Almost time to go!

[MolBasser]

So I settled on Tri-x for my film of choice for the trip to africa.

Film. Check.
Reminder about the rule of thirds. Check.

Any tips for not looking like a total newb making photographs?

MolBasser

 

[ann]

be sure your lens hood is attached in its proper orientation. You can't believe how many people i saw recently on easter island with the hood turned in the wrong direction

 

[photomem]

I dont know if you thought about this, but how about getting UV filters to use in the place of lens caps for your lenses... that way you wont miss a shot fumbling with a lens cap.

 

[Ian David]

Don't pose with the lions. That sometimes ends badly.

 

[MolBasser]

got uv filters. Cats and I get along, so I might be able to do the lion thing...

MolBasser

 

[David Brown]

Reminder about the rule of thirds. Check.

Any tips for not looking like a total newb making photographs?

MolBasser

Ignore the "rule" of thirds ...

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Yeah, Dave beat me to it. Take that Rule of Thirds and know when to just chuck it right out the window.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Ignore the "rule" of thirds ...

And remember if you are shooting with a range finder camera to take the lenses cap off before shooting the photograph. Most of us can figure that out when shooting slrs.

Take more film than you think you will need.

Steve

 

[jovo]

Any tips for not looking like a total newb making photographs?

Do not wear a photovest and plaid shorts at the same time. Do not use fill flash half a mile away from your subject. Far more important than the rule of thirds is getting close to your subject unless it is a hungry wild animal with an attitude. Then the animal's rule of thirds kicks in: Eat one third of you now, share one third of you with a buddy, and save one third of you for a snack later on. Tip your waiter, and try the veal.

 

[johnnywalker]

Presumably you've had your shots and got your malaria pills!

Take a yellow and orange filter.

 

[George Collier]

Take cleaning stuff (a little blower brush - squeeze kind, lens cleaner if you can smuggle it - I think it comes in a small enough bottle - and lens tissue)

 

[Existing Light]

If you take a second film with you or buy film there that isnt Tri-X, make sure you remember which film is in the camera . I've done that quite a few times, and it can be disasterous if there's a big difference in the speed of the two films

 

[Sirius Glass]

If you take a second film with you or buy film there that isnt Tri-X, make sure you remember which film is in the camera . I've done that quite a few times, and it can be disasterous if there's a big difference in the speed of the two films

That is why MF users who have multiple film backs put the film type in the film box reminder slot. Still mistakes can be made.

Steve

 

[whlogan]

Excellent call on the film!!!!
Logan

 

[Vaughn]

Presumably you've had your shots and got your malaria pills!

Take a yellow and orange filter.

Would a ND filter be of any use, or to the point, be worth hauling around? Just thinking of bright African sun and a 400 ISO film.

Vaughn

 

[Rick A]

Would a ND filter be of any use, or to the point, be worth hauling around? Just thinking of bright African sun and a 400 ISO film.

Vaughn

Do they have a different sun than us? Holy smoke, all these years and I find out I live on a twin-star planet!!! Try to keep your gear to a minimum, and be able to react swiftly to any circumstance. A uv or skylight filter in place of lens cap is a good suggestion, take a couple of rolls of color 400 speed as well-I hear there are some things that only color will be able to exploit properly.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Would a ND filter be of any use, or to the point, be worth hauling around? Just thinking of bright African sun and a 400 ISO film.

Vaughn

Just f/16 and 1/500 second. Just the formula for action and great DOF.

Steve

 

[MattKing]

Extra batteries.

A jeweler's screwdriver.

If you use filters, a filter wrench.

Have a great trip!

Matt

 

[MolBasser]

I'm going to have a couple of rolls of color film that a friend is giving me. Most of the color stuff will be taken by the camera that cannot be mentioned here.

I'm pretty fired up. I will post pics when I get back, but don't expect AnselBasser type stuff, I'm essentially a total beginner again at this point.

MolBasser

 

[BradS]

zip lock freezer storage bags can help protect gear and film in harsh environments.

 

[tony lockerbie]

If you are using a wideangle lens, just remember..."objects in the viewfinder are closer than they appear"

 

[Existing Light]

That is why MF users who have multiple film backs put the film type in the film box reminder slot. Still mistakes can be made.

Steve

I'd probably forget which film is in which back unless I labeled it when I put the film in

 

[EASmithV]

And remember if you are shooting with a range finder camera to take the lenses cap off before shooting the photograph. Most of us can figure that out when shooting slrs.

Take more film than you think you will need.

Steve

MOST

 

[Tony Egan]

Yeah, Dave beat me to it. Take that Rule of Thirds and know when to just chuck it right out the window.

...but then again if you are looking through the viewfinder and you start thinking to yourself, oh dear, what a cliche, take the shot anyway... at least it's YOUR cliche! But then think about the next, perhaps more bold or creative option.

look and shoot in exactly the opposite direction to everybody else occasionally.

avoid the temptation to open the back of your camera to show all the digi-freaks all the great stuff you've shot.

do the squint test if shooting in the middle of the day to test scene contrast. take the shot anyway but it may avoid getting too excited about what your eyes saw and what the film actually recorded.

have a great time!

 

[Denis R]

polar

use a polarizer

try a rainbow filter