Snap-happy holidays

Unfortunately, most of us have tales of the terrible holiday pictures we've seen (and taken). So went wrong? Read on for some tips on how to avoid ending up with terrible holiday snaps.

Having saved all year or maybe a lifetime, you’re ready to leave; you stop to check you’ve packed your new high-tech digital camera. This will be the trip you'll bring back the most amazing pictures to show-off to family and friends. Each shot, simply but beautifully telling the story of your trip of a lifetime. Memories you'll savour forever. With 3+ mega pixels and a great zoom lens, this holiday won't be like the last one, this time you’re camera ready.

None-the-less, here are a few simple tips to keep in mind before heading off: 

1. If possible, don't buy a new camera to take on holiday. Often you’ll see people walking around in sheer frustration trying to force, fiddle and coerce their cameras into responding. Having paid a fortune to take an once-in-a-lifetime trip, they can't figure out how to work their camera, particularly true of digital cameras.

2. If you do buy a new camera before you go, give yourself enough time to learn how to use it. While at home, take the camera out and take several pictures. Try to take the type of photos you’ll be taking on your trip, e.g. people, scenery, buildings, take indoor and night-time shots, etc. Try to use all of the camera’s programs in order to familiarise yourself with the camera's functions. Don’t forget to read the manual.

3. Before (and after you buy) search the Internet for information about your camera. There are many great user websites, where the user's, not the manufacturers, discuss the camera’s pros and cons. 

4. I know it’s commonsense, but don’t be swayed by sales people, they just want to sell you the latest, most technical, super duper model on the market. In today's world, cameras are becoming more sophisticated and much more complicated to use. Just because you pay a lot for the camera, doesn’t mean you’ll take great pictures. No camera, irrespective of price, is going to take great pictures, only the person behind the camera can do that.

5. As well as your new camera, it’s a good idea to take a disposable camera, as back up. It is much better to have some photos of your holiday than none. 

6. If you want to take photos that look like they came from National Geographic, (or just improve your technique) you may want to invest in a travel photography course, they vary in length (a day to a few weeks) and price. Remember, even these courses offer no guarantees. 

7. When packing your digital camera, don’t forget to pack extra batteries (or a battery charger) and a number of media cards (new camera tend to come with a 16mb card which takes about 30-40 pictures at 2 mega pixels). After all in the past, we used to take rolls of extra film.

8. Make sure you have included your camera on your household insurance, so you can claim for it if it gets stolen (they are magnets for thieves).
 
9. When out and about think about how you will be storing your camera when not in use, most digital cameras are sensitive to heat.

10. Most of all keep it simple and you’ll have fun.

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated the copyright for this article and any accompanying photos belong to the author.