BS: digital camera help needed

Subject: BS: digital camera help needed
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 02:41 PM

My husband and I have a nice digital camera. I don't use it much.

We used to have a deal that I understood. We'd take the card to Walgreen's, and they would give us a CD. Then my Dear Husband would put the CD in our computer and play with the images.

Now no processor talks about making a CD. They talk about having our pictures online. What exactly are they talking about, and how does it operate?

I've already had one painful experience with identity theft (from supposedly secure outfits) and I want as few places as possible to have information about me.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: MMario
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 02:45 PM

Tell the processor you have no internet access - they should be able to provide a CD.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: PoppaGator
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 03:02 PM

You shouldn't need to patronize a processor at all, assuming that you have a computer and that your camera is indeed digital. You should be able to connect the camera directly to the computer and upload the images; getting a CD made is an unnecessary intermediate step and an unnecessary extra expense.

My camera-to-computer link is via USB, which is a relatively new technology, but by no means brand-new. The easy-as-pie interface software comes with the camera; mine's an Olympus, at least five years old.

The only times I've used Walgreen's to make a CD is when I've forgotten my digital camera and bought a "one-time-use" FILM camera. Film requires a professional processing outfit, and they can digitize the images and copy them to CD as well as make prints from the negatives. But if the camera is digital, it should communicate directly to your computer and place the images on your hard drive. From there, you can make your own CDSs if you really want to, make prints, upload to the internet, whatever. But you should not have to deal with any "outside" provider, not in real life and not on the internet, either.

I would suggest you lookup your camera manufacturer's website and try to get the cable and a copy of the software that probably came with the camera but that you haven't ever used (unless you still have it in the original box). Even if you can't get thee items for free, it will undoubtedly be worth what you'll save by never going back to Walgreen's.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 03:09 PM

There are several online services to store your images for those with small storage capacity on their hard drives, or lack the programs to process your images to print. I have never used them.

The services here all seem to provide cds if you request them. If you are in rural areas in the U. S. or Canada and cannot find the service locally, Adorama.com (in New York) provides excellent service and good quality prints or cds.
If you are in the UK, look for processing services online; I am sure there are several.

When I visit relatives, I carry a small color printer into which one inserts the memory card. HP Photosmart A610, makes 5x7 prints of excellent quality, cost about $100 US, very light weight. One can give relatives or friends prints almost immediately.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 03:12 PM

PoppaGator's got it.

Most of it anyway. I have friends who like to get regular photo prints made from their digital snaps. They have digital snaps of their pictures on line. Its not really a privacy issue if the processor gives you the URL, the username and password.

There is also probably a memory card in your camera which can be read by your computer or printer or attached to your computer via USB adaptor. That would be another way to transfer the pictures. If you really want a CD, you can make it yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 03:13 PM

You need to sort this out a bit first.

What kind of images are you shooting with your digital camera? What is the number of megapixels on the camera?

The larger the number of megapixels, the larger the image. I use a 10 megapixel camera and jpg files are about 5meg raw. If I take them as the most stable form of image, a TIFF, they're much larger.

Why is someone processing your photos if you're using a digital camera? Are you wanting prints made also? Is that why you're going to a shop?

Does your computer have a CD burner?

Do your photos need touchup of some sort (is the color off, do they need to be cropped, etc.?) by a commercial processor?

You can get yourself an inexpensive program like Photoshop Elements. I've never used it because I use the full-blown Photoshop, but the principal is the same.

Use your camera cable and plug it into your computer, turn on the camera, and navigate to your photos or let it open automatically, whichever your system does most easily. Or take the digital card from your camera and put it in your computer's internal or external card reader (You can get them from $7 up--a good one shouldn't cost more than about $20 these days). The card reader slots are each going to act like independent drives.

Open Windows Explorer (you should have this on your desktop, it's a standard tool, but if you haven't put it there yet, go to the Start Button -> Programs -> Accessories -> click on Windows Explorer. To put it on your desktop, right click and then -> send to and click on Desktop.)

