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Website by Keith Lightbody - Facilities Consultant - last updated 17 Feb 2014

Digital  Cameras Enhance Education

Digital cameras are one of the single most successful Information and Communications Technology
purchases you can make in a school. They enhance communication for students and teachers.


Promote visual literacy - encourage students to use digital cameras!

Welcome to the world of any time, any place photos. Digital cameras allow any one to enjoy photography.
Friendly compact sized models now make it especially easy in the classroom or in everyday life!


RELATED EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY TOPICS
K-12: digital microscopes * time lapse photography * tips for travel * digital image samples
*** using digital video with students ** wireless laptops in schools - significant educational benefits!
* guide to video conferencing in classrooms *
using LCD monitors in education
** USB flash drives * data projectors in schools

fluffy cloud For other classroom ideas please visit my main site : fluffy cloud
Technology in Education



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1. Quick start

How to get a photo taken and use it immediately in a document, email it as an attachment, include it on a web page, or .....
There are heaps of possible uses so grab a digital camera and lets start!
Find the power switch (e.g. "OFF" or "ON/OFF" or "green button") - turn it on or switch from "OFF" to"ON" or camera icon position
Set the controls - usually to "RECORD" or camera icon or "STILL" or "AUTO" or "green rectangle" (not "MOVIE" yet!)
Compose an image - use either the LCD viewer (most accurate image view) or optical view finder (easier in sunlight)
Hold the camera steady
Take a photo - press the shutter release button firmly all the way down - the button is usually in a similar spot to a traditional camera
(there will normally be a click, beep or message to indicate a photo has been taken)
Immediately check your photo by setting to "PLAY" or play icon or "VIEW" - use the LCD viewer to confirm you are happy with the result
- if a zoom feature is available on your digital camera use this to enlarge the image to check 'up close' for a sharp focus
- if the image is unsuitable (e.g. out of focus, badly framed, cluttered or poorly lit) then simply take another photo!
Load the photo into your computer
EITHER download images direct from camera via a USB cable (typically via an easy to access photo wizard or photo application)
OR in cameras with removable storage you can also take the stored photos out of the camera by removing the memory card
- e.g place memory card into USB card reader connected via USB cable
(NOTE: some laptops include a dedicated memory card slot e.g. SD)
Use the photo in your work
eg1. Word document - Insert - Picture - From File - (choose location)
eg2. Email attachment - Attach - File - (choose location)
eg3. Web page - Insert image (choose location)
(NOTE: some original file sizes from the digital camera will be too large to use in email or web pages without resizing
- for instructions to help adjust a digital image visit http://www.zardec.net.au/keith/adapt.htm)
Good software will typically also allow 'drag-and-drop' where you just point to the image, drag it onto the required place and drop it in!
Extras:
Delete unsuitable photos using cursor, "+"/"-" controls on a menu, rubbish bin or trash icon.
Choose a suitable image quality (resolution) - you can take a few high quality photos or lots of lower quality photos
Problems:
No image? - press harder/longer on the shutter release button OR be sure the lens cap is off!
No power? - check the battery life indicator - if flat recharge or change batteries
No storage device present? - insert SD / compact flash / other media
Storage device full? - insert new media OR delete images

! email option - some camera settings allow smaller images for quick email transfer or use on the web but avoid this if you will need to print the photo



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2. Features - there are many positive (and some negative) features of digital cameras

Positives
- digital encourages faster learning, more fun and greater creativity with photography
- immediate feedback (confirmation of photo, access to image - no time waiting for processing)
- negligible running costs
- images enhance communication (adding photos helps to share experiences - especially for visual learners, it is also much faster than trying to explain everything in words)
- frees potential photographers of their inhibitions, encourages experimentation: okay to take chances, photograph anything!
- the ease of sharing photos with others (via printouts, networks, email, websites, storage, etc.)
- students new to photography appreciate a learning environment where there is no 'penalty' for mistakes
- most photo processing shops now offer printing of digital images on to high quality photo paper
- digital cameras promote visual literacy 
- easy to adjust mistakes with exposure or the affects of lens distortion
with software (e.g. Photoshop CS)
- it is no problem to share a digital camera with other people (including young students)
- digital cameras with a high capacity memory card can take hundreds of photos
- photos can be quickly enhanced or manipulated with software (e.g. Photoshop, Paintshop Pro)
- images can be rapidly added to emails, documents, web sites, etc - there are many possible uses
- 'no cost' photos encourage creative use (students can experiment with photographic technique)
- learning is enhanced in many situations by use of images in addition to words
- freedom for taking multiple images or sequences (no additional cost for extra photos)
- series of digital photos can be 'stitched together' to create panoramas
- digital cameras are able to cope with a wider temperature range than film
- no need to wait for the end of a roll of film before processing
- great photo composition training tool for people who also use film based cameras
- tilt LCD screen allows composition of photos without raising camera to eye: great for avoiding students 'posing' in photos
- ability to share photos worldwide via online albums
- digital print kiosks allow user to choose which photos they want printed
- freedom (I know people with quality multi-Megapixel digital cameras who now take up to 1000 photos a month because of all the advantages of digital cameras)
Negatives
- most ink jet prints of digital photos are lower quality than traditional photo paper prints
- compression of the photo images for camera storage usually causes some loss of quality
- can run out of storage space on computer (hard drive may fill up as photos archived to CDs or DVDs are more difficult to access)
- some digital cameras have very slow response times - press the release but a photo is taken after subject has gone!
- greater risk of losing your precious images (e.g. hard drive failure, Operating System corruption, viruses)
- ease of taking photos may reduce students recognition of others sensitivity to being photographed (e.g. for cultural or personal reasons)
- some digital cameras are quite complicated with a smorgasbord of buttons, menus or other digital choices.



