Looking Through the Lens

Spring break is almost here and whether you're going somewhere warm like Florida or have an alternative vacation in mind like volunteering in Louisiana with Habitat for Humanity, you'll want to bring a camera and take plenty of pictures. \n"The camera is my tool to capture wonderful and unexplainable moments," says amature photographer Mandi Renslow of Collins LLC. \nYears from now these photos will bring back happy memories of your good old college days, but how can you make sure you'll have these tangible memories years down the road? \nFor starters, you need to have the right equipment. It's safe to say we are in the digital age, so if you haven't upgraded to a digital camera you might want to. Bloomington has two local camera shops. The shops have knowledgeable staffs to help you navigate through mega pixels, accessories and each camera's different features, Cord Camera on Pete Ellis Drive and Robert's on Kirkwood Avenue. A couple of good cameras for amature photographers are the Nikon CoolPix P2 and Fugifilm's FinePix F10, according to Cord Camera sales associate Amee Smith. \nThe CoolPix P2 boasts 5.1 mega pixels, a large viewing screen and wireless capabilities. Mega pixels are a measurement of resolution and image size. The more mega pixels a camera can produce, the higher the resolution and larger the image. Sinclair also recommends the Fujifilm FinePix F10. While the F10 and P2 both have 2.5 inch view screens, the F10 comes with rechargeable batteries good for 500 images per charge and 6.3 mega pixels. These cameras can be yours for $400 and $500 respectively.\nFor those of you who are die hard film users, these stores offer a variety of film and equipment for you. Roberts and Cord Camera are also great locations to develop your film or process those digital images after you return from your travels. Cord Camera offers one-hour processing at a rate of $.29 per 4x6 print. And for those who find themselves getting prints often, the store offers a membership program with monthly specials including discount prints. \nIf you'd rather print your own photos you'll want to pick up the Epson PictureMate Deluxe, but it can only process photos 4x5 or smaller. This pint sized printer comes equipped with wireless capabilities, a 75 second printing speed, minor adjustments such as cropping and borders and a cost of $.24 per print. The Epson PictureMate Deluxe's wireless features are a perfect match with the Nikon CoolPix P2. So after a long day on the beach, you can print photos in your hotel room while taking a shower.\nNow that you have your equipment it's time to start shooting. But remember to keep in mind that the camera can't do everything. These pointers will help you take more appealing and interesting pictures. Here are some tips to keep in mind when wielding your camera. \n1) Make your photos compelling with the rule of thirds. Simply divide your picture into three parts: horizontally and vertically. The main subject should be in one of these sections with other components of the photo spaced throughout these sections. The rule of thirds prevents the stagnant subject in the middle of the frame composition.\n2) Create interesting frames within your picture. Try framing your lounging beach buddy with palm trees or whatever else the environment might provide. This can give your photos variety and extra interest.\n3) Concentrating on light and the qualities of light can make your photos more provocative, a convention used by Chris Meyer, associate instructor of photojournalism, on his own vacations. You can photograph the shadows produced by a palm leaf and silhouette a friend with the setting sun.\n4) If you want to take landscape photos, make them interesting. There's nothing more boring to your friends and family than a picture of the beach or a bunch of trees. So try putting someone among those trees. \n"I try to illustrate the place through the people I went with," Renslow says. "Landscapes are always more interesting with some action too."\n5) "Have your camera with you at all time," Meyer says. "I went to New Orleans for spring break and now it's a mess. You never know what's going to happen or how things will change."\nKeeping these simple suggestions in mind will help you create more interesting and provocative photos to take home with you.\nNow that you've made it back in one piece with dozens of photos commemorating your spring break shenanigans, it's time to process your images. Most film processes have a lifetime guarantee, but if you don't store them anywhere they won't last very long. \nFirst, you need to decide which pictures are album worthy and which aren't. You should keep the images that don't make the cut in the envelope in which they came. It's also a good idea to label the back of your photos with dates, names and locations. This way, 20 years from now you won't find yourself talking about what's-her-name and that guy you knew way back when. You don't need to label the other photos, but for convenience you might want to label the envelope with the date and location.\nThe most important thing to remember is to have fun. Keep some of these suggestions in mind and you'll find yourself making more rich and compelling photos. We're not all artists and shouldn't expect to get award-winning masterpiece photographs from spring break, but you never know.