Equipment

1

Photograph your address on frame 1 of your film or memory card & label your film cartridge / media. Keep a permanent marker in your camera bag.

2

Remember that negative film has a wide latitude. Up to 4 stops over exposure & 2 stops under. Raw/TIFF formats on digital also hold more shadow detail than JPG.

3

When buying secondhand lenses, check smooth travel of the zoom & that when held vertical, holds its position

4

When using flash, check that you are on or below the required sync speed (commonly 60-100th sec). Leaf shutters sync at all speeds. Most digital cameras (with a flash shoe or connection) also sync at all speeds.

5

Always carry 2 poly bags in your camera bag for inclement weather. Ensure your choosen camera bag is 'over size'

Tripods & Flash

6

Flash Batteries: When they are getting a bit sluggish, finish them off in another device, like a torch etc. Or use NiMH batteries kept at room temp'

7

Buy or make a diffusion box for your flash. This will give more subtle use of flash

8

Carry a piece of mottled card for use in shielding your lens from flare or as a background when taking still life/plants

9

When buying a tripod, aim to get one to have the camera at Head height.

10

Tripods - remember that the central tripod shaft can be up-ended for images close to the ground.

11

If using a tripod in bad weather, attach your camera bag to the bottom of the shaft to steady it.

12

Buy a mini tripod (£5) for situations where you cannot or do not want to carry a full size one. Use self timer to minimise shake. One is espechially useful for compacts or small digital cameras.

Getting it right

13

Always test new equipment before embarking on anything important (eg Weddings etc)

14

When using a manual wind-on camera, always check that during feeding on the film that the wind on spool is moving correctly. Film counter will still show numbers ascending even if film is not loaded correctly. If using a digital, check your images in playback mode to confirm that images are being correctly recorded.

15

For best results, always Frame, then focus, then consider exposure. Fit filters if required, change viewpoint. If the picture cannot be improved by waiting - Shoot!

16

To change film mid-roll, rewind until you hear the 'click'. Label outstanding leader with the last frame used+1. When reloading, with a lens cap on, shoot to the number indicated + 1

17

Hand held exposures using long lenses. Quick guide is 1/lens length. EG 200mm lens = 1/200th. Otherwise, use a tripod to steady.

18

Depth of field: remember it always extends further towards infinity from the point of focus, than back from it.Focus carefully for desired foreground effects.

Subjects

19

Sunsets: Bracket 2 stops either side to ensure a great image. Meter from a bit of sky without the sun. Try to include a sillohette for added interest.

20

Faces: A quick method of obtaining a good 'skin' exposure is to meter from the back of your hand.

21

Close up/macro photography: Obtain a macro lens/tubes. Due to loss of light, a ring flash is a good idea. If your subject is not moving consider a tripod.

22

Portaits: Consider the background carefully. One that can be placed out of focus might enhance your images. Always try to have eyes & mouth in focus.

23

For a relaxed pose, have your subject look away then turn back to the camera prior to hitting the shutter. For full length shots, try to have camera at waist level.

24

Study poses used by other photographers & artists from books, magazines or the internet. Keep reassuring your subject that all is well and you are pleased with the shots

25

Try to use a 75-200mm lens to give a natural perspective, unless shooting for unusual effects!

26

Shoot children from their own level (ie 3ft) & try to use faster film or ASA speeds & natural light to obtain more natural images. Have a parent amuse a small child or have some fluffy toys handy!.

27

For group portraits, try to keep heads at different levels. IE in a triangle or polygon, use varying heights. Use a whistle at Weddings for attracting attention.

28

Using B/W film or monochrome mode on a digital camera, a red filter can reduce/remove skin blemishes, spots & freckles. A blue filter can enhance red lipstick (& spots!).Use of a diffuser filter might help older subjects.

29

Try B/W Infra Red film (or custom white balance on digital) for unusual landscapes. A deep red / IR filter recommended. The Kodak version is best. Be careful to load in absolute darkness.

30

Landscapes: Avoid composing with a central landscape. Consider thirds if possible, If shooting on a dull day, minimise sky & include some foreground detail (flowers etc)

31

Filters worth buying: Poloriser (improves blue skies & water) and a grey graduated filter (for enhancing sky detail)

Buildings

32

If photographing popular buildings or monuments, try to do so before 9am & the crowds arrive. Use a long exposure to blur people & give an alternative image. A neutral density filter will cut exposure by 3 or 4 stops.

33

Night Shots: Take just before the light has gone from the sky, using a tripod. Use slow film, bracket wildly, starting at F8, 4secs on 100ASA.

34

Don’t forget the small details of buildings. Spend a few extra moments finding a new viewpoint after scanning the local postcards for the 'standard' hackneyed scenes!

Animals, Plants, Landscapes & Children

35

Animals: wait until theyi are fed or make feeding time the subject.For pets, bribe them with treats. Insects can be placed in the fridge to slow them down.

36

On Safari: Try to get a window position & steady your camera on a monopod or beanbag. A tripod can sometimes be placed on the ground outside the vehicle. Choose a date near the end of the dry season to catch all animals at the remaining sources of water.

37

Flowers/Plants: Try to use an overcast day with scattered light

38

If you cannot rely on your memory, always carry a notebook.In particular when on holiday. Particularly handy when taking pictures of people at an event.

39

Explore several compositions. Analyse successful ones to realise why they worked. Do they lead in from the left or use rule of thirds? Let your eye not your equipment lead you.

40

Consider a panorama or a set of images to tell a story if appropriate.

41

Always look in the corners of the view finder to check for details you would prefer to exclude. In particular items growing out of peoples heads!

42

Try to place your main subject off-centre. Consider your central viewfinder viewing circle a 'no go area'

43

Ensure that there is more space infront of people (particularly if moving), than behind. Try to have a dominent element if possible.

44

Try to exploit natural frames for your image. Eg windows, arches, over hanging trees etc.

45

Use reflectors to control lighting. Use light walls to reflect light or invest in a lastalite that can be folded down very small. For economy, a card covered with foil will do the job.

Looking like a better photographer

46

Try a change of film. To try some B/W, try Ilford XP2 (will go through any mini-lab). Slide film when bought process paid can be cheaper than prints & much higher quality. If using digital avoid using too many special effect filters in photoshop. Any fool knows what filters are in that menu and its no substitute for a better original shot!

47

Edit your photos before showing the general public. Only show the best 24 rather than the mixed 100+ you took. People will enjoy them more. Remember you only used to see 12 shots on the Pirrelli calendar, not the 2,000 they took on location!

48

Don't be afraid to crop images (or mask slides with aluminium foil or GEPE mounts) after development. Images can be any size, not just in the artificial ration of 4:3

49

Hand colour prints & images using food dye or Photoshop. Sepia tone B/W images & apply colours sparingly for unique effects.

50

Last of all, remember who you are taking the images for. Yourself! So have fun doing it!

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