• The array of cameras can seem daunting, but don?t get too “hung-up” on all the features. Your film camera probably only has a flash with red-eye reduction, and maybe a zoom capability. Digital cameras can add many more features, but will you really use them? So if you are a first-timer, concentrate on ease-of-use and resolution:
  • Ease-of-use: Hold the camera in your hand and up to your face. Is it comfortable? Are the knobs and buttons conveniently located? If you are overwhelmed by the array of features and buttons, you might want to consider a lower-end camera. If you can't easily operate it, then you won't use it.
  • Resolution: Since resolution relates to print quality, get the highest resolution you can afford. Resolution is expressed as "pixels". A pixel is the smallest "area" of a digital image. Each pixel is assigned a color and becomes a miniature part of the larger image. So the more pixels in the image, the better the picture. Lower pixel resolutions (below 1024 x 768 ? 1 megapixels) are fine for web sites, email and such, but for decent prints, try to get at least 2 megapixels (1600 x 1200). Three megapixels is even better.
• Use the optical viewfinder to compose your shot rather than the LCD display and you will save battery life.
• Most digital cameras have a momentary delay from the time you push the button until the photo is captured, and a delay until you can take the next picture because of writing the image information to the memory media. This is not a problem for posed shots, but could be a concern if you want to take many action shots in a row.
• When taking outdoor pictures of your loved ones, use the "Flash On" mode of your camera. This will expose the background first, then add just enough flash to illuminate your subject, giving you a professional looking picture.
• Most digital cameras come with simple computer editing software to enhance or alter your image. This will allow you to do minor touch ups, as in contrast or color, or do simple changes, as in cropping. This is an advantage for digital images as this type of simple editing is difficult with a processed film image unless you go to your processor.
• For longer term preservation of your pictures, maintain at least two electronic copies. One on the hard drive of your computer and another on a portable media such as a CD ROM.
• An inkjet printer will give you great looking prints using good photo-quality paper. If you can, get a printer that uses separate ink cartridges for each of the primary colors, rather than one color cartridge. You?ll save money on ink cartridges in the long run. If you are going to put the prints in a scrapbook, make sure the paper is acid-free and lignin-free. Both HP and Epson offer paper of this type.

Having your pictures in electronic form allows you to be as creative as you want in displaying your family memories. You can do all kinds of wonderful things for your scrapbook pages, or embed an image in a written document as part of your written family story. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination!