Most digital cameras have a small amount of built-in memory. Many have 16, 32, or even 64 megabytes of memory built into the camera itself. But if you plan to take more than a few photos, you also need a removable storage device, usually referred to as a memory card or memory stick.
Consult your camera owner’s manual to determine which type of memory card your camera uses and be sure to buy only that type of memory card for your camera.
Some cameras will accept more than one type of memory card. For example, my 10-megapixel Canon compact camera accepts SD, SDHC, MMC, MMC Plus, and HC MMC Plus memory cards.
Memory cards come in many different storage capacities, from a few megabytes to several gigabytes. The larger the storage capacity, the more images the card can store. Having a 4-gigabyte memory card will allow you to take several hundred photographs at high resolution (lots of megapixels) without filling up the card. Very convenient.
Preventing damage to memory cards is important. Although some cards are damaged by events over which you have no control, you should take some precautions to protect your cards.
When not in your camera, memory cards should be stored in the little plastic case they came in when they were purchased—or in some other storage container made specifically for holding memory cards.
This protects the metal contacts from being scratched, bent, or otherwise damaged, and protects them from dirt or other contaminants that might compromise their ability to function properly.
Be sure that memory cards are not stored or carried near a source of magnetic or electromagnetic energy. Magnets can corrupt the data on the card.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Compact Digital Cameras
What kind of digital camera do you need for genealogy photography?
Digital cameras come in an array of physical sizes and configurations, but when it comes down to the basic question of camera types, there are really only two categories available today: compact and DSLR.
Today’s post will discuss compact cameras. I’ll tackle DSLRs next week.
Compact digital cameras come in a variety of models, and they currently sell for anywhere from less than $100 up to several hundred dollars, depending on the features and capabilities.
Advances in technology have made many of these little cameras perfectly suited for almost any type of photography, including genealogy photography.
Many compact cameras have a wide range of features that allow you to shoot on automatic or give you the ability to control some or all of the settings manually. Most have a zoom lens that works well to get you closer to the subject or get a wide angle shot. All the models I’ve seen have a built-in flash.
These little cameras are very versatile and—depending on the features, which I’ll discuss in a later blog—will be very suitable for genealogy photography. And their compact size and light weight make them ideal for traveling or carrying in a pocket or purse.
I own a 10-megapixel compact Canon that I carry with me everywhere. It has all the features I need, including the ability to shoot on manual.
I’ll discuss features in a later blog. I don’t want to bore you—or overwhelm you!
See you next week.
Digital cameras come in an array of physical sizes and configurations, but when it comes down to the basic question of camera types, there are really only two categories available today: compact and DSLR.
Today’s post will discuss compact cameras. I’ll tackle DSLRs next week.
Compact digital cameras come in a variety of models, and they currently sell for anywhere from less than $100 up to several hundred dollars, depending on the features and capabilities.
Advances in technology have made many of these little cameras perfectly suited for almost any type of photography, including genealogy photography.
Many compact cameras have a wide range of features that allow you to shoot on automatic or give you the ability to control some or all of the settings manually. Most have a zoom lens that works well to get you closer to the subject or get a wide angle shot. All the models I’ve seen have a built-in flash.
These little cameras are very versatile and—depending on the features, which I’ll discuss in a later blog—will be very suitable for genealogy photography. And their compact size and light weight make them ideal for traveling or carrying in a pocket or purse.
I own a 10-megapixel compact Canon that I carry with me everywhere. It has all the features I need, including the ability to shoot on manual.
I’ll discuss features in a later blog. I don’t want to bore you—or overwhelm you!
See you next week.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Using Your Digital Camera for Genealogy Projects
Even if you are an experienced genealogist, you might be wondering how digital photography and genealogy go together.
Actually, digital photography is a blessing for genealogists—if you’ll only take the time to learn to use it to your advantage.
How can you do that?
Obviously, you can use your digital camera to photograph your family as they are today, preserving their images for future generations, just as your relatives did for the past few generations.