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3. Recent Advances
The viewing screen size on the back of digital cameras has increased significantly - with up to 9 cm (3.5") displays now available - they can contain up to 922,000 pixels for more accurate viewing. There are now many affordable 6-12 Megapixel digital SLR cameras which have larger CCD or CMOS sensors - photos taken on a Canon EOS 500D or Nikon D90 have outstanding quality - see some of my favourite photos at photos.htm - I have framed the best as 75 cm by 50 cm prints! Although unlikely to be used in schools there are also a number of professional 16-32 digital Megapixel cameras (e.g. Canon EOS-1DX Mark III for ~AU$7,000).

High Megapixel digital cameras need high capacity storage - fortunately high speed 2-16 GB memory cards are now available. Another significant trend has been the release of more miniature or ultra compact digital cameras models - these fit in a pocket ready for immediate access - no need to carry bulky camera bags - it is great to have a camera handy when that special photo opportunity arrives! One consequence of the compact cameras is that the smaller SD or xD storage cards are now gaining market share. Another recent development is the use of Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) displays for viewing the image - these typically offer brighter colors and wider viewing angles than LCD displays.

Current desktop computer operating systems (Windows 7, 8 and Mac OS X) offer excellent support for digital still cameras and digital video camcorders. It is now much simpler to get images from the camera into the computer and to view, modify and organize the photos - even using a cable is now relatively easy with USB. Innovative new software allows easy correction of common problems (e.g. red eye from flash, parallax effects in buildings) and allows quick preparation of slideshows or photo albums.

More high resolution digital cameras are now being purchased by schools. Many schools have a number of digital cameras (e.g. multiple low or medium resolution models for volume use by students and an advanced model for special purposes). The basic models are cheaper with a limited number of features. The advanced model typically involves high resolution, better optics and large capacity storage for outstanding image quality. However 80% of educational digital photography needs can still be met by using the more economical low or medium resolution cameras. Many of the 'clever' or advanced models require a much greater effort with training in operating the camera and using the very high resolution images.

Most photo print shops in Australia and overseas now accept digital camera images for printing on photographic paper. Prints can be made direct from most digital camera memory devices and CD-ROMs containing copies of images. User terminals or kiosks are now widely available so users can self select photos from their own memory cards and choose print options. Multiple copies can also be requested. For orders of 20 or more costs in Australia have dropped to as low as 10 cents per postcard sized print.

If your school has a special digital photography need then it is worth researching to see if a suitable product is now available. For the latest breaking news in digital cameras visit http://www.dpreview.com/. This site has very comprehensive coverage of daily developments in the digital camera field.

There are now many economical 20+ Megapixel digital camera models available in Australia. In addition there are also many high performance professional or commercial digital cameras.



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4. Possible uses

There are a huge range of uses of digital cameras in the classroom or elsewhere in the education community. Whether used to enhance learning, provide motivation or as a convenient tool - digital cameras can empower both students and teachers. The freedom to experiment with photos encourages a willingness to learn. Visual literacy - the ability to understand and produce visual messages - can be improved. However for maximum potential the teacher must allow creativity and variety in how students take photos - images can be technical, evoke feelings, be abstract or be taken from many different perspectives. Note that privacy issues and respect for the feelings of others must be considered prior to publication or manipulation of photos!

In addition to the standard still image many digital cameras also offer a video facility - it is great for a quick video clip for a slide show, web site or multimedia production.

