I am an idiot when it comes to camera and computer among other things. Can you help?

[RaySharpton]

I am an idiot when it comes to camera and computer among other things. Can you help?

Hello, everyone.

As you know, I am computer and camera illiterate.

You know that I still use a webtv at home because a while back I always broke any computer that I set up.

But I really would like to take some Disney photos to post on the forum here and AllEars.

I have seen a lot of new and reburbished easy shoot cameras on sale online at slickdeals.com and fatwallet.com and geek.com lately.

What I would like to do is buy a small camera that will fit in my front pant pocket.

And a camera that has a large LCD screen, since my eye sight is really going downhill even with trifocal glasses.

And a camera that can easily take night photos of fireworks, parades, christmas lights, etc.

This will be a learning camera for me just to use on the internet for now.

I really don't have an eye for changing the settings like speed or that other thing.

And what size do you usually set the size of the photo to use on the internet so that it doesn't have to resized from a very large size?

Like what size does AllEars.com use for there photos of the resorts, etc., and can I program a camera to shoot that size?

And can you use that size to shoot WDW menus for AllEars?

And do you keep your photos for the internet on your own regular computer, which I can't do right now, or do you use one of those other sights like? I can't remember the one that I use right now other than Snapfish to print or Photobucket for internet storage.

Now that WDW doesn't hand out paper menus as much, I would like to take a picture and then learn how to send those photos to AllEars.

Oh, and what easy shoot, small, thin, camera with a 3 inch LCD screen could or should I buy?

I think that motion correction or face recognition extra would be helpful for me, too.

Any advice or suggestions no matter how small would be helpful if only to compare everyone's ideas and experiences from being a camera newbie to an expert and what they would have bought in hindsight if they were starting from scratch as a newbie.

Thanks in advance.

Ray

[Barrie]

Phew Ray! You've given Lisa, Scott and I ideas for at least a dozen blog entries with just one post! :lol:

I'll leave the camera recommendations to someone else. :confused:

You can set a camera to take low resolution photos. 72-100 dpi (dots per inch) is ideal for photos that you only want to put online. You can print that size out ok at 4x6 size, but not any larger than that. Your camera manual will tell you how to set the resolution.

If you are shooting low resolution photos you may have room to store them on your computer. It's always good to have them somewhere else as a backup too. Flickr is cheap ($25 per year for unlimited storage) and easy to use and quite popular. If you want something that is a little snazzier, check out smugmug or pbase. Really for what you need though, I bet flickr would work well.

When you get your camera, I'd be happy to help you figure out how to get the photos online and share them here or with AllEars.

[RaySharpton]

Thanks, barrie.

[Topaz]

I want to take the class too, Barrie. My fireworks shots were burry last Dec. So could use some advice!


Thanks

[Barrie]

Class? Not sure I'm following, Topaz.

[Photographer]

Class? Not sure I'm following, Topaz.

Barrie! Forget the blogs, let's just charge for lessons. :lol:
I am just kidding, Deb. :D


Ray, check out the Canon cameras. If you want something small try the SD750, it has a 3" screen, face detection, and it'll rotate the image according to how you're holding the camera. For something larger and easier to hold, try the SX100 IS or A590 IS.

[RaySharpton]

Thank you for the info.

I'll google these camera to see what they look like and cost.

My goal is to take WDW photos of the different menus that need updating at AllEars when I go to WDW.

I would sort of like to help that way.

And maybe take a walk through with photos of some of the WDW resorts that I stay at for AllEars and here at Tagrel.

I was thinking of buying a oversize measuring tape to take photos of some of the handicap WDW resort rooms and studios that I stay at.

I don't know if I can do it so that it would be informative, but I would like to try.

Thank you again.

And I see that 63 people have already viewed this thread. Anyone else?

[imagineerwannabe]

I am with Lisa on the Canon...perhaps a Powershot like Lisa recommended. I would also defer to her on the model she recommended since I really trust her expertise.
The ELPH model SD750 is small enough for the pocket
I use models like the A590 and they are packed with features and a good point and shoot. I think they have a fast shutter delay (time it takes to push the button and have a picture taken), which to me is one of the most important features in a good digital. Some take so long, especially some older models, your subject might move away before the picture is taken. This is especially true in WDW where many subjects are moving (that darn Devine).

Flickr is a good site for photos, and keep an eye on something new from Microsoft called "MESH" that will sync your camera automatically with sites like Flickr.

