medical images. In addition to his proficiency in medical imaging, Dr. Thane has been creating photographic images for nearly his entire life.

While in elementary school, Dr. Thane enjoyed taking photographs and developing them in a darkroom at his home in Rangoon, Burma. After completing medical school, Dr. Thane chose a career in the medical specialty of radiology because of his love of photography and imaging. In 1982, Dr. Thane moved to Chambersburg from Bethesda, Maryland, where he was a radiologist with the U.S. Navy, stationed at the National Medical Center. Due to his busy schedule in medical school, residency and radiology practice, he was not able to pursue his interest in photography as much as he would have liked. In 2009, Dr. Thane took classes in photography offered by Hagerstown Community College and at L.A. Cameras, thereby renewing his enthusiasm and expanding his talent in photographic imaging.

Starting with still life photography, Dr. Thane's portfolio has grown to include individual and group portraits as well as wedding photography. Sharing his time and talent, Dr. Thane has donated many of his beautiful photographs to the Chambersburg and Waynesboro Hospitals. His work serves to brighten the hospital walls and, in turn, the outlook of patients and employees as well.

Dr. Thane's interest in photography continues to grow each day. Dr. Thane is looking forward to his retirement from radiology practice to be able to devote more time to pursuing his passions in photography and photo editing.

Check out this slideshow of Dr. Thane's work!

Dr Toe Thane - slide show

GrowBusiness: Business Card design for Abe's Auto Service

2011-05-04T11:56:00.001-04:00

Article from Prevention: 2 Minutes to a Happier You

2011-04-11T11:54:00.008-04:00

2 Minutes to a Happier You:

Flip through Old Photos

When you're feeling down, break out your kids' baby albums or pics from your favorite vacation.

It may actually make you feel happier than a square of Godiva chocolate would! That's what researchers at the United Kingdom's Open University found after they examined how much people's moods rose after eating a chocolate snack, sipping an alcoholic drink, watching TV, listening to music, or looking at personal photos.

The music and chocolate left most people's moods unchanged; alcohol and TV gave a slight lift (1%), but the winner by a long shot was viewing pictures, which made people feel 11% better. To keep your spirits high at work, upload your favorite pics to your computer and set them as a rotating screensaver. Or create a photo collage and enjoy the frame at your desk.

Job: Backdrop Banner for Penn State Mont Alto

2011-04-04T12:18:00.003-04:00

8x10 with banner stand

Job: Banner Trio for Flohr Pools

2011-04-04T12:15:00.001-04:00

Facebook Connect is here!

2011-03-18T13:06:00.003-04:00

new in-store feature

use our super-fast internet connection to save upload time.

You upload photos to Facebook or lacameras.com,

download and order photos already stored on Facebook,

share an ordering link with friends via your Facebook Wall.

now try this service for FREE* at our in-store kiosks

*after April 30, this service incurs a $0.99 fee

The Case for Printing Your Photos

2011-03-02T12:46:00.004-05:00

The Case for Printing Your Digital Photos

by Gregory Scoblete

When digital cameras were first introduced, many people predicted that it wouldn’t be long before the photo print followed the horse-and-buggy into the realm of historical curiosity. And while it’s true that people don’t print as many photos as they used to, they’re still printing. Which means there’s just something about having a photo print in hand that speaks to people.

But it’s more than just emotion at work. It makes sense to print your photos – not all of them, of course, but those you can’t live without.
Here’s why:

1. Prints never crash. Unlike your hard drive, those prints won’t be suddenly erased without warning. And while a hard drive crash is inevitable, it usually takes an act of nature to permanently destroy a person’s photo prints.

2. Prints are never obsolete. Every last device that’s storing your digital photo files today will be laughably obsolete in fifty years. The image files of today – the JPEGs and TIFs, etc. – will likely be unreadable by the devices of the future. Not a print. As long as your eyes work, you’ll be able to relive that photographic memory – even in your flying car (suffice it to say, if you’re operating a flying car, your eyes better work).

3. Prints are long lasting. In addition to being forever readable, prints can actually last for generations. Some home printer, ink and paper combinations can create a print that, when properly stored, can last 200 years. If you want to pass on photos to your great grandkid’s great grandkid, only a print will do.

4. Prints have no wires. Digital photo frames are great, but mounting them on a wall is problematic: you’ll have a wire to hide. Frames with built-in batteries have to be constantly charged. Prints have no wires and don’t need recharging – just drop into the frame and mount to the wall.

5. People like them. I was originally tempted to write “old people” like prints, but that’s not true (and, obviously it’s a bit insulting). Many people, not just older generations, like to hold and handle a photo print, or would prefer to see them physically, in an album, instead of on a lifeless computer monitor. My son is five and spends a lot more time thumbing through my photo books when they’re out. He’s a lot less interested in scrolling through the photos on the computer.

Video Transfers

2011-02-18T14:53:00.006-05:00

Click here to download a printable .pdf flyer

Just cuz there's a coupon...

2011-01-05T13:56:00.005-05:00

Just had to share a story from one of today's customers.
She walked in with a custom framing coupon. Michael's (our nemesis, but we're friendly) is running a "coupon" for 50% off their custom framing services. Sounds nifty, right?
Thank goodness this wonderful woman shopped around!

Michael's price, with the coupon discount, was around $125 for the work she needed.
Our regular price for the same project was around $69.
<blissful sigh>
We love happy endings.

Happy snapping!
- the L.A. crew

Coming Soon...

2011-01-05T13:50:00.002-05:00

Ok, first of all, thank you one and all for the fantastic business this Christmas. We are so privileged to serve such a tight-knit community that supports its small businesses. So add an extra marshmallow to your hot cocoa for being awesome.

And to all our photog junkies, here's the shortlist of stuff we're working on while the snow flies this winter. Anything you'd like to see us add to our resume?

Photo classes
Custom framing deals & a gallery of some of the awesome jobs we've gotten to do lately
Facebook Connect - now you can upload your photos to Facebook from our in-store kiosks!
Expanding our photo gift line with more great stuff
Valentine's Day deals--kids photo valentines and ways to love on your sweetie
Frame sale--right now, all of our premade frames are at least 40% off (yeah, we know, that's better than sliced bread)...

That's the shortlist. The list here on my desk is...well, oK, I need more coffee...
Seeya soon.

