CONSTRUCTION PHOTO-DOCUMENTATION 2012
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| CONSTRUCTION PHOTO-DOCUMENTATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2012 |
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How to choose a digital camera
| Digital cameras are affordable and easy to use, there are no real bad choices. I'll help you pick the best all-around camera for your jobsite. |
Digital cameras come in so many varieties and price ranges these days. While just about any camera will work for photo-documentation there are certain
features you should look for in an all-around, most useful camera. This chapter will cover the different basic types of digital cameras and how each type is
best used on your projects. Digital cameras are not complicated devices, no matter which one you decide to use you'll get good results with only a little
practice.
features you should look for in an all-around, most useful camera. This chapter will cover the different basic types of digital cameras and how each type is
best used on your projects. Digital cameras are not complicated devices, no matter which one you decide to use you'll get good results with only a little
practice.
The main features to look for when purchasing a digital camera are:
- • Image quality, most digital cameras on the market today have more than enough mega-pixels (picture quality) for use in photo-
documentation. Although having a camera with more mega-pixels is great for higher quality images you won't want to necessarily use the camera
at the highest settings in your daily work. Photographs taken at a use for on-line sharing.
• Lens size, the larger the lens size the better the camera will work in low light settings. These lenses are normally found on the Advanced
types of cameras and not the basic type.
• Optical zoom, it is important to buy a camera with the highest optical zoom that you can find. With a higher optical zoom you can get
exceptional photographs of areas that you just cannot get close to. You should only concern yourself with OPTICAL zoom, this is the ability of
the lens itself to zoom in and out. All digital cameras come with 'digital zoom' setting as well but I don't recommend using it. It electronically
zooms the image and I've found that the image quality is always degraded when using digital zoom.
• Size and Price, the size of the camera itself can make a difference. I have worked with all of the cameras shown below and realized that
it is more difficult moving around and active jobsite with a larger, heavier camera. You will have to find your middle ground here, the best
cameras are larger, heavier, and more expensive. Price is up to you but a construction site can be rough on a camera and you can expect to
replace them from time to time but when compared to other tools on the job site the digital camera is not going to break the bank.
• Battery type, this isn't all that important because you should always purchase a second battery for your camera. However, If at all
possible I recommend getting a camera that uses "AA" size batteries. You can use the rechargeable batteries for everyday use and if you run out
of power you are able to substitute regular alkaline batteries to get you through.
The basic point and shoot camera is the one that most everyone is familiar with. They are
inexpensive, easy to use, and very portable. These pocket sized cameras can be used for
photo-documentation but has limitations that will affect the ability to get the best photographs and the
quality of the photographs. The good news is that when one of these cameras is lost or broken it is
easy and cheap to replace.
These cameras have small lenses and limited OPTICAL zoom. This means that you'll have to get
closer to get the detail photographs. The small lens is not well suited for the lower light conditions
normally found on the construction site.
inexpensive, easy to use, and very portable. These pocket sized cameras can be used for
photo-documentation but has limitations that will affect the ability to get the best photographs and the
quality of the photographs. The good news is that when one of these cameras is lost or broken it is
easy and cheap to replace.
These cameras have small lenses and limited OPTICAL zoom. This means that you'll have to get
closer to get the detail photographs. The small lens is not well suited for the lower light conditions
normally found on the construction site.
The advanced point and shoot camera is just a much better version of the basic model. It has a
larger lens, much better optical zoom, a better flash, and more features like manual zoom to help you
get the best pictures. It is still very portable and east to use, durable enough to hang around the job
site, and versatile enough to capture every photograph you'll need . This type of camera will give you
the best all-around performance for daily use. The price range is typically below $400.
I recommend this type of camera as an all-around job site camera, even if you've never used one
before.
larger lens, much better optical zoom, a better flash, and more features like manual zoom to help you
get the best pictures. It is still very portable and east to use, durable enough to hang around the job
site, and versatile enough to capture every photograph you'll need . This type of camera will give you
the best all-around performance for daily use. The price range is typically below $400.
I recommend this type of camera as an all-around job site camera, even if you've never used one
before.
The digital SLR camera has gotten more affordable but you can still spend $800 or more for the
camera and lens package. Additional lenses like the telephoto lens in the picture will cost you extra.
You also need to be a little more careful with these cameras, they are more susceptible to moisture
and dust and don't take getting banged around very well. This camera and each component is also
more expensive to replace.
Having said that, if you are serious about real quality photographs in your photo-document then this is
the type of camera you'll want to use. I only recommend it for companies that have decided to assign
a person to photograph all of their projects and not for occasional use. They are more difficult to use
and won't survive in the job box for very long. I use this camera for special events and finished
project photographs but not normally for daily use.
camera and lens package. Additional lenses like the telephoto lens in the picture will cost you extra.
You also need to be a little more careful with these cameras, they are more susceptible to moisture
and dust and don't take getting banged around very well. This camera and each component is also
more expensive to replace.
Having said that, if you are serious about real quality photographs in your photo-document then this is
the type of camera you'll want to use. I only recommend it for companies that have decided to assign
a person to photograph all of their projects and not for occasional use. They are more difficult to use
and won't survive in the job box for very long. I use this camera for special events and finished
project photographs but not normally for daily use.
No matter what type of camera you choose, read the manual and learn how to use it, encourage
practice on and off the job site. You wouldn't introduce a new power tool to the job site without
training so why is a camera different? I know it won't hurt anyone but you only get one chance to
take the photographs that you may really need later. Consistently poor photographs will not help your
project or impress anyone.
practice on and off the job site. You wouldn't introduce a new power tool to the job site without
training so why is a camera different? I know it won't hurt anyone but you only get one chance to
take the photographs that you may really need later. Consistently poor photographs will not help your
project or impress anyone.
As tempting as it is to simply pickup a handheld video camera and walk through the job site I strongly
recommend against it. When you use a video camera you'll walk around the site and pan around, maybe
describe your location and what you are seeing at the same time. What you won't do is look up or down
and you may pan too fast to get clear snapshot (photograph) from the video footage. Finding a
particular shot will be cumbersome as well. You'll have to search through video footage to find a single
shot that you may need. Video cameras do have their place, they are good for special events but they
should always be backed up digital photographs.
When you use a video camera you're looking at the screen and not the job site. Don't be tempted to take
the easy way out, you won't be happy with the results and you can't go back to get what you've missed.
recommend against it. When you use a video camera you'll walk around the site and pan around, maybe
describe your location and what you are seeing at the same time. What you won't do is look up or down
and you may pan too fast to get clear snapshot (photograph) from the video footage. Finding a
particular shot will be cumbersome as well. You'll have to search through video footage to find a single
shot that you may need. Video cameras do have their place, they are good for special events but they
should always be backed up digital photographs.
When you use a video camera you're looking at the screen and not the job site. Don't be tempted to take
the easy way out, you won't be happy with the results and you can't go back to get what you've missed.
There is no real wrong camera, (except video cameras). Whatever you decide to use just learn how to use it and use it a lot.