Digital Cameras
National Camera & Digital Imaging

Digital - Why Digital Is For Me
Author: Jennifer Newton

I am a firm believer in the Digital Photography way of life. I have been using digital photography for the past 5 years and have learned a lot as this technology has grown. I by no means wish to convey that film photography is bad, just that it is not my preference. I do still have my 35 MM camera, which I do use of certain occasions. But all in all, I generally reach for my digital camera to take photos.

Digital and film photography are more alike than you might think. There is no need to choose sides. I am interested in shedding some light on a less known form of this hobby and perhaps to enlighten those that have often wondered if a digital camera might be worth looking into.

And before I go any further, let me explain my background. I have never received any formal training in photography. I capture photographs for the pure pleasure of the hobby. I DO have a graphic design and interior design background. I naturally understand the concepts of layout, color, framing and form. I also have the benefit of being in the field of technology for the last 10 years. This combination is what I hope helps you realize my ability to make such statements as those below.

These are MY reasons for going digital...

What Is THAT?

You have no idea how many times I would be asking that as I stood at the counter flipping through my envelope of newly developed photographs. Out of the entire roll of 24 pictures, perhaps 5, if I was extremely lucky, were good shots. Of course, I never shoot just one roll of film. So if I use the average of 5 good photos used above, the disheartened feeling of missed shots worsens.

Digital technology allows me store up to approximately 400 images on my camera using one 256MB card. I can snap a shot and actually view it so I can decide if I wish to save it or not. I also have the option to continuously shoot and then go back an delete any unworthy images from the card.

Now I KNOW all photos that I have taken at an event are "Good Shots".

Tired Of Throwing Money Away

While standing at that same counter looking at my 5 good shots from my 35 MM camera, in my head, I would count up the cost of these 5 wonderful photos:

WOW! TWO DOLLARS PER PHOTO? Now I look at the fact that I cannot go back and recreate the event to try to capture the photo I REALLY wanted. The time is gone!

In comes my digital camera! We recently went on a vacation to St. Augustine, Florida. We drove up on a Saturday morning and drove back Sunday morning. In less than 24 hours, I captured 390 photos from our trip and it hasn't cost me one penny!

Digital camera's do not use film to capture images on. They use either a SmartMedia Card or Compact Flash card. They are sold by MegaByte size. The more MBs of space available on a card the more it will cost. Cards range from $20.00 to $200.00. Also, these cards are reusable. Once you have uploaded the images from the card to a computer hard drive, burned them to a CD, etc., you can delete all images on the card and start over with a blank card.

Yes, the initial investment of digital supplies is higher than with a film camera, but in the long run I do think you will be amazed at the totals. Even if I decided to purchase a new card for my camera for every event I wish to capture, the example below still shows an immense savings over my 35 MM disappointment:

Basically, one indefinitely reusable 256MB SmartMedia card costs the same as the purchase, developing and printing for about five 24 exposure rolls of 35 mm film. (Also, you need to note that you only get to capture 1/3 of the images on those 5 rolls of film)

Creative Juices Flow

When I get a roll of 35 MM film developed, of course, I always pay for doubles. With two toddlers in my house, there are many family members that wish to have copies of the kids as they are blossoming. I sit with my envelope of photos and divide them out into piles, "one for me, one for them, once for me, one for them". Of course, I have to figure out who gets what extra photos and try to make it all fair. Then of course, if there is an absolutely adorable photo I wish to share with the entire family, I then have to scan it onto my computer to make it digital and then email it to everyone on my mailing list!

I love the freedom and time & financial saving benefits of my new digital world! For one, once I upload all of my photos onto my hard drive, the world is my oyster. The choices are endless. I can print them out., I can burn them to a CD to mail off thousands of photos. I can add them to our family web site for everyone to see. And when my image library has grown to an astronomical number, I found an online photo album that everyone can go and view all of my photos.

As a scrapbooker, I know we all understand we simply can't create a layout for EVERY photo we take. This digital form of photography gives us so many additional options to share the images of our life.