Always store photos in the My Pictures folder of your computer. Software provided by digital cameras can be complicated and can load pictures into an obscure folder instead of into My Pictures. Set your camera's computer software so that it downloads into the My Pictures folder. Create a new folder within My Pictures for each batch of photos. Copy the photos from the camera to your new folder.
Rename each photo by right clicking a photo and then select
Rename. Type a
name and then press the Enter key.
The file name must not include the following characters:
* / \ > < ? " : or |
Say you took photos of snow in December 2006; create a folder called SnowDec06 and
fill it with the photos, then rename them Snow1-06.jpg, Snow2-06.jpg and so on.
If you do not follow this procedure you end up with hundreds of
photos called something like, R000123, R000124, R0000125, R0000126...
To see how to print pictures using Windows XP click here
Although camera manuals can be daunting, after you have used the camera for
a week or two, read through the manual again, it will then seem more
meaningful and you can try additional tricks and tips. Read through again a
month later and try a few more of the features on your camera.
This re-read and try advice applies to all software or computer manuals
(including these Computer Help articles).
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Adrian West © 2007 computer help, computer problems solved A West web design
Taking a picture: I often see people using the LCD screen on the back
of their cameras as a view finder. This drains the battery fast and
practically guarantees blurred pictures because of camera shake. Always turn off the
viewing screen and use the optical view finder. The LCD screen was never
designed to line up a shot, use it only for checking whether a picture is
satisfactory. To examine the picture(s) you have taken, find a bit of shade
and set your screen to the lowest practical brightness to save draining the
battery. If your camera does not have an optical view finder, then you will
have to put up with fast draining batteries and camera shake.Some low price cameras do not have an optical view finder, in which case it
is Hobson' choice, try to minimise the inevitable camera shake, by holding
your breath during the final press down on the shutter release. Better
still, lean against a wall or rest your elbows on something solid.
Most digital cameras have a two-position shutter release button. For
better quality pictures, press the button down half way and pause for a
second, you will then hear the camera automatically set the correct exposure
and the focus. Then press the rest of the way down to take the picture. To
prevent camera shake hold your breath during the final press down on
the shutter release.
For the cheapest prints, use a high street developer; a single 6 x 4 print may cost about 18p, the price drops for multiple copies. You have full control over quality and photo editing if you use your computer and printer. But this can cost between 30p and 60p per 6 x 4 print (using photo paper).
Back lit subjects (sun behind the subject):
If a situation means you are forced to take a picture against the light, use
forced flash instead of auto flash. Remember the built-in flash on a camera
only reaches to about 6 to 8 feet.
Emailing pictures. Always reduce the file size of a picture before
sending it via email. It is very bad form to send pictures without
reducing the file size, many friendships have been ruined by 30 minute
downloads.
Click Here to see how easy it is to reduce
the file size.