How To: Take Great Photos With Your Point and Shoot

By Howard Creech, DigitalCameraReview Staff 12-06-2013  (http://www.digitalcamerareview.com)

When we see professional photographers on the news and in the movies it often appears that only the dSLR cameras and super-fast lenses they carry are capable of making great images.  Most amateur shooters want to take good pictures too, but they don’t want to spend a lot of money on esoteric photographic gear or learn anything about f-stops. Consequently, many amateur/casual photographers believe that only complex and expensive gear can produce truly beautiful photographs. Socket wrenches and screwdrivers don’t fix cars–good mechanics do! Cast iron skillets and French saut–pans don’t create delicious meals–good cooks do! The camera (like a cast iron skillet or a socket wrench) is simply a tool. And learning how to use that tool is how you can create amazing images.

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How to turn your smartphone into a spy camera or baby monitor

By Joshua Sherman  —   

If you’re getting that paranoid itch to keep an eye on someone (or someplace), but only have a limited budget, fear not. We’re in the second decade of the 21st century. You don’t need to buy a bunch of expensive equipment to spy anymore. These days, all you need is an old smartphone. With a few bucks, an old Android device or iPhone, a charger, and some tape or a tripod for mounting, you can monitor whatever you want. Here’s how to do it.

Note: Before beginning, you must be using a wireless network that is secure and password protected. Setting this up on an unprotected network will allow anyone on that network to see through your cameras! This guide also comes with no warranty and is not intended to be a secure security system that guarantees safety – if you want something like that, get a professional security solution.

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Craft Camera: A DIY Digital Camera Made with Cardboard and Arduino

By: Michael Zhang · Feb 25, 2013 (http://www.petapixel.com)

Craft Camera (http://craft-camera.com)

Craft Camera (DIY)

Enjoy playing around with Arduino and want to try your hand at making your own digital camera? Photographer Coralie Gourguechon has come up with a DIY digital camera called Craft Camera that consists of a simple cardboard body and Arduino guts.

Aside from the Arduino board, you’ll also need a Lithium Backpack (~$47) for the power and a Snootlab Memoire ($25) for the SD card slot:

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Link to Official Website