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Previous:
Common Digital Photo Pitfalls

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How to Print Digital Photos

How to Manage Your Digital Photos

Downloading, or transferring photos to your computer, is the first step toward viewing, editing, and sharing digital photos. Most cameras come with a CD containing software that allows your camera to communicate with a computer. Before connecting the camera to the computer, install the software that came with the camera or install third-party software that you’re certain will work with your camera.

How to Transfer Files from Your Camera

You can transfer photos to your computer via:

USB cable: This is a short cable that comes with your camera. Plug one end into your camera and the other end into your computer. You may then have to turn on your camera or put it in playback mode to make the computer recognize it.
Memory card reader: This device reads the data on memory cards. To transfer photos, plug the reader into your computer’s USB port and turn your camera off. Remove the card and slide it into the card reader.
Wireless connection: Newer cameras can detect your wireless network and transfer your photo files to the computer directly, without wires or a card reader.

Once you’ve determined which transfer method to use, connect the camera or card reader to your computer or select the camera’s wireless transfer mode. Once connected, the camera’s software will likely start up automatically. If not, start it manually. Before you start transferring your files, you'll need to decide:

Where to save your new photos: If you plan to shoot often, create a new folder for every batch of photos you transfer. If you expect to transfer only a few photos per week, create one main folder, transfer your files into it, and organize your photos later.
Whether to delete the photos on your card: Unless you intend to transfer the files on your card to another computer or display device (such as a TV), delete them.

Once you’ve created a folder for your photos:

Begin the transfer by selecting Transfer or Download in the transfer software.
Tell the software which folder to copy the files into, then initiate the transfer.

Never disconnect or turn off the camera while transferring.

Photo-Organizing Software

Once you begin transferring photos regularly, you’ll soon amass hundreds of photos. To name your files and ensure that you’ll be able to find specific shots later, use photo- organizing software, such as Picasa (for PCs) or iPhoto (for Macs).

Picasa

Picasa scans your hard drive and locates every photo file on it. It then organizes your photo files and folders chronologically and displays thumbnails—small versions of your photos used only for reference—that make it easy to determine the location of specific photos on your hard drive.

iPhoto

iPhoto comes with the Mac OS X operating system or can be purchased separately as part of the iLife software suite (www.apple.com/ilife) for $79. iPhoto can import photos from your camera (bypassing your camera’s software), create albums to organize your files, and display your photos in various sizes.

Back Up Your Photo Files

Many people print their digital photos only rarely and maintain just one copy of their photo files on their hard drive. This approach can cause you to lose your entire photo library in an instant if your hard drive crashes. To avoid this problem, back up your entire photo library regularly to a CD, DVD, or external hard drive.

Acknowledgments & Disclaimer