  Digital cameras have many uses including :-
 - enhancing lesson worksheets, teacher overheads, test items, food preparation notes, science reports, etc.
 - student assignments across the curriculum
 - email attachments (e.g. sharing photos, global collaborative projects, epals)
 - getting images into web pages quickly and easily
(NOTE: duty of care may require parental permission for student photos to be published on the Internet)
 - self esteem activities (merit certificates, student of the week, etc.)
 - school promotional material (e.g. photos for newspaper, newsletters, pamphlets, posters)
 - assisting language teaching (e.g. vocabulary) - suitable for LOTE, ESL, NESB and other programs
 - providing relevant lesson material to hearing impaired students
 - taking photos or recording information on excursions or field trips
 - assisting students in special education and autistic applications
 - providing close up, macro or micro views of objects, plants or animals
 - enhancing slideshows or presentations
 - encouraging effort through immediate recognition of achievement
 - recording student progress (including difficult-to-record evidence for process outcomes)
 - analyzing physical education activities
 - taking images that capture different emotions, beauty, ...
 - recording sequences of events in science experiments (e.g. life cycles, motion, ...)
 - recording weather, types of clouds, ocean conditions, ...
 - taking photos of natural or built environments (e.g. rivers, mountains, buildings, ...)
 - preparation of photo sheets to introduce staff or students
 - photographing bulky work samples or other evidence in outcomes based education
 - helping document an interview or biography
 - providing photos of all the people and events for publishing in school yearbooks
 - producing time lapse movies (e.g. flowers opening, clouds forming, ...)
<for detailed instructions click on the link above>
 - provide overview of laboratory equipment - use digital photo with added labels or 'zoomed in' images on an overhead, presentation or worksheet - allows clear explanation of features and correct safety procedures
 - record a movie showing collaboration in the preparation and progress of experiments (using digital camera, digital camcorder or time lapse) - students can pause or rewind the movie repeatedly to view and analyze events
 - upload photos (e.g. to Flickr, Picasa, Photobucket) or video clips (e.g. to YouTube) to share around the world
 - student photos in teachers markbooks or administration records
 - record images of assembly of 3-D objects (e.g. for later reassembling, instructions to others)
 - provide relief (substitute) teacher with a seating plan that includes a photo of each student
 - adding personal photos on cards which are then laminated (e.g. library card or student ID card)
 - learning about photography concepts (e.g. lighting, depth of field, motion effects)
 - providing images to print professional looking CD labels
 - linking in with First Steps (procedure writing, etc.)
 - up-to-the-minute public relations brochures, flyers
 - fashion or modeling activities
 - fun class activities (e.g. guess the student from a 'Dark Angel style' eyes only photo)
 - recording faded ink on yellowing paper or text from tightly bound or large library books that do not fit a photocopier or scanner - best done with high Megapixel cameras and a portable copy stand to hold camera steady and square to the page - enhance image, then use OCR software
 - taking images to show key stages for job progress records
 - providing images for use as computer desktop, background or wallpaper
 - lesson activities involving sample business cards, letterheads or other stationery
 - preparation of actual photo business cards (print on special stationery - 10 per sheet)
 - photos of items for insurance purposes (e.g. computers, cameras, ...)
 - photos of damage to school property (e.g. fire, graffiti, vandalism, ...)
 - documenting computer networks, sports equipment, etc.
 - asset management photos for stocktake or inventory purposes
 - archiving student photos over the years
 - presenting images on parents nights of students at work & play
 - creating panoramic images (with image stitching software)
 - producing 360 degree virtual reality scenes (e.g. Quicktime VR)
 - compiling folios for dancing, drama, models, artists, etc.
 - artwork, artistic creations and manipulations
 - preparing folios to send to prospective employers
 - creation of 3D images (take 2 photos and view with a stereoscope)
 - photos of successful architectural facilities in schools
 - providing photos to make custom calendars or greeting cards
 - instant images can be transmitted from remote locations via a laptop computer and a satellite or mobile phone
 - economical training tool for learning photo composition skills for film based cameras
 - opportunities for students to develop a photography career (e.g. photojournalism, still life, fashion)
 - swapping computer files between computers (e.g. documents, spreadsheets, presentations) via the digital camera storage media
 - taking aerial photos using radio control model aircraft
 - ... add more to the 60 above ... please email me!
Apart from education many people in advertising, real estate, medicine, construction, insurance, media, architecture, research, business, sport and aviation find digital cameras very useful. They are also a great help in many people's hobbies.
SOME REAL WORLD EXAMPLES:
- helping to manage wounds - Silver Chain Nursing Association have teleconferences where specialists can monitor progress on remote patients, alternatively a series of images can be emailed to specialist
- logging skin cancer lesions - allow doctors to monitor changes in the colour and shape of moles on patients to allow early diagnosis of skin cancer
- providing fast images of property for real estate agents - can include standard images, panorama or 360 degree virtual reality photos
- dentists taking images of teeth inside patients mouth - better view, can add to records and can show patient on screen
- photos of items for insurance purposes (e.g. computers, jewellery)
- recording key features showing the way to a place (no map copyright issues)
- optometrists and ophthalmologists can record photos of parts of the eyeball for analysis or future reference
- ... add more ... please email me!

A panorama can be produced with 'stitching' software. A series of digital photos are taken at regular intervals along the same plane. Each image should have 20%-40% overlap.

Combined with a basic printer (<$100) and special iron-on printer paper (~$1 a page) digital cameras can be used for custom T shirts. When the digital images are modified by software then spectacular effects are available quickly. The activity also lends itself to fund-raising.



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5. Buying Tips

Rapid change has always been a feature of digital photography. New digital cameras are released regularly, prices change rapidly and image quality is continually increasing. Digital photography reached critical mass and became the predominant form of photography. In many cases now satisfactory images can be produced by smart phones and uploaded immediately - completely avoiding the need for a separate digital camera.

Features include large colour liquid crystal display (LCD) panels so you can immediately see the photo taken, close-up or macro (to 1 cm), recording of sound or short movies, removable storage devices, removable lenses, quality bundled software, higher resolution, continuous or burst mode, use with video conferencing, time lapse, auto white balance with manual override, aperture control, email option, slideshow option within camera, output to television or computer projection systems, input from computers, zoom, remote controls, detachable LCD viewers, auto-focus, Photoshop plug-ins, faster shutter speeds (typically up to 1/8,000 sec), direct communication with compatible computers via infrared technology, software that transforms multiple still images of a scene into seamless 'super-wide' angle panoramic images or interactive 360° QuickTime VR movies, nominated time interval shooting, time and date stamps, touch sensitive screens, pen-based menu selection, file transfer (FTP), etc.

