Samsung ST30 Camera and Mamarazzi!: Reviews

I've been shopping around for a new camera lately, and was excited to get the chance to review the new Samsung ST30. I mean, first of all, check out all the cute colours:

But what you can't see in the picture is that this camera weighs in under 90 grams, and is a pocket-sized 82 x 52 x 17 mm.
Some selling points, in my opinion:

• It has a Smart Auto feature for point-and-shoot fans like myself, but all sorts of different settings (portrait, night, etc.) for those who want to get a little more specific.
• It takes videos.
• There's a rechargeable battery (just plug the camera in to a power source to recharge)
• It's very easy to hook up to a computer, and comes with Intelli-Studio software on the enclosed CD-ROM.
• The Samsung ST30 is easy on the pocketback, retailing at under a hundred bucks.

I found that the display screen didn't do the photos justice, as they turned out much sharper and with better colours on the computer screen and when printed at a photo lab, so don't be fooled if you test drive one and aren't thrilled with what you see on the display.
This camera takes a MicroSD card, which is not included.
I know you're just dying to see samples of my work, so I won't keep you in suspense any longer. (These shots are completely unedited.)
I took some close-ups (my adorable nephew and godson on his first birthday):

Mid-range (Frannie's now-clean room!)

And some distance shots (the gorgeous beach at Bon Echo Park).

If you're looking for a compact, reasonably-priced yet high-quality camera, this is the one for you. (And did I mention the pretty colours?)
To go along with this great new camera, I was recently sent a new book: Mamarazzi: Every Mom's Guide To Photographing Kids by professional photographer and self-proclaimed mamarazzo Stacy Wasmuth.

This fun guide combines humour with solid know-how. There are sections to help casual photographers like myself, but lots for the more hardcore mamarazzi who want to play with their settings, investigate different gadgets, etc. The book is interspersed with tip sections from other photographers as well. Some highlights:

• Techniques for capturing genuine expressions instead of cheesy smiles (there's even a chapter called "No cheese, please!")
• Tips for every age and stage, from pregnancy/newborn to teens
• Basics of composition, lighting exposure, focus and white balance
• Camera settings and lenses

In a nutshell, the two best features of this book:
1. The GORGEOUS photography. You'll get tons of ideas for your own kids' shots, and enjoy the experience of savouring all of the fantastic work in the book.
2. The "voice". This is no textbook, and Stacy knows her audience. I laughed out loud at lines like "Does all this sound a bit like Charlie Brown's teacher: 'Waah, wah, waah, waaah'?" (after a particularly technical explanation) and "...wait for the magic moment and (cue Emeril's booming voice) BAM!"
It's like a private tutorial from your best girlfriend, who just happens to be a professional photographer.
So...pick up Mamarazzi and the Samsung ST30 and capture the rest of your family's summer memories!
Disclosure: I was provided with a loaner camera and a copy of the book for review purposes. Opinions are, as always, my own.