Using Digital Cameras at Bear Events   (cont'd)

Should I Wait for Better Models?
This is a classic question that I get asked time and time again. We have addressed it many times in Digital Photographer magazine, but it bears repeating (pun intended!). What's the point of waiting for better models if you miss the opportunity of taking those once-in-a-lifetime images you'll be proud of. Of course there will always be better digicam models coming in the future, but my personal opinion is that the current 1 and 2 megapixel models are excellent enough for all but the most critical applications. These critical applications would be large image blow-ups (larger than 8.5 x 11). I doubt if most of the readership wants images of that size, and besides the printers that can print that large size are much more expensive than the standard sized ones. So the 1 or 2 megapixel models should do just fine, depending on your specific needs, and of course on affordability.

bears in a park
If your digicam has a rotating lens and a LCD screen, it's easy to take pictures of yourself and your bear buddies!
Downloading Pictures to Your Computer
How do you transfer images from your digital camera to your computer? Several options are available. Using provided serial cables (older serial or the new Universal Serial Bus [USB]), and bundled software, the images are transferred into your computer. You can chose to transfer them directly into image processing software (like PhotoDeluxe, which is bundled with many digicams), or you can save them to a folder to work with them later.

A much cooler method for downloading is to use the current generation digital memory readers. These external peripherals connect to your PC or Mac's serial ports and can download the memory module contents much faster than conventional serial cable/software means. Using such an external reader, I transferred original 500K sized high resolution JPEGs at a rate of about two images/second. Now that's cooking!

Digital readers are available in all SmartMedia, CompactFlash, and Memory Stick formats. Some readers also accept both SmartMedia and CompactFlash, and many use the USB port for the fastest transfer. Digital memory readers generally run about $75. If you use a laptop computer with a PCMCIA port, PCMCIA adapters are available for all memory types for the fastest download possible.

Making Digital Prints
So how do you get prints from your digicam? Well, there are actually two ways to go- one is by downloading images from your digital camera into your computer by way of provided cables and software, and then printing them out with an attached printer. Once your images are downloaded into your computer, then you print out selected images onto photo quality snapshot sized paper using a photo quality printer.

Photo quality printers are different from your average ink jet printers in the way they lay down their inks. For example in the Epson Photo 750 printer (my personal favorite), there are five special tanks of color ink, instead of the usual three. The two additional colors allow the image to take on subtle shadings much like a true photographic print. In case you may not already own such photo quality printer, they cost between $200-300, depending on features. The best photo quality printers support both PC and Macintosh computers, but remember that photo printing uses up ink fast, so remember to get extra ink cartridges. The newest photo printers also use USB for the fastest possible printing from new generation PC or Mac computers.

The other way to get prints from your digicam is to use a new generation of printer that accept your digicam's memory card and print from it directly. No computer hookup required. Lexmark, HP, Sony, and Olympus (just to name a few outstanding companies) all offer photo quality printers that feature this direct printing method. Some printers work with both CompactFlash and SmartMedia, while others work with only a specific type of media. Some of these new generation printers also allow you to crop the images before you print them, a very advanced feature.

I have personally used the Lexmark, Sony, and Olympus direct memory printers. The Lexmark can make prints in various sizes up to 8.5 x 11, while the Olympus is limited to snapshot sized versions and uses SmartMedia only. But the Olympus uses a special printing process called dye sublimation, to produce images of truly photographic quality. Similarly, the Sony uses its own Memory Stick technology, but produces exquisite dye sublimation snapshot sized prints. There is a new low-cost printer from Kodak that uses both types of digital memory for printing images up to 8.5 x 11.

Personal Experiences and Tips
I've been to dozens of Bear events and have shot with dozens of different models of digicams. I'm not boasting that I'm rich, but I am the Technical Editor of Digital Photographer, a national magazine that focuses on digital cameras and related technology. And part of my job is to be constantly evaluating new models and technology. What a cool job to have, you might be thinking. Yeah, I must admit I've had my fun times with the cameras.

But there are some tips that you should keep in mind, after you have decided on what digicam model to get. These tips should help you capture those memorable images that you'll be proud of.

bear sleeping
Available light makes skin tones soft and sensuous.
1. RTFM. Read the manual and check out the cameras features before you go to the event! I know this is obvious, but it's amazing how much better your picture taking experience will be if you're more familiar with your digicams features and controls. You don't want to be experimenting with the camera when critical picture taking time is at hand.

2. Take enough memory and rechargeable batteries with you. Again, this should be obvious, but the worst scenario I can think of is when you're all ready to take the priceless shot, but the camera isn't because you have either run out of memory or your batteries are exhausted! We already talked about having enough additional memory, but batteries need a little explanation here. Most digicams use AA batteries. Many digicams also use LCD (Liquid Crystal Displays) to show you the image being taken, and in playback. Unfortunately, these displays consume an enormous amount of battery juice. At least one backup rechargeable set of AA batteries will be mandatory. The best rechargeable batteries for digicams today are called Nickel Metal Hydride, or NiMH for short. Some model digicams come with a set of these NiMH batteries and a charger, but many do not. A set of 4 of these batteries along with a charger should be about $20 at your local electronics discount store- a very worthwhile investment! I even bought two sets for times when I'd be shooting for longer periods.

3. Use available light where appropriate, and flash where you have to. Even though most digicams come with an internal electronic flash, it may not be appropriate for all occasions. Trust me on this. Especially when you're trying to take intimate pictures of your favorite bear or bears, electronic flash has a tendency to make an erotic scene look cold and sterile. Use your digicams non-flash mode, and if possible, set the shutter speed to a slower number (between 1/4th to 1/15th of a second). If you do use a slower shutter speed, be aware that subject movements can cause image blurring. You might have to adjust table lamps so they give a little more directional lighting. My experience is that typical room lighting works with most digicams that have an ISO 100 sensitivity. If you have a digicam with an adjustable ISO, set it to a more sensitive setting of ISO 200 or ISO 400. This will usually result in a little more "noise" in the picture, but it has the added benefit of better exposure.

If flash is a must, try the "red-eye reduction" mode. This is available on some digicams and allows flash exposures of people without the annoying demon-like red eyes. The red-eye phenomenon incidentally is caused by the light being reflected off the retinas of your subject. With the "red-eye reduction" on, the flash strobes for a moment to get your subjects eye pupils to close down, reducing greatly the reflection in the retinas.

4. Rotating head photography. Have you ever been in situations where there was a huge crowd in front of you (Bear events), and you wanted to get a better view for a photo. A digicam with a rotating head will help you a lot here. You simply hold the camera up over the crowds, rotate the lens down toward scene, while adjusting the LCD so you can frame it properly. This rotating head also makes it possible to take interesting shots of you and a companion, without the need of a tripod. Just hold it out at arms length with the lens rotated towards you, frame the image properly in the LCD, and snap it. The Sony CyberShot and Nikon 900 series digicams have the best rotating lens designs, in my opinion.

bears on a hotel bed
How many bears does it take to break a hotel bed? Digital Daddybear and his pals try to find out!
More Info?
If you want more information about specific digital camera models, I recommend you check out Digital Photographer magazine (naturally), but there are also many web sites that also give you great background information on digital cameras and related technology. I've listed them below for your convenience:

OK Bears, that's our first installment. If my writing style is overly technical, I apologize. That's my technical brain getting the upper hand. Let me know if you're interested in other digital camera and related topics. We've only scratched the surface here.

Big Bear Hugs,
Digital Daddybear

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Last Updated: Monday, 31-Jan-2000 00:32:27 MST