Long summer days, spectacular scenery, buffalo on the highway... everything around just makes you want to capture it all on film.

No matter what kind of camera you use, photography is the capturing of light on film. How can you use that light to your best advantage? Here are a few useful hints to remember.

You and a friend are at the falls and you have to get a photo! Your friend stands in front of the falls with the sun behind him.

TURN ON YOUR FLASH.
You will still get the full impact of the falls, plus your friend will no longer be just a shadow. Remember to set your camera for flash setting. If you are using a manual 35mm camera set your F-stop as per your light meter. While at the falls, you want to get another photo of your friend. This time you want your friend in focus, but not in the middle of the picture.

USE FOCUS LOCK.
On a manual camera just focus on your friend then move the camera so they are where you want them in the picture. With most compact cameras - aim at your friend then to achieve focus lock push down 1/2 way on the shutter release (button you take the picture with) holding the button there, move the camera to set the picture the way you want it, now push the button all the way down. (If you lift your finger the camera will refocus on the background) So you've decided you've finished photographing the falls, and decide to walk along the well-groomed trails. Look there! It's a squirrel eating under a bush. You have to get this picture.

AGAIN TURN ON YOUR FLASH. That will highlight the squirrel. Just remember this will probably only give you one shot before it bolts. While here, you attend a wedding and you want to take photos. While outside, you decide you want to capture the happy couple on film, but they are standing by trees in bright sunlight. What do you do?

Yes, that's right:

TURN ON YOUR FLASH. It takes the harsh shadows out of the faces.

A huge bison is in the middle of the highway and the sun is directly behind him.

You will not be close enough for your flash to do any good! Take your light meter readings from the ground just in front of the buffalo, then take your shot. For fully auto cameras aim at the bison, then stop down 2 F-stops.

If you're shooting dark objects or black animals, such as a bear and you want to get facial and fur detail without a flash, underexpose slightly.

Shooting the falls so that you get a feel of rushing water is easier to do then it sounds and looks. If your camera reads 250 shutter at F 5.6, then try setting your camera at 60 shutter and F 11 (whatever your light meter suggests at 60). This will give you a blurred effect of the water, with everything else still sharp. If you have a tripod, go for an even longer shutter speed; you won't be disappointed with your results.

WHAT FILM SPEED DO I USE? Shooting the jet boat races, a hockey game or a skating show using 400 ASA film will allow you to freeze the action of the boats and take better shots in low light conditions.

The difference between 100 ASA and 200 ASA is one F-stop. Use whichever you prefer for your camera. Either are good films for general use like indoor birthday parties requiring a flash, at the beach, at the falls or just goofing around.

One thing that can make a big difference as to how you like your pictures, yet is the easiest to do, is just flip your camera up and take a few shots vertically. Quite often the same shot can appear dramatically different.

Have fun with your camera. Photography is an art and not a science. Many times the prints you will like the best are not the same ones your friends might like. That's Ok! As long as you've got what you want it's a perfect print.

Article contributed by Lyda Greer of
Lyda's Images of Light