 Before purchasing :-
 - make a list of your planned purposes (identify your priorities but think about future possibilities)
 - give priority to long lasting rechargeable batteries in models that show the battery charge or remaining time
 - choose easy to use models that are friendly for beginners
 - consider models where all settings can be fully automatic
 - give priority to cameras with fast start up times
 - check that there is minimal lag between shutter press and image capture
 - check the recyle time between subsequent images  (how long after one photo before the camera can take another)
 - check the ergonomics, comfort and balance (when holding one model the students naturally put one finger over the flash and another over the lens!)
 - find out the download times on your hardware
 - check that images in low light are not blurred
 - choose image resolution and quality (web pages only need low resolution but high Megapixel cameras provide the high image quality important when publishing, printing or manipulating images)
 - check that the software included will meet your needs (e.g. edit, export TIF, BMP, GIF)
 - give priority to models that store photos in standard (e.g. JPG) not proprietary formats
 - give priority to models with both optical and LCD viewfinder (saves batteries)
 - consider models that also allow saving of movies
 - consider the ease of use and durability of particular models
 - find out how wide angle is the included lens (helps fit more subject into an image)
 - check that the camera can hold at least 100 photos
 - check what price, capacity and variety of memory or storage cards are available
 - find out the options available (e.g. flash, red-eye reduction, zoom, self-timer)
 - if you use laptop computers check for SD card slots
 - find out how long batteries last - some models use batteries very fast
 - can the LCD viewfinder be rotated for flexibility when taking photos? (allows less posed photos as subjects are often unaware when the photo is taken - many students enter 'pose mode' when a camera is raised to the eye)
 - is the LCD viewfinder or lens protected when not in use?
 - does it have provision for mounting on a tripod or adding external flash?
 - can it take photos in low light without blur from slow shutter speeds?
 - does it include video output to PAL (Australian television) standard or only NTSC?
 -
 - ... add your own special requirements ...

Viewers are essential! The immediate feedback given by the colour viewer on what they actually photographed allows them to take another image (if they mis-framed the photo, the subject moved, etc.). Both primary and secondary students can check the image for technical and artistic merit. They can retake images that do not meet their needs or were poorly composed. However screens can be difficult to use outside in bright sunlight so it is helpful to choose a model that also includes an optical view finder.

An easy to use quality digital camera purchase will be fully used by staff and students. The small size and versatility allow easy integration of digital cameras into all parts of the curriculum. They are easily shared between classrooms. Many schools are now buying additional units due to digital cameras contributing to better and greater use of computers. Obviously the digital camera should be well made and durable in a school environment.

Basic or mid range models should allow any student to produce a good result with minimal instructions. Most models will allow different resolution settings (e.g. uncompressed, some compression, high compression or email). Fast charging of a spare battery is helpful.

Advanced or high resolution models are likely to need training or detailed instructions. They may take longer to set up with tripods/lighting/special requirements. Models may offer a choice of using the LCD screen or optical viewfinder, the ability to control the camera from a computer (e.g. for time lapse photography), fully automatic or manual settings, choices of file type or compression (e.g. bmp, jpg, tif, raw) and powerful zoom lens. Other features that may be relevant are operating speed, high quality glass lens, threaded lens (to allow additional lenses), adjustable exposure options and the minimum time before the digital camera can take subsequent images (latency).

For some tasks higher image quality is important (e.g. you would like digital school photographs published on posters, in newspapers or in magazines). One publications strategy is to buy a quality digital camera capable of at least 18 Megapixels and set the image settings to maximum resolution. Another strategy is to check that the final image is at least 15 by 20 cm with a minimum resolution for the photo of 150 dots per inch (dpi). Larger images or higher resolutions allow the publisher some editing freedom. A good reference site is http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM Identical test images can be down loaded for most major brand digital cameras so that users can balance the image quality against the cost and other features of a camera prior to purchase.



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6. Selected Cameras
(examples below used in Australia, pricing is in Australian $ inc. 10 % GST, *** recommended models)

NOTE: Apart from resolution differences (described below) another major consideration can be size - size matters! - credit card size cameras, phone cameras or ultra compact multi-megapixel digital cameras allow users to regularly carry a camera in a pocket, pencil case or handbag - a great convenience so that digital photos can be readily taken and easily incorporated into tasks - any time, any place photos! (similar to any where, any time learning with wireless laptops).

Compact
- lower resolution - typically less than $200 Australian
- suit web or email - cheap, can buy more than one camera (for large groups), some models very small (for convenience), this quality is common on mobile phones

UltraZoom - useful resolution - typically $300 - $600 Australian
- single camera with great zoom range and wide range of features without hassle of swapping lenses


DSLR
- high resolution - typically $500 - $3000 Australian
- huge range of interchangeable lenses e.g. macro, telephoto, wide angle
- suitable for A3 prints or publication, may include special features such as burst record mode, time lapse mode, etc.
- require higher capacity memory cards - suggest minimum 8 GB, with 16 GB or more for top of the range cameras.

A wide range of digital cameras are available online (e.g. Australian Digital Cameras Online, Byron Bay Camera House, JB - Hifi, Plaza Digital, Teds Camera Stores) in camera shops, computer shops, duty free shops, phone shops and discount stores. Many shops now include kiosks that will print customers digital images on to photographic paper. Prices of digital cameras vary widely - even for the same model - so it is definitely worth checking the prices from 3-5 different sources. Once I even found a website with online purchasing that actually had the same camera listed twice on the site with 2 different prices - one was $100 higher!