Guidelines to Signing Your Christmas Card

2010-10-08T14:05:00.000-04:00

NEVER ADD AN APOSTROPHE

Many names are made plural by simply adding a letter “s”

Examples: The Grinakers, The Lydles, The Bowyers, The Woods, The Melnicks

Names that end in S, SH, X, Z or in a soft “ch” sound,

ADD AN “ES”

Examples: The Mullinaxes, The Charleses

Exception: if the “s” is pronounced like a “z”, then NO LETTER IS ADDED.

Example: Gil Hodges family greeting card would just say “The Hodges”

Names that end in Y are not changed to “ies”

SIMPLY ADD AN “S”

Examples: The Lillys (not the Lillies), The Sidleys

When in doubt, just sign the card from the family

Example: The Distafano Family

Quotation marks are not needed around any proper noun, but may be used to clarify nicknames

Example: The Larry “Bud” Melman Family

If you are creating a list of names like From Bob, Sue, Amanda and T.J., you do need a comma after each name until the NEXT TO LAST one. If if is connected by the word “and” or an ampersand (&), it should not have a comma after it.

Examples: Mark, Donna, Jeff and Lyam Harmon or Mark, Donna, Jeff & Lyam Harmon

Magnetic Business Cards are here!

2010-09-17T15:56:00.000-04:00

Hello all,

Magnetic business cards are here!

Note: Prices INCLUDE design, so this is your final price--we're not going to sneak other fees in on you unless your design project is super involved.

Here's pricing for those of you stopping by from this week's email until we can get them posted on our website (it's crazy around here but we promise we'll get it done soon!)

QTY / PRICE

20 - $43.80 (2.19 ea)

40 - $48.80 (1.22 ea)

60 - $59.80 (1.00 ea)

80 - $64.80 (0.81 ea)

100 - $79.80 (0.80 ea)

250 - $129.80 (0.52 ea)

500 - $178.60 (0.36 ea)

1000 - $319.80 (0.32 ea)

2500 - $630.00 (0.25 ea)

Upcoming Photography Classes at the Chbg Rec Center

2010-09-01T15:14:00.001-04:00

click to enlarge

Fleece Baby Blankets

2010-07-30T13:08:00.005-04:00

We love the super soft plush feel of this blanket, and the size is great--not too small. It's a great, substantial feeling for not much money. (50x60")

Want to give it as a shower gift? Its great with a simple personalization, such as first name, or a great little caption like "Mommy's Little Miracle"... or you can give a gift card for the blanket.

Either way, this supersoft little number isn't just for wrapping and giving--it's for cuddling and celebrating the new little person. Here's Diane's daughter Aly enjoying her comfy nest...

Stop by the store to place your order or check out the sample.

On the calendar: FREE WORKSHOPS

2010-07-27T14:16:00.003-04:00

Currently, four FREE workshops are scheduled!
Click on the titles below for more information or for easy online registration.

How to Order Digital Photos
Weds, Aug 4, 2010
Sessions available at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm

How to Create Photo Products
Weds, Aug 11, 2010
Sessions available at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm

How to Make Photo Books & Calendars
Weds, Aug 18, 2010
Sessions available at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm

How to Use Your Photo Website
Weds, Aug 25, 2010
Sessions available at 2pm, 4pm and 6pm

New! Stickums Wall Adhesive Prints!

2010-03-11T14:54:00.009-05:00

Great for use at home or business
Easily removed and re-used, with no messy residue
Use on most flat surfaces, indoors and out
No fuss with frames--great for parties & events
Display your marketing message anywhere, and take it with you to re-use!

Click here to print pricing information!

getCreative (for less than $10!)

2010-03-05T13:03:00.030-05:00

a great idea by Tessa!

your tool list...

our $3.95 Pioneer photo album (item no. 11005)
x-acto knife
(2) 8x10 photo inserts (Tessa opted to edit hers with our Picnik editing tools first--and it's a great way to do something completely unique!)
straight edge
pen
scissors

here is the original album.
while you might like the cover, some of you creative types might only see potential.

if you prefer, make this project with fun, edited photos using the free Picnik editing tools on our website.
(here are Tessa's--her original photo, and her edited one. she chose to use this photo for the front cover of her photo album. she used heat map and tint options.)

next, use the x-acto knife to carefully slice the top edge of the clear protective cover on the album.
go slowly and do it as precisely as you can.

use the flat edge of the blade to carefully pull the album cover insert from behind the clear shield.

use it to trim your 8x10 photo to the proper size.
you might opt to use a pen or pencil to first trace the outline of the original insert onto your photo so that you can use scissors to trim the print.

slide the trimmed photo into album cover pocket.

repeat on the back with the second of your two 8x10 photos.

here is your finished product (or at least, here's Tessa's!)

New! Mural Mounts

2010-03-04T16:32:00.009-05:00

Replace the traditional frame with this modern expression. Designed to mount flat against your wall for a streamlined profile, our Mural Mounts are the perfect idea to easily update those hard-to-decorate areas of your home, office or gallery.

Prices include your photo in a high quality matte-finished print. We recommend matte finish, as glare and fingerprints will be less of a concern. Then we will apply your photo to the Mural Mount board and you’ll be ready to display with pride!

Mural Mounts include equally spaced holes in the back to make them easy to hang, whether horizontal or vertical. You can use nails if you prefer, but basic push-pins cause very little damage to the wall finish and will hold your print securely, as they are very lightweight.

Want to see samples in person? Stop by the store to see the ones on display.

Click to download a flyer with prices.

Baby Club

2010-03-03T13:46:00.057-05:00

Introducing
L.A. Cameras' Baby Club

Click here to check out our BabyClub brochure and coupons

After nine months of growing your little one (and yourself!),
we can help you make the proper fuss from your new arrival.
See the photos below of some of our newest ideas.

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Give new parents a gift card to have photo birth
announcements printed of their new little one!

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Photo Birth Announcements $0.30 each 4x6
Price includes envelopes

Personalized Plush Throw $39.95
Laser etched with baby's name, birth information or any caption you can think of!
Available in Pink, Raspberry, Red, Purple, Light Blue, Navy, Black

Ultrasound Photo Mat Kit $7.95
See the detail--kit includes caption inserts so you can customize your message!

