DVD Slideshows from Your Own Pictures

I am by no means computer savvy....yet, I am working on it. But this summer my family and I went on a vacation - I took oodles of pictures and to share them with the rest of the family I got them compiled into a DVD Slideshow by DigitalPickle and I couldn't be happier. And the family loved the idea - they can see how much the grandkids have grown and it doesn't cost me a fortune to send them!

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 Vienna Design
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Photo Software

I was looking into getting some great software for my computer, I stumbled upon this site- hopefully it helps you too!

Top 10 Photo Sharing Tips

I found this in my wanderings and thought everyone could use the tips too!

One of my Photos

What do you think?

I found this and had to Share- YUMMY!Suduction

Suduction Meals

Wikipedia's List of Photo Sharing Sites

23
organize and share photos
Upload 30 images per month for free or pay 20 € a year to get unlimited upload

Bayimg
free image hosting, no registration required, uncensored
unlimited storage for 547x410 pix reduced images

Bilddagboken
Free image hosting, registration required
Unlimited storage for 547×410 pix reduced images, also unlimited resolution and size for paying BDB HD users, costing approximately equivalent to $10.5 a year

damodo.com
free image hosting
JPEG, PNG, SVG
Storage space varies depending on account (50 MB - unlimited).

Deviantart
free image hosting, ad-free, no registration required
(unlimited) 8MB per photo

factini
social image hosting - all uploads done via email, no registration required (unlimited) 10MB per email

Flickr Open (Yahoo! login)
100MB monthly upload limit (10MB per photo), max 200 images viewable (free account. If a free account is inactive for 90 consecutive days, it will be deleted.

Fotki
Free registration photo sharing service and communication portal. 50MB for free, unlimited storage for $30/year

fotocommunity
Europes largest community for non-professional Photographers different membership-models, starting free

Fotolog
Photoblogging. Popular in South America.
The free version is ad-supported, and limits users to uploading one picture per day
Paying members can upload up to 6 pictures a day

Fotopic.net
Portfolio and photo sharing service.
250MB for free, Premium service gives 2GB/year, ad-hoc increments in one-off fee.

Burn-Blue.com
Imagehosting and photo sharing service.
20MB File Size per Images - Free Sign-UP - Host as many images as you want.

Fotopu
free image hosting, no registration required

GazoPa Bloom
flower photo sharing service

GlowFoto
free signup

GotSharing.com
GotSharing? Its Good For The File! Free Unlimited Photo Hosting! Good For Twitter
2 MB Limit

ImageHosting.com Free image hosting with no registration required. Top ranked in Google for image hosting keyword.

ImageShack
5th largest photo hosting service

iMGSRC.RU
Free Registration(Required for hosting); Photo Sharing
Unlimited images, 10MB per image, 1024x768
75 images for free accounts. Unlimited for pro accounts.

Impress on me
Image hosting service for the sharing of found images, registration required
JPEG, GIF, PNG, hot-linking allowed

Ipernity
Photo/video sharing, Groups, Blog
Unlimited image display/storage for paying users (200MB p/month upload, only last 1000 displayed with free account)

Ispoops.com
Free Image hosting service no registration required, Blogs, Spoofs
JPEG, GIF, PNG, hot-linking allowed

Jalbum
free hosting of galleries created with Jalbum software
30mb of space given for free accounts, upgrade to 1gb space for €19/year

Kodak EasyShare Gallery
free registration service, archiving photo service for $25/year
used to be unlimited low-resolution, paid users can download high-res images that they've uploaded. New minimum purchase requirements 3/09: $4.99/yr for 2GB or less, $19.99/yr for more than 2GB.

