Beginners' Photography:
Taking Pictures for a Lifetime

Beginners' photography doesn't have to be difficult.

You don't need to be an expert to take that perfect shot. I'm not!

And if you already are an expert, perhaps what follows may help you pass your own knowledge on to others.

I'll admit it right away - I am not a great photographer, but I do manage to take memorable photographs because one, I ask for advice (a lot of it) and two, I get really good equipment and learn how to use it.

Don't worry - no one expects your photos to win awards - although they could. Some of my beginners' photography has ended up in magazines, usually because of original subject matter rather than the extraordinary talent of the photographer!

And if your beginners' photography doesn't win awards, you'll be able to share your trip with the ones you love. Those precious photographs - whether you've climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, kayaked the Caribbean or walked the Camino - will remind both yourself and everyone around you that you actually did it!

Digital versus film

The great news about digital photography is that it's instant. No more waiting, anxiously wondering if your film got home safely. If you're unhappy with the results, you can simply delete everything and start over. You can simply see what you shoot as you go along.

Digital photography allows you to share your pictures with people instantly. You can post them on your blog or email them home from most Internet cafés. You can even produce your own slide show and send that on!

If you choose this option, make sure you get a camera that has many different connections. Not all computers in Internet cafés have USB connections. They may well have the older serial cables, or floppy disks - for which you can get lightweight attachments. I carry my own laptop when I travel - this eliminates guesswork when it comes to photos (and adds to my anxiety level as I try not to become separated from it!)

And it is cheap. Good cameras are falling in price, and all you need are some memory cards and batteries.

Make sure you have spares of both. Memory cards may be hard to find on the road - they're small and light, and each can take literally thousands of photos. And bring additional rechargeable batteries and a charger. The extra batteries (make sure they are charged!) will come in handy if you're away from electricity for days.

The downside of digital is lower quality. If you're planning on using your photos for a poster, you should definitely rethink digital. Although excellent digital cameras do exist and provide high quality, they're far too heavy and delicate for most beginners' photography. I have one - but I don't often take it with me on the road. I use a small compact digital - just slips into my pocket and stays there until I need it.

Film is also more expensive. Not only do you have to buy the film, but you have to get it processed. And film can be spoiled, whether by old-fashioned X-ray machines in some airports, or excess heat or humidity or your own boo-boos!

But if you're not a fan of technology, or if you don't need your photographs right away, by all means, take your film camera along. There's no point in worrying about mastering new equipment when you're perfectly familiar with your own camera.

You can also get prints, which you can use to make up photo albums when you get home (although nowadays you can buy small and cheap instant printers that download your pictures on photographic paper with a quality that is surprisingly good).

Whatever the airports say, I don't let my film go through the X-ray machines. Once or twice may be fine, but anything beyond that doesn't get my vote. Have your film checked manually - or better yet, get it processed as you go along. Look for signs that say C41 or E6 processing. You can get either slides or prints and then mail them home - in two batches, in case something gets lost.

Your best source for a good local photo processor is, of course, a local photographer... If your photos are extra-special, make sure the processor you choose is worthy of them.

There is a third alternative for still pictures - the Polaroid. This used to be one of my favorites, especially in rural areas. I've made a lot of friends in inhospitable places by taking their picture and producing an instant photo. But digital has almost replaced the Polaroid. I say almost because in an isolated area, you might not be able to find a place to print the shot. Still, you'll be able to show everyone the photo from the camera's viewer - and with luck find a place to print it too.

Just beware - Polaroid can be extremely expensive in some countries and you may not be able to leave until you've photographed every single person in the village!

Choosing the right camera

Light and sturdy. Those are my two criteria for a camera, whether digital or film.

Anything else is a luxury.

If you have the choice, look for a camera with as little shutter delay as possible so you don't miss those perfect moments, but do not get anything too fancy either. Durability is key, especially if your trip is going to be lengthy. Go for the widest angle lens you can get.

I have four cameras and choose between them, depending on the trip: a Polaroid, a Contax TVS (35mm but ohhh so simple to use and such great photos), a Nikon Coolpix 775 (simple and light), and a top of the range Nikon digital SLR, only for professional jobs.

Beginners' photography on the road should be simple: capture every memory you possibly can and keep your pictures well organized for later, so you know what pictures were taken on what day and at what location.

And don't forget to take notes - all those familiar faces will look alarmingly similar by the time you get home.

For more travel photography do's and don'ts, please see my basic tips page, which I call travel and scenic photography 101.