Beginner's Guide to Digital Cameras

Choosing a Digital Video Camera with the Proper Connection

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:16:53 +0000

After you take your video, you will want to download it to your computer for further editing. In this case the question would be what way do you want to connect your camera to your PC? Most PCs have at least four USB ports, and this is the most common way to attach it. However, there are those PCs that have FireWire available. The question is what’s the best? FireWire is faster than USB. And it is easier to use video editing because the image can download quickly. The only problem is that most computers don’t have FireWire ports yet. If this is the case and you want to use FireWire, you’ll have to buy a FireWire adapter card. These usually sell for $50. You will also need a DV FireWire cable. Of course you can take the easier way out and use your USB port. The newer computers use USB 2.0 which is faster than the older USB. So make sure your digital video camera supports USB 2.0, since this is the newest version and is the fastest one.

Picture Hanging Overview

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:17:23 +0000

Taking pictures with your camera is one great experience. You can share your camera with your friends and neighbors and be the talk of the town. You can do all kinds of things with your pictures. Why not go one step further and display your images for anyone to see when they visit your home. Take your pictures and hang them up on the wall. You’ll be surprised by how many people are hanging their favorite digital photos on the wall so they can constantly stare at it. Do you have a favorite picture you are proud of and want to look at it often? Or you have a picture you want others to see? Hang it up. Before you do so, you need to consider a few details:

• Holes in wall: The only problem with hanging pictures is the holes they create when hanging them. You have to put a nail in the wall just so you can have a place to hold the frame. Avoid this nuisance by doing making it easier top hang pictures.
• Wall position: Believe it or not, the position of the picture on the wall does matter. It creates many impressions and has an affect on the atmosphere of the room. Living in a house with well positioned pictures makes looking at them worthwhile.
• Arranging pictures: Some people just throw a picture on the wall without thinking about the way it is hung, the place, or anything else. They just put to nails in the wall, and hang up the picture, not realizing the impact this may have on the atmosphere and their own psyche.
• The mechanics of wall hanging: Hanging a picture on the wall is easier than you think. Some people think it is just a matter of putting one nail in the wall and that’s it. There’s more to it. Hanging a picture requires technique and correct steps to make sure it is done right.

Creating Holes in the Wall for Picture Hanging

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:18:34 +0000

Stepping back away from the wall and looking at your favorite picture you took from your digital camera is a big thrill. You are proud of what you have accomplished. You call your friends and neighbors to tell them about it and they come over to gaze at it with you. They phrase you for taking a greet shot. There is one problem. They notice the picture is too high and crooked. Oh, no. What can you do? You first take the picture down, and continue to create new holes as you try to reposition it. But doing this would create more holes. There is a way around this.

Instead of continually putting holes in the wall, do the following:

• Take the picture down from the wall.
• Move it down a bit and straighten it.
• Keep doing this until your friends give you the thumbs up, letting you know it is perfect.
• As soon as they acknowledge that the picture is in the correct location and is straight, have either one or two people hold the picture while you place the nail at the desired location.
• After you have secured the place, use your hammer and put the nail in the wall.
• Hang the picture in place.
• Ask your friends to validate the position. Then step back and take in the beauty yourself.

Picture Hanging and Wall Position

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:19:15 +0000

It doesn’t matter if you hang the single large piece or many different pictures; you have to know how to look at your pictures. You have to think of them as a single design in relation to the way it will be arranged on the wall. You especially have to look at the wall size and shape, the furnishings around the area, the lighting, and anything else nearby. When considering the place to hang the picture, you need to make sure the pictures are at least at eye level. You don’t want to look up too far. This would strain your neck and make peering at the picture uncomfortable. For example, if you are around 4 feet tall or 7 feet tall, you may have a problem in viewing any picture if it is too high or too low. But if you are of average height, somewhere in the 5 foot range, you may be able to see the pictures with no problem.

The best place to put the pictures is at 63-66 inches. This has been found to be the compromised placed for all people to view the picture with not too many problems. The size of the wall is also a concern. If it is huge or the shape of the wall is not the usual shape, this could pose a problem. The visual acuity could be affected to a degree. Here are steps you can take to ensure your best arrangement of the pictures with whatever wall type you have:

• Tall narrow walls are ideal for a single picture that is long and narrow. You could even use a vertical arrangement using smaller pictures in this case.
• Large pictures work well with large furniture next to the wall or nearby. The best way to arrange this is to place the picture so it is at least 2/3 to ¾ inches of the size of the furniture. In other words, whatever size the furniture may be, place the picture 2/3 to ¾ inches further away.
• Smaller pictures in a single or combined arrangement look nice if there is open space between furniture. For example two ends tables that are separated. Place a flower arrangement on one of the tables or both and you’ve got the perfect picture setting.

