Digital Photography – Sending and Receiving Photos Through Email.

The Mission Statement on my website states, “My objective is to help grandparents (or parents) who get emails from their grandchildren (or children) and don't know what to do with these files!”  Emails are the focus of this month’s column.

Firstly, you must understand that there are two types of email programs: Computer Based programs like Outlook and Outlook Express (which come included with Windows), and Web-Based Programs like AOL. Netzero, Hotmail, MSN, etc.  Let me explain the difference.

In a Computer Based program, the information is received DIRECTLY to your computer and is physically ON YOUR COMPUTER!  When you receive email through Outlook or Outlook Express (i.e. Optimum Online) the files come to your computer.  Therefore, if you receive photos as “attachments” they are ON YOUR COMPUTER! You own them; you have possession of them and you can do what you want with them!  This is ONLY if you use Outlook, Outlook Express or some other dedicated email program.  If you go to Optimum Online and use Web Mail, then read below!

In a Web-Based program, the email is received by your account on the “server” of the company (AOL, NetZero, etc.) and you can READ the emails, but to take possession of the photos (and other attachments) you have to “right-click” on the attachments and a menu will appear – one of the choices will be “Save As” or something like that and you have to tell the computer WHERE to place the photo files on your computer.  Then, AFTER you are sure you have possession of the files, you should DELETE them from your account on the “server” so they are no longer available to other people who can “hack in” (get access) to your information.  You do not want your photos or personal information getting into the hands of some unscrupulous stranger!

Once you physically have the photo files on your computer, you can Print them or create other projects with these files.

If you take photos and want to “Share” them with others, there are many ways to send them to others.  The easiest way is to use the photo-editing program which often has a SHARE button or mode and follow the instructions.  In most cases, the size of your photo file will have to be “reduced” (made smaller in size) so that it can travel through the extensive information pipeline we call the Internet.  The Internet is like a pipeline with both “ends” (your portion and the person your sending to) being the most important.  If you have a dial-up connection, then your “opening” to the pipeline in very small, as is the person on the other end.  If you both have “dial-up” connections, then you must reduce the size of the photo file so it will not “clog” up the pipeline.  Even if you have DSL or a Cable modem, you must reduce the size of the file if your recipient has a “dial-up” connection because his “opening” is small.  If you have cable (or DSL) and your recipient has the same, then the reduction of the file size should still be done, but not as extensive as with “dial-up”.

If you use Picasa (which I previously recommended), you can control the size of your email files automatically by going to TOOLS, OPTIONS, EMAIL and moving the file size slide to 320 mega pixels (for “dial-up”) and 800 mega pixels (for DSL or Cable).  This will ensure smooth transfer of your photo files.  If you don’t have a photo editing program and still want to email photographs, just go to Windows Explorer, “right-click” of the photo file you want to send, go to SEND TO, MAIL RECIPIENT, and type in the email address of the person you want to send the photo to.  If you use Outlook or Outlook Express, you type your message and somewhere on the top line of choices there is a “paper-clip” icon which you click on and select the file you want to “attach”.  Then you click on SEND and the information is on its way!  If you use a Web-Based program you must follow the individual instructions since there are so many services and no universal system!

Next month we will explore other projects you can do with your photo files.

Stuart Gershon is known as “The Digital Doctor”.  He has given over two hundred classes at 45 different libraries in Nassau and Suffolk.  You can get more information and the schedule of his classes at:  www.DigitalDocOnline.com.