calandraphotos
New Member
Not long ago, you had to be rich to afford a good camera. The common people were content with a simple, no frills, point-and-shoot model. All that changed with the advent of the electronic and digital photography age. Now virtually everyone can have a multi-featured digital camera that takes good, instant pictures. We can print high quality pictures ourselves or share them with others electronically. In fact, inexpensive cameras can be so complicated, it’s hard to know what to buy. This article gives some suggestions on what to look for in a camera.
Point one, ask yourself, “What is my purpose in buying a camera”? Are you mainly going to share the pictures online? Will you use it to take mainly indoor or outdoor pictures? Will the pictures be lots of action shots or more stills? Are you going to take simple pictures or do you need the ability to take specialty pictures like fireworks at night or a hummingbird in the feeder?
Next, determine how much you are willing to pay for a camera. Usually you will get about what you pay for. But with all the features available, you could easily get more than you need. Thus, these are important questions to answer. If you are a novice at photography or if you are technologically challenged, you probably don’t want a complex, many-featured camera with capabilities you will never need. Instead, ook for a simple point-and-shoot model instead of the fanciest camera you can afford.
Cameras are often featured for how many megapixels they have. This megapixel figure simply tells the maximum resolution it can take. A larger number means that you can set the camera to take larger pictures that are still very clear. However, these pictures may also take up lots of memory. If you plan to email pictures, or post them on a family website, then this will mean clearer pictures but much longer download times.
Most digital cameras have an LCD screen so you can see what you are taking and what you have already taken. Be sure this screen is plenty big to see the image clearly and to see what you are taking even in bright light. The lens size will usually determine the zoom range. Larger cameras also have larger flashes, in general. But you are able to zoom in closely indoors where the flash cannot illuminate the subject. Some cameras contain a flash boot so you can use a larger external flash . Generally, a larger camera is more bulky but it also has a better flash and lens.
More pricey cameras will have additional features like the ability to self-portrait (delay shutter). Some LCD screens can be rotated so that they are visible over the head or down low or even in setting up a delay shutter picture. Digital cameras are now able to take video as well.
Check online reviews of the camera you are interested in before you set your heart on getting it. Unbiased reviewers and owners are usually pretty honest. Check out the type of batteries it uses. If they are not standard, the batteries can get expensive. You may want the camera to have the same type of memory as other devices you own like video cameras or LCD picture frames. Is the memory card compatible with your computer and/or printer?
As I said, check consumer reviews, but also, if possible, go to a store where you can try it out, even if you don’t buy it there. Also, read the warranty. Should you purchase the extended warranty? I generally do for electronics since so much could go wrong that I wouldn’t be able to fix.
Once you have made your selection, then live with it. Be content with your purchase instead of wishing you had gotten something else. Instead, read the manual and take lots of pictures as you learn all it can do. Taking pictures is a wonderful way to conserve memories and photography can be fun. With so many low priced good cameras available, why not get started.
Following these tips should lead you to a camera that will serve you well for years. But if you're more interested in a professional handling your photography, consider the services of Del Haven Studio, an accomplished photographer in Virginia Beach. View their website portfolio for proof.
Point one, ask yourself, “What is my purpose in buying a camera”? Are you mainly going to share the pictures online? Will you use it to take mainly indoor or outdoor pictures? Will the pictures be lots of action shots or more stills? Are you going to take simple pictures or do you need the ability to take specialty pictures like fireworks at night or a hummingbird in the feeder?
Next, determine how much you are willing to pay for a camera. Usually you will get about what you pay for. But with all the features available, you could easily get more than you need. Thus, these are important questions to answer. If you are a novice at photography or if you are technologically challenged, you probably don’t want a complex, many-featured camera with capabilities you will never need. Instead, ook for a simple point-and-shoot model instead of the fanciest camera you can afford.
Cameras are often featured for how many megapixels they have. This megapixel figure simply tells the maximum resolution it can take. A larger number means that you can set the camera to take larger pictures that are still very clear. However, these pictures may also take up lots of memory. If you plan to email pictures, or post them on a family website, then this will mean clearer pictures but much longer download times.
Most digital cameras have an LCD screen so you can see what you are taking and what you have already taken. Be sure this screen is plenty big to see the image clearly and to see what you are taking even in bright light. The lens size will usually determine the zoom range. Larger cameras also have larger flashes, in general. But you are able to zoom in closely indoors where the flash cannot illuminate the subject. Some cameras contain a flash boot so you can use a larger external flash . Generally, a larger camera is more bulky but it also has a better flash and lens.
More pricey cameras will have additional features like the ability to self-portrait (delay shutter). Some LCD screens can be rotated so that they are visible over the head or down low or even in setting up a delay shutter picture. Digital cameras are now able to take video as well.
Check online reviews of the camera you are interested in before you set your heart on getting it. Unbiased reviewers and owners are usually pretty honest. Check out the type of batteries it uses. If they are not standard, the batteries can get expensive. You may want the camera to have the same type of memory as other devices you own like video cameras or LCD picture frames. Is the memory card compatible with your computer and/or printer?
As I said, check consumer reviews, but also, if possible, go to a store where you can try it out, even if you don’t buy it there. Also, read the warranty. Should you purchase the extended warranty? I generally do for electronics since so much could go wrong that I wouldn’t be able to fix.
Once you have made your selection, then live with it. Be content with your purchase instead of wishing you had gotten something else. Instead, read the manual and take lots of pictures as you learn all it can do. Taking pictures is a wonderful way to conserve memories and photography can be fun. With so many low priced good cameras available, why not get started.
Following these tips should lead you to a camera that will serve you well for years. But if you're more interested in a professional handling your photography, consider the services of Del Haven Studio, an accomplished photographer in Virginia Beach. View their website portfolio for proof.