Have Camera; Will Travel

by Phil Houseal as published in the Kerrville TX Community Journal, April 8, 2009


One of the surprisingly popular courses this year has been our series of "how to" photography classes. Generously planned and taught by members of the Hill Country Camera Club, the courses range from using digital cameras to travel photography.

HCCC vice-president Joe Skymba was tapped to lead the travel photography class. He traveled ambitiously during 22 years as a Marine Corps photographer. That assignment took him from shooting battles in Vietnam and the Dominican Republic to a front row perch at John F. Kennedy's inauguration.

"We try to inspire the traveler to shoot more than pictures of buildings... or people standing in front of a sign," Skymba said.

One of Skymba's favorite travel tricks is to shoot "people" pictures - photos of indigent natives going about their daily lives. He always asks permission, even if he can't speak the language.

"In Europe, if I saw good image of a person, I would point at my camera, then point at him, then nod my head," he explained. They would either nod their head or say no. "Most of the time they said yes."

If you insist in shooting buildings, Skymba has some tips that make them more interesting. He suggests shooting in the rain, or shooting after the sun goes down.

"If you shoot it at right time - right after the sun goes down, the sky will be nice and blue. You will get the outline of the building, but you will also capture light coming from the building and from streetlights."

Today's digital cameras give travelers even more options. With speeds up to 1600 and even 3200, it is easier to capture images with little light. Digital cameras offer another benefit over film.

"When I used to travel, I would shoot slides, then develop them when I got back to the states," he said. "I did not have luxury of shooting 500 digital images. The digital age is really great, and getting better and better."

Camera club members help novices adjust their digital cameras to get the optimum pictures. Skymba notes that most set their camera on automatic and leave it there. That way, they'll get the picture, but that is not the best they can do.

But no matter what equipment a photographer chooses, the art of getting the best photos comes down to the person squeezing the shutter. Skymba offered two suggestions that would immediately improve the quality of your travel photos.

"First, move in closer on your subject," he said. "I'm not sure why people don't do that - even some of our club members don't. Second, shoot more than one shot. Try different angles, and you will be surprised what you come up with."

No matter which camera you use, or how practiced your technique, Skymba encourages everyone to take pictures whenever they travel.

"You will bring back memories for you and your family, and you'll have something to show your relatives and friends, and something to put in your scrapbook."

XXX

The Travel Photography class will meet April 21. For information or to sign up, click www.clubed.net, or call 830-895-4386.

Club Ed is the Community Education program of the Kerrville Independent School District. Each year, we offer more than 400 classes throughout the Texas Hill Country, along with online courses, business and individual training, and after-school and summer camps. Comment online at clubedcomments.blogspot.com.