Frames & Mats

Photo Enlargements & MonsterPRINTS

"Babies are such a nice way to start people." - Don Herrold

Romantic Personalized Art

2010-01-26T14:44:00.021-05:00

Create a unique personalized art piece in just a few quick minutes.

We provide the image (you can choose between the sand or plane images) and we will superimpose your name and a special date (or caption) for a beautiful 8x10 result. Add a double white mat for a finished presentation.

8x10, print only $9.00
8x10, with mat to 11x14 $14.00

It's easy to order! You can stop by, call in, or send an email to digital@lacameras.com.

Take a romantic Picnik!

2010-01-26T14:30:00.011-05:00

Great Valentine's ideas!
You can go on our website and play until you create something fantastic!
Then, just order your print online and pick up in the store!

Soft-Cover Photo Books

2009-12-08T16:03:00.003-05:00

This affordable soft-cover flip book comes in three different sizes: 4 inch, 6 inch, and 8 inch. Constructed with a frosted cover and authentic photographic pages. Use our templates to easily create a book that tucks easily in a purse, in the mail, or wherever else you can imagine!

Photo Christmas Ornaments

2009-12-08T15:41:00.008-05:00

My favorite ornaments to put on the tree are the personal ones, like the one my nephew made for me that has his little gooey face framed by popsicle sticks (don't forget the magic-marker green peppermint candies scribbled around the sides.)

Our photo ornaments

provide the perfect way to celebrate the simple milestones of life. Choose from several

different styles--several new this year and several oldies-but-goodies. Stop by the store to touch-and-examine samples!

Christmas Ball Ornament $12.95

Suncatcher Ornaments $9.95

Lattice Porcelain Ornament $9.95

Sterling Silver Ornament Now $7.95 (was $14.95)

Snowflake Ornament $10.95

Photo Calendars

2009-12-08T15:28:00.005-05:00

We have so many great templates for you to use to build this year's photo calendar. Our favorite new feature: you can add events to any date on the calendar, whether it's Grandpa's birthday or the anniversary of winning the hotdog eating contest. You can add a single photo to each month, or create a collage of photos--as you prefer.

A few example photos are shown below. Calendars are only available in-store right now...this is one of our most popular items during the holiday season--everyone enjoys and appreciates this creative and personal gift!

So Cool: The Nikon Coolpix S1000pj

2009-12-04T11:08:00.004-05:00

Nikon Coolpix S1000pj Digital Camera Review

NEW 4x8" Christmas Card Templates!

2009-11-23T09:54:00.014-05:00

You asked, and we responded. We added MORE new, beautiful 4x8 photo holiday card templates to our Christmas lineup. These cards are easily one of the most popular and anticipated arrivals of the season--and we all know how great it is to get photos in the Christmas mail! Join the party!

iPhone App now available for our online photos!

2009-08-24T11:58:00.001-04:00

Make your own Photo Puzzle Blocks!

2009-07-20T14:31:00.009-04:00

Make Your Own Photo Puzzle Blocks

Writer’s block. Photographer’s block. People say that like it’s a bad thing, but we happen to like blocks. Lego blocks, glass blocks… we’re big fans. That’s why we came up with this photo block puzzle. It’s a little like our Photo Blocks, but squarer and bigger and harder to solve, and with a bunch more photos. It’s a set of blocks we’d proudly display on our coffee table any day of the week.

After we learned to walk, people seemed to frown on us still playing with blocks. Yeah, well, now we’re grownups and we can do what we want, so we’re gonna play with blocks, dang it. We’re just making it more sophisticated by gluing photos to our blocks and turning them into a big colorful photo puzzle to solve. Leave a set scattered on your coffee table, and see how long it takes before everyone else starts playing with blocks too.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

16 wooden blocks (we used Danish alphabet blocks!)
Ruler Square format image(s)
Matte photo paper
X-acto knife and cutting mat
Glue
Rubber Cement, or Mod Podge Small paintbrush

STEP 1: MEASURE
Arrange 16 blocks in a square and measure the length and width of the square. Choose a square format image and resize it to match the length and width of your blocks (ours was 7″ x 7″).

STEP 2: PRINT AND TRIM
Print the image on matte photo paper and let it dry. When dry, use a ruler and x-acto knife to trim it to size.

STEP 3: APPLY GLUE
Use a small paintbrush to spread glue on the back of the image. Arrange the blocks in a square on top of the print. Position them so they’re lined up neatly as close together as possible. Let the whole thing rest until the glue is completely dry.

STEP 4: CUT APART
Once the glue’s dry, turn the square of blocks right side up. Use a ruler as a guide to cut the blocks apart. Cut as neatly as you can along the line between the blocks. There you go- you’ve got yerself some photo puzzle blocks!

STEP 5: REPEAT
Repeat steps 2-4 as many times as you like. You can cover all 6 sides of the blocks with different photos, or leave a couple of sides bare. The more photos you have, the more time you can spend happily solving your photo puzzles.

STEP 6: SCRAMBLE AND SOLVE
Mix all your photo blocks together, and scatter them on your coffee table for friends to solve when they come over. Make a couple of sets and have races to see who can solve their puzzle first!

MORE IDEAS: Make your own wood blocks by cutting blanks into cubes. Leave at least one side blank so you can see the wood. Make different-sized puzzles with 4 blocks, 9 blocks, 25 blocks… you get the picture. Not a square shooter? Make rectangular puzzles to fit all your rhomboid photo needs.

Photo credit: jeansman, project designed by PhotoJojo

8 Tips for Great Family Photos

2009-07-13T10:14:00.002-04:00

The sun is out and shining bright. The sky is blue and the grass is green. Summers here and it seems everyone is wanting a new family portrait on the beach, at the park, or in downtown.

