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| Photography is the process of making pictures by means of the action of light. It involves recording light patterns, as reflected from objects, onto a sensitive medium through a timed exposure. The process is done through mechanical, chemical or digital devices commonly known as cameras.
PhotographyThe word comes from the Greek words phos ("light"), and graphis ("stylus", "paintbrush") or graphê, together meaning "drawing with light" or "representation by means of lines" or "drawing." | | Digital photography, as opposed to film photography, uses an electronic sensor to record the image as binary data. This facilitates storage and editing of the images on personal computers. Digital cameras now outsell film cameras and include features not found in film cameras such as the ability to shoot video and record audio. Some other devices, such as mobile phones, now include digital photography features. | Digital photography, which is using a digital camera to take pictures instead of a traditional 35mm film camera, is one of the fastest growing hobbies around. A digital camera allows you to take countless photographs, to see the photographs instantly, and to easily download the photographs to your computer for editing. Digital cameras also are wonderful because of the low costs involved in owning a digital camera.
A digital camera does not use film - thus removing the sizable costs associated with buying and developing film. In fact, once you buy a digital camera and get everything needed - the cost of owning a digital camera is essentially zero. | Introduction - The Pros and Cons of Digital Photography Probably the biggest question of all is whether you want to buy a digital camera at all. There are pros and cons to the decision and you don't need a digital camera for digital imaging. You can always use a standard film camera and have selected slides or negatives scanned at your local photofinisher. Here's a table that weighs the Pros and Cons of each approach. | Point to Consider | Digital Camera | Scanned Film | | Immediacy | Images are instantly available | Images are available only after the roll is finished and processed | | Resolution | Resolution (detail) is low compared to film. Even digital cameras with over 1 million pixels are only great for 4 x 6 prints and good for 8 x 10s. | Excellent, many times higher than digital cameras. You can make 16 x 20-inch prints from 35 mm film if you shoot with a tripod. | | Storage | Magnetic or optical media adds to total image costs. | Negatives and slides are self storing, but slides must be put in sheet holders for protection, convenience, and ease of use. | | Longevity | Storage media may not be readable in the future as formats and devices change. Prints are not as stable as silver-based prints. | Slides and prints can always be viewed without devices; and slides, negatives, and prints should easily last a century or more. | | Cost | Film and processing cost is eliminated so you can shoot at no cost. However, costs are incurred when you store or print. Battery costs will also be a factor over the life of the camera. | Film must be both purchased and processed. However, at that point there are no additional costs unless you want additional prints or enlargements. | | Creative Controls | All but the most expensive consumer level digital cameras lack all of the controls found on the least expensive SLR cameras. Choice of lenses is very limited. | Professional level controls are found on even the cheapest 35 mm SLR. There is also an extensive choice of lenses for most models. | If you're considering going digital, here are a few more reasons to get even more serious. Going digital saves you money in the long run by not buying rolls and rolls of film and paying for development. It saves you time because you don't have to make two trips to the store to drop off and then pick up your pictures. Digital cameras instantly show you how your pictures look so you'll no longer have those disappointments a day or two later when your film is developed. You can view images before they are printed and if you don't like what you see, edit them to perfection or delete them. Digital photography doesn't use the toxic chemicals that often end up flowing down the drain and into our streams, rivers, and lakes. No more waiting to finish a roll before having it processed. (Or wasting unexposed film when you can't wait.) | Digital cameras are becoming more than just cameras. Some digital cameras are capable of capturing not only still photographs, but also sound and even video-they are becoming more like multimedia recorders than cameras. In addition to displaying and distributing photographs, you can also use a photo-editing program to improve or alter them. For example, you can crop them, remove red-eye, change colors or contrast, and even add and delete elements. It's like having a darkroom with the lights on and without the chemicals! | Introduction - The right Selection While the race around to higher pixel solutions, the manufacturers of digital cameras attempt for themselves to outdo mutually. Up to 5 mega pixels offer the cameras. However a camera is completely sufficient for many users with 2 to 3 mega pixels. With pictures up to format 13 x 18, the unaided eye observes no more high-quality difference between the camera classes. In such a way, cameras of the 3- mega pixels category produce rich in contrast and sharp photographs and leave no wishes open. The purchase of a 5-mega pixel camera is only profitable under specific assumptions. If the user often requires large-formats