HP PhotoSmart C500 User manual

HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 30
Chapter3-TakingPhotos
ThischapterdescribestheprocessoftakingphotoswithyourHPPhotoSmart C500 DigitalCamera,includinghow
totakeStill,Burst,andTimelapsephotos,anddetaileddescriptionsofadjustingthecamerasettings.Ifyouwanta
quickoverview,seetheBasicsguidethatyoureceivedwithyourcamera.
Therearethree settingsyoucanusetotakephotos:Still,Burst,andTimelapse.
Tip: TheBurstsettingisidealfortakingactionphotos.UsetheTimelapsesettingforobservingasubjectovera
longerperiod of time.
Overview
Taking a Photo
TheHPPhotoSmartC500DigitalCamerahasa2-stepShutterbutton.WhenyoupresstheShutterbutton1/2way
down,thecameraadjuststhefocusandexposureofthephoto.Afterthesesettingsareadjusted,a greenlight
appearstothe leftof the viewfinder,indicatingthatyoucanpresstheShutterbuttonallthewaydowntotakethe
photo.Youmaywanttopracticetoget used to thetiming,beforetakingimportantphotos.
Still Usethissettingfortakingasinglecolororblackandwhitephoto.
Burst Usethissettingfortakingupto4 photosinrapidsuccession.
Timelapse Usethissettingfortakingseveralphotos,withasetamountoftime(1minuteto24
hours)betweenphotos.

Overview
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 31
To take a photo:
1. Removethelenscover.
2. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
Thecameraisautomaticallyready to takeaStillphoto.
3. Frameyour subject inthe viewfinder.
4. PressandholdtheShutterbutton1/2way downto allowthe
cameratoadjustthefocusandexposure.
5. Whenyousee the greenlighttotheleftof the viewfinder,press theShutterbuttonallthe way downtotakethe
photo.Waitforthe beeps,indicatingyourphotohasbeentaken,thenreleasetheShutterbutton.
Tip: When you are takinga photo,beespeciallycarefultokeep yourfingersawayfromthelens,flash,and
sensorsonthefrontofthe camera.Thefollowing illustrationsgiveyou examplesofhow toholdthecamera.
Cameramode dial On/offbutton
Shutter button

Overview
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 32
CheckingtheCameraStatus
UsethestatusLCD and the colorLCDto checkthestatusofthecamera.Basiccamerainformationsuchasbattery
level,numberofphotosremaining,photoquality,flashstatus,andmemorycardstatusdisplayonthestatusLCD.
ThecolorLCD showsinformationsuchasthe numberofphotosstoredonthememorycard,thecurrent
compression level,resolutionsetting,andbatterystatus.
UsingtheStatus LCD
Use the status LCD on the top of the cameratocheck the status of the memory card,the battery level, and the
numberofphotosavailableonthememorycard.ThestatusLCDalsodisplaystheflashandphotoqualitysettings,
andanycameraerrormessages.
To view the camera status on the status LCD:
•Presstheon/off buttontoturnthecameraon.
Individualiconsarediscussedthroughoutthisguideoryoucanseea listofalltheicons in AppendixB“Icons”
on page 129.
Photoquality
Battery level Photos
remaining
Memory
card status
Flash

Overview
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 33
UsingtheColorLCD
UsethecolorLCD on thebackofthecameratocheckcurrentcamerasettingsandstatus,includingthenumberof
photos stored on the memory card, and the compression and resolution settings.
To view the camera status on the color LCD:
1. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto
Rec.
2. Press the color LCD on/off buttontoturnthecolor
LCD on.
3. PresstheStatus button(rightsoftkey).
ThecolorLCD displaysthecurrentcamerasettings
andstatus.To changethecamerasettings,usethe
cameramenus.Seethefollowingsectionsofthis
chapterfordetails.Oneormoreiconsmayalso
appearonthe Statusscreen,depending on the
camera status.
ColorLCD
Color LCD
on/offbutton Softkeys

Overview
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 34
4. When youhave finished viewing the camera status,press theExitbutton(rightsoftkey).
Color LCD Status
Images taken Thenumberofphotosstoredonthe
memorycard.
Compression Thecurrentcompressionlevel.
Resolution Thecurrentresolutionsetting.
White Bal Thecurrentwhitebalancesetting.
Digita Thecamerafirmwareversionnumber.
Memory card inserted Battery status