Here are some things to keep in mind when creating family portraits:

Think in “mini-groups”. A family portrait is simply multiple “mini groups” within one large group. Use groups of two’s and three’s to compose your family shot.
Remember “levels”. One of the most important elements of a group shot is to vary the levels of your subjects. Placing some faces higher than others will allow you to make the shot more intimate in spacing.
Consider “color”. While color coordination is by no means necessary for group shots, it can help the overall flow. Have your subjects go by types of color, such as “vibrant”, “bold”, “pastels”, etc.
Watching even lighting, but don’t stress about it. So long as all the eyes are visible, and faces are lit relatively the same, your good to go.
Pick shade: As the sun doesn’t set until late in the evening, you’ll have to wait for good sidelight until about 5 pm. If your stuck shooting before this time, find awnings, the shaded back side of buildings, or tree cover to diffuse the harsh sunlight.
Move quickly: It’s very helpful to try story-boarding your group shots ahead of time according to the number of people you have. The more people you have in a shot, the less time you have to create it. Story-boarding is more about knowing what you want, than it is about formal posing.
Be fun and spontaneous! Plan to take shots of the families walking, striking a dance pose, linking arms, or jumping in the air. These shots capture genuine expressions among the entire group and help to keep your subjects happy and interested.
Background work: The larger the party, the less control you have with eliminating your background. Simplify as much as you can by changing the angle you take your shot. Taking the shot from the ground or directly down on your subjects may eliminate enough background to feature the group without distraction.

Most of all, spend some time asking questions of what the family wants. Make a general determination if they are looking for more casual shots, or formal arrangements. So long as you know the general direction of what the family is looking for, you can score big in the capture.

Courtesy of www.digital-photography-school.com

Photographing Your Pets

2009-07-09T16:36:00.002-04:00

May 15, 2009, 7:31 pm

Expert Tips on Photographing Your Pets

By Rik Fairlie

A few days ago a friend (a fan of both good photography and pets) discovered a Web site with particularly interesting and expressive photos of dogs and cats. I checked out the site, Fat Orange Cat Studio, and was mighty impressed with how photographer Li Ward captures that blink-of-the-eye moment. I take lots of photos of my dog and cat but I am always about two seconds behind.

So how does she do it? I contacted Ms. Ward and asked her if she would share some tips that everyday photographers could use to snap better shots of their pets. She was happy to answer some questions. So get the pets pumped for a weekend of photo sessions. Here goes!

Li Ward. Li Ward

What type of lens do you recommend? A fast prime, or do you need a zoom to get in close?

I have one prime and one zoom. The lens that gets the most use during my pet shoots is my 17-55mm f/2.8 zoom. While not a prime, it’s very fast and works great in low lighting. It focuses quickly — a must when shooting pets — and I love the versatility I get in the varying focal lengths. I love shooting wide angle, but it’s great to still get the portrait shots too without having to stop to change lenses or switch cameras. When you’re photographing animals that are always on the move, time is of the essence.

My prime is the 50mm f/1.4. I use it when I am in especially low or tricky lighting situations. Having those several extra stops is key. I love using it for up-close portraits and will shoot wide open for those creamy, dreamy shots. For these, I do get physically close to the pet, if it lets me. Some are camera-shy, while others lick the lens. A more powerful zoom would be useful in those cases.

Any other technical recommendations? For instance, do you prefer to shoot in aperture mode? Looks like you’re using a wide aperture, right?

I shoot in manual mode 99.9 percent of the time. For situations in which a lot is going on at once — lighting conditions are changing frequently, the animal is moving around, running to and fro in a yard that has both shade and sun — I might switch to shutter or aperture priority so I can concentrate more on getting the shot rather than messing with the camera.

I also almost always shoot in burst mode, usually in slow burst at 2 to 3 frames per second. If I’m trying to capture a really animated subject, then I use a fast burst of 5 frames per second. You’ll be able to catch unpredictable things like cats licking their chops, or some other funny facial expressions that come and go in a blink of an eye.

I do like shooting wide open, but it really depends on the situation and type of shot I’m looking for. For example, I love flare shots or backlit shots and for the same location, I might shift my lens slightly and shoot two different ways: compose so that the sun is just off-frame, wide open and metered against the subject so the subject is lit and the sky is blown out. And then the opposite: recompose so the sun is more in frame, but the subject partially blocks the sun with its head, stop down to smaller aperture so the sun flare becomes a pointed star and the subject is a silhouette.

What about angles? You seem to often be at the animal’s level but sometimes above.

Yes, I end up doing a lot of gymnastics during a shoot. I’m crouching, kneeling, on my back, on my side, waking up sore the next morning.

Shooting from just where you are results in a photo that’s pretty boring, because you’re capturing your pet at an angle that everyone else also sees. I do mostly shoot at the animal’s eye level. Now you’re in their world, two or three feet off the ground, and it results in a more personal, intimate photo.

But I also try to shoot from every other conceivable angle: directly above, directly below, slightly below, from the back (the back of a cat’s head is hilarious to me for some reason), from the side. Basically I’m never standing up straight and am constantly contorting. It’s a great workout.

How do you quickly capture pets? They move so fast.

Like I mentioned previously, I shoot mostly in burst mode. That, and the fact that I just keep shooting. The camera never leaves my face until I feel I have captured what I want for that particular moment. My eye is glued to the viewfinder.

Back in the day when I was obsessively photographing just my own cats, I’d wait for them to do something interesting or cute before I actually brought the camera up to shoot. Of course by that time, 1 or 2 seconds have elapsed, and they’re doing something less interesting, and I’ve missed the shot.

Now, I sort of treat my still camera as a video camera. Even if I’m not actively shooting, and even if the subject is not doing something “capture-worthy,” I continue tracking through the viewfinder and recomposing. Because soon enough they will do something capture-worthy, and I’ll be ready to press the shutter the second it happens.

One of my favorites is one I took of a Lab chewing on a stick. Nothing terribly exciting on paper, but I kept shooting anyway and caught a moment when the dog looked up and spread his gums wide, baring his teeth and with the stick between them so that he looked like the world’s most huggable shark. In half a second, that moment passed. I laugh every time I look at it.

And even if the animal is moving too fast and you end up getting blurred shots, that’s O.K. Sometimes better than O.K. Some of my favorite shots are ones where I couldn’t focus in time. They may not be “technically” correct, but there’s a sense of movement, and you really have captured the essence of the pet that way — active, happy, always on the move. Sometimes it’s the imperfect shots that end up having the most personality.

Li Ward

How do you get the attention of a pet?

Treats, ham, roast beef, squeaky toys, patience. With dogs, I like making meowing sounds. Seems to get their attention every time, and as a bonus, they give the quizzical head tilt. It’s a little trickier with cats because if you make an attention-making noise more than even once, they will ignore you thereafter.

