So you were bored, and you thought that a couple of helium balloons were calling out your name. So you go about inflating all 150 of them, wondering why you did, and still doing it in the first place.

Now, if you think that a bird's-eye-view of your town would be nice, then you might want to hold on to those balloons a little longer. Why? Well, you might want to try what two guys (Stefan and Michel, whose site we also got these pictures from) in Willemstad, Netherlands did: do aerial photography by making use of 150 helium balloons.

How? Just grab a decent (meaning something cheap and disposable, but can automatically take pictures within intervals) camera, tie the balloons around it, and voila! Instant aerial photography without the fuss of a chopper. And how did it turn out? Let's just say this is one experiment that's worth inflating 150 balloons for.

Who says technology is just for adults? Digital Blue, an electronics company, has produced a line of digital cameras, as well as a digital camcorder that caters specifically for kids and teens. The said line features Disney-themed gadgets that are sturdy, and user-friendly (so kids won't have to fumble around with techie mumbo-jumbo).

The picture we have on the left is the Pix-Click Micro, a compact digital camera. The Pix-Click Digital Camera is a somewhat bigger version of the Pix-Click Micro, and has removable faceplates so kids can change the camera's designs whenever they please.

They also have the Pix-Max which features 3.0 megapixels, a 1.5-inch color screen and  photo enhancements (you could actually add Disney images to your photos). All cameras come in various Disney designs, as well as the Disney Pix, a photo-editing software.

The digital camcorder is called the Princess Digital Movie Maker which enables kids to shoot videos and do stop animation, and could also be used as a webcam.

The Micro and Movie Maker will hit the stores on September 1st, while the Pix-Click Digital will be made available on mid-October. You could check out the Pix Max on November 1. Prices of the cameras will range from $19.99 to $99.99.

Fujifilm has developed the first D-SLR factory-produced yet specifically tailored camera for ultraviolet and infrared photography.

Known as the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR Digital SLR (whew!), it replaces the problematic UV and IR filters with a "specially formulated glass protective filter." More importantly, the said camera is able to take pictures of things we don't normally see under the naked eye, such as tattoos on a burnt body (pretty morbid, we know).

This proves to be quite a valuable tool in law enforcement and medical purposes, but it could also be used for art, just like photographers Minor White and Ansel Adams did. According to Mike Brooks, a law enforcement agency consultant, "The enhanced image quality is another great advantage of this camera – it has the ability to capture mid-tones, which is crucial with the contrasty subjects we commonly shoot and it provides a wider exposure latitude than other D-SLRs."

Moreover, it could also be used to detect differences in similar-looking signatures and inks, injuries below the skin, and even detect the presence of gunpowder. The FinePix S3 Pro UVIR Digital SLR camera will be available this September for $1800 USD.

This innovation opens up lots of possibilities in D-SLRs nowadays. Who knows what they'll come up with next?

When Kodak released its first dual lens camera (the Kodak Easyshare V570), I thought there was no way for things to get better. For one, those two lenses are just lovely. And the wide-angle shots that you could take with the camera is just fantastic (and that means I'll have less trouble taking pictures of the whole clan during holidays!). I don't even have to worry about my shaky hands anymore with the digital image stabilization technology. Taking videos with it also comes as a bonus.

Now, Kodak has announced another dual-lens camera: the V705 (just switch the numbers in your previous model, and voila! You have a new name for your new camera). More like an upgrade to the Easyshare V570, it boasts of 7-megapixel prints (its predecessor has 5MP), 5X optical zoom range for better close-ups, plus the usual video mode (you could take videos up to 80 minutes), 2.5' LCD, red-eye and blur alert, as well as cropping features and easy picture sharing. This will be available on September, and will cost $349.95 USD.

Another baby is born to the Kodak digital camera family, the Kodak Easyshare C875. It features a whopping 8-megapixel prints, 5X zoom lens as well as a 2.5'' LCD. But the striking feature of the C875 is the "smart scene" mode where it actually chooses the best scene for your shot. This will be available at the end of the month, for $299.95 USD.

