Clever uses for Digital Cameras

"I have an underwater camera just in case I crash my car into a river, and at the last minute I see a photo opportunity of a fish that I have never seen.” - Mitch Hedberg (American Comedian, 1968-2005)

For those of us born during the Kodak & Poloroid generation, photos are static things. The were a fixed size in a shoebox and buried deep in the closet. But digital cameras let you carry your photos with you. And you can zoom on demand! I once chastised my niece for taking a digital photo of an object way far away. "You won't see it in the picture", I said. "Wrong Uncle Gary", she said. And then demonstrated how she could enlarge the image in the camera browsing window.

Another difference in photography now-a-days is that digital pictures cost "nothing" and can be easily disposed of. Go ahead and take four shots to make sure you get the best picture and then delete the other three.

Since many people will be unwrapping a new Digital camera this Holiday Season, I present here a list of clever ways to use your new camera for preparendess...

1. Photograph a note saying "This camera belongs to (name). Please call (#). Reward!"
   Keep this photo as the #1 entry in your camera.
2. Traveling? Photograph a map (google, subway, etc). You can use the zoom
   feature to view map details.
3. Do you lose your car in large parking lots? Photograph the location marker
   (like H-25) near your car.
4. Have you ever unplugged computer/TV cables and don't know where to put them
   back? Or disassembled some machine had trouble putting it back together?
   Photograph what you're working on BEFORE taking it apart.
5. If you think the big van parked next you might ding your car or someone is
   driving badly on the road - photograph the license plate.
6. Don't rip out a page from the Yellow book, photograph it.
7. Legal defense. Do you see something that could lead to a lawsuit? Photograph
   it. Are you in a bad situation that could result in a ticket or fine - example:
   the parking meter is broken. Photograph it for self defense.
8. Take out menus. Do you order take out frequently? Photograph your favorite
   menus with the phone number visible.
9. Trying to match a color or paint? Photograph it. Or photograph the paint can
   showing the name and color #.
10. Grocery shopping for a special recipe? Photograph the recipe first.
11. When renting a car, photograph each side when you accept the car and when
    you return it. This could show that a dent was preexisting (before) or wasn't
    there when you returned the car (after).
12. Is your camera too confusing? Photograph key pages from the user manual.
13. Going a sports game or performance? Photo the seating chart so you'll know
    your way about the arena.
14. Does the airline lose your luggage? Photograph it before you fly so they know what to look for and perhaps you'll recognize it too when it comes out.
15. Hopefully you haven't lost your kids or pet? Photograph them now and keep
    the image on hand for "Lost" posters.
16. In a foreign country and don't speak the language? Photograph your hotel
    and the street names at a nearby intersection. You might also photograph your
    travel itinerary and emergency contact info.
17. Emergency flashlight. Use the camera display as a light in the dark.

Bottom Line

For examples of these clever ideas check out

• www.popsci.com/diy/gallery/2008-12/ten-clever-tips-digital-camera-owners


• www.vagabondish.com/clever-uses-digital-camera-traveling/