A Beginner's Guide to Digital Photography: Should I Be Using a Digital Camera?

You see them at nearly every public event. People crowd around them and muse at their captured memories. If you're not doing it too, you may be feeling left behind. Is a digital camera the right choice for you? This five question quiz will help guide your decision before taking the pixel plunge!

1. Does it take you so long to use up a roll of film, that by the time you process the photos, you barely remember the events you captured? A common complaint made by the casual photographer is how long it takes for them to finish their roll of film. If you find that you'd like to take a few photos at a family event, and get them printed quickly, a move to digital photography may be the right choice for you. With a digital camera, you may take as many or as few photos as you'd like, and have them printed. You do not have to wait until your digital memory card is "full." You may print from your card at anytime!

2. Do you find the expense of film, processing and running to the photo store to be too costly? Since digital cameras use a reusable device, called a memory card, to store your images, once you make the initial investment, your only future photography expenses are the cost of prints! You no longer need to run to the photo store to buy film before an event. When using film, the photo taking process usually took three steps; purchasing the film & taking pictures, dropping the film off at the photo store, and then returning to the store to pick up your photos. With digital photography, after you take the pictures you can easily upload your photos to a photo lab on the Internet and make one trip to the store to pick up your prints! My favorite service is provided by www.haroldsphoto.com, where their on-line prints are only .19 each!