Trip Tips - Photo Tips

The [35mm] camera is for life and for people, the swift and intense moments of life." Ansel Adams

Photography is the perfect companion to travel. It encourages us - as travelers - to discover an area; it provides tangible memories of the trip; and it is an enjoyable way to expressive ourselves in art.

A camera is really an excuse to delve deeper into a place than we otherwise would. Looking for a good shot forces us to seek out the unique features and scenic beauty of a location, to explore further, and to interact with our surroundings. When you press the shutter release, you're making a personal connection to the place and its people. You are there. Photographs preserve the memories of our trip. We can show others the exciting places we've been, the wonderful scenery, and the great people we met. Our minds are triggered by images and reviewing our photographs helps everyone on the trip relive it's adventures and misadventures.

Taking pictures is also a very accessible art form. With a little thought and effort, you can fashion captivating images of your own creation and interpretation. If they're good, we'll post them here!

What Makes A Good Photograph?

A photograph is a message. It conveys a statement ("Here we are in..."), an impression ("This is what ... looks like"), or an emotion. You are an author trying to convey this message in a clear, concise, and effective way. But how?

Like any message, you first need a subject. This may be your traveling companions, a building, a natural vista, or some abstract form. The subject is the central point of interest and is usually placed in the foreground of the shot (toward the viewer). Now we compose the message by including a second element, a context, which is often the background. The context gives the subject relevance, presence, location or other interest. It is the combination of the two elements - subject and context, foreground and background - that tells the story.

Just as important as knowing what to include, is knowing what to exclude. Anything that isn't part of the subject or its context is only a distraction, cluttering up the image and diluting the message. So eliminate extraneous surroundings--usually by moving closer to the subject--and make a clear, tidy shot. A painter creates art by addition--adding more paint--whereas a photographer creates art by subtraction--removing unnecessary elements.

The recipe for a good photograph is: "A foreground, a background, and nothing else."

Some points to remember:

1. Hold it steady
A problem with many photographs is that they're blurry. Avoid "camera shake" by holding the camera steady. Use both hands, resting your elbows on your chest, or use a wall for support. Relax: don't tense up.

2. Find the light source
A photograph is all about light so always think of how the light is striking your subject. The best bet is to move around so that the sun is behind you or to one side. This front lighting brings out color and shades, and the side lighting produces some shadow to indicate texture and form. Back lighting will get you less subject detail, bad for a portrait but good for a silhouette.

3. For people and things, get closer
The best shots are simple so move closer and remove any clutter from the picture. If you look at most "people" shots you'll notice that they don't show the whole body--so you don't need to either. Often, the face is in the center of the snapshot without much above it. Move close and fill the frame. Put the heads near the top, not the middle, unless you have something to show in the background.

4. Do you know where your focus is?
Automatic cameras do a great job of focus and exposure. But they don't know what to focus on. Every camera is a little different, so be sure you've read the instructions and know how to lock in the focus on your chosen subject. If your previous shoots have a lot of sharp backgrounds and blurry people, this advice is meant for you!

5. Turn the camera
Play with holding your camera sideways for a taller shot or at any angle that lets you make the composition happen the way you want to see it. These are your pictures, you get to do what you please. While you're turning the camera around, hand it to some of your friends so you have some pictures with you in them, too.

6. Include your fellow travelers
Photographs solely of landscapes and buildings are enjoyable to take but often dull to look at. Include some of your friends, companions, family or even people passing by. What you'll remember later is the fun you had with the people you went with.

7. What's different here?
Photography is about seeing. So watch for details around you, especially the ones that show what a different or special place you're visiting, such as a funny sign or odd situation. Keep alert and you'll get those special pictures.

8. If you can, turn off the flash sometimes.
Flash is great at lighting those things close to us, but it doesn't really work on anything further away than a car length. It also flattens subjects and can be pretty harsh. If you can turn off the flash, and hold the camera VERY steady, then shooting some scenes with just the available light can add mood and color. Those museums that allow photography usually ask you not to use flash. You can't shoot stage shows or through bus windows with flash. If you have to shoot through glass with flash, do it at an angle to the glass surface, not straight into it. Not using flash can also give you a muddy dark picture, so don't try to shoot everything without it. The easy way to avoid flash? See item nine.

9. Use faster film
Modern emulsions are so good now that the quality of ISO 400 film is just about equal to slower film, especially for snapshot sized prints. Faster film will let you shoot more available light (without flash) and get action shots. It makes more photos possible. Unless you plan on taking a tripod, get faster film.

10. Pack more film than you think you'll need.
Shoot more pictures. It's the old "practice, practice, practice" routine. Besides, you may not be back to the place you're traveling to anytime soon, at least not with this group of friends.