Acquiring Digital Photos

How you download your photos to your computer may vary depending on your camera and/or the OS of your computer. If you are on your home computer, use the software that came with your camera and follow the procedure provided. Or:

Using Windows XP computers:

Generally, a USB (or serial) cable is provided with your camera. This attaches your camera to the computer enabling you to download the images.

If your camera uses a memory stick, smart media card, SD (Secure Digital), or other type of memory media, you may want to invest in a multi-card reader (about $30). This device attaches to any computer via the USB port enabling you to easily acquire the photo images on various computers. Once you have access to the files, you may choose View>Thumbnails to see the images. Select the photos you want and copy and paste them into the appropriate picture folder on your computer. You may use Edit>Select All>Copy (to select all the pictures)>and then Paste them in the appropriate folder on your computer. Or, if you want to select specific photos, hold down the ctrl key and click on each photo you want. Then choose Edit>Copy> and paste them in the appropriate folder on your computer.

* NOTE!!
You may also use the Import feature of an image-editing program to import your digital photos. Otherwise, you can just start the program and use File>Open>and then browse to find the folder where you have saved your pictures, then select the picture you wish to edit.

More Tips:

Refer to the tutorials in your image-editing program.

·         To reduce the file size:
Save as jpeg or gif . Reduce to 256 colors to save file size. For email try to keep the file size of image attachments to 100k or less.

·         320 pixels x 240 pixels or 3in x 4in is a good size for web and most basic presentations.

Remember when you change images, do a "save as" to give them a file name that is different than the original file name.

TIP: Try to edit your photos before you insert them in documents.

Edit Photo

Open Microsoft Photo Editor Program (Start>Programs>Microsoft Office Tools>Microsoft Photo Editor)

Choose: File>Open >then browse to locate your image>select image and click OK to open it.

Use crop tool to select desired area.

Choose Image>Crop 

Or, Image>resize

Choose Balance or AutoBalance or make other adjustments to color, brightness, contrast, etc.

Choose File> Save As>Choose jpeg file type>Name the file>Save In your “Edited Photos” folder.

Scanning:  

Acquiring photographic images may vary somewhat depending on the image editor and scanner or camera you use. However, here are some general guidelines:

Generally you use a computer that is hooked up to a scanner and has the necessary scanning software drivers already installed.

Microsoft Photo Editor:

Put Picture in the scanner. Make sure the scanner is turned on.

Open Microsoft Photo Editor Program (Start>Programs>Microsoft Office Tools>Microsoft Photo Editor)

Choose: File>Select Scanner Source>then locate your scanner from the list of choices

Then choose: Scan Image

Tips: Use the preview or pre-scan choice to get an initial scan.

Then crop or resize and make any orientation adjustments. Scan at the highest possible resolution (1200dpi) – and highest color setting (unless your computer can't handle it). This will be your raw image. You can reduce the file size and change the format for use in applications later using the image editor. If you are scanning from a magazine or other published document  and you are getting print from the reverse side bleeding through, try placing a piece of black paper over the back.

Save the photo in your “Originals” folder. Give it a name you will recognize.

Edit Photo

Use crop tool to select desired area.

Choose Image>Crop 

Or, Image>resize

Choose Balance or AutoBalance or make other adjustments to color, brightness, contrast, etc.

Choose File> Save As>Choose a jpeg file type>Name the file>Save In your “Edited Photos” folder.