What I usually do with cats, especially the more aloof ones, is to get in position to shoot, make a noise once, take the shot, and that’s the end. It hardly ever works twice. Sometimes you can tell if they’re stressed or nervous, tired or bored. When that happens, I don’t push it.

In your photos, the dogs and cats seem so relaxed and playful, yet they also seem very responsive to you and the camera. How do you do this?

If they seem relaxed and playful, that’s because they are! I let them be whatever it is they are. I would say 80 percent of my shoots are totally candid. I’m following the animal around while it does its thing, whatever that may be.

The other 20 percent are the more posed shots, where for variety’s sake I try to get the dog or cat to sit or stand where I’d like them to. Sometimes you have to motivate them to do other things. But there is a lot of patience involved in that. If they respond, great. If they don’t, we move on to something else. Or we call it a day.

Li Ward

Is there any way to avoid the eye-glow (similar to red-eye in humans) caused by flash?

Yes. Don’t use it. I prefer natural or ambient lighting during pet shoots and try to avoid using flash when I can.

However, if you need to use flash, make sure you don’t fire while your pet is looking straight at the camera. Shift so that you’re shooting from the side, or wait for your pet to look slightly away before you press the shutter.

Do you have any tips on composition? Your images are very beautifully composed.

I usually compose so that the subject is off-frame, or off-center. Centered shots are usually pretty boring. I also like getting extremely macro, focusing just on an ear or a snout. I like looking for attributes that make your pet who he or she is, like the way her left ear tends to flop, or how green his eyes are, or how round her paws are. I will zoom in on those and fill the entire frame with just that. And I like doing the opposite, where a colorful wall fills most of the frame, and you get just a little nip of whiskers or a tip of a tail off frame.

Experiment and practice and experiment some more until your photos don’t just show an image, but tell a story as well.

Do you have any tips for people using point-and-shoot cameras?

Chances are your point-and-shoot will have the ability to shoot in aperture, shutter, and manual modes in addition to the preset Portrait, Flower, Sport modes. If so, I would suggest ignoring the preset modes for the moment, and play around in the other modes to get a sense of how lighting, shutter speed, apertures affect the outcome of a photo.

I would also turn off the flash and experiment with natural lighting. Good lighting is key: soft morning light, soft evening light, soft evening light filtered through trees (my favorite), through a window or skylight, cloudy-day light (my second favorite). Be aware of the lighting, and don’t be afraid to move from where you are to find it, or move furniture around to get it.

And of course, you don’t have to have a fancy-pants camera in order to compose an image well. You only need to have a working eye for that one, and a lot of experimentation and practice.

Fuji Finepix Z33-WP

2009-07-08T15:18:00.011-04:00

Introducing the Fuji Finepix Z33WP

This is the world's smallest and lightest waterproof digital camera. It is innovative and powerful, yet slim and durable, meant for any active lifestyle. By land or by sea. Perfect for locations such as sandy beaches and outdoor wilderness. With excellent durability, snap a splash at the poolside, or capture nature “live” in rain or snow!

We as staff get to handle all of the hot new models as they are released. This is one of our favorites!

This 10MP camera, with 3x zoom and a bright 2.7" screen, also comes with a protective silicone sleeve and a floating wrist strap. And it's super affordable to capture each moment, coming in light at $179.95.

Stop by and test it out!

Community Events

2009-07-03T12:55:00.017-04:00

Who's ready for funnel cakes & cotton candy?

We see so many beautiful photos coming through the lab. We hope you continue to use your good eye and creativity to capture special moments at upcoming community events! When photo contests are available, be sure to enter. Try not to be intimidated; many of today's cameras will do the work for you and allow you to focus instead of your subject and all the inspiration you can muster!

We'll be sure to update this area as new information comes available about these events! You could also check out the Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce website to find other events that may interest you!

23rd Annual ChambersFest Celebration
July 11-26, 2009

Shippensburg Community Fair
July 20-25, 2009

Franklin County Fair
August 16-22, 2009
(website under construction; check back soon!)

29th Annual Shippensburg Corn Festival
August 29, 2009
Shippensburg Corn Festival is easily reached off Exits 24 or 29 of I-81 (old Exits 9 or 10).

The 45th Annual National Apple Harvest Festival
October 3-4 and 10-11, 2009
10 Miles Northwest of Gettysburg at South Mountain Fairgrounds on Route 234 near Arendtsville, PA

Chambersburg AppleFest
October 17, 2009
Main Street and Lincoln Way

Getting to know your Camera LCD screen

2009-07-03T12:50:00.004-04:00

Getting to know your Camera LCD screen

This is a great article teaching us all to take better care of our camera's LCD screens--one of the most important and delicate features on your digital camera!

Shared via AddThis

How To Photograph Fireworks

2009-06-22T10:57:00.008-04:00

Shooting Fireworks Pictures
Capture July 4th Festivities With Great Photos

by Michael Carr

for About.com

Fireworks displays are certainly stunning and colorful. Capturing those moments with a camera is a challenge, though. Often times, you'll end up with shaky, blurry messes that hardly resemble what actually happened. This year, get stellar fireworks pictures.Watching fireworks go off on the 4th of July is always fun to do, but photographing them can sometimes be your biggest headache. Here are some digital photography tips for shooting fireworks pictures.

Use a tripod

I know, I know, I hate carrying those things around too. But when it comes to fireworks, you need them! They make a world of difference getting rid of camera shake, especially when using a long exposure time. Also, if you have a some sort of shutter remote, use it. Anything you have that will keep the camera still will improve your photos. Don't have a tripod? Rest your camera on a sturdy surface that won't be bumped by enthusiastic spectators. Every little shudder will impact your final results.

Find a spot

Finding an area where to set up is another major factor in how your pictures will turn out. Try to arrive early and scout the area out. If possible, see if you can find out where the fireworks will be launched. This information will give you idea of where you need to be. While looking for a good spot keep in mind to avoid obstructions and weather, especially wind. Remember that wind will blow the smoke somewhere, so try to keep it out of your photos.

Also, try to avoid where a lot of people might be joining you. I'm sure you don't want the backs of heads in your photos or someone bumping

into or kicking your tripod while you're tying to work. Try to stay away from the street or city lights. They can possible cause lens flare in photos. Make sure you don' have anything sneaking into your photo. Tree branches are especially good at that "Where's Waldo" thing.