The last newcomer is the Kodak Easyshare G600 Printer Dock. Just prop your Pictbridge or Imagelink compatible device on top of it, and get your pictures printing in no time (4"x6" prints are done in 60 seconds). Its built-in handle makes it convenient to lug around, and it automatically charges your Kodak camera battery, too. Plus with the Kodak Xtralife lamination, prints are guaranteed waterproof, fingerprint proof, stain resistant, and wipable. It's available in stores now, for $149.95 USD.

A few weeks ago, we made an article on how to capture motion in photography. If you recall, one technique we cited was "freezing the motion" where you'll make it seem as if the action was paused when you took the picture. An example would be a car about to crash at stand-still, or a basketball player doing a slam dunk.

If you still have no idea as to what I'm saying here, just take a look at some pictures taken by photographer extraordinaire Andrew Davidhazy, that might prove to be better examples of "frozen motion." The first batch are objects about to explode. From left to right are a lemon, an orange, and an egg.

The next batch are black and white photos of water falling from a glass:

The next batch of pictures are candle flames seen from a "schlieren-perspective:"

Want to turn your Canon IXUS into a microscope capable of photography? Well it seems that the guys over at X-Loupe thought of the same thing. They recently produced the X-Loupe PRO, an attachment compatible with the Canon IXUS digital camera.

This contraption is actually a mini-microscope, and when attached to your IXUS, has the capability to take 5-megapixel pictures or even videos. Its LED lens ring gives you the freedom to adjust the light on your subject depending on your taste. Moreover, you could preview your shots by connecting the IXUS to your TV, so you could share your pictures instantly to friends and family. Its battery lasts for about four hours, or approximately 150 pictures.

The X-Loupe PRO comes in 60X, 100X and 150X lens, and you could get it with the Canon IXUS online for US$1449. Not bad for something that could be used both for creative and educational purposes.

So go ahead. Satisfy your curiosity for all things little (or big) with the X-Loupe PRO and Canon IXUS.

Wondering how jewelry photography works? Fret no more. Here are some guidelines on how to take effective pictures of jewelry.

Focus - Before starting, let's have a rundown on things that you might want to consider before going on a jewelry-snapping frenzy. One is getting to know your camera's "spot focus mode." You see, the normal focus mode of digital cameras is an "average focus mode." That means the camera will focus on a "a wide area of scene" and focus on that wide area. However, since you're going to do jewelry photography, you want your subject to be the center of attention, and not have it share the limelight with anything else. You're going to need a digital camera with a "good manual focus capability." In this "experiment," the digital camera used was a Canon Digital Rebel.

Lighting - Another thing you might want to keep in mind is lighting. According to our source, soft lighting works well with jewelry, and daylight balanced compact fluorescent bulbs are recommended for lighting. Also, the camera's flash doesn't work well with jewelry, so you'll really need good lighting to get the best pictures.

Exposure - You might also want to review your camera's exposure compensation controls (known as "EV" for Exposure Value). Setting your camera at +1 is recommended, but you might want to try other values that suit your picture just right.

Lastly, having a tripod, studio lights and an EZCube are recommended, as they are used in all techniques.

To add sparkle to gems, you're going to need three lights: two for both sides of the EZCube, and another for highlighting a gem's sparkle (to do this, you must position the light directly on the gem). Remember, the third light should be weaker than the two side lights. After that, you're ready to shoot away!

Another technique is using a white or clear high gloss acrylic platform to show the jewelry's reflection. Just place your subject on top of it and try taking pictures of the piece in different positions to see which angle is most flattering.

You could also use a black acrylic platform for a dramatic effect. Remember to also place a black piece of paper on top of the EZCube to remove all unwanted reflections.

And to make your accessories (such as pendants) stand upright without the help of a bust, get a bead of wax and place your subject on top of it.

