Printing from Your Digital Camera - The Dos and Do nots to Preserve Photos

Since the introduction of the digital camera, consumers have hailed the convenience and immediacy of their work. Snapping pictures and being able to view them on the camera to determine if a retake is needed, sharing them online within moments of recording images, and producing prints at home without the time involved in filling an entire roll of film, transporting them to the photo lab, and awaiting their development are among the best loved features of the digital camera.

Beyond the convenience of a such a camera however, the question of how well images printed at home would endure the years has been a significant concern. In the early years, the quality of the various types of printers, inks, and paper were much less reliable than the photographic processes used in a photo lab. Many years have passed however and progress has been made in developing more durable materials. Although only time will tell, in today's market, some printer manufacturers tout a life span of 75 to 100 years or longer for prints produced by their printers and materials.

In addition to the ongoing advancements in printer technology and paper/ink quality, home photographers can certainly do much to assure that their grandchildren will be able to enjoy the images that they record on their digital camera today through proper handling.

Materials

Do: Use of a high quality printer designed for printing the photos from a digital camera is recommended of course but quality ink and paper which complement each other helps to assure the longevity of the print that is produced. The best way to assure that the printer, paper, and ink used will work well together is to purchase them from the same manufacturer. The paper selected should be coated and designated specifically for printing photographs.

Don't: Use of some materials in framing, mounting, or matting pictures speeds the demise of the print and should be avoided. For optimum longevity, materials should pass ISO standards for being acid and lignin-free. Corrugated cardboard and PVC coverings are materials to be avoided when working with prints.

Handling

Do: When producing prints at home it is critical to assure that they dry before handling them. They may dry to the touch almost instantly, but it is advisable to allow them several hours before handling, framing, or storing them.

Don't: Prints created at home are particularly susceptible to damage from the oils in a person's skin as well as the abrasion created by touching or brushing against them, therefore minimizing how much these prints are touched can help to reduce degradation of the image.

Display

Light, humidity, contaminants in the air, and exposure to water are other factors that can significantly damage prints. Displaying unprotected, uncovered prints potentially exposes them to all of these factors which can result in an early demise for the images so lovingly captured by the camera.

Do: For display purposes it is wise to place prints in a frame with an anti-UV glass cover or to insert them into a clear protector; although polyvinyl chloride is not a recommended material.

Don't: Displaying prints where they will be directly in the sunlight promotes premature fading and placing them in environments with higher heat and humidity such as in a kitchen or bath can promote fading, blurring, and yellowing.

Storage

Do: Placing prints in an album offers a convenient method of properly storing them as well as labeling and displaying them for future enjoyment. Ideally, the album used should be acid and lignin-free, offer non-PVC page protection, and allow the user to attach prints via corners versus an adhesive.

Don't: Because of the negative effects of light, heat, humidity, and exposure to pollution and water, storage in both attics where temperatures can soar and in basements where humidity and the risk of exposure to water is greater is not recommended. Closets are a better option as it is best to store prints in a cool, dry, dark area.

The conveniences offered by a digital camera are ideal for those wanting to enjoy and share a moment via pictures. For those hoping to use their camera to provide a more lasting record, recent advancements in printing technology would seem to offer the potential of sharing memories captured today with future generations. Home photographers will simply need to use an appropriate camera, printing materials, and assure they follow a few rules when handling their prints to assure they provide a lasting impression.

The author, Christine Peppler invites readers to discover more information about using and selecting a camera through information available on her website.

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Take Better Digital Photos By Understanding Your Cameras ISO Settings

What does ISO stand for, you ask? ISO stands for International Standards Organization, which refers to the group that set the standards for film speed. Luckily, this doesn’t have anything to do with what you need to know about ISO.

ISO, as it relates to digital photography, is an indicator of how sensitive to light your camera’s sensor is, and most digital cameras allow you to adjust this sensitivity. The majority of low to mid-range digital cameras have an ISO range that goes from somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 or 100 up to around 400 to 800. The lower the ISO number, the more light that is necessary to get proper exposure on a given shot.

So why not crank the ISO setting all the way up to the max and be done with it? Although this would allow you to get good exposure even in low light situations, there is a catch. The higher you set the ISO, the more “noise” there will be, causing your pictures to come out grainy looking. FYI, the camera’s “auto” setting doesn’t always choose the lowest ISO possible.

These days a good number of digital cameras employ some form of noise reduction at higher ISO settings. Unfortunately digital noise reduction is accomplished by applying a slight amount of blur to the image, which not only blurs out some of the noise, but also blurs out some of the fine detail.

All things considered, the best way to approach ISO is to use the lowest possible setting, but don’t over do it—using too low an ISO setting can result in blurry images caused by “camera shake”.

Assuming that you are using a camera with an ISO range of 50 to 400, here are some rule of thumb examples:

When shooting outside on a bright sunny day, use the lowest setting (ISO 50). On a heavily overcast day, or when shooting in heavy shade, use the next higher setting (ISO 100). When shooting in the early morning or late evening, use the next higher setting (ISO 200). If shooting at dusk or dawn, you would need to use your highest setting (ISO 400).

However, there is a way to avoid using your higher ISO settings, even in low light—its called a tripod. This three-legged wonder allows you to keep your camera perfectly steady, which eliminates the blurry images caused by camera shake.

