If you have a digital camera I’m sure you’ve taken a lot of images, especially at important events. Be honest, are they still sitting on your memory card, or stored in a long-lost folder on your computer? Are your friends and family wondering why your fabulous images from Aunt Erma’s birthday and Billy’s ballgame never materialized? Are you an “image procrastinator?” You aren’t alone. Taking pictures can be a lot of fun and creating your scrapbook can be rewarding, but that area in between—the importing, organizing, preserving, and sharing of images—can be overwhelming and tedious. It doesn’t have to be! In the following series of articles I’ll share some tips and techniques to help you get organized. This article will assist you with the first step, transferring your images to your computer.

Before we get started
There are two important things we need to cover before you get organized, your camera’s power switch and memory cards.

Camera power switch: Obviously you can’t operate your camera unless it’s turned ON, but there are certain instances when it should be turned OFF.

1. When inserting or removing a battery - this prevents damaging your camera.
2. When inserting or removing a memory card - this prevents damaging your memory card and possibly losing your images.
3. When changing lenses - this prevents black marks on your images due to dust and dirt that can accumulate on the sensor.

Memory cards: When importing images from a camera or memory card reader, be very careful; at this point your images only exist in ONE place - the tiny, fragile memory card. If you take the memory card out of the camera, try not to drop it, let the dog chew on it, or get it close to any magnetized source; you might lose your precious images.

Importing images
It’s a good idea to transfer your images onto your computer hard drive first; then back them up in multiple places for safe keeping. Following are a few ways to import images:

Memory card reader
These handy devices are reasonably priced and make transferring your images very easy because they plug directly into your computer via the supplied USB cable. All you need to do is remove your memory card from the camera, insert it into the card reader, and transfer your images to the computer. I leave my memory card reader permanently plugged into my computer so it’s always easy to pop in a memory card and transfer/import my images.

Digital camera
Sometimes it’s easier and safer to connect your camera and leave the memory card inside the camera. Remember to turn OFF the power switch on your camera - this prevents any potential damage to your camera or computer. Use the USB cable (included with your camera) and plug the smaller end of the cable into your camera. Note: Camera models vary so check your owner’s manual to find the USB port specific to your camera

Next, plug the other end of the USB cable into your computer. Turn ON the camera’s power switch and then launch your computer software program of choice to begin importing your images.

Mobile device
Importing your images from your mobile device can be a little tricky, but it is possible. There are many types of mobile devices out there, consult your user manual for specific instructions.

Transfer images by connecting the supplied cable (ex: iPhone to iMac, then into iPhoto), or transfer your images via infrared or Bluetooth. Just like being connected with a cable, you need to be in close proximity to your computer for this to work.

CD/DVD
If you have digital images saved on a CD or DVD disc you simply insert the disc into your computer’s CD/DVD slot or tray and drag your image files to a designated folder on your computer hard drive.

Scanner
Have you been saving souvenirs to scan for your scrapbooks or slideshows? How many old pictures do you have sitting around in boxes? Now you can bring your memories into the new millennium by scanning. Scanning an image “digitizes” a print or object into a digital file. Once you transfer this digital file onto your computer, you can then edit, enhance, save, and print it out. Following is an example of the scanner software (MP Navigator EX) included with the Canon PIXMA Photo All-In-One Printers.

These models allow you to scan images with or without using a computer. If you are connected to a computer you’ll have more options by using the software included with the printer/scanner. It’s a good idea to use it.

Speaking of software - every device comes with it’s own proprietary software, cameras, printers, and scanners. Don’t overlook this added bonus. If you are starting out or want to ensure that your camera/printer/scanner will work with your computer - be sure to save the CD that came with your device and install the software.

Once you’ve transferred your images to a computer you can easily organize, enhance, preserve, and print them out. The best way to preserve your images is to print, and to print often. Each time you import and organize your images, make it a habit to print out your favorites.You’ll feel so much better knowing that your image procrastination days are over. Your friends and family will thank you and you can bask in the glory of your picture-taking prowess and newfound organizational skills!

- Erin Manning