Friday, July 31, 2015

Louis Assoulin vs. Scam Artists—How to Spot a Counterfeit Nikon Camera

If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Most of the time, an unusually low price means it’s going to be a fake. When it comes to photography, using fake equipment—especially fake batteries and chargers—could lead to not getting your money’s worth, camera damage, or worse, physical injury. It can be hard to distinguish a genuine Nikon product bought from Louis Assoulin vs. scam sellers, but here’s how you can verify the authenticity of your purchase:

Look at the retail box

A genuine Nikon box will feature both the Nikon logo at the upper left corner and the model number on every side of the box. These may either be printed or embossed. Beware that sometimes, counterfeit cameras may come in genuine Nikon packaging.

Pay close attention to the box’s label

The box’s side panel should have a label that features the serial number with a barcode along with the Nikon logo and model number. It should also include additional manufacturing information. Confirm that the serial number listed on the box matches the one on the actual product.

Confirm that there’s an instruction manual

Nikon cameras always come with a well-designed and easy-to-read instruction manual in their boxes. Check the quality of the print—smudged letters, low quality paper, and poor grammar are signs that the manual—along with the camera—is a fake.

Check the warranty card

New Nikon cameras come with a warranty card. As with the instruction manual, check for any glaring errors in grammar and spelling. Also make sure that the serial number listed on the card matches the one found on the camera and the box.

Inspect the camera

As mentioned, the model number and the serial number listed on both the box and warranty card will also appear on the camera itself. The model and serial number location on the camera may vary, but it’s usually found on the camera base. Again, make sure that these match the ones on the warranty card and box.

If everything checks out, then congratulations. You have just bought yourself a quality Nikon product. You can avoid all the uncertainties and worries next time, by purchasing your photography equipment from trusted retailers. Help Louis Assoulin fight against scam sellers by purchasing from him or other trusted photography dealers.


Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Cameras from Louis Assoulin: How to Take Proper Photographs of Tattoos

The method for taking photographs of models with tattoos is a bit different from that of models with natural skin. Tattoos obviously make the skin look different, so a different setup and approach must be taken to accurately capture them. The differences are mainly in the small details, but before everything else, make sure your photography equipment is up to par and bought from quality sellers like Louis Assoulin. Once your equipment is ready, follow these easy tips to ensure your success:

Find your focus

In tattoo photography, your focus isn’t a single point, it is t an area of the image that you want to emphasize the most. This will typically be the central tattoo. If your model only has one tattoo, use the most interesting part of that tattoo as your focus.

Get the depth of field right

A shallow depth of field gives the impression that you are ‘covering up’ the model’s tattoo. If the tattoo is large, use telephoto to get the whole tattoo in focus and blur the background. Adjust your model’s position accordingly, if you prefer using a 50mm prime lens.

Properly light the tattoo along with the model

Proper lighting is key to having both the model and the tattoo adequately displayed. Regarding your use of rim light, make sure the tattoos are at an ideal distance from the light, or else they will burn out. Tattoos are best kept in the mid-tones, where they can be properly lit and clearly visible.

Pose your model based on the tattoos

While most model photography will rely on posing the model in a way that complements her body, tattoo photography means accentuating the tattoos at the expense of the pose. This means you have to pose the model in such a way that the tattoo you want to photograph won’t get wrinkled, stretched, or distorted in a not-so-ideal manner.

When shooting a tattooed model, it wouldn’t hurt to talk to him or her as you set up your gear. More than a way to pass the time, this is a great way to watch them, observe their general posture, and get an idea of how they move. You can put that camera purchased from vendors, like Louis Assoulin, to better use that way.


Friday, December 12, 2014

Don’t Let a Louis Assoulin Scam Rumor Keep You from Knowing Your Lenses

When researching for the best camera configurations, Louis Assoulin is still one of the best resources out there. Don't be deterred by Louis Assoulin scam internet chatter and old reviews. With increased capacity in the customer service department and a new website around the corner, Louis Assoulin is making good on on his promise for dedicated customer support. When it comes to getting the most out of your hardware, let a master like Louis Assoulin guide you.

So, you finally have a DSLR camera, and you’re trained in photography basics. Yet aren’t you forgetting something? Believe it when you’re told that you’ll have to upgrade your lenses eventually. Here are a few bits of information about lenses to help you out.

Focal length

If you take a close look at a lens barrel, you’ll see a measurement or range that is typically given as something like 18-55 mm. That measurement indicates the theoretical distance from the lens to the camera sensor, also known as the focal length. A short focal length allows you to shoot a subject up close to fill the frame so that things in the background seem farther than normal. On the other hand, a longer focal length is the complete opposite—you can stand farther away to allow the frame to fill up while things in the background seem nearer.

