Digital Cameras 101: Digital and Imaging Do's and Do Not

Batteries: Rechargeable, lithium batteries are the most economical and many models have recharging and or docking accessories available. The downside is that the charge does not last long for either new batteries or recharged batteries. If you are out and about and the batteries die, and you do have a lighter charging adapter, but this takes time you don't have, you can buy new, disposable batteries at most convenient stores. If you have a battery (AA) digital camera, that takes two batteries to function, invest in a (4) at a time recharging unit, keep (3) sets charged and purchase the adapter to use your recharger in a vehicle. Once batteries are fully charged, do not leave them in the recharger.

Lithium ION Batteries (battery pack): These tend to last longer and also come with charging stations. The best choice for functional-ability however is not as economical to replace in a pinch. Always keep it charged and again, never leave charged batteries in charging unit.

Always plug in charging adapters into equipment first, before plugging into a wall socket. When charging is complete, always unplug from wall socket first. This is important for all electronics to include cellular phones because it can cause a voltage surge that can damage circuitry.

Memory cards: If your camera did not come with a 1-gig storage space or more, get one.

TIPS:

· Make sure your camera cases, can accompany all your accessories. I have a camera case that holds the camera, a spare memory card, ION battery and another larger case for transporting all items I may need.

· It is always best to go through your manual before you use your digital camera. It will not teach you how to use it, but will teach you what all the functions are and how to access them. You can just set it to automatic, for quick, unplanned shots or use until you can utilize the cameras full capabilities. It is important, to have the best images possible. Although photo imaging programs can eliminate red eye, setting your camera for red eye is the better method.

· Learn by use. Retake the same picture, using different settings and format options.

· The mega pixel size your camera is set to take does matter. The higher the setting, the larger the photo, the less storage available. The larger the photo, the longer it will take to download or send and whoever you send it to will have the same difficulties on the receiving end. It is always a good idea to resize the photo into a smaller image before e-mailing.

· Photos sized to 50 KB are the largest size you should imbed into a document containing more than a few images. For a standalone photo or images to be e-mail mailed, keeping the entire file size less than 350 KB is best. It will open swiftly and is still large enough for receiver to print a quality 8 X 10 glossy.

a. A photo's standard acceptable e-mail size is 75 KB = 640 X 425 pixels = 8.889" X 5.903"

b. Photo for web/blog upload recommended size is 24.3 KB = 320 X 212 pixels = 4.444" X 2.944"

· Example to translate Mg pixel, pixels and KB size when converted to inches. Keep in mind the average home computer monitor sizes have 15.0" to 17.0" screens:

a. A picture taken, set on 3.5M = 1,250 KB = 1,280 pixels X 960 pixels = a 17.778" X 13.333" photo.

b. The same picture taken, set at 5M= 1,907 KB = 2560 X 1920 pixels = a 35.556" X 26.667" photo.

c. The 5Mg image resized for sending = 344 KB = 1445 pixels X 1156 pixels = an 8.0" X 10.0" photo.

· For most photographs, 2- 3M is a good setting. For detailed photos, flower faces, scenic or distant views, 5-7 M is enough. The larger the setting the less storage space you have. Video mode also uses a lot of space.

· ZOOM: Zooming in for photo is only a good option, when viewing pictures already taken on camera screen and when taking a picture, only valuable when distance is a factor. If you are too close and use the zoom feature, your image will more than likely be blurred, beyond repair. For all creative or basic editing, the less you have to do to prepare the original image, the better.

· Once you have downloaded your pictures to your computer, if you are going to remove all the pictures off the memory card, it is best to format the memory card, rather than just delete all the images. If you want to pick and choose which images to remove and keep selected ones stored on the memory card, to show from the cameras screen, then delete images individually. When downloading new images and you have old images previously downloaded still on the memory card, option to not import existing images or you will have unnecessary copies, which also take up unnecessary space on your computer.

RESIZING:

· The most important thing to know about resizing is when you start with a large image and make it smaller you will not affect the overall resolution (picture quality.) If you try to enlarge a small picture, the resolution will be affected greatly, and image will be pixilated or distorted and will be no good.

· Always keep the original image as it is. If you need to resize, do so, then "save as" picture name and add an A, B C to keep track.

Scanned images:

· Read the overview and help files to understand all options and scanning software capabilities. All scanners can be adjusted to automatically enlarge or lessen the size of the image to be scanned, without interrupting the resolution. It is best to check your settings with every scan. Remember, bigger is not always better.

· Scanners are useful for scanning in important documents or old photographs for touch up and or printing. A scanner is especially handy for creating an electronic family history and photo album. You can comfortably scan in up to six standard sized photos at a time. Setting it to scan in up to 300 % is plenty large for any project. If you haven't started an electronic family album, I recommend doing so. It can be printed out and put in a nice presentation folder or transferred to a CD and snail-mailed, or converted to a protected document and e-mailed.

Miscellaneous (based on commonly used imaging software):

· All images and documents created, downloaded or scanned in have file extensions, which allows the computer to know what format an image is in order to open it. When you download a photo image it generally receives a .jpg file extension, which is a universal image extension that all computers can read or open. Images are stored in its program file folder or your My Pictures folder, unless you change the file path during the set up process, and direct the computer to put them where you want to put them. Always pay attention to the file path whenever you download. All those pictures you can't find, but know exist may have been unknowingly directed to a temp file.

· It is a good idea to keep all originals in My Pictures folder. Then open your system explorer, (not internet explorer) and set up a file system to organize your own photo gallery. When you are working in explorer, it is handy and more efficient to open two explorer windows, resize them to fit both on your screen, and copy and paste or move files from one folder to another from window to window. I use the one on the right of my screen to copy or move from and drag to folder in left window. Right to left or left to right, doesn't matter, but it is best to be consistent, so you can keep track of your actions.

· If you hold down the CTRL key, highlight and drag to different folder, it will put a copy there. If you hold the SHIFT key down, highlight and drag file to a different folder, it will completely remove the file, from the original folder and move it to the folder you dragged it to, not a copy of it.

· Newer operating systems make it very easy to copy and paste from one folder to the next within one window, but I still prefer using at least two explorer windows, three if I get sidetracked and need to find an unrelated file for whatever reason.

· Naming a file properly is more important than just selecting a name. If you can, try to keep all files, be they documents or photographs limited to (8) characters, (computers prefer this) using letters and or numbers or both.

Handy Hot keys (convenient for word-processing as well):

Save: Hold CTRL and press S (CTRL + S)

Select: Click on SELECT ALL in edit or select specific area with marquee or select tool

Highlight: Hold SHIFT and arrow to desired area or;

Place cursor with mouse, then left click and hold while using the mouse to highlight

Copy: Highlight or select then CTRL + C

Paste: CTRL + V

Delete/Cut: Highlight or select then press DELETE key or CTRL + X