Articles
Google Chrome Extensions
Mar 6th
Here’s a list of my favorite extensions for Google Chrome.
Ad blocking
AdBlock
Get rid of annoying ads! Capable of removing ads from youtube videos.
Browser Button for AdBlock
Enhance your AdBlock with a browser action button.
Google Mail Checker
Display the number on unread messages in you Google Mail inbox.
dSLR Noob Guide: Christmas Tree – Making it lively
Jan 8th
How to make your Christmas Tree look good in pictures?
You will need:
- Tripod
- dSLR
My Setup/Settings
- Stable Tripod
Impossible to shoot handheld, or with a lousy tripod. - Mode: Av – Aperture Priority
- Focus: Auto Focus
- Aperture: Smallest aperture possible.
- Shutter Speed: Let the camera determine this.
- ISO: Lowest possible
Mine will go down to ISO100. - Image Stabilizer: Off
Discussed at Stable Tripod + Image Stabilizer (IS) = Blur - Lens: Up to you
f/3.5 1/3s
f/8 1.3s
f/22 13s
dSLR Noob Guide: Waterfall
Dec 20th
How to get a smooth waterfall effect using a dSLR?
You will need:
- Tripod (You will seriously need a GOOD tripod)
- dSLR
- ND Filter or Polarizer (Optional)
My Setup/Settings
- Stable Tripod
Impossible to shoot handheld, or with a lousy tripod. - Mode: Av – Aperture Priority
- Focus: Auto Focus
- Aperture: Smallest aperture your lens will allow.
- Shutter Speed: Let the camera determine this. At least 1/2 seconds or slower to get a smooth effect. The longer the better.
- ISO: Lowest possible
Mine will go down to ISO100. - Image Stabilizer: Off
Discussed at Stable Tripod + Image Stabilizer (IS) = Blur - Lens: Up to you
- Lens Accessories: ND Filter or Polarizer if the surrounding is too bright.
Samples:
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55, f/5.6, 1/250s, ISO200
This is probably what you get when you shoot in auto.
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55, f/36, 1/3s, ISO100
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55, f/22, 1/2s, ISO100, Polarizer
It was a very sunny bright day which makes it harder to achieve smooth waterfall effect.
dSLR Noob Guide: Fireworks
Dec 20th
To shoot fireworks, I highly recommend:
- Tripod (You will seriously need a GOOD tripod)
- Remote Switch (Highly Recommended)
- Wide Angle Lens
- dSLR
My Setup/Settings
- Stable Tripod
Impossible to shoot handheld, or with a lousy tripod. - Remote Cable Switch
Reduce camera shake. - Mode: M – Manual
Other mode won’t work well. - Focus: Manual Focus
It is nearly impossible to focus a firework before it goes off. - Aperture: f/8 – f/12
Most lens are at their sharpest at about f/8. - Shutter Speed: 2 – 8 seconds or B – Bulb Mode
This depends on your composition. Totally up to you. - ISO: ISO200 – 400
The least important setting. Set according to your exposure. - White Balance: Daylight
- Quality: JPEG
You will want to shoot as many fireworks possible. RAW files wont help much here. - Image Stabilizer: Off
Discussed at Stable Tripod + Image Stabilizer (IS) = Blur - Lens: Wide angle
You can always crop the photo.
Samples:
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55, f/8, 5s, ISO400
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55, f/8, 6s, ISO200
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55, f/10, 6s, ISO200
dSLR Noob Guide: Basics – Aperture
Dec 20th
Aperture is the opening of the lens allowing light to travel through.
Aperture:
f/2.8 is bigger than f/11.
dSLR Noob Guide: Basics – Shutter Speed
Dec 20th
Shutter Speed is the exposure time or the amount of time the shutter remains open.
Shutter Speed:
Slower Shutter = More light.
dSLR Noob Guide: Basics – ISO
Dec 19th
ISO represents the sensitivity of image sensor to the light.
ISO:
Higher ISO = More sensitive to light.
Noise:
Higher ISO = More Noise
The main disadvantage of using higher ISO is the noise generated. Both images below are cropped images.
Canon Rebel XSi
Canon PowerShot SD750 (Consumer Digital Camera)
Conclusion:
Lower ISO provides better image quality.
Places without sufficient light (indoor or night) may require higher ISO to reduce camera shake.
dSLR Noob Guide: Stable Tripod + Image Stabilizer (IS) = Blur
Dec 17th
Equipment:
- Canon Rebel XSi
- Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6
- Dolica Proline Tripod
Setup:
- ISO100 f/8 10s 240mm (IS on/off)
- Tripod stabilized
Results:
Image Stabilizer (IS) ON
Image Stabilizer (IS) OFF
Conclusion:
Turn off Image Stabilizer (IS) on a stable tripod.
Credits:
Ian
Software: Hard Disk Diagnostic Tools
Nov 7th
IBM/Hitachi
Fujitsu
Samsung
Seagate/Maxtor
Toshiba
- n/a
Western Digital
Article: zy’s Windows Build for University at Buffalo Students.
Nov 5th
10/05/09
Operating System
- Microsoft Windows Vista 32-bit or 64-bit [UB Micro]
– Service Pack 1 [link] - Microsoft Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit [UB Micro]
Productivity
- Microsoft Office 2007 [UB link]
– Service Pack 1 [link]
– Service Pack 2 [link] - Adobe Reader 9.2 [link]
Multimedia/Pictures
Communication/Internet
Security
- Microsoft Security Essentials [link]