TakingStill,BurstandTimelapsePhotos
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 35
Taking Still, Burst andTimelapse Photos
TakingStillPhotos
Usethe Still setting to take one photo each time you press the Shutterbutton.
To take a Still photo:
1. Removethelenscover.
2. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
ThestatusLCDdisplaystheapproximatenumberofphotos
available onthe memory card.Thecamera isnot readyuntil
this number appears.
3. Adjust your camera settingsas needed.See“Adjustingthe
Camera Settings” on page 42 for details.
4. Pressthecolor LCD on/off buttontoturnthecolorLCD on,thenpresstheleft softkeyuntilthe
Still icon appears on the lower overlay bar.
Tip: Toconservebatterypower,turnthecolorLCD offafteryouchoosethephototype.
5. Frameyoursubjectinthe viewfinder,thenpressandholdthe Shutterbutton1/2way downtoallowthecamera
to adjust the focusand exposure. If you see an orange light to the leftof theviewfinder, you mayneed to
change theflashsettingtoadjustforthelightingconditions.
Status LCD
Shutterbutton
On/offbuttonCameramode dial
Number of
photos available
Still icon

TakingStill,BurstandTimelapsePhotos
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 36
6. Whenyouseethegreenlighttothe leftof theviewfinder,presstheShutter buttonallthewaydowntotakethe
photo.Waitforthe beeps,indicatingthephotohasbeentaken,beforereleasingtheShutterbutton.
7. If Instant Review is on, your photo appears briefly on the color LCD. If you arehappy with the photo, press the
Save button (rightsoft key) to save it on the memory card. If not,presstheDeletebutton(centersoftkey)to
discard the photoandtry again.Ifyoudo not press eitherbutton,thecameraautomaticallysavesthephoto.
TakingBurstPhotos
UsetheBurstsettingtotake photosinrapidsuccessionwhileholdingtheShutter buttondown.Youcantakeupto
fourphotosatarateofoneto three frames per second.TheBurstsettingisrecommendedfortakingactionphotos.
ThedefaultBurstrateistwoframespersecond.IfyouwanttochangetheBurstrate,seebelow.Notethatyoucannot
usetheflashforBurstphotos;theflashbuttonisinactive.
Note: BurstphotostakelongertoprocessthanStillphotos becausethecameratakes up tothreeframesper
second rather than a single photo.
To take Burst photos:
1. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
ThestatusLCDdisplaystheapproximatenumberofphotos
available on the memory card. The camera is not ready until
this number appears.
2. Adjustyourcamerasettingsasneeded.See“Adjustingthe
Camera Settings” on page 42 for details.
3. Pressthecolor LCD on/off buttontoturnthecolorLCDon.
StatusLCD
Shutter button
On/off buttonCameramodedial
Number of
photosavailable

TakingStill,BurstandTimelapsePhotos
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 37
4. PresstheleftsoftkeyuntiltheBurst iconappearsontheloweroverlaybar.
Tip: Toconservebatterypower,turnthecolorLCD offafteryouchoosethephototype.
If thereisnot enough space on the memory card forthe numberofphotosspecified, the red
lighttotheleftoftheviewfinderflashesandtheupperoverlaybardisplays“Notenoughmemory.”Tosolvethis
problem, insert a new memory card, or try a lower photo quality setting.
5. Frameyoursubjectinthe viewfinder,thenpressandholdthe Shutterbutton1/2way downtoallowthecamera
to adjust the focusand exposure. If you see an orange light to the leftof theviewfinder, there may not be
enoughlightonyour subject.Youcanstilltakethephoto.
6. Whenyouseeagreenlighttotheleftoftheviewfinder,presstheShutterbuttonallthewaydownandholditfor
the amount of time you want to take photos, or until the camera beeps.
Tip: Ifyouaretakinganactionsequence,youcanmovethecameratofollowyoursubjectasyouholdthe
Shutterbuttondown.
7. IfInstantReviewison,yourfirstphotoappearsbrieflyonthe color LCD.If you are happywiththephoto, press
the Save button(rightsoftkey)tosavetheseriesofphotosonthememorycard.Ifnot,presstheDelete button
(centersoftkey)todiscardthephotosandtryagain.PressingDeletediscardstheentireseriesofphotos,notjust
thefirstphoto.Ifyoudonotpresseitherbutton,thecameraautomaticallysavesthephoto.
Bursticon