Lafango
Free Registration, customizable galleries & folders.
Unlimited storage

Memeo Share
Free photo and video exchanging software, files are shared desktop to desktop without being resized.
1GB is free, Premium account is $4.95 a month

MyAlbum
photo sharing service in The Netherlands
1 GB after free registration

MobileMe Web Gallery
subscription service
10GB (standard level)

MyOtherDrive
online photo sharing and backup
5GB free after registration, 25GB and more with subscription

MyPhotoAlbum
free image and video hosting
(unlimited) 20MB per photo. Supports nested folders structure. Requires to 'keep your account in good standing', i.e. buying stuff from them (or their partners) every 365 days.

Panoramio
free registration service
Unlimited provided the photos comply with the Google Earth Photo Acceptance Policy

Photo Art Gallery
Free photo sharing site for emerging photographers. Buy and sell photo prints and canvases. 2GB

Photobucket
free registration service
500 mb free storage (25 GB with paid PRO account)


Picasa
free registration service
GB of photos for free space, then $5/20GB per year

Picturetrail
free registration service

Piczo.com
free registration service

PurePhoto
free registration service (organize, learn, share, print, sell photos) JPEG, PNG, GIF
1 GB of photos for free space, then $79/unlimited per year

Radar.net
Free registration

Rebee
Re-live experiences through images. Automatically sort and classify your pictures from Facebook, Flickr or Picasa. Free service accessible with Facebook account.
No limit as images are stored on other services.

screen.cz.cc
Free Image hosting service for the sharing images, direct upload from URL or from local path, registration is optional.
GIF,JPG,PNG,BMP,size limit of 1MB for unregistered users, 2MB for registered, hot-linking allowed, unlimited bandwidth.


ScreenshotUploader.com
Easy and free screenshot sharing.
One click publishing. Provides program.

Showzey
Collect photos from Gmail, Picasa, Flickr, and Facebook, organize, and share photos.
No registration: OpenID (Yahoo! and Google) and Facebook Connect (Facebook)login
free storage for images extracted from Gmail

Shutterfly
free registration service

Snapfish free registration service
also provides services for Costco's online photo processing store unlimited, pay per download
Sneppi
free registration service.

TinyPic
free image hosting, no registration required

Webshots
free registration service

Zooomr
free registration service
Unlimited uploads and unlimited storage for ALL users.

Nikon Coolpix 12.0MP Digital Camera - (S3000)

If you want a good, reliable, reasonably priced camera try a Nikon Coolpix – the price ranges from $120.00 – $150.00. This camera has gotten great reviews – people say that they love the camera, it takes great pictures, and is easy to use.

The cameras features are as follows:

·         12 megapixels

·         Self timer

·         Auto focus

·         Brightness adjustment

·         Best shot selectors

·         Anti-glare coating

·         Zoom that is 4.0 x optical and 4.0 x digital

·         Built in memory of 50mb

·         Video mode

·         Ion battery - rechargeable

·         Battery life is equal to 200 shots

·         Image resolution – 4000 x 3000

·         And more…

Digital Picture Overload?

If you are like me you have hundreds of photos, and unlike me they are probably all really good. But regardless of whether they are good or not organizing them can be a daunting task. I found these tips which may help you.

1. Don't Save Everything...Resist the urge to hold onto bad pics or duplicates
2. Name Wisely...Don’t rely on the gobbledygook that the computer automatically gives a photo
3. Transfer to a disk...Save your digital pics onto a high-quality DVD or CD
4. Utilize photo websites...But don’t trust just any old site
5. Get yourself some hardware...An external hard drive is great for extra storage and will allow you to have those images for years to come
6. Make hard copies ...Of course the beauty of digital cameras is that you don’t have to waste the time or money printing an entire roll of film. 

To read more detail on these tips, check it out here.

Camcorder vs. Camera

Most camcorders have photo abilities, and most digital cameras have camcorder abilities... so is there truly a difference between the two?

Question?

Which do you prefer: digital scrap booking or traditional? (If digital please recommend a program)

Start a Photography Hobby...

Obviously...All You Need to Get Started in This Hobby is a Camera...