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7. Care
Digital cameras are very robust when used with care. The following ideas will help keep a camera in good shape and allow maximum enjoyment with a minimum of fuss. Any K-12 student can make good use of a digital camera with appropriate teacher supervision.

 When using digital cameras :-
+ buy a carry case (protects camera and holds spare batteries, charger, storage media)
+ insist students loop the camera strap over their wrist or neck
+ have spare battery/batteries (2-3 sets for some models)
+ fill image with the subject (get up close or use optical zoom)
+ hold the camera steady while taking the photo
+ attach labels to all special leads
+ consider composition while taking the photo - editing on the computer is an extra step
+ choose maximum resolution for best quality print images and to allow for editing if necessary, choose minimum resolution for web pages
+ mark batteries differently or buy different brands (so that flat and charged batteries do not get mixed)
+ be aware of shadows on the surface behind the camera when using flash - try moving the subject further from the background, different angles or different camera settings
+ use the optical viewfinder (if present) for framing photos rather than the LCD viewer (it saves batteries if you have a high battery drain model or are running out of battery power)
+ use the AC adapter when camera is near power for long periods (again it saves the batteries)
+ care for the camera (use a strap, avoid fingerprints on LCD panel, consider insurance, etc.)
+ consider video capture cards when taking large numbers of student personal ID photos - operators working for IdentaCard in Melbourne can photograph up to 200 students per hour!
+ use a plain or UV filter for lens protection on cameras that allow screw-in or clip-on filters
+ backup important images or software
+ set file numbering of images to sequential (each photo will have a unique number) - do not reset so that your first photo always has the same number
+ adopt file naming conventions if collecting photos for group work (e.g. school web site)
+
+ ... please add your own points

I have used digital cameras extensively in education since starting in 1994 with a Quicktake 100. Over the years students in my secondary classes have taken many thousands of photos with digital cameras. I have also helped pre-primary and early primary students - sometimes it was their first opportunity to use a camera! When lecturing at University in courses involving learning technology or in teacher training for the Internet in the Curriculum Project the participants made frequent use of digital cameras. I have also used digital cameras with many primary students and teachers in classes and on school camps. Over the last 5 years I have also taken many photos of facilities in new schools and situations where students are making use of Information and Communication Technology. In all cases use of digital cameras has been highly motivational, contributed to greater integration of technology into the curriculum and proved an effective way of improving communication. To gain more skills with digital cameras I also use different models regularly with people from all ages in travel, sport, recreation and family situations. With the larger storage now available I can take as many photos as I see opportunities - sometimes up to a 1000 photos a day when on nature outings! My current focus is on the use of digital cameras for nature photography. A 2005 trip to Europe resulted in some travel tips.


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8. Productivity
Well designed networks can allow fast sharing of images but identification of which image belongs to which student can be an issue and familiarity with the network is usually necessary. The transfer of photos via memory card storage during a lesson is slow if there are 20 - 30 students and not enough cameras. Although cable-based downloads from digital cameras take longer in most classroom situations - Windows 7or 8 and Mac OS X have made it much easier - so long as the right card reader or USB digital camera cable is readily available. Schools with laptop computers will find the rapid transfer of photos via memory card slots a significant benefit - it is easy, avoids cables and saves a lot of time.

Although USB Flash Drives are usually more convenient digital cameras with larger storage cards can be used to store a range of teaching documents, spreadsheets, movies, presentations, etc which can easily be transferred between computers.
Say you are about to give a presentation - rock up with your work on a storage card (e.g. Compact Flash), use a USB card reader to load it into a computer (or use a PC card adapter for a laptop) and start the show!



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9. Image Storage
(e.g. Disks, Memory Cards, Cartridges, CDs)
The image resolution, compression level and file format used have a significant effect on the file size of each stored photo. Resolution depends on the amount of detail captured by the digital camera. High resolution = high quality (e.g. 2048 x 1536 pixels), good for printing but slow for web. Low resolution = poor quality (e.g. 400 x 300 pixels), good for use on a computer screen and fast on the web but looks terrible when printed compared to a traditional photo . High resolution uncompressed images may take up many megabytes (MB) of storage for each photo.

The following are some of the common methods of storing photos in digital cameras :-
(approximate pricing is shown in Australian $ including GST)
- CompactFlash card (512 MB ~$25, used widely, up to 8 GB available) http://www.flashmemory.com.au
- Flash ATA - credit card size (512 MB ~$25)
- Floppy disk 1.4 MB (~10 cents) - used in Sony Mavica models
- Memory Stick (512 MB ~$30) [Sony]
- Memory Stick Pro (1 GB ~$50-100, high capacity, high speed, secure) [Sony]
- micro drive (1 GB ~ $150) [IBM]
- mini CD-R 150 MB (on Sony Mavica CD200, CD300)
- MultiMediaCard card (512 MB ~$25)
- SD card - secure digital (512 MB ~$25, increasingly popular in smaller models) [Panasonic]
- SmartMedia card (512 MB ~$30)
- xD card - extreme digital (512 MB ~$25, very small) [Fuji, Olympus]
For easy transfer from the storage media to your computer you may need an additional adapter, memory card reader, special drive or other product. This may use the floppy or CD drive bay of your computer or the USB port. Some examples :-
* Compact Flash Card Reader/Writer (usually USB) ~ $15

Some Australian online prices can be viewed at http://www.ramcity.com.au/flashfamily/Flash.htm

On Win XP you can remove the storage card whenever required - on earlier systems you need to request permission prior to removal. On Mac OS X you can remove the storage card whenever required but it is still recommended to first drag the storage card icon to the trash.

