digital+photo+resources

**Camera:** Plug small USB end into camera, large USB end into slot under the "flap," and turn on your camera.

 * Choose the Microsoft Camera and Scanner Wizard (the computer will then take a couple minutes to read the picture information)
 * Click Next.
 * Click "Choose Pictures to Copy." You can then check or uncheck boxes to select the pictures you want to use today.
 * Choose location (the default location is fine- it will put it on your personal drive in the folder, "My pictures."), then click next or load.
 * This may take a few minutes. A new box will pop up to tell you the photos have been loaded.
 * Click on the text link to "My Pictures/Pictures." This will open the folder.
 * Click on Finish in the Wizard. Your pictures are now saved into your own drive.

**Photo Editing-- some basic tips:**

 * Lighting: You may need to adjust some photos because of the tint from the light. For example, pictures taken outside on a bright sunny day tend to have a blue cast to them while pictures taken under a tungsten filament light bulb tend to be orange. Opanda is great for this, but it can also be done with other programs.
 * Love your clone/stamp tool. It's great for fixing those little blemishes. Usually it's found in more advanced photo editors, however Picasa has one with a different name. (5 points to anyone who can tell me what it is!!)
 * Always take your pictures in full color. If you want a picture in black and white, or in Sepia or negative, use a photo editor to do that for you and save it under a different file name. Then you always have the option to have it in color if you so choose!

Photo Editing Programs:
Here are a few options, listed from basic to more advanced. Feel free to explore the buttons, tabs and other features of each. Be sure to ask questions if anything isn't making sense.

[|Picasa 3] A user-friendly program to edit and share photos. (This is a program that must be downloaded onto your computer.) media type="custom" key="4024643" [|This is a screencast-- (it's my first, so don't be too critical) about the basics of Picasa.]
 * The first thing Picasa does when you open the program is ask you if you'd like it to scan your computer or just specific files.
 * Whatever pictures it finds, it will list and show in the main window. Notice, on the next popup, how it you have a choice about which picture formats (jpg, tif, bmp, gif, etc) you'd like it to find. Go ahead and let it dig up everything for now. When this is done, go ahead and click finish.
 * While looking at one particular picture, be sure to notice the other tabs above. Tuning allows you to adjust the coloring of the picture (like making that one picture look less orange!). Effects include changing your picture to black and white or sepia, among others.
 * Picasa 3 also has a movie maker in which you can insert pictures and add music. If you have the ability to record voice, you could add voice to it as well. It's not as advanced as a program like PhotoStory, but it's nifty none the less!

[|Foto Flexer] This program operates in your web browser-- nothing to download. Very simple to use and very user-friendly as well! Find how-to videos [|here].
 * The nice thing about this is that it links right up to any online photo albums you have (for example, on Picasa, Flickr, and PhotoBucket) OR you can upload a photo from your computer.
 * This program is user friendly and has more functions than Picasa.
 * It's also fun because you can add "stickers" to your photo-- big kissy lips, devil horns, and talk bubbles among others.

[|Opanda Photo Filters] Filters, like the ones you'd attach to a camera in order to tint or correct images. Very handy when pictures look orange or blueish on accident. (This is a program that must be downloaded onto your computer.)
 * [[image:opandalogo.gif]]

[|GIMPshop] A more advanced free program, much like Adobe PhotoShop-- huge learning curve, but still easier than PhotoShop. (This is a program that must be downloaded onto your computer.)

Photo Morphing:
[|Squirlz Morph] Use this program to turn one picture into another. No need for a microphone. You do need pictures that are closely related-- facing the same direction, same pose, etc. (This program must be downloaded onto your computer.)

Digital Storytelling:
[|Photostory 3] Tell a story using your voice and pictures you've taken. You can add music and voice. You will need a microphone and pictures. (This program must be downloaded on your computer.)

Talking Photos:
[|Blabber] Make a talking photo. Highly amusing. It has a tutorial to help you figure it out. All you need is microphone. (This program is web-based and does not need to be loaded on your computer.)