Arranging Pictures and Picture Hanging

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:19:51 +0000

If you have many pictures that are the same size or type, you may not have a problem with the way you position the pictures on the wall. But if you have many different pictures of different sizes, you may find a little difficulty in arranging the pictures. It won’t be a hopeless cause; it will just require a little more maneuvering and forethought. The best way to deal with many different types is to sketch a plan as to where you want to place your pictures. Take these steps before you hang them up. This will help to avoid holes and frustration. One good way to do this is by using PhotoShop, if you have it, to digitally arrange the pictures so you can see ahead how the arrangement will look like. Use the tools provided to rearrange everything including color and positioning until you feel you have it right. After you are satisfied, take the pictures and put them where you want them. If you don’t have the software to do this, use plan paper to sketch it the way you want. Either way, the final result will to place the pictures on the wall where they will work with the interior and have the look and feel you want, without clashing in any way, shape, or form.

The Mechanics of Wall Hanging

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:20:22 +0000

Placing pictures on a wall is not always cut and dried. There are techniques that if followed will help to make your experience in picture hanging easier and more pleasant. You basically want to get your pictures hung at the precise spot where you want it without creating too many holes. This will help preserve your wall and save you time. You basically want to start out by using two hooks. Now follow these steps for perfect wall hanging:

• Measure from the floor until you reach 66 inches. This is ideal eye level.
• Mark the spot lightly with a pencil. Make sure the pencil has a good erasure on it so you can remove it later.
• Measure the length and width of the picture. This way you will know the center mark of the picture.
• Now, look at the spot where you lightly marked from before and measure across the wall to where the picture length you found ends.
• Verify this from the floor to make sure it too is 66 inches. Lightly mark this place to.
• Now, measure up 6 inches from both sides.
• Put the nails in these two locations.
• Hang the picture.

You should now have a perfectly placed picture that you and others can view with no problems and will enjoy for a long time.

Picture Framing Overview

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:20:55 +0000

One of the greatest thrills in the world is to take your best and most favorite digital camera images and frame them for constant viewing. The truly satisfying way to enjoy your picture taking is by engulfing yourself in the superb realization of the object you desire the most. Another aspect to this is when seeing your friend’s and neighbor’s faces when they gaze at it as well. But what is more intriguing is when they look upon the object inside an elegant frame, perhaps a frame you made yourself. Before you can accomplish this task though, you need to know some fundamentals of framing, otherwise you may not do it right and end up with a sloppy mess. Such skills you will need to know include:

• Mat Cutting: Before you can start your framing project, you need to prepare yourself for the task at hand. The first step is in gathering the equipment you will need including scissors, some type of measuring device, and the material for the frame. You may even need a template to work off of. This you can get at any art supply store or online.
• Frame Cutting: Here is where you will engage in the actual cutting of the material to form the borders for the frame. You will use some kind of measuring device, along with a writing utensil to keep track of measurements.
• Frame Clamping: This part is let putting all pieces of a puzzle together. You will take all pieces that you made and cut previously and put them together to form one large piece. But you aren’t connecting them yet. You are merely preparing them for connection.
• Frame Joining: You can’t have a frame without connecting all pieces together. This is the way you create a frame. You may join these pieces by using glue or some other adhesives.
• Fitting and Finishing: The final stage is where you finish up and have a completed frame where you can place your picture for hanging.

Picture Framing and Mat and Frame Cutting

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:22:09 +0000

In order to get your frame started you have to take your picture you printed you’re your digital camera and measure it across. There are templates you can get to help you figure out the exact size you will need for your frame, based on your picture size and width. After you have obtained the correct measurements for your picture you can start cutting your beveled edged window mat using a bevel cutter and ruler. By looking at the picture in front of the mat, you can judge the amount of space you will need beyond the picture that will fit within the frame you will make later.

After you have put the mat in place, you need to cut it so as not too much edges. This way the mat will fit in the frame correctly. The best way to do it is to mark the borders to the back of the mat with a miter tool. You will want to subtract about 3mm or 1/8 inches from the edges. This way you’ll know you will get the right length for the mat cutting.

At this point you will want to obtain a good frame join. To do this it is important to cut the frame miters accurately. In this case, a word of warning to you – not all miter saws cut accurately. So make sure you get one that will or else you will find yourself in a touch challenge trying to make cuts that will be off. In the end, it will affect the appearance of your frame and the way the picture will fit.