TakingStill,BurstandTimelapsePhotos
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 38
To change the Burst rate:
1. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
2. Press the Menubutton.
The color LCD displays the Media Settings menu.
3. Usethe4-wayarrowbuttontoscrolltoBurst.
4. PresstheEdit button (left soft key), and then scroll down to Burst Rate.
5. Usethe4-wayarrowbuttontochoosethedesiredsetting,from1to3
framespersecond.
6. PresstheExit button(rightsoftkey)twicetosaveyoursettingsand exitthemenus.
TakingTimelapsePhotos
UsetheTimelapsesettingto takeaseriesofphotosatpresettimeintervals.You can specifythenumberofphotos
youwantthecameratotake, as wellastheamountoftimebetweenphotos.Itisrecommendedthatyouattachthe
camera to a tripod, or place it on a firm surface at an appropriate distance and height from the subject, to keep the
camera steady.
It is recommended that you use an AC power adapter for long Timelapse photo sequences. See “Using an ACPower
Adapter(recommended)”on page 29formore information.
Tip: Bydefaultthecameratakes10 photoswith1 minuteintervalsbetweenphotos.Ifyouwanttochangethe
Timelapsesettings,seebelow.

TakingStill,BurstandTimelapsePhotos
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 39
To take Timelapse photos:
1. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
ThestatusLCDdisplaystheapproximatenumberofphotos
availableonthe memorycard. Thecamera isnot readyuntil
this number appears.
2. Adjustyourcamerasettingsasneeded.See“Adjustingthe
Camera Settings” on page 42 for details.
3. Press the color LCD on/off buttontoturnthecolorLCDon.
4. PresstheleftsoftkeyuntiltheTimelapseiconappearson theloweroverlaybar.
Tip: Toconservebatterypower,turnthecolorLCDoffafteryouchoosethephototype.
If thereisnot enough space on the memory card forthe numberofphotosspecified, the
redlighttotheleftoftheviewfinderflashesandtheupperoverlaybardisplays“Notenoughmemory.”Tosolve
thisproblem,insertanewmemorycard,trya lowerphotoqualitysettingordecreasethenumberof photos
specifiedin the Timelapse settings.
5. Frameyoursubjectinthe viewfinder,thenpressandholdthe Shutterbutton1/2way downtoallowthecamera
to adjust the focusand exposure. If you see an orange light to the leftof theviewfinder, there may not be
enoughlightonyour subject.Youcanstilltakethephoto.
StatusLCD
Shutter button
On/offbuttonCamera mode dial
Number of
photosavailable
Timelapse
icon

TakingStill,BurstandTimelapsePhotos
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 40
6. Whenyouseea green lightto theleftof the viewfinder,presstheShutter buttonallthewaydowntotakethe
firstphoto.Waitforthe beeps,indicatingthephotohasbeentaken,beforereleasingtheShutterbutton.
Thecameraautomaticallytakesthenumber of photosat thetimeintervalspecifiedintheTimelapsesettings.
Tip: Ifyouwanttostoptakingphotosbefore thecamerareachesthenumberofphotosspecifiedinthe
Timelapsesettings,presstheStop button(rightsoftkey).
7. If Instant Review is on and you are using an AC power adapter, your first photo appears on the color LCD; an
indicatoron theupperoverlaybarshowsthenumberofphotosthat havebeentaken andatimercountsdown
thetimeuntilthenextphotoistaken.
If Instant Review is on and you are using batteries, your first photo appears briefly on the color LCD. The color
LCD turnsitselfoffafter30seconds.
Oncetheseriesofphotoshasbeen takenandthefirstphotoappearson thecolorLCD, pressthe Save button
(rightsoftkey)to save theseriesofphotosonthe memorycard,orpress theDeletebutton(centersoftkey) to
discardthephotosandtry again.PressingDeletediscards the entire series of photos, not just the first one. If
youdonotpresseitherbutton,thecameraautomaticallysaves thephotos.
To change the Timelapse settings:
1. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
2. Press the Menubutton.
The color LCD displays the Media Settings menu.
3. Usethe4-wayarrowbuttontoscrolldownto Timelapse.
4. PresstheEdit button (leftsoft key).

