If you don’t know computers…: If you don’t know much about computers, and you get a digital camera for Christmas, you better learn quick or you will be stuck looking at your photos on...

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

If you don’t know much about computers, and you get a digital camera for Christmas, you better learn quick or you will be stuck looking at your photos on the back of the camera or getting them lost when trying to put them on your computer. Digital cameras are a computer accessory.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

gvarner wrote:

If you don’t know much about computers, and you get a digital camera for Christmas, you better learn quick or you will be stuck looking at your photos on the back of the camera or getting them lost when trying to put them on your computer. Digital cameras are a computer accessory.

And learn the file structure and how it works!!!

Develop a storage method before you start putting the images on the computer!
It will save a lot of headaches later.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Longshadow wrote:

And learn the file structure and how it works!!!

Develop a storage method before you start putting the images on the computer!
It will save a lot of headaches later.

And if you’re already down that file rathole, stop digging and make yourself a ladder. 😉😉

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

gvarner wrote:

And if you’re already down that file rathole, stop digging and make yourself a ladder. 😉😉

Most definitely!

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you can get the pictures off the camera card, you're more than halfway to being a photographer.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

CHG_CANON wrote:

If you can get the pictures off the camera card, you're more than halfway to being a photographer.

👍👍👍

dannac Loc: 60 miles SW of New Orleans

CHG_CANON wrote:

If you can get the pictures off the camera card, you're more than halfway to being a photographer.

... the other half would be using a mirrorless camera ( couldn't resist )

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

gvarner wrote:

If you don’t know much about computers, and you get a digital camera for Christmas, you better learn quick or you will be stuck looking at your photos on the back of the camera or getting them lost when trying to put them on your computer. Digital cameras are a computer accessory.

For everything in analog photography, there is an analogous replacement in digital photography.

You're gonna need the usual:

Camera, lenses, bag, lens cleaning supplies, tripod(s), flash, reflectors, etc.

You'll also need:

>Special sensor cleaning tools and knowledge http://www.cleaningdigitalcameras.com https://photosol.com

>Digital exposure and white balance reference target or device (Delta-1 Gray Cards, One Shot Digital Calibration Target, WhiBal, etc.)

>CIRCULAR polarizer and CLEAR GLASS protectors (but no colored filters and no UV filter below 6000 feet)

>Neutral Density filters for video (if you are serious about video) or for the cheesy silky waterfall effect in stills, if you like that

>Flash media (SDXC cards or Compact Flash Type A or B or similar media for your camera)

>Spare batteries for the camera (Get several. They go quickly!)

To replace your darkroom or lab:

>Well-specified computer (MacOS or Windows, your choice, less than five years old, please see software vendor for minimum specs)

>Backup hard drives for on-site and off-site protection of your priceless files

>Monitor NOT made for gaming or office use, but MADE FOR photography and graphics

>Monitor calibration kit from Calibrite or Datacolor or X-Rite

>Dimly-lit room with no glaring light sources

>Software appropriate for photo editing such as:
——Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop
——Adobe Photoshop Elements
——Serif Affinity Photo
——Apple Photos with Raw Power Plug-in from the App Store
——Capture One
(and any of about a dozen others)

>Photo inkjet printer and ink, or a good photo lab using ROES (remote order entry system) software

Minimum computer skills include:

Understanding how the file system works (navigating the directory structure, your drives, your network, the Internet...)
Understanding how to type and use a mouse or trackpad with precision
Understanding how to install software, how to make and where to put a Mac alias or Windows shortcut to the software
Understanding file backup routines and the absolute necessity for having one!
Learning the software you use to store, edit, process, share, and print your images

Digital Photography isn't inexpensive. Sure, there's no film "drug" to be "addicted" to, but there is the hardware and software and learning curve.

Many local museums and arts cooperatives conduct photography courses. Many community colleges teach computer and photography courses. Some computer dealers will have local seminars to train their customers. Don't feel completely lost, because there are plenty of sources of help.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

burkphoto wrote:

For everything in analog photography, there is an ... (show quote)

I think you covered all the basics. 😉😉

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

OR take the card to wal mart and print out all those pix , then you can file them in a box, never to be looked at again. ( until you need a certain print and trust me you wont find it. )

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

The problem is the cost of digital photos. It's too low.

Since digital photos are almost free, you take too many photos. When your photopile gets too large you won't be able to find anything.

That's where the computer comes in. Learn how to organize. There are several methods.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

bdk wrote:

OR take the card to wal mart and print out all those pix , then you can file them in a box, never to be looked at again. ( until you need a certain print and trust me you wont find it. )

That was the problem with film...

"If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you always got."

tcthome Loc: NJ

dannac wrote:

... the other half would be using a mirrorless camera ( couldn't resist )

You mean just don't hold up the rear screen to a mirror? Huh!

Bill_de Loc: US

gvarner wrote:

If you don’t know much about computers, and you get a digital camera for Christmas, you better learn quick or you will be stuck looking at your photos on the back of the camera or getting them lost when trying to put them on your computer. Digital cameras are a computer accessory.

What are the odds that somebody needing that advice would be reading this thread?

Can we get 12 pages?

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gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Bill_de wrote:

What are the odds that somebody needing that advice would be reading this thread?

Can we get 12 pages?

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I’d say the odds are pretty high based on how many post are about "can’t find my photos" or "where did my photos go".