If you are unsure about doing this part of the work, you can always enlist the services of a chop service. A company that deals in chopping supplies and cuts the four sides of a picture frame according to your specifications. You just decide on the frame, and for a small fee, they will cut and shape your frame for you. You can do this online and have the frame delivered to you.

Picture Framing and Frame Clamping

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:22:39 +0000

After you have gathered all your materials together and cut them to size, you will need to bring those pieces together so they can fit properly. They have to join together and be kept together so there can be a sealed corner on each side. The way to join all pieces together is by using either glue or some other type of adhesive to make the joint stick. After you have applied the glue or adhesive, you need to use a good metal strap clamp to hold the clamps together. It is best to use a metal strap clamp because you can see all the four corners of the frame at the same time. This way you will know if all four corners are connected correctly before going too far. This way if a mistake occurred you can fix the problem before the adhesive hardens.

There’s one thing to be watchful for here regarding clamping. When you place the adhesive over the joint and place the clamp over the joint, you don’t want to squeeze the clamp too much or you may have a crack on the joint. You do need to place the clamp and tighten so as to form a good clamp, but don’t overdue it. Just tighten it until you find tighten is hard to do. Then stop. When this happens, it creates a weakness, thereby causing a separation later. So be careful when clamping the corners. This is why using a strap clamp is a benefit, because it makes clamping easier and more accurate. You don’t have to judge as much. As long as all corners match up evenly then you should be in great shape. Just make sure you used enough wood glue. This will add extra holding strength.

Picture Framing and Frame Joining

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:23:11 +0000

When it is time to join all the frames pieces together, you would bring the mitered corners together so that both sides come together as close as possible. Next, you will take a V-Nail (v shaped staples) and insert it at the joint location. The V-Nail would be inserted in the back of the frame at each corner. This will secure the corners and keep them from separating. They also prevent injury when handling the frame. When you place the V-Nail into the molding in the back of the frame, make sure it catches or you may find the frame splitting apart on you if you don’t. The best type of tool for inserting V-Nails is a tool called PushMaster. It is not only an insertion tool but it is also a joining tool. When a V-Nail is inserted into the corners of the frame, the sides of the V-nails are deflected outwards. When it pulls back into place the join comes together. The curl in the edge of the V-Nail locks the nail in place.

Picture Framing and Fitting and Finishing

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 21:23:47 +0000

Now comes the final touches. Here you may wish to use backing nails or Flexipoints (bendable tabs). These are special type of nails that are inserted in the back of the frame that will secure the glass, matt, and picture in the frame. Before you place your picture in the frame, make sure to cover it with a layer of brown backing paper or backing tape. This will protect the picture. Once you place this backing paper into the frame and put the picture in place, you attach the hangers and wire so you can hang the picture on the wall.

When you are ready to complete the frame, you need to place glass in the frame to protect the picture. To do this you must make sure the glass is the correct size. If you wish to cut the glass yourself make sure to use a good glass cutter or you could cause injury to yourself and have a glass that won’t fit right.

Choosing a Digital Camera

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 16:06:57 +0000

Types of Digital Cameras

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 16:09:19 +0000

Pixels and Image Size

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 16:11:39 +0000

Digital Camera Accessories

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 16:13:42 +0000

Beginner's Guide to Digital Cameras

Choosing a Digital Video Camera with the Proper Connection

Picture Hanging Overview

Creating Holes in the Wall for Picture Hanging

Picture Hanging and Wall Position

Arranging Pictures and Picture Hanging

The Mechanics of Wall Hanging

Picture Framing Overview

Picture Framing and Mat and Frame Cutting

Picture Framing and Frame Clamping

Picture Framing and Frame Joining

Picture Framing and Fitting and Finishing

Choosing a Digital Camera

Choosing a Digital Camera Overview

How Does a Digital Camera Work?

Downloading Images from Your Camera to Your PC

Choosing Your Digital Camera

Types of Digital Cameras

Types of Digital Cameras Overview

Point and Shoot Digital Cameras

Prosumer Cameras

Professional Cameras

Pixels and Image Size

Pixels and Image Size Overview

Pixel and Image Size Defined

Image Sensors and How It Relates to Pixels and Image Size

Choosing the Correct Resolution For Your Digital Image

Digital Camera Accessories

Digital Camera Accessories Overview

Camera Bags

Memory Cards

Camera Tripod