Another option to keep your camera steady during low light shots is to set your camera on a stationary object (like a rock or the hood of your car) and use the self-timer. This feature allows a few seconds lag between the time you press the shutter button and when the camera takes the picture.

Remember, keeping those ISO settings as low as you can, will give you clearer, cleaner photos.

For more digital photography tips, visit my web site: http://www.jeffgalbraithphotography.ca

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Digital Cameras: Caring for the Camera Lens

The popularity of a digital camera is due in part to the vivid, life like photographs that it can produce. The lens of a camera is the key to creating these clear, sharp images. However, dust, fingerprints, scratches, and other dirt and smudges can destroy contrast, produce pictures that appear out of focus, and eventually can result in the expense of having to replace the lens, or camera, altogether.

Obviously, proper care can help extend the life of the lens and assure better quality images. Following just a few basic tips can go a long way in assuring a digital camera lens does not fail.

* Avoid contact with the camera lens when possible. Keeping the lens cover on and placing the camera in the bag when not in use can shield it from dust and other potential damage. Basically, anything that comes in contact with the lens of a digital camera can damage the special coatings that allow the lens to function properly. Extra care should be taken when shooting pictures to assure that the lens is not touched as it is grasped in the hands.

* Keep lenses away from excessive heat which can breakdown the greases used within the barrel of the lens.

* Add a UV filter over the camera lens as an extra layer of protection.

* Keep the lens dry. Moisture whether from your breath, condensation, a cleaner or another source can create fogging and, in some case, can warp the lens housing. Because of the potential damage from moisture, care must be taken in exposing your camera to cold as condensation may form when it is returned to a warmer environment.

* Remove visible particles from the lens without touching it when possible. Using an ear syringe or special dust blower is the preferred method. Soft bristled brushes are available as well but care must be taken to assure that the brushes are clean and do not scratch the surface of the camera lens.

* Remove fingerprints and smudges with a dry microfiber cloth. Lens cleaning fluids are available and can also be applied to the microfiber cloth as needed. The fluid should not be applied directly to the lens. Only cleaners made specifically for camera lenses should be used; do not use cleaners made for eyeglasses.

* Use extra care in harsher environments. As described above heat and cold extremes can cause damage to lenses as well as the camera itself. Because cameras travel with us however, they are sometimes exposed to environments that are somewhat "hostile". Thus, extra precautions are sometimes necessary. For instance, in extremely cold weather it is generally best to carry the camera close to the body, perhaps covered by a coat to keep it warmer. On rainy days wrapping the camera in a plastic bag can help shield it from the moisture. The beach can also be hostile due to the potential exposure to wind, sand, moisture, and heat. Again, covering the camera with a plastic bag and shading it from the sun are good preventative measures.

Reducing contact and exposure to contaminants, proper cleaning, and protecting the lens from extreme environments are key to assuring the longevity of a camera lens. These basic precautions entail minimal expense and time commitment and can become second nature very quickly to beginning photographers.

The author, Christine Peppler, encourages readers to visit her website for more information about selecting and caring for a camera or other home electronics device.

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How To Choose The Right Digital Camera For You

Many times I've been asked what the best digital camera to get is. The response is, as you've probably heard quite a few times, "it depends on what you want to do." And what you want to do creates a need. That’s all very well but how do you know exactly what you need?

Once you work out what types of digital photos you want to improve then choosing a camera will seem difficult and confusing. In the end you will have a hard time and probably end up not choosing a digital camera at all and this is not good because your digital photos will remain the same. You can certainly have a great experience in digital photography, but if you have the right camera you'll find that this experience is vastly improved.

For starters, think about the digital photographs you have taken in the past and think about your frustration with them. Are they to dark? Is the lag time too long? Is it out of focus when you try to get long distance digital photos? Or alternatively are have you tried to get digital photos that seem out of focus up close, or you can't get close enough in to your subjects?

For example I have a subscriber who just loves to take digital photographs of flowers. She's a lady in her 60's and is an avid Gardner and asked me to help her to capture the brilliant colour and detail of her carefully grown flowers. I suggested that with the camera she had been using to date, her flowers would have two problems:

Colour saturation (which creates lack of detail) and the camera would not provide her with the ability to get focused shots up close, even when the "flower" setting was on, on her digital camera. She confirmed this was indeed the problem she was having. As a help, I gave her some pointers to what may help her digital photography experience by looking at the problems in the current digital camera, then finding an active solution.

The problem was that a lot of point and shoot digital cameras may be fantastic and feel like a bargain at $200 they just don't have the digital sensor capabilities to capture to fine detail when there is a bulk amount of colour in the scene. Let’s take for example a digital photograph of a yellow rose. The digital camera would not be able to distinguish the detail in the petals up close because it gets lost in "all the yellow". Because the digital camera's sensor built for the bottom end range it’s not able to capture this fine detail.

My subscriber was also having trouble with her detail in focus up close. Even though she was selecting the "flower" setting, it still was not as clear up close as it could be. And due to the colour saturation in her digital photos she was having difficulty getting the clear digital images that she imagined getting in her mind. I suggested that she may want to look at a digital camera with a capability to add macro lenses. I explained that the sensor would be able to pick up more detail in the colour of the flowers if she had better lenes for the macro photography that she wanted to do. A good macro lens would give her the detail up close, and she could get in even closer than before without loosing focus or detail.

