Pixiq

Downloading from the Camera

Nearly all digital cameras offer the ability to transfer images directly to the computer with a connection from the camera. However, this may not be the best way to transfer data, because it can deplete your camera’s battery, among other factors. Downloading usually involves a cable (typically a USB connection), although infrared and other wireless technologies may be seen in all digital cameras in the future. The type of camera/computer connection cannot be changed—it is built into the camera.

You don’t need to remove the card from the camera when you use your camera for downloading.

You simply connect one end of the USB cord to a USB port on the computer and the other end to the camera’s USB port. When you turn on the camera, computers with the latest operating systems will usually recognize it and help you make the transfer. If not, you’ll have to add the camera’s software.

Depending on what imaging programs you have on your computer (and the camera’s software), you’ll often find a program to help you move photos onto the hard drive. At this point, the digital image files are being copied from one place (your camera) to another (your computer).

* One way to download pictures is to use the cord supplied with the camera (left), which typically plugs into the USB port on your computer. Browser software will help you find and organize your photos (right).

Card Readers

I strongly recommend a card reader for downloading. This is the fastest and simplest method. A card reader is a small, stand-alone device that plugs into the computer (USB or FireWire), and it has a slot for your camera’s memory card. Many of these devices will read multiple card types—this can be a real benefit if you have more than one camera and they use different cards. Otherwise, you will probably just want the simple, less expensive unit that only reads the type that your camera uses.

A card reader is easy to use and very affordable. In a way, it makes your camera act like a traditional film camera. You simply take your “digital film” out of the camera and put it into the slot for “processing.” The computer will recognize the card as a new drive (on some older operating systems you may need to install a driver for the card reader, which will be on software that comes with the unit).

The card reader now allows you to manage the image files. If you are not familiar with how computers deal with files, transferring images may take some learning. But if you have even basic computer skills, you will find that this reader now allows you to work with the image files just as you would any other files—like selecting all the photos on the card and copying them to a new folder on your hard drive.

Finally, if you take a lot of photos, I would strongly suggest checking out a FireWire reader. While more expensive (and requiring a FireWire port on the computer), it is a great convenience because it downloads files so very, very fast. This can be quite important if you have big cards filled with images.

Laptops with FireWire and USB connections work in the same way. Some even have slots specifically for memory cards. Transfer of images from these slots can also be very, very fast.

Taking Your Card to a Lab

Many photo enthusiasts are finding another way of transfer quite attractive—using a lab. Take your memory card to the minilab where you, or the lab, download the images and make prints. It’s just like dropping off film. The major benefit of using a lab is that you can take advantage of a digital camera without using or owning a computer. By going to a lab, you can get those prints done quickly and easily. Even if you enjoy working with pictures in the computer, labs can be handy when you need quick snapshots for friends and family.

You’ve downloaded your images. Now what’s the best way to erase images off of a memory card—with the camera or computer?

Erasing the Card

When a memory card is erased, no image files are actually destroyed or removed from the memory. Erasing removes only location/identification data that tells the computer where the file is located. Once this location/identification data is removed, new photos can overwrite the old image files. Once new photos are saved, the original photo is “lost” since its information has been overwritten.

Reformatting the Card

When formatting, the camera completely rebuilds the directory structure of the card (which tells any device reading the card how to find the data). This results in the erasure of the photos by removing locating links to the actual data. It can be accomplished by using either the computer or the camera.