Never-before-seen photos from 100 years ago tell vivid story of gritty New York City 

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

PUBLISHED: 13:31 GMT, 24 April 2012 | UPDATED: 19:55 GMT, 24 April 2012

Almost a million images of New York and its municipal operations have been made public for the first time on the internet.

The city's Department of Records officially announced the debut of the photo database.

Culled from the Municipal Archives collection of more than 2.2 million images going back to the mid-1800s, the 870,000 photographs feature all manner of city oversight -- from stately ports and bridges to grisly gangland killings.

Always moving: Workers dig in Delancy Street on New York's Lower East Side in this photo dated July 29, 1908. The historical pictures released online for the first time show New York in the late 19th and early 20th centuries

A bridge too far? Painters hang from suspended wires on the Brooklyn Bridge October 7, 1914 -- 31 years after it first opened

Genesis of a icon: In this June 5, 1908 photo, the Manhattan Bridge is less than a shell, seen from Washington Street. It wouldn't be opened for another 18 months and wouldn't be completed for another four years

The main concourse of Grand Central Terminal, in New York, is seen from the Campbell apartment in this 1937 photo. The posh apartment, in one of America's grandest train stations, was the playground of financier John Campbell in the roaring 1920.

The project was four years in the making, part of the department's mission to make city records accessible to everyone, said assistant commissioner Kenneth Cobb.

'We all knew that we had fantastic photograph collections that no one would even guess that we had,' he said.

 

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Taken mostly by anonymous municipal workers, some of the images have appeared in publications but most were accessible only by visiting the archive offices in lower Manhattan over the past few years.

Researchers, history buffs, filmmakers, genealogists and preservationists in particular will find the digitized collection helpful. But anyone can search the images, share them through social media or purchase them as prints.

Dead men can tell tales: When the New York Times wrote about elevator operator Robert Green, left, and Jacob Jagendorf, a building engineer, right, it reported that their bodies found lying at the bottom of an elevator shaft November 24, 1915, told the story of the pair's failed robbery attempt

Notorious: This is the original April 18, 1936 booking photo for Charles 'Lucky' Luciano. Luciano is considered the father of organized crime in New York and was the first to divide the city sections controlled by five mob families

Murder most foul: A detective took this crime scene photo in 1918 after children found the body of Gaspare Candella stuffed in a drum and dumped in a field in Brooklyn, New York

The gallery includes images from the largest collection of criminal justice evidence in the English-speaking world, a repository that holds glass-plate photographs taken by the New York City Police Department.

It also features more than 800,000 color photographs taken with 35mm cameras of every city building in the mid-1980s to update the municipal records, and includes more than 1,300 rarely seen images taken by local photographers of the Depression-era Works Progress Administration.

Because of technological and financial constraints, the digitised gallery does not include the city's prized collection of 720,000 photographs of every city building from 1939 to 1941. But the database is still growing, and the department plans to add more images.

New Yorkers cool off in the Astoria public pool with the Hell Gate railroad bridge looming in the background in the summer of 1940.

The Great Bambino: In this September 30, 1936, Works Progress Administration, Federal Writerís Project, photo provided by the New York City Municipal Archives, a man hands a program to baseball legend Babe Ruth, center, as he is joined by his second wife Clare, center left, and singer Kate Smith, front left, in the grandstand during Game One of the 1936 World Series at the Polo Grounds in New York

Moment in history: The headline of the newspaper the man in this May 18, 1940 photo reads: 'Nazi Army Now 75 Miles From Paris.' This picture shows the corner of Sixth Avenue and 40th Street in Manhattan

The view from New Jersey: A man peers across the Hudson River into Manhattan from his perch on the George Washington Bridge on December 22, 1936

Among the known contributors to the collection was Eugene de Salignac, the official photographer for the Department of Bridges/Plant & Structures from 1906 to 1934. A Salignac photograph, taken on October 7, 1914, and now online, shows more than a half-dozen painters lounging on wires on the Brooklyn Bridge.

'A lot of other photographers who worked for the city were pretty talented but did not produce such a large body of work or a distinct body of work,' said Michael Lorenzini, curator of photography at the Municipal Archives and author of 'New York Rises' that showcases Salignac images.

One popular cache includes photos shot mostly by NYPD detectives, nearly each one a crime mystery just begging to be solved. A black-and-white, top-down image of two bodies in the elevator shaft is a representative example.