In the end my lady subscriber ended up choosing a Sony digital camera with interchangeable lenses and with a better sensor. She was extremely impressed with the new digital image quality her photographs were getting. She was able to photograph the petals up very close and even capture the tiny veins in the petals of the flowers.

I recommend you do the same. Think about the frustrations you've had in the past as then find a camera to suit. Try to look first at the digital cameras that have the features and facilities you are after, and then look at the whole range. Not the other way around. Looking at every single digital camera first may confuse you; its better to narrow your search down to the features first.

Happy shooting! Amy Renfrey http://www.digitalphotographysuccess.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Renfrey

The MEGXON MX7 Digital Camera

The MEGXON MX7 Digital Camera is a powerful camera with a number of useful features. The camera produces a maximum eight megpixel resolution, 3264x2448 in an interpolated mode. It can also support true 7 megapixel 3072x2304, 5 megapixel in 2560x1920, 4 megapixel in 2304x1728, 3 megapixel in 2048x1536 and 2 megapixel in 1600x1200. The camera has a 2.5j Panasonic CCD sensor that sees 7.382 megapixels in its native mode. This provides robust pictures that can be enlarged and printed in high quality.

The camera has four ISO modes, Auto, 100, 200 and 400, with F2.8 wide and F4.9 telephoto modes. The focal length is 5.8 ~ 17.4 mm, Wide - 5 ~ 80 cm in macro mode and 30 ~ 80 cm in telephoto. The camera has a 3x optical and 5x digital zoom. There are both mechanical and electronic shutters.

The camera comes with a built in 18 megabyte flash memory but supports SD cards up to 2 gigabytes. Big pictures and especially multimedia files can fill even a large storage card, so a spare SD card is a reasonable option.

The camera is capable of adjusting for several light conditions, with Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent, Tungsten, Sunset and Custom modes. The camera has a built in timer, flash and microphone and the usual playback modes.

The MX7 has several features intended to make it more flexible. The camera can be set for pictures taken under specific conditions, such as Auto, Program, Portrait, Landscape, Dawn, Backlight, Fireworks and Night. The camera can take normal pictures, black and white, sepia and RGB. There is an image stabilization helper, and even four games to play while waiting for a shot.

The camera can take avi format multimedia in 640x480 and 320x240, at 15 or 24 frames per second. The duration depends on the size of SD chip in the camera. The camera can record wav files and play mp3s.

Physically, the camera is a slim four inches by two inches by one inch with few protrusions making it easy to store. The camera uses an NP-40 Lithium Ion battery, though it is probably a good plan to have a spare as well. The camera will connect to computers through a USB port or a television with NTSC or PAL format.

The computer must have at least Windows 98, Power Mac G3 or OS 10 or later, with a 300 megahertz or faster processor, at least 32 megabytes of ram and a USB port.

The camera has a large three inch diagonal LCD viewscreen but does not have a simple optical viewfinder, a weakness for some uses. When waiting for a shot to appear, to avoid shaking hands as you get tired, a tripod might be worth a try.

The camera appears best suited for a serious but not professional photographer, and is well suited for someone with an interest in artistic camera effects who does not desire to learn computer skills to create them manually. The camera sells for a very reasonable $150 currently.

Practical Solutions provides complete GPS, mobile navigation/mapping and other hi-tech solutions! Check us out at: http://www.ps-gps.com

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Digital Camera Batteries: What You Need To Know

Your digital camera uses either a rechargeable battery pack or a set of AA batteries. Either will serve you quite well if you follow some simple advice.

If your camera uses AA batteries, never ever use the common alkaline cells—even if they were in the box with your camera. Save them for the TV remote, and immediately buy a set of NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries and a charger. It will set you back very few bucks and save you big bucks in the long run. Properly cared for, these rechargeable nuggets outlast disposable cells four to five times per outing—and can be replenished up to 500 times.

For those times when a rechargeable isn’t available, step up to an Energizer E2 Lithium battery. Although they’re not renewable, they do last a very, very long time. Smart travelers will keep a few sets of lithium batteries in the trunk of their car so that they have power to spare when they’re far away from an electrical outlet.

Your camera might use a proprietary lithium-ion (Li-Ion) rechargeable battery—many do. The technology is terrific. These cells have no memory (that is, even if you disrupt the charge-depletion cycle, they’ll still continue to provide top performance).

The best advice for using proprietary lithium-ion batteries: Buy several (at least two). At the minimum, have one for the camera and one for the charger. Three lets you keep one in the camera, one in the bag for backup and one charging for immediate use later.

Yes, Li-Ion does provide firepower for an extended period of time, but today’s modern cameras have extra-large 2.5-inch LCD monitors, which use more battery energy. Take two, and always be ready.

Read more advice for choosing digital camera batteries and avoid being stuck with a powerless camera.

Kristine Knight is a professional nature photographer who specializes in Southwestern landscapes. As an Arizona native, she’s been honing her art since childhood and in her free time teaches photography workshops.

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Printing Pictures From Your Digital Camera: No Computer No Problem

There are many millions of consumers who do not own a digital camera. They have not yet experienced the convenience of being able to edit and print their own pictures at home. For many who are less experienced or simply less enamored with technology, the thought of having to go through the multi-step process of getting images from their camera on to the computer, edited, and then printed isn't enticing. For others it would even involve added expense to purchase a suitable computer and any editing software.

