Essential Items for Travelling Photographers

These days more and more people are leaving their film cameras behind when they travel and taking a digital camera. However, just as in the old days, the type of camera and the peripherals you carry can make a big difference to the types of pictures you take, how easy it is to take them, and the resulting images. It may also influence certain other aspects of your trip. In this feature we will consider some of the photographic choices travellers must make and provide some pointers on the benefits and liabilities of different types of equipment.

Equipment Choices

Just about every Australian household owns a digital still camera; some even have two or three. Sadly, because imaging technology changes rapidly, yesterday’s pride-and-joy is likely to be superseded by a new model with higher resolution and more features before the old camera is past its ø¢â‚¬Ëœuse-by’ date. Consequently, many readers will likely be looking for advice to help them choose their next digital camera.

Digital Camera Battery Performance

After studying a range of specifications for digital cameras currently on the market, it would seem that the majority specify 4xAA cells (i.e., 6 volts) as the power source. Some cameras suggest the optional use of rechargeable cells such as four Nickel Cadmium (NiCad) cells, or four Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) cells. Each of these cells has a nominal voltage of 1.2 volts, so a pack of four would supply 4.8 volts. Rechargeable cells would certainly be more economic in the long term, and more convenient.

Choosing an A3 Printer

This article looks at the criteria digital photographers should use when selecting a printer for pictures they wish to display. Some criteria apply to both colour and monochrome prints, while others are specific to colour or B&W. Which criteria are the most important will depend to some extent on the photographer’s personal taste. Some photographers judge print quality by looking at the tonal range in the image, while others look for bright, vibrant colours and deep, rich blacks. Many photographers suffer from budget restrictions and, although they might like the top-of-the-range model, have to ‘make do’ with a lower-featured unit that may not be so well built. To help you decide which printer to buy, we have outlined a set of criteria that you should examine. It’s up to you to prioritise those criteria in their order of importance.