Although it did not carry a crime scene photo, the New York Tribune reported November 25, 1915, under the headline 'Finding of two bodies tells tale of theft,' that the bodies of a black elevator operator and a white engineer of a Manhattan building were found 'battered, as though from a long fall.'

The news report said the two men tried to rob a company on the fifth floor of expensive silks, but died in their attempt. The elevator was found with silk inside, stuck between the 10th and 11th floors.

The Third Avenue elevated train rumbles across lower Manhattan in this undated photo. City Hall can be seen in the background

Hard times: An unemployed man in an old coat lays on a pier in the New York City docks during the Great Depression, 1935

In 1936, the Triborough Bridge, which links Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx, was not yet complete. The Hells Gate Railroad Bridge looms in the distance

Busy streets: Men and women stroll a row of jewelry shops on the Lower East Side (right) and stand in line for bread during the Great Depression (left)

See how it's changed: In this circa 1890 photo, a pair of girls walk east along 42nd Street. Acker, Merrall and Condit wine shop delivery wagons are on the right and the C.C. Shayne Furrier sign can be seen on the roof overhead.

Building roads: Workers lay bricks to pave 28th Street in Manhattan on October 2, 1930

This circa 1983-1988 photo provided by the New York City Municipal Archives shows 172 Norfolk Street, which is now the Angel Orensanz Foundation, in New York. Over 800,000 color photographs were taken with 35-mm cameras for tax purposes. Every New York City building in the mid-1980s can be viewed in this collection.

