From Big Books to collages to digital storytelling, using digital photography has gone mainstream in classrooms. As you help students use digital photography or help teachers learn how, you can take comfort in the fact that others have gone before you. That doesn't mean you won't make a few mistakes, but these tips can save you a lot of time and frustration.

1. Camera
Use a camera that helps you get the type of pictures you want.
Think about how you want to use a digital camera before you buy a digital camera. If you want to make lots of 8x10 prints, you'll need at least 3 mega pixels. If you want to take pictures of a family vacation at the beach, you'll need a camera that has special flash options. Make a list of must-have features and then find a camera that can help you get there.

2. File Format
Use a high-resolution file format.
One way to squeeze more photos onto a memory card is to set the camera at a low resolution. That's OK if all you want to do is email photos. If you want to make print, you're in trouble. Keep the resolution turned up to its highest JPEG or TIFF setting. When a great photo comes along, you'll be glad you did.

3. Batteries
Always have extra batteries.
Digital cameras need lots of power. Make sure that the batteries are fully charged, and have a backup battery, too. That way the camera is ready when you are.

4. Memory Cards
Have enough memory cards.
If you take a lot of pictures you need lots of memory. Buy the biggest memory card you can afford. Or have lots of smaller ones. You won't worry about running out of memory when you need it most.

5. On and Off
Turn off the camera before removing the memory card.
When you take a picture, the digital camera writes the photo to a memory card. Taking the card out of the camera while it's still being used can break the camera and destroy the photos. A good rule of thumb is to turn off the camera before taking the card out.

6. Timing
Learn your camera's timing.
Some cameras have something called "shutter lag." It's when there is millisecond delay between pressing the shutter and the camera taking the picture. If you use the camera enough, you learn the timing and don't miss a shot.

7. Fast Action
Use the "continuous" mode for fast-action pictures.
Every digital camera has a single-shot mode. It lets you take one picture at a time. This works fine when taking pictures of things that don't move.

But if you want to take fast-action pictures - like sports - you need to change the camera's settings. If your camera has a "continuous" mode that lets you take several pictures right after another, use it. If not, turn off the LCD screen preview and the camera may work faster.

8. Workflow
Create a digital workflow.
Like a jigsaw puzzle, digital needs all the pieces to fit to make a picture. There are four parts to a digital workflow:
* take a picture
* transfer and organize photos
* edit photos
* print and share photos.

It sounds boring, but if you don't do these in the right order, you're asking for trouble. Following these four steps is what makes digital fun and easy.

9. Fixer-Upper
In the movies, computers can restore even the most damaged photos to their full focus and glory. Or they can make a picture taken at night look like it was shot in the middle of the day.

Good image editing software like Adobe® Photoshop® Elements cleans up odd color in a photo caused by indoor lighting, removes red-eye, makes color brighter, and more.

There is a limit to how much a photo can be fixed. A low-res photo can't make a hi-res print. Bad "framing" can't be corrected. But if you pay attention to the details before taking a picture, you won't have to worry about it.

10. Make Copies
Always, always, always make copies of your original photos.
Just like with film, digital cameras create a "negative" of every picture it takes. It's the original photo file - or negative - that you transfer to the computer. If the digi-neg gets lost or damaged, the picture is gone forever.

Make a copy of the digi-negs before you do any editing. Burn a CD with the original photo files and you're photos are safe. And remember that you only edit copies of the original photo files. Never edit the digi-negs.

From Adobe Systems Incorporated

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