Scrapbook Photography Basics
We have a great old metal-bodied Pentax 35mm that must be over 20 years old. There isn't an automatic feature on the entire
camera, everything is manual, but it's a great camera and takes crisp, clear photos every time. We also have a Kodak 4800 digital camera and a digital 35mm
Canon Rebel, that I'm not permitted to touch (it's my husband's pride and joy).
Most people are looking towards digital photography. I wouldn't recommend a digital camera less than 3 megapixels. On the other hand you'll get more camera for your buck with film. Of course, if you decide to go with a 35mm digital camera like the Rebel Digital or the D70 from Nikon then you can change lenses out depending on what you are trying to photograph.
Having your pictures developed with film is pretty much cut and dried. You take it to your local developer and they process the film. With digital you could print it out at home, upload the pictures to an online service or take your memory card to a local developer for processing. We generally find the better deals online and just upload them. Printing them on the home printer is just really expensive, considering the cost of photo paper and ink for the printer.
One other thing to think about with digital cameras. You generally take ALOT more photos than you might with film. It can sometimes be very time consuming to go through all the pictures you've taken. On the other hand, you will see your photo right away and can decide whether or not to make a print or just delete the photo. I personally like the digital options because it's instant gratification-I can see right away if it's a great photo, or if I should try another shot.
I upload my photos to an online processing company that prints them off and I receive the photos within 5 days. I also love the option of taking the photos with diffent looks-like saturated, sepia and black and white. All of those options are available to me without changing out the film. I just push a few buttons and I instantly have black and white photos. I can also change the photos on the computer after I've uploaded them. Even if I took it as a color photo, I can just insert the photo in a photo software program and make it into a black and white.
I think it's more cost effective for me...no film to buy and I get the photos for about 19 cents a piece. I only print the photos that I'll use or frame and those I'll share with friends and family. Another thing I love about digital is when I upload it to my hard drive, I can crop, lighten, fix red-eye and do other great effects with photo editing software. There are really great effects available that wouldn't be an option with film.
Photo cd's are another great way to save photos on disc for the future. You are able to save hundreds of photos on one disc, compared to hundreds of strips of film negatives-it's so much easier.