Find the drive where your camera card is plugged in and view the files on the card. At the top of the explorer page you can click on the "Views" button and choose thumbnail to see what each photo looks like.

If you want to work on the photos, I suggest dragging them into a folder you've made to identify this batch, then go to that folder with Photoshop Elements and do what you need to do. Put a burnable CD into your drive and close it. A box should pop up for you to drag files to for burning. Then drag the photos onto the burning hardware for your computer. You can do several folders, folder and all, this way.

You may not have needed this information, but it sounds like if you're paying someone else to do this, you should know what they're doing. It isn't difficult.

The only reason why I take digital images to the photo store is to have them print photos on paper for me. I still keep some of those around for non-computerized viewing.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: Bee
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 04:38 PM

A lot depends on Leeneia's computer. My old one was so old it was not able to be made compatible with my new (and first) camera, images could not be loaded one to the other. My solution was to take the camera to a friend with a newer computer, and we could then make a CD of my images, which I could then manipulate and print from my computer. My new computer has slots which I can just plug the camera's memory card into, and upload.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 04:45 PM

I assumed Leeneia is like several of my neigbors, who use their digital only when the kids come home, relatives visit, or friends gather.
They know nothing of programs like Photoshop, wouldn't know an 8-ink printer from Crayolas, don't know RAW from porno, and hope the exterminator takes care of those pesky pixils.
In other words, they are happy at the box camera stage, clicking off some shots, taking the memory card to a superdrug, and accepting the results. CDs are quick and easy for storage and handy for print making, little thought, no decisions, decisions.

I have a professional photoprinter, digital reflex with several lenses, advanced programs and all that stuff, but photography is a hobby with me, not an occasional thing as it is with most people I know.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: GUEST,Jack the Sailor
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 04:50 PM

leeneia

On rereading, I see that your camera does have a card. Obviously you have a CD burner or you would not be able to see the pictures. If your computer doesn't have a slot to read the card you can by a cable to attach your camera to your computer and/or an adaptor to read and write to the card at Walmart or Radio Shack or some such place.

Even if I were getting prints done I would want to sort them and enhance them on my computer. Your Camera probably has software to do so. You can pick out your snaps get them ready for printing, Go to Walgreens and get the prints but tell them to put notheing on line. But id Walgreens does put them on line. It will not be a privacy issue if you do not give them any personal information.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 05:13 PM

Yes, if you plug the camera into your computer, via the USB cable that came with the camera (hope you didn't throw it away!), the computer (together with its memory card) should be recognised as an extra drive. Microsoft Windows XP and Vista should have the tools built in which will allow you to download your pictures on to your hard drive. You might have to go into 'My Computer' to do this but the software that also came with your camera should make this even easier. For example the software that came with my Canon camera recognises my camera soon after I've plugged it in and switched it on. A window appears which asks me what I want to do - the commonest choice being to "download all images" (can't remember the exact phrase).

The images can then be opened in Photoshop Elements (or similar) and edited if they need to be or you want to go that far (think of it as a 'digital darkroom').

Downloaded images can also be transferred to CD, as described above, or printed.

All of this is surprisingly easy once you've grasped the basic principles.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: open mike
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 05:20 PM

as one post says..
"My new computer has slots which I can just plug the camera's memory card into, and upload."

My printer, HP, has several slots so numerous types of chip/cards will fit in. Then i can transfer images to the computer, print them or send.
Perhaps you should just get a card reader which attaches to the computer,or as also mentioned, you can transfer the images thru a cord
probably a usb connection and view, print or send from there. Cut out the middle man--you do not need the store at all, unless you need extra equipment to allow you to do these processes your self. good luck.
if you do go the route of getting the images posted on line, you can
share them by sending friends the link.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: Grab
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 07:07 PM

via the USB cable that came with the camera (hope you didn't throw it away!)

If you did, take the camera to any computer shop and they should be able to sell you a suitable cable for the cost of one round of CD "processing".