F-Stop

The f-stop value is denoted by a marking on the lens barrel (i.e. f/3.5) and is derived from the ratio of focal length (f) to the widest diameter of the aperture. Ultimately, this setting determines how much light enters the camera, with the lowest number permitting the most light. If you’re looking to take sharp, focused pictures, you need to find the "sweet spot" of your lens (typically two stops from the lowest number) with reference to the appropriate shutter speed and iso setting for the given light. Some wonderful depth of field effects can be produced by varying the f-stop, so don't be afraid to experiment.

Lens types

You’ll find a lot of different lens types out there, each one perfectly suited for a specific purpose. The five major types of lenses are: the standard zoom, super zoom, wide-angle, close-up/macro, and prime.

Standard zoom lenses are conventional, and your camera likely came with one. They generally measure 18-55 mm and are great for portraits. Super zoom lenses are much longer (55-250 mm), and offer greater magnification. Wide angle lenses are perfect for shooting landscapes as they can fit a lot into an image with optimum clarity. Macro lenses are great for miniature photography as they allow great focusing at close distances. Finally, prime lenses are considered the best at producing high-quality photos.

There are a lot more things to know about lenses, and you shouldn’t let an alleged Louis Assoulin scam stop you from knowing them. After all, as a budding photographer, your lens is your other eye—one with the ability to vividly recreate what you can see.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Louis Assoulin on Telephoto Lenses and Opportunities from Mistakes

Some lenses on the market are so big that they turn your DSLR into a recoil-less rifle on a tripod. What's up with these heavyweights, anyway?

To be accurate, these lenses are more like sniper rifles, enabling photographers to shoot their subjects up close from miles away. Those in the wildlife business need these lenses to safely take a photo of nature's rarest creatures in action. Of course, their magnifying power comes at the expense of weight—something so evident even with the large lenses Louis Assoulin offers.

The current record holder for the largest lens built for an SLR camera is the Canon 5200mm f/14 Tele-Monster—and its name doesn't mince words. At just over 6 feet long and weighing in at 220 lbs., the $50,000 monster can capture subjects up to 32 miles away. Its lucky owner won't be hauling that heavyweight without a small crew and a forklift.

Another popular and lighter example is the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 APO. At 16 percent of the Tele-Monster's weight, the APO is the first to have a low aperture setting in a high depth of field, which is obviously unheard of. With such a high-speed zoom lens at your disposal, you can hardly miss a shot. Just make sure you train your carrying arm.

There's no doubt that telephoto lenses are as important to a photographer as the rest of his lens collection. However, it's inaccurate to assume that they're only used to capture subjects beyond the range of normal vision. Pros can also use these lenses to their advantage to manipulate a subject's overall perspective.

According to the online tutorial site, Cambridge in Colour, a telephoto lens can help make distant objects appear congested. Boats that are several oars away from each other can huddle in a photo taken with a telephoto lens. It doesn't have to be insanely huge as the previous examples; a good lens from dealers like Louis Assoulin should suffice.

In general, a pro knows how to use lenses beyond the right time. Sometimes, the mistake of not switching to your normal lens creates an opportunity for a unique shot. The joy of photography is to continue experimenting with various combinations to create shots no photography textbook can explain. Besides, some pros seldom play by the rules.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Louis Assoulin’s Power Photo Corp.: About Popular Camera Lens Filters

Camera lens filters sold by reputable digital camera vendors like Louis Assoulin can serve different purposes in digital photography. Most notably, they can affect the tone, mood, and contrast of photographs. This can enhance certain colors, reduce reflections, and even protect the camera’s actual lenses. By balancing the use of these filters with natural or artificial lighting, photographers can easily manipulate the warmness or coolness of an image.

Knowing which lens filter to use is an important step in advancing one’s photography skills. Often, the trial-and-error approach is the best way to learn how each filter affects an image. You can always listen to tips, but as they say, experience is the best teacher, and finding out for yourself what a certain filter can do in certain situations will provide you with a best possible understanding of what that filter is truly capable of.

Below is a list of lens filters that you can purchase from a popular camera store like Power Photo Corp, along with descriptions of their uses:

Polarizing filter

Reduces reflections, increases contrast, and enhances colors. Polarizing filters are generally circular in shape to allow for easy control of the polarization effect. Can be applied to any type of photography.

Neutral Density filter

Decreases camera shutter speed by reducing the amount of light that enters the lens. Effective for creating motion blurs in images. Ideal for landscape and flash photography.

