12 Things to do with your Digital Camera
August 2, 2010 by Eastmon Admin
Filed under Featured Tips, Featured Using Your Photos
As digital cameras get smaller and travel with us everywhere there are a myriad of different uses and photographs we can take to make life easier for us. These are just some of the tips we have used our cameras for.
1. ‘Return this camera or memory card to…’
Small digital cameras are easily lost or fall out of pockets and handbags. Often the loss of a camera can be overcome as long as you don’t lose your precious pictures. While the amateur detective may take great joy in trying to identify the people and landmarks so they can return the camera, often the camera and images are lost forever. This little trick offers you a greater chance of at least getting your images back, even if the camera does not come with it.
Many cameras allow you to lock a photo on the memory card usually when reviewing your images and opening your menu . Take a photo of your name and phone number on a piece of paper. I recommend locking this photo so that it is always your #1 photo to appear and regardless of whether you delete all photos this one doesn’t get cleared like the rest of the images because you have cleverly locked it.
2.Maps
Unless you carry around a portable GPS or one of the new iPhone style phones you can get a very good substitute with your camera. Modern high megapixel digital cameras pack a lot of information and detail in a single photo. Most cameras allow you to zoom up on your image for greater detail.
Often new airports, underground railway systems can be very confusing, so grab a quick shot of their floor plan in case you have to find gate K23 in a hurry.
You may also like to try snapping a shot of Google maps of your address, particularly if your traveling so you can show people where you live. This may also be useful when trying to explain where Australia is on the planet.
3. Parking Lot
Have you ever been completely disorientated when returning to the car park. It becomes particularly unnerving when you are in a strange city and as you wander aimlessly looking for your car, others are convinced you’re either a stalker or car thief.
If you have ever lost your car and landmarks like B12 and L51 don’t stick in your memory, take a photo of the parking lot signs near your car, you may be able to include your car in the photo. You could even possibly shoot a wider angle shot with identifiable landmarks to help orientate you.
4. Mechanisms you are repairing
This is a great tool and insurance policy when you are about to pull apart the Lawnmower throttle linkage, Clothes dryer with the lost socks, or replace the headlight in your car. Take a photo of what it used to look like, just in case you need it.Often if you get interrupted for a few days before completing the task a quick visual refresh will let you see what it was like when it was only a little bit broken.
I used this method once when repairing a part on a car I was unfamiliar with and was very grateful to look at the images as I reassembled it.
5. Number Plates
If you have ever been tailgated and have another person in the car shooting off a snap of the vehicles number plate allows you to report it later.
What about the carpark when you are sure your car will not escape unscathed because of close parking, baby capsules or bull bars. For your peace of mind and the possibility of door dings grab a shot of your new neighbours. 
6. Yellow Pages
Need to take a little bit of info on the road? Rather than destroying your directory and tearing out a page snap a photo of the landscape and nursery supplies or the home brewing shops, not the pubs… you must drive home!
7. Evidence for your defence
Have you ever pulled up in the only carpark only to find the parking meter broken. Occasionally you will end up in situations which may require you to explain your action or presence and a carefully captured photo may come to your defense.
Some other situations may be;
- Ticket machine broken
- Taxi driver taking you on circuitous route
- Impediments left on paths and access routes
- Damage by tradesmen
Certain cameras with date stamping ability help your defense even further. Still, might be best to consult your lawyer first before relying too heavily on your photograph.
7. The old Chinese menu
You know you bought one home and now you can’t find it. You could just ring up and order number 7, 28 and 63 but you have forgotten the phone number as well.
This is a great idea for all those written menus you can never find or even the boutique blackboard pizza shops and other takeaway menus.
8. Recipes
If you have got to take a special trip to the markets or deli for ingredients for a recipe, don’t write down the recipe. A quick snapshot and you can refer to it any time if the odd or different ingredient slips from your mind.
9. Rental Dings
Part of your process before you hop in any rental is to check it for dings. if you are worried about getting charged for something you didn’t do then you should do a thorough examination of the car and take photos of any damage. If you are concerned you should go back and show the rental clerk before driving off.
This is also good practice if renting a holiday apartment or unit and you find mould growing in the bathroom or marks on walls.
10. A Mirror?
Yes a mirror! No need to worry about the parsley between your teeth or leftover soup in your moustache, take a picture.
What about those new sunglasses, hat or outfit, remember the camera doesn’t lie, well maybe it doesn’t know you well enough.
So if you want to check your lippy or perform a mole check, the camera makes a convenient mirror.
11. What plant is that?
Do all leaves look the same to you when you go to the nursery or latin wasn’t your strong point at school, then a quick snap of your favourite plant will help at the nursery. You can almost here the nurserymen say ‘Oh that’s a Latinigula Guessagain leaving you none the wiser but with the correct plant.
You may want to take a picture of the landscape or garden bed you will be planting it in to see it it is suitable for that position.
12. What part is that?
You know your not a mechanic that knows every make and model of car, so before you go into get that part grab a quick shot of the model plate and the part if it’s too big or awkward to carry. That way when you are asked is it the TF G series or the L you can show them you camera and let them work it out.
The same rule can be applied when reordering a paint mix from the code placed on the tin or other bits and pieces you may not be familiar with.
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