photography

[Rich]

Hey Ray,

Thanks for your input and travel help. Just wanted to know a couple of photography tips from you because there are numerous photos which you submitted that I really appreciated.

What type of camera do you use (including Megapixels)?

Interested in your opinion on this........for your black and whites, do you edit the photos on the computer for the black and white effect, or do you set your camera to the black and white mode? I've been told that the end product won't differ with either method, so take the photo in color first.

Thanks!
Firsttimer
([e-mail])

[BigRay]

Hi Firsttimer,

Thanks for the kudos! I'm glad you enjoy the pics.

As for the camera, the one I use almost exclusively now is a digital Olympus C-4000 ZOOM. It can take pictures up to 4 megapixels, but I never use that setting. I take all my shots as 2288 X 1712 JPGs or even smaller. This is more than enough than I will personally ever need. If you are thinking of getting a digital camera, don't be fooled by the megapixel rhetoric. More megapixels does NOT mean the camera is better. It only means that if you decide to make prints, you can make larger ones. A camera of 2 megapixels is enough for normal sized prints or for viewing full screen on a computer monitor.

I really like the camera because it has a long battery life, and the camera has a ton of features and options. Though I enjoy taking pictures, I don't know much about photography in general and this camera has a lot of pre-programmed modes for different settings. Also, there are a ton of manual features that can be set if I knew what I was doing.

As for the black and white or sepia photos, I set the camera to use those modes. I am no expert on this, but I was told that using a program like Photoshop to turn images black and white does not produce the same effect. The algorithm the software uses to strip out the colors is supposedly not the same as shooting the picture originally in black and white. Ever since I heard this, I use the appropriate setting but I'm not sure if I would personally notice the difference.

Hope this helps,
Ray

PS- I have more pics located here:
community.webshots.com/user/bigrayl ;D

[Rich]

Thanks again for the info and the link to your other photos! Some luring photos......I hadn't heard of Eze before, but since we'll be in Nice, I think we'll be adding that to our list of things to see!

I picked up the Canon A70 camera and I am just starting to play with it. Seemed like a safe bet from the reviews on the web. From your comments, I trust 3.1 megapixels should do the job. It's max is 2048 x 1536 JPGs.

Cheers!
Firsttimer

[Kim]

Also, for some more pics of Eze - check out our Group Photo Gallery (see link above). On the 3rd page of France, Patrick has some posted.

Also, check out the "Pictures of Us" section - think you might recognize someone ;D

Kim

[Rich]

Hi Kim,

You know its funny.....within about an hour of you telling me who your sister was, I saw the picture in your photo section!

We're planning on spending 2.5 days in Nice & Monaco area. Any suggestions as to how much of this time we should put aside for Monaco & Eze?

Also, it looks like Eze is a fair ways up the hill from the train station. Any tips of transportation to get up there?

Thanks!

[BigRay]

Eze Village is definitely up the hill, but it is fairly easy to get to from Nice. There are buses that do the route. I don't know the schedule, but they leave at least every hour.

Be careful not to confuse Eze Village (all the way up the hill) with Eze-Sur-Mer, which is below on the coast and quite a ways from Eze Village.

Have fun!
Ray

[Kim]

You could do Monaco/Monte Carlo as a day trip or half day trip. It's only minutes from Nice on the train. You definately don't want to stay there as it's expensive.

When you first get there (say from the train station), that's the Monte Carlo part. Up the hill is the Monaco part.

There isn't tons there but it's nice to see.

Kim

[Rich]

Thanks guys! ;D

[Rich]

Oh, sorry to pepper you with questions Ray! Do you use a tripod for many of your photos? I have a fairly lightweight one, but it's about 2 feet long when folded up........meaning it would somewhat stick out of my daypack. Not very helpful when trying to keep a low profile! I know it would be good for the photos and the weight wouldn't bother me much, but is it at all practical to travel with?

Thanks,
Firsttimer

[BigRay]

In theory, I would love to use a tripod, especially for taking pictures at night. But I don't have one and have waited on buying one because I'm not sure I want to carry one around with me. I have seen some mini-tripods, though, that when folded up are longer than six inches, though likewise when unfolded, they are pretty small. This might be a good idea, as it would be easy to carry around.

A friend told me that a small bean bag could work. If you find a wall or a table, you can place the camera on a beanbag to keep it still. I haven't done this either, though, but it seems a bit more manageable.

Ray

[LHR02]

Just to add my 02....beanbags do indeed work really well, assuming you have a wall, stump, table...actually any surface of suitable height to set your cameral on. The problems I have found with many of the 'mini' tripods is the amount of weight they can hold effectively.....i.e. if you are using a film camera as I do and have a lens of any weight (and most of them are) then most of the mini's can't hold them securely. This will also need to be a consideration if your digital accepts film type 'long' lenses....it will be 'front' heavy and those minis will oftentimes just topple over, front first. Be very aware of the weight limits on any tripod you consider.

[BigRay]

Great point on the weight! I hadn't thought of that. That's great to know before getting one. I was actually thinking of getting a tripod soon so I don't have to lie down on the ground with the camera on my chest to keep it steady! ;D

[Rich]

Thanks guys....some good advice. Ray, you must have the steadiest hands in your photos! I assumed you used a tripod for several of them. Guess I'll work on my technique prior to commiting to the light, but bulky, tourist give-away tripod!

Cheers!
Firsttimer

[LHR02]

Ray takes mostly digital (I think) and I'm a film gal...my pics are here if you'd like to visit:

imageevent.com/dustoffmom

there are pics there from the last three trips, covering Ireland to Italy and most places in between.

[LHR02]

....and sorry Ray...not sure how 'your' forum has been taken over by photography! ;D