You've taken some fantastic pictures, and now it's time to get them off your camera so you can truly enjoy them—by saving them, printing them, and showing them off! There are several options for transferring photos from your digital camera. We'll walk you through the options and provide you with some helpful tips along the way.
Option 1: Use a memory card—no PC needed
Put your memory card directly into your printer—no computer needed!
The large TouchSmart screen featured on the HP Photosmart Premium Web All-in-One makes it easy to view, edit, and print photos—as well as access select Web sites—without the use of a PC!
If your digital photos are stored on your camera's memory card, the easiest way to transfer them is by inserting your memory card into your HP Photosmart printer. Here’s how: Step 1: Remove your camera's memory card. Step 2: Insert the card into the memory card slot on the front of your photo printer. Because there are a few types of memory cards, there will be multiple slots on your printer. You’ll know which one to choose because the slots are labeled. The appropriate slot will also be exactly the right size for your memory card. Step 3: Choose which photos you want to print by following the instructions on your printer’s touchscreen or TouchSmart display. Step 4: Most HP Photosmart printers and All-in-Ones allow you to save your photos from a memory card inserted into your printer directly to your PC. Look for the Save option on your printer’s display panel or touchscreen.
Many HP Photosmart printers and All-in-Ones, such as the HP Photosmart Premium All-in-One, feature large, intuitive TouchSmart screens, so it's easier than ever to view, edit, and print your pictures without a PC.
Learn more about printing photos from your memory card without a PC.
Option 2: Insert your memory card directly into a PC
Laptops often have slots on the side for inserting memory cards.
If you have a desktop PC, memory card slots are usually on the face of your computer.
You can also insert your camera's memory card directly into your computer. Step 1: Remove your camera’s memory card. Step 2: Insert the card into a memory card slot on the front or the side of your computer. Because there are a few types of memory cards, there may be multiple slots on your computer. The slots on some computers are labeled to help you determine which one is right for your memory card. Also, the appropriate slot will be exactly the right size for your memory card. Step 3: Wait a few moments for your computer to recognize the card. Then, go to your computer’s hard drive to access the pictures. Step 4: Once you have located the card on your hard drive, use your mouse to click on and drag your photos to a folder, such as the My Pictures folder on your computer.
Not all computers have this capability. If your PC doesn’t, you can purchase a separate memory card reader accessory that plugs right into your PC, or learn how to print photos from your memory card without a PC.
Keep a USB cable handy for transferring photos. Windows Live Photo Gallery is a free software program for organizing, editing, and sharing your photos.
Your camera probably came bundled with a USB cable. If not, you can find one at a home electronics store for $10 or less. Just make sure it’s compatible with your camera.
Follow these simple steps to connect your camera through a USB cable: Step 1: Make sure your camera is off before connecting. Step 2: Connect the USB cable to the camera. Step 3: Switch the camera on. Step 4: Your camera may immediately show up on your computer’s desktop. If this happens, simply double-click the icon with your camera’s name and use your mouse to click on and drag your photos to any folder on your computer. (On a Windows PC, the My Pictures folder is an ideal place to keep them.) Step 5: If your camera doesn’t show up on your desktop, import your photos using an application such as Windows Live Photo Gallery. You can also organize, rename, and share your photos using this free, downloadable software.
If you’d rather not transfer your digital photos yourself, there’s another option: Mail your memory card to Snapfish.
If you’re crunched for time, just mail your memory card(s) to Snapfish and let them take care of it. You’ll be able to access your pictures for printing and sharing through the Snapfish website. Here’s how it works: Step 1: Visit the digital photo upload service page on the Snapfish website. Step 2: Print and fill out the order form and send it to Snapfish along with your memory card. Step 3: Once your photos are uploaded, you’ll be notified via e-mail and your memory card will be mailed back to you.
Learn more about archiving photos online.
Don't delete your transferred photos from your memory card if you have plans to transfer the pictures again later.
Carrying an extra memory card is an excellent idea, especially if you don’t think you'll transfer your photos right away.
Free up space on your memory card by deleting the shots you’re sure you won’t want to keep.
You should never force a memory card into a computer or a printer memory card slot. If it doesn’t slide in easily, turn the card the other way and try again.
Never disconnect or turn off a device while it's transferring or receiving photos. Always wait until your computer or printer tells you that the transfer is complete.
If your memory card fills up too quickly, consider buying a memory card with more space or an additional memory card so you have a back up. You can also set your camera to save smaller files so that more pictures fit on the memory card. But remember, the bigger the files, the higher the quality of the prints. And large file sizes are best for archiving purposes, too.
When you're transferring your pictures, your computer or printer may ask if you’d like to erase images on your memory card. Say "yes" if you're clearing space to take more pictures, or "no" if you have plans to transfer the pictures again (to another computer or printer, for example).
To make it easier to locate your pictures, create folders each time you transfer pictures, and keep them all in the My Pictures folder on your PC. Name and date your folder to help you remember the contents. For example: Thanksgiving_09.
You don't have to transfer every picture you take. View your pictures on your camera before you transfer, and delete any shots you know you won't want.
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