Because of all of the confusion wrapped around digital cameras and digital photography, I would like to start my photo section of this blog by answering a simple but confusing pair of questions - number one, "what is a digital camera?" and number two, "what type of digital camera will I need for the Norway May Term Trip?" - don't worry, I'm here to help.
NUMBER ONE: What is a digital camera?
Simply put, a digital camera is a camera that stores the images that are taken by the photographer as a digital image on a memory card or stick instead of light-sensitive film. There are several types of memory sticks and cards, the most common being SD or CompactFlash cards, both of which are easily available and purchased with high memory capacities so that you can take, erase and store hundreds or thousands of images.
What sets digital photography apart from film is the ability of the photographer to review the quality of his or her images immediately after they have been taken. Remember when you used to use film and had to either wait three days to see your photos or pay the extra price to see them in an hour? Long gone are those days as we can now see our images on the LCD screen on the back of our cameras. Though this may only seem like a simple convenience, it has actually changed the face of photography as we can not only SEE the images quicker, we can also LEARN from them quicker. We no longer have to wonder how that new way you took your picture will look, we can see it immediately and evaluate how well it works or if you need to tweak anything about it. In these ways, digital photography has allowed the general public to become better photographers quicker than any other photographic invention in history.
NUMBER TWO: What type of digital camera will I need for this trip?
There are two basic types of digital cameras that are good choices for this trip - the "Point and Shoot" variety, or Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras, also known as DSLRs.
"Point and Shoot" cameras are the standard digital cameras of our time - compact, portable, inexpensive and user-friendly, they are the cameras that you slip into your pocket to take with you to use at a party. The camera to the right is a typical example of the "Point and Shoot" digital camera. They typically have a decent zoom capability and have the advantage of being easy to use as well as easy to carry on the many excursions we will be taking around Scandinavia. What they lack is an ability to change lenses and manual settings which allow you to truly have control over your i
mages.The other type of camera is the DSLR, which many people consider to be more of a "professional camera." Complete with interchangeable lenses and the ability to change all of the settings that the camera uses in order to take a photo, these cameras allow you to be fully in control over all of your pictures. Though they tend to be more expensive, DSLRs are more of a stable investment that a Point and Shoot camera - with DSLRs, you can modify the camera with different lenses, filters and flashes that will allow this camera to continue to be one that you will use for years to come. Shown to the left is the Nikon D40, a wonderful example of a DSLR. The downside to these cameras is that they are more expensive and they are not as easy to carry around with you, as they do take up a bit more space and add a few extra pounds to your back. For those of you who want to have full control over you images, however, it is more than worth the effort if you have the extra cash to spend.
So, what type of camera should you have for the trip? Whichever one of the above types that you choose. My only requirement is that your camera be in wonderful working order, that is has more than 4.0 megapixels (you can ask me about THOSE later) and that you have more than 3G of memory cards for your camera at the time of the trip so that you are in no way limited by storage space - we do want to take thousands of pictures, right?
Perhaps, like many of us, you already have a digital camera and would like to know if it would be suitable for the trip so that you don't need to make the extra investment, and that would be fine, too. If that's the case, I would be glad to take a look at it to make sure that I think you will be happy with your pictures when you return.
If you would like to make the investment in a new camera or would like to start saving your pennies and Christmas gift money for a new toy, I'd suggest you start looking at your local Best Buy at the digital cameras. Look for cameras in your price range and really try them out. Pick them up, see how they feel, and see if you feel as if you would be comfortable using different cameras. Also, if you are planning on replacing an older camera that you own, take into consideration the type of rechargeable batteries and memory cards that you may already have - if you buy a camera that requires the same equipment, you could save yourself some money. From there, go home and check out B&H Photo and Video and see if you can get a better deal for that camera online - usually, you can. B&H is a very reputable online photography supplier and I would recommend them for their quality service and competitive prices.
If you decide that Point and Shoot is more your style, here is B&H links to those cameras:
Here they are!
If you are going to opt for the DSLRs, check here:
Right here!
As for me, I will be packing one of both; my current camera collection includes a Canon SD1000 (a very respectable Point and Shoot) and a Nikon D50, my DSLR. I like them both for very different reasons and they both take very terrific photos. Some of the shots that I have taken with them appear here.
I know, it may seem overwhelming, but you will find the camera that is right for you whether it is online, at Best Buy or in your backpack already, and together we will take some amazing images that will last a lifetime.
Coming up soon - How To Take Interesting Pictures
Soren Kierkegaard
Copenhagen
Danish landscape 