Mobile Camera Phone, Photo Upload & Print Guide

The best part about a camera phone is that you are usually carrying it, so you are always ready when an unexpected photo opportunity occurs. New phones are equipped with high-mega pixel cameras, capable of taking print-quality images. They also come with different features that enable easy transfer of pictures to memory cards, printers, and computers. This guide will show you how to move your pictures from your phone to create lasting memories. Today, it is so convenient to capture memories with digital cameras and camera phones. The problem is most of us leave them in digital format not taking the time to develop these images into prints. What good is a picture if you cannot show it off in a frame, photo album, or wallet? Whether you capture your pictures with a digital camera, video camera, or camera phone, it is quite easy to turn those digital files into prints that will last a lifetime.  

Features to look for in a mobile camera phone

¥  At least 1 mega pixel

¥  Auto focus, zoom, flash

¥  Bluetooth

¥  PictBridge

¥  Memory card

¥  GPRS / WAP / 3G connectivity

¥  Mobile browsing ability  

Some higher-end camera phones have features such as optical zoom, auto focus, and built-in flash that are common on digital cameras. Each will help to enhance your print quality. Auto focus provides better photo quality than fixed-focus, since auto focus lenses can be larger and allow more light to reach the sensor. It is possible to produce decent quality prints using a fixed-focus lens. The reality is that the majority of phones available today do not offer the more advanced camera features. If you have the option, select one that does. Higher mega pixel lenses are better for producing photos that are more detailed. Make sure your camera has at least a 1-mega pixel lens if you want to output a quality 4x6 photo. VGA (640x480) quality will not be good enough for photo quality prints, however it may produce an acceptable picture, especially if it is the only one you have captured of an important memory.

Tips

¥  Many camera phones come pre-set to 640x480 VGA resolutions, so before taking pictures, check the resolution, and set it at a higher resolution if your phone is capable.

¥  Clean your lens regularly. Unlike digital cameras, most camera phones do not offer a lens cap. Therefore, the lens is exposed at all times. ¥  Use your camera phone in well-lit locations to increase the quality of your pictures.  

Bluetooth

A camera phone with Bluetooth technology enables you to transfer images wirelessly to a Bluetooth capable device. Not all Bluetooth capable phones support printing so it is important to look for a phone that has a “Print” or “Send” feature. In addition, be sure to ask your wireless carrier if they support printing via Bluetooth wireless technology. Look for the Bluetooth logo on the printer or kiosk to determine whether the device is Bluetooth compatible.

PictBridge

PictBridge is a standard way for digital cameras to print photos by directly connecting to a printer using a USB cable. Some camera phones are sold with a USB cable. Look for a PictBridge logo on the printer to determine whether the printer is PictBridge compatible. 

Memory Card

Make sure that your phone supports memory cards. Standard memory on a typical mobile phone does not have a large memory capacity to store many print-resolution images. A camera phone that enables removable memory cards will allow for quick printing to a retail photo kiosk or photo printer with a built-in memory card reader.

Using a memory card

If you have taken pictures that have been saved to your phone, it is easy to move them onto the memory card and free up memory for future photo opportunities. Depending on your phone model, there may be more (or less) steps to move your media. Memory cards allow you to store and easily move your pictures to a retail photo kiosk, computer, or printer. Make sure you change the settings on your camera phone to save images automatically onto the memory card. Most phones typically default to save images onto the device itself. Limited memory on your phone will require you, eventually, to remove or delete images before you can take and save additional pictures.

Moving pictures to a memory card

Access your phone’s album to view the pictures you have taken with your phone. Most phones today have a removable memory card, which is the most common and inexpensive way to safely transfer your digital pictures. Select each of the pictures you wish to move to your media card. It is a good idea to adjust the settings on the phone to save your images automatically onto the memory card. This will help to prevent unintended deletion of images. After your pictures are selected, choose the “Move” option in the menu to move them to the memory card. If your retailer does not offer a print kiosk, or you are interested in printing gift items using your images you can drop off your memory card just as you would film, for pick up later. You can also take advantage of your retailer’s online store by uploading the pictures you have transferred to your computer to their website for pickup or home delivery.

Transferring pictures from your memory card

Once your pictures have been successfully transferred to the memory card you can remove the card from the phone and use it with any memory card reader through a USB connection and port. If your phone’s memory card is small, use the micro-SD adaptor to fit the port. With some camera phones, you can even order prints directly from the phone.

