Tutorial 2: Digital camera use and applications

In this class we got to play around with digital camera's: something I am very familiar with and enjoy.

“A new technology is rarely superior to an old one in every feature”.
Digital camera (new) vs. Film camera (old).
Positives for digital cameras:wider distribution of images, the manipulation of images, storage of images, the cost is now lower, digital can save time, cameras can be easier to use than film.
Negatives for digital cameras:the wider distribution is harder to control (e.g. if the photo is hurtful to someone it is not as easy to control who sees it), it is now harder to tell if it is the original photograph (due to computer software and expertise).

There are various ways to store, transfer and manipulate images especially with technology forever growing. Images can be stored on the computer, memory stick, on camera, CD, DVD, printing, uploading to websites, and now even the likes of gaming e.g. Wii.
Images can be transferred by email, uploading (e.g. Facebook), saving files.
Images can be manipulated using software like photo programmes (e.g. Photoshop), unexpected manipulation can occur through pixilation or resizing of the photo.

There could be many ethical issues involved with taking photo's. Do you have the subjects permission to manipulate their photo or print it or post it online? Does the person know what you will use the photo for? How do they know you will only use it for that purpose? The person taking the photo or manipulating the image has a responsibility to the person in the photo (in practice this may be the client).

How does this relate to occupational therapy practice?
Digital images can be taken for record of what a client has done, or could compare two performances (before and after shots). They could be used to show particular points such as home access e.g. stairs – how many, how steep, any rails etc, or the person in their wheelchair. They can be used to show others (colleagues, client, client’s family, funding providers etc) what has been done, what needs to be done, etc.

We have all opened a Flickr account (see badge on right hand side of blog), where we have uploaded photos taken in groups during the tutorial. I have also uploaded some of my own photo's of my 8 month old Staffie Starlit. This is a good way to store photos especially if you are travelling.