It's all in the timing

Exposure/shutter speed is something you need to stay on top of when shooting fireworks. Usually, 1 to 4 seconds is good depending on what you're trying to do with the photo. Anything shorter and you may not get the full effect or the full bloom of the fireworks and anything longer you may just end up with a washed out image. You can keep your shutter speeds down by compensating on the ISO. Try to stay in ISO 50 or ISO 100. If you go higher, you'll start to introduce film noise and grain into photographs.

Stay focused

Setting your focus to infinity or landscape mode is also advisable if you don't want to take the time to manually focus your pictures. If your camera is equipped, put the setting to fireworks mode.

See the light

Bring a small flashlight. This will save you from losing your temper while trying to fiddle with your camera in the dark.

Don't get flashed

Turn your flash off. If you're camera won't allow you to turn it off, use some tape to cover it.

Memory for memories

Bring your memory cards! You don't want to run out of memory before the grand finale. While you're grabbing the extra memory cards, you may want to grab extra batteries.

Quality is crucial

Use your highest quality setting on your camera. With these tips, you won't just walk away from Independence Day with memories, but with memory cards packed with high-quality images.

Photos by: stuckincustoms, mr magoo, and estudiante

2009-06-18T09:19:00.003-04:00

Happy Raining Morning, All...
For those of you moms curled up at home with your children today, here's a great resource. Self-promoted as:

"We are a community of women who have a passion for photography. Some of us are amateur photographers who just want to take better pictures of our family, some of us are hobbyists, and some of us are seasoned pros."

The site is well structured and, not to mention, beautiful. The only downside is that there is no free trial (membership, at the cheapest level is $6 per month, which isn't terrible).

But if you're a mama who loves to capture each precious--or mischevious--moment, you might find yourself among friends. Check it out!

I Found Your Camera!

2009-02-06T12:26:00.002-05:00

Check out this awesome tool; did you find or lose a camera? :)

Get Creative with your Light Source

2009-01-29T15:04:00.001-05:00

Check out this awesome blog entry about using your cell phone and other available light sources to get cutting edge photos!

Coming Soon: Photo Birth Announcements

2009-01-23T13:01:00.011-05:00

............................................................................
Introducing our new line of beautiful, affordable photo birth announcements

Your family & friends will be impressed!

See photos above: more templates will be available in-store.

Includes plenty of personalization options and space for those specific details,including full name, birth date, time, weight, length, and a personal greeting.
Can't pick just one photo? Use one of our creative multiple-opening templates!
Exceptional quality with an affordable price
Printed on 4x6" Matte paper
Envelopes Included

Available soon! Only $0.30 each!

Sensor Dust Makes For Bad Mojo

2009-01-08T09:22:00.014-05:00

Sensor Dust Is Evil. Here’s How to Banish It.
Photo Credit: sgoralnick.

First, the good news: If you have a point & shoot or a film camera, keep it clean and dust specks will never plague you.

And now the bad news: digital SLR sensors are magnets for dust. Cleaning a digital sensor is nerve-wracking and risky, with enough methods, products, and gimmicks on the market to flummox a rocket scientist. And that, dear friends, is why you have us. We’re breaking it down right now: what works, what doesn’t, and whether the annoyance of having dust spots is worth the trouble of cleaning them. Let’s roll.

what's the problem?

“Cleaning the sensor” is a misnomer. The glass filter that protects the sensor is what gathers the dust and must be cleaned. While touching the filter isn’t as bad as touching the actual sensor, it’s still a delicate, easily-scratched piece of glass that costs a lot to replace.
Dust gets into your camera whenever you change lenses or caps, so dust accumulates over time. It mostly shows up as specks on areas of flat color, like a blue sky or white wall. Dust tends to show up at narrow apertures, so if you always shoot at f1.8, you’ll never notice it. Too much dust can cause your photos to look flat, even if you don’t see the individual specks.
If you want to see how much dust is on your sensor, set your camera to its narrowest aperture (f22 or thereabouts) and take a picture of a clear blue sky, white wall, or all-white computer screen. Then upload your photo and view it at actual pixel size. You’ll see fuzzy spots throughout the picture. If it’s hard to see the dust, follow this tutorial to make the dust pop out more.

how big a deal is it?

If you don’t notice the dust in your images, and you’re not shooting professionally, it’s no big deal. You can peacefully ignore it, and nobody will mind one bit. If it bugs you, or if you sell photos professionally, then you’ll have to deal with it. Retouching the dust out of your photos can take forever, even with batch processing. And it can take up time and money if you send your camera to the repair shop or manufacturer to be cleaned.

the quick and dirty rundown

To sum it all up, here’s what to do if you have dust on your sensor.

#1: Most Safe: Use the automatic sensor cleaning function, blow all the dust you can off the filter, and retouch or map out the remaining dust after the fact.

#2: Less Safe, More Effective Use: a very clean antistatic brush to sweep away the dust, and map out or retouch anything that’s left.

#3: Less Safe, Most Effective Use: a Sensor Swab to clean the filter, make sure there aren’t any streaks or dust left, and you’re done. Read on for the pros and cons of each method, how to avoid dust in the first place, and loads of delicious nutritious information.

the best solution is prevention.

The best way to deal with dust is not to let it in the camera in the first place. When changing lenses or body caps, do so in a non-windy, non-dusty place. Turn the camera off and point it towards the ground so gravity works with you to keep dust out. Change lenses infrequently, and make sure the optics are free of dust before attaching the lens to the camera. Also clean your body cap before placing it on the camera.
Dusty environments like the desert or an abandoned building pose another problem. Don’t change lenses at all in dusty places. Choose one all-purpose lens and use it for the whole shoot. Once you get home, make sure the outside of the camera and lens is completely clean before changing lenses again.
Keep your camera bag clean, too. Vacuum it out periodically, and shake it upside down to get out any lint and bits of crud. No point trying to keep your camera clean if it knocks around in a dirty bag all day.

think hard before cleaning the camera yourself.