[RaySharpton]

I am with Lisa on the Canon...perhaps a Powershot like Lisa recommended. I would also defer to her on the model she recommended since I really trust her expertise.
The ELPH model SD750 is small enough for the pocket

Thank you for the advise. I have decided not to buy a camera for now and that I will just google and save information that I find for a good really good deal to come out.

I use models like the A590 and they are packed with features and a good point and shoot. I think they have a fast shutter delay (time it takes to push the button and have a picture taken), which to me is one of the most important features in a good digital. Some take so long, especially some older models, your subject might move away before the picture is taken. This is especially true in WDW where many subjects are moving (that darn Devine).

I bet that is my problem when I take pictures. My hand shakes a little bit and I try to take photos of moving fireworks or moving parades. I never thought of that.

Flickr is a good site for photos, and keep an eye on something new from Microsoft called "MESH" that will sync your camera automatically with sites like Flickr.

Cool, thank you and everyone for all of the ideas.

[cherylp3]

I'd also recommend Canon - I have a sx100 and it takes great photos.

For hosting the photos: Kodakgallery is good, you need to buy 1 picture a year and they'll archive the photos. Also if you use Google, Picasa has a way of uploading your photos and putting them in google albums.

[TominPok]

Hi Ray,

A few more points:

Image Stabilization (IS) - You'll want this feature on your camera. IS helps out with camera shake, especially when zooming, and in low-light situations with a slow shutter speed. (The two cameras that Lisa recommended (with the IS at the end of the model name) have this feature.)
Macro mode - Seems like most point-and-shoots have this nowadays. This feature helps the camera to focus closer to the subject than normal. This would probably come in handy when taking photos of those WDW menus.
Memory Cards - Many cameras make use of industry standard memory technology. The popular format these days is SD/SDHC. Watch out if you're looking at Sony cameras, though - Sony uses its own proprietary memory technology (the memory "stick"), which tends to cost more per MB than SD.
Like others in this thread, I usually recommend Canon cameras - they have nice image quality and great features. The Canon SD1100 IS is another model you might want to consider. You might also want to take a look at the Fujifilm FinePix F50fd. A co-worker of mine owns an earlier version of this model, and I was amazed at some evening street scenes she captured - sharp, with very little noise.
Internet Photo Hosting - I do like the community aspects of Flickr. It's very easy to share your photos with other photographers with similar interests. For instance, check out Barrie's Focus on Disney World (http://www.flickr.com/groups/fodw/) Flickr photo group.Hope this helps!

[RaySharpton]

Thank you Cheryl and Tom for all of the info.

I seem to always learn something new everyday.


I'd also recommend Canon - I have a sx100 and it takes great photos.

For hosting the photos: Kodakgallery is good, you need to buy 1 picture a year and they'll archive the photos. Also if you use Google, Picasa has a way of uploading your photos and putting them in google albums.

Hi Ray,

A few more points:

Image Stabilization (IS) - You'll want this feature on your camera. IS helps out with camera shake, especially when zooming, and in low-light situations with a slow shutter speed. (The two cameras that Lisa recommended (with the IS at the end of the model name) have this feature.)
Macro mode - Seems like most point-and-shoots have this nowadays. This feature helps the camera to focus closer to the subject than normal. This would probably come in handy when taking photos of those WDW menus.
Memory Cards - Many cameras make use of industry standard memory technology. The popular format these days is SD/SDHC. Watch out if you're looking at Sony cameras, though - Sony uses its own proprietary memory technology (the memory "stick"), which tends to cost more per MB than SD.
Like others in this thread, I usually recommend Canon cameras - they have nice image quality and great features. The Canon SD1100 IS is another model you might want to consider. You might also want to take a look at the Fujifilm FinePix F50fd. A co-worker of mine owns an earlier version of this model, and I was amazed at some evening street scenes she captured - sharp, with very little noise.
Internet Photo Hosting - I do like the community aspects of Flickr. It's very easy to share your photos with other photographers with similar interests. For instance, check out Barrie's Focus on Disney World (http://www.flickr.com/groups/fodw/) Flickr photo group.Hope this helps!

[DebWills]

What a dear wanting to help out with AllEars! We can use all the help we can get so thank you :)

I think the folks here have you covered with suggestions.

I'll just wave and say hello!!!

:wave::wave:

[ripkensnana]

Ray, another thing that might help with unsteadiness is a tripod....I have a cute little one, very short, with flexible legs that you can wrap around a wrought-iron fence (for instance) or maybe a set of handlebars, like on your scooter...it was quite inexpensive, as I recall, only about $30 or $40...I was looking for a monopod, and found this little baby which I love!