As prices for digital cameras plummet, more and more people are switching from film to digital. Besides the cost of the camera itself, one of the most obvious benefits of digital photography is the low cost of taking pictures. With film-based cameras one will spend an average of ten dollars for 24 pictures (film and processing), while you can take hundreds of pictures using a digital camera for no per-picture cost.
The low cost of digital picture taking has spurred an increase in picture taking, but more isn't automatically better. One of the less known benefits of digital photography is the ability to easily and inexpensively improve your pictures with digital editing techniques. In the film world, retouching photographs was an expensive proposition reserved only for professional and commercial photographers.
Most new digital cameras come with some photo editing software, and there are other good choices that will help you make the best pictures possible. Software allows you to crop, enhance color, lighten and darken, remove blemishes and red eye, creating photos that rival those produced by professionals. In addition to the software that comes with your camera, you can also get both commercial and free software that allows you to improve your pictures. Photoshop Elements is an example of popular commercial software, and Google's new Picasa is a free program that has also become quite popular.
Once you've improved your images, it time to make prints. You can take a memory card to your local photo shop or drug store and order a wide variety of print sizes. Some companies allow you to submit your photos online and order prints without ever having to go to their store. If you are going to have prints made on a regular basis, you can also consider getting a photo quality printer and making your own prints.
Printer manufacturers are developing home printers that are designed to print vibrant, professional prints without the need to visit your local photo lab or drug store. While the cost of ink and paper may not save you a lot of money compared to having your prints made by a photo service, the ability to make prints immediately at home can be very useful.
What printer should you buy? Epson has been known as a manufacturer of great photo quality printers with inks that won't run, and Canon has introduced printers that allow you to crop, lighten faces, and remove red eye when printing directly from your camera - no computer needed! Small portable printers have also been introduced, allowing you to produce 4x6 or 5x7 prints almost anywhere. A trip to a store offering multiple brands can help you decide.