NOTE: Do not leave memory cards in card readers connected to a computer during startup (i.e. after you have turned on the power and 'booting' is in process) - operating systems such as Windows XP can automatically attempt to 'fix' the file structure of the memory card - this can result in the corruption or loss of photos stored on the memory card!

File transfer from the digital camera to a computer may require a memory card reader, floppy drive, USB cable, docking station or PC card adapter. Another strategy is web based storage where people transfer photos from the camera to a photo sharing site or other web site (e.g. Apple iDisk, http://www.Freedrive.com, etc). This works well for small image files or if you have fast Internet access (e.g. broadband cable or ADSL).

Archiving to DVD or CD is now common. It is easy to share images via CD. Blank CDs can be used to store around 650 MB of data.
Blank DVD-Rs can hold up to 4.5 GB - ideal for very large photo collections.
(For additional information about writing CDs or DVDs in education visit http://www.zardec.net.au/keith/burn.htm)

Other archiving strategies include:-
- Portable USB Drive ~ $100 - $300 depending on capacity - very compact, connect via USB (no power pack required)
- Ultra portable, lightweight USB2/Firewire Hard Drives 500 GB - 2 TB



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10 . Accessories
Digital cameras can benefit from extra items - some examples include :-
- carry bag or case with protective padding, multiple pockets or compartments
- spare battery/batteries (kept charged)
- extra storage (memory card, disks, CD-R, etc)
- AC adapter with power lead if required
- USB lead to download photos to a computer
- PC card adapter to download photos to laptop
- AV lead to connect to TV or VCR
- lens cleaning cloth
- miniature tripod or small bean bag (allows positioning of camera for time delay or low light photos)
- full height adjustable tripod
- remote shutter release (infrared or cable)
- protective lens filter
- lens hood
- alternative lenses
- lens adapter (use for additional lenses or to attach digital camera to a microscope or telescope)
- background cloths (to mask cluttered backgrounds)
- tripod panorama mountings (may include bubble level, degree markings, adjustable nodal point)
- underwater housing (e.g. Canon WP-DC2000)
- extra lighting or flash (e.g. for student ID card or school ball portraits)
- lighting reflectors
- memory card based photo printer
- portable hard drive for direct downloading of photos (especially if travelling)
(e.g. Epson P-2000 - includes photo viewer, XS-Drive, Image Tank, Digital Photo Library)
- pen and mini notebook
- ...
- ... please email me any additional items you find useful



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11. Special Requirements

Digital cameras are complemented by the amazing range of economical colour printers that allow users to print their own photos. Other developments include a better range of printer papers and faster printing with USB2 (Universal Serial Bus) printers. The Windows XP Photo Printing Wizard is first class - it really simplifies the printing of photos and allows rapid selection of full A4 page photos, a choice of 2, 4, 9 photos per page or 35 contact prints per page - all rotated and sized automatically to fit - it is a great productivity tool!

Ink Jet Printers
These offer outstanding quality (up to 4800 dpi) and value (under $250 Australian). They are typically available with 2-4 colour ink tanks (e.g. Epson Stylus series, Canon BubbleJet series, HP series, Lexmark series). However in some cheaper models the inks only last a few years and are not UV-stabilised.

Digital Photo Printers
There are now many high quality colour printers (under $500 Australian) that can print out postcard sized or A4 sized glossy photos at almost the same quality as traditional photos. They are typically available with 6 colour ink tanks. Check for inks that are long lasting and UV-stabilised. A number of printers now accept several different types of memory cards - direct from camera to printer - so photos can be printed without using a computer. Some photo printers include Canon (imageCLASS series), Epson (Stylus Photo series), FujiFilm, HP (PhotoSmart), Kodak (PPM), Olympus, Polaroid (ColorShot) and Sony.

Printer papers
Good stationery stores typically have a section devoted to colour printing needs.
Some of the newer papers offer improved colour fastness (no fading) and longer life
( Kodak introduced Ultima Picture Paper - photos printed on this paper by common inkjet printers are claimed to last for more than 100 years in typical home display without protection from gas and humidity).
Choice of finishes (clay, gloss, photo, transparency)
Variety of sizes (e.g. business card, postcard, A4)
Often have packs of 10, 25, 50, 200 or 500 sheets
Choice of paper weights - light card (120 gsm) is okay in many inkjet printers (photocopy paper is usually 80 gsm). Check if card (200 gsm) can be used in your printer before purchasing - it usually requires a printer with a relatively straight paper path.

Although this article has concentrated on digital cameras do not forget the importance of flatbed scanners. Good quality single pass colour scanners are now available from ~$100. However it is often worth paying more for a model that offers one-touch convenience (e.g. HP ScanJet series). A combination of a digital camera, a colour scanner and image manipulation software is highly recommended. Another item to consider is a film or 'tranny' scanner to scan slides and negatives - schools can get effective models for under $1000.

Other useful products include online photo sharing services or software, photo archiving and photo retrieval software.