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Digitagl Cameras

Digital Cameras (go to top) What is the ideal camera for today's artist? That question has many answers. It depends on what your priorities are and how much you have to spend. And the answer may change weekly with the advent of ever better models. The choice you make will always be a compromise. Not too many years ago the choice came down to a consumer grade point-and-shoot digital or a professional Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR). You knew an artist was serious about their work if they spent the big bucks for a large DSLR. It was a status symbol, too. Those days are long gone. Now you can find a wide range of serviceable cameras with a long list of features in every price range. Even if you are pretty serious about photography you will find that many of the cameras below compare well with DLSR in image quality. If you already know you must have a DLSR then this page is not for you. Shooting in public or 'street photography' is of interest to many artists. With a compact camera or even a mirrorless compact you may pass for a tourist. Pull out a DSLR and you will be quickly spotted as some kind of serious photographer. My Philosophy The biggest sensor, smallest camera, newest technology, all for the lowest price. A few obvious conflicts there. You can have the biggest sensor, but it won't be the smallest camera, and visa versa. You can go with the lowest price, but it won't be the newest technology, and visa versa. Compromises must be made. Decide what is most important to you. For me image quality was most important ruling out compact point-and-shoots. DSLRs are too big, so that left the mirrorless compacts. The prices range from $275 to $1200 and more. I was willing to pay extra for the latest technology, so I settled on the Sony NEX 5N. You may find something else suits you better. What you need to know to choose a camera Sensor size Body style Lenses Low-light capable Ease of use Video modes Continuous mode Pixels Formats   Not Technically Inclined? Short on cash? That's ok. If you have no interest in the technical aspects of photography, almost any new camera over $100 will serve the purposes of the artist ninety per cent of the time. It could be that your present point-and-shoot compact is adequate, especially if you learn to use all it's features, shoot in good light and use a tripod. So, relax and read your manual! Sensor Size At the heart of every digital camera is a light-sensitive silicon chip called a sensor. The sensor takes the place of film for recording images. This is a case where bigger is clearly better. Bigger means sharper image, less noise, better in low light. But a bigger sensor means a bigger camera body and a higher price. Below is a comparison of  common sensor sizes... Thanks to wikipedia.org Focal Length Multiplier (FLM) "Crop Factor" Multiplying your lens's focal length by the FLM or Crop Factor gives the equivalent focal length for a 35mm film camera or full frame digital camera. Very handy as a way to compare the many sensor-lens combinations. For example, my Canon G9 has a diagonal measurement of 1/1.7" or 9.5mm. The full frame sensor has a diagonal of 43.3mm. Dividing 43.3 by 9.5 equals 4.56. The G9's FLM is 4.56. The G9's zoom lens is labeled 7.4-44.4mm. Applying the FLM gives an equivalent 34-202mm. The G9 also has a 6X optical zoom. That comes from dividing the longer focal length by the shorter. 44.4/7.4 = 6. Sensor "Type" Oddly sensor sizes are expressed in inches and approximately 1.5 times the actual length of the sensor's diagonal. You might think a camera sensor advertised as 1/2.7" would measure 0.37" diagonally. In fact, it measures around 0.26! Sensors called 4/3 type, you guessed it, are not 1.33". Nope, they vary from 5/8" to 9/8". This is a holdover from the way camcorder sensors were measured. With sensors it's just a nominal size, like lumber. A 2x4 is really 1.5x 3.5". Small vs. Large Most point-and-shoot compacts have the smallest sensor shown above. A larger sensor becomes important in low light. In good light, meaning outdoors in open shade, for example, any sensor will produce a useable image for the artist. You will also notice a difference in large smooth areas like blue sky. The small sensors will make the sky mottled, not nice and smooth. Very upsetting to the photographer, not so much to the artist interested in reference material. Sigma's Foveon Sensor This is a special sensor unique to Sigma. "World's first full color image sensor: Foveon X3® Direct Image Sensor." It is rated at 14.5 mp, but takes pictures more like a 20-25 mp SLR. It has three sets of sensors one for each color. Image quality seems to be superior for Sigma's DP line of cameras. Even so I can not recommend them as do-everything cameras for the artist. Reviews say "slow and difficult to use". Video is only 320x240. The sensor is worth keeping an eye on for future improvements. Body Style Fixed lens cameras                            Interchangeable lens cameras Thanks to dpreview.com for this