For years I was the sole family photographer, dutifully recording our vacations and family get-togethers whenever I remembered to bring my camera along. Now I am joined by my teenage son, who has a digital camera. I, alas, am still analog. I love seeing his digital work, and really enjoy using his camera (when I'm allowed.) What's the best part of digital photography? No film or developing costs to slow you down. Snap away -- it's practically free.
How does a filmless camera actually work? The heart of a digital camera is the image sensor that digitally records light: either a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS.) How Stuff Works explains the whole process and includes plenty of practical buying tips along the way. Top click is the Feature section which will help you better understand digital camera jargon.
Although written specifically for Kodak digital cameras, this first-rate site offers plenty for anyone interested in learning about digital photography. The site is divided into five books: How To (with step-by-step instructions); Technology; Courses (one of my favorite sections with online training classes); Reference (with FAQs and a glossary); and DLC Plus (a collection of projects for home and classroom.) Courses I enjoyed perusing were Digital Color Theory and Printing Digital Images (which delves into the confusing issue of input and output resolution.)
"A pixel is worth a thousand words." Once you've decided to join the digital photo revolution, your first challenge is choosing a camera. In just four steps, Learn2 takes you from Understanding the Terminology to Considering Special Features. To print all four pages of the lesson, click on All Steps at Once (printable version.)
Short Courses is my digital photography pick of day for its encyclopedic collection of online tutorials. Topics include Batteries (a subject of keen interest to all digital camera owners,) Choosing a Digital Camera, and Editing Digital Photographs. There is also a great links page with pointers to seven fabulous digital photo galleries. In addition to the free online courses, author Dennis Curtin sells a series of books about specific digital cameras (such as "Short Course in Nikon 950 Photography".)
The following links are either new discoveries or sites that didn't make it into my newspaper column because of space constraints. Enjoy!
1001 Uses of a Digital Camera in EducationNew York Institute of Photography | Say CheeseDigital Photography Review: Glossary |
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