Getting to Know Your Digital Camera

It is important to know the features of your camera, it will make taking pictures (creating images) more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Types of Digital Cameras Subcompacts (pocket cameras) Compact (rangefinder) Superzooms (SLR like) Digital SLR (DSLR) Camcorders Cell phones, PDAs etc.

Subcompacts (pocket cameras) Pocket size camera They cost a bit more for the same capabilities as compact cameras Come with compromises shorter battery life no viewfinder a zoom range usually no greater than 3x smaller controls No manual controls

Compact (rangefinder) Mainstream bigger then pocket cameras Simple to use and best for everyday events Some don’t have manual controls Can have limited zoom capabilities

Superzooms (SLR like) Super-zoom cameras are characterized by a very long zoom range—10x or greater, which is good for sports, travel, or nature shooting. Some also have macro capabilities Larger the pocket cameras Viewfinder image is a direct electronic version of what the lens is seeing Have more controls to capturing the image

Digital SLR (DSLR) Single-lens reflex cameras are for profession or serious photographer SLRs, the largest and heaviest type Including interchangeable lenses. A lot more control features.

Camcorders Many camcorders are coming with the ability to take photos and store them on Media cards. Image controls are based on the setting for the video recorder.

Cell phones, PDAs etc Designed to take and share photos on your digital device Very little image control Very little zoom capability Some image quality is getting close to digital cameras.

Lenses Three types Fixed length In-Camera zoom Interchangeable Most people buy cameras with in-camera zoom lenses.

Lenses Zoom range how much can you magnify an image. The more zoom range you have the better image control you have. Zoom range can vary for 3X on sub-compact and compacts to 12X on Superzoom (SLR like) cameras.

LCD Screen In the days of film there was no real way to know how the picture you took looked until you had the film processed. With the LCD screen you can see immediately how the picture you took looked.

LCD Screen Beyond just being able to see the picture instantly you can Determine if composition is good Determine if you have good exposure There are ways to set you LCD screen so that you can immediately see the picture you have taken before you take another one.

EXIF Exchangeable Image File Format Extensions to image file formats that hold the camera settings used to take the picture. Most digital cameras support EXIF and save the data in the file headers. Most software used to organize digital images, like Picasa3 have the ability to display this information This information is useful, photographers can use the information so they do not have to remember how the camera was set up when the picture was taken.

Digital Camera – Front Lens Flash Microphone AF Assist Beam Rangefinder

Digital Camera – Top Shutter Button Self Timer/ Burst Button Mode Dial Mode/Power Dial Mode Lever Off Button Flash/Mic Button Flash Button Speaker Zoom Lever

Digital Camera – Back View Finder Omni Control LCD Screen Speaker Zoom Lever OK Button

Digital Camera – Back (close-up)

Digital Camera – Sides Left Side From Back Right Side From Back

Digital Camera – Bottom Batteries Tri-pod Mount

Digital Camera Cross Section The digital camera is a complex device The only part that is the same as film cameras is the lens.

Taking a Picture – Step 1 Camera is aimed at the scene Light reflected from the image passes through the lens of the camera. The lenses in digital cameras are different form those used in film cameras

Taking a Picture – Step 2 The image is focused on a device that is sensitive to light. The majority of cameras us Charged Coupling Devices (CCD) Some cameras use CMOS devices.

CCD Sensors

Taking a Picture – Step 3 CCD generates an analog signal that represents the image

Taking a Picture – Step 4 The Analog to Digital Convertor changes the analog electrical signal into digital information. ADC

Taking a Picture – Step 5 The Digital Signal processor converts the information into the file output information. ADC DSP

Taking a Picture – Step 6 The file information is sent to the flash storage media in the camera. ADC DSP

Composing The Image Composition, the act of composing the image in the viewfinder, is a visual process of organizing the elements and individual details of a scene into a balanced and pleasing arrangement. Good composition is essential in photography. It allows you to convey messages and emotions through the images that you shoot.

General Composition Rules - Framing Fill the entire photograph with your subject

Have a strong focal point Choose one main subject for you photograph. The main subject can be one object or several. Do not include distractions that pull people away from your photo.

Rule of Thirds Divide you viewfinder into thirds both horizontally and vertically Place your subject along the divide lines between the equal areas or at the places where the these lines meet

Leading Lines Leading lines help to lead the viewers eye to the important object in the photograph Be careful using leading lines so they do not lead away form the important part of the photograph

Angle of View Sometimes you will get a more interesting photograph by changing you angle of view.

Perspective Sometime it will make a photograph more interesting if you add an object to convey the perspective of the photo.

Balance The correct combination of colors, shapes, and areas of light and dark that complement one another