Photo Tips 101 and Ideas

[mytee4ever]

I love photos & have never really considered how many I take with people vs the number of scenery shots. DH & I cruised from San Diego last fall & most of the pictures are of scenery. I think there are maybe 5 shots of us out of the 200+ photos we took digitally. I have a Minolta SLR that I use for my zoom until we can afford a quality DSLR. I don't think we would have had decent shots of the seals at Land's End in Cabo without it.

 

Anyway, I also scrapbook & do want shots of us & the family. We have a reunion cruise coming up in just about a week & hope to get a good mix of photos. I will definitely be a bit more adventurous with the shots I try to get this trip. DH has a Fuji & has been digital for a while. I carried around the Minolta, so didn't want to waste the film on a maybe. Now we both are digital & I will go for it this time.

 

Thanks all for the great photo tips.

 

Towanda

[Cruiser Forever]

We are going to Alaska in 4 weeks and I am taking two Fuji digital cameras (S5000 and S700). I am a novice when it comes to any add-on equipment for these cameras. Would it be advisable to get polarized filters for them? What about additional telephone lens or wide angle lens? Would these lenses distort the pictures as there would be too much? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I have so enjoyed reading all of the tips that everyone has posted. Thank you.

 

Although I am no expert and consider myself a novice too, I can tell you a polarized filter is a good idea. I have one and use it on bright and sunny days. When my DH bought the camera {we have a Nikon D80} the salesman advised us to buy it. I myself don't have any extra lenses, but going to Alaska which is breathtaking I would get the additional telephoto and wide angle lenses. Maybe someone else can suggestion what type of lenses for your camera would be beneficial. Have a great time and don't forget to post your photos when you get back. There is a thread for Alaska photos.:D

[krogerlady]

I am not much on people pictures. I can take a whole vacation and never have any family in any of them, but over the years when I look back at "snapshots" the ones with people mean the most. For me, I have to remember to think about the shots that I want, I am too quick with the shutter, and yes, end up with a bunch of "snapshots". I have a good camera, and a good brain, now the two must mesh!! Question for the more experienced, I am not looking forward to carrying my camera everywhere....its an oxymoron, I know....I want it with me everywhere, just seems like it gets in the way, bag, camera, etc. Do y'all get use to it?

Jayne

[pierces]

I am not much on people pictures. I can take a whole vacation and never have any family in any of them, but over the years when I look back at "snapshots" the ones with people mean the most. For me, I have to remember to think about the shots that I want, I am too quick with the shutter, and yes, end up with a bunch of "snapshots". I have a good camera, and a good brain, now the two must mesh!! Question for the more experienced, I am not looking forward to carrying my camera everywhere....its an oxymoron, I know....I want it with me everywhere, just seems like it gets in the way, bag, camera, etc. Do y'all get use to it?

Jayne

 

When I am out specifically taking pictures, I carry the DSLR and whatever support hardware I need in the way of lenses, flashes, etc. At all times, my little Canon SD800 is on my belt. I never leave home without it.

 

Sometimes the best camera for all situations is two (or three) cameras!

 

Dave

[Cruiser Forever]

When I am out specifically taking pictures, I carry the DSLR and whatever support hardware I need in the way of lenses, flashes, etc. At all times, my little Canon SD800 is on my belt. I never leave home without it.

 

Sometimes the best camera for all situations is two (or three) cameras!

 

Dave

 

Dave, I like the idea of always having a camera on you. You never know when you come across that special shot. I should start doing this. I was once watch a game show on tv and the contestant said she takes at least one picture every day of the year. :) Here are more tips from the experts:

 

Get candid. Not all the pictures have to be posed. I honestly feel candid shots of your family members in action make much better photos. You’re capturing your family member's personality, who they are at that moment. Years from now you can look back at the photos and see how they’ve changed.

 

It's all in the details. Details of an object can and sometimes be more interesting than of the whole object itself. If you come across a building that has a ton of detailing, take close up pictures of those details. Don’t be afraid to get in there and get close! Don’t freak out the security guard, though, or it might be a real short visit.

 

Get a new perspective. Angles are a photographer's friend. Not all pictures have to be straight on, eye level shots. Move around a little bit and check things out. You may find that the lighting is much better for the picture if you move 3 inches to your left and drop down 5 inches. Give your picture a totally new perspective on the subject.

 

Take a lot of pictures! One of the great things about digital cameras is that you can see the photos you take and delete them if you don’t like them. People often set up an entire shot of the family, and then shoot one picture. How many times have you later realized someone's eyes were closed or someone's face was turned to the side? Don't be stingy. Shoot several pictures and you have a better chance of getting a good image.

