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Things to love about digital cameras
- No film = Lots of shots. Print the ones you like, delete
the rest.
- Instant gratification.
- Easy to email and share.
- Download to store and pickup prints - only one trip and no
waiting. Or, print it at home.
- Don't need to wait for the end of a roll.
- Can edit and crop photos.
- Video too.
Things to hate about digital cameras
- They can do more than a comparably priced film camera, so
there's a lot to learn. Too many options.
- Delay when shooting = missed shots.
- Dead batteries.
- Expensive to print at home.
Selecting a Camera
Resolution/Pixels
Digital cameras capture dots (actually square and called pixels)
using an electronic sensor. More pixels means more detail and
sharper edges (good things), but cost more and take up more
storage space (bad things). Number of pixels wide x number of
pixels tall = megapixels (millions of pixels).
Generally,
- Two or less megapixels is good enough for sharing photos
on the Internet.
- Three is OK for 4x6 prints, but doesn't leave much room
for cropping.
- Four to six is common and leaves room for cropping or
larger prints.
- Eight might be the point of diminishing returns. Very
large files.
- Check for the best 2:3 ratio if you want 4x6 prints. If a
camera is listed at 4MP (2304x1728), the best 4x6 print
would be 2304x1536 (3.5MP).
Video
- Resolution / Pixels: Usually 320x240 (youtube size) or
640x480 (Ok for TV).
- Frames per second: Under 20 = jerky footage.
- Often can't change zoom or other settings while
shooting.
- Only really expensive cameras as good as digital video
recorders.
- Can be much better than still
photos of an event and easy to
share.
Storage
Storage dictates how many photos you can take before the camera
is full. Most cameras have built-in storage, which is
never adequate. Memory cards come in a variety of incompatible
formats. Luckily, most memory cards are inexpensive. Plan for
more than you can imagine using.
Batteries
Digital cameras can eat batteries, especially if you use the LCD
instead of the optical viewfinder. The best AA batteries for
cameras are NiMH (nickel-metal hydride). They are rechargeable,
environmentally friendly, and relatively inexpensive. It's a
good idea to have two (or more) sets. Regular alkaline batteries
will drain quickly and cost much more in a very short time. LION
(Lithium/Ion) batteries are long lasting, but expensive and
useful only in cameras. Batteries will drain while sitting
unused in a camera. Some cameras will "forget" their settings if
the batteries are removed for too long.
Zoom
An optical zoom lens is like a telescope, it changes what comes
into an eye. A digital zoom lens merely enlarges and crops
the image leading to pixilation. A 3X optical zoom is common and
usually lists the film equivalent (e.g. 33mm-114mm). More
powerful zooms are useful, but might need stabilization.
Flash
Most cameras have an automatic flash, which is OK for "normal"
photographs. It is easy to outshoot
the range of the the flash. A stronger flash reaches farther but
takes more power, either requiring more batteries or depleting
them more quickly. Flashes often cause "red
eye." Many cameras have a red-eye setting or you can
edit it out. Sometimes, it is
better to turn the flash off and utilize the natural light. An
even light is better than a washed out image with shadows behind
it. Flashes should be turned off when shooting distant images,
such as at stadiums.
Viewfinders / LCD
Using the LCD on the back of the camera to compose is convenient
(WYSIWYG) but uses batteries. Decide how big an LCD you want.
Composing the shot on the LCD is great, but make sure to
properly brace the camera to prevent shakes.
Reviews.
Tips for using a camera
Some common programmed settings
Automatic - The settings that work best for the average
photograph. You are letting the camera think for you.
Portrait - Makes selected area (face) sharp and the rest
of the image less focused. This limits the
depth of
field.
Sports - Uses a shorter exposure to capture the
action without blurring.
Landscape - Adjusted to capture
distant details. Not to be confused with either kind of
Panorama.
Party / Children- Optimized for indoor
lights and people.
Night - Uses a longer exposure to
get more light into the camera, but watch for flaring. Longer
exposures are not a good idea if the subject is
moving.
Fireworks - Uses a very long
exposure. You will need to stabilize the camera..
Close-up or Macro - For very tight
close-ups
(under 2 feet).
Snow, Beach, Backlight - Some cameras have programmed
settings for special light conditions.
Burst mode - Multiple quick
shots. Consider using with Sports mode, though it can be useful
for portraits.
Priority - Choose your shutter speed, aperture
or ISO and let the camera set the rest.
Advanced Settings
To access advanced settings, you might need to use the camera's
menu. Examples include white balance (which can correct for
fluorescent lights) or fully manual. Read a good book about
digital camera settings and photography before you start.
Focus
Most digital cameras have an automatic focus, which sets the
focus based on what is in the middle of the image. Some will
focus on faces, if they can be identified, or multiple points.
You can use the
two-stage shutter release
to lock in a different focal point.
Tripods and Monopods
When using settings with longer exposures or distant zooms, it
helps to steady the camera. The blur
from pressing the shutter release can also be a problem. Tripods
are more stable and flexible, monopods are cheaper and easier to
carry. Many newer cameras have software based stabilization,
which is a partial substitute.
When using your digital (or any) camera
- Use the Timer to get into the photo or eliminate the blur
sometimes caused by pressing the shutter release.
-
More light is usually better, especially if it is
natural light.
- Get close. Fill the frame with
what you want more of.
- Pay attention to background, contrast and
lighting.
- Keep your camera at the subject's
eye level. You want to avoid pictures taken from an
adult human eye's view, which is to say, looking down. Get
down on your hands and knees if you have to.
- When photographing a living
creature, it's almost always best to focus on the eyes. Make
the eyes sharp. It's where people look first.
-
Rule of thirds. Some cameras even show a grid as an
option.
- Use framing to highlight
important points.
- Where to learn more:
Lexar Tips + Lessons,
Short Courses and
Kodak.
After shooting, before printing
Printing options
- Home printers (often more costly than professional
processing, but faster)
- Clicks and mortar stores (Wal-Mart
and Walgreens)
- On-line sites (Snapfish)
- Not limited to 4x6. Can include calendars, mugs, mousepads,
shirts.
- Free (temporary) online storage and sharing.
Sharing digital photos
- Email as an attachment. Hotmail will shrink them for easy
sending / viewing.
- Load them on your website or blog.
- Photo sharing sites such as
Flickr
or Photobucket.
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This page is located at
www.mcmillanlibrary.org/programs/camera.html
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