Tutorial Two

In this tutorial as a class we discussed digital camera use and its applications.


"A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature."


There are many positives involved with using digital cameras over the more traditional film cameras. Some of these include ease of use, the ability to transfer images to others (ie. via internet), and you can take as many images you want and then delete the ones that you do not like. People are able to take more photos then they normally would because they do not need to have all their photos printed. Their photos can be stored on their computer or in portable devices.



Some negative aspects include the amount of equipment needed to capture a photo, transfer to storage and print. For most digital cameras you need batteries, battery charger, computer, cables to name a few. There are issues around storage of images. Compact discs can be wiped and computers can crash therefore you loose all your images. Using a digital camera instead of a traditional film camera takes away the element of surprise that you get when you get your film prints. Not knowing how they will turn out and if you actually captured what you were intending to.


Ethical issues also arise from image capturing. Images can easily be altered especially those images that are put publically on the internet. It is also much easier to take photos of others without them knowing. For example when Google Earth developed the street view option for maps, people were captured in comprimising positions i.e. people having affairs. And even though their faces were shaded out it was still clear to those captured and their families and friends who the person was.

Digital cameras are being used in Occupational Therapy. One area that images are used is in home modifications. Clients homes are captured to identify to funders areas that are not safe and therefore require modification.

Include reference and links to websites, or blogs you come across

flickr.com offers many services around photo storage. Photos and video can managed and then shared with other flickr users. Users can also make a "photo badge" that they can upload on their blog. Users can create a photo clock or order custom cards and photo stationery.

http://www.photobucket.com/ is another photo storage website that offers the same services as flickr.


Optical zoom "is a mechanical assembly of lens with the ability to vary its focal length"
Digital zoom is a zoom that is achieved electronically rather than physical movement of the optical lens. Optical zoom is more desirable as the image will keep its quality when enlarged unlike digital zoom which will cause an image to become pixelated and less clear when enlarged.

Zoom lens (2009). Retrieved March, 14, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opticalzoom


Mega pixels are the smallest units of a digital image. Pixels contain individual colours and are arranged to make up a digital image.

Pixel (2009). Retrieved March, 14, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/mega_pixel