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12. Editing
You can save a lot of trouble editing by taking well composed photos in the first place! Check out KODAK: Taking Great Pictures. Also an online digital photography course is available, developed by Dennis P. Curtin at http://www.photocourse.com. Once you have a photo in a digital format on your computer then start editing!

Often the first step is to use software to crop or rotate the image. Most basic image editing software can do these tasks. Cropping is very important as it can reduce storage requirements and can allow improved composition of the image. Good software will allow cropping to specific pixel width and height so that a set of images will align accurately in a document or web page. More powerful software can also quickly adjust brightness, contrast, sharpness or colour balance. It can be used to merge multiple images, apply special filters or to remove unwanted detail by cloning other areas in the image.

I have provided some notes about the differences between adapting digital images for print, email and web at http://www.zardec.net.au/keith/adapt.htm

Avoid repeated saving of images as jpeg files - image quality is lost each time this is done. Save files being edited in a non-lossy format. When all editing has been completed then save the file (or a copy) at a size, resolution and compression to suit the intended purpose. Recent software (such as Macromedia Fireworks MX and Adobe Image Ready or Photoshop 7) can provide easy and rapid optimization of images for the web. Typically a user can set up multiple views showing the same image in different file formats or with different levels of compression and then choose the most suitable image for use on a web site.

File Formats
Most digital cameras use JPEG (or JPG). For typical photos containing thousands of colours JPG is the best choice. JPG involves some loss of image quality during compression - choose level of quality: smaller files = lower quality, larger files = higher quality. The GIF format is limited to a maximum of 256 colours but if the image is still useful with fewer colours it can have a much smaller file size and some extra effects are possible. These include transparency and the creation of animations. Internet images must be transferred down relatively slow telephone lines so it is important that the images are stored taking up as few 'k' as possible so that they will travel quickly. The GIF and JPG file formats are the two main compression standards for Internet images.

Other common file formats include BMP (bitmap) : uncompressed, common use in Windows computers, MPEG (motion picture expert group) : used for short video clips, PNG (portable network graphic) : this file format supports multi-level transparency and TIF (tagged interchange file) : uncompressed file format

Some serious stuff:
Image cropping - select best part of picture only - typically a rectangle in ratio 4:3 but dSLR cameras typically use ratio 3:2
(cropping reduces distractions in the image and can lower file sizes significantly, typically hold down the 'SHIFT' key to retain the original aspect ratio, you may also need to constrain proportions e.g. ratio of the sides 4:3)
Brightness/Contrast - adjust until image is suitable
Image size - reduce for faster file transfer on the Internet
Resolution - change image to 72 dots per inch (dpi) for use in a web page
(e.g. a 1 MB 300 dpi Photoshop file could be saved as a 100 Kb 72 dpi JPEG file)
Suitable software packages include :-
- Adobe Photoshop http://www.adobe.com/
- Corel PhotoPaint http://www.corel.com/
- Corel Painter http://www.corel.com/
- Jasc PaintShop Pro http://www.jasc.com/
- Ulead PhotoImpact http://www.ulead.com/pi/runme.htm
- Arcsoft PhotoStudio http://www.arcsoft.com/products/software/index.html
- ArcSoft PhotoImpression http://www.arcsoft.com/products/software/en/pimpression2000.html
(note: many of the above sites include tryout versions which can be downloaded)

Some fun stuff:
Clone people in or out of the image!
Copy and paste images/backgrounds from all sorts of strange places!
Distort/apply filters to the image (e.g. artistic, blur, distort)
Suitable software packages (in addition to those above) include Scansoft SuperGoo or PhotoSoap.



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13. 
Glossary
adapter - device to connect additional lens or attach camera to microscope/telescope
BMP (bitmap) : uncompressed file format, commonly used in Windows computers
CCD (charge coupled device) - array of sensors used to convert image information at a grid of points
compression - use of mathematical algorithms to reduce the file sizes of images
digital sampling - measuring of original analog image at regular intervals over a grid pattern (each sample becomes a pixel in the final image)
digital zoom - use of software to expand or enlarge image (generally lowers quality)
downloading - transfer of digital photos from camera down to computer
GIF/gif (graphics interchange format) : common file format used for web page images and animations e.g. logo.gif
jaggies - commonly seen on high contrast oblique lines (can see a zig-zag line of pixels )
JPEG/jpg (joint picture experts group) : common file format used for digital camera and web page photos e.g. photo.jpg
lossy compression - some picture information is removed to make a smaller file size (e.g. jpg)
lens - optical device - plastic or glass (better) to focus light, strength indicated by focal length
Megapixel (million pixels) - calculated by number of horizontal pixels x vertical pixels
MPEG/mpg (motion picture experts group) : common file format used for short video clips
OCR - optical character recognition - software that identifies text characters for word processing
optical zoom - the focal strength is increased by moving parts of the lens (e.g. 3 x zoom)
Panoramas - series of adjoining images stitched together to make a wide or 360 degree scene
PC Cards - standard credit card sized device commonly used in laptop computers (also PMCIA)
pixel - picture element (a photo is made up of thousands or millions of pixels)
PNG/png (portable network graphic) : this file format supports multi-level transparency
resolution - measure of the number of pixels (better or higher resolution has more pixels)
saturation - measure of intensity of colour (less saturated looks greyer)
selective compression - less compression applied in critical areas of image
Super CCD - octagonal CCD sensors in offset grid (rather than standard rectangular grid)
TIF/tif (tagged interchange file) : uncompressed file format
USB (universal serial bus) - allows plug and play connection of devices to a modern computer)