image. A great site for camera reviews! Click on the image. Ultra Compact - very small, auto, inexpensive, no viewfinder, LCD, flash, smallest sensor, Pocket - Yes! A good choice for the artist. Canon Powershot Elph 100 $135 Compact - small, auto, inexpensive, no viewfinder, LCD, flash, smallest sensor, Pocket - Yes! A good choice for the artist. Panasonic Lumix ZS15 $200 SLR-like (bridge) - bigger, full manual, smaller sensor, fixed lens, often mega-zoom, bridging compact to DSLR, optical or EVF (E = Electronic) viewfinder, LCD, Pocket - No. A good choice for the artist. Nikon Coolpix P510 42x zoom $400 Large Sensor Compact - bigger, auto or full manual, 4/3 sensor or APS-C, lens fixed or changeable, mirrorless, LCD, EVF maybe, Pocket - semi, w/pancake lens. Prices from $275 - $1200. Great pix that can equal DSLR but much smaller body/lens. Best choice for the artist. Sony NEX-5N $650  Compact System Cameras ~270 choices on amazon.com Rangefinder Style Mirrorless - Serious professional, expensive, no autofocus, niche camera, Viewfinder, LCD, Pocket - maybe. Overkill for the artist. Leica M8.2 body only $6300 SLR Style Mirrorless - Looks like old film SLR, 4/3 sensor, higher end, Viewfinder, LCD, Pocket - no. Upper limit of price for the artist. Olympus OM-D E-M5 $1100 DSLR, Compact, Mid, Large - Serious photographer, Overkill for the artist, great cameras, large, hard to lug around all day, Viewfinder, LCD, Pocket - no. Too large for the artist. More for photographers. Olympus E-5 body only $1600 Smart Phone iPhone iSight - Not really a camera...wait...yes it is! 8 mp, advanced optics, f/2.4, flash, zero shutter lag, fast, zoom, edit, HDR, HD Video 1080p, 30 fps, Pocket - Yes! Lower limit of quality for the artist. More for the point-and-shoot crowd. Actually a useable camera for the artist. I now have an old hand-me-down iPhone 3G with just 2mp. Here are a few example photos: 100% crop shows a lack of sharpness, but the areas of uniform color are not grainy thanks to the use of filters on the computer. For areas without texture, like blue sky, you will have graininess. I applied a filter in Paint Shop Pro called 'Edge preserving smooth...' which improved it a lot. Another filter called 'Clarify...' seems to help these small images, too. Only 2048 x 1536, yet plenty useable for reference and may print well enough at 8x10". Imagine what the latest 8mp phones can do! 100% crop from the new iPhone 4S, 8mp camera. I think this is as it came from the camera. Some graininess is apparent, sharper than my 2mp, plenty useable. Another 100% crop from the 4S, Apple website. The Smart phone camera is a pleasure to use, small, handy, simple, fast and fits in pocket or purse. Many people have one and everyone is used to seeing them, so you don't attract much attention with it. In a recent article in Time Magazine, A Camera Goes Anywhere, by Michael Christopher Brown, August 27, 2012... "Like many photo-journalists, I've been shooting with my iPhone for a while. Using a mobile phone allows me to be somewhat invisible as a professional photographer; people see me as just another person in the crowd. "...in Congo...the phone helped me shoot scenes unobtrusively. Taking photographs with a phone also raises my awareness as a photographer. Instead of concentrating on camera settings and a large piece of equipment, I am better able to focus on the situation before me. It becomes more about how I feel and what I see." Here's what one of the stock photo websites thinks... "Social media defines the trends in imagery right now. People want images that look and feel like those streaming past second-by-second online. We think the best way to deliver that is to encourage mobile photography submissions from our contributors...We want to take the cuffs off and bring mobile photography into the iStock collection in a big way. "Today’s mobile devices give you access to what we like to call the telephonic-trifecta of creativity. Take a photographer’s visual talents, add a device that is always handy and can capture a good (or great) quality image, then give it the power and applications to edit, apply filters, and create a model/property release right there on the spot. You have a perfect storm for stock production. Here’s why the time is right to take the cuffs off and bring mobile photography into the iStock collection in a big way: • The overriding appeal of these images isn’t so much about retro filters and the low-fi aesthetic (which can be duplicated) – it’s the real and authentic feeling the best ones have. Authenticity is central to the current media conversation. The omnipresence, familiarity and spontaneous nature of mobile devices make them uniquely suited to capturing images that feel real. • As more and more advertising takes place online there is an ever-growing market where absolute size and resolution has become secondary. Mobile devices are now more than capable of meeting these needs. • You’re already taking these images. Probably in vast numbers. We want to help you broadcast the best and get paid for them." A comparison the iPhone 3G, 2mp, tiny sensor vs. the Sony NEX-5N, 16mp, large sensor... iPhone 3G resized to 500p wide NEX-5N resized to 500p wide iPhone 3G 100% crop, 400p wide NEX-5N 100% crop, 400p wide The 5N is far shaper, but in bright sunlight the 3G does pretty well. The difference will really show in low light conditions. Photographing Artwork The setup: In bright sunlight, rays coming from the right at a very shallow angle to the painting; tripod to set the iPhone on. It doesn't have a mounting screw base like a camera. 