Everything inside a digital camera is very delicate and very expensive to repair. We can’t be held responsible if you try any of these techniques and something goes wrong.
Be aware that for Canon, Nikon, Pentax or Sigma cameras, touching the filter in any way automatically voids your warranty. Before doing anything about the dust in your camera, read your manual, re-read it, and then think very hard about everything that could possibly go wrong. If it seems like a bad idea, don’t do it.
*NOTE* L.A. Cameras offers a full cleaning of your sensor for only $65 (camera only). Or we'll clean the outside of your camera, one lens, and battery contacts for only $35. For the inexperienced handler, this is perhaps the safest way to go.

how to remove dust

Here’s a rundown of the various ways to remove dust from your camera:

Use the built-in cleaning system. Many cameras have a feature that vibrates the filter to dislodge bits of dust. This doesn’t work so well with stuck-on crud like pollen.

Use the camera’s dust-deleting software. Some cameras have a feature that identifies dust that’s stuck to the filter and automatically maps it out of the picture when capturing an image.

Remove it in post-processing. You can retouch the dust out of your pictures using image-editing software. This can be time-consuming, even if you use batch processes like those in Lightroom or Photoshop.

Send it to the manufacturer. Having the manufacturer clean out your camera means there’s no chance of voiding your warranty. But it does involve shipping your camera, spending some money, and not being able to shoot while your camera’s in the shop.

Use a hand-blower. This can dislodge some of the dust, but not stuck-on bits of pollen. DO NOT use compressed air or blow with your mouth.

Use a brush. This method sweeps away more stubborn dust, but not the stuck-on crud. It can also leave smears of its own, and it voids your warranty if the manufacturer can tell you’ve touched the filter.

Use a swab. When done right, this method removes dust and stuck-on crud. But it can also lead to smearing and/or scratching, and can definitely void your warranty.

blowers

Hand-blowers are the only method of cleaning approved by many camera manufacturers. Available models range from foot-powered bellows to hand-held bulbs. “Hurricane” blowers have a bad reputation for blowing bits of rubber into the camera. Choose a blower with a plain tip (no fancy brush on the end).

DO NOT use compressed or canned air; the force can be too great, and if the liquid propellant gets in your camera you have a real problem.
Don’t blow with your mouth either- spit particles will be really nasty to remove.

To clean your camera with a blower, put your camera into sensor cleaning mode (consult your manual for how to do this). Plug your camera in or make sure it’s 100% charged- if it turns off during cleaning, it could close on the blower and cause a lot of damage to the camera.

Blow into the camera with a decent amount of force, making absolutely sure the tip of the blower doesn’t touch the filter. Using a flashlight may help you see the dust better. This will remove loose dust, but not the bits that are stuck on either by moisture or by a strong static charge.

Do another test image (or use a special loupe) to see if you got all the dust off, and try again if you didn’t. If after two tries, you haven’t gotten every speck, take a minute to think about how much dust you can live with. If you can deal with a small amount, just stop, relax, and forget about it.

The methods from here on in get more precarious and potentially expensive.

brushes

Sensor brushes are more expensive than hand blowers, ranging from twenty to more than a hundred dollars. The specialized brush has an anti-static charge that helps dust release its static cling hold on the filter.

Brushes still won’t work on stuck-on crud like pollen, though. There’s also a chance that any oil or dirt on the brush can leave smears or scratches on the filter. Using a brush will void your warranty if the manufacturer can tell that you’ve touched the filter.

If you use a brush, never touch the bristles, clean it before each use, and don’t store it anywhere that it could get dusty or dirty. Dust-Aid makes a single-use cleaning wand that eliminates the problem of accumulated dirt on the brush.

swabs

Using a swab is known as “wet” cleaning. When done properly, wet cleaning will remove stuck-on crud and leave the filter squeaky clean. When done wrong, it can leaves streaks, smears, residue or scratches. Yikes!

There are lots of different swabs and cleaning solutions on the market, including plenty of DIY options. The highest acclaim we’ve heard is for Photographic Solutions’ Sensor Swabs and Eclipse cleaning solution. Some manufacturers use them at their in-house facilities, and Photographic Solutions says they’re guaranteed not to damage your camera if used as directed. Fuji, Leica, and Kodak even allow you to use Sensor Swabs and Eclipse fluid to clean your sensor without voiding your warranty. The drawback to Eclipse fluid is that it’s flammable and cannot be shipped by air. Ultra-Clean gets good reviews, and is a good alternative for traveling.

bad ideas

Other methods we’ve seen on the web include just about everything from Scotch tape, Q-tips and vacuum cleaners to ritualized human sacrifice. Most of them are really bad ideas that will almost certainly damage your camera (not to mention your sacrificial victim, who may come in handy later on). Stick with methods and products that have been rigorously tested and have a solid guarantee. Learn how to use them properly and be very very careful.

more resources

The best resource we’ve found is Cleaning Digital Cameras. It has reviews of most of the cleaning products on the market, instructions on how to use the various methods, and tons of good advice. Copper Hill, Visible Dust, Dust-Aid and Photographic Solutions all sell a variety of cleaning products.

- article courtesy of photojojo.com. L.A. Cameras not liable for any damage or difficulty due to above article--all actions are the responsibility of the reader. Information is provided as information only.

2008: A Review in Photos

2009-01-05T10:45:00.004-05:00

We here at L.A. Cameras are in love with great photos. Let's say that again: we love great photos. So when we received the links below to a review of 2008 in photographs, we had to admit: these are some of the best we've seen. So we welcome 2009 with a bang...and we remember days gone by with an excellent 3-part collection of excellent photos. Enjoy & Happy New Year!

Part 1:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/12/the_year_2008_in_photographs_p.html

Part 2:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/12/2008_in_photographs_part_2_of.html

Part 3:
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/12/2008_the_year_in_photographs_p.html

L.A. Cameras Debuts New Online Photo Store

2008-11-03T09:34:00.004-05:00

FOR RELEASE:
Prints, Photo Gifts, Image Archives and More Now Available at www.lacameras.com!

Chambersburg, PA, November 10, 2008 –
L.A. Cameras today unveiled its new online photo store, www.lacameras.com. Customers visiting the website will be able to order prints and photo gifts, archive images and join a unique membership program for special offers and savings.

“Customers now have 24-7 access to the same products and services that we have in our store through this new user-friendly website,” said Fred Kuhn, president. “Having an online presence not only offers added convenience and accessibility for our customers, it allows us to offer them additional services, as well; services such as image archiving. Now customers can store their precious memories with a local store they know and trust.”

