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Depending upon how enthusiastic you are about photography, amateur photographers may want to upgrade their equipment or buy a new wider range lense. Novice photographers may want to purchase a simple point-and-shoot camera with the telephoto and wide angle options. Purchasing A Camera That Suits Your Needs: Research Before You Buy Today's camera market offers the latest in state-of-the-art photography systems. The union of the camera and computer has created a whole new venue in photography and its potential. High tech digital cameras are available to amateurs as well as professionals. Although the camera has taken huge leaps and bounds in technological advancement in the last decade, rest assured the novice photographer may still purchase a simple straightforward camera to suit her photographic needs and budget. When purchasing a new camera, remember your needs and what you want out of your camera. If you simply want a few nice images from your trip and don't have the money to invest in a point and shoot camera or an SLR (single lense reflex) camera, then purchase a few disposable cameras for your trip. Overbuying what will fit your photographic needs is a common mistake made by first-time buyers. All the options, buttons, bells, and whistles sound great when purchasing until you are in the middle of your trip and you can't figure out what bell goes with what button! Argh!!! Get a camera magazine that lists and compares all the different types of cameras you are interested in purchasing. Some issues will specifically list all of the latest cameras and compare them. This is a fine start in researching a new camera. Go to your local library and look up back issues of photography magazines or consumer magazines to find the best cameras that have been made and put through performance tests. Talk with experienced friends or family members who are camera buffs and ask their advice. Browse through several camera shops. Talk to the employees, tell them what you want, and see what they recommend. Some employees may be on a commission, so they may try to get you to buy something that is not only expensive, but not what you want. Buyer beware. DIFFERENT TYPES OF 35MM CAMERAS Point-And-Shoot Cameras Point-and-shoot cameras are affordable, straightforward, and they take great photographs. A point-and-shoot camera may range from $125 to more than $300 depending upon the brand name, camera capabilities, and the options it offers. Point-and-shoot cameras may offer a zoom option. The zoom may have telephoto and wide-angle capabilities. The telephoto setting will let you zoom in closer to your subject without moving, thus filling the viewfinder with more of your desired subject. The wide-angle setting will let you incorporate more of the surrounding area of your subject. Most point-and-shoot cameras have a built in flash and self-timer. Advantages Of A Point-And-Shoot Camera
Disposable Cameras Disposable cameras offer the traveler an inexpensive means for capturing travel images. Disposable cameras may be purchased in drug stores, markets, or photography shops. These cameras offer the most basic technology, point to your desired subject, and push the button. There cameras take good images and are practically hassle free, however, you must carry the whole camera with you when you finish the roll. The film and camera are turned in as one unit at the time of development. Remember that, disposable cameras take good photographs, not great photographs. If you want great images, you need to invest in at least a point-and-shoot camera. Advantages Of A Disposable Camera
Panoramic Disposable Cameras Panoramic disposable cameras are fantastic. I highly recommended purchasing one for your trip. Panoramic cameras offer you the ability to capture a very wide image. The panoramic color print is 10" x 3.5" in size. Landscapes, mountain ranges, long city streets, tall or wide monuments, practically anything that has a wide span, either horizontal or vertical, will look great as a panoramic photograph. Just like the disposable camera, the panoramic will be turned in as a whole unit, camera and film together, when you are ready for film to be processed and developed. Advantages Of A Panoramic Disposable Camera