Photography is a hobby that anyone with a camera can sink their teeth into. It allows freedom of expression in so many ways, that one doesn't have to feel limited or stifled. Nor does it require an expensive camera. Today's digital cameras are not only affordable, but have built-in technology that allows even an amateur photographer to capture quality usable images.
Getting Started in Photography

Before getting started, make sure you have a digital camera that has good megapixel capabilities. 6.0 and up are a good place to start for people new to the hobby. A megapixel refers to the amount of resolution on an image. That translates into more detail in the finished picture, and also gives photographers more room for adjustments when tweaking an image in a digital software program.

(Read more at Suite101: Start a Photography Hobby)

Hobby and an Income?

This article is about photography as a hobby and a potential source of income.
If you are a typical person, at some point in your life, you will have to work. We can safely conclude that a very significant amount of our life time is spent working.

Nikon

Learn about Nikon Cameras here.

Black and White Photography Tips that EVERYONE can use.

Why learn about black and white photography tips in a world that so emphasizes color? There is an excellent chance that you have never even taken a black and white photograph in your entire life. If that's the case, you're in for a big treat.

In spite of the incredible popularity of digital photography in general, and creating color images in particular, there will always be room for black and white.

The elegance and timelessness of black and white photography ensures its continual popularity. The fact is that more people are becoming interested in black and white photography for many reasons...

* Black and white photography is seen less frequently; hence it is rare - and for that reason alone... it is of interest

* When used "properly," black and white accentuates the depth of the photograph

* Black and white heightens emotional content

* Black and white photography has a tendency to make photos look more like works of art

* Produces a clean, crisp look

* Transforms a dingy or overcast look into a striking photo evoking emotion

Since your current or next digital camera may have a black and white setting on it, let's find out how we can make the most of it by learning some black and white photography tips. Who knows, you could be the next Ansel Adams!

Click here for explanations about:

1. Transform Dull or Drab scenes
into (potential) Works of Art

2. Emotional Scenes

3. Relationship Portraits

4. Dramatic Cityscapes or Architecture

5. Everyday Magic!

Best Selling and Top Rated Digital SLR Cameras 2010-2011

If you aspire to produce professional quality photographs to document family events, sports, vacations or even business applications you've likely already decided that a point and shoot digital may be lacking some features you require and desire to fully explore your creative vision.

The new digital SLR cameras available today at reasonable prices will afford you the flexility and allow you to fully explore your creative limits. The quality and detail that can now be captured by amateur phographers is truly inspiring. I was personally inspired to purchase the:
Nikon D5000 12.3 MP DX Digital SLR Camera when my sister returned from a trip to Africa with photos taken with this particular model. I'll admit mine was an impulse buy when I saw the breathtaking scenery and wildlife pictures she had captured...(more)

Digital Camera Buyer's Guide

If you are ready to make the switch to digital photography, there's good news! Digital cameras have gotten better with every new model introduction, and many of the newest models can be as easy to use as any Point-and-Shoot (P&S) 35mm film camera.

In shopping for a digital camera, many photographers make the mistake of trying to find "the best digital camera." Of course, that's a moving target as digital cameras get better and better with each new model introduction, but what they are really asking is "what's the perfect digital camera" -- and there's no such thing. In their (often) exhaustive search, many end up discouraged and even more confused than when they started.

We have put together this Buyer's Guide to help you find -- not "the best digital camera" -- but the digital camera that is "best for you."

Each person has different needs and has different photographic knowledge and aptitude. For example, one person may simply want a Point-and-Shoot camera with the camera making all the decisions; others may want a camera that will allow them to learn and grow as amateur photographers. So, what may be best for one person may not necessarily be the best digital camera for another person.

This Buyer's Guide will help you narrow down the hundreds of digital camera choices available to you to a manageable handful.

1. What Type of Photographer Are You? (Continue here)

11 Tips for Beginner Photographers

by Darren Rowse

As a new photographer, these are some of the ideas that have helped get me going.

