» Fro Knows Photo Blog
I Built My OWN Working Digital Camera and So Can You
Have you ever been curious how a digital camera got built and works? Well wonder no more as you now have the chance to build your very own digital camera from scratch, from the box.
Introducing the Bigshot Camera which is the brainchild of Shree Nayar who is a professor at Columbia University. The Bigshot is meant to be a teaching tool that allows people of all ages to build and learn all about the pieces in a functioning digital camera. Not only is this a great learning tool for children, the camera let’s us see the world through their eyes.
Everything that you need to build the camera from the screws to the lenses are supplied in a perfectly marked and laid out kit.
I got the chance to build this camera and decided to film the process. What a confidence builder it is to be able to take all the separate pieces, follow the directions and end up with something that works. Now let me tell you, I didn’t know if I did everything properly but as you will see in the video I did.
I think this makes a great gift for any kid and I can see myself ordering one for my cousins son. One of the only issues I had was it was slightly more difficult to get into the plastic bags that held the screws and the springs. That part may be a little harder for younger kids, but with a little help they can do it. The last thing I will say about the building process is you will be left with extra screws and springs which is not marked in the directions.
One last thing to keep in mind is this is not a professional camera by any stretch of the imagination. It is a simple $89 learning tool that does capture images and kids imaginations. The point is not the quality of the images the point is the fun and learning that comes with building and using your own digital camera.
You can pick one up at Bigshotcamera.com
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HELP, One of our own needs you: Jaleel needs a NEW Wheelchair
Jaleel’s story is not only touching but it is inspiring. I have personally known him for a few years now and I can say I am a much better person because of it.
Jaleel’s outlook on life is amazing considering everything that he has been through. But Jaleel NEEDS the help of the photo community.
For the past two years he has been fighting with insurance companies and the government to get a new and safer wheelchair. And for two years he has been denied, turned away and passed off.
The HARSHEST Critique to date LIVE: Revisiting Sam Green
Yes this is one of the harshest critiques I have done to date. Let me preface the entire thing by saying please do not take anything I said in this critique as being mean or over the top. Sam asked for me to be honest and to be honest that’s the only way I could do a critique any way.
For those who do not know Sam, he contacted me almost two years ago looking for help building a portfolio to try and get into Antonelli Institute. As you will see from the Youtube playlist below, I helped Sam over four videos. In the first video we started with a basic critique of the images Sam had created in high school.
What you have to keep in mind that when I am critiquing someone who is just starting out I am not going to be overly harsh. I am gong to be very supportive and give pointers that will help the photographer not hinder them.
After looking at what Sam had, it was obvious he was just starting out and was in need of some direction. You could see that there were some killer images followed by some that we could do without. The point here is to showcase what makes each image a winner and what makes the others not. Once you do that the photographer can start to visually see the difference between the keepers and tossers.
I sent Sam out on assignments for a few weeks until we finally had 10 solid images for his new portfolio. I have to say he had the start to some very strong work after taking my direction and running with it.
Fast forward two years, I invited Sam onto an episode of RAWtalk (video below) to talk about his first year at Antonelli. I also asked him to bring along his first year portfolio for me to critique.
And that is where the video above picks up the story. Sam sat at the RAWtalk table as I went image by image giving him my critique. Sure this one is harsh but I know Sam can handle it and grow with the feedback. You will notice for one of the images I gave him a little crap about the pixels but it turns out the printer had not printed his images properly.
I am very proud of Sam, he busts his ass day in and day out and I really think he will find his way in the photo world as soon as he leaves school.
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