Seniors: Is There a Digital Camera in Your Future?

Do you remember the days when you used to buy rolls and rolls of film to make sure you had enough to get you through your two week European vacation? Good news: now, with the advent of digital photography, all you have to do is remember your USB cable so you can download your shots to your laptop. Even if you’re not convinced of your photographic abilities, you’ll still have fun snapping pictures of your friends and family in a variety of scenic destinations.

This is a great hobby for seniors - particularly those who have budget constraints. Virtually your only expenditure is for the camera, which can be purchased for as little as $69.95 - or less, if you buy one used. The best part of this is that you can click away without worrying about "wasting" a shot. If after previewing your photo you decide you don’t like it, just erase what you’ve got and start over!

A word of caution, though - because the shutter speed in an inexpensive digital camera is slower, seniors may have difficulty holding it steady. One solution to this problem is to purchase a flexible tripod, which connects to the camera on one end and can be attached to a stable object such as a pole or signpost. Your images will be flawless!

If you’re shooting pictures as a hobby, at some point you’ll want to consider getting a larger memory card so that you can take picture after picture without worrying about the quality of the shot. In a set of 20 or so, there are bound to be at least a few that are good ones. Another benefit of digital photography is that they can be used to make personalized gifts such as mugs, t-shirts, mouse pads, puzzles, key chains, and the like for your children or grandchildren.