photographs (larger than for instance A4). Or if sections become enlarged from the picture during aftertreatment. Ambitious photographers who consider to manual setting options the 4- and 5-mega pixel-classes also operating better. For example the sensitivity to light, shield or shutter speed are variable. However, it is considering that the 5-mega pixel-photography involves higher follow-up costs: a high-resolution photograph (for example 2560 x 1920 pixels) requires more storage space (approximately 6 MB) and requires longer charging time. The user must invest more money in storage media as Compactflash-Cards or computer hard drives. If you're buying a digital camera for the first time, you can quickly get lost in the details-there are lots of them. However, before looking at specifics, you should think through how you want to use the camera and its photos. Will you be shooting indoors? This will determine the quality of the flash you need. Will you be photographing static scenes such as home interiors, or action shots such as sports? This will determine the best viewfinder and lens. Will you be photographing wide angle scenes such as landscapes and home interiors, telephoto scenes such as portraits, or close-ups such as stamps and coins? This will determine the focal length of the lens you need and whether you need a zoom lens, auxiliary lenses, or macro mode. Are you a casual user, or a serious amateur or professional photographer? This will help you determine how many manual controls you'll want on the camera. Will you print the photos as snapshots, enlargements, or embed them in word processed or desktop published documents? Or will you publish the images on a Web page, e-mail them to others, or include them in a presentation? This will determine the best resolution for your situation. Camera Types | | Item | Comment | | Point and shoot camera | Minimal control but easy to use. Prints up to about 5 x 7. | | Megapixel camera | Better prints, good up to 8 x 10. | | Multi-megapixel camera | Even better prints and even larger file sizes. Great prints up to 8 x 10 and larger. | | Professional camera | Expensive but lots of creative control. | | | Image Sensor Types | | Item | Comment | | CCD image sensor | Highest image quality, more expensive. | | CMOS image sensor | Lower image quality but less expensive | | Resolution | Greater resolution permits larger prints | | Aspect ratio | The ratio of the sensor's width to height. | | Color depth | 30 is great, 24 is OK. | | Sensitivity | Higher ISOs mean more "speed" or sensitivity so less light is needed for a good exposure. | | Image quality | Less compression is better but you can't store as many images. Uncompressed format is best but image files are very large. | | | Storage Media Types | | Item | Comment | | Type of storage media | PC Card, CompactFlash, SmartMedia, other. | | Removable media | Removable media allows you to remove a full storage device, insert a new one, and keep on shooting. | | Storage capacity | Higher capacity devices store more images. | | | Downloading Options | | Item | Comment | | Serial cable | The slowest port on the computer. | | Parallel port | The second slowest port on the computer but much faster than the serial port. | | SCSI port | A fairly fast port but can be difficult to configure. | | USB port | The fastest port that is widely available. Ideal for transferring digital photographs. | | IEEE 1394 (Firewire) port | The fastest port on the horizon, but not yet widely available. | | Card adapter | An adapter into which you insert a storage device so it can be read by the computer, printer, or other device. | | Card reader | A small device connected to a computer port by cable. To transfer files, you remove the storage device from the camera and insert it into the reader. | | Infrared connection | A wireless way to transfer images between devices. Not very fast and connection is blocked by obstacles. | | Direct download to a printer | Some camera-printer combinations allow you to bypass the computer when you want to print images. | | Video out, television display | NTSC (USA) or PAL (Europe) connections allow you to display images from the camera on a television set. | | Direct e-mail from camera | Allows you to e-mail images directly from the camera | | Direct Web posting | Allows you to post images on a Web site directly from the camera. | | | Functions for Professionals Points are important for the practice effort as the battery lifetime, ergonomics and function scope. All photo parameters of this semi-professional camera can be appeared readily manually. Some cameras are configurable only in a limited way. There are so many digital cameras with so many different features that it's hard to compare them unless you know what features are available and how they affect your photography. Here is a checklist of features you can use when choosing a camera for yourself. Just keep in mind that a checklist provides only a rough guideline because a list of features and specifications doesn't always tell the whole story. Lens quality is hard to quantify, as is the quality of the software inside the camera that's messing around with every image you take. To make the best camera choice, read reviews from sources you trust and try to look at side by side comparisons of images. | | Not for Snapshots One captain camera model may be designated as snapshot cameras. However, one does not characterize digital cameras in general. Snapshots require a fast reflex not only from the photographer but also from the camera. However the releasing delay of the digital cameras foils the fast shot.