3G from the camera resized to 500p wide, no adjustments. 3G from the camera 100% crop, no adjustments. Resized the original from the 3G, 1700p to 3500p on the long side, and applied the Clarify filter, here resized to 500p wide. 100% crop of the above 3500p wide image. Can't really see the weave of the canvas. Could this be used for your website, Facebook or entering shows online? Probably, though it is iffy for the latter. A print for personal use could be made up to maybe 8x10". Most likely Fine Art America would not print a poster from this. They would ask you to rephotograph and upload an image like the one below. Photo taken with 5N, resized to 500p wide. Looks very similar to the 3G photo above, but zooming in shows the difference... 100% crop of the above image, clarify filter. Super! Micro 4/3 (M43) System The Micro Four Thirds system (MFT) was created by Olympus and Panasonic in 2008. Many lenses available. Olympus PEN and Panasonic Lumix G. For more info. 4/3 System A standard created by Olympus and Kodak for DSLR cameras allowing for interchangeable lenses, entirely digital. For more info. Lenses Lens Terms to Know Fish Eye......Extreme wide angle Wide Angle......Focal length less than Normal Normal......50mm equiv. in 35mm film world            similar to normal vision Telephoto.....Focal length longer than Normal Macro......extreme closeup, zoom lens feature Optical Zoom......lens, range of focal lengths Digital Zoom...in-camera cropping Pancake......Thin, prime, light Prime......One focal length, sharp, fast. Fast.....f/1.8 or less, needed for low light. Depth of Field......Greater 'f' = greater depth in focus Bokeh.....pleasing out-of-focus areas On the right the area in focus is less than on the left. The Depth of Field is less with a lower F-stop. The background is more in focus on the left. This is often used by portrait photographers to blur the background. We are not completely free of the old 35mm film camera. Digital lens focal lengths are still converted to old camera equivalents. For example, a 20mm pancake lens for a new 4/3 camera is equated to a 40mm lens for an old 35mm film camera...a slight wide angle. The conversion factor is different for each sensor size The lens is as important as the sensor. The lenses above are offered by Canon. A complicated subject. The artist can avoid the issue by acquiring a fixed lens camera. Or if you choose a camera with interchangeable lens limit yourself to just a modest zoom lens and maybe a pancake or prime lens. Most such cameras come new with either a kit zoom or a pancake. A Pancake lens being thin, wide angle is good for travel, but not so good for portraits. A Zoom lens is more useful, but bulky with a higher f rating. A prime lens is a single focal length and the best for sharpness and low light. A good lens can cost more than the camera! Current micro 4/3 lenses. Olympus above and Panasonic below. Notice the shortest Panasonic lens. That is the Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 OIS collapsible power-zoom lens. It is amazingly small for a zoom lens. Very handy, no bigger than a pancake lens, but not real good for low light. Cost: under $400. Some problems according to reviews on amazon, but a great idea. One to consider... a decent, not great, general purpose travel lens. All M43 lenses will work on all M43 cameras (with the exception of the 3D Panasonic lens which only works on Panasonic M43 cameras), with no adapters of any kind needed at all. Low-light Capable You won't always have good natural lighting. Traveling light means you won't want to carry a remote flash unit or two on your reference gathering excursions. If your camera has a built-in flash you will find it is only effective for a few feet. A flash attracts attention and is not permitted in many places like museums and churches even if it would help. So, what does the artist do? Rely on... Fast Lens High ISO Big Sensor Tripod Bracing The artist relies on a "bright", "fast" lens with a low F-stop like f/2.0 or less; a high ISO to increase the light sensitivity of the sensor; and a large sensor to avoid graininess at high ISO settings. A zoom lens has the lowest F-stop at the shortest focal length or widest angle of view. In some cases long exposures may be practical. Use a tripod, monopod, brace yourself or set the camera on something to steady it. Here is an actual example from a recent concert. I knew a flash would be disruptive. Besides, even in the second row I was too far way for the tiny flash to make any difference. With the Canon G9 set