Cell Phone Cameras Versus Traditional Cameras

As technology advances, camera phones are becoming more useful and convenient, nearly taking the place of traditional cameras in some aspects. Many phones are now able to take photos comparable to point-and-shoot cameras and are more readily available with a variety of additional features that aren’t available on traditional cameras. Depending on the quality of photos, ease of use, and occasion, a cell phone camera could actually be a more practical choice for taking photos in many situations.

Several years ago, taking a picture with your cell phone was more for personal amusement than anything, as the photo quality was so low that the resulting image was often only recognizable or significant to the one taking the picture. The cameras equipped on today’s more popular smartphones are close or at par with those of middle-line point-and-shoot cameras. “The original iPhone debuted in 2007 with just a 2-megapixel camera. Flash forward to today, and the iPhone 4S camera boasts 8 megapixels. The Android-based Galaxy S II also features an 8-megapixel camera.” (Ogg) Many camera phones include a flash and zoom options, similar to traditional cameras. The quality of these components varies depending on the device and different cameras have different advantages. Dedicated cameras have easier access to settings such as zoom, flash, and shooting modes. Of course, SLR cameras defeat all others in quality, zoom, and flash, but are also very expensive, bulky, and difficult to master. All three types of cameras are capable of capturing images that can be printed in various sizes, although the quality of images and prints depends directly on the quality and capability of the camera taking the photograph.

While many aspects of camera phones may not be on par with with traditional cameras, their convenience and features make them a hearty opponent. The most obvious perk to a mobile phone camera is that it’s close on hand – usually literally in your hand or pocket. This alone contributes to the reason that a majority of photos these days are taken with cell phones. User-friendly options add to the popularity of cell phone cameras, as well as the availability of applications that add to the experience. Another major advantage of mobile cameras is the ease of photo sharing. Any camera phone, digital point-and-shoot, or DSLR camera stores images on digital media that can be loaded to a computer and stored or shared online. Wireless access and high speed mobile networks on smartphones give you the ability to instantly post photos from practically anywhere. In the same aspect, the difficulty in using higher end SLR cameras can be beneficial to a professional photographer, as it makes the average user more likely pay for high quality images and the service of someone with a superior camera who knows how to use it.

The occasion being captured makes a big difference as to what type of camera is best suited for the situation. Every day, casual photos, especially spur-of-the-moment pictures, are usually easier to take with a cell phone. This is not only because of the convenience of access, but also the casual nature is more likely to capture a candid shot. You would probably prefer to use a point-and-shoot or SLR camera for more important or rare events, such as weddings, birthdays, or vacations. It’s also a good idea to take into consideration the possibility of an accident causing the loss of not only your camera but your phone as well, “you probably don't want to risk damaging the center of your mobile-computing universe by using it to take underwater or skydiving shots” (Moynihan).

In summary, cell phone, point-and-shoot, and SLR cameras are all useful in different ways, but smartphones are definitely increasing in popularity. Because of similar image quality, user-friendliness, and casual use, cell phone cameras are used more than point-and-shoot cameras these days. Pocket size cameras still come in handy for certain situations, however, such as times when you might put your phone in jeopardy. SLR cameras produce the highest quality images and offer the most detailed setting adjustments, but also have the highest learning curve, as they are the most difficult to use efficiently.

References:

Ogg, Erica. “Smartphones Killing Point-and-Shoots.” GigaOM. 22 Dec 2011. Web. 25 Mar 2012. http://gigaom.com/2011/12/22/smartphones-killing-point-and-shoots-now-take-almost-13-of-photos/

Moynihan, Tim. “Camera and Camera-Phone Trends to Expect in 2012.” PCWorld Communications, Inc. 29 Dec 2011. Web. 25 Mar 2012. http://www.pcworld.com/article/246887/camera_and_cameraphone_trends_to_expect_in_2012.html

Knowing Newborns

Babies of all ages have a variety of personalities and distinctive behaviors, but newborns are generally simpler and easier to comprehend. Newborns are humans in our purest form. They have yet to develop complex emotional or psychological needs, so they act mainly on physical needs. Usually, if a newborn is upset, there is a bodily cause that can be alleviated if you can decipher the meaning behind the cries. For this reason, it is beneficial to be able to recognize common newborn moods, such as uncomfortable, distressed, sleepy, and everyone’s favorite, content.