But you can also use your digital camera to photograph tombstones and cemeteries, unique historic documents, family heirlooms, one-of-a-kind paintings and vintage photographs, historic buildings and property, and many other items connected with genealogy.
Digital photographs of all these items can have a place in your scrapbook, in family history books, and on your web site because they can often provide unique information to those researching your family tree.
These images can also be shared with other family members by email, on CDs or DVDs, or printed photographs.
As image quality increases and camera prices decrease, high quality digital photography is within the reach of almost every genealogist today.
As a professional photographer who also has more than forty years of genealogy research experience and hundreds of hours photographing items to enhance my genealogy research, the weekly advice in this blog can help you take better digital photographs for your own genealogy projects.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be covering subjects such as how to more effectively photograph tombstones and cemeteries; old documents and vintage photographs; small three-dimensional objects, such as jewelry, military medals, silverware, etc.; quilts and other textiles; large two-dimensional objects, such as paintings and maps; large three-dimensional objects, such as furniture; and buildings and architectural features.
Can’t wait for the blog posts? Much of the same information I’ll be posting on the blog is contained in my book, The Genealogist’s Guide to Digital Photography, which can be purchased through my web site at http://www.dcestridge.com/.
But please come back to my blog every week, because I’ll also be adding new information that I’ve discovered since I finished the book.
I’ll also be exploring other areas of genealogy research and sharing ideas on breaking through some of those brick walls we all run into from time to time.
It should be fun, so please join me.
See you next week!
Actually, digital photography is a blessing for genealogists—if you’ll only take the time to learn to use it to your advantage.
How can you do that?
Obviously, you can use your digital camera to photograph your family as they are today, preserving their images for future generations, just as your relatives did for the past few generations.
But you can also use your digital camera to photograph tombstones and cemeteries, unique historic documents, family heirlooms, one-of-a-kind paintings and vintage photographs, historic buildings and property, and many other items connected with genealogy.
Digital photographs of all these items can have a place in your scrapbook, in family history books, and on your web site because they can often provide unique information to those researching your family tree.
These images can also be shared with other family members by email, on CDs or DVDs, or printed photographs.
As image quality increases and camera prices decrease, high quality digital photography is within the reach of almost every genealogist today.
As a professional photographer who also has more than forty years of genealogy research experience and hundreds of hours photographing items to enhance my genealogy research, the weekly advice in this blog can help you take better digital photographs for your own genealogy projects.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be covering subjects such as how to more effectively photograph tombstones and cemeteries; old documents and vintage photographs; small three-dimensional objects, such as jewelry, military medals, silverware, etc.; quilts and other textiles; large two-dimensional objects, such as paintings and maps; large three-dimensional objects, such as furniture; and buildings and architectural features.
Can’t wait for the blog posts? Much of the same information I’ll be posting on the blog is contained in my book, The Genealogist’s Guide to Digital Photography, which can be purchased through my web site at http://www.dcestridge.com/.
But please come back to my blog every week, because I’ll also be adding new information that I’ve discovered since I finished the book.
I’ll also be exploring other areas of genealogy research and sharing ideas on breaking through some of those brick walls we all run into from time to time.
It should be fun, so please join me.
See you next week!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Welcome to My Blog
Hello Everyone,
Welcome to my blog! I'll be sharing information and ideas on how to use your digital camera (maybe the new one you got for Christmas) for projects connected with your genealogy research, as well as information about both digital photography and genealogy research in general.
I look forward to sharing some of my expertise and experience on two of my passions --photography and genealogy -- with my readers. I'll have a new post every Friday (just in time for you to try a new project during the weekend), so stop by often to see what's new.
Thanks for visiting.
Danna
Welcome to my blog! I'll be sharing information and ideas on how to use your digital camera (maybe the new one you got for Christmas) for projects connected with your genealogy research, as well as information about both digital photography and genealogy research in general.
I look forward to sharing some of my expertise and experience on two of my passions --photography and genealogy -- with my readers. I'll have a new post every Friday (just in time for you to try a new project during the weekend), so stop by often to see what's new.
Thanks for visiting.
Danna
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