Consciously and or subconsciously (tending more towards the latter as you practice) there are many things to think about when taking or preparing to take a photograph.

Sometimes a photo opportunity presents itself and you don't have time to think. You snap and hope for the best.

But normally, and if you want to get a photo to be proud of, you must think it through.

Here are the basic considerations, roughly in order, leading up to and after taking a photograph.

 

Equipment:

Preparation of your equipment is important.

It should be well looked after, maintained and clean.

But equipment selection is also important.

It's not always necessary to take absolutely everything you own. Nor is it necessary to rush out and buy stacks of expensive gear.

But if you have the capacity to take all your gear comfortably - well, you never know what opportunity might spring up.

The important thing is to make sure, as far as possible, that everything is working as it should.

Change or charge your batteries regularly and always have spares.

If a problem arrises on one shoot, get it sorted as soon as possible after. Don't let the same problem catch you out next time.

Don't rush out and buy a whole lot of gadgets and gimmicks you may only use once.

 

Here's a list of equipment you must have;

 

Here's a list of equipment you should have;

Here's a list of equipment it would be nice to have;

Here's a list of equipment you can start adding when you really get serious;

 

The one thing you must have which you can't buy - is patients.

 

Setting Up:

Choose the type of film you will use;

 

Set the ISO (ASA) on the camera - vitally important.

Some cameras can read the ISO off the film case

 

Choose a lens (if you have more than one)

 

Tackling the Subject:

When you have decided what to photograph, remember the composition lessons you have just learnt;

 

Push the Button:

But before you do;

 

Handling the Film:

The exposed film is very valuable to you. You have invested a lot of time, effort and possibly money into capturing those images. You may have travelled to get them. It may cost you a lot of money if you have to reshoot.

Your film is very valuable to you, but only to you.

Anyone to whom you entrust your film will only compensate you for loss or damage to the value of the material cost involved - that is, $15 (or whatever it's worth) for a new roll of film.

So, only entrust your valued film to someone you trust. That may be K-Mart, your local chemist or any one-hour shop - or you could seek out a prolab (professional laboritory).

When travelling, be aware that airport security X Ray machines can damage your film. They are generally advertised as being "Film Safe". This is true to a certain extent, but the effect is cumulative. In other words, it's not advisable to allow the same rolls of film to go through an X Ray scanner more than five or six times. But don't fret too much, onece or twice through the scanners is no problem.

High-speed film is more sensitive than normal film.

You could secure your film in lead containers or a lead-lined pocket, but in today's security environment I wouldn't like to try that one. You could also ask that your film containers be hand searched - but for the same reason, I wouldn't risk annoying the security people.

Generally speaking, I have never worried about putting film through X Ray and I have never regreted that decision.