If you're asking the question: 'How do I get prints from my digital camera?' - chances are you're not a long-standing digital photographer. Don't worry: everyone has to start somewhere. You might be a parent catching up with your kids in the digital game - or maybe you're a 'silver surfer'? At any rate - here's what you need to do:

Step One - Find the software disc which comes with your camera and keep it safely

If you've just bought your first digital compact camera (or received one as a gift) - there are several things you need to watch out for. When you unpack the camera you'll find a tick list of items that should be included in the box. Go through this carefully and look out for the software disc. Keep this safely - you're going to need it later on.

Step Two - Make friends with your camera

Automatic settings on digital cameras make it possible to 'point and shoot' with success. Nevertheless you're still going to need to learn how to operate your camera with confidence at a basic level at least. You will need to know how to charge and insert the battery, how to insert the memory card correctly, how to format the memory card and how to copy the pictures you have taken onto the memory card correctly. So when you read through that huge instruction manual and your eyes begin to glaze over - just focus on these points to begin with and get some practice in first.

Step Three - Ready to print your pictures

Once you've succeeded in copying some pictures on to your memory card - the easiest way of printing your digital pictures is to take your camera and the memory card to a processing outlet and do one of two things. Either you can sit down at an automatic machine and follow the instructions (it's best to choose a quiet time of day if it's your first time printing out), or you can ask for assistance from the staff behind the counter. You'll often encounter excellent customer service - especially if you explain you've never printed out pictures before - and soon you'll be able to see those glorious snapshots 'in the flesh' for the first time.

Step Four - Room for improvement

You're on a fast learning curve but there's room for improvement. Printing photos at a processing outlet can be expensive - so the next step is to go back to your instruction manual, find the software disc we mentioned in step one and install the software on to your own computer so that you can print out your snaps at home. You're going to need special photographic paper for your printer which can be costly - so make sure your print commands are accurate and that you only print out the snaps you really want.

Learn more about this author, Frances Laing.
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