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Nikon Canada

Nikon MOMents: A is for Aperture

July 22, 2014 By Lena

A few weeks ago, I shared my fab news: I’m a Nikon MOMents Blogger! Over the next 12 months, I’ll be documenting my life (nothing new) with my Nikon D3300 camera (very new – and exciting). After taking in an informative training session last month, I felt ready to unleash my inner shutterbug.

Now if there’s one thing I learned from the Nikon D3300 training, it’s this: purchasing an expensive DSLR camera, and then proceeding to shoot in Auto, is likely one of the most costly mistakes you’ll ever make. It’s kind of like buying a car and not using the air conditioning, radio or power moonroof! Because if you don’t take the time to understand your new DSLR and its features, then you’re better off using your camera phone. Seriously, I mean that.

I’m guilty, of course. Last year, I purchased a DSLR camera and thought I was so-o cool. Sure, the quality of my pictures improved, but I was shooting still objects. And using the flash. And pretending like I knew what I was doing. That is, of course, until my son ran across the lawn, yelling “take a picture of me!” and as I held down the shutter in Auto (Flash Off) Mode… it returned a gloriously, über high quality, BLURRY photo.

But I spent hundreds of dollars on my camera! How rude!

And that’s why it’s great to have a kick-ass camera, but it’s equally important to know how to use it. After training, playing around, learning and being curious about the functions of my Nikon D3300 camera, I’m really starting to feel comfortable behind the lens. Today, I’m actually kind of giddy to show you how far I’ve come!

JW Marriott MuskokaNow y’all probably know that my husband and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary two weeks ago. We trekked up to the JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa, where we spent a few wonderful days celebrating our marriage and family. Camera in tow, I dared myself to move away from Auto to my new favourite mode, Aperture.

Ah, Aperture. Where have you been all my life?

Aperture refers to the opening of a lens’s diaphragm through which light passes. It is calibrated in f/stops, where the lower f/stops give more exposure because they represent the larger apertures, and the higher f/stops give less exposure because they represent smaller apertures. I *could* go into detail, but honestly, that’s what Google is for. All you have to know is this: Aperture mode gives you MUCH more control over the brightness, creative blur and sharpness of your photos. …

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: #NikonMOMents, JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa, Nikon Canada

I’m Ready to Capture Nikon MOMents

June 11, 2014 By Lena

About six months ago, I purchased my very first DSLR camera. Almost overnight, my blog’s photography component went from Jennifer Lopez to Meryl Streep. Sure, I was taking better photos, but that was mainly due to the fact that I simply owned a better camera. But for the most part, I was only shooting in two settings: “Auto” and “No Flash”.

Well, what good is a DSLR camera if you don’t have the training, skills and expertise to go with it?

That’s why I’m so pleased to be working on the Nikon MOMents campaign with Mom Central Canada for the next 12 months. Today, I’m off to enjoy a full day of training, which I’m hoping will give me the confidence and knowledge to get creative with my brand new Nikon DSLR camera. So I suppose what I’m saying is… get ready for gorgeous new photography on my blog in the months to come!

Nikon D3300So, what’s my new machinery? It’s the Nikon D3300.

Creating beautiful photos and videos has never been more fun! Life is full of surprising, joyful moments—moments worth remembering. The D3300 makes it fun and easy to preserve those moments in the lifelike beauty they deserve: stunning 24.2-megapixel photos and 1080p Full HD videos with tack-sharp details, vibrant colors and softly blurred backgrounds.

With its included zoom lens, the new ultra-compact AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II, the D3300 is a small and light HD-SLR and easy to use, too. Like sharing photos? The D3300 photos can appear instantly on your compatible smartphone or tablet for easy sharing with the optional WU-1a Wireless Adapter*!

Whether you’re creating high-resolution panoramas, adding artistic special effects or recording HD video with sound, the D3300 will bring you endless joy, excitement and memories—just like the special moments of your life.

Follow the #NikonMOMents hashtag for a great conversation about photography. Have a great day all!

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: #NikonMOMents, Mom Central Canada, Nikon Canada, photography

Celebrate #30DaysofSummer with Staples Canada

June 1, 2014 By Lena

I have a long list of perfectly preserved memories from my childhood summers.

