We all do it. Anything new takes come getting used to. There are still some that feel that uneasiness about digital cameras. But I am here to put your mind at ease with some easy to follow tips that will have you taking better pictures than you ever did with your film camera. Ready?

Number One: Buy right. Just like there are professional, and intermediate, and beginner items in any category, the same is definitely true of cameras, digital or otherwise.

I know all the specs and bells and whistles can be distracting. But let me lay it on the line. ANY cheap digital camera today (outside of the realm of toys) will allow you to take and print a standard size snapshot just fine. I’m not talking a lower quality print, either.

Almost all cameras on today’s shelves are at least a 2.0 megapixel rating or above. This is more than adequate for a standard 4" x 6" for your photo album. Don’t be fooled by believing newer is better.

Now, it must be said that if you will blow your photos up to 8 ½" x 11" or more, maybe a 2 megapixel camera will begin to show some picture deterioration.

But buy a camera that will get you started pointing-and-clicking. Then later decide what more you may need and compare digital cameras. You may find that you are just as happy with this digital camera as you were in the good old days with your 110 instamatic. (remember those?)

Number Two: Take too many pictures. That’s right, go all out!

Many of us are still in the mode of being very careful to take the ‘perfect keepsake’ pictures for our albums. Of course we still want only the best pictures that capture life’s fleeting moments. But think of this, today’s standard camera film and developing costs (in my area) around 40 cents (US) per photo. And that’s whether it’s a good pic or a bad one!

But how much does my digital photo cost me if I don’t like it? NOTHING. (Maybe a little use of the batteries to take, view, and delete it.) So take way too many pictures. Take chances. Take spontaneous pictures. You might just be surprised that some of these will be your favorites years from now.

Number Three: Look at your pics immediately. It’s even better than the old Polaroid cameras that spit out the photos for you. Today you just turn your camera around, push a button, and everyone can immediately enjoy what you have accomplished.

Truth is, I think I have enjoyed looking at my digital pictures on the camera more that I have the printed versions. If you can’t see all the fun in this, just watch any group of teen girls at the mall taking photos of each other, then laughing at the results.

Number Four: Take it to the experts. They’ll know what to do.

Actually printing and downloading (even placing your pictures online) is relatively easy. But don’t let that hassle stop you from getting started.

Just about any photo shop or major department store or drug store can take your camera (or memory card) and print off any one or all of the photos you want. And it’s pretty cheap, too.

See, this digital camera stuff is nothing to be afraid of. So, go ahead and dust off that digital camera you got last Christmas. Or run out and buy a little point-and-click style camera. Then go take lots of pictures, look at them and laugh, then print out the ones you like.

Oh, yeah, don’t forget to delete the embarrassing ones.