 

Last but certainly not least, keep your finger out of the way!

[brown_eyed_poet]

I am not a professional but here are my tips.

• When taking photos of people they dont have to look AT the camera. Some of the most beautiful pictures are of people looking past the camera or off to the side, in the distance etc...
  
• I had a friend who was a photographer tell me to center the person etc that you are shooting. I really disagree. Sometimes its good to center. Sometimes its better to move you subject slightly to the side. Play around with it and see what you like best.
  
• For vacation pics just be goofy. Some of my favorite pics of our Aruba pics are goofy pictures of us sitting on a Ronald Mcdonald statues lap, swimming in our underwear, making 'wings' out of seaweed, flashing money walking out from the casino....just showing us having fun!
  
• When taking photos of people try to get close enough to catch their expression on their face. Do this togather with another pic showing the scenery around them. I think photos are best when they capture feelings and reactions so you can relive them later.
  
• Erase those pics of yourself that make you feel bad about yourself. Some memories are not worth keeping.
  
• Squat down and get a different perspective! Ordinary things suddenly become artsy from a different angle.
  
• Take TONS of pics. You can erase them later if you want. Gotta love technology!
  
• Edit! Use the program on you computer or go out and buy one. You would be amazed at what you can do with editing.
  
• If you AND your travel companion each have a camera try to get different shots and then share photos later. Again....gotta love technology! Different people see things differently so the photos will turn out different. Make sense?
  
• Im not sure what its called---the feature on the camera that takes photos really fast in sequence---use this feature. Especially with kids. It's really hard to get a kid to sit still for that one second.They usually turn cute right after you snap that pic. You will get a better pic using this feature because it takes several pics in a row. Delete the bad ones and keep the good ones.
  
• Try black and white sometimes but not for everything. You can also make color photos black and white with your editing program on your computer. So play around with it.
  
• When traveling with a spouse, friend etc...make sure and get some photos togather. There will always be someone willing to take a pic. I havent been robbed thus far!

[Cruiser Forever]

brown_eyed_poet You have some really good tips. Thanks for sharing.:)

 

These 3 are very important:

 

# Erase those pics of yourself that make you feel bad about yourself. Some memories are not worth keeping.

# Squat down and get a different perspective! Ordinary things suddenly become artsy from a different angle.

# Take TONS of pics. You can erase them later if you want. Gotta love technology!

[pierces]

Have your camera ready while flying. You never know what type of cloudscape or tall mountain might pop up on your way into Seattle. I have a cloud scape that looks like Mickey Mouse shooting a large cannon in the sky, and some really nice pictures of Mt. Ranier on the approach to Seattle. That is why I always get a window seat. The show is great.

 

Good Shooting on the way to and from the Cruise.

 

Amen!

 

Dave

[Robin7]

I definitely agree about shooting on the way to the cruise. We also often take 'in the airplane' photos.

 

Robin

 

On the way to Anchorage:

 

On a Korean Air flight (Diet Coke):

[allen.crawford]

I see that someone has suggested having a camera with you at all times. (why do the best opportunities occur when I don't have my camera!?!?)

 

Here is one more I would like to suggest:

 

- Use a polarized filter during the day, especially when you are in a tropical area.

 

A polarized filter really improves the saturation of water and blue skies. What a polarized filter achieves at the time of image capture can not be duplicated in Photoshop.

[Cruiser Forever]

I see that someone has suggested having a camera with you at all times. (why do the best opportunities occur when I don't have my camera!?!?)

 

Here is one more I would like to suggest:

 

- Use a polarized filter during the day, especially when you are in a tropical area.

 

A polarized filter really improves the saturation of water and blue skies. What a polarized filter achieves at the time of image capture can not be duplicated in Photoshop.

 

This is an excellent tip.

 

And Robin7, You have some great shots in the previous post. Very nice.:)

[Lsimon]

Murphy says: Take two cameras!

 

This one saved me last trip when I went swimming with one that wasn't in a proper case! At least the memory card was fine but the camera never recovered.

 

My tip: For beaches and boating I carry my cameras in small zip lock bags. Keeps them dry in the pocket of my damp bathing suit and keeps the sand and spray off when you're not using them (as long as you're not "in" the water). I've even zipped a bag over my larger super-zoom while it's hanging around my neck and quickly take it off when I take a shot.