TakingStill,BurstandTimelapsePhotos
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 41
5. Usethe4-wayarrowbuttontoselectasettingtochange.
6. Usethe4-wayarrowbuttontoselectthedesiredsetting.
7. PresstheExit button(rightsoftkey) twicetosaveyoursettingsandexitthemenus.
Setting Description Default
Interval Thisistheamountoftimeyouwantthecameratowaitbefore
takingthenextphoto.Selectfrom1minuteto24hours. 1min
# Images Thisisthenumberofphotosyouwantthecameratotake.
Selectfrom2 to 1000photos. 10

AdjustingtheCameraSettings
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 42
Adjusting the Camera Settings
Taking Black and White Photos
You cantake eithercolororblackandwhite photos usingtheStill, Burst, or Timelapse settings. The defaultiscolor.
This setting remains until you change it, even if you turn the camera off.
To change to color or black and white photos:
1. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
2. Press the Menubutton.
3. Selectthephototype.
4. PresstheEdit button(leftsoft key),thenscrolldown toColor.
5. Usethe4-wayarrowbuttontochooseB&W(blackandwhite)orFull
color.
6. PresstheExit button(rightsoft key)twicetosavethesettingsandexitthemenus.

AdjustingtheCameraSettings
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 43
Changing theFlash Setting
To change the flash setting:
1. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
2. Press theFlashbuttonrepeatedlyuntilthe flashsettingyouwant
displaysonthe status LCD. Theflash setting is effective for Still
and Timelapse photos, and remains until you change it, even if
you turn the camera off.
Note: YoucannotusetheflashforBurstphotos;theflashbuttonisinactive.
Theflashsettingsare indicatedbyiconsonthestatusLCD:
Note: Theflashneedstorechargebetweenphotos.When the redlightnexttotheviewfinderisoff,youcan
take another flash photo.
Auto The cameradeterminestheneedfora flashbasedonlighting
conditions.Thisisthe defaultsetting.
On Theflash will beused,regardlessofthelightingconditions.
Off The flash will not be used, regardless of the lighting conditions.
Autowithred-eye
reduction The flashwillbeusedifneeded.Red-eyereductionminimizesthe occurrence of red-eye in photos of people or animals by flashing
twice.
Flash button

AdjustingtheCameraSettings
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 44
Youcanalsochangetheflashsettings usingthecameramenus.
To select a flash setting using the camera menus:
1. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
2. Press the Menubutton.
3. Usethe4-wayarrowbuttonto scrolltothePreferencesmenu, thenscroll
downtoCapture.
4. PresstheEdit button (leftsoft key).
5. Scroll to Flash.
6. Usethe4-wayarrowbuttonto selectaflashsetting.Seethetableaboveforinformationabouteachoftheflash
settings.
Note: YoucannotusetheflashforBurstphotos.Ifyouchooseaflashsettingfromthemenubutyouare
takingBurstphotos,thesettingwillnotbe effectiveuntilyoutake your nextStillorTimelapsephoto.
7. PresstheExit button(rightsoftkey)twicetosavethesettingsandexitthemenus.
Tip: To conserve battery power, turn the color LCD off after you choose the setting.

AdjustingtheCameraSettings
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 45
Adjusting the PhotoQuality
Thephotoqualitysettingdeterminesthephoto’sresolutionandcompression.Becauseofthis,italsoaffectshow
manyphotoscanbestoredonthememorycard.Thephotoqualitysettingremainsthesameforeachphotoofthe
sametype(Still,Burst,andTimelapse)until youchangeit,evenifyouturnthecameraoffandonagain.
Whenselectingthephotoquality,keep inmind:
•Howyouplantousethe photo(on screen,printed,enlarged,etc.).
•Higherphotoqualityrequiresmore spaceonthememorycard;lowerphotoqualityrequireslessspace.
•Becausephotoqualityaffectsthenumberofphotosthatcanbestoredonthememorycard,thenumberof
availablephotos(displayedonthestatusLCD)changesasyouchangethephotoquality.Thenumberofphotos
isaconservativeestimate,so youmightfindthatyoucantakemorephotosthan it indicates.
•Youcanuse differentphoto qualitysettingsfordifferentphotosonthesamememory card.
•YoucanchoosedifferentphotoqualitysettingsforStill,Burstand Timelapsephotos.
•Thecameraprocesses photoswithFineorSuper-finediamondphotoqualityfasterthanthosewithlowerphoto
quality.Ifyou wantto takeseveralphotos,oneaftertheother,in ashortperiodoftime,usetheFineorSuper-
finephotoqualitysetting.