What many of these people don't realize is that printing from a digital camera can be a very simple process and does not have to involve the use of a computer at all. This can be achieved by either purchasing a digital camera and printer that are compatible or ones that have Pictbridge technology which assures compatibility regardless of brand. Either way printing without a computer can be faster, easier, and less expensive if you don't already own all of the necessary hardware. For those who do own a computer, printing without it can still be wise as valuable hard drive space can be saved to leave it out of the equation in the photo printing process.

Some printers have a card reader which allows users to insert the memory card from their digital camera directly and print pictures from there. These printers are a great tool for anyone looking for simplicity. For those who don't want to purchase a printer, a similar option is available in many drug stores via a kiosk although this does take away from the at-home convenience.

With Pictbridge technology a small cable is used to link the camera up directly to the printing device. The great part of this option is that it doesn't require much study to be sure the camera and printer will work together to produce prints.

Of course, for an increasing number of people their cell phone acts as their digital camera. For these individuals, a connection to the printer can be made through an adapter that communicates with Bluetooth. Printing then can be achieved directly without the use of the computer.

When connecting the camera, or its memory card, directly to the printer the option of editing is not lost. These printers offer simple editing functions such as adjusting contrast, and brightness as well as red-eye reduction and can be performed with the printers LCD screen much as they would on a computer.

Printing pictures from a digital camera should not be a complex or time intensive task. Removing computers from the equation simplifies the process and is easily achieved by connecting the camera or its memory card directly to an appropriate printer.

Christine Peppler believes that consumers should not have to possess a technology degree to be able to choose home electronics and entertainment devices. Take advantage of the wealth of simple to understand

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Making Money with a Digital Camera

So you want to know how to make money with a digital camera? Let me tell you about my Uncle Pete. Not only does he make money but he has his own digital photography business. And he started it just a couple of years ago in his late fifties. He loves it so much that he is like a little kid again.

He started making money with a digital camera by selling his photos to stock agencies online. He found out exactly what were the best selling photographs these agencies sold and then he went out took those types of pictures. He was making a few extra grand a month. But this wasn't enough for him. Not with his new found youthfulness.

He decided to go into the digital wedding photography business. He wasn't sure if there was a market share for him so he decided to do it on the cheap. He got on his computer and made inexpensive flyers that simply said:

Uncle Pete - Wedding Photographer

For the best photos and best rates

Call Uncle Pete.

(And below his name he put his phone number.)

That was it. Then he paid a couple of high school students to deliver them door to door. He also plastered these flyers on every community bulletin board he could find - laundromats, grocery stores, community centers etc.

After he got his first few digital wedding photography jobs he expanded his marketing and advertising. He began advertising in the different local community newspapers. These usually come out once a month and a single ad costs about 25 to 30 dollars.

Before my uncle realized what happened his whole spring and summer were booked with weddings. He couldn't believe all the work he had. He had to hire an assistant.

And not only that, but the quality of his work was so good that through the word of mouth of his customers he will be booked for weddings for the next 2 to 3 years even if he doesn't bother to advertise anymore.

My Uncle Pete has told me that it has never been better making money with a digital camera than now. There are so many different ways - stock photography, weddings, real estate photography, portraits, travel, greeting cards, websites - the list just goes on and on.

But my Uncle Pete did give me one piece of advice that he said was important. He told me - start small but think big.

(c) All rights reserved.

Charlie Warwick is a freelance writer and researcher. To find out more about how to Making Money with a Digital Camera.

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Compare Digital Camera When You Buy

Gone are the days when you had to click and get your photographs developed by the neighborhood developer. Best digital cameras have changed the way we capture images, view them or store them. No longer are pictures pasted in album to be viewed in years ahead placing the album on lap. Digital images live immortally in the web, home PCs or the little chips we call memory cards. Though those who have romanced the old school analog photography never find digital photography attractive, the march of technology has been consistent. Not only have digital imaging techniques have become extremely popular but also they have started matching analog results more and more.

No wonder, digital cameras are the hottest selling electronic equipment from stores – either on the high street or online retailers. Though mobile phones inadvertently come loaded with a camera these days but their resolution is often poor and inadequate. Consequently, demand for affordable yet excellent quality digital cameras has been on the rise.

When you are going to buy a digital camera, the important thing to remember is that you buy the camera that suits your needs the most. If you need just a point-and-shoot day to day camera, don't invest money in high end pieces, which will have features you will never use. However, if you travel frequently, or have a keen interest in macro or portrait photography, you would do well to invest in a couple of lenses in addition to a good camera.

If you think buying a digital camera is going to cost you a bomb, you can't be more wrong. Today, a lot many discount online stores give huge percentages off their wares. The discounted digital cameras offered at such stores are not only affordable, but meet your needs perfectly. Not just camera, you can even get cheap accessories like tripods, lenses and covers for your camera through online camera shops as well.

The best strategy would be to compare digital camera on features and prices by visiting a price comparison site. Not only, would you get the best bargain, but you might end up picking a free accessory or two as well. The savings due to high discounts offered on such digital cameras can run into hundreds of pounds. All you need to do is, do a little research, compare various digital cameras and then buy them online to get the best deal impossible to find anywhere else.

Adam Jaylin advises that you visit xpert4u.co.uk to know more about Mobile Phones and consumer electronics online.

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What Is A Compact Digital Camera

A digital camera is an electronic device that is used to capture photographs in electronic form rather than using traditional film.

