2. Getting to Know Your Digital Camera

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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Digital Camera – Front Microphone Rangefinder Flash AF Assist Beam
Lens

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

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

19. Digital Camera – Back (close-up)

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

21. Digital Camera – Bottom
Batteries
Tri-pod
Mount

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

23. 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

24. 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.

25. CCD Sensors

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

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

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

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

30. 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.

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

32. 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.

34. 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

35. 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

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

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

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