Avoid Problems With Digital Photography

A problem with your digital camera when you're out taking pictures isn't always fixable.There's ways to avoid problems however!As you've no doubt often heard, "The best defense is a good offense.”  And the best offense here is to avoid problems with your digital camera in the first place.

 

That’s not to say things aren’t going to happen that are unexpected and unavoidable.Many of the common problems photographers have when out shooting pictures, however, could easily be remedied with just a little prior planning.

 

Dead Batteries

 

There’s nothing worse than missing that great picture because the camera battery died.To avoid the problem, always keep extra batteries in your camera case.Regular or rechargeable batteries, it doesn't matter, you need to keep at least one spare handy.. 

 

Also, bear in mind that if you’re outside shooting in cold weather, your batteries will die a lot quicker.Since digital camera batteries don't do well in cold weather and die pretty quickly, it might be wise to have more than one spare.

 

Yes, batteries are expensive, but it’s worth the spending a little extra money to keep from beating your head against the wall because a dead battery made you miss that once in a lifetime shot. 

 

 

When Cards Go Bad

 

A while back I went on vacation and took all my pictures on one card.I thought I'd have some lovely pictures.I was certain that card was full of fantastic pictures. 

 

The scenery was indeed breathtaking, but what really took my breath away was when I tried to load the pictures onto my computer and got one of those dreaded “ERROR” messages.The files were corrupted as the memory card was bad.Pictures on a corrupted disk are not pictures at all. They're just gone.

 

While it doesn’t happen often, cards can and do go bad.Avoiding total disaster is why it's better to have smaller cards to use with your digital camera, instead of just one gigantic memory card.Don't buy a 2-GB card, for example, get a couple of 1-GB cards instead. 

 

Yes, it’s cheaper to buy a huge bunch of gigabytes on one card.  But if that one card goes bad, there goes ALL your pictures.Be smart and don't make that mistake.Saving PART of your pictures is better than losing ALL your pictures. 

 

Remember, two cards are better than one.

 

 

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring

 

The weather isn’t cooperating, or maybe you just like pictures of rain.Perhaps you're somewhere else there's a lot of water in the air. Riding in a boat. Walking on the seashore.Ruining your camera would be a bummer, but you'd like to take some pictures.How can you save your digital camera?

 

Well, you can buy protective gear to keep in your camera case for such times.  Places like B & H Photo or Calumet Photographic stores carry waterproof cases.However, you might not want to spend that much money if you don't need waterproof casing very often.

 

For a make-do solution, carry a clear plastic bag in your camera case to keep water off your camera.If you don't have a plastic bag in your camera case and you're traveling, grab one of those disposable shower caps and use it.

 

Planning Ahead Saves Your Sanity

 

If planning ahead doesn’t save your sanity, it will at least improve your chances for good pictures with your digital camera.Keeping your camera dry, the batteries charged up, and extra memory cards in your camera case will at least give you the chance to try for good pictures.

 

And that’s why you bought a digital camera in the first place, right?