The digital camera has moved the game on from just being a one use device. Digital cameras, like so many other modern devices, are multifunctional.

As well as taking still pictures digital cameras can now record sound and video in addition to taking photographs although professional digital cameras are still dedicated photographic devices.

Ordinary Compact Cameras

Compact cameras used to be simple point and shoot devices that you literally pointed at the subject and pressed the shutter button. Nothing complicated, idiot proof photography.

Nowadays the compact digital camera comes in several flavours. It is a bit like mobile phones, there are so many options to choose from that it is quicker to filter out the features you don’t want, to get to the digital cameras offering the features you do.

Ultimately you can be guided by price a straightforward point and shoot digital camera can be bought for easily under £100.

Compact Cameras Plus

If your needs are more demanding then you have a very wide choice indeed. You only need to look at the ranges offered by Canon, Nikon, Fuji and Panasonic to see what has been made possible with modern electronics.

Here are some of the features a digital camera can now provide:

• 10 megapixel resolution for ultra-sharp images
• built-in 12x zoom lenses for long distance work
• eliminating camera shake that blurs your picture
• large 3 inch LCD screens for you to view your digital photos
• special models to capture pictures in very low light conditions
• Wi-fi connectivity to transmit your pictures
• video capture

A ‘prosumer’ or high end digital camera

Prosumer cameras or extended zoom cameras are usually high-end cameras that closely resemble SLR or professional cameras.

They contain some of the same features though the accent is more on the customer and are therefore known as prosumer cameras where ‘pro’ is derived from the word professional and ‘sumer’ from consumer.

Such a camera has a large optical zoom lens and is often marketed as SLR cameras though that is more out of confusion than anything else. The lens is not actually interchangeable as is usually the case with an SLR digital camera.

Digital Camera Image Storage and Viewing

A digital camera captures photographs in digital format and usually uses a flash memory card for storing and transferring still photographs that may also include a video function.

A digital camera usually has a rear LCD to view images which makes it a cinch to delete any unsuccessful pictures to save storage space on the memory card.

The quality of the image a digital camera creates is measured in megapixels. Generally the higher the figure, the better the quality of the image. Most compact cameras start at 6 megapixels resolution now which is fine for printing images up to A4 size.

Trevor Sadowski has been a very keen amateur photographer for 30 years now.

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Do I Need an 8MP Digital Camera

If you are on the market for a new digital camera then there is a good chance that you are asking yourself that exact question. Maybe the number of megapixels that you are considering is different. Do you really need a 16MP digital camera? 8MP? 6MP? This article tries to help you answering this question.

New digital camera models that are put on the market support more and more megapixels. This race for more megapixels is in part driven by manufacturers who want you to buy their newest and greatest digital camera and the easiest way for them to make you compare cameras is by using one simple number – megapixels – the higher the better or at least this is what they want you to think.

But reality is different. When it comes to megapixels more is not necessarily better. Since most of us have a limited budget that we are willing to spend on a digital camera spending more money to get more megapixels means spending less on other features or accessories – such as storage and lenses. The overall quality of your photography experience is dependent on such extra features.

When deciding on the number of megapixels that you need you should first consider what your expected usage is. You need more megapixels if you plan to print photos (especially big enlargements) or if you need to zoom in and grab fine details out of big digital photos. On the other hand – you do not need much if you plan to watch your digital photos on your computer screen and occasionally print a few 4X6 prints. In fact 2 megapixels are more than enough for such usage. Consider your computer screen resolution which is in most cases 1024X768 - even when viewing your digital photos in full screen mode you are only really watching 1024X768 <>

page 4X6 2MP

page 5X7 3MP

page 8X10 7MP

page 11X14 14MP

page 16X20 28MP

page 20X30 54MP

When considering spending more of your digital camera budget on getting more megapixels you should ask yourself questions like: should I instead get better lenses? Should I instead get an external flash unit? Should I instead get extra storage media?

Don’t be a victim of the megapixels race. In many ways the race for more megapixels is similar to the race for more megahertz on personal computers. In early days when computers speeds were slow – more megahertz was important. Today though – having a 4Ghz or 5Ghz computer does not make a difference and you are better off spending more money on more memory than more megahertz. The same is true with megapixels – in early digital cameras days the number of megapixels was low and it was important to get more. Today with most cameras having a high number of megapixels it is probably wiser to get better lenses or more storage than upgrading from 8MP to 10MP.

Ziv Haparnas is a technology veteran and writes about practical technology and science issues. This article can be reprinted and used as long as the resource box including the backlink is included. You can find more information about photo album printing and photography in general on http://www.printrates.com - a site dedicated to photo printing.

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Scenes that Will Fail Your Digital Camera Auto Focus

Digital cameras include sophisticated mechanisms that can automatically figure out the perfect focus for the scene that you are photographing. However even the most sophisticated digital camera can be fooled by scenes that are hard to focus on. Here are a few such scenes and explanations.

There are three main ways to implement automatic focus:

Passive auto focus: This is practically an electronic version of the way in which photographers manually focus on objects. In this mode the digital camera defines areas in the photo on which it will try to focus. These are usually around the center of the photo. The camera captures the picture in real time and analyzes the quality of the focus in these areas. The camera moves its optical components (lenses) back and forth in a search for the optimal focus quality position. This in many ways is similar to the way photographers focus on objects – they try to move the lens in one direction, if the focus gets better they move the lens a bit more, if the focus gets worse they move the lens to the other direction. The process continues until the best focus is achieved.