If your computer is less than five years old, it's guaranteed have one or more USB ports on it. They might all be round the back if it's an older PC, in which case just leave the cable permanently plugged in so that you can jack the camera in whenever you want. If your computer really is old enough not to have one, a plug-in card will cost you £20 at most in the UK (probably $20 in the US). Most decent computer stores will plug it into your computer for you (some for a small fee, some for free).

Most computers don't have a slot to read the card directly, which is why you need the camera to send stuff to the computer. Some computers do have a suitable slot; again, a card reader is fairly cheap too if you want one. But usually just a USB cable is enough.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 07:13 PM

I've used both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Elements does everything you might want to do just fine.

I also use Paint Shop Pro X.

But I use Elements at home. As I said, it does everything I normally want done without a lot of hassle.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 07:44 PM

Google has a program called Picassa that will load stuff from your camera into your computer also. It might be a little more stylish than Windows Explorer, and it also lets you do some modest corrections and resize it so you have a print size and a web size if you want, etc.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 09:41 PM

I haven't seen, or heard of, a digital camera that doesn't have a USB socket. If there's a socket and you can find a connector to fit it, connecting the camera to the computer USB port will, with any Windows version, show the camera just like an external hard drive.

The connectors used on most cameras are either "mini-USB" or "micro-USB," and adapters to fit either kind are fairly easily available - even at Walmart. Since I've had occasion to "unload" cameras of various kinds in the campground, I've found a handy little cable set with a retractable cable, and with a set of four different "adapters" that thus far have provided a match to all the cameras I've seen - for about $20 (even at Walmart).

The camera may have a preferred setting for transferring files, that's different than the setting for taking pictures. In most cases, the setting you'd use to "view the pictures" (and where you'd delete them) is the same one you'd use for copying them off to the computer. If you have a fairly decent camera, the "Manual" that came with it should give you any details needed, and checking it out would be a good idea. If your camera's Manual is written in "pigeon-JapEnglish" as for some cheaper cameras, it may take some study, but probably is worth a quick look.

Windows Explorer is perfectly adequate for selecting the image files on the camera, copying them, and pasting them onto your hard drive. Once they're there, you can do anything with them that your computer programs and printers are capable of doing.

Some, usually more expensive, cameras have built in software to download the pics to your computer (or to a "thumb drive" which can be handy) automatically, but even with ones that do have a program built in you can read the drive, via the USB connection, just like any other "external drive" on the computer.

Many cheaper cameras require the computer to handle copying the files, but again, Win Explorer will handle it on all the cameras I've seen.

A warning is in order: Many cameras, especially the cheaper ones, will number the pictures you take re-using the same numbers as for previous pics, if you've cleared the camera memory to make room for new shots. If you download a new picture with the same "name" as one existing on your hard drive, you'll overwrite the old one and it will be lost.

As soon as the pics are downloaded to the computer, it's a good idea to rename the ones in the download. There are lots of ways to do "batch renaming" but I use the Photoshop Elements "Browser" which works quite nicely. In the browser, you select all the pictures taken the same day, right click on one of them, click "Batch Rename."

Theres a small window on the left where you can type in a "fixed part" for the new filenames,where I'd put something showing the date taken, like "080317_AtGrannys_" and in the separate small window on the right choose "sequence number." The selected pics will be renamed
080317_AtGrannys_001.jpg, 080317_AtGrannys_002.jpg, etc. (You can use other formats if you don't like .jpg, but pics download from my camera as .jpg.)

I use a folder called (cleverly) "Photo" for all pictures on the hard drive.

All downloads are to a subfolder \Photo\Temp where they're renamed.

They're then copied to another subfolder named (my originality is showing) \Photo\Originals.

After going through the pics that remain in the \Temp folder, and adding "identifying details" to the image filenames (like who was in the picture?) the photos are Cut and Pasted to another folder called (cleverness again) \Photo\Named.