In such a way, almost a half second passes by the case of some models of the momentum of ransom until the photograph is gained. If the intern camera storage medium is full, further fractions of a seconds pass by until the picture is secured on the alternation storage medium. Users who want to photograph fast in spite of this technical Handicaps should ensure that the camera supports fast and robust compact flash boards or Microdrive medias.
During the purchase of a digital camera, users may themselves are blinded neither from mega pixel numbers still from the altogether elegant Styling of the cameras. Because the devices are too expensive for a blemish purchase. According to the basic decision on the mega pixel-class, the user should test precisely which adjusting options he requires while photographing and whether all important functions are to be activated fast and simply. | | | | Tips and Tricks for the perfect Photos Correct photograph quality: Between a snapshot and a really good photograph that is often only a or other professional manipulation. In the following, we present tips and tricks which influence picture quality significantly already while including the photograph.
The advantage for the customer: If he has already chosen the correct attitudes while photographing, the time-consuming aftertreatment of the photograph is dropped. In addition, video processing programs can only correct in a limited manner photograph quality.
Adapt sensitivity to light: Unlike analogous cameras which can employ only a film model simultaneously in each case, the digital relatives are more versatile: These adjust the sensitivity to light optionally automatically depending on model of camera.
Only the digital cameras the one captain class may incorporate with in most cases a fixed sensitiveness. On the other hand, the photographer selects from several grading of the models of professionals.
Low sensitiveness supply, a better colour rendering and a lower hissing which lets regular display spaces often appear unpleasantly grieselig generally. In case of dark picture motives, the exposure time unlike presentations illuminated brightly must be extended clearly. This often leads to diffuseness in compatibility with unintentional camera waggling. In such situations, the photographer should choose a higher sensitiveness. Preserved also a tripod before blurred pictures. Much models of camera control the sensitivity to light themselves continuous.
However, the photographer adjusts the ISO values better manually for long-term illuminations. The doubling and/or halving an ASA-number amounts to a halving respektive of a doubling of illumination. ASA-defaults 100 satisfies for example in order to also receive sufficiently on a clouded day illuminated pictures.
Light and color: The human eye adapts automatically to different sources of light.
Current digital cameras adapt this mechanism and control the deviation from the normal daylight balance with the automatic white adjustment.
Among other things, the camera includes artificial light, neon and flashlight non-in a falsified manner in this way.
If a color (for example red or blue) dominates in the case of a picture motive, the automatic white adjustment possibly causes a hue in the photo. In such cases, the photographer adjusts the available or favoured source of light manually by white adjustment. This is sources of light especially different in mixing bright situations, with which is in the picture motive included.
Provided that not individual from the photographer adapted, the exposure meters inserted in modern digital cameras do not include bright or dark motives optimally. Motives as a bright poster on a white wall or a snow landscape would could sink in a flat grey. Therefore, the photographer must patch manually illumination. The rule is valid here: Bright objects must be underexposed in a overexposed manner, dark objects on the other hand. | | Caution before the Surprises come In the case of topic memory extension is imminent some owners of a digital camera with Smart-Media-Card an unpleasant surprise: New memory modules with higher capacities can indeed only be used in few models. Itself the verse silver plated current cameras ones if the first Smart-Media-Cards available at more than 128 MB of memory are – which cards become then simple way no more recognized. How large the memory capacity supplementary at the most is, depends of the Smart-Media-Cards of the controller integrated in the camera – and this is at present designed at the gross of the cameras to a maximum of 128 MB.
Therefore, it is important before the memory purchase to keep informed exactly about the possibilities of the camera. However, relief can bring a firmware update which must be carried out by the manufacturer often however. Compact flash boards do not know such restrictions – the controller is firm component of the memory card here. However, it is also he that constitutes high-quality differences clear at the cards it. In addition to compatibility with many different models of camera, he also determines the reading and typing-speeds.