From the moment they are born, newborns naturally communicate discomfort by use of facial expressions and vocal chords. Babies in general are known for crying when they need something, but you can also watch for other signals to be able to comfort the baby before the crying starts. Hungry babies will root at – or try to latch their mouths onto – anything nearby, such as their own hands, blankets, clothes, or the arms of the person holding them. Newborns also use their hands to comfort themselves if something is bothering them, such as a dirty diaper or upset stomach. You may notice a baby’s arms flailing uncontrollably, even when he isn’t upset; Newborns have very limited motor control, so they actually enjoy being swaddled to control their hands as well as keep warm. You can mimic this effect by gently holding the baby’s arms close to his body. Remember, the baby was in a warm, tight, dark bundle for nine months, so this will be the most comfortable position for him for at least the first few months of his life.

Distressed newborns display signals similar to an uncomfortable baby, but are more urgent, such as more extreme expressions and louder cries. This is because of a situation that needs to be remedied quickly, or an issue that may require more attention than usual. Painful cries can be equally painful to the ears, and for good reason. If someone is holding or moving a baby in a way that could harm her, she is quick to let out a cry to let you know. Sometimes the signals are silent but just as severe, such as if a baby is choking, she will open her mouth wide and sometimes stretch and twist in an instinctive attempt to roll over; this calls for a quick and careful response, turning the baby on her side and using suction to clear her throat if needed (in this situation, it’s good to hear the baby cry because it lets you know that she is breathing).

As much as a parent loves to see a newborn’s eyes, that newborn loves to sleep even more. According to Mayo Clinic, “Newborns often sleep up to 16 hours a day” (“Crying baby”). A sleeping baby is truly a happy baby, so it is important to allow that sleep to be uninterrupted as much as possible. There are several stages that a newborn goes through between being sleepy and sound asleep, but a sleepy baby should be handled just as carefully and quietly as one who is sound asleep, to keep from causing stress and interrupting the natural sleep cycle. Sleeping babies are of course much easier to deal with than alert babies, particularly in situations when you want to position the baby into various poses, such as for photographs. You can also take extra measures to keep the baby comfortable and asleep, such as increasing the room temperature and playing soothing sounds like white noise or natural sound recordings.

There’s nothing quite like gazing into the eyes of a newborn. Parents love to see their newborn awake and looking around, and it is the best time to connect, bond, and interact with the baby. The eHow article Common Behavioral States of Newborns describes two distinct stages of a wakeful newborn: quite alert and active alert. Quite alert is the most attentive newborn mood, easily recognizable as bright eyed and content; this stage is when the baby is “most responsive to feeding or one-on-one time with a parent or caregiver” (Zogheib). Active alert is a stage between content and uncomfortable, such as when the baby is starting to get hungry or slightly bothered by outside stimuli; responding to small clues or making minor adjustments can usually calm a baby in this state. Often, a simple shift in position or gentle touch can ease an agitated newborn.

While newborns have many similarities, each baby is unique as well. Some babies display discomfort, distress, sleepiness, and contentment differently than others. Being able to identify common signs of a newborn’s disposition helps you to communicate with the baby, especially in careers that work with multiple babies on a daily basis. For parents, establishing communication with a child early is an important step in developing a lifelong connection and understanding relationship.