Safe storage for your mobile photos

You can upload photos from your mobile with ease, directly to safe storage online by visiting a reliable photo finisher like www.PhotoPrintsandGifts.mobi.  You can also email photos as attachments to images@photoprintsandgifts.com and your photos are made available online. Once photos are online you have a world of options in terms of sharing, view on TV or PC, prints, posters, cards, calendars, photo albums, specialty gifts and much more.

Think outside of the traditional print

Do not get stuck in the traditional print rut. Today, there are so many different ways to print and show off your pictures that it is almost a shame to print just a 4x6 snapshot. Retailers offer a variety of fun and unique ways to preserve your memories. Ask your retailer what print options they provide. Chances are your retailer will have unique gift merchandise that will show off your pictures in more ways than the traditional print. Camera phone and digital camera technology differs in each model and manufacturer. Please consult the retailer from which you received this brochure for expert advice and assistance. At PhotoPrintsandGifts.com, you can use creatives and get products including CD or DVD for view on TV or PC, prints, posters, cards, calendars, photo albums, specialty gifts and much more. Source, in parts, PMA 

In comparison to the traditional film or digital camera, which is brought out for special events, camera phones (mobile cams) capture the more fleeting and unexpected moments. Noteworthy moments from mundane daily life, beauty and adoration in the daily routine, are more often captured in your camera phone. Such cherished moments form a vital part of personal record keeping (capture, storage, and sharing). In different numbers, most of us have our own cherished moments collected into our phones and cameras.

What about photo storage, photo prints, or instant sharing? What are you doing with your photos today?  

Group of friends want to instantly share photographs taken over coffee with one of their gang who is in another city. A mother, who captured her baby’s first step, wants to send prints to eager grand parents. A teenager must show off a picture of his latest crush to his friends from school days. An upcoming interior designer wants to present her latest work to a prospective client. A professional photographer needs to exemplify his creativity with a photo show. We have all been in these situations and have felt constrained by the effort, time, and expenses involved in instant sharing of a captured moment.

What is the fun in capturing a moment if it cannot be shared instantly with near and dear ones? Why should sharing depend on mobile to PC data transfer or, a photo printer? Why should photos in a mobile depend on the feeble phone memory for archival?  

Visit www.PhotoPrintsandGifts.mobi and here is what you can do with your mobile photos today:

¥ Join Photo Prints and Gifts (PPG) for a new world of photo solutions on the mobile and, on the web

¥  Upload photos from your mobile phone or PC to the safety of PPG online storage

¥  Mobile to mobile photo sharing with your friends and family – now your cherished moments can be shared instantly  

Sounds interesting? Not until you have heard these:

¥  Mobile to mobile sharing does not involve premium SMS, picture SMS or MMS

¥  Share recipient gets a full sized 800 x 600 pixels resolution photo

¥  Joining PPG, upload, mobile to mobile instant photo share, unlimited storage – FREE

¥  All you really need is GPRS or WAP browsing enabled by your network operator  

You can also visit PPG on the web browser at www.PhotoPrintsandGifts.com for:

¥  Join, bulk upload of photos

¥  Unlimited online storage – access from anywhere at the convenience of your web / mobile browser

¥  Online photo albums neatly organized with tags

¥  Share photos – not as email attachments, but as a slideshow

¥  Enter PPG photo contest and win a digital camera, a mobile camera and also get free prints  

About PPG What are you doing with your photos today? This is the quest that the founding team of photo and imaging experienced professionals went to find out from the photo products (prints and gifts) markets in Asia -Pac.     The answers were numerous, some relatively clear, a lot “not so sure.” The consensus was that the photo products consumer (B2C, B2B2C or B2B) in most parts of Asia Pacific does not enjoy quality photo solutions with globally prevalent cost efficiencies. Providers of high quality, creative, easy to use and affordable photo storage, preservation and social expression solutions are a handful and this creates a supply side constrained scenario (which very rarely benefits the consumer). This eureka moment (more a period of study) lead to the birth of Photo Prints and Gifts (PPG). World-class, affordable photo products and services to the Asia-Pacific region becomes a reality with PPG. PPG is a photo, web, and mobile communications medium that makes photo expressions creative, enjoyable, and effective.

Coming soon from PPG: prints, posters, photo cards, personalized calendars, photo albums and books, business solutions, store my pics – photo archival solutions, and specialty photo gifts.