Large area image sensor lets you have more pixels and as most everyone knows, bigger pixels means superior resolution and better picture quality.

You should be looking for a  big image sensor. A bigger DSLR (digital single lens reflex) image sensor means that the size of each pixel in any given camera will be larger.

Consider the larger pixel size, you're then in a position and able to shoot without flash or use faster shutter speeds in more situations. Your pictures are less likely to blur.

Larger image sensor cameras are more costly. That is the only drawback.

As you can see, larger image sensor lets you enjoy more pixels and larger pixels for superior resolution and picture quality.

4 megapixels cameras produce nice images making  photo-lab quality 4×6s, and great 5×7s and 6×9s.  They also provide nice 8×10 prints. A nice  1 or 2 GB memory card allows you plenty of storage for multiple shots. Most simple point and shoot cameras produce good high quality photos.

If you have a more complicated camera, shutter speed and aperture opening controls are important to learn.

Shutter Speed: The camera shutter opens to begin an exposure and closes to end it. The shutter speed setting determines how long the shutter stays opens to expose the image sensor.  Each stop is a second or more, or a fraction of second indicating how long the shutter is open.

For fast-moving subjects you need a fast shutter speed

Aperture Opening: The aperture is the hole through which light enters the camera. The size of the hole can be changed to control the brightness of the light that reaches the image sensor. The f/stops indicates the size of the opening through which light enters

For maximum depth of field, with the entire scene sharp from near to far, you need a small aperture

You don’t need to know everything about your camera to get great photos. Great photos come from inspiration. You are inspired from either the subject or the action you are to create for the subject before you snap the picture. What you see and compose can’t be duplicated without probably violating copy write laws. And just about any camera can take a world-class photos that could make it on a magazine cover.

Being aware of camera technology is great but that does not effect the basic picture. Instead, remaining aware of the lighting conditions around you and capturing the moment make the shot. The camera does not make the picture; the photographer does.

Photo gifts are easy to make and make a cool gift for the home. Stores like Office Max or Staples can take your family photos and transform them into a family colander for grandparents. You can even upload your photos online and pick them up at the store.

Not to be forgotten are refrigerator magnets that you can make with magnetic sheets. Fabric transfers for clothing transfers, pillow case transfers … anything cloth.

Then there are decals that can be created. Also notebook covers, journals or planners can be a place for special photo.

Cheap digital cameras today offer more mega-pixels than earlier cameras, are smaller and memory is cheaper. Enjoy and create some great treasured gifts.

There are 3 main types of digital cameras today :

• Simple point and shoot cameras — these cameras are smaller and more automated and lack many features as the larger ones but still produce high quality photos. These simple point an shoot cameras usually just have optical zoom between 3-5X zoom and a digital zoom and few manual settings.

• Compact super zoomers. This is the camera for you if you are willing to trade size for features and functions that meet your needs. Optical zoom up 12-14 times, lots of manual settings as well as easy-to-use features. These cameras often deliver high picture quality at a good money saving price.

• System camera (SLR) the very highest demand regarding picture quality. The system contains a camera house and separate lenses for different situations for the skilled photographer.

I normally don’t get involved in political comment but last week Hillary was asked if she supported New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s efforts to give ILLEGEL immigrants driver’s (Photo I.D) licenses.

Without photo ID’s voter fraud, using photo ID’s to sign up for just about every entitlement the U.S. has to offer would be another assault on the taxpayer. This is absolutely crazy, to say nothing of licensed terrorists blowing up our bridges and tunnels or assaulting our infrastructure. Do we really have to make it easier for the fraudsters?

It’s easy enough to make phony photo ID’s using digital cameras and some official looking paper. No sense in giving away the farm and being totally stupid. Disingenuous politicians who  want votes at any cost, and as many politicians want us to believe, giving photo ID’s to illegal people who sneaked into our country these rights is simply wrong.