Fred explained the website features, “My Page” – a headquarters for all of the user's photo collections and jumping-off points for uploading pictures, starting projects and shopping. Additionally, the “Collections” feature offers users a way to move and combine pictures under a single heading, helping them to focus on the event or subject, rather than on the date range the photos were taken before they cleared their camera card. “Smart Collections” take this organic type of organization even further, automatically grouping images according to keyword, date, rating, etc. Customers can also edit and organize photos and share albums or their My Page with friends and family.

“The store may be virtual, but online customers will experience the same trademark service and expertise of our brick and mortar store. We’re happy to walk customers through the website in our store, as well, to get them acquainted with its unique features and special offers. We’re convinced they’re going to love it as much as we do.”

About L.A. Cameras:
The Area's #1 Photo & Digital Experts, www.lacameras.com
# # #
Contact:
digital@lacameras.com or (717) 263-0043

2008-10-30T15:57:00.007-04:00

Check out these awesome tips from Photojojo! - DRH

Photojojo's Ultimate Guide to Taking Portraits at Night

Why’s It Cool?

Being able to take a great portrait at night will get you invited to all the best parties. Once you learn how to take dramatic, unusual, fun pictures after the sun sets, everybody will want you hanging around to document their events. Seriously. Just you wait and see.

Night-Portrait Mode

Most cameras have a “night portrait” setting that combines a flash with a long exposure. The flash freezes the person being photographed, and the long exposure fills in the background.

Night portrait mode is the best place to start experimenting.

Usually the flash fires first, but some cameras have the option for rear-sync flash as well (firing the flash at the end of the exposure). Play around and see what you like best.

High ISO

High ISO settings (400, 800, 1600) allow you to use shorter exposure times in lower light conditions. If you have a high enough ISO, you can use ambient light instead of a flash.

For film users, this means using 800 or 1600 speed film instead of your usual 100 or 200. For digital users, it means adjusting your camera to use a higher ISO setting (the numbers correspond to film ISO numbers).

The problem with high ISOs is “noise”: speckly or grainy-looking photos, especially noticeable in areas of smooth color. Sometimes graininess looks great, sometimes it looks awful- it depends on the mood and style of the photo.

You can test your camera’s performance at high ISO settings by taking the same picture at each different ISO number and comparing the results. Then decide what level of graininess is acceptable, and at what point you go ahead and use flash.

Using the Flash

Flash is great when it’s used right. The key is not to overdo it and wash the person out.

If your camera has a built-in flash, dial the intensity down 1 or 2 stops. If you can’t change the intensity, cover it with a translucent piece of paper (wax paper or gum wrappers work well) or use a flash diffuser.

If you have a separate flash unit, point it skywards and use a bounce card to cast a more flattering light on your subject.

Lighting

“Night” portraits are actually more effective when there is some ambient light. Shoot just after sunset, or use the glow from streetlights and neon to cast some light on your subject.

Ambient light is much more effective than flash alone, and if you have enough of it, you can forgo the flash altogether.

Background

Use a wide aperture (4.5 or lower) to blur the area behind your subject. Soft, indistinct colored lights make for great backgrounds. Make sure they’re blurry enough that they don’t draw attention away from the person.

And hey, don’t forget composition! Just because it’s dark out doesn’t mean you have to revert to the standard head-on portrait pose. Use the background, change your angle, move around until you see something really great.

Hold Still

Keeping the camera steady is a big part of night photography. Use a tripod or rest the camera on a stable object, like a table. Even bracing yourself against a wall while hand-holding the camera makes a difference.

Have your subject hold still too. You’ll find that people tend to relax or move after the flash fires. But if you’re in night portrait mode, the exposure may still be going. Ask the person to freeze until the shutter clicks closed.

Don’t Hold Still

OK, yeah, we just said not to move, but we don’t always practice what we preach.

You can get surprisingly great results in night portrait mode by snapping a picture and continuing to move while the exposure finishes. Light trails, ghostly people, random patterns of color: it’s pretty great.

Try moving the camera while the person holds still, then try holding the camera still while they move. See what results you like better. This technique works particularly well when there are streetlights or neon signs in the background.

Hold Sort of Still

This one’s really freaky:

Set the camera up on a tripod.
Have the person pose before pressing the shutter button.
As soon as the flash fires, have the person change position and freeze for the rest of the exposure.

Try giving the person two heads, or four arms, or whatever else you can think of. Create your own sideshow!

Color

The color of night portraits tends to be a bit odd. The night portrait default set

ting white balances for the flash. That means the longer fill exposure tends to be very warm, especially indoors.

Play with your camera’s white balance. The tungsten setting will give you a blue ca

st outdoors, and the daylight setting will give you a yellow cast indoors.

If you want to play with it even more, use image editing software to emphasize or add color casts, or even make the image look cross-processed.

Bokeh

“Bokeh” means the parts of your photo that aren’t in focus. We like those parts.

A quirk of physics dictates that unfocused points of light in a photograph take on the shape of the aperture. You can make a lens hood with a specially-shaped aperture (a heart, for example) and turn all the points of light into that shape.

It’s really easy, super cheap, and lends an unexpected “how-did-you-do-that?” touch to night photos. Make any shape you want: stars, ghosts, butterflies. You can even buy specially-shaped hole punches at craft stores.

New Website En Route!

2008-10-21T09:24:00.005-04:00

It is coming! (finally!)

L.A. Cameras has teamed up with two incredible web engines to bring you a brand new, powerful photo website. We are putting the finishing touches on, even as we speak. We are very excited, because the new photo editing tools are unlike anything currently available in the industry.

And there's more...you will be able to check out our camera selection before you stop buy, so you can feel educated. We stopped by to check out one of our competitors last week, and were told that the only difference between two entirely different cameras "was the color." Hmmm. And our price matched theirs. (dramatic eye roll). Perhaps its time to equip you, our customers, to make a quality decision when it comes time to plunk down the cash for a new camera. (They do, after all, play a very important roll in remembering your life.) Our sales people are camera crazy and take lots of photos on their own time, which makes them some of the most trustworthy advisors in the area.

So yeah, new website coming. And not a moment too soon. When the snow flies, you can sit comfy in your jammies and order photo prints, check out all the shiny new cameras, order lifestyle photos...all while sipping that second cup of coffee.

It's not up yet--we'll let you know!!