Underwater Disposable Cameras Underwater disposable cameras offer all the same wonderful advantages as the disposable point-and-shoot cameras and the panoramic ones. Underwater disposable cameras will be able to capture images in the sea, lake, river, or any body of water. If you are headed to the beach, consider bringing along an underwater disposable camera to capture the moment. Single Lense Reflex (SLR) Cameras Single lense reflex (SLR's) cameras offer the camera enthusiast greater options and more artistic creativity and flexibility. SLR's have interchangeable lenses, different program modes, and a myriad of other options. Again, SLR's differ in brand name, price, versatility, and options just as do the point-and-shoot cameras. SLR's bodies and lenses are sold separately unless they come as one unit. Generally speaking, one would purchase a particular camera body and then choose a lense or lenses of the same brand to use with the camera body. Again, investigate and research different types of SLRs, through camera magazine SLR-comparison issues and consumer reporting magazines. Speak with friends and family camera buffs as to what they have found to be the best brands and lenses. Advantages Of A SLR Camera
LENSES FOR THE SLR CAMERA There are a variety of lenses that will fit SLR cameras. Surprisingly, some may be more expensive than the camera body. Today there are retractable lenses that offer a wide range of focal length. For instance, one may offer a focal length of 28mm - 200mm or 35mm - 70mm. What does that mean in English? With a focal length of 28mm - 200mm, one has both wide angle and telephoto capabilities all in one lense. This may not sound amazing to you but, before this type of lense was created, one would need a lense for each focal length a 28mm, a 50mm, a 135mm, and a 200mm to get even close to what one lense does now. A lense with a larger focal length will offer you more creative photographic options. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT OR MAYBE JUST A BIT BETTER After you have purchased a new point & shoot camera or an SLR camera or perhaps you have just taken out your dad's from the top shelf of the attic, I recommend practicing with your new or new-to-you camera. Practice loading the film, focusing and holding the camera, and becoming comfortable and familiar with it. Shoot several rolls with a variety of images (landscapes, portraits, city scenes, sunsets). Develop the film and see the results. If there is any problem with the camera or how you are using it, you will know now, not when you get back from your trip. Practicing before you go gives you the opportunity to work out any problems you may be experiencing when using your camera. For instance, if you are consistently overexposing or underexposing your film, you can find the solution to your problem and make adjustments before you travel. FILM AND DEVELOPING Purchasing Film Before You Leave And How Much Film To Bring Purchase your film at a large photography supply shop before you leave. Most shops will give you a discount if you buy twenty or more rolls of film at one time. Larger photography supply stores have a high turnover rate of products, thus the stock is fresh and of better quality. Check expiration dates on film to be sure film is not old and almost expired. As the film gets closer to the expiration date, the less vibrant the colors will appear on the final print or slide. Depending upon what kind of shutterbug you are, I would estimate obtaining an average of three to five rolls of film per week you are gone. So, if you are planning to be in Italy for three weeks and want some great shots, bring along twelve rolls of film. Remember you can always use what film you didn't shoot when you return home. Purchasing film in foreign countries is an option. Remember, the film may be considerably more expensive in tourist areas, the film may be close to the expiration date, inappropriately stored (exposed to sun), or the brand you like may not be available. Plan ahead and bring along the type of film you like to shoot and plenty of it. Print Film vs. Slide Film Deciding whether to shoot print film or slide film may be a dilemma for some travelers. Both print film and slide film have their advantages. Print film, when developed, will render a negative strip accompanied by a set of prints. Reprints and enlargements may be made from the negative strip. Storing the negatives, for future reprints, in a protective negative sheet is a good idea and will preserve the negative from dust and possible scratches. Print film is less expensive than slide film. However, print film is more expensive to develop than slide film. In the end, print and slide film end up being about the same price, when