Contents
Some things to consider before purchasing a digital camera
Digital Camera Basic Picture-Taking Tips
Uploading your photos to a computer
Printing Your Photos
Some things to consider before purchasing a digital camera
Point and Shoot vs. Digital SLR
There are two major divisions within your choices of digital cameras. A point and shoot offers you a more user-friendly format for beginners. The size and features will be familiar to most consumers who are converting from a point and shoot film camera. A Digital SLR can appeal to the more advanced consumers who are looking for more versatility and control of their photo experience as well as interchangeable lens and flash units.
Megapixels
Megapixels determine the quality of your photos. With a higher megapixel camera, you will obtain a clearer image when you enlarge it. A standard 4x6 printed photo from a 7 megapixel camera compared to a 12 megapixel camera will appear to have no difference in quality. The benefit in quality gained by increasing megapixels is more evident when you go up to sizes such as 8x10, 11x14 and beyond.
Optical Zoom vs. Digital Zoom
There is two types of zoom commonly found on digital cameras. Optical zoom is the movement of your lens to bring your subject closer to you. This allows you to zoom in on your subject without losing quality. The higher the optical zoom, the closer you can zoom in. Digital zoom uses internal cropping of existing images to digitally enlarge the image inside your camera. When cropping with digital zoom, keep in mind that your images can appear significantly more pixilated, which can lead to deteriorated quality (I would suggest never using digital zoom).
Disposable vs. Rechargeable Batteries
You will have the choice of either disposable batteries such as AA or AAA or a rechargeable proprietary battery. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Disposable batteries can be beneficial when you might travel to a foreign country that could have a different voltage system. While they have a lower initial investment, they can become more expensive in the long run. Rechargeable proprietary batteries tend to last longer and can be recharged. The initial expense is higher, but they can be much more cost-effective over time. A second, back-up rechargeable battery is definitely encouraged.
Output
You have many options for sharing your new pictures with family and friends. Printing at home, printing where you shop, online posting and email are just a few. Any of these options can determine which camera you pick. Printing at home or sharing online can be as simple as connecting the supplied USB cord to your PC and uploading the images. Printing where you shop is as easy as taking your memory card and choosing images to print, or burning onto CD or USB flash drive and taking into your local photo retailer.
Brand Preference
Every manufacturer offers different options. If you’re unsure which one to go with, look for online reviews from other customers or check out the manufacturer’s website for product and warranty information. If you liked the features and functionality of an old camera, a new camera of the same brand might be easier for you to adjust to.
Look and Feel
There are a multitude of digital cameras on the market today, each with a distinct look and feel. Make your camera choice as unique as you are!
Any potential camera buyer would also want to think about ways to protect their investment.
Camera Bag
Size, color, style, utility, and most importantly, overall protection, are all things to consider.
Memory
You will want to purchase a memory card along with your new camera since the internal memory (or supplied card) that comes with your new camera is most likely very small and extremely limited in storage capabilities. Also, you may want to pick up some CD or DVD media to back up your new files permanently.
Warranty Protection
You might also consider protecting your new camera beyond the manufacturer warranty by purchasing an extended service plan like a Geek Squad Black Tie Protection plan. Ask the customer assistant in your store about extended service plan options for protecting your new investment!
Digital Camera Basic Picture-Taking Tips
Get to know your new camera
Read your instruction manual to familiarize yourself with your cameras features and settings.
Protect your new camera
Use the hand/neck strap that is included with your camera to prevent it from dropping. This will also ensure that the strap will stay out of your shots.
Setting image resolution
Set your camera on the maximum resolution. You can always lower the resolution on your computer later, but you can never raise the resolution once it is taken.
Set to Auto
While you are learning, set your camera on AUTO mode. This automates most settings such as shutter speed and whether a flash is used, allowing you to focus only on taking pictures.
Focusing
Before taking your picture, hold the shutter button down half-way to auto focus the camera. Once it focuses it should give some signal by either flashing or beeping, which means that the camera is ready to snap the image.
Composing your image
Use the LCD screen (or the viewfinder with a DSLR) to frame up your image before you take it, making sure you have everything you want in your picture. The rule of thirds is a good general composition technique that usually will produce better looking images. The rule of thirds suggests placing your subject one third into your composition rather than centering your subject.
Keeping your images sharp
To prevent blurry pictures, hold your camera with both hands and keep your elbows close to your sides. In low light situations using a tripod will help make your images much sharper. Many digital cameras also have what is called image stabilization, and I would suggest making sure this feature is turned on if your camera has this feature.
Make sure your subject is lighted properly
Keep lighting in mind since light is what is needed for a properly exposed image. Turn your flash on in low light situations. Avoid taking pictures directly into the sun.
Don’t run out of power
Keep extra batteries or bring your a/c adapter if you are traveling.
