It’s a once in a lifetime vacation, and you want to record the memories for your scrapbook. A few simple steps and you’ll have those memories, not just pictures. Before you click, really focus on the scene before you. Are wires, telephone poles, signs, or the back of someone’s head between you and your perfect shot? Wires are the worst, since your mind automatically blocks them out, but the camera records all! Step to one side to change the angle or use your zoom lens to remove the obstruction. Take several shots, from different angles, keeping an eye on the sun. The best photos occur with some shadow, so try for early morning, or late evening. If you are taking night photos, remember the flash from your camera is for close up, not distance. Some cameras will allow you to change the f-stop, which allows more or less light on the subject. Digital cameras will now do all the adjusting for you, but you still have to decide what you want in the photo and where you want it positioned. Scenic views are breathtaking, but inserting a friend or family member to one side puts the magnitude in perspective, and preserves the memory of the trip. Including signs in your shots is a good way to keep track of where you took the photo. A sign reading “Welcome to Hawaii’s Big Island” in the first of a series of photos, followed by “Waikiki Beach, then signs for Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai as you island hop, removes all doubt when you get home, look at a photo and can’t remember which memory goes with which island. So take your time before you click, and always remember to carry extra batteries or film. |
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