Digital technology has changed forever the way we take and store our happy snaps. Photographer Walter Glover explains how to get the most out of your digital camera on your next road trip

Don’t you just love your car and the freedom it gives you to go places, see people and do things? Right up there with my car, I love my camera. It lets me keep my holiday memories and share them with others.

Cars have changed a lot over time, but their operation remains pretty much the same – fill them with petrol, turn the key and you’re in business. Not so cameras. The digital revolution has tipped photographic procedure on its head… but there are massive benefits also, and they are all to your advantage.

Basically, digital cameras come in two styles: The digital single lens reflex (DSLR) and the point and shoot (P&S). Which type suits you best will depend on how important photography is to you and the sort of subjects you like.

The DSLR lets you fit various lenses from extreme wide-angles to extreme telephotos. If the interiors of historic buildings or sports or wildlife close-ups are your bag, the DSLR can adapt to your requirements. Because you’ll want to use an assortment of different lenses with your DSLR, however, you’ll have to carry around some bulky equipment.

The P&S is far less burdensome and most models can be carried in a handbag or purse. They usually have a retractable zoom lens that packs close to flat when not in use and all viewing is done on the LCD screen at the back of the camera. The absence of viewfinder housing contributes significantly to the reduced weight and bulk.

Modern P&S cameras have comparable file sizes to the smaller DSLRs. All digital cameras offer a range of user-definable image formats and size options. RAW files provide greater image control, but for domestic shooting JPEGs are fine. I suggest you shoot in the largest smooth JPEG setting available so you can make bigger enlargements later.

Removable memory storage cards chiefly come in two forms – compact flash (CF) cards and secure digital (SD) cards. They differ in size physically but are available with similar storage capacities. Memory cards have reduced in price and I would suggest that 2GB (gigabytes) is an affordable and handy size that lets you take plenty of shots before the card is full.

The latest advances in automated focus and exposure can handle almost any shooting situation. Let the camera do the donkey work and free yourself to concentrate on finding and making interesting pictures.

When you travel, why not rely on the postcard producers to capture the predictable views and instead seek out the unique and interesting things that catch YOUR eye.

Once you’re done, connect your camera to a computer and use the supplied software to modify your images. If the mystique of image manipulation is not your scene, you can just print directly to your desktop photo printer or you can go to any of the mini-labs and pharmacies that have DIY digital printing facilities. Now you need print only the pictures you want in the size and quantity that suits.

For short-term image storage, transfer files to something like an iPod, USB drive or a purpose-built image storage device. Will you have a laptop computer with you on your travels? If so, you won’t only be able to store your images but also include them in emails as you tell the folks back home where you’ve been and what you’ve done.

For longer-term storage, files can be burned to CD or DVD – but as there are longevity issues with these technologies, storing them on your computer’s hard drive and backing up on an external hard drive is a safer way.

Convenient access to your images is largely a matter of methodical filing. There are computer applications available that will not only help sort and file but also keep track of where images are and provide a thumbnail view of them.

Digital photography has met with broad acceptance due largely to improved efficiency, greater convenience and reduced cost. Embrace the new methods, reap the rewards and keep the memories of your adventures alive forever.

Find destinations to inspire your photography – visit NRMA Travel.

Open Road e-zine August 2008

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