like this... Max. Resolution - 4000 x 3000 Zoom - 18.9mm (7.4-44.4mm) F-stop - F/3.5 (F/2.8 - 4.8) Shutter - 1/60 ISO - 400 (80-1600) Sensor - 1/1.7" Elbows braced on arm rests Tension on neck strap As it came from the camera. The bow hand is a little blurred. Not a bad exposure. A little under exposed, but for digital that's better than over exposed. Zooming in I lost an F-stop. 100% crop, no adjustments. Now the graininess is clearly visible. A serious photographer might not be happy with this. I could have done better with a faster lens and a larger sensor. Even so this is a useable photo for the artist in less than ideal conditions. Should I upgrade to the G12? A quick look at the specs shows that there is only minor differences. Same sensor, 10 mp down from 12, 5x zoom down from 6x, 3200 ISO up from 1600, HDR mode... that would be good. A new G12 would cost $380 refurbished. G9s are on eBay Buy It Now for ~$225. This upgrade makes no sense. Ease of Use Is it small enough you hardly notice it? Do you find yourself leaving it home because it's too big and heavy? Can you slip it in a pocket, at least a large pocket? When the moment arrives can you start from "off" and get that first shot in a second or two? In full manual can you easily and quickly adjust F-stop, exposure and ISO? All cameras we will consider have an auto setting and a list of scene modes to make it easy, like a point-and-shoot. They also have a list of exposure modes and settings for the time when you want to have greater control of your pictures. Here is an example list from the Olympus PM1: Exposure Modes iAuto Program AE (with shift) Aperture priority AE... you set - aperture/camera sets - shutter Shutter priority AE... you set - shutter/camera sets - aperture Manual... you do both Other Settings White balance Megapixels Image size Art filter Scene select   Most prefer Aperture priority, some prefer Manual. Reading reviews on sites like dpreview.com and amazon.com will give you some idea of how easy the camera will be to operate. It depends on the layout of buttons, dials and menus. It's ok to shoot on auto...it's the fastest. If you have time and want to take full advantage of your cameras features in the interest of creative control you will have to read the manual. Scan the entire thing page by page to see what is covered. Keep it handy, refer to it often. Tip: Many digital cameras overexpose on automatic...one good reason to get away from auto eventually. It is better to under expose a digital image and adjust it later. Learn these parameters and how they relate to each other: Aperture/F-stop...Size of aperture, depth of field Shutter speed...Open time, stop action ISO setting...Sensitivity to light, noise ...and you'll be on your way! Shutter Speed and F-stop Thanks to Teresa-Marie. Click the image to see her blog.   Thanks to Teresa-Marie   ISO Setting Some cameras now have ISO settings of 12,000 or more! The higher the ISO setting the less light you need and the grainier it gets. The larger the sensor, the less grainy. Video It is difficult to catch a moving subject at the exact right instant with a single exposure. For something like a horse race or a powwow a short video clip is often the best option. All the new cameras we will consider have HD video from which you can capture just the right frame. The Olympus PM1 has... AVCHD Format: • FullHD Fine : 1920x1080, 60i Recording, 17Mbps • FullHD Normal : 1920x1080, 60i Recording, 13Mbps • HD Fine : 1280x720, 60p Recording, 17Mbps • HD Normal : 1280x720, 60p Recording, 13Mbps Frame rate of image sensor output is 30fps Motion-JPEG Format: • HD: 1280x720, 30fps*, Aspect 16:9 • SD: 640x480, 30fps*, Aspect 4:3 (VGA) * Some Art Filters are at reduced frame rates What is AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) Format? AVCHD is a camcorder video format used in high definition digital camcorders...Blue-Ray standards. Something new in digital cameras and great if you have a need for it. It has a down side. You will need special software to view it on your computer and a powerful computer to edited it. The artist should find that regular HD in AVI, MOV or MP4 formats adequate, especially if supplemented with a few high resolution still shots. With the NEX 5N I record in MP4 which is the same resolution as AVCHD, but not as wide and it will play on players you already have. How do you capture a single frame from your video? Did you answer 'use the Print Screen function'? That may work fine. You may get the screen alright, but where the image should be is a black rectangle. To overcome the black rectangle you can purchase special software. I've used WinDVD for many years. It allows you to click through the clip a frame at a time capturing the ones you want. Free software is available for this purpose that works well. Click this image to see four of them. I recommend Imagegrab because it will handle the high end MTS format (AVCHD) should your camera have that. Below is a frame captured with Imagegrab from a video taken on the California coast with the Canon G9 at 1024 x 768, 15 