Christy does the majority of the photography for the Roadtrip Divas. She currently uses a Canon Digital XT. If you are interested in info about the camera see the link below.
Editing Photos Help
Camera Choices:
There are many cameras on the market today and the choices can be overwhelming. Picking a camera is an important decision if you want photos that are going to look good and sharp. Christy recommends Canon, as that is what she uses. Nikon is the other major brand in cameras. If you are going to get a film camera you could also look into Pentax. See the left column for information about the camera Christy uses as well as some recomendations.
Digital or Film?
Christy was using film until last 2004, when she picked up the digital Canon Rebel to use with her regular Canon Rebel. She has since stopped using the film camera because it is so much easier to use digital, and cheaper. Another advantage to digital is if you have a screen to review your photos after you take them, you can quickly learn new tricks about composing pictures and what looks good because you will be able to try several things at once and immediately compare them.
Film Choices:
Only use name brand film to get the best results. Preferably Fuji or Kodak for color or Ilford for black and white. If you are shooting scenics, Fuji is said to have better greens and reds, where Kodak tends to be better for skin tones.
Film Speeds:
Film is made up of grain. If you look closely at a TV you will see little dots, well film is made up of similiar dots.
The higher the speed of film the fewer dots to make up the picture. So why would you want fewer dots? Well if you are shooting at night time or shooting fast action like racing cars, the fewer dots pick up light and movement faster, whereas lower films pick them up slower.
If you don't like to see the dots when the photos are printed in 8x10 and larger, you will want to use as low of a film speed as possible.
100/200 asa film is ideal for outdoor photos with plenty of light. Not ideal for sports photography or running children. If you plan on having a photo blown up to larger sizes (11x14 or larger) and don't want to see those dots, get a lower asa film like 100 or 200. They have more dots per inch that are tighter and less likely to be seen.
400 asa film is a good all around film. Especially if you don't know when you will be using it or where. It is ideal for closeup photos inside and most everything outside. This is also one of the most widely found films.
800 and above should only really be bought if you plan on shooting fast moving items, are using a 200mm+ zoom lense or will be taking lots of shots inside, like at a party.
Where should I get prints made?
We highly recommend you avoid Walmart (for numerous reasons) and upload your photos to some of these great photo places who often run specials and are extremely affordable.
First rule, ALWAYS have the sun at your back. Here are some more helpful hints:
If you don't want to shell out the dough for the XT, here are some other cameras that might be better for the pocket book, and are good brands.
If you want something just a little more affordable than the XT try the digital Canon Rebel.
Click on one of the links to do some shopping. I would recommend sticking with a Canon, Nikon, Pentax or even the Sony Cybershot.
Books you should pick up to help you learn more!
The Rule of Thirds. See how Onyx is not centered in the photo? Instead she is in the right 1/3 of the picture. This adds interest to a photo.
Some photos, especially SLRs (where you can change lenses on it) allow you to focus on your subject and while holding the focus button down halfway you can then reframe the photo and take a picture. (So basically you can create a photo that doesn't only have the center in focus. Like in this pic where Onyx is in focus and the rest is less so.
Flash. The (built in) flash on your camera is only good for about 5 feet. So taking a photo of a balloon at dawn will not light up the balloonm like in the photo on the left. If anything, it might wipe out the colors in the sky.
If you are unsure, try taking a photo with flash and one without. Digital cameras will allow you to see the picture in the screen and quickly learn what works for each situation.
Remember, just because the picture isn't lit up, doesn't mean it isn't a great picture, this silhouette of a balloon is nice with the morning sky .
Action. All photos don't have to have someone posing and smiling. The photo to the right not only uses the rule of thirds (see the woman in the bottom right) but it has elements of color and action, making it an interesting shot.
If you will be filming action shots consider use higher speed films like 400 or 800. Outside, you can use 200 or 400 to get decent action shots. However, sports photographers often use even higher because they are using zoom lenses and the action is also very fast.
Get closer. One of the biggest mistakes new photographers make is not getting close enough to their subject. When you think you are close enough, take 2 steps forward and take another shot. See which one you like better.
Posing and groups. If you can do it, try and make a triangle. It is more visually appealing for the eye.
Headroom and space. Many photographers make the mistake of centering the head in the photo and leaving a big gap of dead space above the head to the top of the photo.
In the Liberty picture, the head is centered, but her arm extends almost to the top of the photo, making a good use of space.
In the dinosaur picture, you will see a little bit of dead space above the dino's head that could have been cut out with different framing while taking the picture. However, because the space is not that large and the head is not dead center this is acceptable.
Please do not attempt to copy any photographs or text from this site. Copyright 2006, Christy Whitehead, Roadtrip Divas.
Purchase prints here. If you have enjoyed the photos on this Website, or find the information useful, we would greatly appreciate it if you purchased something from our store or donate to us. Thank you.
If you have enjoyed the photos on this Website, or find the information useful, we would greatly appreciate it if you purchased something from our store or donate to us. Thank you. Purchase prints here.