Active auto focus: Active auto focus is a more direct implementation of auto focusing. In theory if you knew the exact optical characteristics of the camera and its lens and the exact distance to the objects that you are trying to focus on – you could calculate the exact position of the lens that will result in a prefect focus. Active focus systems measure the distance to the objects in the picture by transmitting an invisible light beam and measuring the time it takes for the beam to bounce back from the objecst. The measured distance is used to calculate the position to which the lens should be moved in order to achieve the best focus.

Combined auto focus: These systems are a combination of passive and active focusing. High end digital cameras support both passive and active methods. In combined mode the camera either chooses which system will work best for any given scene (for example in dark scenes passive auto focusing is not practical) or it uses both systems together (for example using the active system to bring the lens close to the perfect focus and then the passive system to fine tune that focus position.

In some scenes auto focus systems can fail. It is important to understand what these scenes are and it is even more important to understand why the auto focus system fails in these scenes. Photographers that understand how auto focus system works and why it fails can easily identify scenes in which the digital camera would not be able to automatically focus. In such scenes the photographer can use techniques such as manual focusing or focusing on another object in the same distance and panning the camera (while the focus is locked).

Following are a few scenes that will fail the auto focus system and the reasons why:

Low light or dark scenes: Passive auto focus systems need to electronically see the objects in the scene in order to calculate the quality of the focus and find he best focus position. In low light or dark scenes such systems can not work since they are not able to see the objects and to calculate the focus. Some digital cameras solve this problem by shooting a series of flashes toward the objects and having the passive auto focus capture the image and try to find the perfect focus. This solution is very limited. It can only work with objects that are within focus range. In addition such aggressive flash usage is not practical in many scenes for example if you are trying to quietly take a photo of an animal. In low light or dark scenes the usage of active systems is very effective since they do not need ambient light in order to work.

Active systems can fail too. For example they can fail when taking photos of objects that absorb the infrared energy that is used by the camera in order to measure the distance to the objects. They can also fail in scenes with objects that emit infrared energy such as candles or other heat sources. This emitted energy can cause the digital camera active system to measure the wrong distance.

Low contrast objects: Objects such as white walls or blue skies are low contrast objects. Passive auto focus systems rely on the fact that the focus quality significantly changes in relation to the optical components position. This is only true for high contrast objects. Low contrast objects are harder for the camera to focus on since the focus quality does not change much and it is almost impossible for the camera to find a definite best focus position. This can be solved by using an active system that can simply measure the distance to the object or by focusing on another high contrast object in the same distance and then panning to the low contrast object while keeping the focus locked.

Ziv Haparnas is a technology veteran and writes about practical technology and science issues. This article can be reprinted and used as long as the resource box including the backlink is included. You can find more information about photo album printing and photography in general on http://www.printrates.com - a site dedicated to photo printing.

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What You Need To Buy A Digital Camera Wholesale

Digital cameras are available in several price ranges today. They can be purchased wholesale as well as retail. Whether your budget is a mere $30 or $300, you are sure to find a camera within the given price range. However, you might have to compromise on some of the features that you will get in the deal.

So, what do you do if you want the best at the cheapest price? The answer to this question lies within the World Wide Web. You do not have to make telephone calls to sales persons or go camera hunting in many shops…simply sit at home and click away !

There are cameras which are available at wholesale prices. However, the trick here is that these are not so easily available because you need to take a pre-requisite number of cameras before you can get them at such a bargain. Or there might be older models which companies are trying to sell off at wholesale prices. Hence, it is possible to get a bargain but you really need to shop hard before you strike gold.

What you can do however, is to access the Internet for services known as ‘price comparison engines’. These are basically web sites which search the Net for the best prices available on digital cameras from different suppliers. So instead of visiting hundred different sites consisting of different suppliers, you can choose to visit ten price comparison engines and get a good estimate for the digital camera that you need.

But this is only possible if you have a basic idea of what you are looking for in a digital camera. You should at least know the make, if not the model, so that the research can be done properly. This will help you to narrow down your search drastically and thus save you a lot of time and effort.

Some of the well-known web sites which sell wholesale digital cameras include Ebay.com and Amazon.com. Both these sites have a huge collection of digital cameras, and you are sure to find what you are looking for at a cheap price. These sites also deal in digital camera accessories; hence you can probably find that extra memory card on Amazon or Ebay and get yourself a good packaged deal.

It is very important that you keep in mind the fact that the wholesaler from whom you purchase your camera is authentic and can be relied upon. Thus, do not get lured by attractive deals at wholesale prices before checking this out.

Kevin Rockwell worked as a network TV cameraman for 20 years shooting news and sports. Now a devoted fan of digital photography and video he works to gather information, tips and news for digital camera users. Oh and he loves to shoot pictures of his kids playing sports.

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Getting Truthful Information Before Buying A Digital Camera

Digital photography is a fun hobby and can be quite addicting. Go to a social event or on a trip and almost everyone is clicking away with a digital camera. So many cameras, so many models, how do you get some information before buying?

There are two things you have take into consideration when shopping for a digital camera and you need to go back to the days of traditional photography for the first--some companies have made good names for themselves by manufacturing quality cameras. They are not about to tarnish their reputation by making poor quality digital cameras especially now that the transition from film cameras to digital has taken over.

