Tutorial Two: Digital cameras

We are now moving on to look at digital cameras and their uses:
As technology develops, it replaces old versions which are often lost forever. However there can be some features of the old technology that the new ones just cannot replace. “A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature.” This statement can be particularly seen in the development of digital cameras. The use of digital cameras and the technology within them is growing rapidly. Now days it is rare to see a film camera in use. Although digital cameras have the plus side of producing an instant image, which can be edited or deleted and is able to be stored on a computer rather than bulky photo albums, there is also a down side to them. As the image is instant, the element of surprise of what the photos will turn out like is gone. The nostalgia (or horror) that comes from looking through photos developed weeks after a holiday is not there, as the photos are able to be viewed straight away and deleted if they are bad! Digital cameras also require more equipment in order to use them. Although they are much smaller in size, they do require at minimum, memory cards to store the photos on. In order to edit and store large amounts of photos, a computer is required, which can be costly, especially if editing software is required. In order to do this, cords are also required to connect the two.

Digital Images:
As well as digital cameras, images can be stored, transferred and manipulated in a variety of other means such as mobile phones, CCTV cameras and digital video recorders. With the prevalence in society of devices that capture images, ethic issues need to be considered when using them. These can include the issue of informed consent by the person who is in the images and the ability to take photos without people knowing. Cameras can be lost or stolen, with images falling into the wrong hands. Photos can also be edited very easily, manipulated to different purposes other than the original. Digital images are frequently being used in OT practice, as ways of assessing and analysing occupational performance, as well as incorporating them into treatment plans and evaluations.
Flickr (www.flickr.com) – This is an internet based photo storage programme, where photos are able to be stored as well as shared and used by others. (Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/about/)
Other photo sharing sites include:
http://photobucket.com/
Windows live
Facebook.

Digital and optical zoom: Digital zoom is when the image is cropped and the enlarged by the computer, which reduces the picture quality. Optical zoom is when the image is magnified by the lens itself and produces a better quality image. (Retrieved from http://www.frogprints.co.nz/help/focal.cfm)
Megapixel: Digital images are made up of millions of small tile like elements which are called pixels. A million pixels are called a mega pixel. The more megapixels in an image means that it is clearer, with better definition. (Retrieved from http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/camera-parts/megapixels/)