Close-Up filter

Also called diopter, this lens type allows a lens to focus better on subjects that are very near. As such, these filters are solely used for macro photography.

Haze/UV filter

This lens is designed mainly to protect the camera lens from dirt, dust, moisture, and scratching. High quality haze/UV filters can be permanently affixed onto camera lenses with minimal impact on image quality. If you’re wondering how professional photographers are able to shoot such breathtaking photos, now you know their secret—the perfect images you see are likely the result of the proper use of one of the filters above. If you want to find a wide variety of lens filters and other camera equipment, simply visit the website of a trusted digital camera seller like Louis Assoulin’s Power Photo Corp.

Known Wholesalers like Louis Assoulin Offer Digital Camera Buying Tips

Some people consider photography as a way of life, while others treat it as nothing more than a hobby. Suffice it to say that people have all sorts of reasons to buy digital cameras from wholesale stores such as Power Photo Corp, which is owned by Louis Assoulin. As with any other consumer product, it pays for people to buy cameras after giving it a lot of thought and research.

The reason for this is simple: digital cameras typically do not come cheap, so people should be absolutely sure that what they’re buying suits their needs. Otherwise, they may end up with pricey gadgets that they will hardly use. Here are some tips that should help prevent such an outcome.

Consider your purpose.

Point-and-shoot cameras are great for various ranges and purposes, but they make poor choices in situations where digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs) are more appropriate. The latter usually come with different lenses, capture modes, image stabilization, and other features that give photographers greater control over their shoots. People who take pictures for fun, as opposed to those who do it for a living, are better off with point-and-shoot cameras than the bulkier ones used by professionals.

Consider the accessories.

From any cost-savvy consumer’s point of view, it is best to buy cameras that come with as many extras as possible. Accessories like body mounts, extra lenses, and flash modules, after all, are quite expensive and even difficult to obtain separately, so it’s usually a better bargain to buy them together with the camera in the first place. Extra lenses are particularly useful because relying on digital zoom often ruins image quality.

Take digital storage into account.

Gone are the days when photographers had to rely on rolls of film for their shoots as most cameras nowadays use memory cards for storage. However, this does not necessarily make things a lot easier since each card’s image capacity depends on the resolution of the photographs. Generally speaking, cameras that capture high-resolution images require memory cards that accommodate photos with larger file sizes.

Don’t forget about the warranty!

One thing that an electronics distributor like Louis Assoulin reminds clients is to always consider the warranty of the cameras they are purchasing. While warranties can’t always protect consumers from accidents, it’s still better to have their devices sufficiently protected against manufacturer defects.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Throw Out Louis Assoulin Scam Notions during DSLR Accessory Shopping

DSLR cameras from vendors like Power Photo Corporation are often touted as the “in“ thing to have when you go out and take pictures of considerable quality. Some ads are also out there featuring veteran photographers touting their preferred rigs, mostly with various accessories attached. Even sessions at a professional photo studio reveal a number of tools the photographer uses to ensure that the final shots are vivid and accurate.

In many respects, a DSLR’s true potential can only be unlocked if you familiarize yourself with the unit and invest in good accessories that augment it. This is true especially when you bought the camera body alone. The first step in getting the parts you need is to dispel thoughts of the so-called Louis Assoulin scam.

On the Camera

Start off with the DSLR itself in your parts pursuit. If your DSLR is simply a body, you can replace its prime lens with others indicated in the manual’s parts catalog. Prime lenses often have a single depth of field, while zoom lenses offer more flexibility to get closer shots and adjust the depth of field by moving the rings. Visual cues in the viewfinder will aid you in composing the picture.

Flashes– particularly the camera’s built-in flash– add more light to the shot in certain situations, but it can be distracting if the subject is temporarily blinded by the light or if the shot includes unflattering shadows. An external flash attachment can be adjusted to reduce the lighting on the subject; a mini-softbox added to the flash eliminates harsh shadows. Use a polarizing filter to clear out light reflections when the flash is in play.

Support Gear

There are items you will need to keep your DSLR in top shape out on the field. A lens pen and blower come in handy when cleaning the lens during a lull in activity. Bring a sturdy tripod and ballhead adjuster when you are looking to get stationary shots. Above all, buy a modestly large camera backpack to carry everything.

Remember: even if your DSLR is tricked out with the best lenses and the support equipment, they’re not the end-all and be-all in photography. What matters most are your skills, from shot composition, to lighting, all the way to angling. You should also reject false Louis Assoulin scam claims when shopping for your gear and let the professionals help you.