AdjustingtheCameraSettings
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 46
To adjust the photo quality:
1. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
2. Press the Photo Quality buttonrepeatedlyuntilthedesiredphotoqualitysettingdisplaysonthestatusLCD.
Photo quality icon Photo quality button

AdjustingtheCameraSettings
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 47
Eachofthephotoqualitysettingscorrespondstoa combinationofresolutionandcompressionsettings.The
diamondicons on thestatusLCDindicatephotoquality as follows:
Photo quality Description Resolution Compression
E-mail Is the most memory-efficient. Use this
settingforphotosthatyouplantosend
viae-mail,placeontheInternet,usefor
screen savers or wallpaper, or print up to
3x5 inch prints.
Low
(640x480pixels) High
Basic Producesqualityphotosandusesless
memorythanFinemode.Usethissetting
forphotosthatyouplantostoreon your
diskorina database,orprintupto4x6
inch prints.
Medium
(1152x864 pixels) Medium
Fine Produceshigh-qualityphotosand
requires lessmemory than Super-fine
mode.Usethissettingfor photosthat
you plan to print up to 5x7 inch prints.
Thisisthedefaultsetting.
High
(1600x1200pixels) Medium
Super-fine Producesthehighest-qualityphotosand
uses the most memory. Use thissetting
fortakingphotosyou plantoenlarge
and print.
High
(1600x1200pixels) Low

AdjustingtheCameraSettings
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 48
Youcanalsoadjustthephotoqualitybyadjustingtheindividualresolutionandcompressionsettingsforeachofthe
threetypes ofphotos:Still,BurstandTimelapse.
To adjust the photo quality using the menus:
1. Turnthecameraonandturnthecameramodedialto Rec.
2. Press the Menubutton.
3. Selectthephototype.
4. PresstheEdit button (leftsoft key).
5. Usethe4-wayarrowbuttontoselectaresolutionorcompression
settingtochange.
Setting Description Default
Resolution This is the number of pixels in each photo. Morepixels results in
higherphotoquality.ChoosefromHigh,Medium,orLow.Selecta
higherresolutionforphotosthatyouwanttoenlarge.Selectalower
resolutionforphotosthat youwant to email(so thatthephotofile
size is small).
High
Compression This is the amount each photo is compressed. The compression level
isatrade-offbetweenphotoqualityandstoragespace:the lowerthe
compressionlevel,thehigherthephotoqualitybutthelargerthe
photo filesize.ChoosefromHigh,Medium,orLow.Selectalower
compressionlevelforbetterqualityphotos.Selectahigher
compression level to save space on the memory card.
Medium

AdjustingtheCameraSettings
HP PhotoSmart C500 Digital Camera User’s Guide 49
6. Usethe4-wayarrowbuttontoselectthedesiredsetting.
Asyoudecidewhichsettingstouse,rememberthatthereisa trade-offbetweenresolutionandcompression.
Higherresolutionphotosprovidebetterquality,but if youusehighresolutionandhighcompression,someof
the photo’s detail will be lost.
Somecombinationsofsettingscorrespond to the camera’sstandardsettingsindicatedbythephotoquality
diamondsonthestatusLCD.Ifyouchoosetousecombinationsofsettings that do notcorrespondtothe
camera’sstandardphotoqualitysettings,youwillseenophotoqualitydiamondsonthestatusLCD. Thisjust
meansthatyouareusingacustomphotoqualitysetting.
Tip: If you aren’t sure which settings to select, press theDefaultbutton(leftsoftkey).
7. PresstheExit button(rightsoftkey) twicetosaveyoursettingsandexitthemenus.