DigitalPhotography2009

Introduction

 * 1) Summer Workshop Handouts: http://uatim.wikispaces.com/Summer2009Workshops
 * 2) Digital Photography Virtual Handout: http://uatim.wikispaces.com/digitalphotography
 * 3) UA TiM Digital Photography Resources: [|www.delicious.com/uatim/dp]

A-Resolution Information:

 * Digital camera resolution is measured in Megapixels.
 * 1 Megapixel is made of one million pixels/dots.

The following chart gives approximations of IDEAL print sizes for pictures as determined by the number of pixels a camera has. For a more detailed chart, see this digital camera resolution guide which includes video display suggestions:
 * Megapixels || Print Size ||
 * 3 || 5 x 7 ||
 * 4 || 8 x 10 ||
 * 5 || 11 x 14 ||
 * 6+ || Up to Poster Size ||
 * [|www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/resolutionChartPopup.html] **

B-Zoom Information:

 * [|Optical zoom] actually moves you closer to the subject without sacrificing quality.
 * [|Digital zoom] crops & enlarges the image, sacrificing the quality of the image.
 * Pay more attention to Optical Zoom because it will give you the results that you want.
 * Most digital photography guides do not recommend using digital zoom at all.
 * Another example can be found on page 4 of [|Using Your Digital Camera].
 * Here’s a great resource for more information on zoom, pixels, and file types:[| www.photo.net/equipment/digital/basics/]

C-Shutter Information:
> “First, depress the shutter release halfway to lock your auto focus and exposure settings. Then depress the shutter the rest of the way. This technique reduces the time delay of the actual exposure to an absolute minimum.” > -Digital Photography Buying Guide retrieved June 25, 2007 from [|www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Product_Resources/DigitalQuickGuide1.pdf]
 * Shutter Lag-This is the delay that is common with many digital cameras. “You get what you pay for, and sometimes worse.”
 * Some Tips: [|Dealing with Digital Camera Lag]
 * Tip to reduce the lag time with most SLR Cameras (This sometimes helps with Point & Shoot Cameras):

D-Flash:

 * Auto
 * Red-Eye Reduction
 * Flash On
 * No Flash
 * Fill Flash ([])

E-COMMON FILE FORMATS:

 * JPEG
 * Most Common-Smallest Files-Highly Compressed
 * Caution-Do not save over and over-Quality will be lost.
 * TIFF or RAW
 * Larger Files-More Capable of Editing
 * Usually found on Advanced Cameras-Used by Professionals

F-Memory Card Information:
> Digital Photography Buying Guide [|www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/Product_Resources/DigitalQuickGuide1.pdf]
 * Memory cards are removable devices used in digital cameras to store the images captured by the camera. There are several different types of memory cards available including Secure Digital (SD), XD, Mini-SD, XD, Compact Flash, and Memory Sticks.
 * Memory card speed does make a difference in shooting speed because the camera can write to the card and perform downloads faster if the card is high-speed.
 * For More Terminology & Basic Info:

G-Battery information:

 * Alkaline: Normal everyday batteries; easy to find; drain quickly with digital photo use
 * NiMH: Rechargeable AA or AAA batteries; highly recommended for digital photo use
 * Lithium-Ion: Battery packs; Decent choice; Some are excellent & some die fast

Activity 1-Getting Acquainted with your camera

 * 1) After a brief overview of how to use the zoom and set the flash on the workshop cameras, you and a partner will have the opportunity to practice using these functions.
 * 2) You will also be exposed to a sample classroom activity during the process. This activity is called 10 Things (See 10 Things Handout). Each partner gets to take 5 photos.
 * 3) As you are taking the photos, please remember to take some pictures using the autoflash, some using red-eye reduction, some using the flash off, and some using the flash on so that you will notice the difference. Also zoom in for some photos and out for others.

Digital Photography Tips from Experience

 * 1) Always carry an Extra Memory Card with you!
 * 2) Purchase rechargeable batteries/extra battery pack and keep it with you.
 * 3) A card reader works well in the classroom.
 * 4) Turn off the LCD screen and use the viewfinder if you are running low on power.
 * 5) Remember that you can buy AA batteries anywhere, but battery packs may be hard to find.

