Going digital

Digital cameras are everywhere now. You can hardly take two steps in any vacation location without running into someone checking the miniature screen on the back of his camera to compose a shot and then using the playback feature to make certain it was a good one. Why has this new technology become so popular?

Tradeoff: Instant gratification for darkroom mystique

Many of us loved early Polaroid cameras for the quick feed-back they provided. To get those instant results, we put up with a too-pastel color palette, messy process, and the inability to make duplicates.

Digital photography provides instant results with no mess and no fuss. Its immediacy is a major reason it has become so popular. In fact, the demise of film, as we know it, is upon us. Although it may not vanish totally, the options available to wet darkroom photographers will be vastly diminished. The range of papers, chemicals, and varieties of film will shrink dramatically, as companies decide to retire products for which there is little demand.

I acknowledge this transition with mixed feelings. I still teach a darkroom course, and my college students still enjoy the mystique associated with working in that red-tinted cocoon of a space. In the future, some artists and photographers will still choose to work in a traditional darkroom to achieve special effects, but most of the photographic community will have moved on. And possibilities for creativity abound in the digital realm, where computers serve as darkrooms and printers as photo processing labs.

Digital's creative advantages

The digital darkroom gives photographers an immense range of artistic control. Programs like Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements (the baby version of Photoshop) allow you to crop, fix red-eye, correct color, and more. You can apply built-in filters to achieve stunning effects.

With a digital camera, you can delete bad images either on the spot or on your computer without spending money on printing. Many point-and-shoot models have an optional printing dock that is compact yet powerful. Although the price per image is a little higher than what you might pay at a local chain-store photo processor, the docks give you the convenience of working from home.

Higher-end printers provide a choice of many different paper types, from matte, to luster, to glossy, to watercolor paper. I advise going for premium paper, which yields much better results for just a few pennies more. Another bonus is that some modern inks will outlast traditional photographic printing media.

Storage options are also plentiful. You can store your library of images on your computer, storage disks, or a server somewhere in cyber space -- a vast array of companies now offer this service. You can also have your photos printed on mugs, calendars, mouse pads, personalized books, and even woven blankets.

Choosing a digital camera

As digital photography becomes the norm, camera manufacturers are marketing digital cameras that do more, have more megapixels, and cost less. The little point-and-shoot models are really quite sophisticated, compact, and economical. Many of these models can fit into your pocket and render fine results.

When shopping for a digital camera, here are some things to consider:

• Count the megapixels. Generally speaking, the more pixels you have, the more visual information you will get. In other words, you will get sharper images with more detail. A camera with at least five to six megapixels will allow you to print larger images that look good. If you are striving to match the smooth tonal transitions of film, then print at a resolution of about 300 pixels per inch (i.e., 300dpi).
• Look for the optical zoom you need. Decide how much you really need to zoom in on your subjects. The 3x optical zoom on my little pocket-size digicam is fine for quick shots on the fly. However, it would not be good for photographing a bird in a tree, a child's football game from the bleachers, or anything at a real distance. You'd need a 10x for real good zoom features. Beware of anything called a "digital zoom," which provides only a segment of a real optical zoom and does not actually bring you closer to the subject.
• Look for ease of use. Go to a store and hold the camera. Does it feel right in your hand? Can you see clearly through the viewer? Is the viewing screen on the back of the camera an adequate size for previewing shots? Are the dials and buttons placed in logical locations? Are they big enough to fit your fingers? (Controls on some of the miniature cameras may be too teeny if you have big hands.)
• Get all the modes you need. Do you want to photograph fireworks, snow scenes, or night-time events? Be sure the camera has a mode suitable for each of these activities - but don't buy more than you need.
• Look for a quick response. Once you depress the shutter, how fast does the camera actually respond in order to take the shot? Shutter-lag can be a real bummer. Too many good moments are lost because of cameras with slow response times. Be sure to try out the shutter before you buy.
• Consider an SLR. The new digital SLRs (single lens reflex cameras with detachable lenses) allow photographers to use many of the same lenses they used on film cameras, and prices for these cameras are now reasonable enough for many hobbyist photographers (also known as pro-sumers). If you have mastered your little point-and-shoot digital camera, think about taking your skills to the next level with a digital SLR.

No matter what camera you purchase, read the manual. Most people never open theirs -- and if they do, they promptly forget where they put it. The information may seem like a lot of gibberish, but if you persevere, you may really be able to use your camera more effectively. If you feel you need hands-on help, try taking a digital photography course at your local community college, senior center, or camera club.

If you haven't yet made the switch to digital, I urge you to give it a shot. Although there is a certain amount of sadness associated with the passing of film, digital photography offers seemingly endless possibilities. Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to rejoice, retool, and get busy making new images!