Presented by: Shawndra T. Johnson, Instructional Technology Specialist Central Alabama Regional Education Inservice Center Voice: 334.229.4161 Website:

Presented by:Presented by:

Shawndra T. Johnson, Instructional Technology SpecialistShawndra T. Johnson, Instructional Technology SpecialistCentral Alabama Regional Education Inservice CenterVoice: 334.229.4161Website: www.technologyinmotion.state.al.us/asu

http://www.technologyinmotion.state.al.us/asu

Today’s AgendaToday’s Agenda

• Digital Cameras… Things to Consider

• What Do Those Things Mean?

• Picture Taking Tips

• Play with the cameras

• Scavenger Hunt

Choosing a Digital Camera

Choosing a Digital Camera

• Who will use the camera? (child, adolescent, adult) • What is your price range? • What resolution do you require? • What on-board (camera) image storage capacity do

you require? • Do you need manual override features, a fully

automatic camera or a combination of these both? • What is the battery capacity? • Are battery chargers available for your camera? • How sturdy is the camera? • What features do you consider essential? (i.e.: self-

timer, optical zoom, red-eye flash, movie mode) • If you are doing your own print work, how fully

featured is the editing software that comes with the camera?

• Is the camera compatible with your operating system?

• What is the warranty on the camera?

Digital CamerasThings to Consider…Digital CamerasThings to Consider…• Resolution

– Pixel – small squares– Megapixel – 1 million pixels– Pixelization

What is Resolution? What is Resolution?

Simply put, resolution is how you define the sharpness of your digital image. Resolution is often defined as how many pixels per inch (ppi) your image has in both its height and width.Resolution examples:

Low End Midrange High End

pixels at 640 X 480 or higher pixels at 1600 X 1200 pixels at 2048 X 1536 or higher

What are pixels?What are pixels?

Pixels are the building blocks of digital images. Every digital picture is made up of thousands of pixels. The number of pixels in each image affects the quality of the picture resolution. For example, a low-end camera might have 307,200 pixels in one picture. A high-end picture might have more than 5,000,000 pixels in a picture.

640 x 480640 x 480

• 640 pixels wide and 480 pixels high.

• This is a fairly low resolution that works well with email and Web postings. Pictures will print best if they are not bigger than 3” x 5” high.

• crisp 3" x 5" photo prints

1600 x 12001600 x 1200

• 1600 pixels wide and 1200 pixels high.

• This can generally achieved with at least a 2 megapixel camera


2048 x 15362048 x 1536

• 2048 pixels wide and 1536 pixels tall.

• This can generally be achieved with at least a 3 megapixel camera.


Megapixels Resolution Medium Print(150 DPI)

Photographic Print

(300DPI)

1.3 1280x1024 8.5 x 6.8 4.3 x 3.4

2 1600x1200 10.7 x 8.00 5.3 x 4.0

3 2048x1536 13.6 x 10.2 6.8 x 5.1

4 2272x1704 15.1 x 11.4 7.6 x 5.7

5 2560x1920 17.0 x 12.8 8.5 x 6.4

8 3264x2448 21.7 x 16.3 10.9 x 8.1

• Size, weight, & design• Zoom

– Optical– Digital

Digital CamerasThings to Consider…Digital CamerasThings to Consider…

• Memory– Compact Flash (CF)– Secure Digital (SD)– Multimedia (MMC)– SmartMedia– Memory Stick– XD


http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/%20%20%20/ssm/SanDisk-256MB-Memory-Stick-PRO-trade-SDMSP-256-822-/sem/rpsm/oid/80866/catOid/-13067/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

• Batteries– AA

•Highly standardized•Cheap—at least compared to most

proprietary alternatives•Compatible with a wide array of

readily available chargers •Widely available


• Batteries– AA Types

1. nickel-metal hydride (NiMH,

rechargeable)

2. lithium (non-rechargeable)

3. nickel-cadmium (NiCd, rechargeable)

4. alkaline (non-rechargeable)

Best Way to

Go


• Batteries– Proprietary Batteries

• Non AA• Made for a specific camera• Must use a specific charger• Battery life is longer than AA• Use mostly in higher end cameras• Expensive


• Movies & Sound– Uses large amounts of memory– Some do not record audio

• Menus– Make sure you can use them


• White Balance• LCD – Liquid Crystal Display

– Really is liquid inside!– Cleaning– Size


ViewFinders vs. Displays

ViewFinders vs. Displays

View Finder

Low-end cameras rely on the traditional method of looking through a window to line up a picture subject.

LCD Display

Middle range and high-end cameras have a LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor for viewing pictures. Although very helpful in composing and viewing pictures, the LCD feature is a drain on batteries.

Night Scene – shutter stays open longer, tri-pod is suggested

Mountain – for taking pictures of landscapesLady – Head and shoulders portrait photo

Action (Sport) – Fastest shutter speed for moving objects

What Do Those Things Mean?What Do Those Things Mean?