Late nights on the porch with my little friends, swatting mosquitoes until my mom hollered from inside. Riding my bike to the neighbourhood park (which was much too far a jaunt without parental supervision by today’s standards – sans helmet or cell phone!). Double dutch on the sidewalk. Watching MuchMusic endlessly as one lazy day stretched into the next, hoping to catch A-Ha’s video for “Take on Me” or Belinda Carlisle’s “Mad About You”.

Not quite understanding the sexual innuendos in Three’s Company, but laughing along anyways.

instagram-buttonWith the arrival of June comes the unofficial start of summer. And what better way to preserve this year’s memories than a photo-a-day challenge? Sponsored by @StaplesCanada, follow along as I – along with some of your favourite bloggers – post themed photos to share our love of the season with #30SummerDays. Staples Canada is the place to find Wifi-enabled cameras from Canon and Nikon, which allow you to upload your pictures and movies on-the-go. A social sharer’s dream!

BONUS: To thank you for following along, at the end of the challenge, I’ll be giving away a Wifi-enabled camera to one lucky reader! Catch my posts on Instagram (@lenalivelovelaugh) daily, and if you’d like to participate yourself, here are the photo prompts:

#30SummerDays

1 – Rabbit, Rabbit! What brings you good luck?
2 – Monday, ugh! What’s keeping you going today?
3 – Who made you smile today?
4 – Look up. What do you see?
5 – #TBT (throw back Thursday) Share a photo from a past summer trip!
6 – National Doughnut Day! Snap a pic celebrating! Or, what did you have instead?!
7 – Saturday! What are you up to?

8 – Time to relax before the start of the week. What does relaxing look like to you?
9 – Manic Monday! What’s giving you a case of the Mondays?
10 – Is the sun out? Snap a pic! If not, what’s it like out there?
11 – Get over the hump of the week. How were you productive today?
12 – Treat yourself, it’s almost the weekend!
13 – Friday the 13th! Are you superstitious and ducking for cover, or out and about?
14 – Flag Day! Got one flying in the warm breeze?

15 – Happy Father’s Day! Snap a pic or share one of an awesome dad!
16 – Monday motivation. What motivates you?
17 – Got a pet? Share them with the world!
18 – Stretch those legs mid-week and go outside or for a walk. Snap and share!
19 – #OOTD, what are you wearing? Got your summer clothes on?!
20 – Happy Friday! You made it! Smile and say cheese!
21 – HAPPY SUMMER! Take a picture of what summer looks like to you to celebrate!

22 – Sunday Pancakes! Do you have a Sunday breakfast routine?
23 – Got those sandals out? What’s your favourite pair?
24 – What made you happy today?
25 – Are the flowers blooming? Take a picture of your favourite!
26 – Wehew, it’s hot out there. How are you cooling down?
27 – Last Friday of the month, what are you up to?
28 – Is today a beach day? Snap a pic and make everyone jealous!

29 – Go out for a picnic! Make sure to take a picture!
30 – Last day of June, how are you sending it off?

So… what brings me luck? Click here to find out! I look forward to spending #30SummerDays with y’all!

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: #30SummerDays, Canon, Instagram, Nikon Canada, Photo A Day Challenge, Staples Canada

#FamilyTravelCA: Let’s Talk Vacation Photography!

May 22, 2014 By Lena

This month, me and my girls @ChildMode, @FeistyFrugal and @SassyModernMom are welcoming four NEW moderators just in time to chat about vacation photography. Please welcome @Candace_DX, @Kidsumers, @MommyGearest and @RossanaWyatt to the #FamilyTravelCA family!

FamilyTravelCAJoin us on Tuesday, May 27th at 9pm EST. We’ll tweet up a storm with suggestions and tips on how to capture the best memories by honing your vacation photography skills.

2-WifiBut hey, a chat wouldn’t be nearly as fun without prizes! This month, please say thank you to Nikon Canada – they’re our official prizing sponsor and have provided AH-MA-ZING prizes: two coveted Nikon COOLPIX cameras, which are perfect for toting along on your family travel adventures.

Nikon is perhaps most well known for its reputation as a world leader in imaging products, and its technologies continue to play a significant role in defining the photographic industry. Nikon’s COOLPIX cameras are helping reshape how people take pictures and share them with others. By integrating sophisticated automatic features, Nikon’s COOLPIX cameras are making digital photography more accessible to consumers and enabling anyone to take stunning pictures.

RSVP below for a chance to win, and see you on Tuesday night! …

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Filed Under: Contests Tagged With: #FamilyTravelCA, Nikon Canada, Twitter Party, Vacation Photography

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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