Once in the \Photo\Original folder, a file is never touched unless a copy is needed to start over after some total screwup with other versions. (You can set the files in that folder to be "Read Only" if you like.) Edits are done only to files in the "Named" folder or in other folders created to keep things orderly, and the file name is changed when any change has been made. (like to 080317_AtGrannys_001a.jpg)

And then, back up the hard drive at least every week or two, like you always do.

John

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 09:52 PM

Rapaire -

Not This Paint I presume.

John

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: Bee
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 10:10 PM

John in Kansas, I'll just mention that I was never able to resolve the problem with my old computer and the camera's USB cable. Although the mouse was connected to a mouse port (round socket, FWIW), and I supposedly had two USB ports as well, it turned out it did not matter which one I plugged the camera into, even if I had removed the USB cable from the printer. Plugging camera cable into USB socket would cause the mouse to stop working. I took the camera to a friend for loading onto a CD a couple times, then got my new computer.

Just sayin', Leeneia could run into similar problems.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 10:38 PM

Bee -

There might have been some conflict with the mouse on some computers when USB first appeared, but I've heard of very few such problems.

My SWAG at what your problem was would be that an older operating system - pre USB - carried over to a new computer might not have had drivers for the USB, or for some reason the drivers weren't installed, or you may have had an IRQ/DMA conflict going on.

Resolving IRQ/DMA conflicts that PlugNPlay doesn't take care of automatically can be difficult, but they're almost never seen in WinXP and should be rare back to WinME or Win98SE. An "original" Win98, without the SE update could have had lots of trouble, but I think the last one of those around probably died when Foolestroupe upgraded. (He'll tell us when he comes around.)

If a USB device is disconnected without using the "Safely Remove" button, sometimes the computer will remember the device that was previously connected and refuse to connect a new one. This may happen even if the same device is plugged back in. If, for example, your printer was plugged into one slot and then moved to another, the computer could think both were being used and would refuse to recognize any new device.

That almost always gets cleared if the computer is rebooted with nothing plugged into the USB sockets and the new USB connection is made after the computer is up. It sounds like you would have found that problem if your difficulty continued for long(?).

The lack of sufficient IRQ slots is one of the main reasons why USB was invented, but some of the earliest computers that had the sockets may not have made all the necessary arrangements to use them well.

John

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 11:37 PM

Upgrade? What's that? Oh yeah - it needs the use of (shudder) MONEY!!!!

:-P

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 11:49 PM

There are some simple reasons to get a processor to produce CD.

It's simple - no mucking around with technology (that may be too old to do it easily and quickly) that you may not understand, or even really wish to or need to.

It gives you an instant backup of the images. This can be dome anywhere you are on holidays, freeing your camera to start again, especially if the camera gets stolen.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 02:16 AM

I keep most of my photos on my hard drive and view them on my screen when I want to. I have printed photos on a very few occasions, and it's always a hassle. I had to print some photos tonight, and I decided to try the photo department at Target. I plugged my camera's Compact Flash card into the photo machine, and it loaded all my photos. I then selected the ones I wanted to print, and I was able to zoom and crop and remove redeye - very quickly and easily. I was very satisfied with the prints, and they cost me only 29 cents a copy - I've read that printer ink can cost me 50 cents a copy.

But if I want a CD of photos, I just plug the card into my computer and copy files from the card to my CD burner. Most DVD players seem to be able to display JPG photos stored on a CD.

Oh - but I do have one problem myself. I can a Canon Powershot A70 camera - 3.2 megapixels, so it's a few years old. It takes wonderful pictures, but indoor flash shots tend to wash out the subject's face (and available-light photos are usually grainy). Should I be able to adjust something so indoor photos won't be so washed-out?

I see that newer cameras have face-recognition technology - does this adjust the flash and exposure, or merely the focus?

-Joe-

-Joe-

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 03:38 AM

Joe - Joe - Joe - (We know, you changed your mind twice and edited. I do it sometimes too.)

The washed out face is usually caused by overexposure, and is fairly common especially with "low powered unmetered flash."

The simple solution is to stand a little further back from the subject and use the zoom of the lens to pull the subject in. That's often about all you can do with cheap cameras.

