1. Digital Cameras in the Classroom Day One Basics Ann Howden UEN Professional Development ann@uen.org

2. Steps to Digital Photography: Creating a Digital Workflow Input: Taking Pictures  Digital camera, Scanner, Digital Video Image Processing  Organization Transfer to computer, Back up photos, Sort by category  Edit or manipulate the image with editing software Output (and Organization)  Print, display, and share images

3. Digital Image Basics Digital Photos/Bitmap Images  Digital images are made up of tiny squares called Pixels. Pixels gather light and color information to create a digital image (bitmap).

4. Digital Cameras work in Megapixels. A megapixel is equal to one million pixels. The picture to the left has approximately 6,100,000 pixels in it and was taken with a 6.1 megapixel camera. The more pixels in an image, the smoother and more detailed the photo will appear.

5. Digital Image Basics How Many Pixels do I Need? 1. How will I be sharing my photos?  Web and e-mail, home printing or professional printing? 2.Will I be printing my photos on a regular basis?  Home vs. local vs. online printing services 3.How BIG do I want my photos to be?  3x5, 4x6, 8x10, or bigger?

6. A tip to remember… No matter the size of picture file, a digital image will usually look good on a computer screen.  A 1 megapixel camera will display pictures on a computer screen as big as 8 x 10 that look great. Megapixels really matter when you want to print your images.  A 2 megapixel camera will make beautiful 4 x 6 prints.

7. Print vs. Computer Screen If printing the picture, the more pixels the better. (generally between 150-300 dpi/ppi) If using the picture on a computer screen, you want it to fit on the monitor without scrolling.  Reduce image size (amount of pixels) if sending pictures via e-mail, posting on a web page, etc.

8. How the Digital Camera Works Image Sensor  Instead of film, the digital camera uses an image sensor, usually a CCD (Charge Coupling Device).  The image sensor is made up of thousands to millions of pixels that record your image.

9. How a Digital Camera Works Exposure  Digital Cameras capture light, not images.  Pixels record the brightness and amount of light.  Once the light value is recorded it is converted to a digital number and saved to the camera’s memory.

10. How a Digital Camera Works Photo Color  The original image is only recorded as black and white, using brightness.  To add color, filters are placed over the image sensor. The filters are always Red, Green, and Blue.  These three colors create the rest of the colors the human eye can see.

11. Types of Digital Cameras The least expensive digital camera for the everyday consumer 1 – 8 megapixel range or higher. Fully automatic and little creative control (some scene settings, etc.). Limited print output Ideal for web page photos and personal photo albums.

12. Types of Digital Cameras Most commonly sold digital camera, also known as “Pro-sumer” Available in high megapixel models (12 megapixel or more) Give some creative controls  Scene settings  Telephoto zoom  Light metering  Generally has a video option

13. Types of Digital Cameras Professional quality cameras that are 100% photographer controlled Generally don’t go above 6.3 megapixel Manual and auto functions (apeture, white light, etc.) Interchangeable lenses

14. Basic Camera Functions Most digital cameras have a few of the same similar functions, though not always in the same places. To access features, you may have a dial, buttons, or menus to become familiar with.

15. Take Pictures View Pictures Trash can Flash Options Macro Setting Camera Functions

16. Portrait Landscape Night time Scene selection Common Settings

17. So, what’s the next step? Once you know the basics, it’s time to start taking GOOD pictures.

18. Digital Cameras in the Classroom Day One Basics Ann Howden UEN Professional Development ann@uen.org