Even the service life of the compact flash memory card depends on the controller: Although the number of the read/delete processes at the flash memory is uncritical with up to 100 000 cycles, individual memory sectors can quite turn out meaningly in former times. As at a fixed disk, the controller must recognize the defective fields and exclude them from use. If this does not function correctly, the service life of the whole memory card can abridge itself clearly. Arguments for flag memory with which high-quality electronics, compatibility lists and special guaranteeing offer safety.
The sales figures of compact flash and nautical mile kind media may fit identical according to GfK investigation from beginning in 2001 at 39 and/or 35 percent market coverage – both standards are firm anchored in the market and may offer promising future. On place three lands at 20 percent Sonys Memory embroidery – however, this number also contains the effort in camcorders and music-Playern. At maximum capacity has at present compact flash at up to 300 MB the nose in front. Increase place for digital cameras only offers that IBM-Microdrive, a mini fixed disk at up to 1024 MB. However, a broader compact flash slot is necessary to the company from the model II. Nautical mile kind media memory card, known early as sound state floppy disk Card (SSFDC), gives it as well as the Memory Stick of Sony at a maximum of 128 MB. | Buyers Guide to Shopping for a Digital Camera | Despite all the cameras on the market and their various features, shopping for a digital camera can become much easier once you narrow down your criteria. By following these simple steps in this buyers guide, you should be well on your way to shopping for the right digital camera for your needs.
Determine What You Need a Digital Camera For
This first step, figuring out what you need the digital camera for, is far and away the most important decision you need to make. Once you determine what you need a camera for, it becomes much simpler to shop for the correct digital camera. Common uses of a digital camera include:
Posting photographs on the Internet
Viewing photographs on a computer screen
Sending photographs by email to friends and family
Printing photographs on a standard size piece of paper
Printing photographs on oversized paper (such as legal size)
Using photographs for professional graphics work
Different types of digital cameras handle these uses differently or not at all. By knowing what you want to use the camera for, you will be in a much better position to shop for a digital camera.
Determining the Resolution of the Camera you need
Once you know what you will use a digital camera for, the next step is to determine the resolution of the camera that you need for that particular use. To learn all the technical details about resolution, please visit our How a Digital Camera Work section.
Digital cameras now come in five different resolutions, expressed in megapixels. The higher the resolution of the digital camera, the larger photographs it will be able to take. Remember, resolution means nothing in the terms of quality. Instead, it's all about the size of the image.
So, what digital camera resolution is right for you? It depends on what you will be doing, of course! Here's a breakdown on the uses of the five different resolutions of digital cameras (expressed in megapixels) that are currently available.
1-megapixel digital cameras - Maximum picture size is 1024x768. This camera is fine for posting images to the internet, for viewing images on a computer screen and is perfect for emailing photos to friends and family. These cameras are fine for printing images up to 5 x 7 inches in size.
2-megapixel digital cameras - Maximum picture size is 1600x1200, which is greater than most resolutions on computer monitors. This camera is an excellent choice for an all around digital camera. It is perfect for posting pictures to the Internet, viewing images on a computer monitor and mailing pictures to friends and family. It can print images up to 8x10 inches size, which is the standard paper size most people print on. A 2-megapixel digital camera is also great for basic graphics work. All pictures on this web site were taken using a 2-megapixel digital camera .
3-megapixel to 5-megapixel digital cameras - These cameras are the "high end" cameras currently on the market. A 3-megapixel camera has a maximum image size of 2048x1536 and will print pictures up to 11x14 inches. 4-megapixel and 5-megapixel digital cameras will have even larger images and print sizes. These cameras perform all the function of 2-megapixel cameras plus are perfectly suited for professional graphics work. The cost of 3-megapixel cameras has come down quite a bit recently. The 4-megapixel and 5-megapixel cameras are still quite pricey. For general all around use, a person does not need a 3-megapixel or greater digital camera unless they need a specific feature found only on these higher end cameras.
Hopefully this information about digital camera resolutions should help you choose the type of camera you need (1-megapixel, 2-megapixel or greater).
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