1. Don’t go crazy buying the most expensive equipment right away.
It’s possible to get very nice photos with an inexpensive point and shoot. See these examples on Flickr. The more photos you take, the more you’ll know about what kind of camera to get when it’s time to upgrade.

2. Consider a tripod.
On the other hand, an inexpensive tripod is worth getting, especially if you have shaky hands like mine. When I got a tripod, my satisfaction with my shots skyrocketed. For even more stability, use your camera’s timer function with a tripod (read our introduction to tripods).

3. Keep your camera with you all the time.
Photo ops often come when you least expect it. If you can keep your equipment relatively simple – just a small camera bag and a tripod – you might be able to take advantage of some of those unexpected opportunities. Or, if your phone has a camera, use it to take “notes” on scenes you’d like to return to with your regular camera.

4. Make a list of shots you’d like to get.
For those times you can’t carry your camera around, keep a small notebook to jot down places you’d like to come back and photograph. Make sure to note any important details, like the lighting, so you can come back at the same time of day or when the weather’s right. If you don’t want to carry a notebook, send yourself an email using your cell phone with Jott.com.

5. Don’t overlook mundane subjects for photography.
You might not see anything interesting to photograph in your living room or your backyard, but try looking at familiar surroundings with fresh eyes. You might catch an interesting trick of the light or find some unexpected wildflowers in your yard. Often a simple subject makes the best shot.

6. Enjoy the learning process.
The best part of having a hobby like photography is never running out of things to learn. Inspiration is all around you. Look at everything with the eyes of a photographer and you’ll see opportunities you never noticed before.

7. Take advantage of free resources to learn.
Browse through Flickr or websites like the Digital Photography School Forum for inspiration and tips. Also, your local library probably has a wealth of books on all types of photography. If you’re interested in learning about post-processing, give free software like the GIMP a try.

8. Experiment with your camera’s settings.
Your point and shoot may be more flexible and powerful than you know. Read the manual for help deciphering all those little symbols. As you explore, try shooting your subjects with multiple settings to learn what effects you like. When you’re looking at your photos on a computer, you can check the EXIF data (usually in the file’s properties) to recall the settings you used.

9. Learn the basic rules.
The amount of information about photography online can be overwhelming. Start with a few articles on composition. Be open to what more experienced photographers have to say about technique. You have to know the rules before you can break them.

10. Take photos regularly.
Try to photograph something every day. If you can’t do that, make sure you take time to practice regularly, so you don’t forget what you’ve learned. An excellent way to motivate yourself is by doing the weekly assignments in the DPS Forum.

11. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
If you’re using a digital camera, the cost of errors is free. Go crazy – you might end up with something you like. You’ll certainly learn a lot in the process.

Read more

Ultimate iPhone Camera

Reviewed: The Top 10 Budget Digital Cameras Under $200

Top Ten Tips- Kodak

1. Get down on their level
2. Use a plain background
3. Use flash outdoors
4. Move in close: use the camera's macro or 'flower' mode to get sharp close ups.
5. Take some vertical pictures
6. lock the focus
7. Move it from the middle: imagine a tic-tac-toe grid in your viewfinder. Now place your subject at one of those intersections of lines.
8. Know your flash's range
9. Watch the light
10. Be a picture director

A great little video with great tips

Top 7 Digital Camera Newbie Mistakes to Avoid

Digital cameras are great! They let you experiment and learn without the hassle and expense of film developing. They give you the freedom to take more pictures--lots more pictures! But they also open up a whole new world of technology and terminology that even proficient film photographers may not be familiar with. Fortunately, you can bypass the confusion by visiting the links in this article to learn about and avoid the most common pitfalls and mistakes many new digital camera owners make.

1. Sending enormous files by email.
One of the first things new digital camera owners want to do is start sharing their digital photos with friends and family. Learn how to do it the right way.

2. Not backing up your photos.
Some people will save film negatives for generations, but when they make the switch to digital, they may never even consider the idea of making a second backup copy of their images.

