The world of digital imaging is not limited to the realm of professional photographers, those who have big budgets for all the computers and imaging programs they need. Even young children can get in on the fun and excitement of digital photography, for a relatively small investment.
Here's a quick look at some of the hardware and software that's available for digital photo fun.
INTEL QX3 MICROSCOPE — The QX3 is a low-resolution digital camera that provides on-screen pictures. On its stand, it can be used just as a microscope (with low and high levels of magnification), so kids can enjoy the wonder of the close-up world.
When the camera is hand-held, children can take pictures of even large objects — such as their own faces. The QX3 comes with software for creating slide shows, comic graphics, stickers and posters. (www.intel.com)
LOONEY TUNES PHOTOFUN — With this imaging program, hosted by Bugs Bunny, kids begin their photo adventure in the Fun Lab. That's where users can choose from many different playful and educational projects, including distorting a picture for zany effects; adjusting the brightness and contrast of a picture to fix photo mistakes; painting with an assortment of artists' brushes and crayons; removing red-eye; and adding text. PhotoFun comes with Inkjet paper for making stickers, postcards and buttons. (www.mgisoft.com)
MICRO DIGITAL iCAM — The iCams are available in bright colors, store up to 15 pictures in 24-bit color and are easy to use. The cameras come with ArcSoft PhotoFantasy v2.0, which lets young picture takers create one-of-a-kind pictures — for example, to put a head shot of a little brother in the helmet of a "Top Gun" fighter pilot. (www.creaturecamera.com)
Nick Click Digital Camera — The Nick Click Digital Camera is designed for kids who are familiar with the cable television channel Nickelodeon. The digital camera is fully automatic and offers point-and-shoot picture taking. Using the software that comes with the camera, children can transform themselves into their favorite Nickelodeon characters. The software also lets them change the background and color the pictures, for further photo fun. (www.mattelmedia.com)
PATRIOT COMPUTERS — Now there are computers made specially for boys and girls: the Hot Wheels computer for boys, and the Barbie computer for girls.
The Hot Wheels computer is painted with "hot flames," just like the racing cars. The Barbie computer is decorated with bright flowers, just like Barbie's car. Both computers are accompanied by amusing and creative software from Mattel Media and The Learning Center. The Barbie computer comes with its own Barbie Cam, a low-resolution digital camera for playful snapshots. (www.patriotfamily.com)
OK, digital picture taking and picture making can be very entertaining. But young photographers still need to understand the basics of photography to get good pictures.
One source of good, easy-to-understand information is the new Click! Book and Camera Kit (www.tiffen.com). The book offers many tips on taking pictures indoors and out. It also features a glossary of photo terms.
The camera in the kit is not digital. It is a 35mm point-and-shoot camera. When you have the film processed, you can get digitized pictures on a Picture CD or Picture Disk. You can also scan pictures at home with a flatbed or film scanner.
One more thought on kids and computers, especially if they go on the Internet and e-mail photos to friends. Be there, at all times, for your kids.