calculating the initial film purchase and then the development cost. Prints fit right into a photo album and are easy to access and look at when you want to show friends or just reminisce about your wonderful adventure. Slide Film Slide film, when developed, will render a small 2" square slide. The image that is in the slide mount is not only your photo but your negative as well. Slides are shown through a slide projector onto a screen or white wall. Slides may be stored in slide protective slips, slip box, or slide carousel tray. Prints and enlargements may be made from a slide. There are wonderful if you plan on giving slide shows or presentations of your trip to groups or a classroom of children. Slide film comes in a film cartridge just like print film. If you plan on taking both types of film, remember to double-check which film you want to load into your camera. The cartridge will say what type of film you have (print or slide), so, if you are confused, refer to the film cartridge. How To Label And Carry Film While Traveling All film looks the same before and after it has been shot so, the trick to distinguishing one roll from another can be easily had with a little pre-trip exercise. If you are planning an extensive trip to many countries or cities, having a way to differentiate one roll of exposed film from the next will save you hours of wondering and figuring out which city you shot what roll of film in. Labeling Film Cartridges
After you shoot a roll of film, place the exposed film back into the film cartridge container. With a pen write on the label where you shot the film, i.e. city, country, lake, person, etc. Place unexposed labeled film cartridges in one large Zip-Loc freezer bag. Bring along another large Zip-Loc freezer bag to place exposed labeled film cartridges. As a result, exposed film will be kept separately from the unexposed film. Developing Film Abroad Many countries can provide the same developing and printing services you have at home. Cost and developing time will depend upon the particular developing and processing lab. Quality and price will vary from country to country. Benefits Of Developing Abroad
Drawbacks To Developing Film Abroad
Developing My Film Iwaki, Japan While attending Iwaki Junior College in Japan, I needed a few photographs from my internship placement. Observing and working with handicapped children in a hospital, I wanted to show my fellow students what the conditions of the hospital were and some of its residents. Developing my film gave me a feeling of instant gratification. I shared my photographs with my classmates and, for a short time, was hooked on developing my film as I shot it. I did finally come to my senses about five rolls later. Not only did I not plan on this expense, the prints and negatives I then had to carry for the next six weeks of travel after my internship was completed, were a bit of a hassle. My wallet was getting lighter and my backpack was getting heavier! Shoot More Than Less Take a lot of photos, then pick and choose what you want to keep when you get home. It is always better to have too many photographs rather than not enough. I think of it this way, "I'm here now and don't know when I will be able to return, so I'll shoot as many photographs as I want and then when I get home pick my favorites and put them in the album." I do also keep my less favorite images as well; I just can't seem to throw away photos! HOW TO ASK PEOPLE FOR THEIR PHOTOGRAPH The old weathered man with the yellow turban and weathered wooden cane enters the market place. You are immediately drawn to his wise and powerful presence. You wonder if you could snap a photograph of him. Would he mind? How do I approach him? What if he doesn't speak English? Do I pay him? These questions may be racing through your head as you see a potentially terrific shot walk out of your view finder. That is a real bummer. I have taken many photographs of people around the world, sometimes with permission and sometimes not. I learned quickly that not asking an individual for their photo is just not the right thing to do. After dozens of interactions with persons of whom I've wanted a photo, I came up with my own system of approaching individuals for their image. The Questions To Ask Yourself About A Potential Subject And The Steps To Follow When You Want An Individual's Photograph Questions To Ask Yourself
Steps To Follow
Now a few things may transpire after you ask for the subject's image. They may be one or several of the following.
