Digital
Camera Tips |
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The key
to buying the right digital camera is identifying your needs. Digital cameras
come in a great array of megapixel sizes. If you only want to take snap
shot to be viewed on screen or sent via the internet, a cheap 2 megapixel
camera is all you need. If you will be printing some shots at up to 8x10
inches, choose at least a 3 megapixel model. To print at 11x14 inches you
will need 4 megapixels and up. There are many inexpensive digital cameras to choose from today, but most people go for at least 3 or 4 megapixels. Other important considerations: How comfortable is the camera to hold and use? How many digital photos can the camera store? How easy is it to get the photos into your computer? How many of the features that your old camera had does the digital camera have? How do I take great pictures with my new digital camera? People take good pictures not cameras. It's up to you to compose the shot carefully, making sure that the lighting is correct, etc. Practice makes perfect. Digital cameras are great for this. You can experiment by taking as many test shots as you like using various camera settings, compositions, etc. You get instant feed back by way of the preview screen. If you don't like the shot, it can be deleted right away. Digital cameras need spare batteries Before you head out for a photo shoot, make sure that your batteries are fully charged and pack spares. If your camera uses rechargeable AA type batteries carry spares in case you are unable to recharge. Buy an extra battery if the camera uses a special battery type. And, to save power, use the camera's LCD view screen sparingly. Read the manual (this applies to men as well) Digital cameras tend to be laid out differently then the cameras which we are familiar with. If you take the time to read the manual, you'll get more satisfying photos, and you will be able to better navigate the camera's menu. Get extra memory Get as much storage memory as your budget will allow. For most photo enthusiasts, at least 64MB of memory is recommended. You should carry an extra memory card with you, especially on long trips. Photo file size is very important Digital cameras allow you to take pictures at different quality setting. The higher the setting the better the photo quality. Higher settings use more memory then lower settings. If you intend to make prints, always use a medium or high setting. The low setting should only be used when all you want to do is view the pictures on your computer or send them by email or over the internet. Think before you press the delete button You can press a button and delete a picture that you are reviewing on the LCD screen. But, once you press the button it is gone forever. Keep in mind that many marginal photos can be improved through the use of computer software. Transfer your digital pictures to a computer ASAP After a photo taking session, it is best to download the pictures to your computer's hard drive right away. Then you can delete the photos from the camera's memory and free up space ready for the next shoot. Enhance, repair, and have fun One of the greatest things about digital images is the amount of tinkering you can do once the images are in your computer. There are numerous inexpensive software products available, which will allow you to fix or enhance your photos. You can improve pictures which are slightly under or over exposed, soft and off-color. You should be able to remove red-eye and crop out unwanted objects. Give it a try. Store your photos safely Do not assume that if you store digital images on your computer that they are safe. If your hard drive crashes, all of your precious pictures will be lost. Always copy your photos to CD-R, DVD-R, ZIP, or JAZ for safe keeping. |
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