Picture Taking Tips Online Activity

 * Top 10 tips for great Pictures:[| http://www.kodak.com/global/en/corp/top10tips/index.jhtml]
 * Explore the ten tips on this website. Be sure to write down & share any interesting points.
 * Would you have taken any of your 10 photos differently after viewing this information?

More Picture Taking Tips

 * 1) Take pictures at eye level when photographing a person
 * 2) Use plain and simple backgrounds
 * 3) Use a flash outside, especially if the sun is bright
 * 4) Zoom in on the subject matter, you want it to fill the frame
 * 5) Make sure your light source isn’t behind the subject, unless you want a silhouette effect

THE RULE OF THIRDS
Instead of the focal point of your picture being in the very center, move it over to where the lines intersect and the picture will be a little more interesting. If you are taking a picture of the horizon, you want the horizontal line of the horizon to be on the line between the top two 3rds, or the bottom two 3rds. For more on the rule of thirds and other composition tips, click [|here].



For other great tips, visit: [|Kodak’s Tips & Projects Center]: Includes numerous tips and project ideas for digital photography [|MacDev Center Top Ten Digital Photography Tips]: Tips to help you shoot like a pro

Tips for Connecting to the Computer

 * 1) Most cameras come with software. It is good practice to install the software before connecting your camera to the computer.
 * 2) If you do not have the software or think it is too complicated, you can use Windows XP’s the Scanner and Camera Wizard. Access the wizard by locating it in the ACCESSORIES list or by right-clicking on the cameras drive in My Computer and selecting AUTOPLAY.
 * 3) If you have Windows XP, most cameras can be connected without installing the software. The camera’s memory card will function as a flash/USB drive.
 * 4) You can also use a card reader which will make the memory card function as a flash/USB drive.
 * 5) Caution: You may have to change drive letter if your camera is not recognized!

Editing Photos: Microsoft Office Picture Manager
Microsoft Office Picture Manager enables you to do basic photo editing such as cropping, adjusting color, red-eye reduction, compression, resizing, and rotation.


 * 1) To access Microsoft Office Picture Manager:
 * 2) Click Start then All Programs.
 * 3) Locate Microsoft Office and then Microsoft Office Tools.
 * 4) Microsoft Office Picture Manager will be in this list.

The following sites contain tutorials for using Microsoft Office Picture Manager:

Indiana State CTA: [] London School of Economics IT Guide: [] UMass Office of Information Technology Printable Tutorial: []

Activity 3: Digital Scavenger Hunt
This activity provides each group with practice using the camera, taking good photos, placing images onto the computer, and incorporating the images into PowerPoint.


 * 1) Take a few photos using the practice scavenger hunt of your choice.
 * 2) Printable scavenger hunts: [|http://www.bama.ua.edu/~rmayben/tim/scavenger.pdf]
 * 3) Return to the room.
 * 4) Connect the camera to the computer. (Each member will do this.)
 * 5) Use the Scanner and Camera Wizard.
 * 6) Create a PowerPoint Photo Album.
 * 7) Brief instructions for photo album. (We will do this activity as a group.)
 * Save all of the photos that you would like to use in one folder.
 * Select Insert è Picture è New Photo Album
 * Select Insert Picture from FILE/DISK.
 * Click on each picture and click Insert-Repeat for Each Photo (Slow Method) or Click on 1 picture, then type CTRL-A, which selects all of the pictures and then click Insert (Fast Method).
 * Reorder the pictures by using the arrows below the PICTURES in ALBUM area. You can also remove photos by clicking REMOVE below the PICTURES in ALBUM area.
 * If you need to rotate any photos, use the options under the preview area.
 * Select Picture Options. (Captions and/or Black & White)
 * Select Album Layout (Picture Layout, Frame Shape, and/or Design Template)
 * When you are ready to see your album, click CREATE.
 * If you need to edit your album, simply choose the FORMAT menu and select PHOTO ALBUM.
 * Ideas for Digital Photography in the Classroom

