How to Take Vacation Photos for Better Memories.

Is something missing when you begin thumbing through your vacation photos from years ago? Do the memories seem a little disconnected and dim? Does that magical time become a puzzle that can't be finished? Well read on road-trippers and memory makers. I will show you how to fill in the blanks with a little photo note taking or lets say...some memory 'glue'.

Do you remember how proud you were capturing all the right moments and scenes while on your last vacation? Do you recall the anticipation of waiting to see your photos once home? Its all so fresh in your mind. You've made reprints or your digital doubles for everyone, updated the photo album or iPhoto library and now the whole thing begins to settle and fade.

As months and years pass, you begin to sift through past photos you dust off to relive. Faded memories start to come to life like a dry sponge in a water, yet something is strangely missing now. The photos start to bring alive that time of your life, yet the memories aren't as well connected as they once were. You continue perusing the photos that chronicle the time you so well documented. You did document it well didn't you? The realization begins to settle in that there are pages missing in the chapters of your mind. Has this happened to you?

We depart on that well planned trip or vacation and reach for the camera at all the obvious moments, a landmark, a sunset, a family shot or anything similar that deserves grand notation and then we forget everything else. Consider for a moment, its the everything else that could be your holy grail in making your recall of that time more connected and complete years down the road when you stroll memory lane. That "everything else" can become a veritable 'glue' keeping our memories more completely intact.

For example, years ago we took a flight in to a remote Alaskan cabin. I photographed all the obvious hi-lights. Years later, looking through these photos, I began to relive memories but there seemed to be gaps preventing me from reliving the complete picture. After looking at all the photos I asked myself questions whose answers couldn't be rendered from the photos made. What did we eat? What did the weather feel like? How did we prep for a trip like this? What rations were made to comply with the weight restrictions of the small Cessna. How did we do it? What were were our thoughts? Was I even there? Intangible clues left out from a typical picturesque moment.

More recently, trip photography has become much different. I bring back photos, upon first inspection, that look like I was handed a camera for the first time. Stuff that would definitely NOT make it into the pages of Sunset Magazine. There are now pictures of a messy picnic table or eating area, rain on windows, wet things, odd things, shot of duffle contents before stuffing it, shot of the messy cabin upon arrival, shots of a packed car, a messy driver compartment, a loaded canoe, hotel exterior, parking lots, you get the idea. These all carry secret messages for later decoding.

Believe it or not all these photos become your 'glue' for allowing you to completely relive memories long after they have begun to fade. Adhering the masterpiece scenes into a whole memory. Photos that get to the heart of how you really felt and what you were thinking. A snapshot of your mindset if you will.

What is the ultimate 'glue' photo? Something you may not normally photograph or include in your greatest hits, perhaps. Think of it this way, I can make a portrait of you, but if I photograph your CD collection as well as your bookcase I will know so much more about you.

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How to Dramatically Improve Your Digital Photos

Many photographers are surprised after they buy their first digital camera.

All that research on features and megapixels led them to believe their purchase would somehow create the best photos ever.

Unfortunately, great photographs depend on more than just a good camera. Even the best camera, in the hands of one not so skilled in photo composition, will produce only so-so results.

Getting the best digital photos depends upon several factors.

? Your technical knowledge of the camera...are you familiar with all the features and settings?

? Your knowledge of good composition and lighting techniques

? Your knowledge of how to properly edit your photo for final printing or viewing

Reading your owner's manual, and online tutorials, will give you all the technical knowledge you need to properly and efficiently operate your camera.

There are also many books and online tutorials available for learning to properly compose and light your scene. You can also go to any art museum and take a good, technical view of the work on display. Note how they composed each scene and where they placed the main subject. What was their point of view, from up high, down low, or level with the subject. Where did the light come from?

You can learn a great deal from studying the successful work of others. When you develop a detective's eye, you can get some great clues that will speed your path to success.

However, even the greatest digital camera and phenomenal composition and lighting skills will not eliminate your need for some post-shoot editing. You won't find a single top pro photographer who does not do a bit of digital editing after the shot was taken.

I feel like the photos are only 80% done when they come right from your camera. We can really add 20% more quality and WOW! factor with just a few simple edits. Especially sharpening.

Most choose Adobe's Photoshop series for editing their photos. While many think it's difficult to learn, there are many resources available online and off that can assist you. Some people like books, some prefer video.

I've always preferred a blend. I like to look over someone's shoulder and watch them edit. But then I like to have a text reference guide beside me - because inevitably I'll forget one step and get lost. I like a 'crib-notes' or 'recipe style' version with just the basics. I don't like trying to read through some huge text volume.

So remember, buying a great camera is just the beginning of great photo creation. You must also learn a bit about composition, lighting and editing as well.

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