An Introduction to Digital Photography

What you want & What you need

Contents

· The right System

· MPX-Mega pixels (a definition)

· Picking a Camera (Usage)

· Photography Options

· Optical & Digital Zoom

· Lenses

· Focus & Composition

· Software (in camera)

· Shutter Speeds

· Storage

· Power & Flash

· Viewfinders

· Managing your Pictures (next class)

Suggested Amateur System

· MAC with 64MG RAM OR PC WITH 128MG RAM & 10 to 20 Gig Hard drive w/Serial & USB ports

· 15” Display w/800 x 600 (64K Colors)

· Imaging software (Photo deluxe, Picture It)

· 600 DPI Color Scanner & 8X CD-RW drive or zip drive for storing pictures.

· Color Printer capable of 2400X1200DPI (HP PhotoSmart 1215 5ppm)

Suggested Advanced System

· MAC with 128MG RAM OR PENT 4 PC WITH 256MG RAM 512 IS BETTER & 40 to 60 Gig Hard drive w/Serial & USB ports

· 17” Display w/1024 x 768 (16M Colors)

· Imaging software (Adobe Photo Shop) or other w/levels and curves.

· 1200 DPI Color Scanner & 12X CD-RW drive or 250Meg zip drive for storing pictures.

· Color Printer capable of 2400 X 1200DPI (HP PhotoSmart 1315 17ppm)

When Configuring a System

· Don’t upgrade, consider a new system & hardware (most PC systems 2yrs or older will not support WinXP)

· If you decide to upgrade, insure system will support hardware (drivers, applications, etc.)

· If get new system w/WinXP, be sure the hardware & software you select or use will run on XP

MPX-Mega pixels (a definition)

· The measurement for digital cameras that shows you how many picture elements are in the Charged Coupled Device (CCD) in your camera (most cameras).

· A picture element is a light sensitive diode, which convert photons (light) into electrons (electrical charge).

· For this presentation measurement is expressed in mpx

Current Photography Option

· An inexpensive option if you have a 35mm camera, & you require prints

· Develop pictures and request Kodak CD

· Possibly update your system to add add’l memory to insure reasonable print speed

Picking a Camera (Usage)

· Email to family & friends

· No need for quality

· 1 mpx Camera w/internal storage

· Present system is OK no need to upgrade

Picking a Camera (Usage)

· 3x4 or 4x6 Prints for albums or reg. mail

· 1.2 to 2 mpx Camera w/storage media

· Purchase 2 sets of rechargeable batteries

· and an extra storage card.

· Use Amateur System specs.

Picking a Camera (Usage)

· 5x7 Prints for Framing

· 2 + mpx Camera w/storage media and 2x optical zoom and extra cards

· Purchase 2 sets of rechargeable batteries

· Use Amateur System specs.

· For printing of Personal Photos, use suggested scanner on System specs.

Picking a Camera (Usage)

· 8 x 10 Prints to enhance w/imaging software; Photo quality

· 3.3 mpx Camera w/internal storage & 4 x optical zoom, li ion or nimh battery

· 128 to 256 extra card storage

· Use Advanced System specs.

· For printing of Personal Photos, use suggested scanner on System specs.

Picking a Camera (Usage)

· A professional and advanced amateur, I need 11 x 14 for publication, & a larger

· 4 - 5 mpx or 6-7mpx SLR with inter changeable lenses &li ion or nimh battery

· Upgrade Advanced System with add’l memory (512MB +) for faster printing of high resolution prints

·

· Possible Photography Option

· An option if you have a 35mm camera, & you have color slides

· Develop pictures add a 35mm slide scanner (to scan slides or negatives) to Advanced System

· Upgrade Advanced System to a 6 color or dye sublimation printer (to print quality prints)

Optical & Digital Zoom (defin.)

· Optical zoom is the amount of zoom optically performed by the camera lens.

· Digital Zoom is actually in-camera cropping which is performed by selecting a portion of a picture which reduces available pixels for printing

Optical & Digital Zoom (recommendation)

· Digital zoom should not be considered in the purchase of a digital camera. It can be performed with Photo applications.

· For most of you, 2 to 4 x optical zoom should be sufficient

· For those with advanced requirements, there are cameras with higher optical zoom (Up to 10x). >10x requires the purchase of an add’l lens.

Lenses

Most digital cameras come with:

· No Lens cap

· Automatic Lens cap

· A removable cap

· Clam shell design

· Recommend Clam Shell OR AUTO CAP to protect lens

Focus & Composition

· Focus - Some cameras have a macro feature for photographing close subjects (i.e. flowers)

· Composition - Some cameras allow you to compose the picture through the main lens (SLR), but these are expensive

· There are some w/digital viewfinders

Software (in camera)

· New Technology

· Must learn (read the directions)

· Windows similar to your computer

· Most have Automatic or Dummy mode

Behind the windows

· Film speed, shutter speed, shoot menu

· Movies, sound, burst, Best Shot

· Playback, PIM, white balance,

· Folders, metering, flash modes

Shutter Speeds

· The fastest shutter speeds offered on most digital cameras are between 1/500th & 1/1000th of a sec. (for action events)

· If you want a picture of stars at night or city at night, you need at least 4 sec. exposure. So, choose your model accordingly.

More on Storage (Digital Film)

· Storage - Sometimes called digital film. All but the cheapest cameras come with a removable memory card.

· This feature is the main advantage over film cameras, but unless you have a place to store pictures (laptop), buy additional memory cards. The price has come down, so you can add 64 and 128mg and higher cards.

Power & Flash

· Power - All cameras are battery operated with either AA or lithium ion. Though both can be recharged, AA’s take up to 12 hours and lithium ions 90min. Also lithium ions have longer battery life.

· Flash - Most cameras come with built-in flash. You may require an additional attachment for more light. Check if your camera will allow external flash

Viewfinders

· All cameras have an optical viewfinder, and most have an LCD (2" display window).

· The LCD doubles as a viewfinder, and a display to view shots in storage.

· If you don’t like the picture, just delete it in the camera, and make the space available for another picture.

· The LCD also allows you to set other functions in the camera

BUYING THE CAMERA

· What comes with full priced camera?

· Instruction book (in at least two languages)

· Open me first envelope

· Rechargeable battery and battery charger

· USB cable for attaching to a computer

· Video cable to show pictures on a TV screen

· 1 memory card (8-16 meg)

· Strap, case, lens cap, and software for managing pictures

· Catalog pricing - Lower that stores

· Internet pricing- Lower that stores (Call for person)

· Questions you should ask:

· Do you have it in stock?

· What accessories do I get for that price?

· Delivery charge and shipping date

· Backorder policy. Are you charged only when shipped?

· Return policy, is there a restocking charge?

Managing your pictures

· There are many pieces of software to manage your pictures. Once your pictures are downloaded, you can find software to adjust your picture (cropping, brightness, contrast, redeye, etc.), create albums, and manage space for output onto photo paper (glossy paper).

· Another Presentation