Think Tank Offers!

With the holidays here, its time to start (or finish) your shopping. Heres a few great offers from Think Tank photo just for you!

This first offer doesnt expire, its good even after the holidays.
Free gear with every order over $50!
For your free gift go to www.thinktankphoto.com/affiliate and enter the code AP-764 in the box.
At check out you will be able to chose your free gift!
You can use this offer with every purchase at ThinkTankPhoto.com!
I believe the more you spend, the better the offer gets, but Im not completely sure.
(if you do this, please leave a comment below or send me an email and let me know how it works, what your free gift options were, whatever you wanna share!)



This second offer is good until Dec 31, 2012.
FREE SHIPPING!
Think Tank is offering free FedEx ground shipping on all orders November 21 through December 31.
There is no code to enter at checkout, just select FedEx ground from the shipping options.
You can also use the free gear offer with this just be sure to follow the directions above first.

FREE SHIPPING OFFER IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. FREE GEAR OFFER IS STILL GOOD!
Disclaimer: Photos were provided by ThinkTankPhoto. I am sharing this offer through ThinkTankPhoto's affiliate program.

Lesson: Composition.

The composition of your photo can either make the photo, or break it. Bad composition can make an amazing scene look sloppy and unappealing. But good composition can take an ordinary scene and turn it into an extraordinary image.

A few things you must know about composition:

The subject - The subject itself, if its not interesting, chances are the image is also going to be uninteresting. 

Colors, if the background is white, and your subject is white, your image is going to be dull, look for contrast and interesting color combinations. If possible move your subject or change your background for still life images. 

Lighting, is the lighting too harsh, does it create an interesting shadow, or take away from the overall image?

And most importantly, sore the image tell a story, is it easy to understand, does it make you think, is it clear and easy on the eyes?

These are all important things to consider when initially photographing an object or scene.

The composition - 

Layout and position of subject. 

Camera position, angle and height.

Appropriate lens.

Focus point and depth of field.

Shutter speed.

These are all things you need to think about and adjust to create your perfect photo.

How to compose an image that is appealing to the eye:

Rule of thirds - The rule of thirds basically means, split your image into three sections horizontally and vertically. Where the lines cross is usually the best place to place your subject. Placing your secondary subject and the opposite crossing point makes for an even more interesting and balanced photo. Of course, rules are meant to be broken, and some images are more compelling when you dont follow this rule.

Lens Coat Review

LensCoat protects your gear rain or shine. Whether it be the elements, travel, or hazards of general use. LensCoat has you covered.

About LensCoat
LensCoat® Lens Covers are manufactured from 100% closed-cell neoprene, offering protection from bumps, jars and nicks, with a camouflage-pattern fabric cover. LensCoat® Lens Covers also provide a thermal barrier, protecting your hands from cold lenses in lower temperatures. They are easy to install and remove, sliding on like a sleeve, leaving no residue on the lens. And LensCoat® lens covers are waterproof, providing protection in harsh conditions.
Other features include a clear, flexible UV-PVC window over the AF/IS/VR controls and the distance-scale window. The LensCoat® also features custom holes that reveal the red-dot for easy alignment to the camera body without removing the cover.
LensCoat® Lens Covers are available for a wide variety of lenses and extenders. LensCoat® can also make CUSTOM COVERS.
LensCoat products are Made in America!
Thats such a huge plus! I would rather pay twice as much for a product made in the USA than support companies overseas, but fortunately these products are really well priced!

LensCoat Canon 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS - Black - $29.99

This is the LensCoat to fit on one of my lenses. It comes with instructions on how to put it on your lens. It fits perfectly, its soft and comfortable. They leave a little hole and notch for your AF and IS controls. (Be careful when putting it on not to stretch and tear your LensCoat)
The only problem Ive found with this product is when I put my lens in my camera bag it must have shifted the lenscoat, and when I took it out it had a little wrinkle in it where it was bent back. Also since this is a pretty small lens the two end pieces which are only about 3/4" so they can slip a little, but no biggie.
This product offers great protection and camouflage if you get it in camo. Great price! Id much rather spend $30 on this than risk having to spend another $300 on a new lens if it gets dinged up.

BodyBag® compact w/lens - Black - $27.99

Made from the same material as the coats, the body bag fits your camera with a lens up to 4.5" attached. This offers the same great protection as the coat, but for your whole camera and lens. You camera slides right in easily, and the bag closes with velcro, no annoying buckles or zippers to get stuck.

I havent found any problems with this product.

This product is great for storage, travel, and everyday use. Great value, wouldnt you much rather spend less than $30 on a product designed to protect your camera and lens, than have to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on a new one?

LensPouch Small/XSmall - Black - $16.00/$15.99

Also made from the neoprene, these are great products to store your lenses in for storage, travel, etc. 

I havent found any problems with this product.

Available in seven different sizes for the perfect fit. The LensPouch includes a removable reinforced front element protection disc for your lenses. An easy pull cord closure allows fast and easy access. A convenient 1" belt loop allows you to connect your LensPouch to a belt or to a belt system; the bag also includes a heavy duty snap hood to clip onto your belt, jacket, or camera bag. Flattens and compacts when empty for easy storage.

LensCoat® RainCoat Standard/Medium - Black - $79.99/$59.99

LensCoat® RainCoat Rain Sleeve provides protection for your camera and lens from the elements like rain, snow, salt spray, dirt, sand and dust while allowing you easy access to the camera and lens controls. 

They Standard (left) was a little confusing when I first opened it, the little arm hole was on the inside, so I had to pu ll it out before I figured it out. Your camera should be on a tripod to put this on, otherwise it might be a little difficult. But when its on a tripod it slips on fast and easy. Its a great product to keep in your camera bag for those "out of the blue" moments when you need to cover your camera fast. It also comes in very handy when shooting at beaches, with sea spray and such.

The RainCoat RS comes in three sizes Small (for camera body and lens up to 10") and Medium (for camera body and lens up to 15") and Large (for camera body and lens up to 21"). The RainCoat is constructed from a lightweight waterproof, breathable material.

LensCoat® Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloth - $6.95

LensCoat® Micro Fiber cleaning cloth High quality Micro Fiber cleaning cloth.
Honestly, havent seen much difference in this than most other high quality microfiber cloths. It is a lit cheaper than most though, which is great. It also comes in a rigid plastic case, which will help keep it clean and dry.
Great for cleaning Camera lenses, LCD screens, Telescopes and Binoculars, Eyeglasses, Mobile phone, CDs, Electronic appliance, Jewelry, Crystal and much more.

I absolutely love every one of these products and I know you will too! Feel free to leave your thoughts on these products. :)

You can find all these products, and much more at LensCoat.com.
LensCoat makes products for Canon and Nikon products, they also make custom products.
This company makes some really cool products. I definitely recommend you go check them out!

I wanna send huge thanks to Scott! And everybody over at Lenscoat!
Disclaimer: Photos are from LensCoat.com. The products in this review was provided to me for the purpose of writing a review. This in no way effects the quality of the review provided. All opinions are my own. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for this post or review. The views expressed in this review are strictly my own opinions. All reviews provided here are the work of myself and remain completely unbiased.