Digital Cameras Are An Essential Business Tool

Why are cameras a critical tool? Because they provide visual proof of what is taking place.

The major “negative” uses are documenting problems with employees not doing their jobs properly, malfunctioning equipment or other areas that need work. Taking pictures lets firms visually say, “This is what is wrong. Here is what we (or someone else) needs to do to fix it.”

Photos also make excellent teaching tools. For example, a retailer can take a picture of a display then ask trainees, “What is wrong here?”

Photography, though, is a critical tool in promoting positive points. Take photos of new employees, new products and new locations and post them on the web. Even better, take photos of these new people and products interacting with your customers.

Digital point-and-shoot cameras are plentiful, inexpensive and extremely simple to use. As their name implies, you point the camera and push a button. The camera calculates the exposure and focuses for you, recording the image on a memory card (SD cards are the most common, but not the only card type being used).

Single lens reflex cameras are far bulkier and much more expensive than the “idiot proof” compact models. They are also far more flexible and much more accurate in terms of giving you exactly what you want.

Take a quick look at a few of the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Compact Cameras

Pros	Cons
Designed for novice and infrequent photographers	Simplicity limits functionality for some people
Fully automatic exposures	Limited if any exposure controls
Automatic focus	Generally focus only on objects in the center, eliminating the ability to selectively focus and obscure distracting objects
Designed for general purpose photography	Inadequate for specific subjects, such as extreme close-ups (i.e., macro photography)
Lenses cover ranges acceptable for most uses	They lack extreme wide angle (needed in close quarters) and telephoto (useful for distant objects) capabilities
Tend to use the common JPG format, which is easily viewed on most computers and mobile devices	Being a compressed format, JPG does not allow precise adjustments of other recording methods, such as the RAW or digital negative formats

Single Lens Reflex Cameras

Pros	Cons
Designed for advanced amateur and professional shooters	It takes years to develop the skills and knowledge when to go beyond the basics
Allows complete exposure control	Experience teaches when to use which mode, such as shutter priority or manual
Permits manual focusing	Manual focusing is tricky when shooting moving objects
Bigger selection of available lenses	Each lens has its own positive and negative attributes. Experience is required to know when to use one lens versus another
Tend to give multiple format options	RAW images require more time to adjust, requiring far more time on computers than basic JPGs.

Which Camera is Best for My Business?

Use a point-and-shoot camera for everyday occurrences and functions, like head shots for employee badges. Use a digital SLR (single lens reflex) for serious photography, especially outdoors or indoors under tricky lighting.

A good tip is this: hiring a pro for special events will save you time and money. You will not have to train someone how to use expensive equipment, nor buy it. Pros already have the gear, know how to use it and most importantly, can give you what you want.

Before buying any camera, though, make a list of what you want it to do and the conditions where you expect to use it. Also determine who will be using it and their photography background. Match the gear to your needs and your people or your time—and a lot of money—will be for nothing.