3. Using the camera's digital zoom feature.
Digital zoom is a marketing gimmick. Don't use it.

4. Using too much in-camera compression to reduce memory use.
JPEG compression makes your pictures nice and small so you can fit more on your storage card, but too much compression can damage them beyond repair. Your camera probably offers options to let you choose the best compromise between image quality and file size.

5. Using low resolution to reduce memory use.
Your digital photos could be the only document of your life that is passed on to the generations that follow you. Use your camera's highest resolution to preserve that history with as much detail as possible.

6. Settling for the software that came with the camera
The bundled software that comes with your camera or scanner may be good enough for basic tasks, but to truly enjoy the full potential of digital photography, you should consider upgrading to a more flexible, mainstream photo editor.

7. Not taking time to learn the equipment
More than likely you spent hundreds of dollars on your new digital camera and accessories. If you got it home and immediately tossed the user manuals aside, consider picking them up again. A little knowledge of your equipment and general photography can go a long way toward improving your picture-taking skills. The beauty of digital photography is that once you've made the initial investment, there is little additional cost for practice and experimentation.

(To learn more go to About.com)

Best compact digital cameras: CNET

Whether you need to be discreet or just want to travel light, a camera's size and weight are important. Our top compact-camera picks run the gamut of megapixel counts, features, and prices, but all the models have two things in common: each fits comfortably into a jacket pocket and weighs 8 ounces or less, even with batteries and media installed. And they're pretty stylish little devices, too.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 (silver)

A full-featured waterproof/shockproof pocket point-and-shoot, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 is a near-perfect rugged camera for everyday use.

Price: $229.99 - $379.95 (check prices)

Review date: Aug 27, 2009

**** 4 stars Overall score: 8.2 Excellent


Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V has shooting options for solving common snapshot camera issues, but some users still won't be thrilled with the results.

Price: $339.00 - $349.99 (check prices)

Review date: Apr 16, 2010

**** 4 stars Overall score: 8.0 Excellent


Canon PowerShot S90

As long as you're not expecting dSLR speed in a tiny body, the Canon PowerShot S90 is an excellent compact camera for advanced amateurs.

Price: $366.94 - $399.99 (check prices)

Review date: Nov 12, 2009

**** 4 stars Overall score: 8.0 Excellent


Samsung DualView TL225 (orange/black)

The technology-packed Samsung DualView TL225 is the ultimate ultracompact for those who like to be in front of the camera more than they like being behind it.

Price: $252.98 - $349.99 (check prices)

Review date: Oct 23, 2009

**** 4 stars Overall score: 8.0 Excellent


Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR

Don't let its new sensor technology scare you off: the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR is an excellent compact camera with shooting features for just about every type of user.

Price: $270.33 - $399.99 (check prices)

Review date: Jul 16, 2009

**** 4 stars Overall score: 8.0 Excellent


Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX1 is a great, fast-performing snapshot camera that falters on photo quality.

Price: $240.04 - $279.99 (check prices)

Review date: Sep 30, 2009

**** 4 stars Overall score: 8.0 Excellent


Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 (silver)

With a wide-angle, megazoom lens, a quick AF system, and generally high-quality snapshot photos, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 is a standout compact megazoom.

Price: $192.00 - $279.95 (check prices)

Review date: Sep 25, 2009

**** 4 stars Overall score: 8.0 Excellent


Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 (blue)

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 is a first-rate ultracompact party companion that excels at snapshots, but those expecting superb photo quality for its price should pass on it.

Price: $279.00 - $299.99 (check prices)

Review date: Dec 4, 2009

*** 3.5 stars Overall score: 7.8 Very good


Samsung TL320 (black)

The Samsung TL320's myriad shooting options make it a very good dSLR companion, but the photo quality and performance are definitely those of a point-and-shoot camera.