Your Canon should let you use a different "film speed" and adjusting that may help. Except in special circumstances where it's needed, using "lower ASA numbers" generally gives a flatter exposure, and using ASA numbers higher than 100 isn't generally recommended because it usually adds some "noise" to the image.

Especially if you're using an ASA higher than 100, setting back to 100, or even 64, may improve the burnout.

You also should have an "exposure bias" setting that lets you set + or - "deviations" in half or full stop increments. If, as I would expect from Canon, the flash is metered (turns itself off when it thinks it's done enough) that may have enough range to improve things.

Canon may have an independent adjustment for flash that's separate from the setting for film speed, but I can't afford one of those classy cameras yet so I haven't had a close look at a digital Canon.

You can also apply pancake makeup and talcum powder to all your subjects, but sometimes they move a little to fast for that. - But chasing them down can be fun too.

Where possible, your camera should have enough adjustment range to take a lot of pictures without flash in pretty lousy light conditions. You also should check out the performance with "fill flash" rather than just using the automatic settings, especially for people-shots.

You might want to try a few test shots to find out just how good the camera is (or how bad the photographer is).

John

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 10:50 AM

I've just been out with my Canon 400D digital SLR with a Canon EFS 17-85mm IS (Image Stabilised) lens. It's brilliant!!



Just saying, that's all ... sorry ...

I'll get me coat ...

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 11:07 AM

Everybody is so interested and helpful! Thanks.

Unfortunately, my brain slipped a cog for the first post. We have a digital camera and a non-digital Canon Rebel with a telephoto lens. We just took a trip and took photos with both. (The old camera is better for birds.) The problem is getting a the non-digital photos on CD, not the digitals. None of the web sites I visited even had the word 'CD' on them.

I believe I'll go to a place and tell them I can't go online, as suggested above.

As for the security issue, I have this story to tell. Yesterday I made an account at RitzPix. Today they sent me an e-mail with my password (which I use for many non-financial accounts) printed out for anybody to see.

Somebody said above,
'I assumed Leeneia is like several of my neigbors, who use their digital only when the kids come home, relatives visit, or friends gather.'

Ha! On a recent trip to Italy I photographed birds, cityscapes, artworks (no flash), landscapes, and the volcanic ash particles on our table at Stromboli. I also made a movie of a commercial by Fiat which showed stunt driving. (We tell everybody that in Italy they broadcast lessons in how to drive like an Italian.)

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 01:25 PM

The machines they use for printing your photos also make CDs, so I don't see the problem. I use a camera store that will make them for $5 over the cost of developing and printing. Maybe you need to find an old-fashioned camera shop and ask there?

Otherwise, it is a slow process to scan each image (I recommend at least 300 dpi and you might want to do a stable TIFF if you're going to the trouble) then give them a name, park them in a folder, and burn them to a CD. Labor intensive, to say the least. Tedious. But doable. I put several down on the flatbed at once, scan the whole, then isolate them one at a time by cropping from that big original. Saves a little time. Be sure to burn them to your CD then remove them from your computer (or use an external drive, whatever) because photos that large will fill up a hard drive fast.

BTW: I still have my Canon AE1 film camera with the good lenses for close ups and some long shots also. I use the digital Canon EOS 30D at work.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 10:00 PM

I think I've got it licked. Even though Walgreen's web site didn't mention the CD option, they still do it. (The DH had told me they didn't do it anymore. Maybe they stopped and then resumed.)

And I didn't even have to wring my hands and lie about not being online!

It is nice to realize that I don't have to go with online storage of all our photos, even though the web sites I checked all made it seem as if that's the only possibility.
=====
Shomrod, never be hesitant to brag about your equipment.

When we first got our Canon Rebel (non-digital, but our first BIG camera) I took a picture of the house next door to us - from the dining room and through a marble. The house was upside down, but the image was perfect. We put it as the first image in our next slide show, just to show what the camera could do.

Subject: RE: BS: digital camera help needed
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 06:42 PM

It's true! My equipment is very nice!!