"Making the Most of Digital Photos"

Almost everyone these days has a Digital Camera. But, do you know how to maximize and get the most fun from using one? Bruce Pechman, The Muscleman of Technology is here with all the latest products, software, and information to make you look like “Photo Wiz”!

1. Kodak EasyShare Digital Picture Frame (10" size)
   www.kodak.com     Model EX1011  $279.95
   
   

   Description:
   Kodak’s Wi-Fi digital picture frame allows you to connect to your home network to wirelessly view pictures from your PC or to connect to your Kodak Gallery account to display online picture albums or videos right on the frame. This digital frame lets you display all of your favorite digital pictures and videos in vibrant slideshows set to music. Set up is a snap. The frame is compatible with all the popular memory card formats (CF, SD, MMC, xQ and MS) and you can source digital images from your still camera, PC or flash drive via USB 2.0 to start a vibrant slideshow!
   
   The frame comes with a remote that lets you customize your slideshow, and select pictures to copy, delete, rotate, zoom and print (its PictBridge enabled). This frame has built in stereo speakers on it to play music, or sound from videos.
   
   You can also get different faceplates for your frame to match your home décor (wood, frosted glass, etc.). Also available in 8” size.

2. Brookstone PictureBook Pocket Digital Photo Album
   www.brookstone.com      $200.00 (Brookstone SKU # 538751)
   
   

   Description:
   Keep your favorite memories handy with a portable digital photo album! Think of the Brookstone “PictureBook” portable digital picture frame as the photo album you take with you. Our portable photo storage device holds hundreds of photos without the bulky pages of a traditional album. And the 3.5" TFT LCD screen displays photos in vibrant, crystal-clear color. Lets you bring your digital photos with you wherever you go. No computer needed—just insert your camera's memory card to quickly transfer photos to the album.

3. Kodak EasyShare M853 8MP Camera
   www.kodak.com      $179.95
   
   

   Description:
   This camera sets the style standard with high performance and a sleek, compact design at an affordable price! It’s 8.2 megapixels with 3X optical zoom and a 2.5 inch LCD display. It comes in white, red, graphite, silver and espresso. This camera boasts 17 scene modes (beach, snow, etc.) and three color modes so you always get the best shots, and you don't have to be a professional photographer.
   
   It also has Panorama mode, which is on-camera stitching for dynamic panoramic shots You can reduce blur caused by camera shake or subject movement with digital image stabilization. This camera also has video with sound, editing and print options.

4. Casio Thin Card Camera- The Exilim EX-S880
   www.casio.com     MSRP $279.99
   
   

   Description:
   Perfect for students and active lifestyle because of its credit card thin design and new “YouTube” capture Mode (The Muscleman of Technology personal favorite)! This stylish burgundy colored 8.1 megapixel EX-S880 is the latest addition to the popular EXILIM camera series. Why perfect for students? The new “YouTube Capture Mode” means you can instantly upload your videos in the optimum format (MPEG-4 H.264 high quality video) with included software bundle. Also includes new auto-tracking Auto-Focus system using motion analysis technology—maintains both sharp focus and correct exposure for a human face. Wide viewing angle, 2.8-inch super bright wide screen LCD display, and anti-shake DSP makes this camera an outstanding value! Available in Black or Burgundy (Red).

5. Pentax Optio W30 Waterproof Camera
   www.h20camera.com     About $249 on-line
   
   

   Description:
   The new Pentax Optio W30 will blow you away with its amazing feature set! Whether you’re scubaing in Cabo, surfing in Baja, or want a camera that is ready for anything the W30 is your ticket. Picture a slim, stylish design less than an inch thick that slips easily into a pocket or bag. Features include a 7.0 megapixel and a 3X zoom lens (equivalent to a 38-114mm lens in 35mm format). New “Face Recognition” Auto Focus System locks on to faces for perfect potraits. Add a big “Anti-Reflective” super-bright LCD and your ready to see everything! Optio waterproof cameras are encased in a dust-resistant exterior with rubber sealants and lens protection that repels dust, dirt, moisture and opens a new world of photography up to ten feet underwater for up to 2 hours. Enjoy macro photography as close as one inch, high quality movies, fun digital filters and support for the new SDHC memory cards offering storage capacity up 4GB.

6. PhotoWorks
   www.photoworks.com    Prices vary according to product
   
   

   Description:
   PhotoWorks is an awesome “online” personal publishing company and photography community. It allows users to share and store their digital photos, host personalized Web pages and build communities. The part I love most about PhotoWorks is using my personal digital pictures to create high quality “photo-personalized” products such as hard-bound photo books, greeting cards, calendars, prints, tee-shirts, hoodies, glossy puzzles, key chains, mouse pads, sticky notepads...get the picture!
   
   PhotoWorks mission is to give people new, creative, a refreshing ways to express themselves and indulge their passions through photography. By creating a unique one-stop shop that addresses everyone's photo needs -- from storing and sharing images and ideas, to creating personalized photo books, oversized prints and perfect photo gifts; from hosting personalized My Share Web pages and selling one-of-a-kind content through My Storefront, to sharing ideas and learning new things through our unique Communities -- PhotoWorks is building a picture perfect company.

7. Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 plus Adobe Premiere Elements 3.0
   www.adobe.com       MSRP $149.99
   
   

   Description:
   The all new Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 and Adobe Premiere Elements 3 software combines two powerful, intuitive products in one affordable package so you can do more with your videos and digital photos. Representing an awesome value, Adobe’s brand new Premiere Elements software is the perfect combination of creative control for home video editing. It automates the tedious tasks and lets you create and experiment with transitions, titles, audio tracks and burn your project to DVD. Comes with “getting started” training materials for both programs.

8. Adobe Acrobat 8 Software
   www.adobe.com       Upgrade from $159
   
   

   Description:
   Reliably share photos and documents and prepare polished PDF files so that virtually anyone, anywhere can view them exactly as you intended! “Adobe Systems' PDF technologies and tools liberate users and business processes from the limits of paper." Complete tasks more quickly with a streamlined user interface, new customizable toolbars, and a "Getting Started" page to visually direct you to commonly used features.

9. Polaroid Media Backup – Photo Edition
   www.goclickfree.com        $120 at Wal-Mart
   
   

   Description:
   Polaroid Media Backup – Photo Edition enables consumers to back up photos from their personal computer by simply plugging the device into a USB port. It immediately searches the computer for all digital images and copies them over to the device without having to install or configure any software. Photo Edition contains a 2.5” hard drive that will hold up to 40,000 photos and is available in two colors, Black model# CGA02540 and White CGA02541. In addition to backing up photos, the device has several other convenient features, including the ability to home print and burn a CD from the device. It can also create wallpaper from your photos with a touch of a button.

We also had on Display 2 great books from Peachpit Press (www.peachpit.com)

                              The Photoshop Elements 5 Restoration and Retouching Book $34.99
                              Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0 Classroom in a Book Collection $54.00