Price: $189.00 - $299.99 (check prices)

Review date: Sep 10, 2009

*** 3.5 stars Overall score: 7.8 Very Good

Digital Camera Shopping: Use This Shopping Checklist When Buying a Camera

Before you buy a digital camera, it's important to do your homework. By taking a little time to prepare before you buy, you'll greatly increase your chances of ending up with a model that meets your needs. Use this digital camera shopping checklist to figure out what you need to know before you buy.
Before You Arrive at the Store

* Talk to others. A recent study showed more than three-quarters of American households own at least one digital camera, so you should take advantage of the knowledge others have gained. Friends and family can be a great resource for learning about which digital cameras work well and which don't. You'll also be able to figure out which features are important to them, which may spark some ideas for you. Opinions posted on the Internet are OK, but face-to-face opinions from people you trust and know are much better.

* Figure out how you'll use the camera. If you'll shoot a lot of nature photos, you'll want a large zoom lens. If you're going to shoot your children's athletic events, look for a large zoom lens and fast response times in a digital camera. If most of your photos will be of friends and family at parties, you may want a model that performs well in low-light conditions. If you aren't sure how you'll use the camera, or if you don't have a primary focus for your photography, try to pick a good all-around model.

* Figure out what kinds of prints you'll make. Most new digital cameras, even beginner-level, point-and-shoot models, contain plenty of resolution to make adequately sized prints. However, you still need to make sure the digital camera you buy has enough resolution for the print sizes you want. Look at this chart for some advice on how resolution and print size relate to each other.

* Figure out what size of camera you want. Some people prefer larger digital cameras that are easy to hold. Others will want a small, thin model that fits easily in a pocket or purse. Finally, some will prefer a model that exudes a sense of style. You'll still need to try any model before you buy it, but you can think about and make some decisions ahead of time on the size and style of the camera you prefer.

* Learn the jargon. Read through a digital camera glossary to familiarize yourself with all of the terms and features involved with digital cameras. You'll make a better choice if you have educated yourself.

* Set a budget. Figure out how much you want to spend before you reach the store. Once you set a budget, be sure to stick to it.

* Figure out how you'll connect. If you have a newer Windows computer, you should have no problem connecting your digital camera to the computer and downloading your pictures. However, if you own a Macintosh or an older Windows computer, you'll want to be sure the digital camera you eventually buy can work with those computers. Be certain you have the ability to create backup copies of all of your photos, whether you burn CDs or use an external hard drive.

After You Arrive at the Store

* Be honest about your photography experience level. A common mistake for beginning photographers is buying a digital camera that's too powerful and expensive. If you're a beginner, and the salesperson suggests a point-and-shoot camera, you should listen. Save those more advanced cameras for after you've honed your photography skills.

* Try various models. The feel and balance of every digital camera is a little different. Test a few different models and find one that fits your hands.

* Make friends with the salesperson. One of the biggest problems with point-and-shoot models involves the LCD. Because so many beginner models now contain no separate viewfinder and only allow you to use the LCD to frame your photo, a high-quality LCD is important. However, some LCDs can be very difficult to use in bright sunlight because of problems with glare. Try to talk your salesperson into allowing you to try the model outside, in the sun, to test the LCD. At the very least, a friendly salesperson might be more willing to give you an honest answer about any LCD problems with a particular model.

* Compare prices. If you have plenty of time before you need to buy the camera, do some price comparisons. After you've narrowed your list to two or three different options, write down the price and exact model number. Use the Internet to visit various retailers and compare prices on the models. Read through some of the opinions others have posted about the models. Return to the store and see whether it will match any prices you found online.

* Figure out warranty and return information. Before you part with your money, be sure you know the store's return policies and the camera's warranty. Return policies are especially important if you plan to give the digital camera as a gift. Some stores might only accept a return within 14 or 30 days of purchase, which won't help you if your sister's birthday is in 45 days. In that case, you might be better served waiting to purchase the gift until just before her birthday. You'll also have to decide whether you want to purchase the extended warranty, which varies from store to store. Learn about all of the types of warranties that are available for camera purchases.
(Article courtesy About.com)