Camera Type
There is good and bad to every type of camera. For this quick reference I will give a brief explanation on the types of camera you will probably be choosing from. For simplicity I will be using point and shoot and compact interchangeable even though you can achieve point and shoot capabilities from your DSLR or DSLR like camera.
Compact or Point and Shoot Cameras -
Point and Shoot CompactThis are usually small compact cameras that you can put in your pocket or purse. They are most communally used for vacation, tourist photos, my space, or just capturing fun events with your friends. These cameras are by fare the easiest to use and with the increase in quality in these cameras and their megapixel you can achieve some great quality photos. These cameras are good for hiking because you and through it in you backpack or pocket and not add a lot of weight and bulk to the stuff you take. The downside to these cameras is that they don't usually have many settings you can choose form or customize or becoming creative with your photography. The also usually have very small optical zooms usually 3x or less and you can't add different lenses to achieve the photo you want. Something to look for in these cameras is the optical zoom don't be fooled by it saying you have a digital zoom of 10x. You will be unhappy with many of your photos if you use digital zoom, instead look for a camera with a large optical zoom. These cameras often will give you under exposed photos is poor light conditions and there aren't any external attachments you can add to them like external flash, filters, remotes, etc.
DSLR like cameras -
DSLR LikeThese cameras are usually meant for someone who wants something between a compact camera and a DSLR. These cameras have many settings that the DSLR which makes them more complicated then a point and shoot camera but they allow you to be more creative with your photography. They also usually have larger optical zooms than the compact cameras. These cameras can come in wide range of megapixel so choose one that meats your needs. These cameras can be a good in between if you do a lot of hiking and hanging out with your friends and it can be good even if you take pictures where you need to zoom in a lot. Just make sure you get one with a large zoom. The downside to these is you cannot change out the lenses or add filters like in the DSLR cameras. You are usually stuck to just the settings that come with the camera. These cameras often will give you better exposure when light conditions are poor but there are many if any external attachments you can add to them like external flash, filters, remotes, etc.
DSLR (Digital, Single, Lens, Reflex) Cameras - DSLR Camera
In a true DSLR camera you have reflex mirror that gives you a live through the lens viewing. When you take you picture the mirror flips up and allows the photo to be taken. These cameras offer the most customizable options and creative photography. Most of them allow you to put all the attachments on them you could want but always check with the camera don't just assume. These cameras can take external flashes, different lenses, filters, etc. The biggest downside to these cameras is their size and weight. |
Megapixels
When you choose a camera you will need to decide what size the largest picture you will want to print will be. For the most part you can determine the size of a photo quality picture you can get from your camera by its megapixel. This is more true for point and shoot cameras then it will be for DLSR cameras. Here is how to do the math. A Megapixel is approximately 1 million pixels. A true photo quality print will be printed using 300 DPI. What that means is that if you want an 8 x 10 print you first need to multiply 8X300= 2400 pixels and 10x300=3000. This gives you the pixel length and width of your photo. Now you need to find the the number of pixels in the 8 x 10 rectangle. Now just like you learned in geometry when calculating square feet you multiply 2400x3000=7,200,000 pixels. Remember a megapixel is approximately 1 million pixels. Now simply divide the 7,200,000/1,000,000 = 7.2 megapixel. This means with all things being equal in a camera you will need a 7.2 megapixel camera to print an 8x10 photo and photo quality.
Please note that this is just a ballpark way of figuring it out. Actually you may be able to achieve an 8 x 10 photo quality print using a 4 or 5 megapixel camera if you have a good sensor or use good photo editing software afterwards. Also shooting in a raw format instead of jpg will give you better results especially if you have software on your computer that can render the raw image, edit, and or print it.
Here is a good blog that illustrates that information: Megapixel Chart
To find out what size you camera can print the best way will always be to check its owners manual. |
What you need for this course
For the most part you can use any camera you already have. Having said that there are some assignments that will reqire specific settings that not all cameras have.During the course we will do the best we can to meet the requirements but there will be some instances that we will have to be creative and use the camera we have to get the best photo we can. That's what making Art is all about.
Camera Requirements necessary to participate in every lessons/assignments:
1. You will need at least a 4 megapixel camera. We won't be printing these pictures out but you will want good quality photos when you crop pictures or zoom and blow up your photo. Also you will want at least a 1024 x 768 jpg photo for wallpaper on the computers.
2. You will need a camera that can allows you to set the shutter speed (S mode).
3. You will need a camera that allows you to set the aperture (A mode).
4. You will need a camera that allows you to manually set the aperture and shutter for full control of your photos (M mode).
5. You need a camera that has programed mode (P mode)
6. Your camera needs to have a flash either built in or external.
If you have questions about a camera you already have, feel free to bring it in to me and I can tell you if it has all the functions you need for this course.
Optional Settings you may want to make assignments easier:
1. You may want a camera that has a landscape setting.
2. You may want a camera that has a portrait setting.
3. You may want a camera that has a sports setting.
4. You may want a camera that has a macro setting.
5. You may want a camera that has panorama assist.
6. You may want a camera that has night time or dusk setting.
7. You may want a camera that can take pictures in black and white
8. You may want a camera that has several color filter options. |
Written Assignment
Please read a review of the camera you have or read reviews of other cameras in preparation for buying one. CNET.com is a great resouce.
Today lesson is about the features you'll want in your camera. To complete this assignment you'll describe in a paragraph: the type of camera you plan to use and about how it measures up against the list of minimum requirements.
Here is a short list of what you should be looking for:
* resolution of at least 4MB
* adjustable controls (look for a dial that has "T" "AV" "S" "M" "P")
* lithium batteries are best, get an extra if you can
* if not lithium, get a charger and 2 sets of rechargable batteries
* removable memory card
* camera case
* tripod
For a full list go back and reread the requirements.
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