You're finally taking that big vacation, or maybe just the annual trip to the lake, and you've promised the family that this year you will use that fancy new camera to record the fun with better pictures. Fear not–the Web is full of expert advice and tips, and more than a few good examples.
You know about the travel information available from Fodor's, but you might have missed their Focus on Photography––full of suggestions for improving your travel photo album. Before you pack your camera, click on "Getting Ready" to find "Travel Hints." If you plan some difficult shots of fireworks or life around a campfire, click on "Classic Vacation Shots," and take a small tripod. For "People" shots, learn to make your friends and relatives relax instead of posing stiffly–and don't stand so far away from them. And for scenery, "The Natural World," try for a simpler point of view.
Even if you're not going to Europe, the people who put together the wide-ranging About.com library have a guide to Europe that includes Taking Great Travel Pictures––with a section titled "Travel Photography 101." Tip No. 1: Get close to your subject. Then, pay attention to the light, frame your subject and try a different point of view.
One photographer's helpful Web site, Photo-Tips––provides more tips for traveling with a camera. Some of the most helpful bits are under "Photo Technique," including "different angles"–don't just stand there, sit down or get down on one knee to get a different viewpoint before snapping that picture. That works especially well with flowers and children.
So, after you've picked up some shooting tips and kept your eyes open, what do you do with your prize shots?
Besides having prints made at your local photo shop, megamart or drugstore, you can use your Internet connection to send them to one of the many convenient online printers, such as Shutterfly––Snapfish––and ImageStation–.
Skip the prints and just post your pix at one of the photo sharing Web sites, including Flickr––SmugMug––PBase––and others. Some charge a fee, some allow you to password-protect your pictures so only invited guests can see them, and some such as PBase allow you to search for other people's pictures of particular places, like Gooseberry Falls, Minn., or New York's Central Park.
And if you have one or two that you're especially proud of, think about entering them in a contest. Watch for competitions in your favorite magazine or newspaper, or maybe at your motel or resort or local camera shop. National Geographic Traveler––is having its 18th annual contest. The "PhotoZone" feature at National Wildlife Magazine––has contests plus nature photography tips. And MyParkPhotos––offers prizes for shots of parks, wildlife refuges forests and trails. At Travel + Leisure magazine––look for their 35th Anniversary contests.
