The document summarizes some key differences between camera types and provides tips for basic camera use. It discusses how sensor size and megapixels impact image quality, with larger sensors in DSLRs providing better pictures than smaller sensors in point-and-shoot cameras. It also recommends settings like turning off digital zoom and flash, and reviews basic shooting techniques like using a stable stance and focusing on subjects in the image thirds. Reshooting is presented as a regular part of the photographic process to improve images.

1. Camera Basics

2. Camera Differences
• The two most important parts about a camera are the megapixels
and sensor
• Most everyone knows about megapixels and believe, “the more the
merrier” is correct, but in most cases the larger number of
megapixels don’t help
• To obtain a better picture you need a larger sensor
• This is why DSLR’s take better pictures
• The larger the lens opening, the larger the sensor.
• The easiest way to tell the difference:
– A DSLR has a large body and removable lens
– A Point and Shoot is compact with everything attached
2

3. Megapixels
• This determines the
resolution you can use.
Higher resolution is
better, but in general, if
the camera has an
optical zoom (not
digital zoom) and a
wide lens opening 12-
15 megapixels is
enough. More MP’s
does not equal better
camera.

4. Sensor
• This is one that you can’t just look at a
number to find out, but in a way this is easier.
• Look at the width of the lens opening, the
larger the lens, the larger the sensor.
• You will notice that small lenses tend to have
large MP’s, they are compensating for the
small sensor

5. This is a point and shoot. You will need to check your
specific camera to know what kind of card it uses and
what cables it should have in order to transfer
pictures.
This is a DSLR, this is going to take better pictures and will be
able to do more in different ways. In general most DSLR’s use
an SD card micro or otherwise. You will need to check to be
sure and have the cables in order to transfer pictures.

6. Memory Cards
Card Readers
Cables
NOT ALL
CARDS
AND
CORDS
WORK
WITH ALL
CAMERAS!!
YOU HAVE
TO CHECK
THE
CAMERA

7. 7
Camera settings
Not all cameras have these
•Turn Digital zoom OFF
•Turn the flash OFF
•Be sure the video is set to NTSC
•Have the white balance on auto
•Quality should be Large
•Color space Adobe RGB
•Picture Style Neutral
•For now have camera set to landscape mode
• Other setting such as Fstop/aperture/shutter speed
etc only apply to people with a DSLR and a manual
mode. These settings are addressed in the reading.

8. 88
Modes
Settings

9. Shooting
• Hold camera with both hands
• Hold breath when shooting
• Open stable stance
• Be sure you are focused on the
subject
• Be sure the focal point is in the
thirds
• Turn the camera
• Change your position
• Support yourself

17. Shooting and reshooting
• When we take pictures it is known as a shoot.
• The first shoot is rarely the final shoot
• Evaluation of the images taken is an important
step in photography, the same way it is important
in design, or any other art.
• Reshoots are a regular thing and you should
expect to have to reshoot
• Sometimes there is a re-evaluation and a third
shoot may be needed
• Not wanting to reshoot, or not completing a
reshoot because you think “it’s not needed” will
effect your grade.

18. Shoot #1 Shoot #2

19. 19
Before you upload
anything, be sure you
only have images that
are class appropriate as
all images will upload
initially!

20. •Before uploading, create a folder on the desktop to send
your work to
•Open adobe bridge
• At the top is a camera image... click it
• Find your camera It will show all of your images to begin
with
• There is an advanced control at the bottom... click it
• You can now select the images you want to upload
• Upload to the folder
• Use Bridge to go through the images
•Select the ones you want to use go to- Menu Bar > tools >
photoshop > load files into photoshop layers
•When the images open in photoshop you can begin editing