Transcript SAY CHEESE! The Digital Camera

SAY CHEESE! The Digital
Camera
By Jean Waldrop
ETEC 562
Spring 2004
Copyright Statement
This presentation contains
copyrighted materials. It is
used under the umbrella of
“Fair Use” for educational
purposes.
What is a digital camera?
Digital cameras record images in digital
format. The traditional camera uses film,
while digital cameras use a CCD or CMOS
(types of imaging sensors) that is readable
by computer.
CCD – charge coupled device
CMOS – complementary metal-oxide
semiconductor
Things to Look for in Digital Camera
Things to Look for in a Digital Camera
 Pixels – short for “picture element” (tiny blocks,
like tiles in a mosaic)
 Ppi – pixels per inch (linear inch)
 Resolution – the more pixels, the crisper the
picture.
 Quality of the lens system
 What will the camera be used for
 On-board memory
 Type of battery
Many Choices Available
How camera stores and transfers
images to the computer.
Memory cards or discs – There are
reusable RAM cards that come in
various storage sizes with brand
names, such as CompactFlash and
SmartMedia. Discs usually store
more than RAM cards.
Types of Removable Storage for Pictures
Transferring Images to the Computer
Images are transferred to the computer
with a serial or Universal Serial Bus (USB)
cable or via the storage medium itself if
the computer has a corresponding reader.
There are several download devices
available.
Download Devices
 Floppy Disk Adapter – makes SmartMedia and
Memory Stick cards readable by your floppy disk
drive. (Can drag and drop image files from
floppy drive to hard drive).
 PC Card Adapter
 Card Reader – an internal card reader that
installs into an empty expansion slot on the
computer or an external reader that cables to
the computer, usually via a parallel port or USB
port.
Download Devices
Download Devices
Docking Stations – small base unit that
you leave permanently to computer,
usually via a USB cable.
Photo Printer with Memory Card Slots –
prints directly from camera’s memory
Popular File Formats for Saving Digital
Images
 TIFF – Can be opened on both PC and
Macintosh computers. Best choice for
preserving all image data, but usually results in
larger file sizes. Don’t use for images on a
World Wide Web page.
 JPEG – Can be opened on both PC and
Macintosh computers. Can compress images so
that files are smaller but too much compression
reduces image quality. One of two formats to
use for Web images.
Popular File Formats for Saving Digital
Images
 GIF – Use of Web images only. Compatible with
Macintosh and PC computers. Offers a feature
that enables you to make part of your image
transparent so that the Web page background
shows through the image.
 BMP – Only for images that will be used as
Windows system resources, such as desktop
wallpaper.
 PICT – Only for images that will be used as
Macintosh system resources, such as desktop
pattern.
Advantages
 Quick way to get photos – don’t have to drop off
film to be developed.
 Can be printed out on photographic or regular
paper with a color printer.
 Allows you to preview photos as you take them.
(Equipped with small LCD screens that let you
preview pictures before saving them or see
pictures you have already saved).
 Once stored on the computer’s hard drive they
can be enhanced with a photo-styling program
or used in other software applications.
Imaging Editing Programs Give You
Control Over Your Pictures
Options Available
 When developing 35mm film, pictures can be
transformed into digital images and offer the
option of saving them on a CD.
 Some developers email you back your digital
photos directly for download, thus skipping the
compact disk entirely.
 New disposable digital cameras – have to wait
for processing but companies like Kodak, give
you a free CD but will still have to pay the
normal develop and print fee. The CD is
compatible with both PC and Mac systems.
Many Kinds of Software Available
Adobe Photoshop
ThumbsPlus – database for
pictures
FlipAlbum Suite – looks like a
photo album
Ways to Improve Your Digital Images
Right number of pixels
The optimum compression setting
Correct flaws with your photo software
Choose paper for the best printed output
Spend time getting to know your camera
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Sources Used
Computer Education for Teachers:
Integrating Technology Into Classroom
Teaching by Vicki Sharp, 2002.
Digital Photography for Dummies by Julie
Adair King, 2002.
Teaching and Learning With Technology
by Judy Lever-Duffy, Jean B. McDonald,
and Al P. Mizell, 2003.