Your best photos will require extra effort, such as getting up early, or  traveling to a special destination. A friend of mine, Jake Mosser, says that the  most useful tool for making great pictures is not sold in any camera store. It's  an alarm clock.


Managing photography and family time

• Be prepared to divide your time between family and photography. Compromise.  Don't let this ruin a trip.
• quality photography
• best not to make family wait while you "work" a subject for an hour
• get up early and shoot -- that's best light anyway
• skip one family activity and go your own way
• family photography -- kids in the photo album
• use "point-n-shoot" while touring with family, make "family" shots
• use print film for family shots -- it goes directly into family album with  no extra effort
• Leave plenty of time to do stuff without a camera. Don't experience all of  your family vacation through a viewfinder.
• An intensive photo trip is best made alone or with other photographers, not  your family.

Finding good photo locations

• Camera club members
• Internet photo news groups
• PSA (Photographic Society of America) Travel Aids
• Photo magazines (Outdoor Photographer is a good example)
• Be observant while traveling to hotel, to dinner, etc. Let someone else  drive so you can pay attention for photographic potential.
• Study postcards and pictures in guide books, ask clerk about location

When to shoot

• best before 10 AM, after 4 PM
• low lighting angle -- modeling of textures
• warmer quality of light
• sunrise vs. sunset
• moisture in air in morning -- generally nicer quality of light
• inclement weather
• protect gear
• gallon zip-lock
• trash bags

Shooting techniques

• Panoramas vs. Close-ups
• panoramas
• needs dramatic lighting
• needs foreground, middle and background elements
• close-ups
• more intimate
• more impact
• easier to control distracting backgrounds
• Informal portraits
• Ask for cooperation, you'll get a more pleasing pose. Respect subject's  privacy.
• Tips? If requested and reasonable, pay it. More cooperation. Otherwise,  thank you but no. Is it worth it to you?

Using film wisely

• Understand what it costs per picture
• 30 cents per frame for 36 exposure slide film is my typical costs, buying film and processing via mail-order
• Bracket exposures intelligently
• How important is subject?
• Multi-segment metering is very good on most subjects.
• Meters are fooled by very dark or very light subject.
• Print film is very forgiving, slide film less so.
• REMEMBER - Film is the cheapest part of your vacation

Equipment

• Lenses -- cover 28 to 300 mm range
• multiple fixed focal length lenses
• top quality, high bulk
• two zooms -- 28-80, 80-300
• very minimal sacrifice in quality, good convenience
• single 28-300 zoom lens
• limited quality, ultimate convenience
• Two camera bodies. Alternate use in case one is malfunctioning.
• Flash -- fill-flash technique to soften shadows
• Camera support (pick one or more)
• tripod -- the only accessory guaranteed to immediately improve your photography
• travel tripod
• monopod
• bean bag
• clamps
• "found" support
• friend's shoulder
• Filters
• polarizer
• warming (81A)
• enhancing
• graduated neutral density (rectangular)
• Miscellaneous
• Microfiber cleaning cloth. Several types made, get one  specifically designed for photography -- others are too coarse.  I have found Luminex cloths to be quite good.
• Extra batteries
• Penlight
• Sunscreen, bug repellent (sample size bottles)
• tissues & lanolin wipes
• minimal first-aid kit
• jeweler's screwdriver set
• small Swiss army knife
• Carrying all that equipment
• car trunk
• shoulder-type camera bag
• convenient to work out of, but hard to carry any distance
• backpack
• hard to work out of, but easy to carry, especially on rough terrain, leaves  hands free
• photo vest
• Some people carry equipment in them
• I prefer it as a "supply of pockets" for lens caps, cable releases, etc.
• baby stroller -- rent at zoo, theme parks, etc. -- use it to carry camera  bag all day
• personal security
• STAY AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS -- DON'T BE A VICTIM
• Listen to your instincts.
• Your gear is not worth your safety! Don't fight a robber.
• No photo is worth your safety! Get away if you feel unsafe.
• avoid sentiment against your political beliefs -- don't wear T-shirts etc.  that could make you a target
• shoot with friend
• cellular phone
• good LOUD whistle that works when wet.  Fox 40 is a good choice.
• Shooting in the morning is safer than the evening.
• Equipment security
• When flying, always carry-on camera gear
• disguise equipment
• equipment in diaper bag -- who wants steal a bag of dirty diapers?
• equipment in bookbag-type backpack
• black tape over logos
• keep bag closed while you are shooting
• put your leg through strap while bag is on ground
• consider equipment insurance
• standard homeowner's insurance
• extra equipment rider
• keep exposed film separate -- you'll at least have your pictures if you lose  everything else
• leaving equipment in hotel room
• don't, if you have a choice!
• use in-room safe -- most valuable equipment has top priority -- passport in  here too!
• dresser -- remove bottom drawer, equipment under bottom drawer
• bed -- lift mattress and box spring, hide equipment in bed pedestal