Consequences Of Not Asking Permission Be advised not to shoot away at people whom you have not asked permission to photograph. They may become hostile or demand a monetary payment for their photograph. Be wise. In some cultures, the people take great offense to this invasion of privacy. The people of India and Africa have been the target of photo junkies. Snapping away at individuals and families without asking permission is being disrespectful to the people and their culture. Remember your desire for a certain image or photograph should never outweigh one's privacy or the cultural customs and norm of the country. Send Copies To Photographed Individuals On several occasions, I would take a photograph of an individual and, in exchange, for this send them a copy of the image. Personal photographs may not be a common item for many individuals you encounter. Many are happy to oblige you with their image but they want a copy, too. Make sure you have their correct address and the spelling of their name before you part ways. Always follow through with sending the photograph to the subject. If you can't follow through on your promise, then don't tell them you'll send a copy along to them. Get Comfortable Asking For A Photograph Role-play with family and friends about how you will approach people to ask them for their photograph. If you feel you will be uncomfortable approaching people abroad, then practice in a safe environment here at home with people you know. Practice all the different scenarios that may happen, everything from a subject that wants you to take a whole roll of film on just them to being turned down by a more hostile subject. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will feel and the more at ease your subject will feel when you approach them. Absolutely Do Not Photograph The Following Although you may not be James Bond Agent 007, the security force in any country does not know who you are, who you may be potentially associated with, or who you may be working for. So, for your own sake, do not take photographs in or of the following places:
X-RAY MACHINES AT THE AIRPORTS Security at national and international airports has become high tech with the increase in terrorism over the past thirty years. X-raying everything that goes into the cargo area of the plane and the passenger cabin is mandatory. Security agents and posted signs say that the x-ray machine will not damage film. I have been advised that film will not lose its integrity the first or second time it is put through the x-ray machine, however, several times through the x-ray machine may jeopardize film quality. Asking the security agent to hand check your film may be another option. Safety film bags may be obtained at camera shops. These lead-lined film bags are to protect film from the harmful effects of the security x-ray machines. Depending upon how may times you plan on going through the machine, you may want to consider such a bag. With the state of the world as it is today, I can hardly blame them, but rather welcome the tight security precautions in airports. At times because I feel hassled and don't want my film to get fried, I try to think of the larger picture. My own safety and the well-being of other travelers is more important than any film I may have to put through the x-ray machine. Be patient with the security agents, they are doing their job to ultimately protect you at thirty thousand feet above the earth. TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS The travel photography tips that follow are some of the basic lessons I've learned over the past seven years of taking photos on the road. I hope these tips will be helpful to you as well. Believe me, these tips I learned by shooting hundreds of images. Angles Shooting from different, unusual angles will give your photograph and subject a diverse, creative slant. Maybe a frontal shot of the street vendor who is handing customers hot tea, or perhaps standing behind him and capturing the backside of the vendor and the front view of his customers. Play around and be original, it shows when you get them developed. Avoid Shooting Into The Sun A very common error in photography is shooting into the sun. If you want a photo of your subject and they are facing toward you with the sun directly in back of them, the effect will most likely a dark subject and a light background. Unless you have a fill flash that will trigger manually, your subject will be dark and silhouetted. Position your subject when possible so that the sun is not beating down upon them. Try to find a canopy or less-harsh lighting environment. You may want to wait for better light or just take your chances if you don't have much time. Framing Before I take the shot, I look through the viewfinder and do a quick sweep of the outer edge of the picture to make sure no extraneous objects will detract from the final image. In other words, I look around the top, sides, and bottom of the photo I am about to take and see if there is anything protruding into the photo or any distracting images in the background. These can usually be avoided by just moving a bit up or down, or to the left or right. Sometimes I feel I've taken a great shot until I develop it and see a tree coming out of my subject’s head. The tree was directly behind my subjects head and I was so focused on the person I didn't look at the background. Horizontal And Vertical Shots A variety of horizontal and vertical shots make a travel album or slide show all the more interesting. Again, try to use your imagination and let yourself be creative. These are your photos, your memories. Too Close Or Too Far Oftentimes the subject we would like to capture looks like a dust ball in our viewfinder and that is exactly what it will look like in the final photo as well. Perhaps you might be too close to the subject you want to shoot and the final image is then blurry and out of focus. In both cases, if it is possible to move closer or step back, do so. Nothing is more mobile in photography than your own two feet. Remember, what you see is what you get! If you do decide to go on an African safari you may want to invest in a camera that will give you the focal distance you need to take some interesting close-up shots. Landmarks Quite a few people I have known while traveling seemed to be in the habit of only snapping shots of the really famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, Tower Bridge, Roman Coliseum, and the Great Wall of China. While I too snap away at the internationally famous structures, I also shoot away at the little back road cities and pathways I find myself enjoying. Whether it’s little brick alleyways of that small French town or the booming bubbling markets of Hong Kong, the shots tell the story of the daily life of its people and towns. I find these shots endearing, fascinating, and unique. Some of these photographs I treasure the most. Again, be creative and have fun.
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