Macro Mode – Very close-up shots within inches of the subject; choose the tulip

Movie Mode – Record movies; not sharp enough for DVD, good for email



• Flash Modes– Auto Flash – the camera decides when

the flash is needed

– Fill Flash – on all the time

– Red-eye Reduction – flashes a light

before the picture is taken; reduces

pupil size

– No Flash – is off

Picture Taking TipsPicture Taking Tips

1.Take pictures at eye level when photographing a person

2. Use plain and simple backgrounds

3. Zoom in on the subject matter, you want it to fill the frame

Picture Taking TipsPicture Taking Tips4. Use a flash outside, especially if

the sun is bright

WithoutFlash

WithFlash


5. Rule of Thirds

Move the focal point to where the lines intersect; much more interesting


6. Light source

should not be

behind the

subject unless

you want a

silhouette effect


7. Lock your

focus

File FormatsFile FormatsFile Format describes the particular computer code used to

store your files. There are many different image file formats.

The most common:• JPEG – most common - compressed – Windows or Mac• TIFF – not compressed – Windows or Mac – used for

printing• BMP – not compressed – large – used for Windows

wallpaper• GIF – Windows or Mac – only uses 256 colors – good for

emailsWhen attaching a picture file to an email, the two file formats

that are used most frequently are JPEG and GIF. For example, you might receive a picture file attached to an email that looks like this …puppy.jpeg. Because the file format is JPEG, you will immediately know it is an image.

Downloading ImagesDownloading Images

There are a number of different ways to transfer images from a digital camera to a computer. By far the most common method is to use a cable connection from the camera to the computer's USB port.

How Can You Integrate Digital Photography in

Your Classroom?

How Can You Integrate Digital Photography in

Your Classroom?• Acquire images• Analyze images• Create image-based works• Communicate ideas and

understanding

Sample Image-Based Works

Sample Image-Based Works

1. Create a photo journal of field trips

2. Class newsletter illustrations3. Photos for greeting cards4. Photos of vocabulary items 5. Create a personal or classroom

alphabet with pictures6. Use pictures for concept

illustration (art, math, science)

SCIENCE LANGUAGE ARTS

MATH SOCIAL STUDIES

Data collection

Imagery in reading

Analysis Primary sources

Scientific visuals

Bridge to writing

Transformations

Societal connection

Present evidence

Digital storytelling

Problem-solving

Social inquiry

Top Ten Tips for Teachers and Digital Cameras


1. Take a class.Learn about digital cameras so that you're more comfortable with using one in your classroom. Digital images can be a catalyst to learning and to teaching! Students are visual and are motivated to write by what they see and can capture with a digital camera.

2. Set up rules.Establish clear camera handling procedures with your students to avoid unnecessary wear and tear -- a sturdy camera strap minimizes risk. Also, define when and where students can take photographs - and the subject matter.

3. Manage the images.Create and label folders on your computer for storage of images. Students may also store on alternative media such as CD-RW, floppies, or removable drives.

4. Practice builds confidence.Practice uploading, saving, and editing images. Be sure that your students do the same. Trial and error is the best teacher in photography. Keep in mind that photography is an art form, but it is also supposed to be fun!

5. Know your camera.An inexpensive, low-resolution digital camera generally gets better results with close-ups. Get down to the eye level of your subject.

By APTE Professional Education Development Group



6. Steady and sturdy.Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly forward. Keep your elbows close to your body.

7. Lights, camera, action!Action photographs, rather than still or posed photographs, often produce a more natural look.

8. Get the latest.Check your camera manufacturer's web site for product updates, including free downloadable software enhancements.

9. Light and Dark.Avoid photographing windows, glass, or other shiny surfaces head-on. Keep the sun at your back. When your subject is backlit, the object being photographed often appears too dark to see. Avoid photographing dark subjects against dark backgrounds and light subjects against light backgrounds. Avoid taking pictures outside at noon - the lighting at noon tends to be flat and results in dull-looking photographs.

10.Be digitally safe.Before taking pictures of your students, be sure to read and follow your school's policies about appropriate use of student photos.

By APTE Professional Education Development Group

Let’s Get the Cameras!Let’s Get the Cameras!

Let’s Go on a Digital Scavenger Hunt!

Let’s Go on a Digital Scavenger Hunt!

• Go in pairs to use cameras• Each person must complete

their own scavenger hunt• You do not have to take

pictures in order• Be back in -- minutes!

When you return…When you return…

• Get a black cable• Have a seat while we wait for

the others• We will upload pictures as a

class

Here’s how to upload…Here’s how to upload…

• Plug cable into both the camera and computer

• Turn on the camera

Free Photo Editing Software

Free Photo Editing Software

• Picasa from Google– http://picasa.google.com/

• Kodak Easyshare– www.kodak.com

•Click on “Free Download”

Delightfully Digital

Delightfully Digital

Documents

Presented by: Shawndra T. Johnson, Instructional Technology Specialist Central Alabama Regional Education Inservice Center Voice: 334.229.4161 Website: