Absolute Beginners Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC

Application #5: Sharing Digital Photos Over the Internet

The nice thing about digital photos is that you don't have to print them to share them. If you and your friends and family are all connected to the Internet, it's extremely easy to share your pictures online either via email or through one of the many photo processing Web sites.

The big challenge with emailing photographs is file size. If you shoot at a high megapixel resolution, you create very large graphics files. We're talking files in the multiple megabyte range much too large to email, for all practical purposes. If you're intent on emailing your photos, either shoot at a lower resolution, or use a photo editing program to reduce the picture size and resolution, thus creating more easily managed files.

Another option is to use a photo processing site to store copies of your pictures for the viewing pleasure of your online visitors. These services will also print your photos for you, if you don't have your own printer. Just remember that low-res photos are best for online viewing (they download faster), whereas high-res photos are best for creating prints. Shoot or edit accordingly.

If you do a lot of online photo sharing, you'll really appreciate a fast Internet connection. Suffering through a slow dial-up session might be tolerable on occasion, but if you're an active photographer, spend the bucks for a broadband connection.

Upgrade Checklist for Sharing Photos Online

Broadband Internet connection (Chapter 15, "Connect the Dots: Upgrading to a Wired or Wireless Network")

THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM

Here's what you need to keep in mind when using your PC to work with digital photographs:

  • Most digital cameras connect to your PC via USB or FireWire; alternatively, you can transfer photos directly from your camera's memory card by adding a memory card reader to your system.

  • If you have a lot of existing photo prints to work with, invest in a good flatbed scanner.

  • Graphics files are big, so you'll probably want to invest in a large hard disk.

  • When you want to create your own photo prints, a photo printer is a necessity.

  • If you do a lot of photo editing, a bigger monitor might prove useful and easier on your eyes.

  • When sharing your photos over the Internet, a broadband Internet connection significantly speeds up the process.

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