johncudw's VirtualTourist Home Page

If any of you folks have questions about use and application of
digital cameras, scanning, or image problems, let me know.

Most of my pictures are taken with a Canon EOS Digital SLR (6.3MP)
but some are from Minolta and Canon point-and-shoot zoom models
as well as scans from 35mm film and slides.

I carry a camera in the car with me most of the time, and
shoot many things and scenes I see while going about, anywhere
near or far away from where I live.

Tips for taking good pictures:

1. Try not to be rushed or hurried.

2. Make sure autofocus has locked on the right target
before letting the shutter release.

3. Avoid sunny direct harsh light around 10am-3pm
for landscapes and people especially. In winter this may
not apply depending on latitude because the sun never gets
very high anyway (especially in N. Europe and Alaska)

4. Use a telephoto lens to get nearer objects and
creatures hard to get close to ( lions, tigers, bears, people, etc.)

5. Bracket exposures when not sure of exposure or
tricky lighting conditions.

6. Use a tripod, brace against hard object, or use anti-shake
electronic systems in camera.

7. Don't buy the most fancy or cheapest camera.
Either extreme brings diminishing returns.
But a good advanced camera is good for professional work,
especially a durable one if used very frequently.

8. Bring extra batteries and memory cards or film.

9. Study the manual and menus , learn how to control the
camera and get it to do what you want it to do.
Try to do this BEFORE going to that unique location
that you may never go to again for a long time or ever again.

10. Don't be afraid to experiment and try different things.

11. When shooting from a moving car, use a high shutter speed
and take many photos, (you will get some sharper and less sharp
ones). DON'T do this while driving!

12. If any of you have any tips or suggestions, e-mail them to me.

KINDS OF DIGITAL CAMERAS:

a. Compact flat units (usually 35-105mm or so)
b. All in one wide range zoom, with wide angle to very long
telephoto - approaching binoculars' magnification.
(these are good for birds and wildlife)

c. Digital SLR, 1.6 times smaller sensor (usual kind of Digital SLR)
d. Full Frame Digital SLR - much more expensive

c and d usually have bayonet mount removable lenses.

I give credit to God who creates all this neat stuff around me,
to Jesus who loves me, and to the Spirit of God who
inspires an artist's eye.

Give thanks for the opportunity to see and record all this.

Note: Just because you have never heard of some of the places
that are listed here, doesn't mean that the spots aren't unique
Check them out. and other's pages too of the same places.
I notice some less well-known places have not any VT pictures there.

Looking to the northwest off a lift platform
across the ridges of Vermont - Mount Mansfield

Here in eastern Mahwah

over Mahwah NJ
This one was pure white against
a really dark blue sky
August 2006

This is usually dry unless there
has been a lot of rain
Between Route 17 in Southfields and Tiorati Circle-Harriman Park

This is in the area around our
apartment. Used a 300mm
lens to sneak up on the bird
without scaring it away.

Near Lake Welch, off Seven Lakes Drive
Click on the image to see the antlers

This was seen in 2004
in eastern Mahwah, NJ