Secondly, there are some companies who made their reputation by manufacturing other electronic products like stereos or televisions also throwing their hat into the digital photography arena. This is where you may want to think twice. Just because these particular companies made great audio or television products does not necessarily mean they have the knowhow and science in the field of photography.

With these in mind, make a list of about three or four photography companies you would consider buying your digital camera from. Then go to each company's official website and get as much information as you can about the digital cameras they offer. A camera that shoots at least 4 megapixels is a good starting point for beginners. Other features to consider are optical zoom, size of LCD screen, timer, and flash. Make sure you jot down all the model numbers too.

Now that you have a list of models and features you are interested in, this is where your shopping becomes more challenging and a bit time consuming. Go to your favorite search engine and look up digital camera reviews. Naturally you will be bombarded with a plethora of sites offering reviews but you do not have to be particular, click on any of the links presented to you.

Once you get to the review site's page, there is a possibility some of the models you took note of from the manufacturers' websites are already in the review site's navigation menu. The logic is that manufacturers will hawk their latest models and the review sites will, in their attempt to satisfy their visitors, have reviews available on the newest models already.

A good review site should offer the following information on each camera model: 1) all the features available; 2) the pro's and con's of each feature; 3) the price; 4) information about the battery and other accessories that are included; 5) comparisons with other brands of the same level; 6) reviews posted by people who bought that particular model; and very likely 7) tests they carried out on the model. Some may even post pictures of shots they took with the model being reviewed and show what happens when such a feature is turned on or off and so on.

So do a search for the models you are interested in at the review site. If their reviews include all or a majority of the information listed above, you are on the right track. Try to soak in as much information as you can. If you notice a degree of impartiality (in that they do not tend to favor a particular brand), then you can be assured of pretty accurate information. The sites that have a lot of press releases from manufacturers are the ones you want to avoid. Home shopping channels are also a bad source when trying to obtain impartial reviews.

Without a doubt, the first steps are always the hardest and buying the first digital camera is no exception. With so many brands, models and features, a first-timer can easily get confused and wind up with a camera that is actually unsatisfactory. The good news is that truthful information is easily available albeit just a little time consuming to gather. The smart shopper knows that going the extra mile in getting the right information will help avoid having to deal with customer service or issues that will take away from an otherwise enjoyable experience.

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Digital photography is indeed a fun-filled hobby regardless of your skill level. To read articles and get more information from fellow hobbyists, please visit the author's digital photography website.

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Digital Camera and Cell Phones Are They Really Privacy Busters

Many people believe that they deserve privacy and yet what is privacy; is anything truly private? After all we hear people talking in the coffee shops, in airports and in lines at the post office on their cell phone and although you can only hear one side of the conversation you can learn a lot of personal data about someone by listening in.

What is amazing is people really don't seem to care; they chat away as if no one is listening, yet they often raise the volume of their voice so everyone can hear and therefore everyone really is listening. Some people want people to hear what they are saying and then they start making the conversation elevated to impress the nearby listeners.

Yet despite all this that goes on people want their data secured at the government and the corporations they do business with. Identity theft is the number one complaint of consumers at the Federal Trade Commission and this is increasing. Identity theft has now passed the illegal drug sales on the criminal monetary scale.

But people are really not doing much about it and they still give away information to the public freely on their own. Of course it is their right to do so, yet at the same time they demand privacy protection from their government. Wouldn't you?

Even if you are careful with your data others find ways to capture your data or information or privacy without your knowledge, via camera cell phones for instance. I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

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A Quick Checklist Before Buying A Digital Camera

In a quandary as to what kind of digital camera to invest in? Should you buy the cheap one first or go straight for the Rolls Royce of digital cameras? Digital cameras can be extremely notorious for making you regret the "buy cheap first" decision. Getting an understanding of what digital cameras can and probably cannot do will go a long way in guiding you to buy that first one. Here are seven things to look out for:

1. Categories of a camera
• ultra compact--by far, the lowest of the low-end, no flash, no zoom, no nothing; just aim and shoot;
• compact--for the hobbyist, basic features;
• digital SLR cameras--single-lens reflex cameras, for the serious photographer.
2. Mega pixels
• 2 mega pixels--for basic snapshots; small prints are okay but pixelation occurs when the photos are enlarged;
• between 3 and 5 mega pixels--you can count on good quality prints;
• 5 mega pixels and above--aside from producing excellent quality large prints, you can easily do image manipulation.
3. Zoom
• optical zoom factor--by magnifying the light entering the main lens, distant objects appear close; this produces good quality photos;
• digital zoom factor--magnifies the resulting image.
4. Carrying case and tripod

Most reasonably priced cameras will bundle these two items in the same package but very likely, the case will only be a pouch, which is just enough for the camera itself. If you have decided to "soup up" your digital camera, then you should also invest in a more spacious carrying case.

The same can be said about the tripod, the bundled one will very likely be one of those 3-inch table top tripods which may also be wobbly. The tripod helps keep the shots stable and also to take advantage of the timer. The serious shutterbug will want to invest in a much taller and more stable tripod.

