Photo Import Options
I normally use a card reader when importing pictures but decided to use the USB cable that came with the camera for this example. When I connected the camera cable into the computer Windows 7 automatically installed the driver for my Canon PowerShot G5. Then the Auto Play window popped up giving me several import options. The same option window will appear if you use a card reader or if you plug in the memory chip into a slot on your computer if it supports camera memory chips.

Windows 7 Auto Play Photo Import Options

 I prefer using Windows Explorer to organize and manage my photo files as opposed to Photoshop Elements, Windows Photo Gallery, or other photo organizing software as they tend to take over one’s computer and complicate the process.  The easiest import option is the first one in the list, “Import pictures and videos using Windows”.  The disadvantage of this option is that it forces you to import all of the photos in your camera to a single folder. Since most people are like me and have photos from multiple events in the camera by time they get around to downloading them I generally use the “Open device to view files using Windows Explorer” option. Here is a brief description using both methods.

Import pictures and videos using Windows
Selecting the Import pictures option will pop up the following window.

Windows 7 Import photos with AutoPlay-Enter Folder Name in Tag Field

The first time you use the import function you should click on Import settings and select the settings according to your preferences.  The “Tag” will become the destination folder for the imported photos.

Upload Photo Preference Window

I would suggest setting the Other options as shown. When you click the Import button Windows 7 will automatically create the new folder and transfer the photos to it.  When the transfer is complete Windows Explorer will open and by right clicking on a photo you can select the next action you wish to take. If you just want to look at the photos click on Preview. If you want to edit the photos click on Open with and select the photo editor. 

Right Click on thumbnail to select action

Open device to view files using Windows Explorer.
The the import method I generally use is the “Open device to view files using Windows Explorer as it provides the flexibility to put the photos into multiple folders. When you click on this option the following window will appear.

View camera photo files in Explorer-Select view Large Icons

Actually, when the window pops up it will probably show the “Tiles” view of the photos which are really too small for me. Windows 7 gives you a few more optional views. On the right side of the menu bar click on the little arrow and select Large or Extra Large Icons to increase the size of the thumbnail and it will be easier to select the photos you want to import into a particular folder.

Now left click on the first photo of the group and then hold the Ctrl key down and click on the remaining photos in the group (or, hold the Shift key down and click on the last photo in the group if they are in sequence). Then right click and select Copy.

Select photos to be copied to My Pictures folder

Open the My Pictures folder on your Desktop and select the destination folder for the photos. If you haven’t created a New Folder for the photos you can do so by clicking on New Folder in the Menu bar.

Select destination folder for photos

Then right click on the folder and select Paste and the photos will be transferred to the folder.

Copy photos to selected (Christmas 2009) folder

When the transfer is complete you can open the folder and select the next action or simply close it and go have a cup of coffee or whatever.

Well, Bob, I hope this helps answer the question, “How do I get my photos from my camera to my Windows 7 computer?”  Here are links to some other posts that might be helpful as you explore the wonderful world of digital photography and Windows 7.

A Simple Way to Organize Your Photos

http://www.correctmyphotos.com/2009/12/07/a-simple-way-to-organize-your-photos/

Storing and Archiving Digital Photos-A Simple Way.
http://www.correctmyphotos.com/2009/07/13/storing-and-archiving-digital-photos-a-simple-way/

Previewing Photos in Windows Vista (Win 7) and XP
http://www.correctmyphotos.com/2009/06/29/previewing-photos-in-windows/

Get the Red Out–What to do about Red Eye?

http://www.correctmyphotos.com/2009/06/10/get-rid-of-red-eye-in-photos/

Downloading Photos to Your Computer. Use Windows Explorer.
http://www.correctmyphotos.com/2009/05/21/downloading-photos-to-your-computer-use-windows-explorer/

Crop Photos for a Purpose.
http://www.correctmyphotos.com/2009/02/15/crop-photos-for-a-purpos/

Wayne www.correctphoto.com

Should you archive or create a backup file of the photos?
The answer to this question should be obvious–absolutely! But, how many people actually do that? When I ask my friends if they archive or create a backup of their photos, they  generally look at me with a blank stare. These are, of course, the same people who don’t back up their computer or back up files on their working C-drive. Think I am kidding? We get calls and emails from customers all the time that either did not backup their software file or backed them up on the same hard drive that just crashed. Duh!!

A simple way to create an archive or backup file of your photos.
First, go buy an external hard drive if you do not have one. They are relatively inexpensive (you can get a 250GB drive for less that $125.00) After you plug it in to your computer click on My Computer and then click on the external hard drive. Then click on the My Pictures folder (XP) or Pictures (Vista) and locate the folder you want to back up. (You did create a separate folder for the photos before you downloaded the photos, didn’t you?) Then click on the folder and drag and drop it onto the external hard drive. The files will copied to the external drive. Now, wasn’t that easy?