So, snap away and let's see how you'll manage to capture your very elegant (not to mention expensive) pieces of jewelry using these techniques discussed.

Who wouldn't forget the good old Walkman you used to tote around with when you were younger? Back then, it seemed as if it was THE gadget. Since its release in 1979, Sony has been riding the waves of success.

Now that Sony has turned 60 this year, writer Yuri Kageyama poses this question: Is Sony losing its magic touch? According to Kageyama, Sony seems focused on producing ultra-luxurious products that are conforming less and less to consumers' wants and needs.

One such example was the Qualia line of luxury products released three years ago, which included a "$3,300 digital camera and a $13,000 audio console that automatically centered a compact disc regardless of how carelessly it was tossed into the player." Kageyama says that products such as those widen the gap between Sony and consumers. It seems that consumers are more after practicality than luxury, even if the said products were made by an established name in the business.

However, if you go by the numbers, Sony hasn't entirely lost the plot. In fact, this year, things are looking up for the Japanese company - they earned $276 million for its first fiscal quarter, not a spectacular figure but still a turnaround from their $65.2 million loss last year. Also, Sony President Ryoji Chubachi believes that their TV sets and portable music players are still number one. To ensure this, revamps were made, such as bringing Apple's Tim Schaff to develop its software, and cooperating with Samsung Electronics to work on light crystal displays for TV sets.

Moreover, Sony is now lending an ear to its consumers (which resulted to pulling out the Qualia line) and maintains a "full scope of its business."  With its motto, "Sony United," the company strives for more inter-connectivity with its other departments, a lesson learned after a mishap with the production of its digital music player (which initially supported ATRAC3 files instead of the MP3 format, which doesn't have protection against illicit copying) which could have been prevented if the software designers maintained strong communication lines with the product designers.

So is Sony still the king in the biz? We really can't tell just yet. How about you, what do you think?

Do you enjoy snapping away at itsy-bitsy spiders and other tiny creatures just for fun?

If you're into taking close-up pictures of things, which in fancy terms is called macro photography, then we have some great tips for you. You might want to take note of these things whenever you head out to the great outdoors with your cam.

Avoid camera shake - We understand that nothing can get you more excited than seeing a caterpillar nibbling on a leaf, but we advice you to not let your excitment take over you when you start taking pictures. This will make your hands all shaky and your picture all blurry as well. If you can't contain your joy (or you can't prevent your hands from shaking), maybe you could consider bringing a sturdy tripod with you instead.

Experiment with Apertures - The smallest aperture (the largest f-number) will give your subject sharp focus, while larger apertures (small f-numbers) do the opposite. Both could be very effective with certain subjects, though, so take time to experiment with it.

Keep the focus pin sharp - The best way to do this is to use manual focus so you'll be able to focus on your spot of choice. Decide which will be the key point of your composition and set your focus on that.

Watch for subject movement - However good you are keeping your hands steady and your cameras focused, you can't control everything especially when your subject moves. You might want to check our previous article on this tip.

Additional Light - White cards or aluminum foils make great reflectors whenever you need additional light.

Don't let the background "drown" your subject - Remember that your subject is the focal point of the picture, so be careful not to let your background overpower it.

We hope these tips help you in your quest to snap away at all things small and beautiful.

Thinking of making your directorial debut now? Maybe you should check out the Canon HD Video Lens for your Canon XL H1 HD camcorder. It features 6x zoom, and produces sharp images due to its UA (Ultra High Refractive Index Aspherical) glass elements.

But it's strictly not for cinematographers only, as photographers alike could enjoy the lens' exciting features. Wanna capture some animals in an African safari, but don't want to get "too involved" (unless of course, you want to get bitten)? Just make use of the the Canon HD Video lens. With its 24.5 to 147 mm zoom, you could capture high-quality images that are not within your reach.

The lens would be released around mid-November, with a price tag of $2,999.