Camera remote control via a PC

[gulped alive]

Hi Eeyore. Thanks for the advice. I did a fair bit of surfing last night and am looking at an Olympus Sp500 for the camera and Camera Controller by Pine Tree Computing for the software. But I will have to think about it a bit more yet.

[Diane E]

'Yorkshireman of mystery', eh????????????? I like that.

As usual, the advice given has been pertinent, concise and articulate (when eeyore sobered up! ). However, I do feel the most cost effective and sensible option for improving the quaility of your photography has been omitted thus far - CLEAN YOU WINDOWS, MAN!

I'm allowed to say that, cos Gulped Alive is my brother - and I have seen his windows!

[gulped alive]

Hi Sis. As usual your advice has been (im)pertinent, concise and articulate! However, there are several advantages of remote capture over vitreous hygiene, four of which are being able to:

• place the camera for the best shots
• shoot time lapse sequences
• beat your great photos
• play with new toys!

[Aside: That's my sister, that is, and she is so . I'm very proud of her, even if she can be a little bit annoying at times! ]

Now, if I could only get the hang of these smilie things ...

[eeyore]

If you do put it outside make sure you waterproof it ( I made a blimp for my 300D out of a sandwich box and some foam)

If you are shooting through windows appart from cleaning them get a rubber lens hood and put the front right up to the glass to cut reflections - if you still have glare you can take it out in photoshop easy enough but it is easier to avoid it in camera if poss

[gulped alive]

Thanks for the advice Eeyore. Yes, reflection is a problem. And I've also considered the problem of the elements if I set up the camera outside - no doubt the birds will perch on it and oooooooooooooooo on it if nothing else!

You've mentioned Photoshop a couple of times, what are its key features and how much does it cost?

[Tormentil]

Originally Posted by gulped alive

You've mentioned Photoshop a couple of times, what are its key features and how much does it cost?

You don't want to know.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by gulped alive

You've mentioned Photoshop a couple of times, what are its key features and how much does it cost?

photoshop CS 2 is about 500 notes however photoshop elements 4 is a cut down version will do everything you are likely to need and is 35 notes on amazon.

It is basically one of the best image editing packages and will enable you to crop, resize , alter exposure, saturation what have you, plus load more stuff - it would take far to long to describe in full here but this is the link to the adobe site http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshopelwin/

There are others that are worth a look too , notably paintshop pro (also about 35 notes) http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satelli...=1047024307383

and GIMP which is freeware downloadable here http://www.gimp.org/

IMO photoshop is the best though i am sure others will disagree , but GIMP is worth a look if money is tight.

[gulped alive]

Hi Eeyore

Thanks for the info. I will look at the sites.

I've finally plumped for a camera, way out of my budget , but what the heck! (Don't tell my sister though! ) It's a Canon Powershot IS S3 with 6MP, a 12x zoom and optical image stabilizer. Haven't got it yet, but will let you know how I get on when I have.

[eeyore]

you could probablu get a dslr for the price of that thing

[gulped alive]

I did look at DSLRs, but for similar spec (12x zoom, etc) they seemed to be quite a lot more dosh. But that might just be not knowing where to look!