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14. 
Helpful Resources (*** recommended - more stars is better)
A great online digital photography course developed by Dennis P. Curtin at http://www.photocourse.com *** worth a visit!
Other courses that will help include :-

**** Kodak Digital Learning Centre http://www.kodak.com/US/en/digital/dlc/plus/chapter5/index.shtml
*** Bryn Jones - Computer Graphics Study Guide http://ictpd.net/bj/units/ico110/ico110c/sg2.htm

Good examples on using digital cameras in education include :-
Teaching ethics in digital photography http://www.doug-johnson.com/ethics
Teacher examples http://www.brunswick.k12.me.us/lon/lonlinks/digicam/teacher/home.html
Support, curriculum, assessment (includes sample images) http://drscavanaugh.org/digitalcamera/whatdo.htm
1001 Uses http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~ucfcasio/qvuses.htm
Cameras in the Classroom http://www.surveillance-video.com/cameras-nov-2009.html

Some Australian magazines with articles that feature digital cameras include :- Digital Camera Magazine, Digital Photography & Design, Multimedia & Creative Computing, Australian PC User, Australian Personal Computing. Others include Design Graphics (many recent issues), The Australian (Tuesday edition), Australian PC World, etc.

Some other useful WWW addresses include :-
**** News, detailed review articles http://www.dpreview.com/
**** (dpreview also includes a really useful side-by-side comparison feature)
*** Latest digital camera news http://www.dcresource.com/
** Reviews, Prices, and Advice http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/
**
Range of news, tutorials and information http://www.dcviews.com/
** Wide range of information - including different camera lenses, image compression and image storage
http://www.surveillance-video.com/ma1320chdica1.html
** Great site for comparing models http://www.imaging-resource.com/
**
Comprehensive information http://www.steves-digicams.com/

Tips on taking photos http://www.desertusa.com/mag03/dec/digital.html
Definition http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/d/digital_camera.html
Digital camera links http://www.emtech.net/cameralinks.htm
Local Perth Digital Camera shop http://www.plazacameras.com.au/
http://www.pctechguide.com/19digcam.htm
http://www.digital-cameras.com/
http://www.epi-centre.com/

Also most of the companies making digital cameras have web sites - the links below go to Australian or international web sites. Casio (Japan), Fuji, Nikon, Olympus (USA), Ricoh, Sony.

(note: there is very rapid change and the information from different sources sometimes conflicts).


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15. 
Site Credits
This site is to help the 80% of people who just want learning technology to be easy to use and reliable. It is for people who are nervous about getting started or who want to learn more about digital imaging the easy way. Please be assured that the learning curve is not as steep as it was with 'old' learning technology. I am regularly able to help adults start using a digital camera in 5 minutes - students take even less!

Many of the comments are aimed at allowing a teacher with ~30 students to help each student get their own images into their own work in one session. It is about educating students. Although it can be helpful to have the latest deluxe model multi Megapixel digital cameras students can learn the process on a lot less. In terms of time taken and resources required the extremely high resolution models can restrict access in a class situation - I believe the first priority is to have all students develop digital imaging skills which they can use to enhance their learning and enjoyment.

Please take the trouble to offer ideas or suggestions - you will be acknowledged and others can benefit. The site is intended to be free of bias and receives no commercial gain from any party. Up to 500 people per week currently visit this site - mostly from education but also from government, small businesses and corporations around the world. Please email me some feedback. Portions of this work may be used by others under the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act. However the complete site should not be included on another website or in email. Please hyperlink to the current version at http://www.zardec.net.au/keith/digcam.htm or request permission for other situations via email.

I started using digital cameras in 1994 with an Apple Quicktake 100 - 640 x 480 pixels - monochrome. I started the site in late 1996. Information is deliberately presented in a very basic table format for faster downloads and to keep my ISP traffic to a minimum - for visual explanations of concepts please see the Helpful Resources section. Any suggestions for a low bandwidth site design that is better than my crummy table based navigation are most welcome. The frivolous lightning bolt graphic was inspired after a glider flight alongside a rain shower under a cloud - I decided to land after a flash of lightning went down the rain alongside my wingtip!

This site has included feedback from the following people - Denise Sweetman, Susan Ward, Bryn Jones, Judy Murtha, Bruce Jenkins, Charles Taylor, Sue Scott, Neil Harvey, Jarad Basterfield, Graham Badcock, Mark Rae, Sharon Hayes, Maria Bond, Eric Terrell, Ian Morgan, Laura-Celeste Armstrong, Jan Karger, Sarah White, Colin Terry, Tina Robertson, Richard Kennedy, Shelley Davis, Helen Deacon, Cyril Catt, Pete Candreva and Jill Midolo. I have also received feedback from attendees at my recent visual literacy sessions, at my many Digital Imaging/Creating Web Pages sessions (at QTP seminars, SIDE - School of Isolated and Distance Education, John XXIII College Conferences, West Australian School Library Association Conferences, Clarkson CC, Altone Park, Lockridge SHS and Joondalup Resort) and at my sessions at ECAWA conferences.

(hyperlinks are checked and this information is updated based on feedback, published articles, new experience, Internet research and new models)

 


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