Task 2. Digital Camera Use and Application

In this weeks tutorial we discussed 'digital technology', focussing on Digital Camera's. The statement "A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature", was proposed for discussion. There are many advantages to digital camera's, but I agree they don't have all the qualities of the film camera. Some positives of digital are

• Images are instantly examinable
• You can delete unwanted pictures and/or take as many as you like
• The image can be easily changed or adjusted after taking it
• Prints are cheaper as you only print what you want
• Photos are easily sharable via email or Internet facilities
• Digital cameras can be easier to use
• Digital camera's are lighter and often more compact

Some negatives to digital are

• Pixelated images are never as clear or precise as film
• They commonly breakdown and are often expensive to fix.
• Technology is rapidly upgrading and it's very expensive to keep up.
• Some of the mystery and 'art' of photography is lost

Users of digital cameras' need to know the difference between Optical and digital zoom facilities in their camera. Optical zoom works like a normal zoom lens; capturing the closer image with the same amount of pixels. A digital zoom, on the other hand, uses its digital brain to take a closer look at the picture; reducing the amount of pixels as it moves in. It is good to note that you can use digital zoom in post-production programmes.

Digital images can be stored on a CD, USB stick or hard drive of a computer. They can be uploaded onto file sharing sites like 'flickr' or used on social networking sites i.e. 'facebook', 'bebo' etc. Sites like 'picassa' enable the user to manipulate images post-production.

Flickr is a commonly used file-sharing site which enables the user to upload photos from a computer or camera. You can edit pictures in flickr and store them in organised files. Flickr enables you to share photos with other users- but only if you want to. It has creative facilities to make cards, photo books, framed pictures and DVD's.

Issues around photo sharing and ethics have been addressed by many Internet sites by having personalised privacy setting capabilities and restrictions on the kinds of images that can be posted. Issues remain regarding people violating the privacy of others by posting photos.

Within the practice of Occupational Therapy, digital camera technology is being used regularly. Examples of its use in practice are

• Within funding applications- to show real-life representation of equipment
• To document the progression of a client through photo images
• Images for accessing housing modification needs.
• Pictorial instruction for clients