Introduction to Digital Cameras & ScannersInstructor: Brad Atkinson

Digital Cameras

Overview

• Unlike traditional film cameras, digital ones capture your image to an electronic graphic file

• Pixels = dots• 2.2 Mp = 5x7 photo

quality print

What’s the big deal?Advantages of Digital Cameras

• No film – no developing

• Instant feedback

• Change “film” (modes) anytime

• Delete the ones you don’t like

• No negatives or prints to store

• PC or television slideshows

• Fix your photos or get creative

• Easy e-mail or web sharing

What’s the big deal?Disadvantages of Digital Cameras

• Batteries & other peripherals

• Cost/quality

• More features = more technical

• Storage/backup

• More to break

• Harder to share photos at the family picnic

• It won’t make you a better shooter (but you can practice all you want)

How A Digital Camera Might Work

Ideas for digital cameras

• Scrapbook

• PowerPoint Presentations

• Newsletters or Newspapers

• Websites

Demo: Olympus Stylus

• Step 1: Be sure the camera is on

• Step 2: Look through the viewfinder; zoom in and out

• Step 3: Press the shutter• Opt: Review your picture

Scanners

Resolution

• An important consideration – The resolution indicates how detailed the digital image will be. The higher the numbers, the sharper the scans will be. This is especially important when making enlargements.

• Low End – 600 by 1200 dpi

• Recommended – 1200 by 2400 to 2400 by 4800 dpi

• High End – 2400 by 2400 to 2400 by 4800 dpi

Scan Area

• Somewhat important – While few home users will need to scan legal-size documents, business users may find the letter-size scan area of most scanners too small. A larger scan area also makes it easier to scan large books, maps, drawings, paintings, newspapers, and tabloids.

• Low End – 8.5 by 11.7 inches• Recommended – 8.5 by 11.7 to 8.5 by 14

inches• High End – 8.5 by 11.7 to 8.5 by 14 inches

How A Flatbed Scanner Works

Ideas for scanners

• Pictures

• Ebay Auctions

• Make Copies

How do I know what to buy?

• Know your budget

• Compare brands

• Do research on the internet

• Ask a computer guru

• Ask yourself if you need a computer for pictures

• When purchasing a scanner know your computer

Read your manual!

• Each camera and scanner are different

• Get familiar with editing software

• Have fun