40 Ways to Use Digital Photography in Your Classroom
 * # take photos on field trips, to aid in writing about them later
 * 1) publicize a class play or project
 * 2) make personalized name tags or desk plates
 * 3) recording projects and presentations for Open House
 * 4) create a digital class archive
 * 5) demonstrate vocabulary, emotions, compare/contrast
 * 6) illustrate perspectives in art
 * 7) observe weather over a period of time
 * 8) student portfolio
 * 9) illustrate process for complicated projects
 * 10) illustrate a science experiment
 * 11) document growth of classroom plant or pet
 * 12) demonstrate a P.E. exercise
 * 13) develop a student-generated, graphical web research site
 * 14) school showcase
 * 15) enhancing newsletters, pamphlets, food preparation notes, science reports, etc.
 * 16) getting images for web pages quickly and easily
 * 17) email attachments (e.g. sharing photos, global collaborative projects)
 * 18) Self esteem activities (merit certificates, student of the week, etc.)
 * 19) Digital Charades-Recreating scenes or events from history, books, or stories
 * 20) assisting teaching where there is a variety of languages
 * 21) analyzing physical education activities
 * 22) recording science experiments
 * 23) record images of assembly of 3-D objects
 * 24) sample business card activities
 * 25) documenting computer networks, sports equipment, etc.
 * 26) archiving student photos over the years
 * 27) presenting images on parents nights of students at work & play
 * 28) creating panoramic images (with image stitching software)
 * 29) artwork, artistic creations and manipulations
 * 30) providing promotional photos of the school
 * 31) recording key features showing the way to a place (no map copyright issues)
 * 32) use a photo as a prompt for narrative or descriptive writing
 * 33) school newspaper
 * 34) class newspaper or newsletter
 * 35) graphics for written reports and presentations
 * 36) write letters to pen pals and others (such as reading buddies in another grade), inserting photos
 * 37) send photos via e-mail to electronic pen pals
 * 38) Digital Scavenger hunts
 * 39) Photo Stories ||

Web Resources:

 * Ideas for Digital Photography in the Classroom: [|http://course.wilkes.edu/digitalphotography/stories/storyReader$7> >]
 * High Tech Learning with Digital Photography:[| http://eduscapes.com/hightech/tools/photographs/index.htm> >]
 * Digital Photo Safaris with Photo Ideas for Your Classroom:[| http://eduscapes.com/sessions/safari/> >]
 * Notes & questions on Classroom Uses> Your Thoughts?

Photo Story 3: Another Excellent Classroom Strategy
Photo Story 3 ([|www.microsoft.com/photostory]) is a free and easy to use program from Microsoft that enables users to create compelling slide shows from digital images. Its features enable you to create a slideshow with your digital pictures, edit your pictures, create your story with original music, add narration, and share them. Windows XP and Windows Media Player 10 are required for this program.


 * For more information on PhotoStory 3, visit the UA TiM Digital Storytelling workshop site: []
 * Another good resource is “Assignment Photo Movie” from British Telecom Education:[]

The following are examples of PhotoStory 3 Projects:


 * Northridge High School Home Page: [|www.nhs.tusc.k12.al.us]
 * My Scotland Photo Story: [|www.bama.ua.edu/~rmayben/scotland7.wmv]
 * Providence College Video Creation Site: [|itdp.providence.edu/Help/Video.htm#PSSamples]
 * Photo Story 3 Demo Files: [|www.greece.k12.ny.us/task/photostory/ps3demos.htm]

Where can I find more information about Photo Story 3?


 * UA TiM Photo Story 3 Resources: [|www.bama.ua.edu/~rmayben/tim/photo3.htm]
 * Mark Coffman’s WindowsPhotoStory.Com: [|www.windowsphotostory.com]
 * Printable Step-By-Step Tutorial: [|www.jakesonline.org/photostory.pdf]

Posting Photos Online
Important: Make sure you follow your system guidelines about posting photos of students on your website!

Free Sites for Posting Photos:


 * [|Picasa] (From Google & Requires Free Download-Often Filtered
 * [|Flickr]-Often Filtered
 * Google: “[|free photo sharing]” & you will get more results that you could ever use.