Where do you go to find out what you need to know? Right here is a good start. First you have to ask yourself some questions. What do you really want your digital camera to do? You came here for answers and the first thing you do is run into a string of questions.

The same sort of frustrating questions the geeks ask when you walk into a computer store to buy a computer: What will you use this for? How often will you use it? How big do you want it? Are you an amateur or a professional?

Well, it should be fairly easy to tell that if you are still listening to the geek you are an amateur. So, think it through before you get there. The serious photographer needs a camera with more features and flexibility than the person who takes occasional family shots at the holidays. We suggest you start with three categories of questions about your personal needs and capability.

• What kinds of photos do you want to take with your very own digital camera? Just a few family snapshots? Detailed wildlife or flower close-ups? Each of these will help you determine which camera is right for you.

• How much can you really afford to spend on this camera? This is an essential question and needs to have a big role in helping you decide.

• What else will you need? And what will it cost? For example, can your printer and computer handle your digital photos? Do you already have software for editing photos? Or is it in the package you are buying now? What about paper? What kind is best? How much do you think you will need? Have you thought about how much ink it takes to print a photo? How often will you need to buy more? Can you afford it? Does your computer need more memory to handle image editing, storing and recovery?

After you have clarified what you want and need, take a close look at the various options and features of the digital camera before you go out to buy one.

Such as:
• Resolution
• Built-in memor.
• Battery life
• LCD
• Appearance and comfort.
• Special features

Resolution. What is the capacity? Pixels are important. With more pixels you get better resolution, more clarity in your photo images. Higher resolution cameras allow you to make pictures that you can enlarge without loss of quality.

Battery life. Batteries are costly. Be aware that your digital camera can use up batteries fast. Find out if the batteries can be recharged. That can cut your costs. Be sure to pick up that AC adapter for your camera. That way you can use electricity rather than the battery when you upload or view pictures. Pay attention to the recommendations for proper storage of the camera and batteries so they can last longer.

Built-in memory. It is the memory cards that make it possible for digital cameras to store pictures. You want a camera that has a memory built-in and a place for adding memory cards to increase your memory capabilities. That will also make it convenient for you to change a full memory card while you are in the midst of taking pictures. Look for that memory card slot.

Appearance and comfort. You must feel comfortable using your digital camera. Test it and check if you are comfortable holding it and using it. Where are the buttons and how they are spaced? Does the viewfinder suit you? Can you find what you need easily?

LCD. That small screen located at the back of a digital camera is the LCD (liquid crystal display). It lets you preview pictures. How much power does it need? How big is it? Can you see it clearly?

Special features. Do you expect to zoom into photos? How hard is it to switch to a zoom mode? Choose optical zoom lenses. If you wear glasses you probably want an adjustment on camera’s viewfinder (a diopter). How important is remote control for you? Or tripods? What other special features do you want or need?

One-button-press digital cameras are ideal solution for taking family pictures during Christmas. They are much handier and less handy than big professional digital cameras.

The following are the pieces of advice on taking photos for novices and professional users of digital cameras. I hope you will find them useful and they help you shoot your unforgettable Christmas pictures during and before Christmas days.

Be ready to take a shot

Your digital camera must be always near by your side so that you don’t miss great moments in Christmas event.
Ensure that you have your batteries completely recharged and you have a couple of memory cards with sufficient space for new pictures. You may also need your battery re-charger as you will use your flash.

Find someone to change you for taking shots.

Sometimes you may be busy serving the guests and older family members or simply have to talk with everybody. In this case just hand your camera to some responsible person and ask for him or her to take many snapshots during the event. Young people will usually be the good choice as most of them feel comfortable with handling the camera phones available to even very young people.

Take shots from closer distances.

Come as close as possible to the family members and things you are shooting. Many of the digital cameras have more in the snapshot than what is shown when you aim at it. This is not true for those digital cameras having the digital display screen, with which you can instantly see what you have just shot and make a new shot if needed.

Make a planned shot

Not everything in the Christmas event passes organized. Feel free to take a predetermined picture of nice scenes like all family members sitting by the fireplace and singing Christmas songs.

Organize a group photo of all family members.

What a nice picture would it be when all members of your family get together for Christmas. You shouldn’t miss the opportunity to have yourself included. If possible think in advance would it either be an outdoor or indoor picture. Take three shots as minimum.

Take a few shots instead of one.
For nice occasions taking a few shots would allow you to choose among the different options. Some of the shots may turn to be better than the others.

The use of flash

Although most shots will be taken with the flash turned on, it would be better if some of them are taken without
the use of flash, as the strong flashlight will usually remove the special Christmas mood. You should know how to manually turn your flash on and off and should raise the sensitivity of your digital camera for natural light photography.

Use candlelight in Christmas shots.

Candlelight shots create an atmosphere of old time and traditions. Before you take a picture of one or two faces in one frame with candles, be sure to increase the sensitivity of your digital camera and turn off the flash. Secure a stable position for your elbows so that the digital camera doesn’t tremble.

Make a series of consequent shots.

To follow the main activities of Christmas from beginning to the end it would be nice to take consequent shots of the event. With the help of digital camera you don’t have to care about the cost of shots that got failure. Such sequence of Christmas shots is perfect for a digital slide presentation later.

Pay special attention to the oldest members of the family.

It often turns up that the last shots of an old family member that went to his final were taken at Christmas time.
Taking that in mind, ensure that you take really nice shots of the oldest family members in good spirit.

Take the best pictures of babies

As a rule during Christmas many photos of babies will be taken. This is a good tradition. Think a little how to associate the pictures of the children with Christmas and activities of other family members.
Preparing for Christmas can be another alternative for children photography. These can include preparing gifts and cooking food, shopping in the decorated streets, etc.

Get rid of inferior shots fast

After the Christmas look through the Christmas shots and get rid of the inferior ones. If you have made several alternative shots of the same situation, leave only the best one for tomorrow. Be tough, when sorting your Christmas set of pictures – that will award you in the future.