5. Storage media

Most digital cameras have some built in memory but do not count on this to store your photos because the memory size is very small. You will find that the built-in memory easily runs out when taking pictures of 5 mega pixels and above. Invest in a compact flash or secure digital flash card. 256 Kb will give you good enough storage when taking high mega pixel shots. But if you are an avid clicker, consider getting at least a 1 Gb card.

6. Battery

One of the most overlooked accessories is by far the battery. Most lower priced cameras will come bundled with a no-name battery which is almost tantamount to no reliability. People will tell you that these batteries should last at least a year but do not be surprised if these kinds of batteries breaks down in less than a year. The good news is that these batteries have model numbers and you can find a suitable replacement from a reputable manufacturer.

7. Lenses and filters

Just like traditional cameras, there are digital cameras that allow additional lenses to be attached or completely changeable. Three basic lens types are:

• macro lens--allows you to take close-ups of objects like insects and flowers;
• wide-angle lens--self-explanatory, used to capture large and wide sceneries;
• telephoto lens--can you say paparazzi?

Filters can be used to soften or enhance images, which means adding more drama some shots.

It also helps to talk to your relatives or friends who have already owned a digital camera for some time. Their input plus the tips that you have just read will go a long way in helping you invest in a gadget that will give you hours of fun and capture moments that you will cherish.

The author is an owner of a cheap digital camera. It is so cheap, the battery actually is half the price of the camera. Avoid the kind of fate he suffered. Learn from experienced users and share your own by visiting the Digital Photography website.

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A Tale of More Colors With Digital Camera

Since time immemorial, fleeting moments have been a thing to look back at and relive the mirth and murk associated with them. More than practice, it has been the instinct which roots deep within us. Our past is not just a matter of seconds and hours we lived. It implies a lot beyond that. What is it and how does it affect us can best be answered in one word – memories, we value what we cherish.

Cameras have found a very distinct place in our lives. To some, it may lead to their profession and to others a hobby which guides their way to getting closer to those valuable moments which they would yearn to live again. With time and technology, the world of camera evolved and today the fad is digital cameras which we dotingly call Digicams.

Since the days of bulky cameras which transformed into traditional cameras which are still very much in use (image is captured on a film) and now digital camera, there have never been a shred of doubt on what they have done and can do with technical advancement. Let us pay a glance on the relevance and functionality of these digicams.

Digital camera does not involve a film roll which needs to be developed, rather it saves the images captured either onto the inbuilt memory or memory sticks/cards which can be transferred to a computer, another digicams or printed directly completely depending upon the facilities integrated. High resolution images, adjustable zooms, colour adjustment and various modes available to choose from in which you would like to shoot the photographs (depending upon ambience) work towards flexibility and inundate consumers with too many applications.

To lay hands on your desired digicams should not be much of an ask as there are various manufacturers making quality cameras and you can virtually compare digital cameras of different makes before buying one. Cheap digital cameras should be available on online shopping websites to make life easier and more colourful!

Fletcher Mak is an author, write various articles on different themes to expand information, because articles is a good way to send their information to needy people easily. You can get more information about compare digital camera and other consumer electronics.

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Digital Camera Accessories Cover the Bases

With many professional portrait studios opting for them as the shooting weapon of choice and more and more homes going completely electronic, there’s no denying that digital cameras are here to stay. As technology continues to advance and pictures taken on them prove incredible, the amount of digital camera accessories to make shots even better is really on the rise. Where only a few extras used to be available, digital camera fans are finding a whole host of choices these day.

There are two major categories of digital camera accessories on the market – the must haves and the would love to haves. Let’s look at both.

Must Haves

• Extra memory. With digital cameras offering such ease in shooting, those who want to take high-quality pictures find themselves tearing through memory cards rather quickly. These digital camera accessories are generally pretty affordable and are more than easy to carry. Typically the size of postage stamp or just slightly larger, extra memory cards can be used by anyone from the professional shooter to the amateur on vacation.

• Spare batteries. It might be hard to consider these as an “accessory,” but the fact is many who own these cameras do. While most digital camera batteries can last a long time, when they run out in the middle of a vacation or a particularly fun shoot, it can be really irritating. Having a spare set can really come in handy. It’s best to consider rechargeable spares to save on replacement costs down the road.

• Weatherproof camera bag. When it comes to digital camera accessories, this one is a must have for anyone that intends to take their camera outside, ever. Providing protection from bad weather and drops alike, these accessories aren’t very expensive either and they can help store those extra batteries and memory cards, too.

Love To Haves

• Lighting mechanisms. This particular class of digital camera accessory might almost fit into the “must have” list. While most digital cameras take very good pictures, there onboard flashes tend to leave a lot to be desired. There are all kind of lighting mechanisms that are available that can remedy this. Some are designed to work with specific cameras and others are standalones that can assist in any photography setting. These are great for anyone who wants to take spectacular shots to consider.

• Tripods. When it comes to digital camera accessories, this is one any serious shooter might want to consider. These help take away the shake that’s involved in some settings and can really help create spectacular images.

• Extra lenses. Not all cameras will accept these digital camera accessories, but those that do can really benefit from them. Providing a way to really turn a digital into an all-purpose camera, these add ons should be considered by those who can use them.

When it comes to digital camera accessories, the options are becoming amazing. The above is just a small list of those available. While not everyone will need many digital camera accessories to take the pictures they want, it’s nice to know options are out there. To learn more about digital cameras, accessories and shooting tricks, visit http://www.digitalcamerawiz.com

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