Wally’s Workshop

For thousands of years, man has been capturing images. Before the camera was invented, man captured images through drawings and paintings. Often, the images were based on the interpretations and skill of painters, so the resulting images were not always exact. Minneapolis photographer Bob Dale says “With the invention of the camera we are now able to capture life-like view of subjects through photographs and has been the basis of documenting our lives for the past 150 years. The camera was a very important invention.”

Photos (or photographs) are images created when light falls on photographic film or electronic imager (e.g., CCD or CMOS chip). To create a photo, you would need a camera. Photography is the process of creating photographs.

Photos are either non-digital or digital. Film cameras produce non-digital photos. Non-digital photos are printed by way of processing the film or negative in a dark room.

Digital cameras create digital photos, storing them in a memory card or another storage device. Digital photos are saved in different formats, like RAW, TIFF and JPEG. Because digital cameras don’t use film, photos don’t need to be processed; instead they can be printed right away on photo paper on laser, inkjet or thermal printer.

With the introduction of digital cameras, photography has become something that anyone and everyone can engage in since digital cameras have made it possible for people to take hundreds or thousands of pictures and store them electronically. In addition, people can print photos themselves using their printer, unlike before when negatives had to be taken to a photo processing shop.

It’s also very easy for anyone today to own a digital camera. For less than $100, you can have a digital camera that takes quality photos. With digital technology advancing at a rapid rate, companies are constantly introducing to the market digital cameras that have more features and are more powerful. “Our cell phones like the Apple Iphone will become our cameras and our viewing devices” says professional digital photographer Bob Dale.

Even if you’re into digital photography as a hobby, it would be advisable that you learn a few of the basic photo composition techniques and principles. And if you consider yourself to be a point-and-shoot photographer, you can take great photos with the right digital camera.

In the digital camera market, Canon, Nikon and Fuji are some of the top brands. The Canon EOS series (e.g., Canon EOS 40D, Canon EOS 30D and Canon EOS 5D), the Nikon D80 and the Fuji S5 are all digital cameras that take great pictures.

Looking for a quality digital camera? Go with Canon, who is setting the standard for digital photography with its Canon EOS series of digital cameras. The Canon EOS series of digital cameras are considered among the best digital SLRs that’s ideal for both amateur photographer and professional photographers.

Check out the digital cameras in the Canon EOS series. They’re professional grade cameras capable of producing high quality digital pictures and they use Canon’s 10.1 megapixel CMOS technology.

The Nikon D80 is one of the top rated digital SLR cameras today. Some of its features include 10.2 megapixel CCD imaging sensor, 2.5-inch LCD screen, and in-camera editing options. If you don’t have a limited budget or if you’re a new SLR user, the Nikon D80 is the perfect camera for you. The Nikon D80 digital camera costs between $700 and $900.

If you have plans on turning your photography hobby into a full-blown professional career, then you’ll do well to invest in the Nikon D300. This top-of-the-line digital SLR camera starts at $1,700. It supports live viewing, meaning you can preview your shots on the LCD screen.

Finally, the Fuji S5 comes in several models. The Fuji S5 Pro model is ideal for those who are struggling with their photography skills as this digital camera comes with auto correcting features. This digital SLR camera features 12.3 megapixels CCD SR Pro technology, three new film simulation modes for improved reproduction of natural skin tones, and facial detection technology that allows you to quickly and easily zoom in on facial details. The Fuji S5 Pro has a price tag of around $1,500.

With digital cameras, it’s extremely easy to print and share photos with others. You can seamlessly transfer your photos from your digital camera to your computer, e-mail those photos to people in your address book, and even upload them on FaceBook, Flickr, MySpace and other photo sharing websites that give you web space for your own online photo gallery.

You can create slide shows out of your digital photos, put them in CDs and mail them to your friends and loved ones. With digital photos, you can edit them prior to showing them to others. If you want to express your creativity, try combining your photos with stock photography.

Really, there’s no limit in what you can do with your digital photos — all you need is your trusty digital camera, some stock photos, a good photo editing program and a dash of creativity. You can even do some minor editing right there in your camera, such as correcting lighting, flash tones and red eye), and hook up your digital camera to a photo printer and print out your photos immediately.

With digital photography, anyone can become a photographer. You don’t need to know the complicated process of developing photos. Just aim your digital camera, press the shoot button and print your photos in a snap. It’s that quick and easy.