References:

Mayo Clinic staff, “Crying baby: What to do when your newborn cries.” Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. 16 April 2011. Web. 18 March 2012.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-baby/PR00037

Zogheib, Stacy. “Common Behavioral States of Newborns.” Demand Media, Inc. 24 April 2011. Web. 18 March 2012.

http://www.ehow.com/info_8286763_common-behavioral-states-newborns.html

Hoop Like You Know How

Anyone can pick up a hula hoop and spin it around, but a few techniques and tips can make you look and feel like you know what you’re doing, even if you don’t! Hooping is not only fun, but also a great workout, and easy to grasp in a few simple steps. The key elements are hoop size, posture, position, push, and staying positive!

Before you begin, take note that the size and make of your hoop is going to make a big difference to how easy or difficult it is to use. Adult size hoops are usually larger, heavier, and easier to keep spinning. The larger the hoop, the longer it will take for it to rotate around your body, allowing you to move slower, with more determined movements. Most adult hoops range between belly-button and chest height, measuring up from the floor. The weight of the hoop actually works with gravity to keep it spinning longer and works your midsection a little harder to keep it going, which is great if you’re hooping for fitness.

The first thing to think about is your posture. You will be focusing on your hip area to begin with, so you want to have your weight balanced between both feet while keeping your back straight but flexible. It’s usually easier to begin with your feet slightly apart and your right foot further forward than the other. Try this posture without the hoop and rock your weight forward and back with the motion originating in your hips. You may look like you’re doing a cheesy pelvis pump dance, but this helps deprogram your body from wanting to twist and turn as soon as you spin the hoop. Rotating your hips with the hoop actually makes hooping much more difficult and expends more energy than necessary to keep the hoop going. A linear motion pushing against the rotation of the hoop is much more effective. Some find it easier to move side to side instead of front to back, in which case you would simply place your feet side by side and push right to left with your hips.

The second important factor is the starting position of the hoop against your body and in relation to the floor. Although you will be pushing with your hips to keep the hoop spinning, it will actually be moving around your waist, just above your hips, so you want to start with the hoop pressed against your lower back. Hold the hoop with a light grip and make sure that it is parallel to the floor, as evenly as possible. You may be able to check your reflection or shadow to check the alignment. Your arms should be slightly bent so that your hands aren’t too close or too far from your body.

Now for the actual hooping! For simplicity, these steps are written with instructions for hooping to the left (pushing off with your right hand), which is usually most comfortable for right-handed individuals. If you are left-handed or find that hooping to your right works better for you, just reverse the noted directions. Twist the hoop to the right, keeping it against your lower back and level with the floor. With an initial rock forward, push the hoop with your right hand and immediately begin rocking back and forth with the hoop. When the hoop rolls across your back, push back; When the hoop rolls across your belly, push forward. It’s that simple! There’s a good chance that the hoop will drop a few times, but just pick it up and go again. If you have trouble getting into the rhythm of the hoop, try spinning the hoop around your body without moving to keep it going; this will give you the chance to really feel where the hoop is landing and when you should be pushing forward and back.

Even if it takes you a while to get the hang of hooping, your general expression and attitude makes a huge difference in how well you appear to be hooping. If you keep a smile on your face and look like you’re enjoying yourself, others will naturally assume that you know what you’re doing. One aspect of this is paying attention to what your hands are doing while you hoop. Many people want to immediately start doing fun things with their hands, which is fine if you are a natural at spinning the hoop. Most often, it’s easier to keep your hands level with your forearms, slightly outstretched to each side, out of the rotation of the hoop. You can also use your hands to help keep your hips in motion by pumping your hands in and out in opposite motion from your pelvis. Again, it may appear a little cheesy, but you’ll look more like you’re showing the hoop who’s boss rather than the other way around!

 Once you’ve mastered these fundamentals, you can proudly call yourself a hooper! In no time, people will be asking you how to teach them how to hoop. All you have to remember is size, posture, position, push, and stay positive. Most importantly, make sure you’re having fun!

Images via the HoopSmiles video “How to Hula Hoop Rap Song,”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR0hc7lT0hE