•Photo IT-How to capture, save and manipulate digital photographs.

What we’ll cover

• Physical camera • Taking photos

• Common features on digital cameras

• Transferring photos to computer• Basic editing• Many different makes and models of

camera so we’ll try to make it general so it’s relevant to all

Why Digital Photography?

• Instant photos• No more waiting• No more hoping your photos turned out

okay• Re-take if you don’t like the first

attempt• Available as files on your computer

• Email them to friends• Print them (though it might be easier

and better quality at kiosks)• Make slide shows, videos, edit them etc.

The Digital Camera

• On/Off switch• Lens – focuses on the image• Flash – for low light• Shutter button – takes the photo• Monitor/LCD screen• Playback button – allows you to view

photos on the screen• Selector button – used to select camera

functions e.g. flash on/off, different modes

The Digital Camera

• Zoom control – zoom in and out from subject of photo

• Battery – often rechargeable• Memory card – a small removable card

that stores the photos taken on the camera

• USB connector – for connecting to a computer

• Mount for tripod• Microphone – for making videos

How to take photos?

• Make sure you can clearly view your subject on the display on the back of the camera

• Use the zoom button if you need to• You may need to turn on the flash if the

lighting is low• Many cameras have automatic

• Focus - Image stabilising• Flash - scene recognition

Transferring photos to the computer

• Two main ways1. Take out memory card and place it in

a card reader slot on the computer2. Use a USB cable to connect your

camera to the computer

Transferring photos to the computer

• You also need to use a program on the computer to input/import the photos• Need to tell it where on your computer to

place photo files, how many to import etc.

• We’re going to use a free program called Picasa to • Import• Organise and• Edit our photos

How to get Picasa?

• Picasa is a free piece of software, made by Google, that organises and allows you to edit your photos.

• Simply go to www.picasa.google.com• Then click the DOWNLOAD PICASA button• After that, just follow the instructions on-

screen

Transferring photos to the computer

• Attach your camera to the computer using the USB cable

• Turn the camera on• Start Picasa using the

desktop icon• When Picasa first starts up

it searches your computer for all available photos and organises them by date and folder name for you – Library View

Importing photos from your camera

• Click on the Import button (top left corner)

• Choose where to import photos from• The list of devices

may include scanners as well as your cameras

• Your camera may be named or may show up as a “Removable Drive”

Importing photos from your camera

The folder your photos will be imported to

Give the folder your own name or use the date

After copying photos to the computer you can choose to delete some or all photos from the memory card

View your photos

Select a folder to view the contentsYour photos are displayed as thumbnailsDouble-click on a thumbnail to view the full size photo

Your Library of photos

View your photos

• Use the back to Library button to return to the Library of folders and the thumbnail view

View your photos as a slideshow

1

Select a folder.Click on the Play Fullscreen Slideshow buttonA slideshow will appear with these controls at the bottom of the screen

Change how long each photo is displayed for

Change how each photo blends into the next

Play/pause the slideshow

Zoom in and out

Rotate

Editing your photos

• Double-click on a thumbnail to open a photo

• A range of editing functions and effects are available

• Try out one or two edit/effects on your photos

Editing your photos

• Picasa does not save the changes you make to photos until you “Save edited photos to disk”

• You will be asked to confirm saving the changes you have made