More is better
Take LOTS of pictures! You aren’t wasting any film, and you can always delete images you don’t like.
Uploading your photos to a computer
Before you upload
Create a new folder on your computer where you can store your images. You may wish to create a folder with your name on it under “My Pictures” or directly on your desktop. A separate folder can be helpful, especially if multiple people share the camera or computer.
3 Ways to upload your images
1) Use the included USB cable to connect the camera directly into a USB port on your computer.
2) Purchase a USB card reader, which will allow you to plug your memory card directly into any computer.
3) Use built-in multimedia slots if included on your computer or printer.
After your images are uploaded to your computer
You may find it useful to change the “View” setting of your new folder. This is
commonly an option in the toolbar at the top of your folder. Changing the view
allows you to display your images as a list of file names, small thumbnails (mini-
photos) or in “filmstrip” mode which shows small thumbnails in a row with the
selected image enlarged so you can see more detail.
Double-clicking on any photo in your new folder will automatically open it within your computer’s default picture-viewing software, but generally will not allow you to make any alterations to the image itself. (See Basic Editing tips below)
As with any important files on your computer, it is highly recommended to immediately create a backup of your transferred photos. Two common ways to do this would be to save a copy on an external hard drive or to burn them to a CD or DVD.
To delete these photos from your memory card and clear up space for new photos, place the card back into the camera and select the “Format Card” feature from the menu. You should use the camera instead of your computer to format the card so that it can re-write any camera-specific data.
Basic Editing
Software
There may be image-editing software preinstalled onto your computer, otherwise most digital cameras come with basic editing software. For greater options and flexibility, you may wish to consider purchasing a more advanced software program (i.e. Photoshop Elements).
Rotating your images
Some cameras will automatically rotate the image so it is facing the right way. Basic editing software will allow you to rotate the image clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Cropping your images
Cropping an image allows you to digitally cut excess areas of the picture off – for example, if there is too much sky in your photo and you want to zoom in on your subjects instead, you can crop the excess sky out of the picture. Keep in mind that the more you crop an image the worse the resolution of that image gets.
Red-eye reduction
The red-eye reduction feature allows you to reduce the appearance of red-eye in
your photos, which is caused when the flash reflects off the back of the eye. Many cameras have a red-eye reduction flash feature that sets off small quick-flashes before the picture is taken; this delay can sometimes distract your subjects. Software can also make red-eye less visible by overlaying a darker color over the red area.
Printing Your Photos
There are three primary ways to print your images:
1. Using your printer at home
2. Having them printed at a photo lab
3. Using an online printing service
Printing at home
Printing at home not only allows you to work at your own pace, it provides you with quick access to your prints. Make sure to choose the right printer for your specific needs. Important factors to consider are the dpi (resolution), photo inks, and built-in memory card slots. The printer should have the ability to print to the largest size photograph you anticipate needing. You’ll also want to keep a full stock of supplies on hand, such as photo paper and extra ink.
Printing at a photo lab
Having your images printed by a photo lab will generally produce higher-quality prints at a lower price per print. Most locations have several options available. Some offer “instant” services, which could provide you with your prints in as little as an hour; while these are undoubtedly faster, photos processed on true photographic paper are superior in quality.
Online printing services
If you want the convenience of printing at home and the quality of a photo lab, an online printing service may be the best option for you. You upload the files, tell them what you want, and the photos are shipped to you. If you don’t have quality equipment and supplies at home or live far away from the nearest photo lab, this might be a great option for you.
Sharing Your Photos
Print extra copies for your family and friends
Printing copies is the most expensive option as you have to pay for the materials or service, but this is great for friends and family who don’t have access to print their own copies or view them electronically. This is great if you want to give a framed picture as a gift.
Burn to CD’s
CDs can be purchased in bulk at a relatively cheap cost. Handing out CDs gives your friends and family a much more permanent copy of your images.
Send your images via email
Sending your photographs via email is very convenient, but you will want to resize your files to a lower resolution before sending them. This will allow you to attach more images to your file and also prevent overloading your friends’ and family’s computers with huge files. Additionally, resizing makes images easier to view when opening within an email. Keep in mind that the recipient might not be able to print adequate copies of your images if they are resized too small.
Post your images on a social networking site
If you have a profile on a social networking site, you can post your photos to your profile for easy viewing by any of your contacts on the site.
Create an online photo album
Online photo album sites permit you to share your images at full resolution. They offer solutions for organizing and storing your images, and your friends and family can often print the photos or have copies mailed to them.
Allan
Community Connector
Best Buy® Corporate
Message Edited by Allan-BBY on 06-05-2009 03:59 PM
Message Edited by Allan-BBY on 06-05-2009 04:24 PM
Message Edited by Allan-BBY on 06-05-2009 04:34 PM
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