What to wear while shooting -- moderate weather

• jeans
• helps protects skin from thorns, poison ivy, bugs
• protects knees from terrain
• I'm more likely to get low camera angles if my skin is protected
• shoes
• hiking boots -- support & water resistance

Coping with winter weather

• insulate yourself by layering
• extra batteries for camera in an inside pocket of your clothing
• cold batteries may come back when warmed -- put them in your pocket
• don't breathe on cold equipment -- instant frost
• pipe insulation over the legs of a tripod is warmer on the hands
• When you bring an item from the cold into a warm room, condensation will  form on it. You can protect your equipment from this condensation. While still  outside, slip your camera bag into a garbage bag, fold over the top, then bring  it all insid e. The condensation will form on the garbage bag. Don't open the  bag until the equipment reaches room temperature.

Customs

• Passport
• get picture made before application -- AAA, Mail Boxes Etc., Kinko's
• allow at least 60 days
• apply at large city post office
• $60, valid for 10 years
• Personal property registration
• proves that you did not purchase your equipment while on the trip, and that  no duties are due.
• Itemize all equipment on paper at home. List all equipment, include serial  numbers, if available. Have an item number for each line in your list. Put your  name, address, and date on the list.
• Bring list and all equipment for inspection to Customs Office, ask them to  attach list to a Certificate of Registration for Personal Effects Taken Abroad.  They will ask to see a few of the items on your list.
• Carry this list and certificate with you through Customs at the airport.
• If you acquire any equipment after completing this process, carry the  receipt with this list.

Miscellaneous tips

• X-RAYING FILM -- The latest studies have shown that at US airports, x-ray  inspection has nearly imperceptible impact on film. This may not be the case in  other countries.
• Don't use "Film Shield" type lead bag
• Bag and film will continue to be exposed to x-rays until they make-out what they are looking at
• Film in canisters in gallon zip-lock bag, store in side pouch of carry-on luggage
• Remove film from cameras long before airport, put it in same plastic bag
• film lead retriever
• Pull out film bag, politely request hand inspection
• If film must be x-rayed, don't worry about it
• Keep film from heat -- foam cooler in trunk
• Photo equipment on beach
• “Salt-air goes into your equipment, air comes out.”
• Heat
• Sand
• Who watches your equipment while you enjoy the water?
• Good place for a disposable camera, leave your SLR behind
• Processing mailers -- pictures waiting for you at home
• Works well in US, may be risky to mail from foreign countries
• Mail at Post Office to keep film cool. Film will bake in a corner mail box.
• Combine several mailers in a large tyvek envelope to reduce postage.
• How much film?
• I budget four rolls per day
• Film is cheapest part of vacation
• Never say "I wish I had more film."
• Better to have too much and too little.
• Airlines allow three bags per person total, including photo gear
• You are usually allowed only one carry-on items, plus a purse or small briefcase. However, you may be limited to less. Plan accordingly.
• CARRY-ON CAMERA GEAR! Don't check it in!
• Strap tripod to camera bag -- counts as one item
• Always carry a change of clothes, toothbrush, and medication in carry-on luggage
• Make good use of your travel-companions' carry-on allowance
• pack efficiently
• don't bring more clothes than you need
• make items serve double-duty
• compression sacks -- outdoor outfitters -- tightly packs bulky clothes in  luggage
• Use a microcassette recorder to take notes
• how to find the location
• time of day
• names of people in photo
• Always carry water -- and remember to drink it!
• Use sunscreen -- photo sunburns hurt as much as beach sunburns
• Use a spreadsheet program to create a single list usable for Customs and  insurance. Include a column listing the value of each item. Include this column  for the insurance company, exclude the column for Customs.
• Improve your image! Only show your best work. Edit ruthlessly!

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Dan Beauvais
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