fps, the highest setting. I got this camera before HD became common. It has been resized to fit the page. Even so, it is useable for reference and the video with sound of the wave breaking brings it all back much better than a still photo. I was able to easily capture the frame I wanted with the spray at full height. Some new cameras allow you to take a still picture at full resolution while shooting video. And some let you take a still picture and a short video clip at the same time with one push of the button. Both very handy for the artist! One example is the Nikon 1 J1. The Olympus PM1can do 1920 x 1080, 60i in AVCHD. And what is 60i? Sixty interlaced fields per second. Two fields make a frame, for thirty full frames per second. Fields are separated in time by 1/60th of a second so it is referred to as 60i. Continuous Mode I could have shot the wave with the G9 using the Continuous Shooting function which allows 1.5 frames per second, Large/fine mode. Newer cameras can do much better. The Olympus PM1is capable of 5.5 fps, for example, while the NEX 5N shoots 10 fps. Remember these will be still images, not video with sound. Pixels How many pixels do you need? You'll want at least 6 megapixels (mp). Not really an issue any more since it's hard to find a new camera with less than 10 mp. My Canon G9 is 12 mp. Max resolution is 4000 x 3000 for a compressed .jpg file of about 4 or 5 mp. I normally detune to 2592 x 1944 for reference photos because that is plenty good and makes the file size about half of full resolution. For prints the usual recommendation is 300 pixels per inch (ppi). On FineArtAmerica.com they print my paintings at 100 ppi with good results. A 4000 x 3000 pixel image in focus with good exposure will print at 40" x 30". I've never had a print returned so I'd say it's working. Formats All new cameras have the standard .jpg and most have RAW which is of more interest to the professional photographer or advanced amateur and enthusiasts than to the artist. See the Video section above for a discussion of video formats. Bob's Camera Picks (go to top) These cameras will work for the artist. DSLRs are not included, too big to be handy. Any choice will be a compromise. Use a tripod and good lighting when possible. Other models/brands may also be fine. Check them out. Search out the newest releases... Sony Panasonic Olympia Nikon Fujifilm Canon Sigma image-resource fourthirds.org fourthirdsphoto.com dpreview.com steves-digicams.com Techradar.cameras Use the amazon.com links on the left to read the very helpful reviews and to purchase. Your cost will be the same and it helps maintain this page. Thanks!
	$ /  iPHONE
	My Favorites - 017 Apple iPhone 4S 16GB (White) - AT&T Apple $554.00 Privacy	iPhone 4S ~$200 + contract Not really a camera...wait...yes it is! 8 mp; 3264 x 2448, ?" Fixed lens, 35mm (equiv), f/2.4, Size: 2.5x0.5x4.5" flash, zero shutter lag, fast, zoom, edit, HDR, HD Video 1080p, 30 fps, Pocket - Yes! Low end of useful for an artist Graininess can be a problem
	$$$ /  iPAD
	My Favorites - 016 Apple iPad MC705LL/A (16GB, Wi-Fi, Black) 3rd G… Apple Computer $496.99 Privacy	New iPad  ~$560 Same as iPhone 4S, but huge LCD! I resized a 3264 x 2448 to the size needed at Juried Art Services to enter contests, 2000p on the long side. The sharpness improved at 100%. Color was ok. Should print ok at 8x10". Better at gathering reference, photo and video.
	$ / 1/2.3 ULTRA-COMPACT
	My Favorites - 002 Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS 12.1 MP CM… Canon $124.95 Privacy	Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS  ~$130.0012.1 mp; 4000x3000; 1/2.3" CMOS; Fixed lens 4x optical zoom; f/2.8; Size: 3.67x2.20x0.78";  Video: MOV-1920x1080 @ 24fps; Burst: 2.5 fps @ 12mpPoint-and-shooter-easy auto/manual
	$ / 1/2.3 COMPACT
	My Favorites - 015 Panasonic LUMIX DMC-ZS15 12.1 MP High Sensitiv… Panasonic $251.00 Privacy	Panasonic Lumix ZS15 ~$200.0012.1 mp; 4000x3000; 1/2.3" CMOS; Fixed lens 16x optical zoom; f/3.3; Size: 4.13x2.28x1.3";  Video: Mpeg-4/AVCHD-1920x1080, 60fps; Burst: ?Point-and-shooter-easy auto/manual
	***** $ / 4/3 (7/8) MIRRORLESS
	My Favorites - 004 Olympus PEN E-PL1 12.3MP Live MOS Micro Four T… Olympus $382.99 Privacy	Olympus PEN E-PL1 ~$27512.3 mp; 4032x3024; 7/8" MOS; Chageable lens: 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom; Size: 4.5x2.8x1.7";  Video: AVI-1280x720, 30fps; Burst: 3 fps Outstanding value with large sensor, excellent pix! Older tech - May 2010 Entry-level/Beginner to Pro may like this
	$$ /  1/1.63 (?) FIXED LENS
	My Favorites - 013 Olympus XZ-1 10 MP Digital Camera with f1.8 Lens an… Olympus $275.00 Privacy	Olympus XZ-1 ~$38012 mp; 3648 x 2736; ?" CMOS; Fixed lens: 28-112mm (equiv.) f/1.8-2.5 zoom; Size: 4.4x2.6x1.7";  Video: AVI-1280x720, 30fps Burst: 2 fps View finder; Retro Enthusiast compact, easy
	$$ / 4/3 MIRRORLESS
	My Favorites - 005 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3KK 12 MP Micro 4/3 Co… Panasonic $379.99 Privacy	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 ~$40012.1 mp; 4000x3000; ?" MOS; Chageable lens: 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom; Size: 4.24x2.64x1.28";  Video: MOV/AVCHD-1920x1080, 60i; Burst: ? fps
