The "A Few More Photo Tips" Story

The photos for this story you may have viewed before.  I use them
as wallpaper on my computer and get to see they all the time.  They
are some of my favorites which I used for slide shows and scrapbooking.

It was an ordinary day.  Looking through my computer's trash can to see what items I should delete for good to free up more space and realized I had a couple of thousand photos along with the many documents.  Then I started to examine everyone and realized what made them either excellent, good, bad or ready to be truly trashed for good.  The composition was what I was looking at and then I thought I should write a story about composition that may help other photographers.  

Since I was a photo- graphy teacher at one time, I allegedly should know what makes a snapshot a photograph.  Then I realized that I had written a story a couple of years ago about composition.  If you're interested, click on "Photography" in the index at the top of my stories and scroll back through them until you find it.  I actually did a thorough job explaining what to do and not do when creating  a photograph.  But, I never gave any practical tips that may help you when preparing yourself for a photo session.  So, here are a few things that may help you with your next assignment.

1. I usually take photos for a reason.  While on vacation I try to remember that I am planning a scrapbook and try to document as many of the things I do while on vacation.  Nothing is off-limits when doing this.  Make sure to photograph your trip to the grocery store, restaurants where you eat and even the airport experience.  Have to remember that in security areas of the airport you are not allowed to use your camera.  If you are planning a slide show you may able to use most of the same photos you took for your scrapbook, but try to include some photos that are more geared for the slide show, since you probably won't be using words in your slides show as you will in your scrapbook. Include things such as signs, menus, people, and even closeups of meals, flowers, etc.  Always have your camera with you for either type of documentation, since you don't know what may pop up at the last second.
2. As far as the equipment you may be using, it doesn't matter if you are using a point-and-shoot camera or a DSLR with a variety of lens.  

   

   Remember to click on photos to enlarge.

   Always have the camera with you.  Just when you leave it at your motel room or beach house you'll find what could have been the best shot of your vacation.  When I take photos of a tourist attraction, I always try to take a photo of the name of the place so you don't forget later where you were.  And, don't forget an extra battery, no matter what size battery or camera you have.  Backup SD cards are a must, even if you have a large MP card in your camera.  After every photo shoot or at least every day on vacation, make sure you download your day's shots onto you iPad, iPod or laptop to make sure you didn't miss anything or that everything is working correctly on your camera. Tha is providing you have something along to allow you to do that.  Not hard to have the camera set to a wrong setting and lose a few photos, but as long as you can download them you will see your mistake and can possibly re-shoot the photos again.
3. It's great to take plenty of family shots, but you may be the only one who will enjoy them.  Take plenty of photos without family in them.  If you are going to publish some of them as I do, no one wants to see 40 of your 50 shots with your wife, husband or kids in the middle of them.  
4. Try something different.  Put you camera on the ground and try some shots.  Sit or bend down for some shots or climb up a flight of stairs for a higher perspective of what you may be taking.  
   
   Try shots while holding the camera high in the air or hold the camera above you or to your side and point it backwards for a shot or two.  Some DSLR cameras allow you move the screen so you can see exactly what you will get on the frame.  Even if you can't see, you may catch something really memorable.  Have someone else use your camera sometimes so you can be in a few of the photos.  A few "selfie" shots are always part of my slide shows and scrapbook.  If you are taking food shots, remember to take the photo BEFORE you eat the meal, unless you are so starved you can't wait. 
5. If your camera has a way to set the speed or ISO settings, try to use a lower number such as 100 ISO when you can to get the most detail.  
   
   Really a must in bright settings such as the beach.  But then, if you are shooting in dimly lit areas or in shade, you may need a higher setting.  If you are shooting on a "Program" mode, the camera will help you with the aperture and shutter speed after you set the ISO.  Many cameras will even set the ISO for you if needed.  If you are taking photos of people and you are pointing the camera towards the sun or a lighted area behind them, set your camera so the flash will go off.  if you don't, you will not be able to see their faces.  
6. Sometimes the best time of the day for photos is in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky.  You will get more dramatic shadows and highlights than when the sun is overhead.  If it gets too early or late, you may need a tripod or at least rest the camera against something to avoid any blur in the photo.  
7. When taking my photos, I will most times shoot the same photo as a closeup, regular distance and wide angle.  
   
   I use a zoom lens in order to do that.  That way I can easily crop them later on my computer.  I make sure I do this with people photos to make sure all eyes are open and I don't get frowns from the subjects.  I also will take the same subject from a few angles to see which one I like the best.  Hey, with digital photography you don't need to have your photos developed and printed to see what you have.  Hence, my earlier note about having plenty of SD cards available.  
8. And, most important, have fun taking the photos.  Don't make it a chore or leave the camera at home if it is.  Your photos will give you away when others view them if you aren't having fun taking them.  And, I never trust anyone to get exactly what I want when I push the shutter release.  Do it yourself!  It's also more fun that way.

Well, I hope you found at least one think that will help make your photos interesting and entertaining.  One of my hobbies is photography, so for me I have a great time when taking photos whether it be on vacation or taking photos for this blog.  I'm sure you will have many happy memories to share if you get a few good photographs during your vacation.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.