Inuvik (Dec 06/04) - Who doesn't like saying, "say cheese"?

Capturing those silly smiles and fun times with one's camera ensures a lifetime of memories to share with friends and family.

Danae Tilley of Inuvik checks out her photos on her digital camera. - Dorothy Westerman/NNSL photo

But where once the standard four-by-six prints were carefully placed into albums or mailed to those far away, the digital era now has changed the way the modern world views the handiwork of the shutterbug.

Danae Tilley, an instructor at Aurora College in Inuvik, explains there are many reasons for the popularity of digital cameras in the North -- but a need to keep up with the Jones remains the biggest influence.

"The vast majority of people have bought a digital camera because everyone else has one," Tilley said.

"It's like people purchasing computers. They get influenced by what they see."

Careful consideration

But Tilley said smart shoppers will take a step back from the enticing displays and consider what type of camera best suits their needs.

"Often it's a matter of buying the camera, then teaching them how to use it," she said.

For those used to the instamatic cameras complete with 110mm film, Tilley said inexpensive disposable units can be purchased at a department store for about $30 -- and they don't really need to go digital.

On the other end of the scale and thousands of dollars later, high quality digital cameras with interchangeable lenses are a must-have for those wanting professional results, she said.

For the average photographer, however, Tilley recommends purchasing a camera with at least two megapixels, usually worth several hundred dollars.

"Between two and four megapixels, you get better quality photographs."

But after making that careful selection, Tilley said not to rest too comfortably with it.

"What you buy today, will be gone tomorrow," she said. "We're still in the developmental stages of digital technology. We're faced with lifelong learning."

Technology is constantly improving -- whether you're talking about a basic camera, the lens or even the memory card. At the same time, however, Tilley doesn't think film will ever be completely obsolete.

"Good photography is not going to change. Digital is just allowing people to get an idea of what the photo looks like afterwards," she said.

"People can use a digital camera to expand their artistic work."

Malcolm Gorrill, also an instructor at Aurora College, is a good example of that.

Although he still holds onto his Pentax film camera, he is beginning to see the advantages of instant digital photos.

"It's really handy and good for our purposes," he said of the college's needs.

"I can't think of any drawbacks to using one and it's less expensive than film."