|
|
 |
| |
| |
Digital
cameras have completely changed the possibilities
of the photography process. How we take photos, how
they are processed, how we view them and even how
we share them.
|
|
| |
 |
- What
is a digital camera?
|
|
Essentially
a digital camera is the same as a standard camera. You use
it in a similar way (point and click) to take pictures,
which you then process and keep. It is just the how that
is different.
Digital cameras let you take a picture and view it immediately
(on the LCD screen on the back of the camera). If you are
happy with the image – save it to memory card. If you aren’t
happy with it, delete the image and try again till you are.
Once you have your collection of images, connect your digital
camera to your PC (via the provided USB cable) and they
are uploaded. From here – print your images yourself, send
them to an online image service for printing, edit them,
email them, post them on your web site, or store them on
CD-ROM.
|
|
- What
can I do with a digital camera
|
|
| Digital
cameras still let you do all the things you can do with your
regular camera – zoom, self-timers, personalised settings
and so on. But they can also give you many more features –
short movie recording, voice capture, choice of colour, sepia
or black & white (at a push of a button), panoramic and
more. And they are still portable. Like regular cameras, the
trend is to small so you can easily carry it in your pocket
or bag. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quality
of the image depends on the specifications of the camera.
The quality of the image is determined by the pixel resolution.
The higher the count, the better the image.
However, you can also determine what quality your images
are (up to the spec of your camera). If it’s for work (just
taking a picture to remind yourself what something looks
like and you won’t be printing them), quality of image may
not be as important so set the resolution to lower. But
if it’s family (and you will want to print and frame them)
set the resolution to it’s highest.
This is important when it comes to storing your images on
the memory card. The higher quality the image, the bigger
it’s file size. This means you fit more, lower quality images
on a memory card than higher quality images. The bigger
the card in your camera, the more images you can store on
the camera, before downloading to your PC.
Most cameras are supplied with a low capacity memory card.
Additional memory cards can be purchased separately. Which
is highly recommended! This is your film. If you are travelling
with a laptop, or have constant access to a PC, you can
upload your images often. But if you are on the road, there
is nothing worse than not been able to get that great shot
because you don’t have any film left! We do recommend you
purchase the largest memory card you can afford. Cards are
available from 8Mb to 128Mb.
|
|
- Then
what do I do with the images
|
|
|
By
uploading the images to a computer means you can edit them
using one of the many pieces of editing software available
e:g Adobe Photoshop. Once you are happy with your pictures,
you can print them off using glossy paper – just like a
standard 35mm photo. They can be printed any size from a
standard 6x4 to 10x8 – its up to you. Just remember that
the higher the resolution, the better the quality when you
print.
|
|
|
|
|
- Cost – you don’t have to wait
for the photos to be developed to realise everyone’s eyes
were shut! You only save and print the pictures you want.
No wasted developments.
- Don’t miss the great shot. If
you didn’t get the shot the first time, you know straight
away and get another opportunity to take it.
- Share with your family and friends.
Images can be shared easily – either via email, on-line
photo albums or on your own web site.
- Edit or personalise your images.
With the right software, you can either get rid of the
red-eye, or turn everyone’s eyes red! Adapt, fix, personalise
pictures. Turn them into calendars, greeting cards, T-shirts
or screen-savers.
|
|
- Key
features to look out for
|
|
- Pixel resolution – quality of
images
- Zoom – optical being of more benefit
than digital
- LCD screen – size of the viewing
screen may be important to you
- Memory – size, and whether internal
or removable (memory card)
|
|
- Key
features to look out for
|
|
- Memory
cards – to increase your storage capacity.
- Software
– to be able to edit and manipulate your images.
- Printers
– fantastic photo quality printers are now available from
the big printer names via Argos.
- Speciality
papers – having invested in both your camera and photo
quality printer, get the best prints possible by using
special photo paper. Depending on the combination, you
really won’t be able to tell the difference from what
you get from your local photo development outlet.
- Digital
camera bags – protection from any unwanted bumps or knocks.
|
|
| Jargon
Buster |
|
Sony
Memory Stick To expand your camera image
storage capability. Available in 64Mb, only. Check
compatibility with your chosen camera.
|
|
Fuji
Compact Flash and Smart Media Memory Cards
To expand your camera image storage capability. Available
in 32Mb, 64Mb, and 128Mb. Check compatibility with
your chosen camera.
|
|
Digital
Zoom Enlarges an image with digital technology.
As this involves enlarging the pixel size, there is
a degree of quality being sacrificed (the sharpness
of the image may be lost). Also see Optical Zoom.
.
|
|
LCD
Screen The camera’s screen allows you to
review your image. It can also be used as a viewfinder..
|
|
Memory
Rather than a film, digital cameras store the image
in its memory (much like a computer). This can be
internally, although is normally in the form of a
memory card. Memory is measured in Mb. The bigger
the memory, the more images you can store.
|
| Optical
Zoom
The zoom you are used to with your regular camera. Optical
zoom magnifies your image without loss of quality. It
essentially magnifies before the image is taken. Also
see Digital Zoom. |
| Pixels
The many, many coloured dots making up an image. |
Pixel
Resolution Image quality is determined by the pixel
resolution (pixels being the many, many dots that make
up a picture). The higher the pixel count/resolution,
the better the image quality. They are measured in millions.
The following gives you an idea of what pixel resolution
you should be looking for based on your needs:
| Below
1 million |
Ideal
for email |
| 1-2
million |
6”
x 4” printing |
| 2-3
million |
7”
x 5” printing |
| 3
million + |
10”
x 8” printing |
|
| Kodak
Memory Card To expand your camera image storage
capability. Available in 32Mb, 64Mb, and 128Mb. Check
compatibility with your chosen camera. |
| Smart
Media Memory Card To expand your camera image
storage capability. Available in 32Mb, 64Mb, and 128Mb.
Check compatibility with your chosen camera. |
| USB
Connection/Cable The link between your digital
camera and PC, it provides fast ‘plug and play’ download
between the two. |
|
|
| |
|
|
