Photographic Tips for the Student Traveler

You are planning the trip of a lifetime, and you are already eager to take pictures. While you may not be a professional photographer, there are things that you can do, as well as things you can avoid, to make catching those amazing moments easier. Here are some photographic tips for the student traveler.

Before You Go
Familiarize yourself with your camera. Purchase a less expensive roll of film and test out the different functions your camera offers. Most cameras have an auto setting; however, functions such as night scene and landscaping allow you to take your picture taking to the next level.Learn the ins and outs of film. Film speed reflects the sensitivity of the film to light. The higher the speed of film, the more sensitive it is to light. 100 speed film, for example, is ideal for daylight or flash pictures, where as 800 speed film is preferred for lowlight or fast action. Remember though, that the higher the speed film, the grainier the picture will be.

Check the date of the film. Expired film reduces quality of the picture, and may even result in a ruined roll.Organize your photographic materials. Use a camera bag to store your camera, film, lenses, and any filters you may bring with you. Also, keep your film canisters and number them so that you can jot down in a notebook exactly where you were when you shot that particular roll.

If you are using a digital camera, don’t forget extra memory cards and either extra batteries or your battery charger. Leave your digital camera on the highest picture quality setting.It’s OK to use disposable one time cameras! These offer the ease of simple point-and-click photography. Disposable cameras require less investment, and allow you the option of purchasing varieties such as panoramic and underwater for less than if you sought these functions in reusable cameras.

While You Are There
Shoot pictures with the end in mind. Think about what you will be using your pictures for and take shots that matter to you.Make sure to get some photographs of yourself. Ask a fellow traveler to take pictures of you with landmarks that you find intriguing, or even ask a stranger to take a shot of you and your friends.Use common sense. If the sign in a museum, cathedral, etc. says no flash photography, don’t use your flash. You wouldn’t want kicked out of the museum, or for yours to be the last flash the Constitution could stand before crumbling into a pile.

Refrain from taking pictures of people you don’t know. From the store owner sweeping off his stoop in the morning, to the homeless man warming his hands on a trash can fire, taking pictures like these can be viewed as disrespectful. Remember the golden rule: Treat others as you would have them treat you.Don’t be afraid to take artistic pictures or potentially difficult shots. Film is relatively inexpensive when compared to your memories and creativity.

Afterward
Give your photographs the respect they deserve. Organize them into albums, scrapbooks, or photo boxes. You have spent too much time and money on these memories for them to be piled in shoeboxes.

Use acid, lignin, and PVC free papers and albums. The prevalence of scrap booking has made these items easy to find and fairly inexpensive.Avoid using magnetic photo albums. These are the ones with the sticky paper and plastic covering. Use these albums, and down the line you will have difficulty removing the pictures. Finally, look at your pictures often and relive the wonderful experiences you had during your travels!