| Both amateur and professional photographers are | | | | scratches, water or dirt. |
| often shifting to digital cameras due to their | | | | 6. Tripod |
| convenience, usability and efficiency, the possibility | | | | A tripod keeps the focus stable and is very useful |
| of deleting pictures you don't like and sharing | | | | when setting a timer. |
| photos with friends or storing them to your | | | | 7. Lenses and filters |
| computer. Whether you are a hobbyist, a novice | | | | Some cameras allow attaching additional lenses to |
| or a professional in photography, there is some | | | | the main lens while for others all lenses are |
| basic information you need to know about digital | | | | interchangeable. Lenses are classified into the |
| cameras. | | | | following categories: a. macro lens - enable |
| 1. Types of cameras | | | | close-ups of small subjects like flowers and |
| Digital cameras can be grouped in: a. ultra | | | | insects; b. wide-angle lens - the opposite of macro |
| compact - small, no flash mode; b. prosumer/ | | | | lens, it is used to capture wide sceneries; c. |
| compact - generally used by hobbyists; c. digital | | | | telephoto lens - has a longer zoom feature that |
| SLRs - equipped with tripod, lenses and external | | | | lets you take the photo from a distance when, |
| flash unit, designed for professionals. If you look | | | | for example, it is unsafe to get closer. Filters are |
| at photography as an art, it is advisable to go for | | | | used to soften the image, add light flares to |
| the third category. Price varies upon a multitude | | | | increase emotional impact, blur edges for |
| of factors, including resolution. | | | | portraits, reduce glare to make pictures more |
| 2. Number of mega pixels | | | | vivid and saturated. |
| Based upon the number of mega pixels, cameras | | | | Here are also a few strategies to help you |
| can be classified in three categories: a. 3 mega | | | | achieve better results right from the start: |
| pixels - can take basic snapshots but that's it; b. 3 | | | | 1. Holding the camera |
| to 5 mega pixels - the photos will have higher | | | | In order to take a good picture, the camera must |
| print quality; c. 5 to 7 mega pixels - can be printed | | | | be held as steadily as possible. You should also |
| in larger sizes. | | | | make sure your fingers don't interfere with the |
| 3. Zooming | | | | lens. You will get it right after a little practice. |
| A camera generally has two types of zoom | | | | 2. Focusing |
| features: an optical zoom - magnifies the light | | | | Press the button only half way down until you |
| entering through the main lens so that the image | | | | lock the view on the focus, then press it |
| seems closer; digital zoom - magnifies the final | | | | completely to shoot. It is also best to use a tripod |
| result. Optical zoom provides higher quality. | | | | because it keeps the camera more steady. |
| 4. Storage media | | | | 3. Previewing |
| There are several types of storage formats, | | | | Everyone knows that after taking a picture he |
| including: compact flash - for compact cameras | | | | can preview it on the camera's LCD screen. This |
| and DSLRs; b. Sony memory stick - compatible | | | | offers you the opportunity to give it another try |
| only with Sony devices; c. Smart media storage - | | | | in case you didn't like the result. |
| storage size is above 64kb and can store 3 | | | | 4. Archiving |
| dozen mega pixel files, while 1Gb can store about | | | | Create an album of all the photos you've really |
| 500 images. | | | | liked so that you can refer to them later on. |
| 5. Carrying case | | | | After you've mastered your simple compact |
| The camera and its accessories should be carried | | | | camera and even digital SLRs, you can take |
| using a specific case to protect them from | | | | better pictures using other cameras. |