Create Backup to External Hard Drive-Use Drag and Drop

There are a variety of ways to back up and create archives of your folders ranging from on-line services to backup software applications, but this is a simple and straight forward way to create an archive copy of your photos. The real purpose of this post is to strongly suggest that you create a backup of your original and edited photos. How you do it is for you to decide. But, discipline your self to create the backup when you download the photos to your computer and then you won’t forget. And, you won’t be sorry when your hard drive crashes or you lose your laptop in the airport with all you photos on it. Your wife (or husband) will be very unhappy if you lose all of your photos.

Wayne  www.correctphoto.com

I am a little behind in postings. The last couple of weeks have been a bit hectic with other things and it is finally spring in Minnesota and if you lived here you would understand. Last weekend a few of us guys went to Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills of South Dakota to “open” Bill’s cabin. I will talk about the trip and show some of the photos I took in a future post. But, first I want to touch on the process of downloading (or uploading, if you prefer) picture files from your digital camera or memory chip to your computer. This discussion is prompted by Bill’s question, “I forgot how to download pictures to my computer, can you help me?” Since he hadn’t transfered pictures from his camera to the computer for quite some time (his chip was full) he had photos from a number of events. Before detailing the process I want to point out that Bill is not alone in his lack of understanding of  “digital picture/computer” processes, nor is he a dummy. In fact, he is quite intelligent and is a tax accountant by profession. So, take heart if you have similar questions and frustrations.

Here is the process I recommend and the one we used with Bill’s photos.

Use Windows Explorer.   When we plugged his camera into the computer the software that came with his camera insisted on taking control of the process.  The first suggestion I made was to close the application (and recommended he delete it from his computer) and use the Windows Explorer system to manage the process.

Windows Vista Options for Downloading Photos

When downloading photos to my computer I use a card reader instead of the camera/USB connection and when I insert the reader the above Vista window pops up with options. Chose the Open Folder to View Files option (XP has a similar window). Or, you can simply go to My Computer and click on the camera or card reader and select the photos to download (Copy). Then open the Pictures (My Pictures) folder and create or select the the destination folder and Paste the photos into the selected folder. Note: If you use Vista you could select the Import Pictures option, however, I prefer using the Explorer function, particularly if you need to sort the photos into multiple folders.

Use Windows Explorer to Copy/Paste Photos from Camera to Computer

Using Windows Explorer to organize and manage your pictures is really quite simple and is my preference.  Applications, such as Photoshop Elements and the software supplied with your camera have a tendancy to do just that. If you use Elements set the preferences so that it does not automatically open when you insert your camera cable or card reader into you computer. If you loaded the camera manufacturer supplied software I suggest you delete it. You don’t need it to download pictures and the photo editing functions are generally too complicated and ineffective to be useful. Admittedly, this is a personal bias, however, most folks I talk to express the same frustration.

I usually download photos to my computer after an event rather than waiting until my memory card is full. It is easier and quicker to organize a single event than an full chip of multiple events. And, the risk of losing the photos (lost camera) or accidently erasing photos is reduced.

Wayne http://www.correctphoto.com

You probably already know a bit about the Windows Explore File Management system and how to create and name a folder for email and Word documents. Maybe you have even downloaded a file from the internet.  Well, downloading (yes, it’s called downloading when you are putting something into your computer and uploading when you are taking something out) from a digital camera is basically the same. Windows XP and Vista even have a special folder for your pictures, My Pictures in XP and Pictures in Vista. The first thing to do is to create a new folder within the My Pictures folder.  For example, “Rotary Chili Cookoff-2008″, where you want to put the photos.

The basic steps are outlined in this slide, however, an excellent step by step guide written by Tony Northrup can be found on Microsoft’s website at, http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/takeit/transfer.mspx

Transfer Pictures from Camera to Computer

When I first started using a digital camera I used the camera USB cable to transfer picture files, but that got to be a pain. Since my computer didn’t have the card reader for the CompactFlash media compatible with my Canon camera I bought a Card Reader and would suggest you do the same. I would also suggest that you do not install the software that came with your camera or use another photo editor or photo organizer to download or manage your photos, at least not initially. They tend to be complicated and will take over your computer.  It drives me nuts when I insert the card reader into my computer and Elements wants to take control.  It took me a while, but I finally figured out how to stop that from happening. Just use the Windows utilities to download and organize and you will be much happier.

Now a word about archiving. It is a good idea to make an archive copy of the original photo files because you never know when you might want to retrieve a photo or if you have a computer or disk crash and lose your edited photos. We will talk more about editing and organizing photos in upcoming posts, for the time being here are the basics of archiving.

Create and Archive File of Original Photos

If you are interested in the complete presentation you can view or download the pdf file at http://www.correctphoto.com/publications/Digital_Camera_Basics-1.pdf

 Wayne www.correctphoto.com