Making the Most of Your Holiday Snaps

You would have a hard time trying to find a tourist without some sort of camera these days, whether it takes still shots or records all those unforgettable experiences on video to be shared with everyone back at home. Not all those photos will convey just how great the moment really was, however. There are a number of ways you can make sure that your vacation photos come out as well as you could wish.

The first secret is to take the right equipment with you. It can be difficult to choose the right camera, but what you need is something reliable that you feel comfortable using, and which will produce high quality images. It’s a good idea to choose a hybrid camera that will be able to take both photos and video, rather than trying to fit two separate ones into your bag. A good example of a hybrid is the Powershot from Canon (model S3 IS). The optical zoom reaches a magnification of 12 times, which will come in handy for shots of all those famous landmarks. There is a massive six megapixels of resolution to ensure you capture every detail. You’ll be able to grab a quick shot on the move as well, thanks to the clever image stabilization. Best of all, the Powershot lets you take still photos as well as movies. You can even take a photo, or movie snap, while recording video. And with its clear widescreen playback you can see all your movies as soon as you make them. Don’t leave home without a good supply of batteries and memory cards though, otherwise your camera will end up spending most of the vacation at the bottom of your bag.

The second secret is in choosing the right shot. Keeping a key landmark or a magnificent landscape, such as the mountains you’ve come to see, or a stunning sunset, in the background will create an atmospheric and memorable picture. Look around for the perfect setting for a family photo- something with lots of color, or an interesting light will work well. For a more natural photo, grab an unexpected shot of a loved one. Take a picture while they’re enjoying the scenery or relaxing on the beach, and you’ll have a much more personal and surprising record of the trip than if you ask them to pose.

Thirdly, be ready to take risks. Great photos don’t always come to you. Sometimes you need to go out and find them, and with a rugged, waterproof camera you’ll be able to go that little bit further. Choose the six megapixel Powershot ELPH camera (model SD600) to get underwater shots on a snorkeling or scuba diving trip. Then play your adventures back in widescreen on any TV or computer, thanks to the useful 16:9 filming feature. Make sure to wrap your camera up in the secure waterproof case (model WPDC40) and your camera will be safe at up to 130 feet down! It’s the perfect solution to keep your camera dry from splashing waves during those less adventurous beach photos too.

The fourth secret- one which will ensure you get everyone’s favorite memories, and shots of all the family too, is to let other people have a turn with the camera. Let your children record their favorite sights and sounds with a simple camcorder such as the DC40. It takes great four megapixel photos and records video straight onto DVD so that you can watch back the fun without any fuss.

Finally, why not share your vacation with your friends and relatives at home, before the trip is even over. Take a compact photo printer with you and you’ll have printed copies of all your best photos in less than 60 seconds. The Canon SELPHY printer (model CP510) is ideal since it produces photos on a special paper that turns them into your own personal postcards.

How to Choose the Correct Filter When Photographing Landscapes

Many people think of the camera as like an eye, taking a perfectly true image. “The camera never lies” they say. You may have found, however, that your shots can come out looking quite unlike what you actually saw in the real world. This is where filters come in. The correct filter will make sure that the photo is a perfect representation of the scene, just as it appeared in your own eyes.

There are other uses for filters too. They can alter the mood of a scene, for example, or ensure that the picture comes out exactly as you would like. The filter fits across the lens of the camera, affecting the light which filters through. A combination of different filters can be used together, and since they are small and light you will find it sensible to carry a number of them with you when you go out photographing landscapes.

There are a few commonly used filters that will make a good start to your collection for landscape photography purposes.

The first type you should seriously consider investing in is a polarizing filter. It is highly effective, especially in indirect side light. The sky in a color photo will become richer and darker, while you will find it can capture the mood of fast flowing water and even the ethereal nature of mist. It can be used with black and white photography too, in which it will make the gray areas darker.

If you are interested in B/W photography you will find there are a range of filters directed specifically at you. In addition to the polarizing filter, which is the only one capable of working with either type of photography, the most common filter you will come across is the red one. It is most popular in a strength of 25. Red filters allow more red light through than they do light of other wavelengths. This will add to the power of your final image, particularly making the sky darker.

If you are attempting a shot where there is too much brightness in part of the scene it can affect the exposure. The sky is often much brighter than the nearby ground or shadows. It is not uncommon to find a difference of three light stops, for instance if the sky is giving an F/22 reading of 1/8 second and the ground of 1 second. In this case you must maintain the brightness of the ground while bringing the light in the sky down by three stops. A Neutral Density Filter of 0.9 can do this. ND filters are also commonly available in strengths of 0.6 and 0.3, which will reduce brightness by one and two stops respectively.

ND filters work by cutting out light from one half of the picture only, because part of the filter is shaded to its specific strength, while the rest of the filter is clear, letting all light from the scene through. They allow you to take photos of scenes where there is a large contrast in the amount of light in different areas, without any problems with exposure or any influence of the filter on the colors in the photo.

You may have had trouble taking photos on cloudy and overcast days too- which could be a big problem if you live in an area where such weather is common. Your photos probably came out looking dull and uninspiring. A warm-up filter can prevent this, allowing you to capture the beauty and detail of the landscape. Perhaps the best choice is the 81A, while you will find the whole 81 series to be highly effective in dealing with overcast conditions.

Don’t be tempted to buy any exciting sounding filter, though. You will find many on offer that are more detrimental than helpful to your shots. Color graduated ones, for example, will make the colors of your photos appear very strange and unnatural.