	** $$$ / CX (5/8) MIRRORLESS
	My Favorites - 007 Nikon 1 J1 10.1 MP HD Digital Camera System with … Nikon $399.95 Privacy	Nikon 1 J1  ~$55010.1 mp; 3872x2592; 5/8" CMOS; Chageable lens: 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom; Size: 4.4x2.4x1.2";  Video: MOV/AVCHD-1920x1080, 60i; Still/Video; Video/Still; Slow Motion Burst: 60fps/.5sec.= 30 frames Point-and-shooter-easy auto
	New! ** $$$$ / CX (5/8) FIXED LENS
		Sony DSC RX100  ~$65020.2 mp; 5472x3648; 5/8" CMOS; Chageable lens: 10-37mm f/1.8-4.9 zoom; Size: 4x2.3x1.4";  Video: MPEG4/AVCHD-1920x1080, 60i;  Video/Still; Burst: 10fps; fast lens True compact with bigger sensor Pretty good images and features, but pricey for the small sensor compared with mirrorless, see Sony NEX 5N for same price
	$$$ /  2/3 (11/16) FIXED LENS
	My Favorites - 012 Fujifilm X10 12 MP EXR CMOS Digital Camera with … FUJIFILM (Nov… $499.00 Privacy	Fujifilm X10  ~$60012 mp; 4000x3000; 11/16" CMOS; Fixed lens: 28-112mm (equiv.) f/2.0-2.8 zoom; Size: 4.61x2.76x2.24";  Video: H.264-1920x1080, 30fps Burst: 10 fps View finder; Retro Point-and-shooter-easy auto
	***** $$$$ / 4/3 (7/8) MIRRORLESS
	My Favorites - 019 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5XK Live MOS Micro 4… Panasonic (Ap… $698.00 Privacy	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5X  ~$75012.1 mp; 4000x3000; 7/8" MOS; Chageable lens: 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom; Size: 4.25x2.64x1.46";  Video: MP4/AVCHD-1920x1080, 60i; Burst: 4 fps Beginner/High amateur
	Bob's Ultimate Pick
	***** $$$$ / 4/3 (9/8) MIRRORLESS
	My Favorites - 010 Sony NEX-5N 16.1 MP Compact Interchangea… Sony $449.99 Privacy	Sony NEX-5N  ~$65016.1 mp; 4912x3264; 9/8" CMOS; Chageable lens: 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom; Size: 4.38x2.38x1.56";  Video: MPEG4/AVCHD-1920x1080, 60i; Burst: 10 fps; Flash 6-image layering; HDR Beginner/Enthusiast/Pro's street cam
	Adaptors available for most any legacy lens; Optional EVF
	Best Image quality, features, value, does it all and small!
	*****$$$$ / 4/3 (7/8) MIRRORLESS
	My Favorites - 009 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1K 16 MP Micro 4/3 Co… Panasonic $479.95 Privacy	Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1  ~$680-85016 mp; 4594x3448; 7/8" MOS; Chageable lens: 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom; Size: 4.58x2.67x1.55";  Video: MP4/AVCHD-1920x1080, 60i; Burst: 4fps Enthusiast-fast, intuitive
	$$$$ / 4/3 (9/8) MIRRORLESS
	My Favorites - 008 Samsung NX200 20MP Compact Digital Camera Samsung $723.99 Privacy	Samsung NX200  ~$63020 mp; 5472x3648; 9/8" CMOS; Chageable lens: 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom; Size: 4.6x2.48x1.42";  Video: MP4-1920x1080, 30fps Slow Motion Burst: 7fps Enthusiast-fast, intuitive
	$$$$$ / 4/3 (7/8) MIRRORLESS
	My Favorites - 014 Olympus OM-D E-M5 16MP Live MOS Interchangea… Olympus (Jul 3… $1,299.00 Privacy	Olympus OM-D E-M5 ~$110016.1 mp; 4608x3072; 7/8" MOS; Chageable lens: 14-42mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom; Size: 4.8x3.5x1.69";  Video: AVCHD/H.264/MPEG-4 -1920x1080, 60i Viewfinder Burst: 9 fps Enthusiast/Photographer
	ARMPOD
	My Favorites - 022 Armpod Arm & Camera Stabilizer Xtend Products $34.99 Privacy	Supports arm or camera, rests on leg when seated or hooks on belt when standing. For use in stadium or auditorium seating, recitals, bird/wildlife watching, family gatherings, birthday parties, school plays or musicals, choir/band/orchestra concerts, graduations, sporting events, powwow, parade...more stable, less fatigue, camera mount included.
	MONOPOD
	My Favorites - 021 Opteka MP100 67" Professional Heavy Duty … Opteka $16.95 Privacy	Follow the action and keep your horizons true. Reset it level in seconds. Reduce blurry pictures and tired arms. A plus in low light. Ideal for today's artist whether shooting digital, film or compact video. Four-section black anodized aluminum monopod, 21.25"-67", 4 sections, featuring sure rubber grip, wrist carrying strap, quick action lever leg lock system with 45° flip, large 1.2" camera / head platform with plastic cover and camera screw.
	Reader Recommendations
	$$$$ / 4/3 (7/8) MIRRORLESS
	My Favorites - 018 Olympus PEN E-P3 12.3 MP Live MOS Interchangea… Olympus $369.00 Privacy	Olympus PEN E-P3 ~$800 Designed for photographers who want total control over their creative vision with a camera portable enough to travel the world, the powerful Olympus PEN E-P3 delivers professional image quality, the world’s fastest auto focus, built-in creative features, and a new OLED touch screen in a classic, all-metal body with fully advanced controls. CON: aging sensor, noise. APPROVED FOR ARTISTS-RB
	RUMOR, Jun 2012: Canon is rumored to be announcing their first mirrorless compact this summer or maybe in the fall. No specs. Will it be any better than Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Samsung, Panasonic? Must wait and see.