How to Use an HP Photosmart Digital Camera

Taking pictures hasn't always been as easy as "pointing and clicking." With the advent of digital cameras, it is now possible to take pictures that are crisp and clear. These cameras have also made it as simple as clicking a button to determine which photos you keep and which photos you delete. The HP Photosmart digital camera makes taking pictures in almost any environment very easy. For added space, it is wise to purchase a memory card which will increase your camera's storage space.

Instructions

1. Just point and shoot as you would with one of the archaic cameras we all have stashed away in a box somewhere. The HP Photosmart camera offers a self-focusing capability, so there is no need to worry about the photo being out of focus. Depending on the distance from your subject, the HP camera will self-adjust for depth, focus and clarity.

2. Change the shooting modes to take photos in different situations. Press the "Menu/OK" button to display the main directory, where shooting mode will be the first option. Make sure this option is highlighted and press the "Menu/OK" button again. You will have several shooting modes to choose from; select the mode you wish to use by highlighting it, and press the "Menu/OK" button again. An icon depicting the selected shooting mode will appear in the bottom left side of your screen.

3. Use the "Theatre," "Night Portrait" or "Sunset" shooting modes to shoot pictures when there's little or dimmed lighting. You will have to stabilize the camera to reduce blurriness by placing the camera on a stationary object or a tripod. If you do not stabilize the camera your pictures may come out blurred. This is due to movement of your hands when you take the pic, and the shutter speed of the camera.

4. Know what flash setting you have selected. Press the button on the far right side of the screen with the zig-zag arrow, which is located directly above the "Trash" button. You will be given four options: auto-flash, red-eye, flash on and flash off. With each option, the camera offers a brief explanation of what the flash will do when each option is selected. Depending on the shooting mode, you will have to adjust the flash mode to work in conjunction with the shooting mode.

5. Use the playback menu to review all pics taken. To playback pictures, simply slide the button located on the top right side of the screen all the way to the right so that it is over the box with the arrow in it. Pictures stored to the camera or memory card will be displayed. Arrow through the pics using the arrow buttons surrounding the "Menu/OK" button. You can look at several images at once in playback mode by using the "Multiple pic/Magnifier" buttons located above the "Menu/OK" button. If you press the button to the right with the magnifying glass underneath, you can zoom in on the pic (this is also used to zoom in on a subject while shooting pictures). If you press the left side of the button, you will see multiple images displayed at one time.

6. Reduce red eyes in a pic by pressing the "Menu/OK" button while you are in playback mode. You will be given a list of options to choose from. The first option is "Remove red eyes." Press "Menu/OK" and the camera will do just as it says--remove the red eyes from the picture. Simply press either the right or left arrows to continue playing back pictures.

7. Simply press the button with the trashcan beside it (located on the right side of the screen, second button down) to delete any images you don't like. The HP camera offers you three options after pressing the trash button: "This Image," "All Images on Card" and "Format Card." Highlight "This Image" and that's it. The pic will fade before your eyes.

Tips & Warnings

• Read the material that comes with your camera to familiarize yourself with its different functions. It can be a pain when the manual is as thick as an epic novel, but the instructions with these cameras aren't that bad.

• If you are going out for a long period of time and expect to be using your camera a lot during that time, make sure your battery is fully charged.

• The first time you charge your battery, let it charge completely before putting it in the camera.

• Allow the battery to die completely the first couple of times before you charge it. This helps to build the battery life.