[cole]

I agree about not having family members standing in front of some gorgeous scenic view, but I have found that including locals in some photos really adds something. Caught a little girl begging in Russia (very well dressed with Crocs on her feet), a very old, retired seaman sharing his lunch with a seagull in Maine and homeless at the doorsteps of the White House. Really adds something to the photos!

B. Cole

[Cruiser Forever]

I agree about not having family members standing in front of some gorgeous scenic view, but I have found that including locals in some photos really adds something. Caught a little girl begging in Russia (very well dressed with Crocs on her feet), a very old, retired seaman sharing his lunch with a seagull in Maine and homeless at the doorsteps of the White House. Really adds something to the photos!

B. Cole

 

This is so true. I've seen open markets with the vendors in Europe. It does add an extra touch to the vacation snapshots. Do you have a link to these photographs? Love to see them.

[cole]

I am one of those who is technically challenged and have not learned how to do that. Sorry. Maybe some day!

B. Cole

[judynorth]

This is so true. I've seen open markets with the vendors in Europe. It does add an extra touch to the vacation snapshots. Do you have a link to these photographs? Love to see them.

 

What about links to your pictures, Cruiser Forever? You keep talking about them but you have no links. :)

 

There are some really good tips here. Thanks to everyone.

[judynorth]

I ended up buying a Lowepro Fastpack 250 for this trip as my old Adventure wasn't large enough for 2 bodies and longer lenses.

 

 

Chris, how do you like the Fastpack 250? We are looking for a camera bag that will carry our laptop and a DSLR and accessories and this one looks good but a good recommendation from someone would help us decide. Thanks!

[SheilaNC]

Judy,

I noticed on eBags that they were having a sale on Lowepro products...don't know if it's the one you're considering but worth a look.

[judynorth]

Judy,

I noticed on eBags that they were having a sale on Lowepro products...don't know if it's the one you're considering but worth a look.

 

Thanks. I checked that out yesterday and the one that interests me is on sale for 25% off with free shipping. I was hoping to hear from someone who has actually used this backpack.

[Cruiser Forever]

What about links to your pictures, Cruiser Forever? You keep talking about them but you have no links. :)

 

There are some really good tips here. Thanks to everyone.

 

 

Here is a photo of a open market fruit stand in Italy.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a link to my Shutterfly book:

 

 

http://community.shutterfly.com/gallery/post/start.sfly?postId=/gallery/1/post/GMGDFg3bOW7Vy1YgMwrAiM

[judynorth]

 

Here is a link to my Shutterfly book:

 

 

http://community.shutterfly.com/gallery/post/start.sfly?postId=/gallery/1/post/GMGDFg3bOW7Vy1YgMwrAiM

 

Thanks! Beautiful pictures!

[Cruiser Forever]

Thanks! Beautiful pictures!

 

 

Thank you Judy. Here is one more.:)

 

 

 

 

 

[jrw]

Chris, how do you like the Fastpack 250? We are looking for a camera bag that will carry our laptop and a DSLR and accessories and this one looks good but a good recommendation from someone would help us decide. Thanks!

 

Lowepro just brought out a new model of the Slingshot, the 350. It is basically the 300 plus an added area for a laptop. The nice part about Slingshot vs. Fastpack is the Slingshot is "AW", whereas Fastpack is not. If you like the ability to pull the all-weather cover over the bag, go with the Slingshot 350.

[Cruiser Forever]

Think like a scrapbooker and journal all your phot albums and photographs. You will be glad you did a few years down the way from now. Here is a tip that scrapbooking magazines recommend:

 

Vacation Photo Tips

Here’s a great picture-taking tip. When leaving on vacation, take two cameras and use a second pair of hands! Try black & white film in one of the cameras, for a different look.

 

Don’t limit the photographer to the adults in the group—children can take some great photos, and have a different perspective, too. This way the usual family photographer is also in some photos. Be brave, and ask a stranger or two to get a shot of your whole group. Have them take two or three, though, so your likelihood of getting a good picture is better. Happy traveling!

[MeadMkr]

Chris, how do you like the Fastpack 250?

 

Its is a good sized bag and with the older Toshiba laptop it is a bit heavy loaded with 4 lenses/2 bodies and other gear. When I checked it on the scale it was about 17lbs to carry on the plane but it didn't feel that heavy when wearing it!

 

Once I unloaded the laptop and then organized it for my excursions it was a lot lighter to carry and most of the time I barely knew I was wearing it. And when I needed to get the camera out quickly it was an easy to unzip the bottom pocket and grab the camera out. the same goes for grabbing a lens out of it to swap.

 

Cheers

Chris in VA

(still sorting and organizing 2000+ photos from our trip)